I love this post by Jessica at Life as Mom! It's all about being willing to be labeled "weird" when you use coupons. The truth is, I felt really weird myself when I started using coupons. Especially when I started really couponing and had twenty coupons to scan at checkout. But then one day, as my stomach was feeling all fluttery and my cheeks were getting a little red as I watched a line of people grow behind me and my stack of forty coupons, I realized that instead of being weird, maybe I was an inspiration? The lady behind me, when watching my total drop from $125 to $45, lost control of her jaw. Like, it just flapped right open. I thought it might hit the floor.
"How do you do that?"
I laughed and said, "Eh, it just takes time."
"No, seriously. Could you give me ten minutes? Just a quick lesson?"
I was kinda taken aback by it all, but that was the beginning of a new mindset. Instead of being embarrassed, now I'm proud! I love seeing the reaction on people's faces - the cashiers, the people in line, it's always the same! And maybe they are judging me, but I'm the one saving 70%, so judge away!
Do you feel weird using coupons?
I have NEVER felt weird using a coupon. Empowered is more like it. When I DON'T have a coupon, I feel sort of stupid. Sort of like I feel when, in rare instances, I've had to pay retail for something. Like a dress. That wasn't on sale yet. But I had to have it for an event or something. Now THAT'S a sucky feeling.
ReplyDeleteI went and read the post at Life as a Mom, and I, too, used to feel high in status when I used a credit card. Now how would I feel? Stupid. Plain ol' stupid. You live and you learn. I am nowhere near where I'd like to be as a frugal mama, but I'm getting there.
My hubby feels weird using coupons at restaurants. I don't mind one way or the other, but he has an issue with using a buy one meal get one free for example. I think he's just afraid of looking cheap. I don't care though, money saved is money saved!
ReplyDeleteI used to feel weird using coupons, especially when there are lots of people in line behind me, but its getting better. Especially now that I am tracking my savings...it is now a challenge to me to save.
ReplyDeleteYES! I do feel weird using coupons. It's gotten a TON better - like I needed the manager to help with a gift card issue like a week ago and she looked at the screen and said "WOW! That's alot of savings!" she was right, it was! I smiled and said "thank goodness" :)
ReplyDeleteMy BF has also stopped making me feel so lame about it and started saying 'keep it up with those coupon deals' YAY!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing ladies!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - I like that challenge idea. I saw in a magazine recently that one couple makes a game out of it by trying to save more every week than they did the week before. I'm all about making a game out of it, because I can get burnt out on couponing! Variety is the spice of life, right? ;)
PS - THANKS for being such a great teacher Chelsea! :) I learned most of it from you.
ReplyDeleteAw, you're welcome! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's AMAZING. Thanks for the help the other day. However, I don't think I will ever be that good at couponing!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad, I spent more the month I coupon-ed... spent hours clipping, ended up buying things we don't typically eat, and the same products were cheaper if I stockpiled during sale times... I must have been doing something drastically wrong! I'm looking forward to your tips, maybe I can learn how to coupon the "right" way and actually save!
ReplyDeleteThis is really bad coming from me, but I would use coupons if . . . I knew how to use our printer. We technically have one, I think it was free with some other purchase, but I have zero clues about it :/
ReplyDeleteSads.
Rachel, I did that the first couple of months, too! It's really tough to find a balance between still eating healthy while also using a lot of coupons and saving a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteJenna - LOL! That is so hilarious!
Melissa - You'll get the hang of it! Promise. :)
I can remember my mom couponing, so its nothing "new" to me.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I LOVE going to the check out and them having to call a manager because I am saving "too" much with my coupons. :-)