Realistic Expectations

A friend of mine mentioned couponing a few weeks before it was fashionable.  I started researching different websites and learning how to get the system to work with my shopping habits instead of falling into the marketing trap retailers want you to.  I hunted for great deals and places to shop.  And I saved a ton of money.  With TLC's Extreme Couponing show, however, things have changed.  People expect to save 99% at the grocery.  Let's be honest, no one really does that.  If you read online, the people featured on the show were told by TLC to be extreme to the point where it is plain wacky.  Who buys 124 bottles of Excedrin and stores it for a rainy day?  Really?

So let's discuss what to expect - realistically.  Coupons will rarely get you everything for free.  There are some things you need that you would be hard-pressed to find coupons.  For example, when is the last time you saw coupons for watermelons? apples? oranges? non-speciality or flavored milk?  Yea, I didn't think you saw a coupon for those things either.  So can you survive on free candy and discounted, pre-packaged deli meat?  Sure.  But you probably won't be healthy.

Couponing is there to save you money.  That is for sure.  But these shows make it seem like you can go and pay $2 for $1000 worth of groceries.  That is just not going to happen.  Remember, we are being real here.  But what CAN happen is that you save money.

This evening at Schnucks I paid $48 for $75 worth of groceries.  My cart included Cherrios, corn (canned and fresh), green beans (canned and fresh), potatoes (boxed hash browns and fresh), salad bag, many cans of fruit and some frozen items among other things.  Did I cringe at paying nearly $50 for groceries? NO WAY!  I saved 36%!  I saved $27!  What is $27 to you?  A few hours of work?  1/3 tank of gas? 1 month phone bill? Childcare for 1 day?  $27 means different things to different people.  And if it means that I get a few dirty stares shopping slowly so I can save 36% on groceries, then so be it.

So what is $27 to you?  Think about it.  And if saving that money is a good thing for you and your family, then maybe couponing isn't such a bad thing.