These thoughts are my own and politics of the issue I have discussed with family and friends.
I'm just going to say it: I disagree with this new movement of couponing.
I will lay this out real simple for now andmay WILL expand on these thoughts in later posts.
Why I dislike extreme couponing:
• in the shows that highlight this issue these people seem like hoarders; leaving shelves empty so other customers can't buy something, I believe, is greedy. There garages are warehouses, their pantry's are grocery stores.
• people who extreme coupon spend so much time on it. Time they could have better well spent with family or friends.
• They rack up huge bills at the grocery store and pay pennies. Do you realize that stores almost NEVER get the full pay out for the coupons they turn back into those companies that offer the coupon? The stores are losing out huge and then raise prices to make up for it. Economically, I believe this movement is hurting more people than it is helping.
Why I understand why people take part in this movement:
• the economy is tough...people need to save money anywhere they can.
• some people need a hobby and this is really a hobby to most. Although, most extremers will tell you it's their "job"..."Spouse works and I save the money" - or something like that...
• it's a thrill to save money at the register. I love when I get a gas coupon from my local Spartan store! I love the feeling that I shopped sales and saved $20 here and $10 there...I can't even imagine what it's like to save hundreds.
Why I still don't like it:
• I wonder how much is actually wasted in these people's homes? As my friend put on as a comment on my FB status — "I don't have a large budget for food but I make it work and by buying only what we'll eat (emphasis added), we actually save money because rarely do have anything that sits in the house for weeks or months." I agee! (I hope this person doesn't mind that I'm using their words!)
• a lot of coupons are for preserved stuff that could have easily been made from scratch for a lot less, too. And probably in a healthier way! I was looking at coupons just today (because I DO use coupons which I will discuss later) and saw boxed cheesy potatoes. I could make a bigger dish that would fill my family and have left overs for the week by purchasing real potatoes that don't have things like MSG or fake processed cheese.
• if these stay-at-home mom's (and dad's) would spend time making things from scratch instead of having instant meals from a box they could teach their kids the importance of healthy eating habits and teach them the value in preparing great meals for your family! Instead they teach their kids that beating the system (which, in my opinion, is what extreme couponing is. Which, I also believe, is wrong) is ethical. Hello...maybe this is the attitude that got our economy into a crisis?!?!
These are just my thoughts for today...as I went through this I will definatly have to follow up on this.
Please don't get me wrong or think I believe these people are horrible parents, because I don't. I'm sure they are wonderful parents that give their kids time and attention and teach them great things in life. I just think people have jumped on this huge bandwagon that has caused a hype. It's very appealing...I researched it, thought about it, discussed it with family and friends, considered it myself. I just don't think people have considered how this effects others...especially in our culture of ME, ME, ME. But these conclusions are my thoughts against the practice of extreme couponing, not against how these people are as parents.
I'm just going to say it: I disagree with this new movement of couponing.
I will lay this out real simple for now and
Why I dislike extreme couponing:
• in the shows that highlight this issue these people seem like hoarders; leaving shelves empty so other customers can't buy something, I believe, is greedy. There garages are warehouses, their pantry's are grocery stores.
• people who extreme coupon spend so much time on it. Time they could have better well spent with family or friends.
• They rack up huge bills at the grocery store and pay pennies. Do you realize that stores almost NEVER get the full pay out for the coupons they turn back into those companies that offer the coupon? The stores are losing out huge and then raise prices to make up for it. Economically, I believe this movement is hurting more people than it is helping.
Why I understand why people take part in this movement:
• the economy is tough...people need to save money anywhere they can.
• some people need a hobby and this is really a hobby to most. Although, most extremers will tell you it's their "job"..."Spouse works and I save the money" - or something like that...
• it's a thrill to save money at the register. I love when I get a gas coupon from my local Spartan store! I love the feeling that I shopped sales and saved $20 here and $10 there...I can't even imagine what it's like to save hundreds.
Why I still don't like it:
• I wonder how much is actually wasted in these people's homes? As my friend put on as a comment on my FB status — "I don't have a large budget for food but I make it work and by buying only what we'll eat (emphasis added), we actually save money because rarely do have anything that sits in the house for weeks or months." I agee! (I hope this person doesn't mind that I'm using their words!)
• a lot of coupons are for preserved stuff that could have easily been made from scratch for a lot less, too. And probably in a healthier way! I was looking at coupons just today (because I DO use coupons which I will discuss later) and saw boxed cheesy potatoes. I could make a bigger dish that would fill my family and have left overs for the week by purchasing real potatoes that don't have things like MSG or fake processed cheese.
• if these stay-at-home mom's (and dad's) would spend time making things from scratch instead of having instant meals from a box they could teach their kids the importance of healthy eating habits and teach them the value in preparing great meals for your family! Instead they teach their kids that beating the system (which, in my opinion, is what extreme couponing is. Which, I also believe, is wrong) is ethical. Hello...maybe this is the attitude that got our economy into a crisis?!?!
These are just my thoughts for today...as I went through this I will definatly have to follow up on this.
Please don't get me wrong or think I believe these people are horrible parents, because I don't. I'm sure they are wonderful parents that give their kids time and attention and teach them great things in life. I just think people have jumped on this huge bandwagon that has caused a hype. It's very appealing...I researched it, thought about it, discussed it with family and friends, considered it myself. I just don't think people have considered how this effects others...especially in our culture of ME, ME, ME. But these conclusions are my thoughts against the practice of extreme couponing, not against how these people are as parents.
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