TFF frequently gets this question: “Where do I find coupons for healthy, organic food?” Here are some favorite resources that we’ve found along the way. Continue reading “Where to Find Coupons for Organic Produce and Groceries”
Marilyn and Aimee give a thumbs up to Tightwad Tuesday at Bloodroot Restaurant in Bridgeport, CT, but…here’s why… Continue reading “Tightwad Tuesday at Bloodroot Restaurant (Rave) Review”
There was yet another article about couponing, this time in “The New York Times Magazine,” (May 3, 2012) featuring the folks at Fabulously Frugal, and yet again, I’m astounded at how a topic like couponing can get people so riled up (read the comments, they are more entertaining than the actual article). Many of the misinformed comments that come after the article prejudge people who use coupons as unhealthy hoarders who are a burden to those who don’t use coupons. Continue reading “Stop Stereotyping Couponers: The Majority Frugally Shop the Outer Perimeters of the Grocery Store”
I’ve had sort of a love/hate relationship with PriceRite. Loved it when it opened, hate it now that prices are going up. But there are still a few things I go there to get that I can’t get a better deal on elsewhere. Or, should I say, the same products cost more at its sister store ShopRite… Continue reading “Why I Still (Sometimes) Love PriceRite”
Here we go again…people who use coupons criticized.
A Dear Abby article in the papers today shines a critical light on couponers once again. In brief, the letter, from a grocery store associate, says that coupons are a necessary evil, and coupons left on shelves for others shoppers to use pose a hazard because they clog up drains in dairy shelves, potentially cause shoppers to fall, and are generally a nuisance all the way around. And of course the writer points out the abuse, fraud, and the amount of work coupons pose for store workers.
I am just stunned. How can a basic act like couponing, which our grandmothers used to do, get everyone so riled up? Do couponers constantly complain about how grocery stores treat us? Should I discuss how many people I know who tell me that they absolutely hate shopping at any grocery store because the workers are rude, the produce is awful, the marketing is ridiculous (ie: the famous “Manager’s Special”), and the prices are outrageous? Is there any wonder WHY so many people now have to coupon to be able to fill a fridge and pantry?
Listen, I’m the first one to say that the TLC show, Extreme Couponing, has ruined it for many of us. The show portrays crazy couponers, not run-of-the-mill couponers like myself. So now, it seems like there are two camps: us (couponers) and them (grocery stores and people who hate couponers). This rift is ridiculous because we are all in this together: trying to save money on our grocery bills so we can feed our families.
Can’t we all just get along?
~Marilyn, TFF
My TFF blogging partner, Aimee, is lucky. Her family agrees to use cloth napkins. I think she’s successful because her kids learned to use them at an early age.
I missed the boat on that one, and my family has an aversion to using cloth napkins, so every week I dole out money–too much money–for this silly thing called paper napkins. But all the waste, and all the money–did I mention money? — is getting to me. I weaned my family off of boxes of tissues (except when they have bad colds), and instead, they use toilet paper for that job. We get quality TP (with coupon), no one complains. Packaged napkins will be the next paper goods item checked off my shopping list for good.
We ran out of paper napkins this week and in a pinch at breakfast, I grabbed the roll of Bounty paper towels (great sale + coupon). One sheet is too large for a napkin. I grabbed the scissors and cut a sheet up in fours, put them in the napkin holder, and everyone was happy. I did a little calculating and here’s what I came up with.
