What is it WORTH?
By hvedra
@hvedra (1619)
December 8, 2011 9:54am CST
I was responding to another mylotter about a recent TV show about frugal living. One of the participants was a "Coupon Queen" who got a lot of shopping for free or very cheap. One shopping trip saw her take a £60 bill down to something like £15 and she gleefully left the supermarket stating "We've got £60 worth of shopping" over a trolley that wasn't even half full.
Now the shopping was already bagged so you couldn't really see the contents and you had seen very little of what she'd actually bought. 
If I went shopping with £60 I could easily FILL a trolley with food that was good and tasty (I scratch cook almost everything) and that really would be WORTH £60. Mostly I've discovered coupons and vouchers are for money off things I don't want or wouldn't eat anyway because they are junk. 
Is it really saving money if it is junk you should avoid anyway. Surely it is better to keep your spending inside sensible levels and have a good, healthy and enjoyable diet?
Isn't it dependent on WHAT you walk out with rather than how much it cost? She might have had things that would have COST £60, but I'd argue that they weren't WORTH £60.
What do you think?
If I went shopping with £60 I could easily FILL a trolley with food that was good and tasty (I scratch cook almost everything) and that really would be WORTH £60. Mostly I've discovered coupons and vouchers are for money off things I don't want or wouldn't eat anyway because they are junk.
Is it really saving money if it is junk you should avoid anyway. Surely it is better to keep your spending inside sensible levels and have a good, healthy and enjoyable diet?
Isn't it dependent on WHAT you walk out with rather than how much it cost? She might have had things that would have COST £60, but I'd argue that they weren't WORTH £60.
What do you think?2 people like this
7 responses
@nonersays (3344)
• United States
9 Dec 11
I think that most coupons are not work the paper they are printed on.
Here there is a show called "Extreme Couponers" and I only ever watched one episodes. Its not about being frugal, its about being greedy.
This one lady bought 47 candy bars. There is no reason for one family to need 47 candy bars. They will go bad before they all get eaten.
Coupons used to help people save a couple of bucks if they needed to, but now it has become like a game or a sport.
@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Dec 11
Youre right as far as the coupons and vouchers go. And I rarely remember to use them even if I have them in my purse. Grrr! What I enjoy is that the store brands or cheaper brands are just as good and are sometimes a third of the name brands. It all just takes alittle researching the shelves.
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
8 Dec 11
I do know what you mean. I can't say I only buy good, healthy things, but because of my food allergies I can't buy most frozen foods or other "fast" foods.
I have seen where they get cartloads of food for very little, but I also wonder what it is they are getting.
I do get some coupons, and use them, but only on things I would buy anyway!
2 people like this
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
8 Dec 11
I think you are right. Too many times they are things I wouldn't normally buy and they also have added costs because they are convience foods or like you said junk food. I prefer to eat healthier foods...low in salts etc then those they sell in the store.
2 people like this
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
13 Dec 11
Hi hvedra: I think I have your point. There are so many things to see and to buy on the supermarket, sure it does but we should not only think about the prices but about the quality and if it's really necessary to but this or that product to make the best choice while shopping. I think that your question summarize all of this, to ask ourselves if it's really worth what we are about to buy or not.
ALVARO
1 person likes this
@tkarabulut (434)
•
8 Dec 11
The worth depends on people. I think it changes people by people.
2 people like this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
9 Dec 11
I've found tons of coupons for things that are unhealthy or i just dont use.
I dont consider using those a savings as - i'd be purchasing them just to use the coupon. I've found making meals from scratch actually saves alot more than using a coupon to buy the prepackaged pre mixed foods. plus cooking can be relaxin.
I think if the item on the coupon is something i use...like a brand of shampoo and somethign i NEED at the time then its a savings. Otherwise its spending to save...which feels redundant.
1 person likes this
