How did you get your husband (or wife) on board?

bzymom22 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 05:49:21 AM

I'm a little discouraged tonight. DH said that he was going to go to the grocery store today to get some stuff for Easter (he's the cook of the family and loves making the big holiday meals). I gave him my carefully constructed list with coupons paper clipped to it.

When he came home, I asked to see the receipt. $168!!!! First, I was shocked, because I haven't paid more than $50 for groceries in months. He bought a lot of extra stuff. If he'd followed my list, it would've been no more than $20 max(no doubles here). Then in the bag I found the list...with the coupons still attached. He said he forgot. He can be kind of passive-aggressive so I am wondering....

He does make comments like "You have too many coupons." and "If you keep buying more stuff, I'm going to have build bigger cupboards." and "Don't buy anymore. We can't fit any more in the fridge." and "We're doing okay. We don't need to use coupons."

My stockpile is quite small. No more than 4 of an item...except maybe toothpaste where I've got 6-7.

So if your DH wasn't on board with your couponing at first...how did you convince him? I welcome any suggestions.

Stacy · #2 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 06:27:37 AM

My DH will not coupon. If there is something that we need and I have a coupon, I have to get it. He thinks it takes too much time to find the coupons, then find the deals. Yet, he doesn't complain when we haven't had to buy Toilet Paper since October!

TammyH · #3 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 06:43:01 AM

Don't worry just keep doing what your doing. My dh will not even go to the store. Tonight I asked him to go with me because I had to get some pizza's (kids are on spring break) and my q's were expiring tom.and the sale was ending tonight, anyway we don't have room in the freezer so we had to take them to my dad's house. Well he waited in the car! Its okay though I know how much were saving and he likes all the extras, he's proud of the saving but not enough to do it himself!!

When I first started he didn't get it at all, what made him understand was the CVS receipts...when he actually seen what all I was getting and my total would be like .82 then he caught on. I just kept showing him the receipts. Followed by I want to get things paid off. It doesn't matter if you "don't have to" but do you really want to just give your money away? My dh and I both have good jobs "I love my job" and I am probably the only Realtor in my area that coupons...LOL

The real goal for me is be debt free and couponing is just going to make that happen a little faster!

maree_strawberry · #4 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 06:43:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bzymom22

I'm a little discouraged tonight. DH said that he was going to go to the grocery store today to get some stuff for Easter (he's the cook of the family and loves making the big holiday meals). I gave him my carefully constructed list with coupons paper clipped to it.

When he came home, I asked to see the receipt. $168!!!! First, I was shocked, because I haven't paid more than $50 for groceries in months. He bought a lot of extra stuff. If he'd followed my list, it would've been no more than $20 max(no doubles here). Then in the bag I found the list...with the coupons still attached. He said he forgot. He can be kind of passive-aggressive so I am wondering....

He does make comments like "You have too many coupons." and "If you keep buying more stuff, I'm going to have build bigger cupboards." and "Don't buy anymore. We can't fit any more in the fridge." and "We're doing okay. We don't need to use coupons."

My stockpile is quite small. No more than 4 of an item...except maybe toothpaste where I've got 6-7.

So if your DH wasn't on board with your couponing at first...how did you convince him? I welcome any suggestions.

This Is my DH to a T!!! Except I cook. I feel your pain!!

thriftymomma · #5 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 08:29:02 AM

Maybe show him the "fruits of your labor" by using some of your grocery q savings to buy a night out for you two or to buy something he has been eyeing but hasn't purchased yet and surprise him with it? Then you could say "We were able to do this with all the money I saved using my q's grocery shopping!" or something like that? May be worth a try if you haven't tried it already...

ladywaterwind · #6 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 12:59:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thriftymomma

Maybe show him the "fruits of your labor" by using some of your grocery q savings to buy a night out for you two or to buy something he has been eyeing but hasn't purchased yet and surprise him with it? Then you could say "We were able to do this with all the money I saved using my q's grocery shopping!" or something like that? May be worth a try if you haven't tried it already...

This is what I would suggest, only I wouldn't surprise him with it. I'd put your old monthly grocery allowance in like a jar or something where he could see it and then at the end of the month he can see how much is still in there and how little has been going out.

upallnight2 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 04:13:42 PM

At first my SO balked at how much I was going to be spending. But when I got home and started showing off the bottom line.....HAPPY, Happy,Happy!

cutenirish · #8 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 04:18:07 PM

My DH will use A coupon if it's for ONE item and that's all he's buying and that just started afew months ago-- I usually shop- but he's been doing it lately since i was so tired all the time.. now we usually go together so it's not so bad :)

xufan · #9 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 04:31:02 PM

I guess I'm lucky. My husband never complains about it. At first, he was quiet...so I'm guessing skeptical...but he never said a word. Now...he can't shut up about it!! He tells everyone!! And he even sits down with me when I make the grocery list. He'll look at the ads, and see something he wants, but he'll ask if I've got a coupon, or if it's a good deal before he makes the final decision about whether he REALLY want it. And, you've all heard the stories about how he calls me from the auto parts store to see what brand of oil, filters, spark plugs, etc. he should buy to get the best rebate. Yes...I know I'm lucky!! And I never forget to tell him how I feel about it.

kurlisola · #10 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 05:12:44 PM

Its one thing for a dh not to be interested or to not understand. But what he did was sooo passive aggressive and frankly I think he went out of his way, spending that much. I would have been furious & we would have had it out.

If he is going to sabatoge (sp?) your budget like this and criticize you and undermine your hard work, then I'd suggest that you do all of the shopping from now on. And I'd suggest that you pocket the difference between what you would have spent and actually did spend. After a few months, you can take YOUR earnings and go with a friend on a cruise.

By the way, in answer to your question. When my dh got 20-30 bottles of free or almost free foreign beer, then he was 100% on board. He's proud of our stockpile.