What To Do When You're Tired of Couponing

Do you ever get tired of couponing? I mean, I love, love, love getting a great deal, but I get tired of comparing sale ads, rounding up coupons, and going to the stores. I'm probably trying to do too much at once. Just wondering if you ever take a break except for when you had the baby. -Lorie

Yes! I've found there's usually at least a few times per year where I just don't have time or desire to mess with using coupons. Here are a few ideas which work for me to help prevent or reduce "coupon-shopping burn-out":

1) Share the load. If possible, don't do all the work yourself. If you have children, let them help you clip and file coupons. Older children can even learn to scour the ad for deals and match up the coupons with the deals. I know many moms who pay their children a small percentage of the savings their family reaps from their help or they pay their young children a small amount for the number of coupons they clip and file. 

My mom had me do much of the menu planning, coupon clipping, and grocery shopping for our family of nine when I was in my teens. Not only did I greatly enjoy the experience and learn so much from it, it also allowed my mom to have a break from having to try and do it all herself.

If you don't have children or teens who can help, consider finding some friends who love coupon-shopping and get together with them on occasion to clip and file coupons and share deals. Just having other people to share it with is a huge inspiration. Plus, I've found that by sharing deals with one another, everyone discovers a lot more bargains than they would on their own and it's a lot more fun, too!

2) Simplify your system. If you're trying to go to five stores three times a week, you're going to burn out in nothing flat. I recommend keeping it simple. I stick with going to one to two stores once a week. On occasion, when I have time and energy (and maybe a babysitter!), I'll do more than that, but that would be the exception rather than the norm.

Consider what your schedule is like and what you can reasonably commit to when it comes to couponing and then plan accordingly. If you only have two hours per week to devote to coupon-clipping and grocery shopping, then you're probably not going to be able to regularly shop at four stores or keep up with clipping and filing 10 newspaper inserts every week. (you could consider the no-clip method but I personally have tried it and found it to be a disaster for me. Read more why here. I know plenty of others whom it works beautifully for, though, so it might just be me!)

Remember that you don't have to hit every good deal. In fact, you don't even have to hit 50% of the good deals and you can still save a lot of money and keep your grocery budget low. 

It's easy for me to read other blogs and see these great shopping trips other bloggers are pulling off and to feel like I'm not spending enough time coupon-shopping. But then I remember that I'm at a season of my life (homeschooling and having three little ones) where it's just not feasible for me to be spending hours a week planning shopping trips or going to multiple stores. I need to be home teaching and meeting the needs of my young children. They are only little once. The good deals will always be there.

Find what works best for your family and situation right now and stick with that. So long as you are eating well and staying within a grocery budget that works for your family, don't worry about potentially good deals you might be missing. Just be thankful for bargains you're able to find with the time and energy you have at your disposal.

3) Set your coupons aside for a season. Sometimes, simplifying your system isn't enough. Perhaps you're just completely burned out on coupon-shopping altogether. Or perhaps you're going through a difficult or stressful time in your life. Or maybe your life is just crazily busy at the moment and you don't have time to mess with coupons but you feel guilty if you don't use them.

Whatever the case, I'm here to tell you that it really and truly is okay to take a break. In fact, sometimes I think it's a good thing to take a few weeks off from coupon-shopping--especially if you've been at it for six months or more. Not only will it allow you to come back to it refreshed and excited about bargain-shopping again, but it will also give you a chance to creatively use up some of your extra food in your freezer, refrigerator, and pantry.

Even if you set your coupons aside for a few weeks, you can still save a bundle just by planning your grocery list based upon the store sales and what you already have on hand. Or, if you have an Aldi nearby, you could buy most of your groceries there.

For more ideas on how to save on your grocery bill without clipping coupons, see this article.

What do you do when you get tired of couponing and bargain shopping? I'd love to hear your ideas and input.

Comments

[Liz]

I usually limit my shopping to CVS and one grocery store. Also, I usually take the summer off from CVS shopping to use up my stockpile. This helps keep my sanity in my already hectic life!

[kelly]

I completely feel you on this, it can become a hassle at times. When I get burned out on couponing I will just go to walmart,since they price match I just take my adds with me and just have them match the sales price if it is better.This way I only have to go to one store that week.

[jennifer]

Wow, thank you for the great post! This is exactly where I am right now...coupon burn-out. I have been beating myself up about it, but not anymore. Jennifer

[Reesa]

I finally told myself that it is OK to skip a few deals when the other factors in my life are overwhelming. I have a 9 month old now. When I was at about 32 weeks pregnant with her last year I had to stay off my feet as much as possible. So I took a break from CVSing. I went in and used up all my ECBs on things we needed (detergent I think if I remember correctly) and did not go back until about 2 weeks ago unless it was to get a free glucose meter which produced free ECBs. I would then turn around a buy a pack of diapers.

I also stopped going to different grocery stores each week for my produce, dairy, and meats. I cannot keep the food from the first store cold enough while I am in the second store during the summer so I just go to one for my big shopping trip. I will hit everything (Kroger, Publix, Target, CVS, and WAG) during the week for the deals when I pass by them.

[carrie]

I have written a lot about this, both on Wise Bread and my own blog. I really feel that if your money-saving methods aren't fun or at least bearable for you, you're not going to stick with it. If you've lost the thrill of the chase with couponing, it's definitely time to rely on other methods for awhile.
Simply relying on less expensive ingredients for meals is a way to stay within the same budget you might have had while couponing. This is especially easy to do in summer when produce is cheap. If you really need a break, sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture box for the summer and build most of your meals around the vegetables you get in that.

[Jen]

I am new to this site, but not new to coupons. All of the work and research you all do is a huge help!! My newest idea is to recruit my sister, have her over once every other week and have a clipping/planning dinner. We can make a plan and split the running, she can pick up her stuff and mine from CVS, and I can hit Target and shop both of our lists, then meet up the next night to swap our goods! That way we can each get deals from 2 stores, but only have to go to 1. I haven't tried this yet, but it's what I am hoping to do.

[taramarissa]

Sometimes I let one area "slide" for a while and focus my limited available time/energy on another area. For instance, if I have a good stockpile of personal hygiene items, I'll quit clipping those coupons for a while and focus on food shopping instead. I have to give myself permission to pass up "good" deals that would be taking up my time and only jump on the really great ones (free or close to it.)

[Jen]

I did major coupon shopping from May to December last year. By Christmas I was too busy, and definitely too burned out to continue! I still haven't resumed couponing to the level I did before... not even close. I'm so much happier though, and don't feel like a slave to it anymore.

Recently I've been transitioning my family's diet totally away from any processed foods, and that makes it so much easier to cut the couponing! Now I read a few deal sites daily, and mostly purchase things to use as gifts, and non-food items when I can get a great deal. I have much more time to spend with my 18 month old son, and doing other things I enjoy.

If you need a break then take one, and don't feel guilty. Enjoy it!

[Heather N.]

I've slowed down on my shopping trips this summer. With all 3 kids out of school it's just harder to go places! I'm lucky to drive by 3 Wags and 1 CVS during the school year so I'm trying to just use what I have in stock this summer. I'm saving money too by using what I have.

[Terri]

Would your parents mind if you shared their weekly food budget target from when you kids were all in the house? We are a family of 7, and I would find it helpful to hear what other large-ish families spend. Gosh, I'd even love to hear what kinds of meals your mom made. My husband and I both come from small families, so we're very much 'learning on the job' when it comes to raising and schooling a large brood! I find your food budget/meal posts helpful, but with kids and their friends approaching teen years....food disappears way faster than it used to!

[Elizabeth]

It is hard with all the information on the Internet to not feel like you should be out chasing deals all day long. I do "no-clip" couponing and just file my circulars each week, then sit down with TheGroceryGame.com and this blog on Sundays and make my grocery list for the week (with the 2 stores I have on GG) and then decide if it is worth throwing in a CVS or Walgreens run that week or not. Today we needed some stuff from the store and I just went without coupons. I knew most of what I wanted (milk, bread) wouldn't have coupons, and I had a $5.00 credit on my account from a video I watched (thanks, MSM!) You know what, I got what I needed for the week and only spent $48. Could I have gotten it for $43 or $45 if I had spent an hour pulling together my coupons? Probably, but I bill out at much more than $5/hour! :-)

Give yourself permission to not be perfect, and you'll be much happier!

[Vanderbilt Wife]

I've been considering this lately as I've been dreading the coupon-clipping and ad-looking. I'm thinking I am going to rely on a sole site for deals to grocery stores (probably Southern Savers) and do more a stockpile approach rather than particular meal-planning. I think focusing on couponing just the very lowest deals each week would be less overwhelming.

[Jen]

Thank you for this post, Crystal. I am definitely slowing down a bit on my couponing, but feel good about it due to the large amount of food in the pantry!!
I'm still saving the inserts, labeling them, and then fishing out coupons when you or other bloggers match up a really good deal. But, I'm not spending the hours doing the matching, at least not right now.
Even if one slows down on couponing for awhile, I still think having done it heavily at one time is helpful. It wasn't until I started couponing that I knew what a good "deal" was, and started to understand the difference between a "sale" and a "good sale." For example, this week, I saw a pack of American cheese slices on "sale" for 3.99 and laughed. I've bought them for $1/pack over the last few weeks. Before couponing, I would have simply grabbed the "sale" item thinking I got a good deal. So now, even when I'm not couponing, I can at least know when a sale is good or not.
Your blog has taught me a lot. I appreciate the time and energy you put into your posts.

[Trixie]

I really agree with Crystal's idea of taking a break. As much as I love to bargain shop and load up the pantry on really good deals, sometimes I get sick of the clipping, filing and scouring for good deals.--- And, I'm a long-time bargain shopper, my routine is down to 2.5 hrs per week, which includes shopping time.

So, once in awhile I slow way down -- like right now. It's summer and we like to spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather. When the weather starts getting cooler (Sept), then I jump back in full swing.

At first it was really, really hard to slow down the bargain shopping, because I felt so guilty for not taking advantage of great deals. It was like I was being a bad steward of our money by not taking advantage of every deal. Well, it's not always about the money. Sometimes it has to be about our own well being. So whatever you do, DON'T feel guilty!

Also, shopping at more than a couple of store is sure to burn you out :)

Take Care,

Trixie
http://farmhomelife.blogspot.com

[Lorie]

I can't believe you used one of my comments. I feel so honored. I was just very frustrated that day & was venting to you. Thanks for taking my comments seriously & giving suggestions for how to handle my frustration.

[Lorie]

My life seemed so much simpler when I mainly shopped at Aldi's & went to Kroger to fill in the gaps. But I love, love, love getting a great deal. That's why couponing appeals to me. This past month I didn't do much bargain shopping. I'm hoping to hit Harris Teeter again next month when they do triples again. I have a 3.5yo & a 8mo so I need to be concentrating on them. Also, I WANT to home school so I need to figure out how to get organized to do that. There are other hobbies I want to get back into, too. Thanks for all the suggestions & support.

[leigh]

this too is where i am... I have been laying it all down and going to Sam's!!

[Julia @ The Frugal Find]

I absolutely LOVED this article, thank you for writing it.

I like your idea about having the kids help with meal planning, cooking, shopping, etc. We are a homeschooling family, and since my kids are still on the young side they can't help to the extent you described. However, my kids are GREAT at clipping and we make up math equations as we go along. "How much money would mommy save if the juice cost X dollars and we have a coupon for X dollars?" It is so much fun for us, and since kids just love to be with you no matter what you're doing, it serves as quality time too.

[Sarah Ross]

If I need a break or haven't had time to clip & organize, I usually go to Aldi. They don't take coupons, but their prices are great if you're selective about what you buy. I can get a week's groceries there w/o coupons for the same price as Meijer/Kroger with coupons.

[jennie]

This is when it's nice to have a stockpile. You can just buy the basics (bread, milk, eggs and fresh produce) and use things out of your food storage. It also produces "carry-over" money to use on good sales when you feel like getting back into the swing of things because you are at the stores less. An extended break is nice sometimes. It helps you get energized and reinvested in the whole process of saving money.

[Lynn@Mom's Loot]

Very good post...I think it is healthy to step back and refocus until you are ready to dive back in ! When I start freaking out 'cause I missed one deal, that's the time I say "enough already"

My major opt out for couponing came in December 2008 when our son got married and our children and grandchildren were staying with us for the wedding and Christmas too. I missed a lot of good deals but I was proud of myself for letting go and coming back in January fresh and ready to roll again.

[Catherine]

I have been trying to eat our of my stock pile once a week or so. This gives me a week off from a huge shopping trip and keeps me from getting burnt out too easily. I still stop in the closest store for a produce/milk/eggs run if needed. Sometimes there seems to be an "off" week with the coupons (not such good deals), so then I'll use that as my break.

[Ahnah]

Hey, thanks for the article. I've actually been feeling the same way this week. Although, I don't think I will actually stop clipping. It's just good to have a sounding board and know other people have gotten burnt out about it from time to time and it really is "okay" to put the coupons away for a week. Phew! :-)

[Lesley]

I have a friend who cannot fathom using coupons at this season of her life, so she offered to give me all the coupons she has accumalated. I am heading over there to week to visit and be blessed. :o) I suggest the same for your readers, if they come a place where they want to take a season off bless someone else with the coupons instead of having them go to waste.

[The Working Home Keeper]

Our family now focuses on eating whole foods - fresh organic fruits and vegetables and pastured meats and eggs from our local farmer's market and Whole Foods. With that change, my couponing has dropped dramatically. I now only keep an eye out for couponing deals for diapers, paper products and pet food. Much easier to keep up with the deals when you're only focused on a few items. When there are no good deals or I simply just don't have the time (or desire), I go to ALDI or whatever store has the cheapest regular price (per my price book) for those non-food items.

[Mara]

What an excellent post!! Recently I was also experiencing "bargain-shopping burnout"......I gave myself permission to only get the very best deals, not the so-so ones, and it gave me a great opportunity to use my stockpile - especially of food! It was such a relief to not feel the pressure of getting every deal. I've picked it back up, but have been trying to keep it in check. We will be moving soon, so I will keep these things in mind and not feel guilty about "missing out". I love what you said about "the deals will always be there" and our babies are only little once!
(also thank you for the post about cutting and filing coupons vs. leaving the inserts whole! I've been wondering if leaving them whole is easier since it can take so long to clip and sort them. I was afraid of it turning out like you said it did for you! 10 years of a coupon box/expandable file works for me - I think I'll stick with it!)

~ Mara @ Super Savings

[Jennifer]

Thank you SO MUCH for this post. Since I've started serious coupon-shopping, I've felt the thrill of getting stuff for free, but also the burden of feeling like I have to snag EVERY good deal or I'm not being a good homemaker. I really need to give myself permission to take a break! It's not just the time involved; we've had a lot of disruptions to our lives over the past several weeks, and I feel like I don't have the extra brain power to process all the sales/couponing right now.

[Christina Blanchard]

When I get tired I just take a break. It doesn't last long because I don't want to miss anything...

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for such a supportive post. I definitely toned down my couponing to save my peace. I actually skip newspaper inserts altogether now, and mainly use printable coupons. I even gave up Krogering because it is 20 extra minutes out of my way, a waste of time and gas.

When I was seriously couponing, I found myself buying lots of extras we didn't need (and more processed food than I prefer). So now, even though I only coupon lightly, our budget is comparable and we are eating much healthier--even a lot of organics!--and it's much less of a chore now. I think meal planning is my biggest money saver, much more so than coupons.

[Alyssa]

I took a semi break during the end of my pregnancy and it was nice. I just couldn't deal with clipping and sorting so many coupons, planning trips, loading and unloading kids at multiple stores... If I ever get that far behind on cutting/sorting I plan to hire someone from Craigslist to catch me up. Even paying $30 I'd come out ahead with my savings.

[Stephanie]

I have drastically cut back my couponing and bargain hunting for a season, although I am still scooping up lots of great deals. I have even lowered my grocery budget during this time. It has been weeks since I stepped foot in Walgreens, and I am most often going to one or two stores once a week also. I have 3 children, homeschooling, an ill grandmother, and a home business to juggle!

[Sharon]

Fortunately, I have an Aldi right near by, so I am able to feel great about saving money and not always have the pressure to use coupons. That is a huge help.

Unfortunately, Aldi only has stores in the eastern half of the country, but if you haven't tried it yet it's definitely worth it.

I have some tips and tricks on my blog if you've never been there before... It's a little bit different from what you might be used to!!

[Melissa]

Great post! And the funny thing is that I was just going to work on a post called "A Shopping Vacation" discussing becoming burnt out from shopping deals and couponing. I'm so behind in my coupons because I think I need a break. It has been 8 straight months of couponing and especially with finally all the deals for the blog- I'm a bit burnt out.

You are right that it is ok, and NEEDED, to take a break from couponing and deals. The truth is that most deals will come and go again :) Thanks!

[Maggie]

I have been couponing for about 1 year. As a SAHM I view couponing as a part time job that I get paid for. I get lots of free products with the time I spend, and I am able to share with my family and the food pantry out of my stockpile. Couponing/deal stuff happens during naptime at my house, outside of actual shopping trips. (1-2 stores/week for me)

Give yourself a break. Do fun things that keep your life balanced. Read good books from the library, play with your children, exercise more!!! Pray more. Go to bed earlier. Volunteer in your church. Spend some time with friends or in your garden. Don't make couponing your entire life...no matter how much you like it. Set limits and don't compare yourself with others.

[birken mommy]

I've done two things that cut down on a lot of the time-suck that couponing can sometimes be:

1) I set up an alternate email address on hotmail and went to the website of every food manufacturer whose products we regularly use. I signed up for every newsletter, etc. Now, I get lots of e-coupons and also clipable ones in the mail (Organic Valley sends out amazing coupons in their Rootstock newsletter and it's full of interesting information). I check the email every week or so - at my convenience.

I set it up as an alternate email because, while everyone says they won't sell your info, someone always does. At least the spam offering to tell me all about Viagra doesn't come to my regular email.

2) I did a serious side-by-side shop (without any coupons) between my two favorite grocery stores - Whole Foods, which accepts all kinds of coupons (printed out and clipped) and Fairway which accepts only clipped. It turns out that Fairway was lower for most the same items (we eat probably 90% organic).

Now, even if I don't have any coupons, I know that I'm still getting the best deal in my area.

Hope this helps.

birken mommy
www.birkenmommy.com

[Catherine]

Whenever I don't feel like clipping coupons, I just go get the groceries at ALDI (usually about ever third week or so). I find their prices so low that I can put pretty much whatever I want in the cart and stay within budget. They don't take coupons anyway, so I don't feel guilty at the register. ALDI is certainly the place to go when you don't feel up to tackling the big grocery stores!

[Renee Nay]

I just thought I would comment on the whole insert filing. For me and my family of six I just don't have too much time now that I had to take over all the secretarial work for our business a few months ago. For me loking up our local stores ads on the coupon sit,es then those sites telling me what coupons to use, is just too easy for me I guess. Then when I do go the store I have a notepad and jot down special unadvertised prices and clearance. Then if it's worth it to me and I have my kids I will tell them we are going shopping and then we will take a trip to the park.

I have to say though I always look at the CVS deal on here as I like the layout. The coupon sites start to get pretty chatty and sometimes I get real confused on what the real deals are.

And believe me there are times when I just think to myself wow must be nice to not coupon and buy everything you want. But when you live a frugal life it's a first for us and I then get back to our level and see that because of what I am doing for our family it's why we have what we have from hard work on all ends.

[birken mommy]

I forgot something else I use - Valpack. It routinely has coupons for local markets. I blogged about my experience here:

http://www.birkenmommy.com/search/label/money%20saving%20ideas

birken mommy

www.birkenmommy.com

[Lisa H]

I definitely agree with limiting the number of stores. We live relatively close to quite a few major chains, but I only go to one or two a week to get the best deals. You don't help yourself saving another $5 if you spend an extra 45 minutes to do it. And though we have Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid nearby, I only do one store's deals and ignore the rest.

If I were to take a real break from couponing, I would still save the inserts in date order so that if a great deal came up, I could snag it.

[Kristi]

I recently took a week long blogging, couponing, shopping break and focused all of my energy on something else (vacation bible school). I didn't even look at the sales flyers that week, at any other frugal blogs, or even check e-mail some nights. It felt great and was a much needed break. I limit my stops to two stores a week (normally Walgreens and Meijer) and stopped stressing long ago about missed deals.

[Donna S]

Thanks for this article. I had set aside my couponing during June because I was getting super overwhelmed and couldn't find the time to do it all! I decided to simplify my system and start using your system (envelopes in a box) I was using the binder method with baseball card sheets. It took so much time and I got too busy. I just started again and it's nice to have a simple,easy and fast way to do couponing. Thanks!

[Kasey]

I definitely had to take a break at the beginning of my pregnancy, when all my energies were focused on caring for my 2 little ones and our home. But one method that I found that helped when I was ready to start up again was to not try to catch up with the clipping- instead, start by tossing all the expired coupons and then just clip & file the most recent week's inserts. Do the same thing each week and eventually the older inserts will be down to just a few coupons that can easily be filed.

The worst thing you can do to yourself is to beat yourself up for being behind- allow yourself a break and don't overwhelm yourself with trying to catch up. Just jump back in whenever you're ready and don't be stress about sitting out every now and then. It just makes it that much more fun when you're ready to start up again!:-)

[unfinishedmom]

Thanks for this one. I really needed this reminder today. I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment and needed to be reminded of this.

[TracyH]

Thank you Crystal...This post came to me at just the right time. I feel a little burned out...I have been doing this since January...so about 6 months...Doesn't seem like a long time...I know. But, my freezer and pantry are full...I have felt so burned out I have even stopped doing a thorough inventory of what I have an meal planning. I think I will definitely get back to that right now and not feel so guilty and overwhelmed about the coupons! Thanks!

[Riika]

Thanks for your post and your hard work! We definitely have "seasons" in our lives. We live in a more rural area and when I see some blog posts of the deals found, my jaw just about hits the floor! Have to remind myself that we're planted where we are and God provides and He does not desire us to compare ourselves with anyone else. I must be and become who He wants ME to be. Keep on keepin' on! Thanks again!

[Honey]

It is kind of hard to just go to the store and buy things you need without using coupons. I just feel like I'm paying twice as much as I should on the occasions when I have had to do that. But sometimes we all need a break. I have been taking a Walgreens break this week and only bought one thing at CVS this week. So this is nice to be free to skip a store if the deals aren't that good or to take time to do something else (like going to a fruit & berry farm with my children). I look forward to hearing the other comments.

[Suzette]

I have only been a "hard core" couponer for about 3 months and have been experiencing burn out. I try to set aside one day per week, usually Sunday, to clip my coupons. Any that I print during the week will sit on the printer until Sunday (unless I need it for a trip sooner). I had to tell myself that there are no deals worth losing my sanity over. Whenever I feel like it I will go through the ads and match up coupons. (I am not lucky enough to live in a city that has any grocery stores that anyone blogs about)

[LeMira]

I needed this post, thanks. Sometimes I think I beat myself up for not getting all of the good deals. I'm finally getting to the point where I'm able to say, "If I can get there, great! If not, oh, well."

I, too, appreciate all of your work and dedication to helping us coupon newbies. Thanks.

[heather]

Oh my goondess - this post is so timely for me! I've been coupon shopping for 4-5 months now, but I hit the ground running with it so hard, I was beginning to feel a little burned out. I'm definitely thinking of cutting myself back to one or two places instead of running myself ragged trying to get around to each and every store. Thanks so much for your post.

[Michelle at Wicked Cool Deals]

I put so much work into couponing and saving money - it is SO easy to get burned out! Plus I have a money saving blog, too so let's just add to the burnout! When I do get overloaded, I just stop shopping for at least a week. I'll buy only what we absolutely need or I send my husband to pick up a few things. That break really helps.

I also often ask myself - do we really need this stuff? Often the answer is NO! As many of us know, even though we get alot of products for free, there is some serious work behind it. Sometimes I have to just decide that the work is not worth it.