Coupon Dad
My dad is the ultimate coupon clipper. When I was a kid, my dad would drag me to the grocery store with him. He would load up his shopping cart and then proceeded to the cash register. The cashier rang up the total and then my dad would pull out several billion coupons. Talk about embarrassing. It was bad enough I had to wear hand-me-downs from another family, but thanks to my dad's coupons, I also had to stand at the checkout while everyone stared at us. I was certain they thought we were poor and had to clip coupons to get by. I vowed never to clip coupons when I grew up.
Now I'm all grown up and I find myself clipping coupons. I have to, but not because we're poor (someone please tell my wife that just because we can't afford a $1000 purse doesn't mean we're poor). Ten years ago, we were a double income family of two. Now, we're a single income family of six. Kids are not cheap. Actually, four kids are kinda of expensive. In order to stretch our dollars, my wife and I use coupons, check the weekly grocery ads, buy used items at thrift stores, and sell ads on our kids' foreheads.
I can't believe my wife and I have become coupon clippers just like my dad. But we take it a step further. We also encourage our kids to use coupons. For instance, whenever my kids want to buy a book at full price, I tell them they could buy the book now for ten dollars or wait for a 40% off coupon at Borders and get the book for six dollars. But unlike me, my kids are not embarrassed about using coupons (yet?). Instead, they ask me if Borders has emailed me a 40% off coupon (I just wish they would stop asking me several times a day).
Below are three of my favorite places for online coupons. Feel free to share your sources for good coupons.
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Luv it!! They keep asking for Borders coupons. Sounds like Generation Z and Silents have a lot in common. Ha! My mom drives me crazy with coupon talk. Seriously. Crazy. I need to use them – I do sometimes. I need to ALL THE TIME. We're one income now, too, with three kids. Man, kids are expensive.
.-= jenx67´s last blog ..generation x news: twits, coupland, waterloo, guitar hero, devil-children + iraq =-.
At least you're good about hitting the thrift stores and garage sales.
It is a great idea to use coupons and include kids with it. Just like you, it teaches them to stretch their dollar. My wife just got into the coupon game and is saving a lot more than what she was. .
.-= Dad Blog´s last blog ..The Famous Baby Sleeping Pose =-.
I wish I was as good as my dad when it comes to coupons. Sometimes he would get a big bag of groceries for free or only a dollar or two.
My mother was a coupon FANATIC. I remember standing in line at the grocery store as she checked and rechecked every coupon in her stash. *sigh*
I don't shop with coupons, now. I just shop at a less expensive grocery store!
.-= Desert Songbird´s last blog ..There's A Hole in My Heart =-.
We're not crazy like my dad. We only use a couple of coupons at a time.
I love the idea of teaching our kids to be frugal and smart with their money. I question, however, the value of coupons, in my own life. Since the time I am spending clipping coupons could be used creating value. If, for instance, you earn $50/hour, every ten minutes of clipping costs you $8.33. I understand that for the very poor, coupons are valuable, and I dont want to discourage using them. But if you can better use your time creating value for yourself or others, I would suggest doing that – and just buy the book you want.
Good point. Time is limited. However, for me, it doesn't actually take much time at all. I use the online coupon sites and spend about 10-15 minutes a month.
I love how now to clip coupons all you have to do is go online and print them out. There are so many coupon sites that saving money is really easy and time efficient.
Thanks for the couponmate link. I'll check it out soon.
a dollar saved is a dollar saved!! these are some great links that Alise and I will certainly use!
.-= Jeremy´s last blog ..A Note About Twittering… =-.
You should sign up for Borders Rewards. It's free and they just email me a 40% off coupon.
You really must go to BlogHer; I came home with all KINDS of free groceries! I clip coupons, but only when they're for at least 5o cents and do not tell me how many items I MUST buy. (I'm just stubborn like that.)
.-= Mrs4444´s last blog ..Mostly-Wordless Wednesday =-.
I love it when I find $1 coupons for items that cost less than a dollar.
I think it's great that you and your kids are aware of the concept at all. I use sales and coupons when they work easily. If the effort and energy outweigh the value of my time spent saving a few bucks that will be the breaking point for me and I'll always side on my time over the savings. But it's nice when they work together!
Hugs,
Holly
.-= Holly Schwendiman´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: My Favorite Things =-.
Some sales are a pain in the butt — like those mail-in rebates. I hate them. But at least now you can fill out the info online instead of mailing it in with the upc code.
Heeeyyyy! I can now put ads on my kid's head? Wow! I thought making them wear shirts with advertising all over it was good. You gotta point there. If I totally shave their heads, maybe they pay per space. You know what I mean?
.-= Virginia´s last blog ..Overproofing Your Baby =-.
You can also sell the rights to name your baby. Hello ebay.
They say we all turn out like our parents … so it seems to be true with you … and with me.
.-= Kay´s last blog ..compromises =-.
Oh no, I hope I never go around the neighborhood going through people's recycle bins on trash pickup day.
I do love using coupons. And I feel very smug knowing that I got the item for $1.00 off. However, I forget to bring the coupons with me to the store half of the time. Then I feel bad about the stuff I have to buy that I had a great coupon for, I have to buy it for full price. Oh well!
.-= peepnroosmom´s last blog ..A perfect moment. =-.
I love the ones that let you use multiple coupons. Then you can actually get paid for buying stuff.
i found a useful tip in one of my Parents magazine – use a small plastic photo brag book for your coupons. this way you can see what you have right away. i love it and i never forget a coupon now!
We dont have anything like this in OZ, I so wish you did. You guys get some great bargins….
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Sometime in the Future… =-.
I have to agree with Danielle. We don't have stuff like this for groceries here. But we do have loyalty points where store will give you coupons, depending on points earned, to spend on all items in the store. You guys in the States have really great bargins!
Looks like I need to learn a lesson from you!