Wife Swap: The Couponing Edition

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Another Refund Cents subscriber here! Like others have said, I used to spend money like it was going out of style when I was young, just out of college and unmarried. I got into a little bit of consumer debt and luckily realized early on that this is just not a realistic way to live. I also came to realize that I really wanted to be home with my kids when we had them someday and that carrying on this way was going make that impossible.
In the time that we were married and both of us worked, I clipped coupons like crazy, did a little stockpiling and saved everything that I could. Now that I have one child I am busy with and have another one on the way, I am so grateful that I started this "hobby." In just the last two years before we had my son and I decided to stay home, we were able to pay off around $40,000 in loans (mostly school, but one car loan, too) and save even more than that at the same time. What a cushion to have there in case of big expenses and how nice it is to not be saddled with senseless debt!
One year, I tracked our coupon savings and every month deposited that money in a savings account. Along with our frequent flyer miles that we had been banking (from using our credit card and paying it off monthly), my husband and I flew first class to Hawaii for free. The money we saved couponing the year before was enough to pay for a fantastic honeymoon that we never had because it seemed ridiculous to blow a lot of money on a fancy honeymoon. (We actually used our wedding money to pay off debt instead of a trip.)
I don't have nearly the amount of time that I used to have for couponing and scouting out deals, but I am so grateful that I started this. It helped me prioritize what's important to me, has made me so much more frugal, be happier with less material things and be patient and less impulsive with getting the things that I do want. As a family, we always find fun things to do, but it doesn't have to be expensive or extravagant.
I don't know that I will ever stockpile/coupon clip to the extent that the family on Wife Swap and many of the people on Refund Cents do, but hey -- More power to 'em. A little effort goes a long way.

Anna of MN 10:55PM January 23, 2009

I see both sides of coupon and non-coupon users, I only use coupons for things my family will use and I am not greedy like alot of coupon users that will clear the shelves of stores to sell at yard sales or flea markets.
My family also cares about their appearance and we wear up to date fashion and like to look nice.
I am also a longtime member of refundcents

MC of SC 7:36PM January 23, 2009

I tried couponing, but stopped when I realized that other than weekly produce specials, there's really not a coupon for anything I buy. I honestly don't have a taste for cereal or Stove Top. There are no coupons for fresh veggies or bags of flour. How many household products does someone need? You only can use so much TP, toothpaste, and soap so I just don't see the value in crowding your house to save a few pennies. Maybe if these people had bought smaller houses, they wouldn't be fanatical about filling them with stockpiles in order to keep paying the ridiculous mortgage.

not an idiot of MA 7:02PM January 23, 2009

Part of this discussion is how many people are defending the use of coupons, rebates and sales.
Why is it that no one is defending the spendthrift family that bought a SUV they can't afford and a tanning bed they don't need, as well as throwing large backyard parties to impress their friends, while at the same time, being construed as strangers by their daughter. How come no one finds that family problematic?
I truly felt bad for the 16 year old daughter and I hope that her relationship will improve with her parents, but the lack of time at the family dinner table and lack family togetherness other than the fact that they reside under the same roof will impact those three children as adults.
The daughter will likely be incredibly needy and jealous of anyone that spends time with someone other than her. The sons will just assume that their sports involvement trumps family life. I see divorce in all their futures.
The parents don't even attend the sporting events together. It made for an odd family. But hey, they had a nice home and pretty vehicles. Oh, and bills they can't afford until the husband bails out the wife's spending habits.
What no one has mentioned is that each family receives an honorarium of $20,000 for appearing on the show. That'll be used for the McIntyre's college fund and likely pay down the debt on the spender's SUV.
It boils down to each family on the planet has a different set of priorities.
The spenders and those that support that lifestyle of excess didn't even have the time to comment on this site...they're too busy chasing down scholarships for their children, which may not come to fruition.

Maria of FL 3:40PM January 23, 2009

I started couponing at 14 Years of age only knowing that the MFR was willing to PAY ME to use the product. I am 53 & have saved $100,000.00 YES YES !!!!! 100.00.00 over the years with FREE items ~ Rebates ETC... So every one that is not convinced Get ""CHIC"" with couponing... It is the >>""IN""<< Thing right now Get the "CHIC" """Magnifique""" thing to do!!! Lets do it now!!!! Love to coupon Love to save! !!!

estelle lauletta of MA 3:34PM January 23, 2009

I am retied and do not have to use coupons. I do have fun saving money and looking for bargains as it is fun. A person can have to much and not use it up in time before it expires. Some people do go over board on it. I myself do use a web site www.momsbestbuys.com , She is good and points me in the right direction. It is a free service there is to much free information on the internet to pay someone where the bargains are, if people join together to share there finds why would a person pay for the service. I have a wii in my home and ds for all the grand children. But they play outside and get fresh air also. You can not shelter them forever. I donate alot and give to family members who cant afford it or dont have time to do it and I enjoy it. It doesnt take long.

Ethel of TX 2:24PM January 23, 2009

In 2008 my husband made $4 million dollars and I use coupons. 12 years ago we had nothing and owed the IRS almost $2 million dollars after the closing of his business. We have four children, three out on their own and one at home. Three of them use coupons also. I am a stay at home mom and have been for the last three years. I coupon and subscribe to RefundCents because I want to be a good steward of our money and be able to support as many local charities as I can. Yes, we travel and have all the perks in our house and cars but I always look for the best deals and/or rebates. My husband has provided for our future and our childrens future but he also knows that I do NOT require any of the extras that we have. I can and have lived quite simply.

GH of WA 2:05PM January 23, 2009

A previous blogger spoke about the long term "cost" of the items we are buying such as diapers that fill land fills and foods that are "bad" for us and I was sickened by her remarks. As a person who stays home with 2 small children and lives on 1 income - getting diapers for me is a necessity - not a game to see what I can get for free as well as the other items I am able to get for free that me and many of family members benefit from. If I spent however like the other Mom portrayed - I would have to work - which would mean driving my car to the sitter to drop my kids off - then to work and then to lunch and back to work - back for kids and then home and I wold have to run out at night when we forgot to get diapers or shampoo or any of those other things I have stockpiled so the way I look at it I am trying to help our environment. By the way to that poster - obviously they do not have children as I would love to see them changing a poop filled diaper - cleaning it out - the washing it over and over until it is clean - good luck with that! To each their own I say and for me - it's going to be disposable diapers! And since you will be spending all that money on your locally grown overpriced farmers markets and your other expensive "earth friendly" items - you will probably be working for a very, very long time. Your negativity is awful for our environment as well!

Diaper diva of IL 1:56PM January 23, 2009

This is a most interesting discussion! One point that stood out for me in the episode and has been argued here, is the disdain for how long it supposedly takes to coupon. As a couponer/refunder, I admit it does take *some* time. The reward is in the payoff. It took Denise an hour of effort to save $70 on her grocery bill. That basically means her time was worth $70/hr. I wonder... how many average workers can make THAT claim?

Laura of NC 1:12PM January 23, 2009

I admire the McIntryes for their frugal ways. My grandparents had wealth but boy Gramma could stretch a dollar. Some of her frugal ways have rubbed off on me and I believe in saving for the future. If something is on sale, you should stock up & use coupons to save even more. Like an earlier reader, I use my extra purchases to donate to the local foodbank. The problem with the world today is that if you want it, buy it no matter if it puts you in debt!! I also subscribe to Refundcents and find it a painless way to save money.

Ann Asher of TX 10:37AM January 23, 2009