I quit using coupons. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good deal, a bargain and saving money. But I quit using coupons and I’m glad I did. I loved the grocery game. I loved my foot-long receipts show my unbelievable discounts; frankly it was addictive. There is a rush from getting a good deal, right? But I found that I was participating in an industry that I had a lot of problems with. The more reading and research I did, the more I knew I had to quit giving them my business; I had to quit using their coupons.
I know I am going to upset some die-hard coupon users, I apologize ahead of time. I know that you’re going to say this is how we save money and keep on budget. I get that. But I propose that you can save on your grocery budget in better and healthier ways. It doesn’t have to happen overnight. I just ask you to consider the reasons that our family quit using coupons and see if it aligns with some of your beliefs.
I am NOT judging your use of coupons or buying products that aren’t the best for your body. I know what it is like to have finances so tight that the dollar menu looks like the best option. All I can ask is that you look at the long-term costs, look for ways you can change a little at a time. This is not about me lecturing you. AND I am not perfect; I go to the grocery store and buy stuff that I can make at home…but when I do I buy the best, organic/natural, products I can afford to get.
I found that coupons encouraged me to buy (or get for free) junk that I really didn’t want in my home.
These are the 5 Reason I Quit Using Coupons
- I Garden, Can and Preserve
I quit buying a lot of the canned, boxed and frozen products. Why? Well my garden grows lots of fresh, organic vegetables that we can right out of the soil. I also can, freeze and dehydrate produce from my backyard garden to extend the harvest. This didn’t happen overnight but as my garden and gardening skills improved I had more to shop from. I also make yogurt, cheese, kombucha and other food products that I don’t have to buy.
- I DIY & Use Sustainable Products
I make a lot of the products that I used to use coupons to buy; and I save more money doing it. For instance, I can make my own laundry detergent. I gave up toxic dryer sheets and opted to hang my laundry or use natural wool dryer balls. I can make mouthwash, toothpaste and deodorant for personal use.
- I Shop Local As Much As I Can
I quit using coupons because what I can’t grow in meat and vegetables I buy at our local farmer’s market. Not only do I get organic produce and naturally raised animals (grass-fed beef and pastured chicken); I am supporting the farmers and ranchers that choose to grow produce and raise animals in a way I agree with.
- It Was Killing Us
Sure I was saving money but the food I bought was usually crap. My husband and I developed health issues that we are still battling, one of my kids gained lots of weight (still battling) and we all started to develop a taste for dead food. What is is dead food, you ask? Dead food holds almost no nutritional value to our bodies. It is filled with more preservatives and chemicals than our bodies were ever meant to ingest.
- Supports an Industry I Disagree With – So I Vote With My Dollars
I could no longer use coupons to save money on products from companies that do things I disagree with. Many of them have lobbied to keep their use of chemicals, pesticides, GMO ingredients and more, hidden from their consumers. Others ignore studies showing ingredients could be more harmful than good in personal care products. The best way I can show these companies that I won’t support their deceit and use of ingredients I avoid is to “vote” with my wallet. I will buy products that align best with our family’s beliefs and goals.
Quit Using Coupons – So what about things you can’t make?
- There are options! I replaced replaced harmful chemical cleaning products with reusable Norwex Products.
- I BUY TOILET PAPER – I’d love to tell you that we sucked it up and started using family clothes…but nope.
- I have some disposable paper towels for messes that my old dogs make. But there are amazing ways to replace them: the Norwex I mentioned above or check out 104 Homestead’s post on Unpaper Towels.
- Look for companies that make products sustainably, use organics, etc. You might find that you can buy them reasonably.
- I started using feminine products that were better for my body.
I’ll admit, when I first quit using coupons, I gave up the food coupons first. But I hung on to the coupons for toiletries. But the more I transitioned our house to a homestead, the less I wanted those in my home either.
Baby steps. Start where you feel like you can afford to do it.