Confessions Of An Ex-Coupon Addict

Since I've been more aware about economic activism and more careful about mindless spending, I've kicked my old coupon habit and I'm sure the smart folks on this forum won't be surprised when I tell ya: I'm spending a lot less money now.

Most of the stuff I was "saving" money on, is stuff I didn't even remotely need!! Stuff like those laundry dryer sheets and different soap for every cleaning job in the house (examples, "Kitchen Care" "Mop & Glo" etc.) The best way to save money on them is not to buy them at all...a revelation to my advertisement-ridden brain!

Now I get the Costco dish soap and use it for hand soap as well (I just keep refilling the old Method containers in the bathroom and nobody noticed.) The Costco laundry soap works as a pre-treater as well so no more "Spray and Wash" type products. White vinegar and baking soda works on just about everything else and to my astonishment I found the best thing for cleaning my floors is -- WATER!

Or is it too tempting to fall over to the dark side if you clip even one solitary coupon?

I know I have certain very exact products I will cut out coupons for - you know, stuff I am going to buy anyway. I used to do more of the coupons, but you're right, you try something cheap or free, then suddenly you are hooked.

I find the whole coupon section to be like ingesting 200 advertisements, I try to avoid the ads...since I've changed the way I buy stuff (mainly from Costco, little indie/ethnic places or the bulk bin at the health food store) I don't think I use any coupon stuff any more.

It used to be a BIG DEAL FOR ME...I would get the coupon section out and sort of organize everything into a little file and then get the checkout tape from the store and feel so good about all the money I saved but now I find I really didn't save any money at all, I just bought a lot of extra stuff I wouldn't have bought otherwise.

I know there must be a lot of people (like you!) smarter than me about coupons. But I'll bet you that most people are just LIKE me...DUH!

I tried body wash, and used it for a while. Then I got tired of it, but had all these bottles, so gave them away on Freecycle recently.

People on this couponing forum I used to go to always said "you can't be brand loyal to benefit from coupons." But I am very loyal, partly because I have allergies and sensitivities, so I have to stick with things that work. And also, I don't want to be bothered with too many choices.

I know what you mean about the ingesting of 200 ads though - who needs it?

thing. I shop at Trader Joe's ~ which mostly sells just "Trader Joe's" brand everything. It's much cheaper and TJ's stuff is just awesome! :hi:

I knew this years ago. I was young, single and living on the verge of poverty in those days. Everyone tried to convince me to jump on the coupon wagon but I never saw coupons for a single thing I normally bought! I compared the price of the generic or simple products I used to the coupon-discounted name brands and no surprise, they did not save money. The only people who save with coupons are those who already buy all that garbage.

You're right, they'd save more if they just dumped all the excess products that no one really needs. They're all filled with icky chemicals anyway. What's wrong with good old soap and water? There are so many natural cleaners such as vinegar and baking soda, etc. And if you want to save on food, buy staples in quantity, get your vegetables at the veggie stands and stop eating all those processed foods. Pre-made, processed foods never save money and they aren't even as good for you. Not surprisingly, they never have coupons for just plain old rice, or potatoes! The whole idea of coupons is to get you to buy all that junk and get hooked on it.

I use coupons, and I know I save money. I only cut out the ones for products I would buy anyway. Went grocery shopping today, and used $7.00 worth of coupons and I didn't buy anything that wasn't on my list.

I had 2 coupons, each for a free protein bar. So, I picked up 2 freebies. Keeping them in the fridge for when I go biking. But I'll tell ya', they couldn't be delicious enough for me to keep buying them at $1.48 each. I'm too much of a skinflint. :-)