Sunday, March 29, 2009

Coupon Craze Concerns

By Steve Lue

Internet coupons have multiplied coupon exposure rates enormously, providing access to more coupons for more stores and more products than ever before. Bringing casino tables into the living room of a gambling addict. For many people, especially women, saving money can be so exhilarating, that it becomes an end in itself. Online coupon websites with names such as Coupon Addictioncom and EvesAddictioncom demonstrate that marketing professionals are well aware of this phenomenon.

Coupon crazed shoppers present two main concerns. The 1st worry is that they could spend more money than they would have without the coupons. The second concern is that avid bargain hunters can unintentionally create strife, or at least tension, within the family.

Exaggerated obsession about landing a good deal leads shoppers to buy quantities of items they do not need at stores they do not usually frequent. It's not really saving money if you buy something that you don't need and won't use just because you have a good coupon for it. Driving miles away to a store because you have a coupon you can redeem there may cost more in gas money than the amount saved on the purchase. You have spent money you would not have spent had you never obtained the coupons, in both cases.

Use these tips to help manage your craving for coupons if you feel yourself slipping out of control of the couping craze.

1-When printing online coupons, remember to include the cost of your printer ink. Only print out coupons you plan on using. Consider not only the product or store, but also the expiry date of the coupon. Don't even print the coupon if you don't plan to shop again before the coupon's expiration date.

2-Planning is very important, especially when using grocery coupons to lower your food bills. Plan meals and make a grocery list before you shop. Once you have a list of your actual needs, search for suitable online coupons. Conversely, you can organize meals depending on the product or coupons you already have. This allows you to use your coupons before they expire.

3-Make a list and inventory of items and products stored in your pantry, cupboards or closets. People addicted to collecting coupons generally horde large amounts of merchandise purchased only because they were cheap. Try to be completely honest and write down everything. Do not allow yourself to use any new coupons on these items until you have used your stock.

4-As implied in the preceding point, you have to prepare yourself to reject bargains for unnecessary things. It's really hard for the ones who become obsessed with couponing. It consists of being true to yourself when you ask if you really need a product and if you are going to use it soon, especially if it is perishable or if it is a health item. For non-perishables, you must consider whether you have room to store your great finds.

5-To apply the above recommendations have two more options, those of you who lack the willpower. you to satisfy your addiction by proxy. Introduce one of your friends to the world of online coupons, and assist her in saving some money on her bills. You will get the same rush, but you won't be spending money on unnecessary things. The second option will give you spending habits a new purpose, instead of giving a limit. Just give away all your extra household supplies or food to an organization.

The time consuming nature of online couponing is behind the second issue that may be a concern for coupon crazed shoppers, creating tension or discord within the family. Online couponing is a worthy and perfectly commendable pursuit. If you're not careful with a coupon strategy and setting limits, it is easy to be overwhelmed by them at the expense of the rest of your time and interests. You can access coupons on the Internet all day, everyday. If the truth were known, you can most likely find new coupons on the Internet on an hourly basis.

Looking for, and obtaining, online coupons is something one does alone. This means getting away from your family for a little while. Not only is a lot of time spent on finding online coupons and looking at different orders, online coupon websites can take up even more time by providing more options such as coupon trading. Online coupon forums will introduce you to many new friends and you can spend hours discussing deals, coupons, and how to save money with other coupon addicts.

To avoid tension or discord, limit the time you spend locating, comparing, discussing or trading online coupons. The time you do this will need to be one that will not take you away from the rest of your family. Make sure your coupon activities don't take over your families lives. Simply having a coupon for a supermarket does not obligate you to buy those items there. The same applies for restaurants; you do not need to go there just because you can save money on the meal if you do.

Coupon shoppers who have become crazed forget the real benefit of using internet coupons. Rather than saving money for the house and obtaining gratification, they usually spend too much. This in addition to the time spent on the internet and not with family, it is easy to cause tension and resentment.

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