CVS ~ Other: cvs---Telling all your friends...

[cheapcheap]

I am realizing that there's a special breed of cheap that's attracted to couponing. Seriously, how many people spend hours looking for the next great deal for something they may not even "need"?! Present company included!

I'm done trying to convince people to coupon. When they give excuses, it's a polite way of saying "I'm not that cheap." There seems to be a stigma with clipping coupons. You know... when certain cashiers give you that "look" when you hand them over, like you're dirt. Whatever. As others have said, it's a hobby, not a necessity. Keep it fun and to ourselves!! :)

[Suzi Q pon]

I agree.
I only teach friends that are really interested.
I have about 3 friends that love to "coupon" like I do.
I also like to log on to the "Women In Red" message board.
Check out "The Grocery Challenge Thread.

They are my new "coupon friends."

[ladycat00]

Originally Posted by Suzi Q pon I also like to log on to the "Women In Red" message board. Check out "The Grocery Challenge Thread.

Oh my gosh, I remember following that thread for a few days when it was new, but haven't been back since. Now it is 6255 pages long with over 75,000 posts.

[livingalmostlarge]

I'm one of suzi Q couponers from WIR. I'm not a hard core couponer. And I get A LOT of people telling me NOT to stockpile diapers, wipes, baby stuff (due in Feb).

Um no. I decided screw them. If they can't see the benefit of not having a tired husband drive out to get baby stuff in the middle of the night or after a long day of work, right after we have a baby, stuff it.

It will be winter, the roads will be dark, bad, icy. My DH can't drive at night due to a hereditary disease and I'm expecting him to be able to take of me, baby, and sick dog?

I'm making life as easy as possible for him with coupons AHEAD of time. Yes'll we'll need fresh food, but can do that on the weekend daytime. This way he doesn't have to look for toilet paper, pads, body wash, shampoo, cleaning supplies, diapers, wipes, dog food, etc.

Yeah my baby might not fit all diapers, but at least he (my DH) can try multiple brands instead of going to a store, sleep deprived and trying to recall what to buy???

And our dog is in chemo, so why shouldn't I make life as easy as possible for him? My mom and actually some coworkers, were impressed at my preplanning. They said it's a good strategy because it is dangerous to send a tired man out driving, shopping, etc.

And my mom is coming to help, but she doesn't drive recently due to eye surgery and my MIL can't drive (same problem as DH) at night. So what else is there to do but stockpile stuff for a baby?

Yes it's nuts but so is waiting and spending a fortune and being dangerous to boot.

[Kulis]

It's so hard when you know something that will benefit people and they refuse to listen. It's even worse when they tell you they want help but they really just want you to do it all for them.
I'm fortunate to have two relatives who are now couponers (thanks to me). We don't live close to each other, but it's fun to compare notes and deals when we do get together. We have access to the same stores, so we alert each other when we come across some deal that would benefit the other's families.

[momsak]

i have been couponing in some form for 28 years of my marriage. I worked full time in the beginning and money was tight, so did it to save some money to take a long weekend vacation.

Then we had children and I was a stay-at-home mom and still couponing. Made me feel like I was contributing to our financial situation. As you can imagine, money was still tight and things ran simpler when there was at least some money in savings for when the car broke down, etc.

Then hubby was fortunate and got several raises. Money wasn't so tight, kids were in pre-school and Disney was important. Started saving coupon money and made it to Disneyworld for a week without even touching our savings.

I think around this time I calculated that I had saved our family about $6000. This was in the 1980's and that 6000 is worth double or more now.

Now my youngest has moved out and bought his own place. Guess who's stockpile keeps both his and my daughter's pantry full when most of their friends still pay rent or live at home?

NEVER understimate the value of a dollar saved!!! Whether you use it for emergencies, fun stuff like vacations, or to make ends meet.

Yes, now couponing is not only a hobby but a HABIT.

I have only 2 coupon buddies in all these years and not sure if the one really gets it all, but is greatful for what she does understand.

Hubby still looks at me funny but then after almost 30 years it no longer bothers me at all.

I've seen too many glazed looks on ignorant people's faces(whether by choice or circumstance) that I never discuss qs with someone I don't know well enough to know they at least would be interested.

Do you really think the richest of the rich walk around and tell people how to become rich? They always have an antidote or two to tell, smile, and go on with their lives. I like to think that is how I handle my HABIT.

[milkdonormama]

Originally Posted by jcpal I don't get it. I am all pumped about my CVS and other grocery store hauls. But, when I tell my friends and try to welcome them on board they all look at me weird. Why go through all the bother of coupons and planning etc: they say. Or you buy stuff you wouldnt of spent money on any way, or they just dont believe me on the deals I get. Seriously, when I tell them I got $50 of cold medicine and dove soap products for $0.75. They dont believe me and still refuse to believe me when I show them the reciept. I guess my biggest problem is that I guess I had someone I can share this with that would get as excited about it as I do, or even My friend who is a SAHM with 3 kiddos try it out but is too lazy. (Btw, she can barely keep them fed b/c they arent good with money.) I just dont understand why others would not get curious and want to join in. Seiously I get 5x the amount of groceries they do and only spend 25% as much as they do. Does anyone else feel others look down on them for getting free or discounted groceries without using food stamps but doing about an hours worth of work and research? It is not that we dont make plently of money. Heck! I have a full time job making $60k. My metality is that I can get more for cheaper so I can have more for big kid toys or even the dreaded emergency without having to use a credit card. What are the opinions of others who do this hobby.

My 'hobby' should allow me to be SAHM after my next baby is born in July. Thanks to all that we save, we've been able to pay cash for a car (used car) and pay down the mortgage (our only debt) to the extent that the house should be paid off around the time Junior is born!

[strawberryfield]

I think a lot of people get overwhelmed with couponing when you talk about it from the point of view of someone really involved. I remember just starting up with cvs and walgreens took a couple of weeks to get the hang of it. And I am in no way a pro.

I have found that if I approach it from a simple perspective most people will go for it. Then if they have the time and energy they will ask questions and look into it more. For example I told three friends about the glade thing at Target and links to the SCJohnson rebate forms. One friend forgot about it as I was telling her. One friend loves the idea but has so much going on in her life that to drive an hour to Target for free candles is too much. CVS is a 35 minutes drive for her and Walgreens an hour. Though she did ask me to email anything good and was excited when I sent her some toysrus coupon links. My third friend went right out and got her candles. Then she asked me how I found out about it and I gave her a link to a simple blog where they spell out the good stuff with links etc. I do not know if she will get more involved or not.

[jglenn]

I agree with all of you, I have friends who want me to show them how it's all done...then I lose them. I'm learning to just stay quiet and only let a select few know about the weekly deals. My husband gets a kick out of my "secret life" none of my old friends have a clue that I'm a coupon crazed mom:)

[#1RobThomasfan]

I have one lady at work , she's not as hardcore as I am but she does ask about new deals, she gets it. I tend to look for deals that I can use later...like when the coupons came out for the free glade soy candles...I bought 40 of them and got my free candles, I'm going to pair them up and put something like" May your holiday season shine" on the little tags I'm hanging on them and those are gifts for other teachers at school. Cost me about 17 bucks for q's and tax on candles. That way I can afford to be nice without breaking my bank. I say hey if folks don't want to shop around heck let'em be crazy... I cringed one day watching this guy pay 150.xx for 2 jeans and 3 shirts at Kohl's....ugh.......NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I wanted to cry for him.