Happy Monday! To my American friends, Happy Columbus Day and to my Canadian friends, I hope you’re having a fabulous Thanksgiving today! Today’s Manner Monday post is about a topic that is becoming more popular, the use of coupons. Around the time that the show Extreme Couponing became popular, I began watching a few episodes and while many of the coupon queens had a lot of great ideas and I was impressed by their massive organized stockpiles of necessities there were some not so nice aspects of the show that I feel promote competition in a negative way and hoarding among other things. While clearing the shelves at your local supermarket may make you feel like you’re one savvy bargain hunter, it’s anything but well mannered or classy behavior.
Today I’ll be sharing some tips written by Rebecca Wells of Couponing.com. While I have many of my own tips to provide you as an avid user of coupons, there is no sense in re-inventing the wheel when Rebecca (who is a pro at couponing) has done such a fine job of outlining the do’s and don’t of coupon etiquette. I’ve heard of fights breaking out in stores and coupon users treating store staff poorly which is such a sad thought, a classy woman knows that coupons are a privilege offered by the manufacturer and/or stores, not our right and must be used with respect.
If you’ve ever thought about using coupons (but haven’t yet), are just learning the ropes or are a seasoned deal seeker, these tips are good reminders to us all about the importance of manners and etiquette as it pertains to the use of coupons.
Tazo Organic Chai concentrate was 50% off after coupons, Alba Botanicals lotion was 88% off and less than $1.00! (3) St. Ives lotions were free (actually made 8 cents each with store coupon), ponytail holder 50% off, (4) 4-pk Dove sensitive skin bar soap $3.48 ea with bonus travel size shampoos attached, (2) 3-pk Kleenex only 58 cents after coupon and my favorite find was a Fieldcrest Luxury Downfilled pillow which was 88% off on clearance-no coupon required. I saved a total of 70% off my bill by using coupons, buying clearance items that I normally busy and by utilizing my Target debit Redcard to save an additional 5% off plus 5 cents off each reusable bag I brought. My cost: $25.56 vs. Retail cost: $83.76.
Do you use coupons? What has your couponing experience been and have you ever witnessed anyone breaking the rules? What is one of the best deals you got using sales coupled with coupons? I’d love to hear about it!
XO
I love target sales. Thanks for sharing great coupon advice. I always love learning more about it
I never thought that there's also a coupon etiquette that should be followed. Good thing I was able to visit your blog and read your pieces of advice. Now I can make sales in a good manner. Thanks a lot!
Thank you, Bakersfield Photography for stopping by and leaving a comment. 🙂
You're welcome and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. 🙂 One of my favorite areas is their clothing racks! I've got a few pairs of jeans that were marked down to $5 and then on their website they had a $5 off denim coupon which made them free when purchasing with other items.
I'm not much into coupons for every day items, but I definitely always use a coupon (or coupon code) when buying clothing. I also buy a lot of things on ebay and craigslist…that's my money saver.As far as groceries, I've always been more of a generic brand/store brand kind of shopper. I am all for people using coupons, but I think you should only get things you really will use. Stocking up on things is fine too…but, it should be on stuff you will use. I've never understood those who buy 30 boxes of pop tarts, but they don't even really like pop tarts.You gave some great tips!
Great post! I am definitely not a crazy couponer, I do use coupons for clothing or shoes like Sarah, occasionally cosmetics, but not so much for groceries. I find that the coupons usually advertise a particular brand or new product that is more expensive than generic, sometimes even after a coupon. Not always but often it is a waste of time and unnecessary hustle.
Thanks Evelyn, I'm with you, I don't spend hours clipping coupons trying to track down every grocery deal either-it's true, many products with coupons are still more expensive. I pick and choose with groceries, always opting for the healthier choice and not just the least expensive. I appreciate you stopping by to comment. 🙂
Sarah, I totally agree with you! I've also never understood how people can hoard boxes of cereal, etc., that they and their family don't even like. It's almost like it's a competition for them. I couldn't imagine even wasting 50 cents on an item just because it was a good deal, if I am not going to use it. Great point! 🙂
I love target sales. Thanks for sharing great coupon advice. I always love learning more about it
I never thought that there's also a coupon etiquette that should be followed. Good thing I was able to visit your blog and read your pieces of advice. Now I can make sales in a good manner. Thanks a lot!
Thank you, Bakersfield Photography for stopping by and leaving a comment. 🙂
You're welcome and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. 🙂 One of my favorite areas is their clothing racks! I've got a few pairs of jeans that were marked down to $5 and then on their website they had a $5 off denim coupon which made them free when purchasing with other items.
I'm not much into coupons for every day items, but I definitely always use a coupon (or coupon code) when buying clothing. I also buy a lot of things on ebay and craigslist…that's my money saver.As far as groceries, I've always been more of a generic brand/store brand kind of shopper. I am all for people using coupons, but I think you should only get things you really will use. Stocking up on things is fine too…but, it should be on stuff you will use. I've never understood those who buy 30 boxes of pop tarts, but they don't even really like pop tarts.You gave some great tips!
Great post! I am definitely not a crazy couponer, I do use coupons for clothing or shoes like Sarah, occasionally cosmetics, but not so much for groceries. I find that the coupons usually advertise a particular brand or new product that is more expensive than generic, sometimes even after a coupon. Not always but often it is a waste of time and unnecessary hustle.
Thanks Evelyn, I'm with you, I don't spend hours clipping coupons trying to track down every grocery deal either-it's true, many products with coupons are still more expensive. I pick and choose with groceries, always opting for the healthier choice and not just the least expensive. I appreciate you stopping by to comment. 🙂
Sarah, I totally agree with you! I've also never understood how people can hoard boxes of cereal, etc., that they and their family don't even like. It's almost like it's a competition for them. I couldn't imagine even wasting 50 cents on an item just because it was a good deal, if I am not going to use it. Great point! 🙂