“The only noble use of stockpiling is to donate it to charity.”
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Is it wrong to fill your pantry and closets with items you’ve carefully shopped for? Or, are you being greedy for not giving it all to your local food bank? My opinion is this: it is not bad goal to provide for your family by stockpiling. If the entire goal of couponing is to avoid paying full price and save money, then stockpiling must factor into the equation.
The thing about food….
I spent some time contemplating this yesterday and something troubled me. It’s easy for a person to think a couponer who stockpiles is being greedy by not giving, and yet…
- What about the person with tons of fancy clothes and shoes in their closet? Shouldn’t they give some away, too?
- What about the person with the nice house? Shouldn’t they open up some rooms in their house to the homeless?
- What about the person with the expensive SUV? Shouldn’t they have purchased a used car and given the rest of their money to single moms so they too could buy vehicles?
- What about the person with an extensive DVD or music collection? Shouldn’t they donate some of it to someone that’s really, really bored?
- And what about the person who just went on a big Costco shopping trip? (Somehow that isn’t met with the same criticism, but applauded for “smart shopping.”)
I can’t put my finger on it, but there seems to be something that upsets people when they see a couponer leave the store with 12 free boxes of pasta or 15 cans of frozen juice for $1. Perhaps it’s because they feel that person has gotten too good of a deal and for that reason, they should be guilted into giving it away.
Consider the Math
At some point, you’re going to have to determine if stockpiling is being resourceful or if it’s being greedy.
I say when done at proper levels, it’s being resourceful. Let me illustrate.
Suppose my family eats four boxes of cereal in a month. Does it really matter if I buy four in one shopping trip (at a great deal with sales and coupons) or one box each week for four weeks? The end consumption is the same, isn’t it? The only difference is I’ve spent a LOT less money.
How Couponing and Stockpiling Increase Generosity
While many accuse couponers of being hoarders, the ironic truth is they are some of the most generous people I know. Couponing for Community recently shared how couponers donated over 26,000 items in one week. After the tornados hit in Alabama, Couponing to Disney organized an online drive and over 500 boxes of items were received. Couponers also send their expired coupons overseas to our military families.
Here’s what it’s important for you to know. You can provide for your family by stockpiling AND still give back. It does not have to be one or the other. In fact, I believe stockpiling and using coupons to save money actually increases your ability to be generous!
My lovely friend Angela at Frugal Living NW recently shared this great analogy of stockpiling and a hoarding in a provocative post entitled Don’t Call me a Hoarder. She writes:
Here’s a quick and easy way to know if you’re a hoarder or a stockpiler:
Your girlfriend is at your house and mentions that she needs to stop by the grocery store on the way home to pick up frozen spinach for dinner. You have spinach stockpiled in your freezer that you got for free with coupons. If you’re a hoarder, you keep your mouth shut and let her take her three kids into Safeway to buy the spinach.
If you’re a stockpiler, you will give her the box of frozen spinach.
I think Angela hit the nail on the head. A stockpiler isn’t attached to her items. They help her family; they serve a function. Hoarding is when there are more items than can possibly serve a purpose in a particular household and there is an unreasonable attachment to them. Can this happen? Yes, absolutely. I believe just about anything can become an addiction, including couponing and stockpiling. But I don’t believe this describes the majority of couponers.
A Final Word About Food Banks
If you’ve followed my blog for awhile, you know that I DO deeply care about working with our local food banks. Last year, I reached out to FISH Food Banks, the oldest operating food bank in Pierce County with 8 locations. In 2010 alone, FISH served 364,000+ people. Clearly, there is a need and I don’t intend to make light of this fact.
As I took the time to meet with them and tour several of their banks, I learned something surprising. While food and non-food donations are appreciated and accepted, they’d far prefer our monetary donations. I’m not sure if this is the case for all food banks – so don’t hear me say that - but it is the case for FISH. FISH has the ability to buy the items extremely cheap AND buy the items and quantities they need to best serve their clients.
Knowing this, it seems unfair to me that the person spending $150 on their few grocery items should point to the savvy couponer who spent $75 and say, “you there – give!” When they could just as well decide to lay off the gourmet marinade and give $10 to their local food bank. Now I’m not saying buying a bottle of $10 marinade is wrong per se, but I take issue when people judge others for not being generous when they haven’t taken a hard look at their own level of charitable giving. I think it’s a far more productive exercise to ask ourselves this: what more can I be doing? how much more can I be giving?
I’d like to end this post with an ancient Chinese Proverb, and it’s one I’m sure many of you are familiar with.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
To teach someone how to feed their family for a lifetime is a very noble cause in my book. Many, many wonderful couponers do exactly that. Ask almost anyone that uses coupons and you’ll find they are willing to teach others. But please don’t forget that another very noble cause is to provide for the ones closest to you: your family.
{ 72 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent post!
You said it all! Awesome & thank you for pointing this out! It made a whole lot of sense & the next time someone tells me I would know how to reply. Thank you!
Thanks, Tami. It’s something I’m hearing more and more of, and wanted to get off my chest. I feel much better now.
“What about the person with an extensive DVD or music collection? Shouldn’t they donate some of it to someone that’s really, really bored?”
LMAO!!!
Great Post – Love the Costco Point too!
Excellent post, Ang! One of my favorite parts of couponing is that I now get to help people in a practical way all the time! I’ve grown up surrounded by so many generous people and spent portions of my teen years where we literally lived off only the food bank bag every week. So I have a great appreciation for the ability to stockpile, knowing that even in the worst of situations, we could still survive and eat well. What I love even more is that its now our turn to give back through couponing and stockpiling! I won’t let my little bachelor brother leave our weekly family dinners empty handed anymore! I know that this is one of the ways I can most practically love him well and it brings me great joy to share what I work to acheive through couponing!
BEAUTIFUL comment, Erica!! You know what I love here – you illustrate exactly the point I was attempting to make in my final statement. Now that you know how to do this, you wouldn’t NEED to rely on a food bank should money be an issue!! I love your generous heart and I’ve been delighted to watch your quick success at this. Keep up the great work!
I think once people go to see what stockpiles were, it was such a shocking concept that people didn’t know how to react or reacted poorly. The TLC show makes it look like people would have a hard time letting go and giving things away, in some cases. Of course, my favorite shows are when they give to charity or feed the neighborhood kids. I think the concept was unclear to a lot of people, and stockpiles look like hoarding because it does look impossible that all that food could be used up in a timely fashion.
Some people will just judge and not take the time to understand. I know my friends who always pay full price at Whole Foods do NOT want to hear about my coupon shopping. It makes them very uncomfortable.
The show did cause a lot of misconceptions about what good stockpiling could look like, totally agree.
I totally agree with all of the above, people cannot see what they spend their money on..I do both..I keep a reasonable amount of stockpile on hand (though I have learned it goes faster than one might think, and I started donating to the food pantry after about 6 months of couponing. I get the community to donate their coupons so I am able to get more items for them, and have donated well over $5,000 this year to my community..As a single mom, this makes me feel proud. I continually challenge myself to do more, and came up with the 100,000 coupon challenge where couponers across the nation donate like they regularly do, and we post pictures and give the total retail amount. Our first challenge raised $28,045..Our 2nd challenge totals are due Dec 4-10. Won’t you and your readers come include your totals to show the true power of coupons
http://www.facebook.com/100kcouponchallenge
I’m still new to couponing and learning the skills of stockpiling. On some levels it dies feel like an absurd question. Any one who knows a little bit about anthropology can tell you that human beings are instinctual “hunter, gatherers”. And, even though we’re many thousands if years removed from the African savannah those instincts remain. Its interesting to equate the term “hunter, gatherer” to modern day couponers. Just like out ancestors we hunt the very best deals and when we find one we gather enough to provide for or family. To stockpile is a basic survival technique.
Of course now a days we still have the instinct to stockpile but we live in a culture of immediate gratification. No one is willing to hunt any more. When people have a negative reaction to coupons scoring great deals I really do think it’s jealousy. I was jealous! But, just do your best to share your knowledge on how to fish. And most of all encourage people to stop being so lazy! Every store is out there trying to take advantage of our desire for conveience and we pay the price for it. Will a little bit of effort anyone can do this! And
Thanks for this post! I know its not pc of me, but it really drives me crazy when everyone around me is doing coupon deals to donate to food banks. Without couponing, we would be at food banks ourselves and I really do need these deals for my own family. I give some to friends but after trying to teach other people to coupon, very few of them actually do it. I guess I figure if someone truly wants to learn to be self-sufficient, they can. I’ll give my extras but couponing takes time and time is the most precious commodity of all.
Oh I have a post for that! http://thecouponproject.com/2011/04/but-im-donating-it.html
Great post! Get what you need for your family and don’t be ashamed to have it.
Great post!
love it!
That was such a great post! Thank you!
I can’t believe people are so judgemental! It’s no one’s business why you buy what you do and how much you buy. I agree with what someone said above, I think it’s jealousy. You have helped so many of us slash our grocery budgets, you just keep on doing what you do and don’t worry about those people who are petty enough to actually comment on something they know nothing about.
I think it is ok to stockpile the items that your family USES…but when couponers buy items just because they are free and they have no need for them – then I think it is only right to donate those items!
Or leave them at the store for someone else. That’s OK too!
This post was amazing and so true!! Thank you for getting it out there.
Angela- This one gave me chills! Great post!
Ah, thanks Amber!!
I agree that there is a reasonable and wise way to stockpile. I love having a couple months worth of certain products on hand. From comments I’ve heard, the main complaint of many people is that some couponers will buy dozens or hundreds of a product they could never possibly use before it expires or if it is non-perishable, it will take them 10 years to use up. They have now emptied the store’s shelves, deprived others of the opportunity to get the good deal, and for what purpose? There is a fine line in there somewhere between good stewardship, generosity, and greed.
I’d agree. That is an example of greed.
This is excellent. I have followed your blog for a while now and have to say, you seem to have the most well balanced view of couponing and frugal living. Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing!
So I agree with this but feel like shows like Extreme Couponing show us that there are plenty of couponers who are literally letting getting FREE items (like 30 mustards – SERIOUSLY?!) take over their homes. This is not just stockpiling I would say it’s hoarding. I have 5 kids and my husbands a pastor. I am also an avid couponer and have taught MANY people to shave TONS of cash of their budgets with coupons. I also have a small stockpile that I frequently give to others I’m in contact with to help ease their financial burdens OR saving a girlfriend the dreaded agony of grocery shopping with kids for only one or two items. I agree wholeheartedly with everyone looking into their own lives and instead of judging others on their giving,check your heart- how generous are you?
As a couponer though, I have taken great offense not AWE at the light Extreme Couponing shows have shed on couponers. And I think that’s where most people take their disgust at those of us that buy 20 boxes of cereal or BBQ sauce when it’s free. It’s not bad to save money, in fact,it’s great stewardship of the money you have. But I think we all need to evaluatate, do I really need 3 years of toilet paper? And to store that I take up all the space under my children’s beds? I would argue that it needs to be donated. I am not jealous of other couponers, I applaud them for their hard work and diligence to scavenge great deals at CHEAP prices. I do however find it ridiculous that some people can’t seem to step back and say “Ok, we’re good on items for a year” that’s enough for right now. It’s a balancing game. So that’s my thoughts. Heck ya stockpile but within reason.
ITA. I’ve not posted much about “The Show,” but suffice it to say I wish it had never aired. I think many of the “stockpiles” depicted were over the top and absolutely not what I’d advocate for or what this post defends at all.
My thought is also this: if toothpaste comes on sale regularly, do I need more than a few months’ supply? If you have followed me at any length, you know I say this often:
“Frugality is balancing your time, money, and resources.” It truly is all about balance, and being wise with everything we’ve got – not just our money. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
And how do “the other shoppers” know that we are not donating!! That is what upsets me when people talk smack. They don’t go home with us and spend days with us. My mom used to call it hoarding we call it food storage. My mom runs a farm and when a boarder moves she can barely afford food. Because I am as frugal as I am, I can usually give her and my sister enough food to get them to the next month. And if a friend comes by and talks about a missing ingredient I almost always give it to them(some of my friends cook wierd things or are a little picky still as far as brands LOL! They will learn someday ;o) )
I have no issues with stockpiling, in fact I’ve started couponing in the last 6 months have a start a small stockpile. My issue is those that go to the stores and CLEAR THE SHELVES leaving nothing for others. I live 30 minutes from the nearest Albertsons and Rite Aid and there is nothing more frustrating or disheartening then to drive that distance (especially with gas prices) only to find the shelves empty. For those that desire to purchase large quantities, I feel the considerate thing to do is to call the store ahead of the sale and special order the items you want to purchase.
I hear ya, and that could be it’s own post!
I think a stockpile can be built slowly over time and using courteous practices, such as pre-ordering as you’ve mentioned.
There a lot of people in this economy that make too much money to qualify for programs like the food bank, WIC and food stamps but they don’t have enough money to cover their expenses. I have a several friends and family in this situation. Where one person lost a job and all of sudden an affordable loan takes up almost an entire pay check. And although they are not below the poverty line they are struggling right now. I try to pay it forward with the people I know that are going through hard times right now. I have a friend I give all my baby formula and diaper coupons to because I don’t need them. I have told friends I know are struggling to grab a couple things from my stockpile before they leave. I had one friend that cried because she was so broke she couldn’t afford soap I simply said “Do you want bar soap or body wash? And which of these brands do like best?”
I think that some of the “do you really need that?” attitude comes from EC and from the economic climate. People have seen EC and think they know what everyone’s stockpile looks like. I had one man ask me “Are you feeding an army?” Like I was going to cook up all 10 boxes of pasta in one night. He probably had an image of me stacking those boxes with a 100 others next to a room full of toothpaste. When that’s not even close to the case. People are thinking “Your not the only one that needs pasta”
One point that was made in the Frugal Living NW post you reference was “Don’t judge others stockpiles.” (I think it was the same post) This point got me thinking. If you looked at my stockpile right now you’d think “Wow that’s a lot of ready rice.” But all that rice will be gone by the end of the summer. My house doesn’t have AC and if I even look at the stove in summer it feels like a sauna in here. Plus I bought the rice in stages at different sales. I think people will get less tense once the economy gets back on track. Almost everyone is in survival mode right now.
RE:Foodbanks
That’s actually true of many foodbanks. They have relationships with food companies/grocery stores that allow them to stretch their dollar much further that what we (normal we) would normally be able to get. I’m not sure if the same is applicable for extreme couponers, but there you go.
Thanks for confirming that!!
I only stockpile when the price is amazing. I usually get things that I know we eat. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again. In construction, there are layoffs. I don’t want to be in another position where we have to just eat beans and rice every day because we aren’t getting a paycheck. Right now, we could make it last in our freezer and pantry for at least two months. We could take our unemployment and get the fresh fruits and veggies instead of spending it on cheap stuff that’s not good for us. It’s peace of mind for me. It makes me feel that even though I don’t work outside the house, my family eats partly due to my “work”. It is part of being a housewife. I find it to be part of my job… But when someone comes over and they need something say they’ve been laid off, I’m quick to ask if they need deodorant, razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, body wash… Because i have plenty and want to help. Couponing allows me to help.
Angela – this is one of the reasons I LOVE your blog. Not only do we get the great deals, but also thoughtful posts on couponing, stock-piling, life, etc. Love your blog, keep it up!
Amen! I am LDS and we have always been counseled to have a one year supply of food in our homes. I haven’t always had room to build my food storage (stockpile) to a full year’s worth until we built this house 5 years ago. I now have room and thanks to couponing (which I have been doing for over 12 years) I think I do have my full year’s worth of most things. It can get expensive if you don’t stack coupons with sales so I am thankful for all the help I get from blogs such as this. I would much rather be self-sufficient then worry about where my next meal is going to come from. Food storage helped us when my husband was laid off a few years ago. That’s what it’s there for! Keep on building your stockpiles and don’t feel guilty!
Yup, I was unemployed for a couple months, but because I had a food storage, no worries about groceries for the family! I am not even LDS and I have wheat, beans, powdered milk, etc. stored along with all my freebies and cheapies from couponing.
It’s sad though that the mindset of today is that if you run into heard times, just stand in the welfare line to get food stamps. People need to learn to plan, plan, plan and store food. They need to stop relying on the other tax payers to feed them.
One of the things I learned from a couple of the attendees who attended my coupon class this week is that when WIC users have another good reason to use coupons: it gives back to other WIC users!! Apparently when you use coupons on top of WIC, that money goes right back into WIC and helps others. I’m not exactly sure how this works, so don’t ask me to give a complete breakdown, but bottom line, use coupons – even if you’re on food stamps or WIC – because it’s one way you can keep money into those vital programs.
Good for you! I wish more people felt that way. I had no idea you could use coupons of WIC and food stamps. I’ve heard that people have to pay the sales tax on the coupon if on food stamps. Is that correct? I am not on them but I do have a family member that is and they can’t seem to get their food stamp budget to stretch through the whole month. I have been trying to get her to use coupons but she says she doesn’t need the food ones as she has food stamps. >_< Funny how my $200 budget goes farther with coupons then her $350 does without…
If I were on food stamps? I’d be couponing and stockpiling like crazy!! That way when there’s a return to income, I’d know how to stretch my money even farther and have a good stockpile in place. Send your friend over here!
I’m not sure on the sales tax issue, but even still…shoot. You’ve got to come out ahead using coupons, don’t you think?
Thanks Mandi.
Yes you totally would! If sales tax does have to be paid, here in Idaho it’s 6%, and you use $20 worth of coupons you’re still coming out ahead $18.80.
This is such a great post. I look at couponing as just one way for me to be the best steward of my money.
Well said. Bravo! I agree 100%. I once witnessed a woman leave the store with an entire cart full of deodorant, like 100′s. I don’t really think that for your own use you’d need 100′s of tubes of deodorant… in that case, I DO hope she was donating it to… someone! Lol. Some people are going to extremes and it’s almost like a sickness… but I think most of us here are level headed about it. We stockpile what we need and can use, donate the rest… and LEAVE some at the store for other customers!
I really enjoyed this post, very well said. My little stockpile is like insurance, there when I need it. Thank you for all that you do, I really enjoy your blog.
There’s a HUGE difference between stockpiling to provide for your family and hoarding. My stockpile ensures that we have food when times are tight so we don’t have to go to the food banks or use food stamps. Let that food go to someone who really needs it. My stockpile also allows me to donate to charities and food banks. In the past month, we’ve donated food and toiletry items to the USPS food drive, the Boy Scouts food drive, Adopt-A-Soldier and food drives at the kids’ schools. I also sent some items to my kid’s friend who is away at college. Did I mention that I recently lost one of my jobs? If not for my stockpile, we wouldn’t have been able to be generous. We only keep as much as we know we’ll use. I knew of a lady who had over 700 boxes of pantyliners in her stockpile. That’s more than any female needs in her entire lifetime.
I loved this part of your comment:
“My stockpile ensures that we have food when times are tight so we don’t have to go to the food banks or use food stamps. Let that food go to someone who really needs it.”
That’s exactly it? Isn’t it? Thank you for sharing.
I agree!!!!
I stock pile on good prices, and I am looked down upon from friend because I have food and they don’t (food stamps) but what they do not know is my budget is less than what they get on food stamps (100.00 a month) they tell me “You guys eat good (well) we only eat cheap food” and some how that is my fault they do not coupon/frugal shop.
Thank you your article is great
The funny thing about couponing is somehow you spend less but have more. And generally speaking, you end up with better stuff too. Go figure, right?
Thanks, Nicole.
What frustrated me the other day in the store is that I was behind a woman buying about $200 of groceries with EBT (welfare food stamps here in WA). She looks at my pile of coupons in my hand and starts talking about “the show” and doesn’t understand how people have all that extra time, they must cut coupons all day long, blah/blah. Ummm hello, lady…. you are on welfare – obviously not holding down a career – and you don’t have time!!?!??
Great job, Angela! I completely agree. LOVE your articles.
Thanks, Heather!
I have LDS friends who, for decades, have lived by the one-year supply rule. My best friend’s family actually used their stockpile when she was growing up and her father didn’t have work. This is how I think of my stockpile. It is enough for my family if there should be lean times. Therefore, I’ve never seen anything wrong with the concept of being prepared.
What I do have a problem with is the tone of some of the justifications above. I know this is going to make me super popular. But keep in mind, this is just MY life philosophy. I don’t expect that it should be everyone’s. So, if you don’t agree with me, just call me an idiot or a Communist (which I’ m not) and move on.
Should someone with tons of expensive clothes and shoes? Of course they SHOULD. But that doesn’t mean you HAVE to. So what’s being argued here isn’t really about couponing, it’s about who you are and what you value inside.
One of the things that I do to try to keep my family afloat is clean houses. I’ve done this during lean times for years. So maybe this colors why I feel that people have too much stuff. If you have tons of expensive clothes and shoes, you’re wasteful, once again, in my opinion. Everything you own took resources to produce–from the raw materials, to the dyes, packaging, fossil fuels to get the product to the store, power usage at all steps in the process, and the resulting pollution. So overconsumption isn’t just a “choice”, it has a real impact on the planet.
But that point aside, the effect I see of overconsumption on these individual households. The more items you have in your home, the more dust that is collected, the less individual items get used to their full potential, and the more that ultimately goes to waste, through oversight or neglect. For instance, one family I clean for seems to have hundreds of marker pens (they have school-aged kids). These markers end up all over the house, on the floor, chewed up by the dogs. If they had just one package, knew where it was, and put it away, it would be a far better use of money, resources and space.
But one of the worst effects I see from overconsumption in these homes is the way it impacts the day-to-day quality of lives of these families. One has a child with asthma, and so the increase in dust if harmful to his health. Even assuming that wasn’t a problem, however, the whole atmosphere of their homes is just sort of “off.” I’m not even remotely talking about hoarders, by the way. Just average families with too much stuff.
I look at couponing as a way to keep every last cent for my family–and there aren’t many, let me tell you. But even if we had more money, we’d still live within our space. Which is why I would still buy a less expensive vehicle, by the way, even if I did have tons of money. Buying new is crazy, since you lose thousands of dollars just by driving the car off the lot. I let someone else buy new, take that hit, and then buy a clean, well-maintained used vehicle for thousands off.
We’re hardly minimalists. My kids have a lot of toys, which they have learned to donate once they’re done loving them. I use freecycle.org to give things away, or to get things I need. When my son transitioned to a regular twin, I gave away the toddler bed/mattress and got a twin bed for free.
So, should you give away your stockpile? Should you give away anything? Should you buy a cheaper SUV? That’s totally up to you. It’s all about what you and your family value and hold in your hearts. I just felt that questions like, “should we open our homes to the homeless?” had a less-than-nice bent to it. Inviting an unknown person to live alongside your children hardly translates to giving away your 16 pairs of Air Jordans, anyway.
Okay, you can start blasting away now!
Interesting comment.
I don’t think it’s blast worthy, though.
In case it was not clear, some of the hypothetical questions asked at the front end of the post had large doses of sarcasm. I was absolutely NOT suggesting one open up their home and risk the safety of their children. The idea was to inflate/overstate things to make a point. And my point was this: I think some of the attitudes people have about couponers not donating are equally as ridiculous.
Towards the end of my post I said it would be most productive if we each evaluated our own level of generosity and giving. The truth is, I think we ALL have room to reduce waste, consumerism, and materialism. This includes myself. Writing this post involved several hours of contemplation, and then several hours of writing and editing. At the end of it, I felt I had challenged myself. I am being completely honest and sincere when I say this. I truly want to consider what more I can be doing to help others and my community and what more I can be doing to reduce excess in my life.
I hope I managed to clarify my intention of the first part of the post. I wasn’t trying to be mean, I was trying to sarcastically make a point.
I can NEVER figure out why everyone doesn’t coupon? Do they have misconceptions of us as a general group? Do they think all we do is eat pasta and BBQ sauce? I have friends who I love dearly who think I’m slightly out of mind for shopping the way I do. But these are the same friends who spend ten times as much as the grocery store as I do and don’t blink an eye.
I truly think those that judge just don’t understand. And don’t want to understand. They just want to judge.
I donate more now than I EVER did before. I give to my family, friends, food banks, shelters and so much more. There is absolutely no way I could do this without being a smart shopper. We don’t have the extra cash in our budget to donate money, but deodorant and toothpaste? Absolutely!
Please excuse the weird typos.
P.S. Love the Costco comment. I never thought of it that way, but seriously. People that leave Costco with three carts of stuff are practically applauded by all for being so “savvy”.
Hi Melody. I don’t coupon often. 1. Because it’s all junk, well the food is. We eat lots of organic veggies, organic milk, organic cheese, whole wheat, etc. There’s just about never any coupons for these items. Trader Joes don’t have coupons, neither does a health food stores. If I want my family living longer, healthier, being good stewards with our body is a must.
I coupon when it comes to household items. I can get them little to nothing at Rite Aid or Walgreens so those I do, then I have extra to spend on my family for real healthy food and give and bless others financially. Then there are times I just don’t bother couponing and just buy what I see on sale.
Just because some don’t coupon don’t mean we’re stupid.
I know pretty much about coupons as a average person, rolling over my rewards, couponing when things are on sale, but so many times there are things that aren’t worth it.
Oh my gosh, I didn’t mean for my comment to come across like that! We eat some organic, fresh produce with every meal and tons of other items that we can’t get coupons for.
I guess I should have said “I don’t know why people don’t educate themselves and become smart shoppers”. I totally didn’t mean to come across as condescending. That’s what I get for leaving a comment when my kids are running around.
It’s okay! Just hope they didn’t get into anything hahha. That would take a miracle in itself!
I coupon when I can but it’s hard to be a smart shopper when you want to eat healthy. I am still trying to figure it all out little by little.
If I can save on household items, then I’ll have more to spend on healthy food and give.
A lot of my friends are nurses most are not fortunate to stay home and learn the ins and outs (couponing). They work 16 hours a day! I have tried and offered, but because they are so tired/distracted they just can do it. It takes diligence, patience, and TIME. So that might be some reasons why. I feel so bad for them.
I agree, we’re trying really hard to find a good balance. I do the majority of my couponing trips to Rite Aid for toiletries, diapers, etc. Like you said above, that frees up money in our budget for “real” food.
We just try to find the best produce prices around, are growing vegetables in our garden and signed up for a CSA this year. Although those aren’t coupon-impressive savings, we are eating much healthier. This year, my couponing strategies have totally shifted as we’re trying to eat healthier.
I guess I should explain that my some of my friends are the type who think couponing takes too much time and effort, although they have seen what kind of savings are possible. I have tried so hard to show them how they can save on the items they buy anyway, but I don’t want to come across as a nag.
I disagree with this part of your comment:
“1. Because it’s all junk, well the food is”
While there are many coupons for junk food, it’s a bad absolute statement to say it’s “all junk”. I’ve found coupons for food items I’d consider not to be junk including organic and whole food items. Do they abound? No, they don’t. But to say they aren’t out there is misleading.
I agree whole-heartedly with this post!! I don’t think it’s selfish or greedy or weird in any way. We are going to buy these things at some point in our lives…why not buy them when they are on sale?!! Only problem is, I wish I had thought of (or heard of) this YEARS AGO!!!!!!
Thank you for all you do to help us “newbies” learn the ropes!!
I have to say that I am amazed that people can even find that many items at the stores to get free. I am usually lucky to get the several that I have coupons for. That being said, I do buy as much as I can. I feel fortunate to have the supply of food and paper products that I have. I know that in an emergency I would be able to take care of my family and help others. I am also LDS and one of the reasons I was once told about having a years supply was that it wasn’t necessarily for us to live off of for a year. Maybe we would be in an area where there was a natural disaster and what we had would help 50 families get through a week until help could get to us.
I am grateful to be able to grab some grocery bags and go shopping in my cupboards when I hear of someone in need. We always hear donate food, but sometimes the toiletries are also greatly appreciated. If a family has suffered a job loss, they may qualify for food stamps, but that won’t buy toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper etc. That’s where stockpiling more than my family might typically use comes into play.
Well I for one have built my stockpile slowly and over multiple sales. For instance, my pasta stash (which is enough for probably a good 6 months or better) was acquired probably over 4-5 different sales at different stores.
Angela – We share so many of the same thoughts – you just say them SO MUCH better than me! I loved reading this. Thanks for another thoughtful and insightful post. You’re the best!
Thank you for your kind thoughts, Christy!
Couldn’t have said it better myself. I have been a couponer since I was 16, I have learned that there is nothing wrong with paying less/nothing for a item that I need anyways. I always consider my friends/family and local food bank when shopping and getting these great deals. As i have learned like stated above most couponers are very giving. Nothing is better then helping someone in need..
Thanks for this great post! I totally agree with you – I have heard a lot of comments when I am checking out at the store, they always say, well you must have a lot of kids to feed, and I say… we are a family of three (soon to be four) and they ask, oh, so you must be donating some because no one can use 10 boxes of pasta, etc.
I had a friend who fell on hard times recently and would not let me help – but she did let me pack her a few bags of food and household stuff. I know that the stuff I gave her helped her get through and I was so glad to be able to do that, because I knew she would not let me help her financially. Couponing makes all of that possible and I am so thankful.
@Christen,
I often wonder if some cashiers have brains when they make comments like that when a person pays 12 boxes of pasta. Can they not grasp their brains around the fact that we cook all 12 boxes in one serving!?
I would venture to say most of us serve at least a pasta dish once per month. For a small family, that is only a year’s worth. Not very much. Why do cashiers think it is a lot is beyond me!
If I were to buy a 25 lb bag of rice at Costco for $20, I am viewed as a smart shopper. If I go into Albertsons and buy 25 1-lb bags free after coupon, I am viewed as a hoarder and crazy couponer. Why?
Yup! And this is the point I was hoping to make in my post.
Just my two cents because you have all said a lot of what I feel. I was unemployed for a few months and my unemployment was literally exactly my rent. I went on foodstamps because I needed the help. I amped up my couponing and was able to really stretch what my food stamps paid for. I was able to eat very healthy (meat, produce , etc) because of the amount I saved on other things.
People looked at me bad because after all the coupons my total was low. Then they really got snotty when I pulled out my ebt (foodstamp card) to pay. That really bothered me because I thought they should be happy that I was making good use of their tax dollars by being thrifty.
I think what you did Serenity? Absolutely wonderful and exactly the approach I’d take if I needed to put my family on food stamps. And yes, I agree. Taxpayers should have been thankful that you were being wise with the resources given to you. Nice work.
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