Body Wash?!?

[AndreaCA]

Okay, newbie here. I have a question: What on Earth is everyone doing with all of the body wash?

Before I started to get serious with coupons a few months ago, I had never even really noticed body wash. Then, after watching that show and looking through all of the deals each week, I realized that manufacturer's practically give that stuff away. In fact, sometimes they actually pay you to take it off of their hands.

So, I currently have 6 bottles of the stuff. First of all, it all smells really strong and my family is not digging it, but I would like to use it. I've put it into the liquid soap dispensers and I've been shaving my legs with it, but, any other suggestions?

Is there some hidden benefit to body wash that I am missing out on? There must be some reason people on that show all seem to have hundreds and hundreds of bottles of the stuff.

I look forward to your responses. Thanks for letting me rant!

[KyAngel1975]

I have wondered the same exact thing. I have at least 10 bottles and we have never been really big fans. I had been using it for bubble bath for my son but he is 5 and I'm afraid of it burning his eyes. I will try the soap dispenser thing I haven't thought of that.

[Paintbrush]

IDK about others, but I wash my body with it. I don't mind the smell and with the right scents, I actually like it.

I don't like bar soap because it is messy and, imo, less sanitary than body wash.

I don't have a hundred bottles of it, but then I have only been couponing for a couple months (contrary to my join date). I also use body scrub for exfoliation because I diy wax for hair removal.

Now, my all time favorite for cleaning my skin and exfoliation is Arbonne's sea salt scrub, but I can't afford it on a regular basis. And ever since I've been couponing it seems outrageously expensive in comparison. Though I admit if I could afford it I'd ignore the coupons (because I love it so much and think it's worth it).... at least the coupons for body wash/scrubs.

[gctattoo]

I use it to wash my body. I'm always going to shower so it won't go to waste. Why not have several so you can have some variety?

[isis]

I too use it to wash my body! Before I buy any though, I always flip the cap to smell it. I even smell the guys body wash. If I don't like it, I try another scent. I don't have hundreds like those people, but at least a year+ supply for my family.
I also use my stockpile to donate or make gift baskets.

[happyeaglesfan]

I have used it prior to using coupons... I now coupon and it is free. If gas keeps going the way it is I might invent a way to convert it to fuel. Think of the possibilities! The exhaust will even smell good!

Ok just a thought!

[KyAngel1975]

Maybe because I never could justify spending the money on body wash since that is what soap is for? Of course that was before I started couponing..My family is not used to it or me either for that matter. It just seems so slimy if that makes any sense....

[donepayingtoomuch]

I have used it prior to using coupons... I now coupon and it is free. If gas keeps going the way it is I might invent a way to convert it to fuel. Think of the possibilities! The exhaust will even smell good!

Ok just a thought!

Awesome idea, get on it :)

[belinda2]

Body wash is nice in our area because our water is so hard regular soap doesn't lather. Also, you would be surprised at the amount of germs on a bar of soap especially with multiple family members. I don't even like sharing bar soap with my DH.

[AndreaCA]

Thanks for all of your responses! I didn't know about bar soap being "germy". Good to know. I had just assumed that since it was soap, it would keep any germs at bay.

So I'm going to go off on a thread drift now, please forgive me, it's just that body wash is the reason behind my drift!

I've been really trying hard over the past few years to simplify our lives as far as commercial products are concerned and I have eliminated quite a few items that I once thought of as necessities, i.e., fabric softener, cream of whatever soups (cheaper & healthier to make your own), make-up, individual cleaners (vinegar, baking soda, bleach, and ammonia - NOT TOGETHER - have become my staple cleaners), etc. The list goes on.

And then I get this bug in my bonnet to start couponing. And WHAM, instant dilemma. Wow, I can get all these products for FREE, I mean people will pay me to take them out of the store. Cool, right? Maybe not so right for me anyway. I've gotten caught up in the "game" of couponing and suddenly I'm bringing home products that I never would have considered using in a million years, products I've lived without quite well for 45 years, so why start now? Why buy up things that are unnecessary for my own personal quality of life just because I don't have to pay for them? And then I look at those six bottles of body wash that are going to be empty one day and I've unecessarily created landfill. Sure, they are recyclable, but most communities aren't set up to recycle plastic and things like shampoo and body wash bottles go straight to the landfill. A bar of soap only has a piece of paper or cardboard to recycle.

Anyway, I'm just rambling on, trying to wrap my mind around things. On the one hand, I'm not working nearly as many hours right now, so I have time to coupon and the savings on basics that we do use have been very welcome. I mean, I had no idea that I didn't have to pay for razors or toothpaste or floss?!? Who knew? But already, after just a few months of couponing, I have enough toothpaste, floss, razors, toothpaste, ibuprofen, and coffee to last my family for a year. Feels good, feels very good, especially with the way prices have been rising lately but I still have to grapple with all that other stuff I can get for free. I mean just because I can, doesn't necessarily mean I should, right?

I'm not judging anyone, I'm really not. I'm just thinking out loud here and wondering if anyone else has had this dilemma. I hesitate to label it "ethical" or "moral" because frankly, I don't think body wash is nearly profound enough to be labeled either of those things! I'm just trying to figure out how couponing fits into the overall fabric of my own life. Everyone has there own needs, desires, wants, their own "fabrics" to weave from their own life, I'm just trying to determine how couponing fits into my life.

Does this make sense? Or am I totally over thinking things here! Who knew that an overly scented bottle of body wash would create such mental angst! ;)