Why Would You Buy Items You Don't Use?

When I tell people I coupon, one of the first couponing falsehoods they ask is, "Don't you have to buy items you don't use?"  The answer is no.  The only exception is if I can get the item for free or if the item makes me money.  And I can always donate the item to someone who can use it.

Here's a small example of an item making me money. I went to Walmart and purchased two items:

Hodgson Mill Milled Flax Seed $2.13
Dial Body Wash (travel size) $.97

I had two coupons:
-$.35 off Hodgson Mill product - Received in the mail from the manufacturer.
-$2 off Dial lotion or body wash, RP 6/12 (exp 06/30)  Notice the coupon didn't specify a size.

Since the Dial Body Wash was only $.97 and the coupon was for $2.00 off, there's now $1.03 overage that can be applied to the Milled Flax Seed.  Walmart allows overages from coupons that exceed the value of the product.  Not many stores allow overages, they'll just change the amount on the face of the coupon down to match the price of the product.

Check out my receipt.  I know its a bit out of focus but here's what it says:

Flaxseed  $2.13
Bodywash  $.97
Coupon  -$2.00
Coupon  -$.35
Subtotal  $.75
Tax 7%  $.07
Tax 3%  $.06
Total  $.88

Without purchasing the Dial Body Wash, I would have paid $1.83 ($2.13 minus $.35 coupon plus $.05 tax) for the Milled Flax Seed alone!

So that's why I buy products I don't use or need!