As most of you are probably already aware, TLC will be airing a new series tonight called Extreme Couponing. I won’t be watching…
To hear the words “extreme” and “couponing” used in the same sentence just makes me cringe. I mean the very definition of of extreme is “going to the utmost or very great lengths in action.” Anything done to the extreme borders dangerously on becoming an obsession.
I don’t know about you, but that is not the way I want my actions to be viewed by my family and friends — or you, my readers.
:: Couponing As A Lifestyle
Couponing is a way of life, but taking it to the extreme isn’t necessary to trim your grocery budget. Yes, getting hundreds of dollars of groceries for under $5 is a thrilling experience. However, take a closer look at those groceries. Do you really have the ingredients necessary to put together a wholesome family meal? I’m betting the answer is no.
I prefer to support practical couponing here on Deal Seeking Mom. A typical grocery shopping trip for our family of seven averages about $100 and consists of a variety of fresh produce and meats and the sensible use of coupons on products that complement a healthy eating lifestyle. I could be wrong, but I’d imagine this is the ultimate goal for many of you — not simply getting free products for the sake of free products — and I plan to share more of these trips in the coming weeks.
:: Our Stockpile
It may surprise you to know that I pass up a good portion of the deals that I share with you each week, freebies included. If an item isn’t something my family uses, I’m probably not going to waste my valuable time and energy shopping for it. Yes, even if it would make a great donation — storage space is at a premium in our overcrowded house, and unless I know we can shuttle something off to a dropoff immediately, I’ll probably pass it by. However, I do want my readers to have every opportunity to save available, so I post all of the offers that I can without judgment.
That said, we do have a stockpile… a modest stockpile. I buy enough to last us 6-8 weeks, and that’s plenty in my book. It makes for easier management of expiration dates while still allowing me to be generous with family and friends as the need arises.
I will say that I’m thankful to TLC for inspiring more people to learn about couponing. If you came here by way of the show and are interested in learning a common sense approach to using coupons and saving money, I hope you’ll subscribe to Deal Seeking Mom and stick around!
What are your thoughts on the show? How do you approach couponing in your household?
Patricia
Extreme couponing is hoarding!
Lynette (my3sonsmom)
I for one will be watching the show. Just because you choose to coupon a certain way does not make it unacceptable for someone else to coupon more extremely. Although I do stock up on some items, for others I don’t. The fact that there is interest in a show about couponing, is a positive for a nation that has been obsessed with credit cards and living beyond our means. If this helps even one person realize they can better manage and buget their grocery bills, then I am all for it. A tv show is not going to have enough interest if it does not show extremes. Clearly some of us coupon a little, some coupon a lot and some do extreme couponing. And, I think it is great no matter what level you are involved. I am not concerned someone is going to confuse me with an extreme couponer, but even if they did, so what.
Ashley
I think a lot of you are being unfair to the people on the show. I saw the first show, and the only person that seemed to have to extreme was the first lady. She seems to shop to fill a void. She doesn’t have kids and didn’t say anything about donating.
The other three people seemed to be stock piling for their familes and to help their community.
While I don’t think that shows like this help couponers, I don’t think they need to be hated on. I read quite a few blogs and there are plenty of ‘practical’ couponers that will get inserts from recycling bins so that they save money on buying the newspaper. It’s a tv show, of course they’re going to try to make it look ‘extreme’. I don’t think the shopping trips aired on the show are representitive of how these people shop every week. Watch and enjoy the show for what it is- people doing what we all do every day in a big way for entertainment purposes.
Maria
Thanks for posting and sharing how you really feel. You have a great platform!!!
PS we can also assume that these people sell their stockpile on swap meets, flea markets and garage/yard sales. Of course they don’t mention that because of the IRS and “not for resale”
Leona
I doubt if I watch it because my husband would not care for it and I am also not into reality shows. I read articles about couponing and even though I have been doing coupons forever, I do not get the resuts they claim. I though I was going overboard the other day when I got 3 of the new cooking cream cheese. They were on sale for $2.24 and I have three $1.50 off coupons. I use the coupons offered that I need and if I want to try a new product. I appreciates sites like this. Minnesota stores do not double or triple coupons. In Minnesota we have Menards Home Improvement stores and we are always getting “free” things. The credit is to be used at the store. We save the items and last Christmas, gave our two grandsons tool boxes filled with the freebies.
Diana
I am in MN, and Rainbow foods will double on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but only the first five, so you have to give them your five highest valued coupons first (up to $1).
Beverly Eagen
Very well said and eloquent. Thoughtful and tasteful as well. I too do not encourage this sort of extreme behavior and am pleased to hear that others do not as well. Thank you.
Angela U.
I absolutely agree. I don’t take advantage of half the deals I post on my blog if I don’t use the product. I feel extreme couponers are equivalent to hoarders. It’s a disease. The one woman who got 40 candy bars free? I mean is that healthy? And why do you need 100 years worth of deodorant?
Nancy L.
I agree! Many of the people on the first episode I saw, didn’t even look healthy. They were overweight and needed to stop stockpiling the junk food. Anything in excess is not a good thing. I have probably 10 tubes of toothpaste, 10 deodorants, 10 packages of maxi pads, etc. A good stockpile, but not excessive!
Adrian Stinson
I was SO disappointed when the show first aired. They all just looked ridiculous and made the rest of us who post deals feel somewhat inadequate, but I quickly realized that they have some deeper issues than loving to coupon! Tonight’s show boasts a woman spending 4-6 hours a day getting ready for her next “big score” Sorry, but nothing, not even couponing will cut into 4-6 hours of quality time with my family each day. I won’t be watching either because I think it is completely ridiculous. Tara, your site is truly one of the best out there! Thank you for all you do! :)
Renee
I didn’t watch it and might not watch it in the future either. I just feel bad for these people who live around extreme couponing ladies’ area. I really hate to go to a store and see all of their on sale items are gone in 1 or 2days. I mean the whole shelf was empty. If you want to donate to someone, may the real customers get some too? It doesn’t make it great to help someone and make others suffer at the same time. What they did really doesn’t make the real normal customers’ shopping experience easier. They will just make the company to limit coupon usage more. Look what Walmart and Kroger just did. More companies will follow later.
Adrienne
I am glad that I wasn’t the only one thinking the same way. Every time I seen the commerical for the show I thought to myself why would they need to buy a whole cart of stuff to show how to get things for free. That’s not what people who use coupons are about at all. I absolutely hate people who clear shelves and brag about how many air fresheners or toothbrushes they’re up. I have a family of 6 so we do use a lot of stuff and I’m glad to have a supply for us, but I would never go into a store like these lady’s are doing for this show. What they really should show is how hard it is just to use coupons at some stores period and how cashiers aren’t so friendly. I can think of plenty of times I have been given a hard time just to use ONE coupon at CVS, Targets, and Walgreens,etc.
Amanda
I will probably watch the show out of curiosity. However, I feel that it gives people who are new to couponing the idea that they could actually go to their local store and come out with a cart full for $5. It just isn’t reality. Also, I feel that it portrays couponers as greedy. I think TLC should have a show about a female hoarder with 19 kids, three sister wives and a strange addiction to eating chalk and Comet powder which she also has 100 coupons for :)
elaine
Amanda—too funny:)
Low
HaHaHa!! I ACTUALLY just laughed out loud! You just made my night!!
Linda C.
Amanda, you crack me up. But I bet if you try a little harder, you could morph a few other shows into that show of yours!!!!
Evon
You owe me a can of Canfields Diet Chocolate Fudge soda. I just shot some through my nose reading that last line and I dropped the can!
dddiva
We caught the tail end of one of the epis and were rather sickened by the hoarding and greed. I’m all for a good deal, but they had way more crap stockpiled than they could reasonably use in a 10 year period- what a waste.
It would be something else if they were buying for a food pantry or something, but they were sticking it in the basement.
Most of the food items were processed crap we try to stay away from (we like treats same as anyone but there was enough to stock a large market- for 2 people- disgusting).
I do stockpile some, but a few months worth max not enough for years and years that will expire before my family members can use them.
Melissa
they were taking their chips off their shelves and putting them in a pile on their dirty floor and saying we could just swim in them. wth?!
Janet
I think that I watch these shows because it is so “extreme” and the people are very “extreme”….makes what I do seem NORMAL :) ha ha
Beth
This show is all about someone trying to get their few minutes of fame. Unfortunately this is so damaging to the rest of us who sincerely coupon – many times out of need, many times trying to help others by way of charity. I already notice a difference in the way I am negatively treated when I used coupons .
Mandi
I am somewhat new to couponing but there are a number of deals I pass on to. I only take advantage of deals on things my family will eat or use. We also do not have stores here that double or triple coupons either.
I watched the show once and feel they should change the name to include the word hoarding! I will not be watching the show either.
Shelley
I think word they need to include is “gluttony” – fits it much better…
Tracy
THANK YOU!!!! I was beginning to think that I was the only person who felt this way. I see so much greed at our grocery stores; people wiping shelves out, all in the name of getting a “deal.” I have been couponing and refunding for close to 30 years now; just lost my job so now I NEED to coupon, but so often the good deals are gone when I get to the store!
Thank you for being so honorable. And, I LOVE your site.
Julie
Well I hope I don’t regret posting this but I guess I will see :). I will be watching the show but it is as intriguing as the show Hoarders or John and Kate Plus 8 which is now just Kate plus 8 and I don’t watch….I admired her strength and teamwork bit don’t know! I am curious as to others stockpiles, how they organize and what in the world were they thinking! I have quantities of certain items that I know won’t go bad and don’t expire. Certain items that i know I won’t see a sale on for awhile I do certainly stockpile more of! For instance back in January the $3.00 finish tab coupon came out and Walgreens had there deal…I was able to acquire 4 boxes but the shelves stayed bare for a long time…even with a raincheck that was good for 30 days. I did try and order them so I could use the raincheck and the coupons but they wouldn’t order me more than 4 boxes(which I didn’t complain) then cvs had a good deal and was able to get some there…then low and behold they became free at target with a stack was able to use all the rest of my coupons and if my calculations are right I will have enough for a year! I run a hone daycare and am a mother of four boys who love to eat..whether it is fruit or candy what I have on hand they are happy with. I keep a vast array of healthy snacks and indulgent snacks but everyone knows that when it’s gone it may not be here for awhile it will be replaced with whatever may be most cost efficient at that time. We buy chicken at the store and when certain meats are on sale but we buy a cow for most of it. I have a couple of freezers but mainly so it’s easy to find and eat while “fresh” ! Some of our friends say that they will be here if the food supply ever becomes short lived. We go through 12-15 gallons a milk a month, 30 boxes of cereal and countless other items..paper towels are always needed and so is toilet paper…I don’t participate in the food program because I can get the food so cheap and spend my time gathering a list instead of the mounds of paperwork that it takes to be a part of that program. I am blessed with room for the stockpile and have a reasonable amount of space for each category and if the specific space is full then I will still buy within reason so I can help my mom who is a widow and my sister who is in college and my father in law who lost his job! I do believe that the “extreme” couponers (the ones with really small families) is overboard but it appeared that last seasons show other than maybe 2 of them have fear on their hearts of being without. I understand that fear they have and watching the show gives me the opportunity to pray and conquer my fears! I will say I don’t take pride and joy in my stockpile but I do feel secure that I provide for my family and others through this skill I have…which is to maximize my lifestyle by supplementing my wallet with coupons. I never thought I wouldn’t live hand to mouth and week to week until I learned how to coupon. Getting out of the house and spending time with my coupon buddy helping my household at the same time brings me joy! I started couponing when both my husband and I decided to take a leap of faith and open out own business at the same time. We have grown the business to a very profitable status but still continue to coupon not out of desperate need for any reason! I think to each his own and it is very frustrating to walk into a store and the shelves are clear…but I feel that way because of not my own need but the store has customers who don’t coupon at all that could use the deal. I have met people at the store that have approached me and wanted to learn..I look in their cart and tell them I can save them about $50 bucks today…opening my binders I pull coupons for each item they have and they leave the store feeling like they have helped. This economy has hit everyone hard and the greed is more fear than greed…loss of income causes people to do crazy stuff. In my husband line of work we see it everyday. I will not judge the extreme people on the show tonight but shock might be something I feel a well as being sad for them…next week is a new deal!
Stacy
Very well said. I have enough of the dish washing tabs for about a year also. It was a great deal and I just got my dishwasher that week. I couldn’t resist not knowing how much I would actually use it. I now know I use it about 12-14 times a month.
christina
When I 1st started couponing, I admit I used to go do the drug store deals and get free Visine and stuff that we never would use. I no longer do that. I only use a few coupons a week now because I try to eat organic and healthy food also. I agree with you, the show portrays greed and makes couponers look awful. I’m glad you posted this.
Sean
Me too. I don’t have time or energy to busy myself with every free deal. We have been able to save a ton of money and get back on track financially because I reduced my grocery spending about $300 a month. I love that others are thinking the same way!
Ariana
Loved your post! Couldn’t agree with you more. I have not watched an episode yet and do not plan to. I think almost every long time avid couponer would agree. It’s best to fly under the radar and not be so extreme. Funny all my friends and family keep telling me that it’s on and I have to set them straight and let them know I won’t be watching :) Love your site. Keep the great deals coming!
Sophia
Defaintly passing on watching the show tonite also. After the 1st episode not only did I cringe, but it gives other couponers such a negative image. My stockpile is pretty minimal, to me having 4 paper towel rolls on deck is enough to last me atleast 2 months w/a family of 4.
Today I went to Target to get some of the awesome deals on products -i will be using- (Zyrtec, fabric softner, etc.) I could have easily cleared out the Zyrtec, since there was 6 on shelf and each person in my household has a computer so 2 coupons per computer = 8 free packages – I refrained. Just bought 4 out of 6 and still felt awful..my parents and brother all have allergies and when I have extra I usually pass some to my grandma. The Target staff member told me they re-stock every night, but I don’t think they re-stock the whole entire store…
Also- you see these people on Extreme Couponers now, I bet you if we give it some time there will be self-help groups for obsessed couponers. Couponers Anonymous anyone? They spent the majority of their day couponing, neglecting their families and children just to save a buck. I’m about to get my bachelors in Psychology….no pun intended
Tara Kuczykowski
Yep, I haven’t been able to get the Zyrtec yet. It took me over a month to be able to get the Excedrin at Target — I finally managed to get some the day my coupons expired.
Dana McLemore
So you say you get out of the store for only $5.00? Not really. 6 Hours of couponing for one trip is a lot, and MY time is valuable. Even if you only think you’re worth minimum wage, that’s still $60.00 in labor. All to buy stuff that much of is likely to be thrown out as it will expire before you can use it. I think these people should actually be featured on the show “Hoarders.”
Evon
I totally agree. Don’t forget to add in the cost of obtaining the inserts or buying the coupons from a clipping service!
sue
I probably won’t watch it because its on at 9PM which is my bedtime. Its sounds kinda like the hoarders show which is a little sickening. I’ve been couponing for 35yrs. although its at entirely new level now with the internet. It helped me raise 4 children while staying home,providing braces, glasses (contacts), sports and tons of lessons for all and sending all to universities for a B.A. or B.S. so they had no debts. Now I’m still at it with my husbands business in the pits because of the economy. I can’t imagine paying full price for anything but I don’t hoard either.
Donna
I agree with you. And I am afraid the show might ruin it for us all.
Jessica
I watched the first show. I think it truly showed the EXTREME side of Couponing. Most of the people “featured” have a mental illness and would be hoarding something like animals if it weren’t store items. I rely on coupons heavily and check out blogs like this for bargains out of necessity (like most of us). I don’t buy anything I can’t use within 2 months. Even sale items, my budget won’t allow it. After all what good is 60 tubes of toothpaste and 50 shampoos when you can no longer afford dinner? Thank you for all you do, your site is the BEST!
Jen
Well said.
alanna
Im LOVING these comments. :) I cant tell you how distressing it is to get everything together to go on a shopping trip, pile my 3 kiddies in the car, and go shopping only to find there is no cereal (cough, kelloggs, cough) on the shelves. I dont HAVE to tell you, because most of you understand! :) Im also of the opinion that many of the feebies are junk food or items that my family doesnt need. Im selective when choosing deals, but I sincerely appreciate seeing so many deals posted!
Laura
You touched on a sensitive subject but I agree – most of us are reasonable and just want to get the biggest bang for our buck so we can spend our hard earned money on other things instead of food and household items. I have a fam of 4 and with couponing, I have managed to trim my budget to an average of about $112 per week including all grocery and household items, including OTC medicine. We don’t eat junk food in my house – no soda, very, very few processed foods and mostly organic. Using coupons, I’ve managed to shave THOUSANDS off my household expenses. I do have an extra room with an armoire I have now converted into extra shelf space, but between my regular kitchen cabs and that I don’t stock much more than I will use in a few months. Perhaps you could expand by writing a series of articles about how sales cycle, and how often? I think most of those extreme couponers are not necessarily greedy, but it does suggest they have some pathology present, likely some untreated mental illness like hoarding or obsessive compulsive. Those of us who frequent your site, do NOT extreme coupon. We use common sense to make our pocketbooks a little fuller and sometimes allow us to be charitable despite tight budgets. Thank you for writing about such a charged subject! I completely agree with you!
Linda C.
Tara, I’m with you, sister. And I don’t care what anybody says, if the show becomes popular, there’s going to be hoards of people trying to do it, and the grocery chains ARE going to change their coupon policies. We’re going to suffer for this, mark my words…
Jen
I agree completely. Those girls at Crazy Coupon Lady are trying to drive up their site traffic with all their tv appearances lately.
Pat
I may watch …just because the ads for it have them throwing up mountains of items on the belt – and I can’t tell what they are. My reason for wanting to watch are my 20+ years in retail. Here where I live in Virginia – we DO NOT allow a person to come through a grocery line with more than 5 of the same item on a coupon in a single order, so I want to see what retailer and what part of the country actually allows this to happen.
Do I coupon? You bet your life I do. But I only buy the things that my family uses & like Tara – I buy HEALTHY foods for my family – not all the things on special – JUST SO I CAN USE A COUPON!
And yes – if anyone wants to pounce on me – feel free to – but in this day and age I feel it is better to buy what we will use – not just spend because it was a COUPON – even if it was free – if we aren’t going to use it.
guest
Interesting that a couple comments I saw that defended the show are no longer here.
Tara Kuczykowski
They’re all here — I’ve deleted absolutely nothing. Everyone is free to voice their opinion!
It’s likely that they’ve just rolled over to another page, because the blog format only allows 60 comments per page.