Last week, I shared an email from a reader explaining why they use coupons, what they do to save money, and what they mean. It’s also interesting to see why readers who don’t use coupons avoid coupon discounts. Some of their reactions are below.
Dear Jill
“You asked why people use coupons. I can tell you why I don’t.
I don’t buy processed foods, except for crackers and canned tomatoes, so I don’t use coupons. He has 100 coupons on the flyer, 2 of which he might use, so it’s more of a waste of time than the 50 cents he saved by buying 4 toothpastes of a brand he doesn’t really like. is more valuable. It’s great to see so many people saving so much using coupons, but it worries me when I think about what they’re actually eating and I question the nutritional value they’re paying for.
I rarely see coupons for fresh produce, but organic vegetables and pastured meats and organic dairy certainly don’t. I stock up on cod.
I learned from you (thanks!) to follow price trends and stock up when things are cheapest, but I don’t spend time looking for those items, so I usually don’t have coupons for those items. No. My grocery store also sells a gas card with a 20% discount, which I buy with devotion. I’m a member of the Warehouse Club, where I buy most of my laundry and household items, along with a huge box of oatmeal and organic ground beef and butter.
I’m happy to use these money-saving tricks, but practically any time I’ve tried to plan a shopping trip around coupons, it’s been a waste of my time because I rarely come back. There is: I store coupons I receive from the clothing stores I shop at and sometimes use one of those 30 if I need something before it expires However, if you let them shop just because they have coupons, they end up spending extra money and end up buying things they don’t need.
I have enjoyed your column and have learned a lot from you especially about when to buy. , most of what I eat is fresh food and no stockpiles for me, except for dried beans, rice and garbage bags. My menu planning starts with a weekly trip to the farmers market. I use the grocery store to replenish the perishables I purchase.
Some of us just aren’t worth it. Buy foods with fewer additives, preservatives, and calories so you can save a few bucks. I don’t know how it’s worth. ”
Susan W.
Dear Jill
“I don’t know if I’m like many of your readers, but I don’t use coupons. I learned so much from you. Saving money is fun, but I don’t want to spend my time. No. Clip or Organize.. But what I did was watch the sale cycle and learned to stock up like you do without worrying about coupons. Stock up on cereal, soup, cleaner, what do you have?
I don’t stock up like crazy, but I do have shelving in the garage and a pantry where I put my groceries. I found that I didn’t have to go to the store for anything.
I know I can save more with coupons, but I work long hours at a strenuous job. I think I’ve found a happy medium to balance the time I spend shopping with how much I can save now. ”
Adam P.
