Extreme couponing show: Saving in theory vs. saving in reality

[GinnyEmma]

I worked as a hairdresser years ago when their were salons in the Macy's stores. I made good money. I also watched when something I wanted/needed went on sale. Bottom line I purchased awesome clothes/bedding etc. Paycheck? noooo it all went back to Macy's. So IF I need clothes I had em a paycheck no way. lol

Lol, she loved it, her husband, not so much!

 

[DisneyScraps]

I used to do it and my motto was I would buy anything "free" so even if I had to pay tax it was worth it. I would donate a lot of it and I got that deduction on my taxes. I had a monthly yard sale where I sold a lot, I had regulars that came very month. I also made money selling the upcs to refunders and selling rebate forms I would collect while shopping or on the packages.

I quit. It was taking over my life. Yes, I was making money and I was getting a lot of free stuff but when I looked at how much time and effort I put into doing it, I decided that it was not worth it.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I used to do it and my motto was I would buy anything "free" so even if I had to pay tax it was worth it. I would donate a lot of it and I got that deduction on my taxes. I had a monthly yard sale where I sold a lot, I had regulars that came very month. I also made money selling the upcs to refunders and selling rebate forms I would collect while shopping or on the packages.

I quit. It was taking over my life. Yes, I was making money and I was getting a lot of free stuff but when I looked at how much time and effort I put into doing it, I decided that it was not worth it.

THIS!

I see those extreme couponers as having an 'addiction'.

 

[southernbohemian]

I wanted to chime in that you don't have to have a store that doubles/triples coupons to save big couponing. You can also combine coupons at a lot of stores like Target, etc. - they offer a store-only coupon, plus you can add a manufacturer's coupon to that same item. My Target gives overage (not all do) - so I have frequently walked out paying $25 for around $80 worth of items.

My grocery store (H.E.B.) does this too - last week I ran in for a gallon of milk on our way home. After getting the milk, I passed the make-up aisle and noticed a big table of clearance stuff. I picked up 4 Neutrogena items that were marked down to $1 - walked three feet away and pulled 4 $2 off coupons from the Neutrogena display - and checked out. Not only did I get free make-up, I also got free milk. So, it helps to keep your eyes peeled.

I watched a couple episodes of Extreme Couponing last night and agree with a lot of points on here. My stepdaughter watched part of one with me and said, "That lady has issues" when they were showing a house taken over with a stockpile. I agree that it can be very addicting. I coupon casually throughout the year and really hardcore about twice a year until I've gotten a 6-month stockpile of our toiletries (all free). I only "stockpile" food that we will eat within the month - so buying 30+ of anything is crazy to me.

The $500 couple were living the "rob Peter to pay Paul" philosophy, for sure. It doesn't work - especially when you still have to buy perishables. I liked the $80/week family because the mom seemed to be truly thrify - and then she went and bought 93 bags of croutons.

 

[KandD]

OP I totally agree with you...I was thinking the same thing with that couple and the vacations. I can't remember if it was the same episode but one of the women said that she would have to go back to work if she stopped couponing. This just did not make sense to me, the percentage of my paycheck that goes to groceries is just not big enough to justify not having a job and couponing (of course I realize that people stay at home because they want to - especially if they have children- however this woman made it sound like couponing was the same as a paycheck).

I also do not understand how having 1000 packages of toothpaste is helping anyone save money!! I think it is great that these people hardly spend anything on their groceries but it is at a price-they spend hours a week doing it.

 

[MrsPete]

The "key phrase" that you quoted me from was not that it was from last year.....I gave that example from last year, because it was an easy one to explain.....

But my point is that if you have to reach back to last year to give a good example -- or even if you find great deals like this 4Xs a year -- it's not like they're an everyday thing.

I worked as a hairdresser years ago when their were salons in the Macy's stores. I made good money. I also watched when something I wanted/needed went on sale. Bottom line I purchased awesome clothes/bedding etc. Paycheck? noooo it all went back to Macy's. So IF I need clothes I had em a paycheck no way. lol

Yeah, when I was in college I worked at the mall for a short time. I say "short time" because it didn't take me long to figure out that although I didn't spend all that much at MY store, I'd arrive 30 minutes early every day to walk around and shop, and during my "dinner hour" I'd spend money in the food court and then walk around and shop. When you shop, you find stuff you "need". It didn't take me long to figure out that job wasn't all that profitable for me, and since I was a college student who HAD TO bring home some money for tuition, books and more, I had to find a job in a less spendy-location.

OP I totally agree with you...I was thinking the same thing with that couple and the vacations. I can't remember if it was the same episode but one of the women said that she would have to go back to work if she stopped couponing. This just did not make sense to me, the percentage of my paycheck that goes to groceries is just not big enough to justify not having a job and couponing (of course I realize that people stay at home because they want to - especially if they have children- however this woman made it sound like couponing was the same as a paycheck).

I also do not understand how having 1000 packages of toothpaste is helping anyone save money!! I think it is great that these people hardly spend anything on their groceries but it is at a price-they spend hours a week doing it.

Yeah, I couldn't relate to the "coupons allow me to stay home" either. As a teacher, I don't earn a big paycheck, but I do earn MUCH MORE than the grocery bill, even without including my benefits and retirement.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

But my point is that if you have to reach back to last year to give a good example -- or even if you find great deals like this 4Xs a year -- it's not like they're an everyday thing.

Again, I "reached back to last year" because that one particular deal was an easy one to explain...... and no, getting free food is certainly not an everyday thing......far from it......I cant imagine anyone thinks that you can so I am not sure what your point is.......however, with my four big hauls a year, I get enough of whatever product that is part of the deal, for free, so I do not spend money on those items for a long, long, long time.

Good luck to everybody with their coupons if they use them and good luck to everybody else that doesnt....to each their own!!!

 

[mrodgers]

the percentage of my paycheck that goes to groceries is just not big enough to justify not having a job and couponing (of course I realize that people stay at home because they want to - especially if they have children- however this woman made it sound like couponing was the same as a paycheck).

It could be. My wife makes less a month than we spend in groceries. Basically, she works to pay her car payment, gas to get to work, and a week's worth of groceries for the week she gets paid. Combined with the week she doesn't get paid and groceries cost more than she makes.

She has to have a car and we have to have food. We have kids and don't believe in sending them off somewhere else to be raised, thus she just has a part time job in the evenings. If we could coupon and reduce our groceries by 90% like people say they do, she probably could quit working as it would be about the same money.

 

[ilovemk76]

It could be. My wife makes less a month than we spend in groceries. Basically, she works to pay her car payment, gas to get to work, and a week's worth of groceries for the week she gets paid. Combined with the week she doesn't get paid and groceries cost more than she makes.

She has to have a car and we have to have food. We have kids and don't believe in sending them off somewhere else to be raised, thus she just has a part time job in the evenings. If we could coupon and reduce our groceries by 90% like people say they do, she probably could quit working as it would be about the same money.

On other threads you state that you cannot make ends meet but your wife only works to pay for a car. Maybe a full time job is what is really needed. Saving 90%on groceries would not allow her to quit her job.

 

[justcruisin]

I love having a small stockpile in my basement. Can't tell you how many times in the past I would run out to my local (overpriced) grocery store to pick up items needed to go with dinner - ketchup, foil, hot sauce, taco seasoning.

It's great to buy a small quantity (maybe 3 months) of a shelf-staple product when it is on sale, matchup a coupon and get it for half price.

My son's school is always collecting toiletries for donations - perfect to grab some items from the basement instead of swinging by the store.

Easy enough to cut and organize coupons for a couple of hours a week during the evening while watching TV. So many websites are available for free which will matchup coupons and sales - very very easy and a no-brainer for us.

I feel much safer knowing there is food and water in the basement in case we get snowed in or loose power for days.

(I don't have 1000 deodorants either - maybe 5!)

 

[MrsPete]

On other threads you state that you cannot make ends meet but your wife only works to pay for a car. Maybe a full time job is what is really needed. Saving 90%on groceries would not allow her to quit her job.

Or you could become a one-car family and break even -- except that she'd have much more time on her hands. We did it for years.

I love having a small stockpile in my basement. Can't tell you how many times in the past I would run out to my local (overpriced) grocery store to pick up items needed to go with dinner - ketchup, foil, hot sauce, taco seasoning. in the basement in case we get snowed in or loose power for days.

That makes sense. I'm not anti-stockpiling -- in moderation. I'm just against using fuzzy math to make it sound like you're accomplishing something that you're not. THAT's what the show that started this thread was doing.

 

[ilovemk76]

Or you could become a one-car family and break even -- except that she'd have much more time on her hands. We did it for years..

But she wants a car and not just any car but an SUV.

 

[MrsPete]

But she wants a car and not just any car but an SUV.

Then it's an emotional decision rather than a financial decision. We all make those sometimes.

 

[ilovemk76]

Then it's an emotional decision rather than a financial decision. We all make those sometimes.

Many purchases are emotional. If they weren't then we would only need one dress style, one skirt style, one pants style and one shirt style. All would come in one color.

To the person I quoted, he just got done posting how they were on bald tires (both the SUV and his sporty car (low profile tires) ) and had to put some of that purchase on a CC since he does not have the money. I was just pointing out that his wife saving 90% on groceries would not be enough for her to stay home. They are not making it now how would they with that car payment and not the second income. Given their financial situation, behind on bills until he got an end of the year bonus, she needs to work more hours or he needs a second job.

 

[DawnM]

Are we talking about someone on this board or on TV?
Sorry, apparently I missed some of this conversation.

For US, it isn't about just a car or saving on groceries, it is about a completely different lifestyle change for me to stay home. I am staying home right now.

I don't want to get on a Dave Ramsey debate at all, but his principals do come into play here. Changing your lifestyle MAY mean being drastic, far more drastic than just NOT getting an SUV (or maybe any car at all.) It may mean cutting your budget to the point where you have to move to a less expensive house or apartment, cutting OUT entertainment including cable, eating out, etc...for a while, buying no clothing or thrift store clothing for short or long term, etc.....cell phones cut (or get emergency only trac phones), etc..... IT CAN BE DONE!

Dawn

Many purchases are emotional. If they weren't then we would only need one dress style, one skirt style, one pants style and one shirt style. All would come in one color.

To the person I quoted, he just got done posting how they were on bald tires (both the SUV and his sporty car (low profile tires) ) and had to put some of that purchase on a CC since he does not have the money. I was just pointing out that his wife saving 90% on groceries would not be enough for her to stay home. They are not making it now how would they with that car payment and not the second income. Given their financial situation, behind on bills until he got an end of the year bonus, she needs to work more hours or he needs a second job.

 

[university]

Reformed couponer here.

I used to get high off the feeling of walking out of the store with loads of groceries for little money. I had a dream stockpile that took up several Rubbermaid shelving units in our basement. We had tons of food to eat all the time. Guess what? We ate tons of food, all the time because it was there and we got fat.

99% of the items that manufacturers put out coupons for are for processed foods filled with MSG, high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils. The health and beauty products are filled with parabens, phthalates, and sodium laureth/lauryl sulfates. Toxic junk that we don't need in or on us. When I watch Extreme Couponers, I cringe at the amount of unnecessary stuff they buy. No one needs 100 candy bars, 2 liters of Coke, or frozen meals.

Extreme couponing is an addiction. It takes over your life. I've BTDT and am so thankful that I was able to see the light. Life isn't about getting good deals. It's about living happily and healthfully.

 

[talulabelle]

Reformed couponer here.

I used to get high off the feeling of walking out of the store with loads of groceries for little money. I had a dream stockpile that took up several Rubbermaid shelving units in our basement. We had tons of food to eat all the time. Guess what? We ate tons of food, all the time because it was there and we got fat.

99% of the items that manufacturers put out coupons for are for processed foods filled with MSG, high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils. The health and beauty products are filled with parabens, phthalates, and sodium laureth/lauryl sulfates. Toxic junk that we don't need in or on us. When I watch Extreme Couponers, I cringe at the amount of unnecessary stuff they buy. No one needs 100 candy bars, 2 liters of Coke, or frozen meals.

Extreme couponing is an addiction. It takes over your life. I've BTDT and am so thankful that I was able to see the light. Life isn't about getting good deals. It's about living happily and healthfully.

amen! The people on the show definately have addition issues. I think they get a high off of getting something for free, even if it is something they don't need. Really - no one needs the 100 candy bars. Or the 100 croutons for that matter. Save your time and do something you enjoy with your family instead.

 

[shannon006]

Reformed couponer here.

I used to get high off the feeling of walking out of the store with loads of groceries for little money. I had a dream stockpile that took up several Rubbermaid shelving units in our basement. We had tons of food to eat all the time. Guess what? We ate tons of food, all the time because it was there and we got fat.

99% of the items that manufacturers put out coupons for are for processed foods filled with MSG, high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils. The health and beauty products are filled with parabens, phthalates, and sodium laureth/lauryl sulfates. Toxic junk that we don't need in or on us. When I watch Extreme Couponers, I cringe at the amount of unnecessary stuff they buy. No one needs 100 candy bars, 2 liters of Coke, or frozen meals.

Extreme couponing is an addiction. It takes over your life. I've BTDT and am so thankful that I was able to see the light. Life isn't about getting good deals. It's about living happily and healthfully.

I agree that there are alot of coupons out there for processed foods. I am not an extreme couponer or hoarder by any means. But I do have a family of 8 and I am able to use coupons for many things and save ALOT of money.

cheese
yogurt
eggs/egg beaters
cleaning supplies
tp
paper towels
crystal light/sugar free koolaid
crackers
cereal
health & beauty
fresh fruit , not often, but still get some
deli
also organic foods, and often q from the store website for these
cleaning products.

I don't buy frozen meals, maybe a pizza occasionally, but frozen veggies and french fries we do buy.