My grandparents were masters of coupons. My grandmother spent Sunday morning clipping and organizing coupons in a little purse with tabbed dividers labeled with bits of masking tape. My grandfather would go through them every week and remove those that had expired.
They would visit two or three grocery stores at a time, trying to take advantage of ShopRite sales or Pathmark coupons. Believe me, these were not quick trips. They’d inch through the aisles, searching for that can of creamed corn, rooting through their coupon purse for that Dawn discount, and rubber-necking to find the elusive store clerk.
My grandfather was in the grocery business and my grandmother was a Home Economics teacher, and I think they used coupons because it made them feel like they were still working, long after retirement.
Here’s Why I Think They’re Not Worth It
You hear a lot about chirpy young moms saving big bucks on triple coupons. And I know about that unique high when you feel as if you’ve gotten away with something, or gotten something for free. But at what cost?
Ever Seen a Coupon for an Eggplant?
When you look closely at the coupons that come with the Saturday paper, almost all are for highly-processed food or new-fangled versions of products that you don’t need. In addition, the products are often more expensive than lesser-known brands, even with the discount.
You’re Not Beating the System
It seems as though you’re getting away with something – that’s why companies keep making coupons. Coupons are a legitimate way to get you to try a product in hopes that you will like it and buy it in the future. But even if you have no brand loyalty, you are still playing by their rules.
Coupons Create Mental Clutter
- saving and organizing
- keeping track of expiration dates
- timing your shopping accordingly
- customizing grocery lists
- bringing the right coupons to the store
Wouldn’t you rather spend your mental energy on something else?
Kids and Coupons Don’t Mix
If you have small children at home, you have very limited shopping time before they start climbing out of the cart and tackling pyramids of cereal boxes. Who has time for:
- checking the list for detailed product specifications
- finding the right product on the shelf in the right size (they never work unless you get the 8.7 oz tube of Colgate whitening gel with flouride AND tartar control)
- tracking down a manager when the product is out to ask for a substitute (because by then you’re already invested), and finally,
- remembering to give the dang coupons to the cashier
You could shop when someone else is watching the kids. I personally have precious few moments without children, and I don’t want to be spending them at the grocery store.
But Coupons Are Kind-of Fun
Saving money with coupons, rebates, and freebies is a game. Some people don’t mind spending their time on it, and they can get out clean. Maybe it’s just my addictive personality, but I find that games like this can quickly lead to an obsession. Life is short: I want my obsessions to improve me in some way. Not just my pocketbook, at the expense of my brain.
Spending less time shopping and thinking about shopping is empowering. The corporations that bombard us with advertisements, sales, and coupons are smart. It’s hard to fight them – but easy, if you opt out.
There are a lot of ways you can make money without earning money: work to make your public school better, start a childcare co-operative, organize a clothing swap. Besides saving a lot more money than coupons ever could, volunteering can be really rewarding and the added plus is that you’re putting valuable skills on your resume’.
8 Ways to Save on Your Grocery Bills
- Be faithful to your supermarket. Worrying about who has better deals on ham hocks, driving across town, and learning a new store’s layout is a waste. As my grandfather taught me, the grocery business is competitive with a very low profit margin. Some stores have cheaper yogurt, but more expensive bread. It all comes out in the wash.
- Watch out for good sales. Shopping store sales is a good alternative to using coupons. You still feel as if you’re getting a deal, but you’re not having to jump through hoops.
- Not always: Don’t you hate it when you stock up on mozzarella on sale, and the discount doesn’t get taken off at the register? Do your best to keep your eye on the cash register while your stuff is being rung up. Asking the cashier to honor the sale price can be a pain in the neck, but it’s better than feeling gypped or returning to the store with your receipt to get the discount.
- Use lists. Planning ahead is probably the single most important way to save money. A grocery list can keep you focused and cut down on impulse buying or extra return trips. Plan your meals based on what is on sale (from that week’s circular, online or in the paper) and watch your savings soar.
- Pay attention to how much things cost. You’ll know a good deal when you see it. Sometimes it’s hard to find things that are not on sale, because stores know people look for those little yellow tags. If you know that you can get grapes for $2 per pound, you won’t fall for the $2.99 sale.
- Avoid processed foods. We all make shortcuts. But if you want to save money and eat healthier, try not to cruise the aisles looking for things to toss in your cart. Spend most of your time around the outer edges of the store, where you’ll find whole foods like meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs, and produce.
- Try not to buy produce if it’s over $2 per pound. The cheapest fruit? Bananas. The cheapest vegetable? Cabbage. Learn to love them.
- Buy the store brand. If it’s not up to your standards, move up. For more on how store brands measure up favorably to name brands, and how much you can save, see Slash Your Grocery Bill with Store-Brand Products from the Get Rich Slowly blog.
- If you have to have gourmet products, make a trip to Trader Joe’s. OK, I know I normally don’t advocate going to different stores for your groceries, but the excellent savings and quality at Trader Joe’s has forced me to make an exception. If you have one near you, check it out for low-cost international, organic and healthy food (and wine).
In another post, I talk about a different kind of coupon and why it’s worth it. Subscribe to stay updated.
How do you save money on groceries without making it a part-time job? Please share your strategies in the comments section below.
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You also might like:
- 7 Store Coupons That Are Worth Saving
- How to Save Time and Money on Everyday Household Goods with Alice.com
- The No-Coupon Solution to Saving Money on Groceries (at Buttoned Up)
- Are You Spending Too Much on Diapers?
- 12 Reasons Online Shopping is Frugal
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I love our local online grocery delivery service Fresh Direct — I do all my shopping online over the weekend and have the boxes delivered Monday morning. It forces me to plan out what I’m cooking for the week so there’s much less waste — too often I don’t get around to using something if I pick it up without a plan for it. Not to mention no wasted time shopping last-minute on the way home from work. They have good prices and often have great sales on stuff I buy frequently, like chicken raised without antibiotics. I find I cook healthier too because I’m not wandering around the aisles of a grocery store hungry, throwing things into my cart that I’ll regret having around later. The planning ahead really saves my life during a busy week.
Thanks for verifying my distrust of coupons! My mom used to use them compulsively, now she opts for the “buy one, get one” in-store sales — and stocks up. My father has always done this, filling our large pantry and extra freezer with things we’d laugh at him for buying in such large quantities. I know follow this logic and go across town to the best/least expensive market in my area. I take my husband and kids, we have dinner at an inexpensive restaurant on the way, and we make it an adventure. we fill two carts of lower priced items, by sometimes half, of what we’d pay in our neighborhood. We buy enough to fill the freezer with family portion sized freezer bags of meats, and the fridge with 30+ yogurts and 6 gallons of milk. All but the milk and yogurt last us 3 weeks+. Cutting down on the times we actually go shopping, thus cutting down on the “extra” items we invariably can’t resist in the market, and we eat at home more because the fridge and freezer are full of good food that we like to eat!
I like hearing about your grocery process, Elizabeth. I agree that cutting down on trips can really help. I’m impressed that you make your monthly trip to your favorite store into a family outing! I know in New York City that is not an easy task.
You’re absolutely right about the processed crap that coupons sell. Who needs it? Most of those coupons are for kids cereals, but there’s almost always a store equivalent that’s far cheaper than the coupon price–even doubled or tripled! And you can make a simple, but delicious granola for far less than the store cereal–and it’s way better for the kids without being too sugary and gross for you. The time spent making your own granola is also far less than you would spend going through the whole coupon song and dance. Plus it’s a great bonding moment, letting the kids make their own granola cereal. If you make it together first, they will be more inclined to eat it and enjoy it for that critical first time. How’s that: frugal can also be fun!
Did you know there is a Web site called CouponMom.com? It directs you to hundreds of printable coupons so a person could feed an obsession with a huge stack of coupon before leaving home.
I totally agree with you about coupons. Even if they are for something good that I use regularly like Ragu or Cascade, if I’m not careful I end up stacking them 4 deep in my cupboard because in my enthusiasm to save money, I’ve forgotten that I already have a 6 months supply. Markdowns are a better bet.
M
M: I agree. And I would forget to bring the coupons after they had cluttered up my kitchen for weeks.
Re sites like Coupon Mom: No doubt there are thousands of coupon sites out there, and I’m sure they are growing. I don’t have anything against coupons, but I just find they create too much traffic in my life.
Hi Al,
I love your idea about making granola with the kids. I’ll have to investigate recipes.
Frugal can definitely be fun! It often requires more time and effort, but I find that you get paid back in many ways. For example, you’d be spending time with your kids, teaching them about cooking, and you’d all be eating more healthfully — on top of saving money.
Kate: I love Fresh Direct’s online grocery service too. The fact that it is strictly an online grocery store makes the process so streamlined — from the website to the packaging to the fact they are never out of anything. Ordering online from a brick-and-mortar grocery store has not been as seamless a process for me, but hopefully things will get better.
You’ll be happy to know that my microeconomics professor in college had the same view of coupons.
I have to admit that I am still addicted to coupons. I clip only the ones for items I regularly buy, especially yogurt, diapers and cleaning supplies. I keep them in a tabbed coupon pouch like the one you describe that always stays in my purse or in the car, so I always have it with me.
Paola, It sounds like you are clearly not obsessive-compulsive. I admire your ability to stay afloat without spiraling down into a coupon frenzy.
I totally agree with your coupon philosphy. There have been times in the past where we stock up on items because we have coupons, just to have them go bad and get tossed because we bought way to much. I like the idea you mentioned….go in with a list, and scan the sale items to see if any of your needs can be met with a sale item. And, I also agree that fresh always seems to be cheaper and yummier! I LOVED this entry!
When my children were younger, I had them clip out coupons because the Occupational Therapist wanted them practicing with scissors for fine motor development. They couldn’t read, so they cut out everything and there are some pretty strange coupons out there that I had to explain. It took forever trying to shop in the store with them so we could use some of the ones they had cut out and feel proud of. Anyway, I let them get the crappy cereal, but only if they had a coupon for it. I like to think I’m teaching something about money.
Gertie — This is a very interesting take on coupons! I agree that children like to feel useful and be given responsibility — and your children had the added pleasure of helping your family save money.
I totally understand your viewpoint on coupons! And I hate paper paper clutter with a passion (you should see my living room right now as I’m going through some old papers!). I use coupons but only the ones worth my while. I don’t want to buy something I don’t want just because it’s only a quarter if I use coupon A and B and combing with a sale, etc. I wonder if it’s the same for the Walgreen’s scenarios? Walgreen’s seems to be doing really well financially and there’s one on every corner practically. Kind of like people that think they can get money at casinos, just look at the casino and tell me who’s making the money? Do they really make that much money on their pharmacy products if they are losing money from all the people doing various money making scenarios? I think it’s wise never to think in how much you save, but in how much you spend ALWAYS. I appreciate your perspective on coupons. And love your line about never seeing a coupon for an eggplant!
Kimberly: Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts about coupons. We definitely all have enough of paper clutter, and most of us have enough mental clutter too.
I see coupons as a form of advertising, and I try to steer away from advertising as much as possible.
A friend of mine at Buttoned Up has just tried shopping for dry goods at Alice.com where she says they have uploaded all the coupons in the country so you don’t have to bother with them.
It’s worth checking out!
Note: Grocery story circular coupons can be an exception. Why? Well, one way of saving money on food is planning your meals around what’s on sale at the grocery store. So if you are already looking over the store’s list of sale items, it doesn’t take much time to clip a coupon or two. Unlike manufacturer coupons, they’re more likely to include healthier foods, rather than gimmicky products you don’t need.