I wasn’t planning on writing a post today (I’ve been trying to reserve my weekends for family time), but I couldn’t resist sharing this with you guys. I guess it just touched a nerve.
Every once in a while someone will ask me if I am embarrassed to go to the store with a whole stack of coupons. I’ve had other people wonder if I’m not ashamed to write so much about saving money and how little I pay for things. Those of you who watch my videos probably already know the answer:
No, I am not embarrassed. Not even a little bit.
I am proud to be a coupon user and deal seeker, and anyone who would think poorly of me for it is not someone I want to be associated with anyway.
Source: Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
My lovely friend Jen over at Balancing Beauty & Bedlam wrote an amazing post yesterday in response to an article in her local paper entitled “No Goodwill for Goodwill,” defending the resistance to the proposed Goodwill store in her neighborhood, not wanting the “type of people that kind of store would attract.”
Wow.
As Jen so eloquently pointed out, SHE is the type of person who shops at Goodwill. Jen wrote:
“This is the face of thrifting, of stewardship, of living green, of savings where I can, so that I can spend and give generously on other areas that I choose. Those areas will not be the same for everyone, but for our family, they work.”
(Go read her post. It’s awesome)
I am certainly not saying that unless you only shop at Goodwill or use coupons, you are shallow and materialistic. I have personally never been a big Goodwill shopper. I am more of an 80% off with free shipping at Amazon.com kinda girl. (Anything that lets me avoid physically going to the store is always my top choice!) Likewise, there are many people that don’t use coupons because they don’t have the time or energy or patience to deal with it; instead they cut their grocery bill in other ways.
And that is okay.
The point is that whichever way you choose to save money, whether you forgo sending Christmas cards or pack your child’s lunchbox rather than pay for hot lunch, wear last year’s clothing, or don’t buy the latest and greatest cell phone, television, or video game, be PROUD–not ashamed–of the decision your are making! Own it and know you are doing something to make a positive difference for your family.
It is OKAY not to have everything. There is no need to compete or try to keep up. I like nice things as much as the next girl but I also know that I don’t need it all. So stand tall–there is no shame in saving money!
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dana September 24, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Thanks for your post, when I first started this I was so excited to see how much money I could save and I quickly learned that couponing allowed me to get the things for my family that I couldn’t before, simply because those brands cost too much or we couldn’t waste any money on other things that we might want but not necessarily need. At first, I started showing my friends all of the things I could get and how little I spent – they just thought I was such a dork, so I have stopped sharing this with them but I am not ashamed. Let them be the ones who have to buy store brands or spend $200/week in groceries – it’s their choice but I do find it funny that some people find it embarassing to save money, like it’s a sign of weakness.
Kristen @ Joyfullythriving September 24, 2011 at 3:19 pm
I loved that post by Jenn, too! Your response is well stated. It is good to save money. Indeed, there is no shame in saving and preparing for one’s future!
Glenda September 24, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Love your blog. Hope you don’t mind me linking your post in the blog I’m about to write @ seniormusingsmoments.blogspot.com
Ruth September 26, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Not at all, thanks Glenda!
Lisa G. September 24, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Great post! Thank you! It shouldn’t be embarrassing to save money, or be a good steward. In fact, IMHO, NOT saving money is what has gotten our country into alot of the mess we’re in. It’s like we’ve forgotten how to work hard and wait for things because easy access to credit brought out the worst in alot of us. As someone who has struggled (1 income, husband self employed in construction, 4 kids) to pay down over $40,000 in credit card debt (almost done!) in the last 5 years, I am personally more embarrassed about being in debt than I am about pulling out a stack of coupons at the store. If only I had started saving big with coupons years ago….
Missy September 24, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Amen sista friend!!!
Tina September 25, 2011 at 12:02 am
I want to know how do you get 80% off at Amazon?
Ruth September 26, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Don’t worry, that post is coming!
Claire September 25, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Yes!! I love this post and Jen’s blog. I share with all of my friends and have heard everything from excitement to “I don’t have time for that”. As if I do! I work full time, and have three children. It’s a choice I make to better my family and I make time to do it – no shame here in saving hundreds of dollars a month!
Ruth September 26, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Exactly!
Chrissy September 25, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I totally agree with you… I am proud to be a couponer… I am proud to save money where I can so I can spend money on other things my family may need or want… I would be ashamed only if I wasn’t saving money…. I have 5 children ranging from 17 years old down to 3 years old and I teach them all how to save money even my boys because they will have families of their own some day and I want to make sure they are able to stand on their own two feet and be successful with out having to get on food stamps or assistance.
Ruth September 26, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Good for you Chrissy! You are teaching them lessons they will carry with them long into their adulthood.
Crystal L. (Crafting & Rambling) September 25, 2011 at 11:38 pm
BRAVO, Ruth!! Well said, I so agree. I am so excited when I save money, and hubby is so proud of me too.
When I find out I could’ve got an even *better* deal, I am SO disappointed! lol…that part he doesn’t get. 
The only time I feel a *twinge* bad, is when it seems like the attendant is less than thrilled to have me use them…and I don’t even extreme coupon (yet)! lol
Ruth September 26, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Oh but you will one of these days!
Tanya September 26, 2011 at 4:21 pm
The way the economy is going, we’re all going to have to reconsider our stance on coupons, thrift shopping, etc. I have never been a big garage sale-thrift store fan, but seeing the great deals that other people get from them is making me reconsider. I am positively inspired by the finds and makeovers I see coming from Goodwill items. Not only is this an affordable way to live, it’s also a more creative way to live. And that’s something that definitely appeals to me.
Ruth September 26, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Me too!
Amy September 27, 2011 at 1:36 am
Love the comment…Amen Sista. I second that.
I have always used coupons but in the last year have learned to take it to a whole new level. This economy has hit us in every aspect. Our house, our investments, our college savings. I read that the housing market is expected to be in the tank until 2015. You can bet, I will be finding every thrifty method I can to pay for necessities and extras. Everytime I do something thrifty with my sisters we exclaim – “Welcome to the New Economy”!