My radar always tends to go off when I see or hear the word “coupon.” So this week’s Dave Ramsey column caught my attention in the Sunday newspaper. A reader asked whether coupons were worth the time and effort, or just a waste of time and a ploy to get you to buy things.
It seems that the latter part of that question is a pretty common perception amongst people who don’t use coupons. Sure, there are plenty of coupons that offer a very small amount off an expensive, non-essential product. Those ones probably aren’t worth it. It might take a little time to learn the best deals and the time to stock up (look for our ► stockpile symbol in our weekly matchups).
When using coupons, focus first on the items your family needs or uses on a regular basis. Next, if there’s room in the budget, you might be able to combine coupons and sales to get a few treats that your family really enjoys, but are normally too expensive at regular price. Beyond that, be careful not to get tempted into products that you won’t use or don’t like. Even with a sale and coupon, you’re still spending money, so really consider whether it’s worth it.
Another thing Ramsey said in his article that caught my attention was that “couponing alone won’t change your family tree.” Meaning, if you’re just using coupons to get more stuff, but your shopping budget or attitude toward spending never changes, it won’t help you pay off debt or put more money in savings. And isn’t that the ultimate goal of using coupons? It’s not a game of “whoever has the most toothpaste wins.” We’re using coupons to cut spending in one area so we can use that money where it’s needed. That’s the difference between extreme couponing and smart couponing, and it can change the way your family lives.
How do you make sure couponing is worth your valuable time? And how do you avoid the temptation of something you don’t really need just because you have a coupon for it? We always love to hear your input!
