Lesson 6 – Are You Really Saving Money & Other Coupon “Traps” To Avoid

Here's some things to think about when coupon shopping.  Time is money and you really need to justify what you're buying is really saving you money.

Shopping with kid's: When shopping with kids always make sure you have a written list of the things you want to buy.  Let your kids know you will be buying only what is on the list.  If you find yourself buying a lot of extras (snacks, drinks, toys) to keep your sanity while shopping, you really aren't saving money in the long  run.  It defeats the purpose of you coupon shopping in the first place.  Pack a snack bag for the kiddos and have a small toy (that you bought on sale with a coupon of course) that they only get to play with on shopping trips.

Gas Prices: Don't drive across town just because your friend calls you and says ” hey my Walmart has razors on clearance and they only have 3 left”.  The gas you use driving all across town is going to counteract the coupon savings and if it's a really good deal they'll probably be gone by the time you get there.  Don't worry, another deal will come along. You have to use your common sense.  Don't use a half a tank of gas just to get a free bottle of shampoo!

Obsession: Couponing can turn into an obsession.  It can be quite the high to start seeing how much money you can save.  Some people find themselves buying  junk  they will never use because it's free or really cheap only to think when they get home, “I just paid $.10 for this plastic flower pot with a wooden flower sticking out of it and was normally $3.99.  Great deal but now, what do I do with it?”   You'll start running out of room and your family will complain about the disappearing space in your house full of junk!

Hording: This is something that raises it's  little ugly head with me on occasion and I have to fight the urge to get greedy.  Just because you have 20 coupons for soap doesn't mean you need to clear the grocery shelves. Where are you gonna put all that stuff that your family will never go through in a year!  It will expire or just get old, unusable and be wasted.  Be nice and take only what your family will use or take a few extra to donate.  Leave plenty for other couponers.  Couponing shouldn't be an “every man (or woman) for themselves” kind of deal.

Join us next Friday for Lesson 7 – Coupon Etiquette

If you missed our previous lessons, click on the lesson you'd like to read  from the list below:

Lesson 1 – Coupons: Where to Find Them
Lesson 2 – Oragnizing and Storing Your Coupons
Lesson 3 – Shopping With Coupons
Lesson 4-  Coupon Money Makers
Lesson 5 – Learning The Lingo