Cut It Out

The aisles stretched forever. Boxes and cans sat next to bottles and packages, all neatly arranged to entice the shoppers to pluck them off their shelves and toss them into a cart. The labels were brightly covered with cartoon animals and photoshopped models, guaranteeing the buyer everything from improved health to eternal happiness. Caloric intake and suggested servings warned of the dangers of gluttony, but she knew that wouldn't be a problem.

Having too much was never the problem.

Shopping on a budget is tedious and takes dedication to detail. While it might be easier and more expedient to abandon comparative pricing, it is not financially viable. A few dollars here and a couple cents there add up and can make a profound difference at the checkout register. Many Americans cannot afford to hit the grocery story and simply whirl their way up and down the aisles, irreverently grabbing items with no genuine concern toward the final bill.

Stretching a dollar has become an art form and those who have mastered this medium are reaping the benefits available to anyone willing to put the work in. Too many Americans live paycheck to paycheck and have adopted using coupons as a necessary means to cope with decreasing wages and increasing food prices.

An article released by the Media General News Service reports that 89% of Americans use coupons in some form when they grocery shop. Annual savings can range between $1,500 - $5,000, depending on the size of the family and the amount of coupons used. Recently, couponing has become trendy and even been the subject of television shows and documentaries. Quite simply, saving money is worth the time, energy, and effort involved. Whereas there once might have been a stigma attached to using coupons, (it was only for the poor) it now is practiced by an overwhelming majority of America. Just another reminder we all have much more in common than we realize.