Coupon No No

Most of you know I Facebook stalk you keep up with your lives through Jason's Facebook account. Today as I was perusing, I noticed one of Jason's friends asking for some tips on how to save money during the holidays. As I read through the comments, I almost choked at a woman who advised the friend to buy the Sunday paper for the Proctor and Gamble coupon inserts which, as she said, could be used on "any Proctor and Gamble product" no matter what the coupon was written for. She said the $7 and $10 Crest whitening products could be used toward Tide detergent, diapers, etc.


What?!?


This, ladies, is why we are often treated like criminals when we use coupons. If you do this, thanks for playing, you have essentially stolen from the store and made coupon life difficult for the rest of us. Although the store will likely still be reimbursed for the coupon value when it's all said and done (too much to explain - just trust that they probably will), there's always the chance they WON'T and you have just caused them to lose $7 -10. While it may not seem like a big deal to you that a huge company like Wal-Mart, Target, etc. loses a few dollars here and there, you will ultimately end up paying for it when the store raises their prices, quits accepting coupons, etc., in order to account for money lost. Additionally, you are just flat out lying by presenting as if you are buying a product that you really are not!


Ok, whew ... sorry. Just had to get up on my soapbox for a moment. I could not believe someone would be so blatantly dishonest about coupon use when those of us who are trying to simply save a buck here and there are working so hard to use them the correct way. I don't want to save money so badly that I'm dishonest in the process of doing it! I truly believe that God honors my attempts to save money for our family and use it wisely where our groceries are concerned (Proverbs 31 woman), and if I am being dishonest or, in essence, stealing, there is no way He will continue to honor my efforts!