* PLEASE use coupons ethically!

I still have not watched Extreme Couponing yet.  But as some of you may be aware, there is quite the talk out there about the scandal of coupon fraud being committed by one of the women on the show.  I am sickened by what I have seen and read. Coupon fraud is not only ILLEGAL, but it hurts couponers everywhere.  It hurts how stores, cashiers & manufacturers view us.  It hurts us when manufacturers and stores tighten their policies because more and more people are abusing the system. It hurts us when less and less coupons are made available because stores and manufacturers are losing money.

Coupons were put out there to HELP us save money and they do!  Especially when you pair them with great sales & store coupons.  But when people abuse it, it REALLY makes me mad.  If you use a coupon any different than the way it was intended it is fraud and it is no different in my mind than stealing.  I know that mistakes are made, especially as most of us have been learning to coupon.  There are times when most of us use an incorrect coupon completely unaware that we did so until after the fact.  I have actually gone BACK to a store and tried to make it right when I have realized this.

I work hard for every cent that I earn.  We have gone through tough times in our family.  There have been months that I have been in tears not knowing how to pay for everything.  But in the end I have never felt that I should do something illegal to somehow make it all work.  But I would bet that most people who INTENTIONALLY use coupons fraudulently aren't doing it because they can't afford to feed their kids.  They are doing it because they can get away with it.

Enough of my personal rant.  I do understand that coupon using is an ever-changing world and that there are times when you may not be sure.  But PLEASE always ask questions to try and figure out what IS the correct way to use a certain coupon.  Here are my tips for using coupons ethically.  Please feel free to leave your thoughts or suggest any others in the comments.

• NEVER photocopy or scan a coupon.

• ONLY use the coupon for the brand, item and sizes designated.  Read the small print.  Just because it scans doesn't mean you are using it correctly.

• NEVER use a coupon that is expired.

• If a coupon seems too good to be true, do some research.  Coupons for an unusually high value or for free products that come via e-mail or in a pdf format should usually be questioned.  The Coupon Information Corporation has a huge list of identified COUNTERFEIT coupons that you can view so you can check for sure if yours is legit.

• If it doesn't feel like it's the right way to use a coupon, don't do it.  In couponing, as with most things, there is a gray area.  It's those situations that you have to decide for yourself.  Do a quick "gut check" to see if it feels like a right way to use a coupon.  Bottom line, no matter WHO tells you it's ok, if it doesn't feel right to you, don't do it.  The savings you get won't be worth it in the end.