The cost of coupons

Saving is great.  I'm all for it.  For all you coupon gurus, I applaud you.  

However for most of you, have you ever really considered the opportunity cost of coupons?  Before you clip - and save- that next coupon, take the following in to account.  

Coupon prep - How much 

• time are you spending in searching the paper or internet?
  
• time do you spent cutting?
  
• organizing time?
  
• clutter does it create in your home?
  
• mental clutter is created seeing a pile of coupons?
  
• Do you schedule editing time to weed out old coupons?
  

Add up these minutes and multiply by your average hourly salary.  

Using Coupons - Will you

• remember you have a coupon for your item?
  
• get it to your purse or car?
  
• use it in the time allowed?
  
• spend more time, gas, effort than the price of the coupon?
  
• buy something you don't really need?

• Are you adding to your clutter or is it something you really "need"

Are you saving or wasting mental, financial or physical real estate?

Is it worth your opportunity cost?