Stupid things people do in the hope of saving money

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-26-2010, 08:56 PM

Not sure I agree with all her points, but there are some things to think about on the list:

Stupid things people do in the hope of saving money

**Luckybustert** · 06-26-2010, 09:08 PM

Very good article! I agree with most of the points (I don't completely agree with their point on the cash only approach, but I see what they're trying to say and it does have some merit). Most importantly, I thought the last paragraph offered some very worthy advice when it said "Ask yourself if you would buy the thing without the deal, the hype, or any other rationalization you can think of. Ask yourself if you'd buy the thing if you had to walk to the store and carry it home." Reminded me that my husband once said I was going to "save" us right into the poorhouse!

**CarrieJo78** · 06-27-2010, 10:43 AM

I agree with some of the points, there are others that I think could use a little better explanation. Coupons are great if you use them wisely. I use to be in that clip all and look how much I can save mentality, but then I just started clipping and not using them because I couldn't keep track of them. Now I only clip for items I already use and do more printing from home on items I use instead of just clipping things because it might be good to try. Also, I'm an Amazon.com junkie but I split the prime membership with my mom and sister (you can have up to 4 people per account, I believe) and the free shipping, lower prices, and no sales tax is easy to recoup the cost and make it worth it for us. Makes it super easy to send gifts to out of towners too!! I also have the Amazon card dedicated to just my account and earn points - just ordered another $25 gift card. Another one is my Sam's membership - I pay $40 a year, but I can save that much on my gas in about 2 months so the rest of the year it's all savings. (Gas is a lot cheaper in Iowa than in Illinois where I live - and @ Sam's it's almost $0.40 cheaper a gallon at times and it's only 3 miles out of my way to go!) I rarely shop in the store, but when I do I get perishable items that seem to be a better value (milk, eggs, produce, meat - and break into smaller servings and freeze)

I guess the article should state that while he thinks these are stupid, if you do it right, these can also work for people and actually pay them back in the end.

**bumplett** · 06-27-2010, 11:00 AM

all in all, it was a neat article.

that's the beauty of advice, you can take what you can use, and leave the rest

**midicat13** · 06-27-2010, 11:12 AM

I don't agree with the fact that coupons are only for new items the company is trying to get you hooked on. A lot of times the BEST coupons are for newer items, but if you use coupons with sales I get most of my Health and Beauty items, shampoo, conditioner, deo, razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash etc completely free. I used to add these items on my grocery list costing me upwards of $20-30 a grocery trip. Now I get them free or for literally pennies saving me hundreds upon hundreds of dollars a year between my husband myself.

**Incognito** · 06-27-2010, 12:03 PM

Actually, I disagree with most of the article. I think the point-of-view is rather erroneous, and it seems to me that the writer isn't too aware of the habits and strategies of wise consumers who actually do save money while living on a limited income.

I've proved that I can live for months at a time on approximately $50(after my rent and utilities are paid) due to my stockpile which I got from sales while using coupons, rebates and freebies. And so have many other people. So IMO, writers that bash other people's spending/saving strategies along these lines don't know what they're talking about.

**mek42** · 06-27-2010, 04:37 PM

I found this article to be a bit urban-biased.

**imagine** · 06-27-2010, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by CarrieJo78

Also, I'm an Amazon.com junkie but I split the prime membership with my mom and sister (you can have up to 4 people per account, I believe) and the free shipping, lower prices, and no sales tax is easy to recoup the cost and make it worth it for us.

I'm confused

No sales tax on Amazon?

**NikoSan999** · 06-27-2010, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Incognito

Actually, I disagree with most of the article. I think the point-of-view is rather erroneous, and it seems to me that the writer isn't too aware of the habits and strategies of wise consumers who actually do save money while living on a limited income.

I've proved that I can live for months at a time on approximately $50(after my rent and utilities are paid) due to my stockpile which I got from sales while using coupons, rebates and freebies. And so have many other people. So IMO, writers that bash other people's spending/saving strategies along these lines don't know what they're talking about.

Agree with Incognito. I think the writer needs to write about something he actually knows something about. Obviously he's never been there or done that.

**CarrieJo78** · 06-27-2010, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by imagine

I'm confused

No sales tax on Amazon?

Some states do require Amazon to charge sales tax - but not to Illinois. I only pay the price listed on the item (unless it's sold from a third party and not Amazon, but I usually don't buy those). I also have a few items on subscribe and save that I save an extra 15% on and they also have a coupon section. If you know how to work Amazon, it's not all bad.

**frugalfranny** · 06-27-2010, 07:45 PM

Decent article..........things to think about.

I do very little coupon stuff but if I had a big family I sure would....of the stuff that I NORMALLY use.

Some of the things can be 'worked' to make them better deals...like a prior poster said with Amazon.

I split my Costco membership and have always said that I can beat any Costco price by shopping sales, BUT I like the quality of their meat (never got a bad piece yet---but at their price I better not!!) and buy certain items there every year........do I save? NOPE, not a dime probably..........but I like them!

**imagine** · 06-27-2010, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by CarrieJo78

Some states do require Amazon to charge sales tax - but not to Illinois. I only pay the price listed on the item (unless it's sold from a third party and not Amazon, but I usually don't buy those). I also have a few items on subscribe and save that I save an extra 15% on and they also have a coupon section. If you know how to work Amazon, it's not all bad.

Thanks - I checked out the sales tax page of amazon and it is quite confusing.

I do know my mom not only has to pay state sales tax but also city sales tax when she buys off amazon.

**Neeley** · 06-27-2010, 09:04 PM

I agree with a couple of items in the article, but not everthing.

For our family using coupons saves us bundles on not only H&B, cleaners, but also on food item including fresh meats and fresh produce.

Also, we save so much with our Costco membership. We pay $100/year for the membership. In milk alone we save at least $200/year. Costco's milk is $1 cheaper a gallon. We go through a minimum of 4 gallons a week (4 gallons per week x 52 weeks = $208 savings). Not to mention the cost of their eggs, lettuce, bottled water, Gatorade G-2 and beef is cheaper. DS currently goes through 26 lbs of oranges a week. Costco's oranges are $10.19/13 lbs, cheaper than anywhere else around here. Then, at the end of the year we get our rebate check from Costco equal to a percentage of what we spent that year. That check covers our membership fee for the next year.

**Mom2-3** · 06-27-2010, 10:25 PM

Sounds like us! Our membership more than pays for itself. Just in gas alone!

**bookworm** · 06-27-2010, 10:26 PM

I agree with some of the points in the article but defiently disagree her point about couponing.
By using coupons, I have gotten for free:
All kinds of cereal
whole wheat pasta
razors
shampoo
soap
body wash, both for men and women
deodorant
laundry detergent
fabric softener
toothpaste and toothbrushes
Just a few things that come to mind.