Re: Extreme Couponing!!

I also go to the site- Allyou.com. They have a link to different free samples everyday and I just saw that there is a coupon section.

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

Couponing like that is tough on LI because many stores limit the number of same coupons you can use at the same time (Shop Rite/Waldbaums) in one order and some limit the same number of items you can in one order (Shop Rite) so you have to make multiple trips to get a order like that.

Sometimes you can find a cashier who will let you break up your order into multiple transactions but at least in my area they are cracking down on that.

These people also have multiple shopper loyalty cards so they can exceed the store limits on sale items.

You can do it but its ALOT of work.

I have a small stockpile (Nothing like the people on the show). Mostly health and beauty stuff and a lot of pasta. When I see stuff coming within 3-6 months of the exp. date I'll bring it to the food pantry if I know I won't be able to use it up quickly.

If you are really interested in learning about couponing I recommend joining Hotcouponworld.com. Great site!

Message edited 12/31/2010 1:27:31 PM.

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

On the show, they never calculated in the cost of the newspapers he bought, or the coupon service he uses. That has to be factored in. Plus, most of what he buys will expire in one form or another. Even deodorant and toilet paper. Any paper that is stacked or rolled will eventually become unusable. These costs need to be factored in. The one woman said she spends about 70 hours a week doing this. If that's the case, she's basically working a minimum wage job. They don't factor in the time spent, and how else it could be spent.
DW does coupons and makes lists for different stores for different things, but she spends less than an hour a week doing it, and saves quite a bit. Her money saved per hour invested is much higher than the people on the show.

For many of them, it's an addiction. Some need that emotional high, some are hoarders. The only difference between this show and the Hoarders show, is that these people are praised for their addiction.

If they kept only what they needed, and gave the rest to charities, that's a completely different story. If you have 40 years worth of toilet paper in your home, you're beyond just being "thrifty".

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

I can not believe they have a show about using coupons.
Really scrapping the bottom of the barrel with show ideas huh?

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

I think this is an addiction and a form of hoarding. Plus, they are buying such unhealthy food. Who needs 40 bottles of soda in the house. Sure chips and soda always go on sale and have coupons, but that doesn't mean I should buy them.

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

nm

Message edited 1/3/2011 12:47:55 PM.

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

I had the same thought about the salad dressing. I even said it to DH last night.

The last guy had OCD about checking all his coupons and he seemed a liitle too worked up about it all.

yeah it's great to save over 95% of your grocery bill, but over 300 toothbrushes?? I hope he sends them to soldiers or churches or something. It's just bizarre.

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

I watched this also. I just feel like even if I could get 100 boxes of pasta and ragu sauce for free I definitely don't need it. I try not to eat pasta at all nevermind 100 boxes!!

Plus for me I know it would be a waste because everything would expire before I would be able to use it.

I always want to use coupons but can never find them for things I use and the few times I used them I wound up buying things I wouldn't normally have purchased so I spent more money!

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

I watched it too and felt like a lot of you. Who needs 100 boxes of pasta and salad dressing. Those things will get stale or rancid way before they will be used. So even if they were free unless they donate them to a food pantry I feel like it will be a complete waste. With that said, the show did inspire me. I was able to save over $60 on my last shopping trip by using coupons and combining them with things that were on sale. However, they were only things I will actually use within the next few months. I don't plan on purchasing more of the items I got until the ones I purchased are used up.

Re: Extreme Couponing!!

I saw this show too. It definitely seemed like hoarding & wasteful in a sense because no one person needs that much stuff, even if it's a great deal. I do use coupons though, but I try to use them only for stuff I need already anyway. Usually it leads to me buying junky food also... why can't they make coupons for fruit!? haha

Re: Extreme Couponing!!