Originally posted September 30, 2011
A few weeks ago, I was talking to a friend of mine about using coupons. She was getting burnt out, and she wanted some advice from me on how to get recharged again.
My advice to her surprised her, and it might surprise you as well.
I told her to just stop.
Stop buying papers, stop clipping coupons, just stop.
“But won’t I get behind? What if I miss a great deal? What if my stockpile gets low?”
I reassured her that most likely she’d be fine, that she could still save money on her groceries each week without clipping coupons. She wouldn’t have to deplete her stockpile and she really shouldn’t worry about missing a great deal (because we all know, most deals come around again and again!).
As far as her concern about getting behind, in some ways that is a valid worry. If she doesn’t buy papers this week, 3 months from now she could be missing a great coupon for an awesome sale. However, that’s not even that big of a deal. Usually you can find a comparable coupon online, or you can purchase from a coupon clipping website or ebay if it’s THAT big of a deal.
I’m just going to be honest here. I don’t coupon all the time. I shop strategically with or without coupons at all times, but I do not find that couponing fits well into every season of my life. So sometimes, I just shop smart with minimal coupons or with no coupons following the steps I detail here: 10 Super Easy No Clip Ways to Save at the Grocery Store.
If you find yourself feeling burnt out, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does my current financial situation require that I continue using coupons? If so, you might have to suck it up and try to muddle through the burn out. Try to enlist help from a friend or loved one if possible. If possible, just cut back on the amount of stores you shop at.
- If my current financial situation does not require that I continue using coupons; do I have a good grasp on how to save money without coupons? If not, read this article to learn how to save money without clipping coupons: 10 Super Easy No Clip Ways to Save at the Grocery Store.
- If you feel confident you can forgo coupons without ruining your budget, just take a break!
This past month has been incredibly stressful for me. I don’t think I’ve used a single coupon at the grocery store this entire month. However, I always stayed within budget and my family has not suffered a bit. Have I increased my stockpile much? Not really, but I haven’t really depleted it either. Have I missed great deals? Absolutely, but at the moment there are things going on in my life that are more important then free deodorant or toothpaste.
Don’t feel like you have to be on top of your game at all times. Sometimes taking a break is actually the best financial decision you could make!
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25 years of couponing, and I still haven’t burned out!:) I would have more of a problem if I were to stop!LOL
That’s awesome Denise!
:::applauds:::
Thank you. Now I won’t feel guilty about all my coupons and coupon organizational products I pitched in the trash last week. If I come across something and the coupon will allow me to get the item for free, I’ll print it. Otherwise, I’m done stressing myself out. People who don’t coupon don’t realize that it can be a LOT of work.
It really can be. And I’m not going to lie, it can be very profitable work, but that doesn’t mean it’s always worth your time.
Thanks for this article!! I have been feeling really tired of coupons lately too. I find myself wanting to do other things like hang with my family more and i tend to forget about the coupons that I have to sort because lately it has just felt like a waste of time. I live in a teeny tiny town (population 500) so i continue to use coupons locally but unless im going to be in the bigger centers for another reason I’m not hunting down the bargains. I’m sure around christmas I’ll snap out of it lol
It’s totally fine to take breaks!
I think another bit of good advice is to find other ways of saving that don’t involve coupons. I actually hardly use coupons at all. I I figured out stores in my area that have great prices and they don’t need coupons or may not ever accept them. I visit my local 99 cent only about 1 time a week and get name brand bread, eggs, veggies and lots of surprise great deals (like a gallon of miracle whip I split with my mom for .99). I also found a great grocery outlet- recently I got a ton of Lara Bars there for .25 each.. no coupons necessary.
Definitely. I linked to an article full of no clip ways to save as well!
I think another bit of good advice is to find other ways of saving that don’t involve coupons. I actually hardly use coupons at all. I I figured out stores in my area that have great prices and they don’t need coupons or may not ever accept them. I visit my local 99 cent only about 1 time a week and get name brand bread, eggs, veggies and lots of surprise great deals (like a gallon of miracle whip I split with my mom for .99). I also found a great grocery outlet- recently I got a ton of Lara Bars there for .25 each.. no coupons necessary.
I don’t think I could buy full price now that I started couponing. My situation needs the discount that coupon gives me.
There is no problem with that! Couponing full time all the time is absolutely fine. It’s also fine to take breaks. If your situation doesn’t allow you to though, try and find a good support system!
Good article. It is comparable to coupon/freebie addiction which I have developed a dependency on. I too slowed down about a month or so ago, deciding to save the computer ink. I ended up being disappointed at the early expiration dates on coupons and having to throw so many out. Once you have a good reasonable stock (not excessive) where else are you going to put everything. 1 refrigerator, 2 freezers full, one cannot just keep bringing things home. Besides, none of us eat that much anymore.
Okay, it was fun, and I still like freebies and saving money. But in moderation it is just as satisfying. Couponing to the extreme is hard work though.
I think the key is this: “But in moderation it is just as satisfying” It took me awhile to figure that out too!
Love this advice! Thank you…you just took some guilt off my shoulders because I don’t coupon and keep feeling guilty because I could be saving my family money. But, I’m really thrifty and at this time in our lives we are only purchasing the basics and going without a lot of extras and we are happy, so that is okay!
I’m glad to help and make you feel a bit better!