"But clipping coupons really isn't worth it...."

A patient came in the office today who apparently saw me at Kroger on Friday.. with my Case It Binder with a strap.  She said, "Oh I saw all your coupons.. you really are serious aren't you?!!?"


Why yes I am lol


Then she said the one thing I never understand.."But.. clipping coupons really isn't worth it".  She went on to say, "I can't see using a coupon for .30 of a can of biscuits being worth it.. it's just .30".  At this point I have to use mucho restraint because she's just not thinking it through!! 


Let's say you're like me and use one can of biscuits a week on average (sunday brunch of biscuits and gravy.. yummmmy)


Can of biscuits.. 1.25 x 52 weeks = 65.00
Coupon for can of biscuits... .30 x 52 weeks = 15.60
Use that coupon at a store that doubles coupons, such as Kroger then your savings are even more substantial at = 32.50.  


You have to look at the big picture.  I am huge believer in "DO NOT BUY THAT ITEM JUST CAUSE YOU HAVE A COUPON.. BUY IT CAUSE YOU HAVE A COUPON AND YOU USE IT".


I also totally plan my meals around what coupons are available that week or on what I've been able to stockpile.  Let's talk about Stockpiling for a minute.


Spaghetti sauce is 2.99 a jar.  Kroger has a famous 10/10 sale.  You have .50 coupons on Spaghetti sauce.  You then buy 20 jars of Spaghetti sauce.  Yes.. you do.  You now have Spaghetti sauce for a year.  AND.. it's free.  Because it was on sale, you had a coupon, you bought it at a store that doubles.. you don't have to pay 2.99 for Spaghetti sauce again for a year.  AND.. since sales run on a bit of a cycle, by the time you start running low it's another sale like that. 


Purex 3-in-1 sheets are on sale B1G1 free.. there is a coupon out there for b1g1 free on Purex sheets.. This makes this FREE at this store people!!!!  You get your hands on 25 of these coupons and you get 50 packages of laundry soap FOR FREE.  


Same with canned goods, smell goods, shampoo, razors.. etc.  There is no reason to pay full price for ANYTHING except meat and milk and bread (usually you don't get coupons on those, but then again, you should buy almost all of your meat only when on sale)


The best investment you can get is a storage shelf system and a deep freeze. 


Listen.. you may think why bother clipping that .30 coupon.. it's just .30.  It's not though. 


If you ONLY save 10.00 a week on your grocery bill that's 520.00 a year (trust me, if you get serious you'll save way more than that.. but even if you want to be a casual couponer, that would be the minimum of what you could save) I don't know about you but that's a car payment a half for me! 


Don't de-value your coupons folks!  Think about the long term.  Again, I do stress that you shouldn't buy something you might not use "just cause there's a coupon for it". 


I do buy things I wouldn't normally buy because I have a coupon and because the deal/coupon will make the item FREE.  If I can't use it, someone can. 


Till next time...