Extreme Couponing

Extreme Couponing (Full Version)

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LafayetteLady -> Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 3:52:42 PM)
Ok, I enjoy saving money at the grocery store as much as the next person, but have just watched this TLC show called, "Extreme Couponing." People are buying 400 rolls of toilet paper in one trip, another 600 toothbrushes. A teenage boy buys femine hygiene products, because after the coupon, they were free. These people spend 800-900 dollars at the grocery store, that after all their coupons cost less than $50. Ok that's terrific, but one woman had enough flavored water that if she drank a bottle a day, she had enough for twenty years. That is really extreme. My housemate and I put the show on to see if we could get any ideas on saving on our own shopping. Instead, I find women who I find repulsive. They are stockpiling all these items for their own personal consumption. One woman gets her "inserts" from neighbors and her church, in other words, they are "donated" to her. Yet, she seems to think her daughters need 600 toothbrushes? If I could save that kind of money buying these products, I would happily pay $30 for nearly a thousand dollars worth of products and take them to my local food pantry. Having been poor, I have a slight neurosis about there not being food in the house, but I don't stock up for YEARS, just because the stuff is on sale. How about everyone else? Are you an extreme couponer? Do you have years worth of products you purchased just because of the savings?

tazzygirl -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 3:58:00 PM)
I have watched that show. One woman has her family "shopping" at her house, no charge. But the whole family, including those who come to her house to shop also invest time into the effort of couponing. This show has also created a rash of news paper thefts. As incredible as that may sound, people are stealing papers out of racks and from in front of homes to get more coupons.

LafayetteLady -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 4:08:41 PM)
The lady with her "home grocery store" was on today. Her husband put the kabash on her coupon shopping because they are out of space. She has over 400 rolls of paper towels, yet went and bought 240 more. How many paper towels can even the most neurotic germaphobe use? I still say that these women could better use their "talents" by doing this shopping and donating their amazing finds to food pantries in their area.

tazzygirl -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 4:10:24 PM)
Oh one lady did. She donated things like boxed meals to the local food pantry.

Iamsemisweet -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 4:28:25 PM)
I have never done a lot of coupling. It requires a level of organization I simply don't have. I do make the mistake of grocery shopping at Costco, sometimes, which is a sure way of ending up with a lifetime supply of ketchup.

MistressDarkArt -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 4:33:39 PM)
I was a big fan of extreme couponing for about 10 years when most markets were willing to double them. I never stole coupon inserts but friends would give me theirs. I stocked up on lots of non-perishable stuff like shampoo, soap, paper products, toothbrushes, combs/brushes and cleaning supplies as well as canned and frozen foods. What I didn't need for my household I donated to our food bank, women's and homeless shelter. I probably went a little overboard on storing this stuff but always had something to give folks who needed it more than I did. I estimated in 10 years I saved $10k using coupons for the household and still had plenty to give away.

LafayetteLady -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 5:11:01 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Iamsemisweet I have never done a lot of coupling. Ok, I know it was a typo, but it is still really funny. Maybe there a coupon in the Sunday papers to give you a discount so you could do more "coupling?"

LafayetteLady -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 5:23:19 PM)
If I saw these women giving a good portion of the astronomical amount of stuff to food pantries and such, I would see the show differently. I certainly wasn't implying this was what everyone who was a major couponer did; if it was, there wouldn't be a need for a show, lol. Another thing is when I looked inside that woman's "home grocery store," there were a lot of things that are usually much more expensive, so that a coupon doesn't necessarily net a real savings. When I look at coupons and see a really good deal, I also take into consideration whether or not I use that product or if by purchasing that brand with a coupon, I will be saving over another brand. If it is a brand I normally would buy, or a product I use regularly, then great. But if it is for something that I know of comparable brands that are still less expensive without a coupon, I have no need for the coupon. If it is for something I would only be buying because of the coupon, to me that is a total waste. Sidebar: Giving "boxed meals" to food pantries is great, however, they are seriously unhealthy (as we all have been discussing on TFB's thread). If people are going to donate, they should find out if the organization they are using has refrigeration capabilities and what those are, and then try to donate accordingly. Also, while food is always welcome, non-food items are desperately needed, almost more than the food. Many people who use food pantries, also get food stamps, so while the pantry helps, they do have some assistance. But on a fixed budget and food stamps it is though non-food items that will really ruin their budgets. Shampoo, dental care products, toilet paper (that's a biggie), femine hygiene products (don't give tampons, many women believe it or not don't or can't use them), soap, etc. are extremely helpful to these organizations and people. For the knitters/crocheters out there, hats, scarves and gloves this time of year are very desirable. Adult and children sizes.

kalikshama -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 5:33:06 PM)
12 years ago when there were double and triple coupons and I had not yet learned to read labels I used to do a lot of couponing. Sure, it was a kick to get things for free, but I found I was investing a considerable amount of time into buying a lot of things I never used. Nowadays, occasionally I will glance through coupons but most of them are for processed foods with HFCS, artificial flavors/ colors, or personal care products with artificial fragrance. So keep these artificial savings and I will continue to shop around the perimeter of the store, where the lack of "value added" = no need for coupon incentives.

kalikshama -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 5:34:49 PM)
quote: She has over 400 rolls of paper towels, yet went and bought 240 more. Sounds like she should switch to one of those hoarding shows instead.

LafayetteLady -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 5:54:08 PM)
Yea, that's my point. I do look through the sales paper for the store we shop at, and we do make our list somewhat based on what is on sale. This week, we saved over a hundred dollars just on store sales! Yes, I'm damn proud of that, considering all the food we got. Whenever the coupon flyers or valpack envelopes come with coupons, I do look through them. If is a product I use, I might clip the coupon so at the store, I can see if it is the best buy. But most of those coupons are for things we just wouldn't use.

Winterapple -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 8:11:48 PM)
The show is about extreme couponing [&:]. I guess a show about people using them in a more moderate fashion wouldn't make for much in the way of drama. There have been people on the show doing it for the good of others. One of the toothbrush ladies was donating to home for unwed mothers, a guy used his to make care packages for the troops and then the one couple, I think who donated to a homeless shelter. The food pantry we donate and volunteer with is having trouble keeping up with the number of people in need. There is especially a need for meat and protein. Most people contribute canned goods, beef stew being especially welcomed. Boxed meals aren't the best thing on earth but a person living on the streets needs nourishment. In a stressed economy large numbers of people aren't going to be donating meat and fresh produce is harder to come by in the winter. So, boxed macaroni and cheese is better than nothing. For the past two Sundays all the newspapers in my neighborhood have been stolen. I think a lot of the extremers get caught up in the adrenaline rush and the competive part if it. And some of them seem to be borderline if not full blown boarders. It probably attracts certain sorts of OCD sufferers. I use coupons sometimes at the grocery or Walgreens. I don't use the food ones a lot because I don't come across many that are stuff I eat. I use them more for vitamins, supplements, cleaners, etc.

Iamsemisweet -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 8:21:58 PM)
[:D][:D] would you believe it was the iPad auto spell that changed "couponing" to "coupling"? Because it was. Good thing I didn't post that on my Facebook. quote: ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady quote: ORIGINAL: Iamsemisweet I have never done a lot of coupling. Ok, I know it was a typo, but it is still really funny. Maybe there a coupon in the Sunday papers to give you a discount so you could do more "coupling?"

tazzygirl -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 8:24:09 PM)
Oh suuuuuuuuuure. [;)]

Iamsemisweet -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 8:29:12 PM)
That's what everyone says. quote: ORIGINAL: tazzygirl Oh suuuuuuuuuure. [;)]

tazzygirl -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 8:30:38 PM)
I am trying to limit myself to one gutter fight a day. So I will excuse your misconception that I am like everyone else. [:D][;)][8D]

Iamsemisweet -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 8:32:00 PM)
Well, I haven't hit my quota of gutter fights yet, so bring it on, baby.

tazzygirl -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 8:32:32 PM)
But I just took a bath!

tj444 -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/10/2011 8:44:41 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady Are you an extreme couponer? Do you have years worth of products you purchased just because of the savings? No and no.. I dont use many coupons at all, maybe one or two a week... or i might not use any for months.. Its not my thing.. Its sort of like people that enter all sorts of contests and some do pretty good winning stuff, big stuff, little stuff, but again, not my thing.. I wonder how many seasons this show will last...

kalikshama -> RE: Extreme Couponing (12/11/2011 4:36:04 AM)
quote: I am trying to limit myself to one gutter fight a day. Greedy and crazy are snark-less for a week, Tazzy only one gutter fight per day...I'm going to have to tune into Jerry Springer.

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