Do you feel like you're being judged when you use coupons?

[ahatt]

I just wanted to start a discussion on perceptions of coupons.

I love saving money and I'm obsessed with coupons. But whenever I use them, I feel like the cashier is judging me or others in the lineup are judging me. I don't know what it is, but there's just this stigma associated with coupons that you are either very cheap or poor if you use coupons. I hate that those are the impressions some people have of coupons.

Because of people's perceptions, I'm embarassed to admit to anyone other than DH that I use coupons. I just feel like they will immediately think that we're poor, or that we're just super cheap people. So I just don't ever bring it up with anyone. My poor DH is the one who has to hear me babble on and on about all my deals

I was just wondering if anyone else feels like that, and what you do to get over it?

[moony25]

yes it happens to me all the time and i turn red and start burning
so i gave up using coupons

[Litesandsirens911]

yep, but i don't care what they think.

[kris10]

Yeah, it feels that way here to. But we'll all be laughing when we pay off houses before them,just think positive. Life is expensive these days.

[cmontario]

yes

[BFMamaOf2]

I do unless I'm shopping at London Drugs....the cashiers there get very excited when they see the savings

If it's anywhere else I usually get some strange/exasperated looks but I learned a loooooooong time ago not to let it bother me because it only means I'm the smarter shopper who will leave with more money in my bank account which is a GREAT feeling!!

[screamy]

yep, but i don't care what they think.

+1.

Let them drown in their credit card debt and retire with a mortgage, if they're sooooo smart. I intend to be mortgage free by 45, and it's my only debt.

If they're snarky about it, I have been known to say, in my sweetest voice, "Well, it all adds up - and every dollar I don't have to spend on [whatever I'm buying] is $1.30 I don't have to worry about earning. You can't be too careful about losing your job these days."

Then they get "The Look".

If they continue on, I say something like "It's amazing how an hour of organizing myself every week has saved me thousands of dollars already this year...and compared to most of the people who do this, I'm a total lightweight!" (that's my favourite when I'm PMing at Zellers, with my SPC card and about $60 in coupons...*snort*)

[oddduck]

Yes, I'm being judged -- but I don't care. I think some people are honestly surprised that I am using them. I don't think I've really had a negative reaction. I have nothing to be embarrassed about. Using coupons gives me extra $$ in my wallet that I can spend on whatever I please. Why wouldn't I use them?

[Woofy]

I just got a comment on Wednesday while I was shopping at SDM.. I was using my StayFree FPCs for their BOGO StayFree, a coupon for the Yoptimal yoghurt, a $10 cheque for Ethan's Similac, and a bonus 8k SDM points for spending more than $30.

And I had to ask the cashier if I was still eligible for the $10 coupon since I also spent above $50...

And the lady behind me went, "You are using so many coupons already. You want more?"

I gave her the look and said, "It doesn't hurt to ask." And I also gave her the evil look.

I usually do care about what other people think about me, especially if they are friends, and my family. But when it is outsiders, I don't give a damn.

Besides, I am the one who's gonna laugh my way to the bank... Who gives a hoot what those sour grapes who think themselves too mighty to use a coupon?

All my coupon savings are going into Ethan's savings! It makes me happy to know that my dear son will start his life with minimal debt and enough savings to see him through his education. And hopefully, some leftover for a little downpayment for his first house!

So, to those who pooh pooh at me using my coupons... guess what... I KNOW for sure I'll be the one having the last laugh! So, there!

[hollyhill]

+1.

Let them drown in their credit card debt and retire with a mortgage, if they're sooooo smart. I intend to be mortgage free by 45, and it's my only debt.

If they're snarky about it, I have been known to say, in my sweetest voice, "Well, it all adds up - and every dollar I don't have to spend on [whatever I'm buying] is $1.30 I don't have to worry about earning. You can't be too careful about losing your job these days."

Then they get "The Look".

If they continue on, I say something like "It's amazing how an hour of organizing myself every week has saved me thousands of dollars already this year...and compared to most of the people who do this, I'm a total lightweight!" (that's my favourite when I'm PMing at Zellers, with my SPC card and about $60 in coupons...*snort*)

I'd love to hear how you do it... do you have a blog??

[hollyhill]

Yes. I am quite new to using coupons... and yes I have noticed the "look"...

But they don't no me, or my situation, and how difficult things are. And I wish I had discovered this before I had to, like so many others here have. Kudos to you!

[ILOVECOUPONSALOT]

I just got a comment on Wednesday while I was shopping at SDM.. I was using my StayFree FPCs for their BOGO StayFree, a coupon for the Yoptimal yoghurt, a $10 cheque for Ethan's Similac, and a bonus 8k SDM points for spending more than $30.

And I had to ask the cashier if I was still eligible for the $10 coupon since I also spent above $50...

And the lady behind me went, "You are using so many coupons already. You want more?"

I gave her the look and said, "It doesn't hurt to ask." And I also gave her the evil look.

I usually do care about what other people think about me, especially if they are friends, and my family. But when it is outsiders, I don't give a damn.

Besides, I am the one who's gonna laugh my way to the bank... Who gives a hoot what those sour grapes who think themselves too mighty to use a coupon?

All my coupon savings are going into Ethan's savings! It makes me happy to know that my dear son will start his life with minimal debt and enough savings to see him through his education. And hopefully, some leftover for a little downpayment for his first house!

So, to those who pooh pooh at me using my coupons... guess what... I KNOW for sure I'll be the one having the last laugh! So, there!

Well said!

[thetonester521]

It's been painstakingly clear on TOO many occasions I'm being judged, but I don't care - the people in line behind me, judging me are the ones paying WAY too much for their groceries And the cashiers - they can judge me if they want, at least I'm adding a little excitement/spontaneity to their job They never saw so many coupons coming at once

[stasymipip]

Yes Yes Yes LOL

I don't care about people in line or cashier but I stopped talking to my friends about coupons and my deals

[$avvy$hopper]

prior to SC I used coupons but maybe 5 or so max in one transaction- I had the baby then so it seemed people just knew it was expensive for all the baby stuff so i didn't get the look. Since joining SC, I'm known to use up to 10+ coupons for one transaction. I got the look and used to apologize for the delays but when I started adding up the savings I got much more bold. Now I just go about my shopping and treat it as part and parcel of the whole cash out...anyone wants to give me the look should be prepared to catch my gaze in return...with a smile of course!

I even asked a cashier to close her line for me because it was no tax day at RCSS and I had a fistfull of coupons...and she did it! I just told her I have a ton of coupons, she'll need override for sure and that I didn't want her to get a long line for it. she was nice and there were many other cashiers on duty so i felt it was a fair request! LOL

i hope that those who are feeling a little sheepish now re coupon use will feel more okay about it with time. you're doing a good thing by using them and like someone else said...we'll see who's laughing when our mortgages are paid off and early retirement is definitely in the picture!

cheers!!!