I also buy the refillable popcorn at the theater but usually don’t need a refill that night so I take the bag home in careful condition and the next time I go the show I bring it along and get my 1 free refill then. The bag is then marked so I don’t feel that I am being dishonest since 1 refill is included in the 12 dollar price.

As to the donation boxes, I had heard something that if they were not actually within the boxes, they were considered garbage by the city? Maybe that was inaccurate, or maybe just towards certain boxes here. I don’t know. Either way, I haven’t taken anything But really, is it that much different than when someone puts something at their curb that isn’t garbage condition?

If I have time to kill in town, I’ll wander around the grocery stores looking for wine tags, mail-in rebates, blinkies, tearpads, etc. I won’t take more than 4 at once, though. But if there are more when I come back? I’ll grab more. Most people don’t bother to use coupons and the like, so I won’t let them go to waste. I recently picked up a total of 15 $1 off seafood winetags and used them to get $30 worth of seafood for free when they doubled those coupons. I’ll take a single peel-off one if it’s one where it doesn’t require you to buy that product.

Having worked at most of the local grocery stores, I have no problem letting my cashier know exactly what the policy is on the coupons they’re scanning through. For instance, with the store that was doubling the $1 coupons… well, coupons that start with a 5 double automatically. If they start with a 9, they do not. However, management was supposed to override any which didn’t. I had 4 $1 Mayfield ice cream coupons. The ice cream was on sale for $1.99 per carton. The coupons didn’t automatically double, but by their policy, it should be overridden so the ice cream is free. I’m not financially comfortable enough that I can afford to buy a ton of ice cream even though we like it, so I wasn’t giving up that deal. One manager tried to tell me he wasn’t going to double it, so I sent him to call the home office where he was told to double it. I have no problem making someone else’s day a bit more difficult for my benefit if I know that I am completely right.

As far as going to the movies… I don’t go often because the prices are ridiculous. And, I no longer go if I’m not carrying my messenger bag. I’ll stock it with healthier snacks from home, or stop somewhere for food to-go that I’ll bring in. The theatre managers really don’t mind as long as you don’t leave a mess. Plenty of people are still willing to pay the $5.75 they’re charging for a small popcorn.

My take on all things, whether frugal related or not. Would I be ashamed if my children saw me? Would I be ashamed if my husband knew? Most importantly would I be ashamed if Jesus was watching? As any Christian knows, He is. Therefore I won’t do anything that would shame Him. To do something shady such as stealing coupons, not following stated rules or using one’s health issues as an excuse is not only fooling yourself but also insulting the fact that God will provide for us in all ways.

I lived with a mother who was shady. Took everything she could from everyone. I never want my child to look at me the same way I looked at my mother. Little dishonest things make me question where does it end. Would you steal from your neighbor, your friend, or your parents? How could I trust you if you can into my home?

–printing more coupons than the manufacturer allows by using your office or a second computer

–I agree with Amy (above), don’t take the peelies off a product

–taking things from outside a collection box for clothes and other items (I was shocked when I heard someone did this!)

That said, I used to take drinks into the movies (with twin 4 year olds, it has been 5 years since I’ve been to a theater) but always bought the popcorn (mmm…). There was not a chance I was going to pay $5 for a diet coke. I’ve been known to buy coupons on ebay (OK, buying the time someone took to collect them) but I do like to think I am ethical in what I do to be frugal. And I think most people are. In the end, let your conscience be your guide and if you can put your head on the pillow at night without thinking you did something wrong, then that’s fine with me.

When there is a limit on a coupon item (like Walgreens will have a coupon for two cans of soup for 50 cents, limit 6), I will sometimes have one of the Progeny buy six items using the coupon, and I will buy another six using another coupon.

However, most of my Progeny are over 18, so I don’t think they are learning anything dishonest or unethical by this.