Let’s face it. Some individuals are addicted to shopping. Along with that addiction is a secondary, related addiction. Getting a great bargain.
These addicted souls stalk the retail isles and advertisements looking high and low for a great deal. Once they find it, they revel in their victory bragging to the world on how they have saved “hundreds.” If you are one of these shopping\saving addicts, my advice to you is to put the coupons down and slowly step backwardsIf you are one of these shopping\saving addicts, my advice to you is to put the coupons down and slowly step backwards until your coupons are out of site! As with any addictive behavior what is seemingly good, can be used as an excuse to fulfill the addiction. Coupons are not a mode of savings for this individual, but a trap to lure them back to their addiction.
However, for many non addicted, budget challenged individuals, coupons are an excellent way to trim some needed cash from one’s budget. With an increasing number of coupons for free items they are also a “safe” way to try out new and interesting products before sinking hard earned cash into an unproven product.
But let’s be realistic on how much we really save with coupons. This past week I needed some sour cream. I grabbed a coupon for a brand I have used in the past. At first glance it looked like my coupon was an excellent deal -$1 off! Of course I would have been thrilled if this item was on sale, but unfortunately, a different one was on sale. When I compared prices, my coupon brand was 70 cents more that the sale brand. I bought the coupon item to save 30 cents. Even though the $1 amount on the coupon may lead one to believe that they are saving $1, in reality I was only saving 30 cents. Don’t get me wrong – I like saving 30 cents!I like saving 30 cents! It is just that I like to be honest with what I am really saving.
Be careful not to frustrate your family. If your family does not mind using different brands, or the coupon is for a product that does not seem to change between brands, then go ahead and use the coupon. However, be careful not to switch brands to the detriment of your family. When my children were young they had reactions to certain laundry detergents. If my wife switched detergents with every coupon that came out my poor children would have gone crazy. However, we always kept our eye out for coupons for the brand we used! If you see coupons for your favorite brands you would be crazy not to use them.
Finally, if you have a small budgeted amount each week for special “treats” then coupons can help you stretch your treat budget. If you don’t buy ice cream very often and decide to treat your family, look for a great coupon to help save moneyIf you don’t buy ice cream very often and decide to treat your family, look for a great coupon to help save money on these special items. Coupons can be a real help for tight family budgets. Be realistic on how much you are really saving and make sure you are using them to save rather than an excuse to spend.
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If you are one of these shopping\saving addicts, my advice to you is to put the coupons down and slowly step backwards
