Planking. Tebowing. I’ve never done either. To be honest, I never will. Not because I can’t physically get back up off the floor, but I missed the trend. One “ing” I am trying to get on board with is couponing.
People who coupon are a unique group. They are a dichotomy. In one sense, they love to co-opt others. Turning others on to couponing. Referring others to websites with the best deals. Giving tips. Stoking the flames of savings. Whipping those in the trenches into a frenzy with the potential of keeping money in their pockets. In another sense, couponers are highly competitive. “I saved X amount of money.” The braggadocio. In your face. They may not acknowledge it but they want to save more than the next couponer.
I have been co-opted by the idea but the reality of couponing has confounded me in two ways:
Firstly, I don’t think I can hand the coupons over. It is a real public thing. Maybe I’m too sensitive. What will people think of me if I hand over a bunch of coupons? “Isn’t he a teacher? Why does he need to be clipping coupons?” I am conscious of the perception that teachers are cheap. What is the difference between teachers and canoes? Canoes tip. The other thing is that I like to keep a checkout line moving. I would feel bad for the people behind me. I guess I just have a deep-seated need to be loved by everyone, including the guy holding the pound of bacon behind me.
Secondly, couponing might cost me more money than I would have normally spent. You may get an awesome coupon for something you wouldn’t normally buy. You may save on that product but overall you lose. Oh great, a dollar off cheese slices. I’ve got a half a pack of cheese slices in the fridge already. Waste.
I watched a show called “Extreme Couponing”. What a gong show. In some instances, the couponers were so proficient the grocery stores were paying them money at the end. Couponing was their lives. Everyone has a calling I guess. The thing is these people were buying things they didn’t need. Plus they had to buy huge quantities in order to maximize the savings. One lady bought over a hundred bottles of barbeque sauce. Now if she donated the sauce she couldn’t use to a food bank I would be on board. A modern day Robin Hood. Instead she had a basement full of food. Next week she was on Hoarders.
I am trying not to be judgemental. I think the only way I could get on board is if I developed some kind of system. If you could make a grocery list then seek out coupons, it might just work. You wouldn’t be buying stuff you don’t need. Then I would do my groceries at 2am so no one would see me do it.
Do you have a system that works? Are you an extreme couponer? Is it worth the time you commit to it?
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