If you know me or have read here long, you know that I am a huge fan of coupons. I’ve been clipping coupons for 4 years now and I’m amazed how much I can save with a little effort. Coupons aren’t for everyone, but I’d hate to think there are folks who are unwilling to even consider using them because of the myths about coupons that are being spread.
Here are some of the biggest myths about coupons out there (many of which I believed for a long time).
Myth #1: Stores lose money when you use a coupon
The store does not lose money when a coupon is used. After a customer redeems a coupon, the stores send the coupons into a clearing house. Once sorted, the manufacturer who put out the coupon will then reimburse the store for the value of the coupon. Don’t feel like using a coupon will put a store or a company out of business. The companies generating the coupons have big marketing budgets for the sole purpose of coupons and stores would not accept the coupons if they were losing money. Don’t feel guilty for a single second about using a coupon!
Myth #2: Using a coupon will always save you money
While it is true that a coupon is essentially like free money, you don’t always save money by using a coupon. In order to really save money, you need to use your coupons strategically. When used alone, a coupon for a name-brand item will oftentimes still leave you spending more than the generic-brand item. I almost always use a coupon in conjunction with a store sale. Since learning to use coupons this way, I have more name-brand items in my home than ever before.
Myth #3: Dealing with coupons is too time-consuming
If you don’t set some parameters, it is possible to get carried away with coupons and coupon-clipping. It is important to find a coupon clipping/sorting method that makes sense for you and does not take up too much of your time. Check out THIS post for some coupon organization method ideas. I use the file folder method, so I only clip the coupons I intend to use.
Also, with the increased usage of smart phones, there are even more coupons to be had, without clipping anything. There are loads of coupon apps and many stores offer digital coupons or coupons specifically for smart phone users. I’m considering switching to a smart phone just because there are so many ways to get coupons via your smart phones. Target cartwheel, anyone? I’m also seeing more and more stores offering digital coupons. You can download the store coupons to your loyalty cards. Easy peasy!
Myth #4: Coupons are only available on junk food or items I don’t use
While it’s certainly true that there are tons of coupons on unhealthy snacks and “junk” food, this is no longer all the coupons you will see. Companies are catching on to the fact that many families are moving away from processed food and desire more of the healthy or natural foods, so they are producing more coupons for those products. Even if you aren’t satisfied with the food coupons you see, there are tons of coupons available on products you do use like paper products, beauty and hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
And if you find a great deal {using a coupon} on an item you might not use, there is probably someone in your life who could use it. Perhaps you could bless them with it or donate it?
Myth #5: Finding coupons costs money
It is true that coupon inserts do require you purchase a newspaper. While I would still argue that the cost of the newspaper would be worth the savings you will likely see, it is possible to find coupons without purchasing a newspaper. First of all, is there anyone in your life who gets the Sunday paper but doesn’t use coupons? I get my coupons from my grandmother’s neighbor.
Also, some of the best coupons I find are printable coupons. I know that ink is not always cheap, but you can conserve ink by printing in draft or economy mode. When I do this, I find that I don’t use up my ink all that much faster.
Myth #6: Low-value coupons are worthless
I know that 25 cent off isn’t much of a savings, but there are many stores that will double coupons. If you use a doubled coupon on an item that is already on a great sale, you can score some AMAZING deals!
Using coupons requires time and effort, but it is also possible to use them in a way that you save a lot of money without spending too much time. There are so many myths about coupons that I felt like it was time to set the record straight a little bit. 🙂
Stopped by from Inspiration Monday, thanks for inspiring me to be more faithful with my coupon usage.
So glad you stopped by, Wendy!! I know using coupons takes some extra time, but I've found that I had a lot of incorrect misconceptions about them before I dove in head first!! 🙂
I can't live without coupons and it makes me crazy to buy something that isn't on sale and we use a coupon. We do it so much that my five year old says that we are the couponing family (like there aren't any others out there). It is the only way to keep the grocery budget under $160 per month. I have done super well this year while trying to use up stockpiles so that we could move and I have spent under $600 for the year to date. I dislike when people say that it is only for junk food but I hear that a lot. We get a lot of things for cheap or free and they make great additions to our family so I love it!!! Great post!
Oh wow, Allison! It sounds like you are a couponing expert – especially being able to keep your grocery budget that low. Way to go!
This is a good post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Such good info… I know both my grown daughters frown and roll their eyes on my thrifting and coupon shopping. When my granddaughter came for her summer visit – going on 11 in Sept – we had grammy and me day out with my lady friends. In my circle you just don't buy something. She learned our tricks and went home to mom. The back to school sales started and off they went shopping. My daughter calls me and ask what have I done to her daughter because she keeps repeating very loudly through out the store – Grammy's Ladies Say – If it's Not On Sale, Not On Clearance, No Coupon Then We CAN'T Buy It. She then proceeded to put stuff back like milk, eggs, etc. Well at least I made an impact on one family member… they say common sense skips a generation…. thank goodness for grandkids
What a great story!! I think it's wonderful to pass along your frugal ways…they will thank you later!! 🙂