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May 27, 2008
Guest Post: Nine Coupon Myths Debunked
Guest Post by Joy Connelly

Myth #1: Coupons are only for unhealthful processed junk foods.
There are a lot of coupons for processed junk foods. However, there are just as many coupons for good healthful foods also. More often, I have even been seeing coupons for fresh fruit. There are also often coupons out for yogurt, bagged salads, and frozen veggies (which have less salt than the canned veggies). Keep in mind, just because you're using coupons and saving money, you still choose what you buy and what you eat.

Myth #2: You can’t save money if a store doesn't double coupons.

My two favorite stores to shop at are CVS and Walgreen’s--neither one of which double coupons. Most of the time, I find I save more there then I do at my grocery stores that do double coupons. Most drug stores have excellent store deals, sales, and rebate programs that most other stores don’t have. Don’t overlook shopping at a store just because they don’t double coupons.

There are also often higher dollar coupons out which, combined with sales, can net you excellent savings--even if your local stores do not double coupons. Start looking around at sales and matching your coupons to the sales and you just might be surprised!

Myth #3: Shopping at discount stores and dollar stores will save you more money than using coupons.
Family Dollar and Dollar General are often just as expensive as other stores. The disadvantage is they don’t have the store deals, rebates, and sales like other stores do. As far as true dollar stores where everything is $1, I've found that I rarely save money by shopping there since most of the items I buy with coupons and sales, I get for less than $1 in the first place. So for me, shopping at dollar stores are not a bargain.

Myth #4: Only poor people use coupons.

When did saving money become such a bad thing? Contrary to what some may think, according to statistics, people with lower income (under $25,000/year) are less likely to use coupons. Middle class, middle-aged people with a college background are the most likely to use coupons.

Myth #5: You should only use coupons for products you normally buy.

After using coupons for so long now, I don’t even know what I "normally buy" anymore. By using coupons, I’ve gotten things so cheap or free that I otherwise would never have dreamed of buying or paying for--brands and products which would usually be quite out of our budget range.

In addition, I've learned to be more creative in planning my menus around what is on sale and being less brand-loyal so that we can save more money by buying the brand which is the best deal.

Myth #6: Generic products are always cheaper than name brand products.

Yes, it’s true that generic is a little cheaper than name brand. However, generic is not usually cheaper than name brand when it is on sale and you have a coupon. The key is to combine the store sales with coupons to get the best deals.

Myth #7: People who use coupons spend more than people who don’t use coupons.

If you are going to the store and buying anything you have a coupon for, especially if the product is not on sale, you will spend more. However, if you use coupons the right way by combining store sales and coupons together to get rock bottom deals, you will most definitely cut your grocery bill.

Myth #8: It’s not worth it to shop at multiple stores.

The 4 main stores I shop at are on the same block and 5 minutes from my house, so it really doesn’t take me much time to go from store to store. But even if your stores are not as close as mine, it can be worth it to shop at multiple stores. For instance, if you are able to get $100 worth of product you need for $20 and you only spent $6 extra in gas and an additional 20 minutes, then I would say that would certainly be worth it!

Myth #9: You shouldn't clip coupons for products you won’t use.

Don’t dismiss a coupon just because you haven’t used the product in the past--you might be surprised at the great deal which comes along for that very product! Besides, if you have a baby and your friend has a cat, wouldn’t it be nice to swap the coupons you didn’t need so you both get more of what you do need?