As a nation of couponers we have heard about it. Maybe not about us, but we certainly all feel the burden of coupon fraud. But what exactly is coupon fraud? Many believe coupon fraud to be using excessive amounts of coupons. This is not only completely untrue, but it turns us avid couponers into evil grocery bandits bent on looting and plundering away the store's precious resources with our little pieces of paper. This my friends is ridiculous. The time has come to put the myth to rest...so put on your learning hats ladies and gentlemen...because you are about to be schooled.

The largest victims of coupon fraud are not the stores themselves, as so many incorrectly think and would seek to defend the honor of, but the customers of such stores. When manufacturer's retract all their coupons because one or two people decide to make counterfeits the only loser is us. I find it ludicrous to lash out out at all couponers for the mistakes of a few...after all, when people counterfeit money you don't take it out on everyone who hands you a Benjamin, do you? No, you are simply more careful about accepting those bills that come your way.

I don't want to go off on a rant, but I feel I need to mention the reason for coupons in the first place. Manufacturer's make products and overprice them on purpose! Coupons were invented to help the consumer save money on a product that was marked up way too high to begin with. When you walk into the store and buy something at face value, you are overpaying by almost 200% depending on where you are. For me, that is WAY TOO MUCH! Especially on everyday items I need for my family. You know that luxury we all need everyday in order to survive?...I call it food.

For those of you rushing to defend the store...don't. The largest problem of the coupon world is the lack of communication between the manufacturer's and stores which then confuses all the consumers. The varying sets of rules regarding coupons only makes the process that much harder. Most misuse of coupons is due to a lack of communication on the business end. Many customers are so afraid to misuse the coupon they fail to take advantage of the benefits...not to sound too conspiracy theory...but that is exactly what the manufacturer's want! They don't want you to take advantage of the tools they have given you to save money...they want you to pay full price...they want you to pay whatever price they feel like asking...case in point, GASOLINE! Why do you think they make coupons so impractical? And give them such a bad reputation? You are either the "crazy coupon lady" or a "thief" because you are unwilling or unable to pay the high prices for a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.

Did you know for every coupon a store receives (and here I am referencing the big stores where coupons are used on a much larger scale...Target, CVS, Kmart, and chain grocery stores) they receive as compensation for accepting that coupon the face value of the coupon plus $0.08. That's right...stores actually make money for taking your coupons. Whenever I walk into a store with a stack of coupons I simply shrug and think...I am making you money while saving myself some...win...win. I guess there is no more need for concern that these stores are losing money on coupons. The simple truth is...the stores are FINE.

Other coupon fraud myths are pairing coupons with store sales. This is not fraud...this is called smart shopping. This is the reason I stockpile...I buy it in bulk with good sales and coupons and don't have to worry about it for months at a time. Free coupons are also not coupon fraud. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard this...from checkers no less! Using multiples of the same coupon varies from store to store and is not always frowned upon. Some stores have no problem with you buying thirty of the same item and using 30 manufacturer coupons, some do. This is another reason couponing is tough. You have to do your reasearch to not unintentionally commit fraud. I don't feel bad for the grocery lines either...not fraud but still worth a mention...I know how to shop, I do it all the time! The lines are always long and slow not because of couponers but because shopping for groceries is something everyone has to do. Grocery stores are the great equalizers of this country...especially in the city. Some of us shop little bits at a time, others buy in bulk. I would go to a warehouse store and buy in bulk there, but I don't feel the need to pay for a membership. That is simply another expense I cannot afford. Besides, I get such good deals at the grocery store, I figure, why bother with the warehouse store at all? I have just as much of a right to shop at the regular store as anyone else.

When it comes to the subject of actual coupon fraud, here are some prime examples: mass manufacturing a fraudulently made coupon and selling said coupons to unsuspecting customers, buying items with coupons and then returning those items for a full refund (which many places can actually track now), using two coupons for only one product (unless you're at Target and have a Target and manufacturer coupon, then it is okay), wrongly using a coupon to receive a discount on an item not listed on the coupon (such a s a wrong size or quantity), and/or altering a coupon.These are classic cases of coupon fraud.

So unless you are engaging in these sorts of criminal enterprises, chances are you are NOT committing coupon fraud. Again, please check your store's policies to ensure your coupon behavior is of the appropriate type. Do not let other customers or store employees make you feel bad for saving money. You are absolutely allowed to use coupons in a legal fashion and save some serious dough. Welcome my friends...to the couponomy! For some awesome success stories of my own shopping adventures check out this trip to CVS and my hub on the CVS Reward Buck to expand your coupon horizons!

Stop overpaying for groceries! Find more money in your wallet today...let me show you how!

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Questions? Comments? Concerns? I would love to hear them!