Couponing, sales, and cash back apps can be great tools for sticking to your household budget! There are so many places to find deals, and if you’re like me, you see them constantly. It’s easy to be enticed by the idea of savings…but are you really saving money by couponing? There are a lot of ways that being drawn in by big savings will actually cause you to spend more money than you would if you just resist the temptation. Let’s talk about 6 times when it’s better not to coupon.

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It’s in your favor to skip the coupon….

When you can buy generic

My husband picks on me sometimes because I “never let him buy the real Cheez-its.” I buy pretty much all of our food and household staples generic. There are a few products that I prefer name brand, but for the most part I like the generic products at least just as much. You can buy essentially the same product for a much lower price.

When you can buy used

Especially when it comes to clothes, books, and baby items, shopping used can be a great way to go. Check out thrift stores, facebook groups, and online consignment stores like swap.com or thredUP before you spend more than you need to on brand new items for your family.

When you don’t need it

There’s an old Swedish proverb “He Who Buys What He Does Not Need Steals From Himself.” Resist the temptation to buy things just because an email or flyer told you that it’s a great deal right now. You’re still spending money that you would not have otherwise spent.

When it’s cheaper somewhere else

Sometimes it’s convenient to just buy everything that you need in one big trip. Other times, it’s worth making a couple of trips to get a better deal. We do most of our grocery shopping at Aldi – all generic products that make for great savings. 

When you won’t go through it

It may sound really great to get 10 jars of peanut butter for $10..but if they expire in a month, then you will just throw most of them away anyway! Make sure to check expiration dates on sale items. Think about how often you use that product and plan accordingly. Paying for things that go into the trash is the worst.

When it’s not worth your time

Before I had my son, I was on all of the rebate apps, checking email ads, and planning my grocery trips meticulously. It was kind of fun and worth the $5 that it saved per trip because I enjoyed it. Now that I am a working mom, time is at a serious premium. Couponing is work, so weight the pros and cons. Only spend as much time looking for deals as it is worth to you.

There are a few favorite ways that I do save money with little effort. I LOVE Amazon’s Subscribe and Save option for name brand diapers and snacks. (It’s free for Prime members. Seriously, check it out!) I always check the items in my cart at Target on cartwheel to see if there’s a special. Additionally, I use my RedCard to shop because I get 5% off on each purchase. Find your favorite savings plans and stick with those. You can always enjoy the occasional coupon without being a “crazy couponer.”