Are coupons worth it?
Most people think that saving $5 each trip to the grocery store would be great…unless they had to actually take the time to find coupons, clip them out and present them to the cashier.
And, I know of several people who feel embarrassed to use coupons, despite how often they are used and how easily attainable they are.
Couponing is nothing to be embarrassed about and the money you can save each time you shop shouldn't be overlooked.
But the bottom line is that you could actually save that $5 each week…so why wouldn't you? That's an extra $260 at the end of the year! That's enough money to buy a lot of Christmas presents!
Saving vs Earning
Imagine all the things you could be doing instead of clipping coupons. Watching TV, surfing the internet, listening to music, talking with your spouse/significant other, etc. So why is it that you couldn't do it at the same time as you watch TV, surf the internet, listen to music, or talk with your spouse/significant other? It's very easy to multi-task and you'll earn money by doing so.
The problem is that people think of it as “saving money” rather than “earning money.” But what's the difference.
The old adage “a penny saved is a penny earned” is true. If you don't clip coupons, your grocery trip might be $75. If you do clip coupons, your grocery trip might be $70.
You will have $5 extra in your pocket. You've basically been paid $5 to cut coupons! And what's the only thing that's different? You had to clip coupons from the comfort of your own home.
So would $5 make it worth your time?
Let's look at an example:
Let's say you're watching a TV show. You look over and see the coupons that came in the mail. You could spend 20 minutes looking for $5 worth of coupons. Guess what? That equals $15 per hour (tax-free) that you just paid yourself to do something that was easy and brainless enough to do while watching TV.
Or you could choose to think of it another way. One of my favorite things to eat, especially during summer and barbeque season, is steak. But it usually costs more money than alternatives, such as chicken, beef, or burgers. However, with $5 savings from coupons, I can substitute one chicken meal with one steak meal.
So I end up being able to upgrade to steak for free, all because I clipped a few coupons for items I was going to buy anyway.
And, in today's digital world many stores have apps that offer digital coupons that are zero-work required.
It's a no-brainer. Clipping coupons is worth the time, energy, and any hassle it might bring.
A penny saved is a penny earned!
A Word of Caution
While clipping coupons for your regular purchases can save you money, extreme couponing can take a dangerous turn. If you're not buying things you need you're not saving (or earning) money, you're wasting it.
When you coupon always start with your regular grocery list in mind (or in hand) and, know what your menu is for the time period you're shopping. This will help you avoid what sounds like a deal but isn't something you'll use.
Keep in mind those “deals” that require you to buy two or three of something to save a dollar. If you're a single person, three boxes of cereal might not be realistic, nor are 3 jars of mayonnaise.
Are coupons worth it? Absolutely! If the products or ingredients your family eats offer coupon savings it is a great way to reduce your grocery expense.
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