Coupon Snobs?

[IndyMomma]

Are we coupon snobs?

Have we been so spoiled by coupons that we have become oblivous to the fact that food does cost money?

DH and I have been round and round about this. We ran out of Miracle Whip the other day and because there has not been a coupon or a sale on it, we are completely out. I am going to have pay full retail for this product, and I don't have a choice! Shame on me I guess for letting us run out, but because that product is not on a regular sales cycle, and coupons are rare.... I don't think to get it.

I was reading the Kraft Breadcrumbs thread, and a few mentioned not ever paying .50 cent or so for that product. I thought that before I tried it, but now that we like it, and if DH requested, and I didn't have a coupon, or it wasn't on sale... Would I not get it?

I don't know what I am really trying to say. I just now DH has become a little frustrated with me because sometimes stuff runs out that I don't have qs for, and I bellyache about paying full price...... Or the kids have to wait until I have a coupon for Pop Tarts before I buy more.

Do you allow room in your grocery budgeting for items with no coupons, and what do you about non sale item requests from your family? I just don't want to be some uptight biznatch, and frustrate my family...

Anyone feel me?

[IndianaMom]

It's not your fault, mayo has not been on sale at all. I managed to get 2 30oz. jars at Kroger for $2.00 each but I think that was a sale only at that store due to overstock. Once a month I got to WM for items that have not been on sale and we can't do without. I keep a list of what we are low on. If you have other similar food items in your stockpile already (like the PopTarts) I would hold off buying that item for a bit to use what you already have.
My issue is that my husband pretty much wants what he wants, and when we wander around Kroger together I just cringe at what he can pick up! Esp at SuperTarget.

[Stef]

I drink mostly seltzer at home and it's never on sale. It's $2.79 for a six pack of small glass bottles... and I go through probably four each week. So, no, I can't really whine at DH if he wants something not on sale. I buy what he wants and then try to make up for it elsewhere, like I do with my seltzer. He's usually pretty good about using substitutes that I can get cheap/on sale/with coupon. Like right now we're completely out of Dr. Pepper 2Ls and he's a junkie. I was able to pick up some 12pks when I had those Wags RRs I couldn't use otherwise, but he's going to be out of those soon enough. He is willing to substitute stuff like Capri Sun or whatever, though. I just laugh at him because when Dr. Pepper was on sale, I had a bunch of peelies from Phil, and a ton of hangtags from Kroger and I was buying 2Ls left and right... the bottom shelf of our grocery stock was full of them. ANd he kept saying, DON'T YOU THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH!??! Now I ask him, don't you wish you'd shut up and let me keep going? You'd still have nearly free Dr. Pepper to drink. I don't think he'll ever ask me again if we have enough of anything. lol

[IndyMomma]

I guess I can use the Kraft Catalina's I have been getting at Meijer. But full retail at Meijer is like the high 3's.... It just pains me to pay full price even if I am using store money.

SEE! This is what my problem is. I overthink it....

[IndianaMom]

I'm the same way and you know it! You aren't alone!

[Sharkie1995]

What a coincidence!! My only local grocery store had the buy 10 participating items and get $5 off the bill, which made these things quite cheap and I had
coupons for most. Well one item was Miracle Whip for $2.49!!! Of course there are no coupons but I bought 2 . At that price, it was worth it with no coupons.
I wish Kraft would at least help us out with coupons for this. Maybe if we all email Kraft and tell them we need coupons for their great product, they will crack
under pressure and put out a coupon Sure is worth a try.
But back to the point of this post, I try to wait for coupons too, unless like this item I have no choice, I have to buy it.

[lisabr]

I have been getting worse with this also, didn't use to be so bad, but I do find myself telling the family "let me see if I have a coupon for that". But I don't go in the grocery store with only the intent on only using cpns for everything I buy. Like there are no cpns for meat here, just sales (and those are not great), and until recently no milk cpns (you know I took advantage of using my 2), and produce, deli, and bakery items are also just sale things or things you need to get from time to time that have no cpns. So, when I go shopping I save on all the things I can save on and still get the other things I need also, and most times (at least as long as DH isn't with me anyway) I still save at least 50%. So, I feel I'm still doing well with saving the money, but still not being a total nut about "can't get it if I have no coupons." Goodness when DH is with me I can't save at all!! He can drive a couponer to the looney bin!! LOL! He just goes in and wants this or that, not thinking about waiting for a sale or anything. My goodness when I see people in the store just hurrying around and grabbing whatever and moving on, I think "wow, all the money they could be saving." Especially when they pick things up I know there are cpns for, and get tempted to ask them if would like a cpn for the stuff, but I for the most part hold off cause some people just look like they might be offended or can't be bothered, so I just don't say anything.

[Sharkie1995]

I always ask if I see someone with an item in their cart that I have an extra for. Usually the ones that look like that , soften and smile when it hits them that
they are actually saving some change. Just to tell you how nutty I was last week, I saw a lady with nabisco cookies in her cart. So I had extras so I followed
her to the end of the isle to give her a coupon. She was a little perturbed by me, but sure did brighten up after she realized it will help her. In fact she then
asked me if I happen to have coupons for any of the other things in her basket. Ha ha ha, i had already looked at her cart so I did not , but she was very
grateful and I was pleased to share the savings
p.s. hubby thinks I am a little insane to do this

[More Savvy]

I coupon to get what I need cheaper so I have money for things I want. That want may be as little as something that's not on sale at the grocery store, an unplanned fast food night, or as big as paying off a bill or special vacation memory (parasailing). I happen to like Double Q salmon in the small cans (no deboning). It is never on sale. If I don't get it at Sam's I will pay full retail for it. I figure that the money I saved on that trip more than pays for it and I save time making dinner. There are things (flavored almonds) that I will only buy on sale. I usually try to stick to my list and have a backup plan (Aldi) for necessities that I run out of. We all work hard at couponing so we deserve a treat sometimes. You know the saying, "All work and no play..."

I used to hate my DH shopping with me. The worst was when I had surgery and couldn't get out. He brought home things that we had NEVER used and forgot things we needed and paid way too much. That was incentive enough to get better fast. Now that he's seen how much can be saved he asks, "What's next on the list?"

[blestwithboys]

off topic --- Sharkie you are such a sweetie!!!! <3