Extreme Couponing

SnoopyLuv

What did you ladies think? I was telling KCL22 that I am now inspired to look for coupons for the things I buy frequently like Fiber One bars, coke and cereal.

I think it's absolutely disgusting that some of them had piles of pasta to last 3 years. It's a sickness at that point. But I can see buying 10 toothbrushes if they are free, but not 100. I have small stockpiles of canned or boxed goods but I just don't have the space.

So, what did you think?

kcl22

For some of them it's hoarding disguised as frugality.  I wish I had the time, I'd be all over it

stylez6

That first lady with all those candy bars should be ashamed of herself. Her and her husband were extreme, disorganized and  unhealthy.

However, I could see buying like that retired black lady. She seemed to only buy stuff she uses. I could get  in on buying  about $200 in groceries for about $5.

srthomas88

kcl22:

For some of them it's hoarding disguised as frugality.  I wish I had the time, I'd be all over it

I agree with this completely! 

SpartanChick88

I just set a couple to record because I forgot it was on.

I can be crazy with my coupons, but I never buy anything I don't need/use.  It is a game to me, but I'm not like some people I know who will get 100 boxes of cocoa mix because it's free.  Though one person will do that and donate things to charity, which I'm all for.

Nhev

I'm starting to pay attention to coupons and want to maximize the amount that I use & save, but only for things that we need and will use relatively soon.

misskristina21

Nhev:

I'm starting to pay attention to coupons and want to maximize the amount that I use & save, but only for things that we need and will use relatively soon.

This is me exactly. I won't go buy all that mustard, just because it is free. We couldn't use that much mustard in the next 5 years! But things that I use everyday I do use coupons on and get the deals.

QueenBee320

You're really not saving money if you're buying things that are going to go bad or not get used.  Even if stuff ends up being free, if you're not going to use it what's the point? Those ladies are magicians though!

Shamlet123

I am so bad at using coupons at the grocery store, but I love them for BB&B or BRU. I need to pay attention so I can save some moolah $. I feel like the stuff I want is never on sale.

But where the hell do they put all of this stuff? How long would it take to go through 100 toothbrushes?? That's nuts

blondek8

I didn't watch it but I think TLC's programming sucks sh!t .

LukeAndAmanda

The people who run the couponing website I use specifically state that they're teaching their methods so people can bless others. If you're taking the time you coupon, you need to bless others with your "bounty". You'll never go through all that mustard. The coupon cycle is like 12 weeks max. Give to others so they can benefit from the time you're already spending.

On a different note, I made an impromptu trip to the store, both kids were awful, and I still pulled out a decent savings

 

KayLee77

I think its a bit nutty.  Im all about coupons and saving money.  I do plan my coupons with sales to get the best deal and may go to the store more than once a week.  But I wouldnt go over board and stock pile like they do on the show.  For one thing I dont have the space to store that much, but who needs 66 bottles of mustard??  I can see buying like 4 or 5, but more than that is just crazy.  

xoashleigh4ox

she bought 60 mustards and no one even eats it in her house!!! hoarder much??

JPed*

These people are crazy. You're not really saving as much money as you think when you're buying 100 newspapers a week, constantly printing off the internet (ink is expensive!), and buying multiple storage shelves to store your 4200 bottles of mustard.

2mom74

I enjoy a good coupon, but I go to a grocery store that accepts everyone's coupons and they double manufacturer coupons. I wouldn't drive around and go crazy. My time is worth something and I get cranky when I'm tired

KT05

They are hoarders, plain and simple. I think they get a buzz from saving money, and I can dig that, but they should donate most of it. Most of that food will expire and will go to waste and that sickens me.

JDO

I didn't watch, but I kind of get the feeling these people are abusing the system. It seems almost unethical to me. Sure, I'll use coupons that I see for products I like or to try new products. I am definitely not extreme about it in any way though.

kanela13

I'm inspired by the commercials I see since I have yet to actually watch an episode but my mom told me that some people write to companies and complement them and somehow finagle them to give them coupons.

It's definitely worth a shot...if I had coupons.

katie052409

I definitely coupon a small bit (especially on formula!) and I think the people on this show are awesome.  Especially the ones who do it out of necessity.  Too many people see no problem taking WIC or welfare etc etc when they could spend the extra effort and support themselves better.  Finally here are some people who lost their jobs and didn't take a hand out.  When I become a SAHM next fall after baby #2 I fully intend to coupon more seriously.  That being said, I do think its extreme to stock up on items because they are free or close to free.  In these situations where something may go bad or you couldn't possibly use it all in a lifetime, well I think the person should most definitely pass it on to charities or family members to lighten their loads. 

 

 

 

theprincessPAT

I'm definitely not extreme about it and I'll cut coupons for things we'll use.  But then I get to the store and I realize I can buy the store brand and it will be cheaper than the brand name with the coupon.  I feel like I'm saving more money just using store brands.

Rach21

LukeAndAmanda:

The people who run the couponing website I use specifically state that they're teaching their methods so people can bless others. If you're taking the time you coupon, you need to bless others with your "bounty". You'll never go through all that mustard. The coupon cycle is like 12 weeks max. Give to others so they can benefit from the time you're already spending.

On a different note, I made an impromptu trip to the store, both kids were awful, and I still pulled out a decent savings

 

Yay, I love Publix! I once got 2 - 25oz. containers of Good Start formula for $15 due to coupon stacking/in-store coupons and my Gerber formula check. Yaaaay!

True that about sharing the blessing, though. I understand why the lady with 9 kids may need to have a stockpile but I don't understand why her stockpile needs to be 3 years. Like I was telling my DH last night, are they really saving if they don't let their 3 year stockpile run down to maybe 1 year before they restock it? I mean, other than getting milk/bread/eggs from week to week, if they're really buying what they need/use shouldn't they not have to spend ANYTHING on groceries if they have a stockpile? 

LukeAndAmanda

Rach21:

Yay, I love Publix! I once got 2 - 25oz. containers of Good Start formula for $15 due to coupon stacking/in-store coupons and my Gerber formula check. Yaaaay!

True that about sharing the blessing, though. I understand why the lady with 9 kids may need to have a stockpile but I don't understand why her stockpile needs to be 3 years. Like I was telling my DH last night, are they really saving if they don't let their 3 year stockpile run down to maybe 1 year before they restock it? I mean, other than getting milk/bread/eggs from week to week, if they're really buying what they need/use shouldn't they not have to spend ANYTHING on groceries if they have a stockpile? 

I'm going back to Publix today to get two of the 25oz cans of Enfamil for like $8 and some change because of the same thing.

But as far as the stockpile...it's not so much about having that much because you can. It's about having that much because you could buy it really cheap. Sure, she may go through a years worth, but she spent almost nothing on that three years worth. She could be buying it for almost nothing every 12 weeks instead of buying three years worth, but if it's damn near free, you might as well. Especially since it's next to nothing. I'm only talking about the stuff you know you will use. Some people just take advantage of it.