Sunday, April 3, 2011

Coupons

First of all I'd like to thank all the new A-Z visitors who have come by Chaka's World. I have already screwed up with the challenge and know I won't be posting every day, but today's topic of coupons just happens to start with the letter C.

Sometimes there is a stigma that can accompany coupons. This is especially true if you use them on a date. I guess it's probably a good thing to see a guy use coupons on a date because then his date will know he is cheap up front instead of having to find out after they get married. On a side note, I once heard that the best candidates for getting ripped off are young guys on dates. If they don't get a dollar back or if they get incorrect change, they probably wouldn't make a scene or argue about it in front of their date.

I have never been a big  coupon enthusiast. I used to make fun of people who would spend time cutting out coupons and then drive all over town to buy an item on sale. That was before a friend of mine showed me how much money she had saved over the last year by using coupons. I was shocked when she showed me the system she uses to save thousands of dollars by playing the coupon game.

I had no idea there was so much free money out there offered by stores and manufacturers for those who are willing to cut out a paper or enter a promotion code. I've actually seen some hard core coupon shoppers at the store not only get stuff for free, but actually get paid money back while shopping!

Thanks to coupons, I occasionally buy fancy expensive razors instead of the single blade cheap disposable razors. A couple months ago I bought $75.00 worth of frozen Marie Calendars pies and Breyers ice cream for $19.00.

As much as I enjoy saving money, I recently quit taking the weekend newspaper since it is messy and I hate the clutter and time it takes to go through ads to look for coupons. Even though I hate the hassle of coupons and jumping through hoops, I may start using them again if food prices go up as they are expected to in the next several months.

24 comments:

triles said...

Whenever I do some of the shopping, my wife loads me up with coupons. Half the time I forget to use them. My wife checks now, "Did you use the coupons?" It's all very stressful.

Kristina P. said...

If I had the time, I would probably be a couponer. But I know women who spend 4-5 hours a day on couponing. I guess it can come down to time or money.

There's also that extreme couponing show on TLC. I wish I could be that dedicated at anything, other than watching Reality TV.

mCat said...

I am a couponer within reason. Weekend paper, I clip the ones I products that I will be buying ANYWAY. Then stack them in date order. Each week I take them get the things I need and use whatever coupons I have. If they are going to expire the next week, I buy the item anyway, because unless it's perishable, I would need it at some point. Some weeks, I save 50 cents and other weeks I save 10 bucks or more.

Anonymous said...

Love the fancy razor link.

baygirl32 said...

when husband and I first got married money was tight (who am I kidding, we were poorer than dirt) so couponing became a necessity, now I'm not as coupon-tastic as I once was, but its a habit I can't seem to shake

Lisa said...

Hello Tom, you know I wondered who was this sober guy visiting me at Live High, and was rather delighted to find out it was you!;)

I've told myself if you ever come visit, I would like you to read a post on durian. It is my post dated March 30th, because I think it is funny and could match your wits;)

We don't have much coupons around here.

Crystal Pistol said...

Funny about the coupons on dates.

A dude once took me to a restaurant on a first date. He offered the waiter a coupon before we ordered. The coupon was not honored.

My date promptly told me we were not eating there. He took me to his parent's house and served me leftover pizza.

I never went out with him again.

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

I occasionally use coupons now, but not like I use to. With hard times I also may go back to cutting out those coupons again.


Sheila Staley : Reviewer & Writer
Book reviews and Author Interviews at my blog at http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

TS Hendrik said...

I like electronic coupons. Less mess and more convenience.

Michelle Wallace said...

Hey Tom ~~ dropping by from the A~Z Challenge .
Coupons are a life-saver ... but serve no purpose lying in the handbag ! The only problem is remembering to hand them in at the checkout point !! LOL !!! :)

~MICHELLE~
http://writer-in-transit.co.za/category/other/rambles-rants-and-raves/

Kelly said...

I have flirted with coupons in the past. I always end up feeling bad that they don't get used. I guess I have to get myself a system. Seems like a lot of wasted time to me at this point though... Because I'm a coupon loser I guess. Thanks for the pick me up! (sarcasm there at the end)

Graywolfie said...

I seldom check the mail or newspapers for coupons (or offers) until I became a stay home mum...
Now I check for them once a week in the newspapers & use them as and when they are mailed to our house...it can help save quite a lot..

Anonymous said...

For the things I buy and want to buy there usually aren't coupons. But for some people, they do save money this way. I don't stress out about it.

Happy to meet you through the A to Z. I think we just do with it whatever we want to and can. Don't think there's any penalty!!
Ann Best, Long Journey Home

Cheeseboy said...

My wife seriously saves us hundreds every year with her coupon clipping. She is amazing at it. And she doesn't really spend all that much time on it too.

Alison Miller said...

I don't use them enough, but I do try. :)

Kathy said...

I'm with you...love the savings, especially if it's something I might be buying anyway, but hate the paper clutter that comes with them...of course that's what my recycling bins are for....if I remember to take them and them remember to show them...they're great!
I found you with the ‘surprise me’ button. I’m a new follower of yours. I'd love to have you check out my take on the A to Z Challenge, comment and follow, if you'd like.
http://oaklawnimages.blogspot.com/
Kathy at Oak Lawn Images

Margo Kelly said...

Hi! I'm a new follower from the A-Z challenge - - nice to meet you! :)

I don't think I have the patience for serious coupon shopping ... but I sure wish I did!

doreen said...

I love coupons! My husband has taken over the shopping and I am having a tough time convincing him they are worth the trouble. As the prices have been jumping daily he is seeing the light.

Ju Dimello said...

I love coupons :)

As long as they are for an item I want to buy! Else, we end up spending so much.....

Following you from A-Z challenge

Barbara said...

Hi, nice to meet you through the challenge :) I liked your post about the coupons, but for me it's a stressful ordeal, and I get too caught up in them... :/

TRR said...

I never remember them! I get to the store and realize I left them at home. Boo!

KC Kendricks said...

I'm so bad about couponing. I know all the small amounts add up over the course of a year, but I just forget I have them in my purse. With prices today, I need to improve.

I came by this blog on the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Nice to meet you!

MJ said...

Funny I am currently watching an episode of Extreme Couponing and saw your post about coupons! You can save so much money, but these people on this show buy things just for the sake of it being free.

-MJ fellow A to Z blogger
http://creativelyspiltink.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of using coupons and saving money. So I'll pick up the in store coupons and stuff them in my wallet. Only to un-stuff them at the end of the month because I didn't use them.

Visiting via the A-Z challenge. I like the look of your blog and your common sense. Following you! Stop by and say "hi".

Blue Velvet Vincent