Simple ways you can financially help out others

[jeffrey]

Times are getting tough for a lot of people with rising fuel and food prices. Even those that stick to strict budgeting are finding it harder to get by these days. It's my feeling that we should all help out in whatever way we can and I'm starting this thread so people can share some of the things that people can do that don't necessarily take a lot of time, effort or money, but still can help out others.

For example, I have started to shopdrop coupons. Shopdropping is the opposite of shoplifting - instead of taking something from a store, you leave something in the store. In this case, coupons that are valid but for products I don't use. Instead of throwing them away, I have been placing them on the products in the store so others can benefit from the coupon that would otherwise go to waste. Basically it's a pay it forward coupon style chain that you can begin.

For along time I was the only one doing this, but recently I have been pleasantly surprising to notice that others are also beginning to do it at my local grocery store. I even used a coupon that someone else had left the other day.

I'm hoping that other will share ideas that are simple ways to help others and that those that read will begin to adopt some of these ideas into their own habits. It may not seem like a lot, but as the people who visit here regularly well know, small amounts over a long time can make a huge difference.

[2moretrees]

I do the same thing with coupons for restaurants. I don't go out to eat very often so when I get coupons for restaurants, I usually have a bunch of extras that I know I'll never use. I bring them along and place them in the waiting area or near the front door so that others are able to take advantage of them.

There are more and more restaurants that offer printable coupons from their websites. If I use one, I usually print out a few extras to leave for others to use. The people that find them seem to be really happy.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I think a small way to help is to be a part of creating a culture in which we live a little lower on the hog. If we would not be shy about our thriftiness, or our feelings that one doesn't really need as many clothes as most of us have, that cooking from scratch at home is good, that we don't need every cool electronic device that comes along---if we would just give voice to this among friends, colleagues, and near friends, than perhaps we could help create an atmosphere where spending on lots of extras is not so automatic. Then hopefully one has more to spend n necessities and save for the future.

[rob62521]

I do the coupon thing as well at the grocery store. And, I share restaurant coupons with our friends as well as strangers at the restaurant. I might be incorrect, but I feel if we make use of the coupons, the restaurants and companies will continue to issue them.

[Angio333]

I like the coupon idea, I may have to try it!

[Snave]

My wife has learned how to save tremendously at CVS with their CVS reward card. She told me the otehr day that she has spent something like $16 and saved $300. She is constantly coming home with boxes of cereal, toothpaste, deodorant, etc... She learned on-line on another forum. Not sure which one or how she does it. I will have to ask her to explain so I can pass it along. Anyway, her mom asked if she could spare a few of the items b/c a family dropped their dog off at a shelter where her mom volunteers b/c they lost their home and had to go to a homeless shelter. Her mom and a few others are trying to help the family the best they can. Needless to say, we have a big box with a bunch of the items my wife gets free from CVS going to this family. However, my wife is going to spend a day showing the woman (who has 2 little boys) how to use the CVS rewards card properly. It's better to teach some one to fish.

[GoodBuyGirl]

I pass excess vegetables from my garden on to others.

[cptacek]

Snave, that is great! I tried to get into the CVS thing, but we don't have one here...

[rob62521]

My hubby and I went to lunch and I had a coupon for our lunch. I saw a couple of young men come and offered them a coupon for theirs as well. I didn't think I knew them but...The best part of this story is one of them was a former student of mine and we had a nice chat. :-)

[Ima saver]

I have seen coupons left on store shelves and I use them. I will now start leaving them also.

[Amorphous02]

I think a small way to help is to be a part of creating a culture in which we live a little lower on the hog. If we would not be shy about our thriftiness, or our feelings that one doesn't really need as many clothes as most of us have, that cooking from scratch at home is good, that we don't need every cool electronic device that comes along---if we would just give voice to this among friends, colleagues, and near friends, than perhaps we could help create an atmosphere where spending on lots of extras is not so automatic. Then hopefully one has more to spend n necessities and save for the future.

I have the same attitude.
I encourage my students to meet me in cafe's and offer to split beverages: This way i get to save money and save my wastline. Several students caught on and now they feel happier around me. They are confident about skimping. We pay taxes and we earn legally. Why feel diffident about saving?
I do give some moms coupons for the items i see in their basket. I leave pet food coupons on the shelves.
Thank you for starting this topic.

[mom2manyboyz]

I'm signed up with a few "secret shopper" websites. I don't actually enjoy this type of work, but a few of my friends do restaurant shops. They reimburse your food after you submit a report/review.

Joan you are right on about not being afraid to talk about being frugal.

[SnoopyCool]

I gave a lady a coupon yesterday, and left others on the shelves near the product they were for. What a great feeling!

[osadg]

My sister is a stay at home mom with two kids. One of the gifts she is always the most thankful for is coupons. I tend to come across a lot of coupons for kids activities. And she's always really grateful. Whenever I buy something for the kids or the family, like ice skating passes, etc. I always throw in some coupons too. She loves it! I don't think there is a single coupon I've given her that she hasn't used.