A small vent...what do you think? - Page 2

CherryPicker · #11 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erika

...With a hand on your hip and wagging one finger, and a mock look of seriousness...address them like an overly dramatic parent. "I'll give this to you just this one time, but after this, you have to go and do the deal yourself. I'm willing to teach you to fish, but I will not keep giving you my fish...unless you're going to come over here and wash my car or clean my house or something." ...

Maybe then they'll see that you feel there is value in what you do. And they'll either ask you to teach them to coupon, or they'll offer to wash your car or buy some stuff from you.

The BARTER system!! YES!!

Erika, I have to give kudos to you on this one.....I had this mental picture of recipient doing a chores to do list while the coupon shopper gets the deals and splits the bounty!! "Win Win".

cboyer · #12 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 12:30 PM

You can lead a horse to water..........

my3girls · #13 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 01:02 PM

I have two SILs. Both want to learn. One is willing to do the work and the other is willing to just take from me. So if I find a great deal on diapers (both have kids in them) I will call the one willing to do the work and share my info with her. For the other, I will buy the diapers and give them to her as payment for babysitting.

vagabond2 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 01:27 PM

I had a friend who wanted me to "give" her my deals...or she'd offer to pay what I did....I said no way.....I told her I'd help her set up her q's in a system that works for her but then she could read and figure out the deals as well as I can and if not......oh well. I also have a neighbor I'll trade deals with which works out great for both of us!

frugalflower · #15 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 03:16 PM

I have 2 brothers, one is married to a doctor, the other is on govt assistance. Each have several small children the same age as my own. I have shared free things w/each of my family as well as Qs and info.The DOCTOR is now a hard core couponer who shares deals with ME. The other bro and his wife can't even be bothered to get to the store when i write out the deal for them and give them the Qs.A few weeks ago I picked up about $50 worth of free food and pet food for them . It took almost 2 weeks for them to come and get from my house. (and YES they have a car and LOTS of free time, I live about 15 minutes away from them)It is just very frustrating that they can't/won't help themselves. I will continue to do what I can for them, because I love them, but I just wish they would make some kind of effort.

Erika · #16 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 05:49 PM

One of my favorite couponing experiences was running into a man at Publix who was holding a handful of coupons and looking at the same deal that I was about to get. I got to chatting with him and learned that he was a lawyer and his brother was a doctor (or vice versa) and how he had used coupons ever since college because it was the only thing that kept him from eating ramen noodles for 8 years. He said that he still uses coupons and figures it saves him at least $2000 per year.

I know a lot of us save more than that, but to be saving that much when he obviously has a very time-demanding job is just awesome. It certainly makes me think that the "I don't have time for that" excuse is complete BS.

I read a lot of self-improvement books that talk about prosperity and respecting your money. The people who are able to get rich and stay rich are the ones that know the value of their money and do what they can to hang onto it. Most people just don't realize that they can get ahead in life not only by making more money, but by not spending it when you have it. I'm currently saving over $5000 per year with coupons, which is helping me to pay off my credit card debt so much faster than I could before. I just keep imagining how rich I'll feel when we don't have to make those payments any more.

granviewgran · #17 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 09:16 PM

At the most I would give these people an envelope with some coupons and explain to them what I good deal they can get with the coupons. I would not let them have the food I shopped and worked for for the 40 Cents. Expecially when they refuse to go over to the store for themselves.

I gave my daughter an envelope with coupons in it. Today she called to brag that she got good deals at the grocery store....but hadn't used the coupons....I told her she would have saved more money with the coupons....but she can be lazy. So I will not go get the items for her. I will give her some extra coupons or turn her on to a specific deal but people must do for themselves. I am a firm believer that the lord helps those who help themselves.

People need to show some effort to help themselves before I will help them out. I know too many people who expect constant bail outs from others and take advantage when you act charitable toward them.