Ryan and I were watching tv a month or so ago, and we stumbled across a show called Extreme Couponing. The people on this show were buying hundreds of dollars worth of groceries for $10 or less. It was incredible. So we decided that it might be a good idea to get in on this couponing craze. I feel like I was realistic about it too. I realize that the people who really save a lot of money with coupons almost treat it like a part time job, and you have to put about that much time into finding the coupons and planning your shopping and everything. So, I started reading a bunch of blogs and joined a bunch of sites. I found some coupons, but not many that were for things we actually needed. Most of the coupons said do not double on them, which was how the people on this show saved the most money. Anyway, I kept trying and watched for store deals to combine with my coupons and finally I had a coupon for something that Smiths already had on sale. Nothing compared to the hundreds that other people save, but every dollar counts right? Anyway, I went into the store prepared to stock up on diced tomatoes and get them for less than half the normal price. And they were completely out of stock. I was so mad. Now, I read on one of the sites that even if the item is out of stock you can ask for a raincheck on the price so that when they get more, you can still have the great price. So I asked, and they said no.
I was so frustrated and disappointed. This was like 3-4 hours worth of work that I had spent on looking up coupons. And even if it had worked I still would have only saved like $7. I've never had a job that pays that badly. Even when I babysat for $3 an hour. So after a day or two of being depressed and then finally deciding to give up on couponing, Ryan had an idea. If I'm going to be spending the time like I have a part time job anyway, why not get a real part time job? I realize that maybe some people are good at couponing and they can make more than $2 an hour at it, but I am not good at couponing. I am good at math, though. So I put an ad up on the internet soliciting my services as a Math Tutor. Less than two days later I had my first call, and since then I've been tutoring for about 3-4 hours a week making almost enough to pay for our weekly groceries. This is my version of couponing and I must say, it's working wonderfully.
8 comments:
I try to use a coupon here and there when I can, but I don't think I'll ever be an extreme couponer. It's a little too much work for me. And finding all these coupon online and printing them, people are probably spending more on printer ink than they are saving. I'm glad you found a coupon compromise.
I've never been good with coupons either. I usually just look for good prices when I go grocery shopping. I think tutoring sounds like a great idea though. That's worth A LOT of coupons.
I use coupons occasionally, and I try to only use them on stuff I buy anyways. I've gotten lots of free and cheap YoBaby yogurt that way.
Math tutoring rocks! Well played on the switch.
Ashley tried couponing for a while and finally gave up on it. Manufacturers will do coupons for soup and other processed foods but I have yet to see farmers giving out coupons for lettuce and strawberries. When un-couponable foods make up the majority of your grocery bill, there's just not much point in it anymore.
Yes, amen to this post. I used to do the hard-core coupon stuff (blogs, printing, cutting, etc), but after I had Allie, it just turned out to be a waste of time. Not that it was bad, but just like you said, the payoff wasn't worth it.
But, I'm glad you were able to find a tutoring gig that works for you! Did you just post to craigslist or go through a company? Tom hasn't had much luck working through math tutoring companies, so I was wondering if you had any recommendations.
You're a math tutor! That's awesome!
haha! AMAZING! Way to stick it to the man, you are awesome. :)
Yeah I agree- couponing is kinda a waste of time.
I would, however, HIGHLY RECOMMEND Amazon Mom. Best thing I've ever done. I get Pampers diapers cheaper than Costco brand.
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