Coupon Karma

Posted on September 13, 2007 by Melissa
Filed Under Coupons, Relationships

Use your couponing power for good, not evil! Many times after clipping coupons I’d be left with only a handful that I’d want to use and a large stack of ones I wouldn’t. I didn’t want to simply throw the unwanted coupons away. After all, just because I didn’t want them didn’t mean they would be worthless to others, right?

Put something that might otherwise be wasted to good use and spread the love by helping others save money. Here are 4 simple ways to generate good coupon karma.

1. Leave coupons you aren’t using next to the products in the store. If I have a coupon for something I know I’m not going to use, before it expires I’ll leave the coupon next to the product on the shelf. That way when others come to buy that item they can save a little money with the coupon. For items like soap, where I’m doing my price comparisons among many brands, I’ll have multiple coupons with me. After choosing the best deal, I’ll leave the “losing” offers behind with the products. It doesn’t cost me any additional time (the coupons are already in my hand) and I hope they help someone out. I know how lucky I feel when I find a random coupon in the store for something I am planning on buying. Maybe others will feel that way, too.

2. Give other shoppers coupons for products they are already buying. I tend to have several copies of each coupon with me in case I find a good sale. When I see someone getting something I know I have a coupon for, and I’m not intending to use it, I’ll give it to them. So many people are thankful for this, even if it only saves a few pennies. I really think the gesture often means more than the savings. I’m surprised at how many people seem shocked that a stranger would help them. I hope it inspires them to do something nice for other people they meet.

3. Give away the coupons you definitely won’t use to your neighbors. I only carry the coupons that I have a possibility of using. Many coupons never even enter my file because they are for items I wouldn’t buy even if they were on super sale (e.g. diapers). I clip every coupon in the flyers (it only takes a few more minutes) and put the ones I have no intention of using in a bag. I give those to my friends and neighbors and encourage them to spread them around. I hate the idea of coupons going to waste when someone might find value in them. At least this way they have a chance of being useful instead of going directly into the recycling bin.

4. If you see someone struggling with a price decision, help them out. Provided you aren’t being intrusive, of course. A few weeks ago I saw a woman browsing the spaghetti sauce section as I was stocking up on a special. I noticed she was putting 2 larger bottles of the same sauce I was getting in her cart. I casually pointed out the smaller version had a great in-store coupon and was a better deal if she was interested. She looked at it, realized it was a much better deal, and was grateful for the tip. As I left the aisle I saw her stocking up, too. Maybe it’s just the Girl Scout in me but it feels good to help people out.

Remember - you don’t want to be a coupon nazi. Only help when it looks like help would be welcome and don’t be pushy or intrusive. Helping is one thing, being nosy and bothersome is quite another.

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Comments

4 Responses to “Coupon Karma”

Naples on November 18th, 2007 1:27 pm

My Mother was a huge coupon clipper and user - she always encouraged people to use their coupons. When are kids were little and in diapers, you can not imagine all the baby related coupons we would receive in the mail from her. :)
She did tell people when they were shopping what were the good buys and explain to them why. She was a little bit pushy - but she had a good place in her heart.
Thanks for this post and bringing back a fond memory of my Mother.
Melissa on November 21st, 2007 9:14 pm

@Naples - Thank you so much for sharing the memory of your mother. I’m glad that I’m not the only one who likes to offer advice to strangers in the store. I really see it as a way to help people, and it sounds like your mother did too. Thanks for commenting!
Naples on December 17th, 2007 6:20 pm

Melissa - thank you for allowing me to share my memories of my Mother. Recently, I found my daughter sharing her coupons with her finds or handing them out to people in the grocery store. Guess she is following your advice.

BTW - have a truly great holiday season.
homeschoolingandfrugal.com » Blog Archive » Round-Up Saturday on June 7th, 2008 5:50 am

[...] To a coupon clipper, those inserts are gold! One less paper to buy (thank you, Carol). Melissa at A Penny Closer wrote an article called “Coupon Karma”. She talks about thoughtful giving/sharing of [...]