At what point is this considered an addiction?

[thickie]

You may be referring to me. I pay for my vacations by buying up lots of free or close to free items (I resell them at a local flea market three times a year, I also donate alot to a local battered women's shelter. I never clear off the shelves. I never take the stiky coupons off of packages I am not buying. I go to between 10 and 16 CVSs to do my deals. I live in Baltimore and we have over 40 CVSs in this city/county area. This was all done over a two week period. So before you go off on a rant, ask how and why. Another saying "walk a mile in my shoes.....". thanks. I promise I dont hate you or dislike you. I just thought you may want to know where I am coming from

WOW, you're seriously saying you get free or next to free stuff and resell it? What mile should I walk? This was not anything other than my wondering what the line is between stockpiling and gluttony. The fact that you've take it so close to heart and have become so deffensive clears that up for me. Enjoy your shopping but I'd double check on that getting free and reselling - laws generally prohibit that.

[couponsmakecents]

OP-I agree with you. I had these same thoughts even before I started couponing. Whoever suggested the 3 month rule is brilliant.

Don't get me wrong, I love saving money and it has changed our budget drastically but there's a point where it gets to be a negative influence, always on the prowl, an obsession, etc...for ME.

It's hard to put into words, but the pursuit of money (or savings) is an area where I am careful for various reasons, the main one being my relationship with God.

Eh, I'm probably not making myself clear but the point is that there is a line where this hobby, job, or whatever you want to call it becomes detrimental to one's spiritual, mental and physical health...as with most anything in this world. But the pursuit of money is one area where I tread lightly.

I have a relationship with GOD and believe that using this hobby is one way of being a good steward of the abilities He has given me. I believe that any good thing has the potential of getting out of hand and to have ones priorities straight is important. I don't venture to judge others or their relationship with God and that is one area where I tread lightly.

[preparedmom]

“Opinion” as defined by Mirriam Webster is; a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter. While I’m certain this post will not be popular I am also certain I’m going to say something that a lot of you are thinking but are far too polite to say.

Having not been on HCW but for a couple of months, I am still a newbie of sorts. While I am having the time of my life, I am quickly recognizing that couponing, bargaining, etc., is quite an addiction. For some of us it takes the place of things we formerly had no control over like smoking or eating or whatever.

What concerns me is that reading some of these posts makes me question why some of us do this. For example, (not to pick on anyone in particular but I need an example) there is a post on this board regarding the Energizer deal at CVS. Yes, I too about wet my pants when I realized I would be able to get batteries, good batteries, for .29 cents per package if not less. I also admit I got caught up in the planning of the trips and purchasing the batteries but at what point have we lost our minds and allowed gluttony to overtake us?

Staying with this particular deal for my example, most of us purchased somewhere between 10-30 packages of batteries. Christmas was coming and we all wanted to be prepared. It’s a great sense of accomplishment for some of us and a bit of a rush. I get all that! The thing that concerns me is the gluttonous attitude of some people on these deals. I read a post this evening where the person got over 100 packs of batteries! No wonder the rest of us stared aimlessly at empty shelves where we heard Energizer batteries used to be! Even when I found some, they all had this strange sticky residue on the front of them where an instant $1.00 coupon used to be. So even the batteries left behind for us commoners were violated! Seriously, who needs 100 packs of batteries? I'm sure these power buyers are all donating them and I hope they really are but really, isn't that just totally overboard? 8 pack of AA - 800 batteries? LMAO that's ridiculous! Then we wonder why we get flagged, denied, looked at and so forth.

Ahh, I’m ranting and I’m so sorry but it just frustrates me because this is a prime example of why people hate us! So my question is, in your opinion, at what point does it go from being a fantastic deal and getting the best for your money to some crazy strange contest of who can get more stuff for free for no other reason than to get stuff free?

:shrug7:I'm sorry. Don't hate me. Just my opinion and we all know the saying. Opinions are like...we all have one!

THANK YOU! I know there will be those who don't agree with you, but I TOTALLY agree!

[couponsmakecents]

WOW, you're seriously saying you get free or next to free stuff and resell it? What mile should I walk? This was not anything other than my wondering what the line is between stockpiling and gluttony. The fact that you've take it so close to heart and have become so deffensive clears that up for me. Enjoy your shopping but I'd double check on that getting free and reselling - laws generally prohibit that.

Do you have a link to the site that says you can't resell items as I would be happy to know about it too.

[preparedmom]

I Understand WHY people do it and everyone has ther igt to do what they wish and my family needs and your family needs are going to be different I get that but I think we as couponers would get less evil looks, rude cashiers ect if we all just toned it down a bit.

Exactly!!

[cuzisaidso]

At what point is it considered gluttony as opposed to stockpiling?

If batteries last 4 years and you use 25 packs a year that's 100 packs. Maybe you save them for when you give gifts that require batteries. (I did that for someone I bought FRS radios for). Maybe you use them in a digital camera and they do eat alot of batteries up.

The point is that 20 packs of batteries may last one person forever and may only last another person a few months. People should not have to justify the use of their stockpile to avoid being accused of gluttony. If you want to get 10 packs and that's it then fine but, think about it when you run out and have to pay full price or near that for the next pack and others are still using their super cheap/free batteries.

To each his/her own is what my opinion is.

[thickie]

Do you have a link to the site that says you can't resell items as I would be happy to know about it too.

The only item I have on me currenrtly is a body spray I purchased from CVS last week. I has a note clearly stating this is to be purchased at a specific location only and gives a number phone number if you prefer.

This in and of istelf is enough to jolt that of a normal human being to question the legalities of whta he/she is doing.

[couponsmakecents]

The only item I have on me currenrtly is a body spray I purchased from CVS last week. I has a note clearly stating this is to be purchased at a specific location only and gives a number phone number if you prefer.

This in and of istelf is enough to jolt that of a normal human being to question the legalities of whta he/she is doing.

Are you talking about a coupon that you have in front of you or the item itself? I am assuming you are talking about a coupon but need clarification. Headed to bed; will check this post in the am.

[Houstonmommy]

couponsmakecents--sounds like we're in agreement on the point I was trying to make.

[kdownie]

The only item I have on me currenrtly is a body spray I purchased from CVS last week. I has a note clearly stating this is to be purchased at a specific location only and gives a number phone number if you prefer.

This in and of istelf is enough to jolt that of a normal human being to question the legalities of whta he/she is doing.

Is it a sticker on the product? One or two CVS stores I go to have stickers on them with the store's number and street. It never occured to me that that meant it was illegal to resell them. On a side note, both of those stores that have the stickers are in what would not be considered the best part of town, so I always thought it was a shoplifting/theft prevention thing.