Couponing for Extremely Normal People | How to Coupon Without Being Extreme

We've all seen them on TV - holding up the line, filling their carts, handing over coupons, and walking out of the store having only spent .10 cents! While there is some reality to the crazy deals people can get through extreme couponing - today we'll take a tempered approach and see what us frugal folk can glean from this practice. Join us as we talk about what's worth couponing and what we should leave for TV entertainment. A.K.A. couponing for 'normal' people!

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Notable Notes:

What the Internet has to say:

• This article from Thrifty Nomads offers a guide for beginners on ho- to coupon. It includes tips on what you need, how to get started, and pitfalls to avoid!

What Jen and Jill have to say:

• Set aside time - this is a big one! There is a level of time investment if you are looking to participate in traditional coupon clipping. This may mean less time spent on Facebook and more time couponing!

• Organization is key - isn't this always the case?!

• Find coupons through apps like:
  Checkout51
  CartSmart
  Snap

• Consider cash back sites like Ebates or Ibotta

• Be aware of pitfalls!
  hoarding bulk items
  buying things you don't need or want just because it was 'on sale'
  couponing has the properties of being addictive but not necessarily beneficial (i.e. collecting things just because they are cheap)

More from the Internet:

• This article from How Stuff Works gives 10 tips for things you should try, learn, or consider when couponing - definitely some great stuff to know in here!

More from Jen and Jill:

• Number 9 gives some important information about learning the coupon "jargon". For instance, coupons will use acronyms! OYNO? MIR? BOGO? We'll give you these three for free: On Your Next Order, Mail-in Rebate and Buy One Get One.

• Number 8 re-instills this idea of being organized! Coupons have expiration dates!

• Number 6 know your rights -this article recommends having the store coupon policy printed out. Jill thinks this is a little extreme.

• Other tips we like: buying in bulk does help with savings, forget brand loyalty, forget store loyalty

• Other places to get coupons include: leftover Sunday papers on Monday morning

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More about Couponing

Why You Shouldn’t Coupon

• This article from Money Crashers dives into the pitfalls of couponing and why this might be an 'extreme' practice worth avoiding. - https://www.moneycrashers.com/reasons-stop-extreme-couponing/

Jen and Jill's take:

• We appreciate the perspective offered in this article and agree with the cautions about couponing possibly leading to hoarding (the antithesis to minimalism!)

• Bargain shopping can lead to unwise choices - purchasing things you don't need, or unhealthy options you wouldn't normally buy

• Beware of couponing becoming a time consuming obsession

Conclusion: couponing in moderation can be great for the wallet, but it is not always synonymous with frugality or minimalism!

31 Day Declutter Challenge
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Frugal Friends Book Club
It’s January and we are reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Upby Marie Kondo

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As always, thank you for hanging out with us. We wish you a happy, healthy, and frugal new year. See you next week!