Couponing Manners…Are you a courteous couponer?
I have heard a lot of talk about being polite when couponing. Not just please and thank you but not clearing the shelf and leaving enough for everyone. To be honest, I am struggling with this. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t clear everything! I will leave plenty of first aid cream but pasta sauce…well, I’ll buy for as many coupons as I have reguardless as to the number left on the shelf. This may seem selfish to most but I am in this couponing game for my family. I get up early on Sunday while my kids are still waking up and I head out. I plan the night before and I am organized. I wouldn’t put in all of the work if I couldn’t set my family up in a comfortable position.
Couponing is a complex puzzle as it is. Adding the “did I save some for people who are still sleeping right now” element is too difficult. I’m up, I’m here and I’m prepared so I’m buying. I love reading stories of couponing triumph. Men and Women who have scored the ultimate deal. Lately, these stories have been squashed by comments of “looks like you cleared the shelf”, “that doesn’t look very fair to the other shoppers”, and “WHAT are you going to do with 25 jars of pasta sauce?!?! I hope you are donating!” There is nothing worse than being excited to share and then brought to your knees by negative comments.
For the record, no, I’m not donating. I do this for MY family. Sure I stock up on things like toothpaste to add to my Project Night Night bags but in general, I don’t coupon for others. I know what you are thinking…wow, this chick is cold! The fact is, I don’t mind saying that all of this is for my one family of four. I don’t feel the need to ”say” I am donating my loot so that others feel better about my purchases.
It seems that there is a culture of laziness hanging around these days. People stamping their foot, with pouty lips saying “you didn’t leave any for me! Hmmph!” The early bird gets the worm and my family is well fed at a low low price. If I clear the shelf, it doesn’t mean that you don’t get the deal or the product. It just means you might have to look harder, drive farther or pay a little more.
So here are a few parting words on the subject; Life’s not fair, work smarter not harder, and anyone who said nothing in life is free probably didn’t use coupons!
