Do you consider clipping coupons to conserve money effective or ineffective? Why

1. 86

   Sunshine625posted 12 years ago

   Do you consider clipping coupons to conserve money effective or ineffective? Why?

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2. 59

   MickSposted 12 years ago

   I imagine that you mean coupons that reduce your shopping bill.  I think it has to be worked out sensibly; it has been often said that if Bill Gates drops a ten dollar note, the time taken to pick it up would be more than the note's value.  However, we can apply the same principle to clipping coupons, what, in the terms of time, is it costing, to do the job.

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3. 93

   SMD2012posted 12 years ago

   I think it's effective if you use coupons on products that you normally buy. If you are buying something that you don't normally use, saving $1.50 on a $3.00 item, just because you have a coupon for it, doesn't make sense to me. If I do use coupons it's for things such as laundry detergent, dishwasher tabs, batteries and a few beauty products. Other than that, I just watch the flyers every week or buy generic/store brand products.

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4. 86

   Sunshine625posted 12 years ago

   I've heard often how clipping coupons saves money yet I still lack the motivation to clip them. Besides being time consuming I would forget them at home anyway so it's not a win-win situation for me. I agree that I wouldn't purchase something just because of a coupon. I do like my sale items though.

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5. 77

   Silver Fishposted 12 years ago

   Oh yes- I am a bit of an extreme couponer and have saved thousands over the years.

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6. 86

   Ms Deeposted 12 years ago

   I've tried clipping coupons in the past. However, I would find most often there is a cheaper version of the item, than the brand for which the coupon applies. This is usually because of the frequent shopper card that cuts prices for the store brand of the item. So, I concluded that it is more cost effective to be a frequent shopper at the grocery store of my choice, than to clip coupons. Sure, one can save lots on the more expensive brands by using coupons, but it is cheaper yet to buy the grocery store brand, I find. At the same time, like another has said, I'll use a coupon for something if it is what I normally buy--usually items for which I do not find an appropriate store brand version.

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   THEHuG5posted 12 years ago

   I think it becomes ineffective for most people because they end up buying things that they wouldn't normally buy just because they have a coupon for it. It's very tempting for most people. Yes might save 50 cents on that ice cream but if you never bought it in the first place then you would have saved a lot more.

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   Mac31posted 12 years ago

   I think clipping coupons is very effective if you plan ahead of time.  Think of clipping coupons as if you were actually cutting money out of your local newspaper.

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   brandrockerposted 12 years ago

   Well I'm associated with various online shopping projects. And I can say that you just cannot blindly trust any promise, however juicy it may sound. You have to judge offers by its merit. You need a yardstick to judge the price benefit of the offer. On the top of it, you have to be consistent in your effort with coupons. Random and impulsive shoppers are likely to be duped. And I don’t recommend anyone to buy stuff, just for one reason – it is an irresistible offer. You need to resist your shopping spree, prepare a list, and buy items, only if you get a discount, unless it is an absolute necessity. It takes time. But once you get into the habit, you must not have much problem later on. And you can actually save money.

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    fpherj48posted 12 years ago

    In most cases, coupons are a great idea.  Especially if you shop where coupons are doubled.  The BEST deals are combining a retail coupon with a store coupon, which can bring some prices down to half.  IMO, there is no reason why we wouldn't save in whatever way we can at all times.  If you have money to burn or throw away, I can giveyou my address!  Thanks!

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    Lesleysherwoodposted 12 years ago

    I always set out to do these things and fail, so I'm not really sure if it would save money long term.  I found that when I tried to save money buying fresh lentils and soaking them overnight I was spending so much on the electricity simmering them all day, it was just as cheap and quicker to buy a tin of kidney beans.  Maybe the coupons would work out similar time-wise and its easier to get the overtime. lol

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    teaches12345posted 12 years ago

    I think it is effective, especially if you are on a budget or have a family. I use them for all sorts of things, such as ticket purchases, food, and household supplies. Always good to save money, even if it is only a quarter.

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