This is an inspiring video on couponing. It does not mention, however, how she gets her coupons. I spend at least $5 a week on papers in order to get the coupon inserts. In addition I subscribe to the grocery game. If she has these added costs, I think the $4 per week is deceiving. But even if she does have additional costs, she is a remarkable couponer.
November 10, 2009 at 8:28 pm |
Wow, wow, wow, Kris! This lady is totally you (except I’m quite sure you would “cover up” a bit more on national television)! Her pantry looks like yours!!! $267 of groceries for one penny. I’m amazed! Good link, thanks for sharing!
November 11, 2009 at 8:04 am |
It must have been really hot on the east coast the day they filmed!
November 10, 2009 at 11:37 pm |
Pretty impressive. I confess, though, I do get a little nervous when I see couponing covered in mass media. We need the people who pay full price without blinking an eye to stay the majority! The stores (not to mention the manufacturers who put out the coupons) can’t handle the whole town shopping like this! :p
November 11, 2009 at 8:03 am |
My husband says the same thing. Sometime when I post where I get my reduced price meat, etc. he cringes. However, even with hard times I don’t think it will become used by the masses in the way this lady does it. Some people might clip what is in the paper that week. But they don’t take it to the level where they show up with 30 coupons paired with sale items and save 60% off groceries.
First of all it takes time to build up your coupon base. You can’t start overnight. It also takes mental capability and ability to organize a ton of different things at once – especially if you shop with children. It is actually much harder than it looks. Unfortunately there are many in our society who don’t have the skills to do a complex coupon transaction. Am I sounding like a coupon snob or what?
For example, last Sunday I did a deal at Randall’s that included three promos. 1. Spend $50 and get 4 select breakfast items free. 2. spend $25 on selected items and get $5 off next purchase. 3. Buy 3 cereal and get discounted price up to 18 boxes. You could combine all these, pair with store and manufacturers coupons and save a bundle. I saved over 60% and got $5 off my next purchase. But I had messed up on one thing, it would have blown my savings. And many times the stores computer system mess up and you have to defend your position with customer service. If you know exactly what you’re doing, you get the amount you lost at the customer service desk. If you don’t then you just wasted your time.
I think shoplifting groceries will be a much bigger problem for us than couponing. It will cause the prices to rise even more and we’ll see more security guards at the grocery stores.
BTW, my mom lives in the Conroe area. Her ladies group at church met with reps from the local food bank yesterday. The amount of families the food bank is serving this year compared to this time last year has gone up by 4 times. People are really short of food. And we’re in a part of the country that has not had the worst. It keeps me up at night. Before I never knew people who needed food. I gave but it was twice removed from my life. Now I’m starting to know people personally, just like me, who need help. They are not in this position b/c of bad decisions in their life, rather unemployment or medical has hit their family. Hunger in our country gravely concerns me.
November 11, 2009 at 9:07 am |
Hey Kris,
Thanks!
I just wanted you to know about a rebate I saw in Real Simple magazine. Since we are both from Houston and I know you have probably been hitting Kroger’s Mega Event Sale you might want to look into this rebate, every bit counts right? I love your blog! I am a young newlywed and enjoy learning from you. will yoiu mentor me? HA
http://www.realsimplerewards.com/rsn/holidaysavings/index.html
November 11, 2009 at 10:18 pm |
Angela, thanks for the link. Are you a Houston gal? Love to see newlywed ladies interested in homemaking! Thanks for the sweet comments.
November 11, 2009 at 9:26 am |
You’re probably right. If it were fast and easy (per American standards) most everyone would pick up couponing, but there would still be some anti-coupon snobs.
I’ve heard people tell stories of how they offered someone in the store ONE coupon for something they saw in their cart, or they told someone that a different variety or brand of the very thing they were buying was free with a coupon, and they get snubbed: “that’s not what I want,” “I’m okay thanks.” I think there is somewhat of a stigma to coupons for some. Like, “oh, I work hard enough that I don’t have to use those.” I think you’re quite right that it can be very complex sometimes! I joke to my husband that not only am I saving us money but keeping my math skills sharp. Never mind that they were dull in the first place… :p
That’s sad to hear the statistics from the local food bank so directly. About 65% of the women in our church (which is small) coupon, and we have a big box where we bring whatever we got for free but don’t want, and it goes to a food pantry. It fills up so fast.
November 11, 2009 at 12:20 pm |
That’s pretty amazing! I know first hand that coupons do indeed add up! For an old guy like me…it can make a difference!
November 11, 2009 at 1:18 pm |
I think it can make a difference for anyone. I am not surprised you use them. BTW, Dave and I sure did get a kick from the pic of the lady’s underarm. I was taken!