Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
People often saythey would use coupons, but it's just not worth their time. But is it really true coupons take too long and don't add up to enough to bother? Check the facts using your own lens, examining your own situation…
Step 1:Divide, to the minute, how much you makeper hour. (Such as, $9 per hour = $.15 per minute.)
If you currently do not have a job outside the home, choose a reasonable amount to compensate you for all you do. Average the hourly wages of similar jobs ““ secretary, nurse, coach, cook, taxi driver, etc.
Step 2:Make a list of all grocery items purchased in one week.Be sure you includealltrips toanystore, and both food and non-food; even gum and candy.
Step 3:Employ our free coupon databaseto search for, then note and add up, the values you missed out on.Input terms such as diapers, cheese, yogurt; unless you have to have an exact brand, then use the brand name. Note coupon values for more than one brand, if you don't have to be brand specific.
Step 4:Divide the total savings by the timeit would have taken youto print out (or pull out from an insert), and redeem, only the coupons you found. Rule of thumb: Each coupon takes approximately 2 minutes total to print (or locate), clip and redeem.
So, even if you only found $6 in savings, that's $.60per minuteyou didn't save.(10 minutes divided by $6). In other words,youlost 4 timesyour income.
More food for thought”¦
(1) Consider this scenario:You've found two people selling a particular item you need.One is willing to give you a lower priceto earn your business.The other wants doublethe price.Would you buy from the first or the second seller?Using coupons is like that. Through coupons and incentives, stores and manufacturers are willing to give you a lower price – often even half off or more – to earn your business. Or… you can pay full retail (nearly double) – week after week. It's up to you.
(2) Usingcoupons keeps you focused on the best deals. Shoppers who go armed with information, a plan and couponsspend much less on impulse buys. Honestly evaluate your receipts. How much extra are you spending just because things sound or look good? No telling how much more you'd save above the coupon values themselves.
(3) Thetotal you save using coupons is a straight amount““ no taxes taken out, no health insurance, no union dues. Once your check is all cut up, how much do youreallybring home per hour? Per minute?
(4)If your boss asked you to take one extra hourto prepare prior to completing a regular weekly task ““but offered to pay you 4 times as muchto complete that task““would you do it? Or would it not be worth your time?
