When Coupons Don’t Add Up

Let’s face it: a certain show has led to a great influx in coupon users within the last year. But whether your an old pro, or a couponing “newbie”, consumers need to keep their goal in mind when shopping: to save money.

Sometimes coupons are NOT the cheapest route.


Case in point: one of Target’s giftcard deals this week is for a $10 GC when you buy two specific containers of Enfamil formula, a little over 40 oz total. The formula is $32, and this Sunday’s inserts had a $5/2 coupon to coincide. Thus, after coupons and GC, you net $24.50 for each container of formula.


However, if you are NOT brand dependent, you can score roughly twice as much formula for $20. The store brand formula, whose ingredients match the name brand within mere tenths or hundredths of the name brand, is a MUCH better deal.


The bottom line is this: keep your eyes and your options open when your hunting bargains. Sometimes a store’s “sale item” isn’t always the best deal. The store’s agenda is to push a product, perhaps in conjunction with the manufacture; therefore, you as a consumer must be savvy enough to read between the lines.  Remember to always calculate the unit price before pulling the trigger with a coupon.  Don’t chase that coupon high under false pretenses; if the deal doesn’t add up, MOVE ON!



Keep on saving!  :o)
–Barbara