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

[MrsPete]

And one of the recent shows featured a woman who puts expiration dates on the packages in sharpie marker so that she can see it and identify things that are going to go bad soon.

That's the same show. She was well organized, and writing the expiration date in a visible place was a very good idea.

Who do you know who spends $60K on food, toiletries and cleaning supplies in a year? For most famiies that number is less than $10K.

Yeah, you cannot save $60K off your food budget if you would've normally spent $10K. Perhaps a day care could save $60K off its food budget, but I can't see how a family could.

I watched that episode and I could have sworn that the wife said that they were going to use the money in their grocery budget to go towards the cruise. So if their monthly grocery budget is $250, and they bought 3 months worth of groceries for $42, that leaves them with $708 to put towards the cruise.

I see what you mean, but it doesn't make sense: IF they needed food and chopped money off their budget, that would allow them to keep more money in their account. In their situation, they already had plenty of stockpiled food and could've spent ZERO. Instead, they picked up more food (which they didn't need) and spent a small amount to get it.

And they high-fived each other at the register, saying that they'd just saved their $500 and now could go on their cruise. They're acting as if $500 popped up out of the register.

Totally agree with you!

But if they just bought eggs, they couldn't get on tv.

Yes, you've hit on the real reason. If they ate from their stockpile, supplementing with only a bit of fresh food, it wouldn't be sensationalized TV.

Many of these people are really extreme hoarders and need psychological help. Plus a lot of the scenarios are set up. No store I go to will double 100 coupons for the same item, some won't take more than 3 or 4 of the same coupon per transaction.

Yeah, but I think these people do small shopping trips most of the time and "ham it up big" for the TV camera.

Going by food cost without couponing where I'm at, my family of 4 spends about $200/week. That puts the family of 6 at about $300/week. A month and that is $1200.

30 hours a week couponing is 120 hours per month. At $10 part time wage (that's really pushing it) you are looking at making $1200 for the month, same as food would normally be. But, there are taxes and stuff, so figure a guesstimate of 25% taken out for taxes, now you are looking at $900 wages for the month spending that couponing time at a PT job instead. They spend $80/month so save $1120 in groceries vs. making $900 in wages.

No working the closing shift and getting home at midnight at your part time job just to wake back up at 4 am to open because the one who schedules is an idiot. No having to worry about how you get to work and half the people called off leaving you with 1 other to work with all night while needing 7 stations manned. Sounds like to me she has a pretty good thing going on rather than spending the 30 hours slaving away at a part time job as a nobody for little pay.

You make some good points, but don't forget the opposite side of that coin: A person who's working is building quarters towards Social Security benefits, receiving insurance and other benefits, and building a pension or 401K for retirement. Those things can't be "spent" today, but they do matter. Admittedly, a part-time person has significantly less in this arena than does a full-time person.

If you turn around and resell those 63 packages of croutons you get whatever proceeds you make to put in the vacation fund.

I live in an area that has tons of yard sales every week. A weekend doesn't go by where I don't see at least one house selling their stockpile from shopping trips.

Now that's true: She could sell her almost free stuff for pennies on the dollar and turn it into real money, BUT people aren't going to buy yard-sale food unless it's CHEAP, and I suspect it'd be easier to earn real money at a job.

 

[MsDunny]

I think we are failing to see the obvious here - these folks are more than likely paid to be on the show. So, I bet the $500 came from what they were paid to do that crazy shopping trip!

On the other hand, I would not, nor would my family eat ramen or cereal for every meal. I guess my problem with it is the meat and produce that you need. You would have to make money shopping to get those items at no cost...and I know some of the couponers do...I'm just saying.

I am not that smart!

 

[gator75]

This show irritates me ,and yet at the same time its like a train wreck you can't help ,but watch. My mom dh and,i have talked about the show and none of it adds up. I agree with the poster that said tyhey must have ocd or something they'd have to to shop like they do.

I like to save as much as the next guy , but i'm not willing to hoard to do it. I'm sure m y teenage son can do quite nicely without toilet paper under his bed, and i don't need enough toothpaste to supply all seven continents.

Heck i just went to target and used coupons and saved 26.00 and i thought that was great. you could give me all the coupons in the world and i wouldn't try it. If you look in their carts you rarely if ever see one healthy thing in that cart. They will need all the money they think they are saving to pay their medical bills from all the junk they consume.

 

[Nayan]

On the other hand, I would not, nor would my family eat ramen or cereal for every meal. I guess my problem with it is the meat and produce that you need. You would have to make money shopping to get those items at no cost...and I know some of the couponers do...I'm just saying.

I am not that smart!

When I see some of these folks pile their cart high with ramen-type noodles, frozen sausage biscuit things and other not good for you junk and then look at them, I just shake my head. It's hard to not be judgmental but a few folks on the show would do well to lay off the junk, get some exercise and lose some weight.

 

[snoopyluvsdis]

How do people get fresh veggies and meat for free? Here's how:

Its called overage. say the product they are buying costs $1. They have a coupon for 75 cents. Say the store is doubling coupons so they get a $1.50 off. Some stores will allow the extra 50 cents to be applied to something else they are buying, i.e fresh veggies. If they have 50 coupons they will get
$25 in overage to cover non coupon items.

 

[leight]

I liked the one woman who said God gave her the coupons...

Because she is so active in donating her stockpiles she has been highly publicized at her church and in local papers. So people in the area have called and offered her their coupons to help her with the donations. That is why she feels God gave her the coupons.

 

[GinnyEmma]

So she gets the glory. Hmm... Why not just share the coulombs with other people struggling to get by?

 

[tlbwriter]

I watched that episode and I could have sworn that the wife said that they were going to use the money in their grocery budget to go towards the cruise. So if their monthly grocery budget is $250, and they bought 3 months worth of groceries for $42, that leaves them with $708 to put towards the cruise.

But did they really buy three months worth of groceries? Do they have enough *food* that they won't need groceries for three months? Or did they just stock up on the few things that were on sale? I mean, I could buy $500 worth of toothpaste and catsup for $42, but that wouldn't mean I had three months worth of food.

So she gets the glory. Hmm... Why not just share the coulombs with other people struggling to get by?

As much as I hate to support the extreme couponers, most people who are struggling aren't going to be able to use the coupons as effectively. These people follow the sales and make multiple purchases and/or go to multiple stores to squeeze the most of out of their coupons - that's how they get free stuff. Your average struggling consumer would simply get a few cents off one purchase.

 

[GinnyEmma]

But did they really buy three months worth of groceries? Do they have enough *food* that they won't need groceries for three months? Or did they just stock up on the few things that were on sale? I mean, I could buy $500 worth of toothpaste and catsup for $42, but that wouldn't mean I had three months worth of food.



As much as I hate to support the extreme couponers, most people who are struggling aren't going to be able to use the coupons as effectively. These people follow the sales and make multiple purchases and/or go to multiple stores to squeeze the most of out of their coupons - that's how they get free stuff. Your average struggling consumer would simply get a few cents off one purchase.

Sorry about the funky spelling!

You may be right, but there are plenty of people who might save a few bucks, and it isn't just those that are pantry needy that are in need in this say and age.

 

[tlbwriter]

You may be right, but there are plenty of people who might save a few bucks, and it isn't just those that are pantry needy that are in need in this say and age.

That's true. But those who aren't "pantry needy" (good term) probably have the means to get their own coupons, and that lets the extreme couponers donate to the neediest needy.

 

[MsDunny]

How do people get fresh veggies and meat for free? Here's how:

Its called overage. say the product they are buying costs $1. They have a coupon for 75 cents. Say the store is doubling coupons so they get a $1.50 off. Some stores will allow the extra 50 cents to be applied to something else they are buying, i.e fresh veggies. If they have 50 coupons they will get
$25 in overage to cover non coupon items.

The only problem I have had with this is that the stores in my area only double up to the price of the item. So, no overage. At least, back when I really tried couponing, that was the policy. I really didn't find the saving worth my time, so I haven't couponed in a couple of years.

Except for my BJ's coupons...love my BJ's coupons!

 

[tlbwriter]

The only problem I have had with this is that the stores in my area only double up to the price of the item. So, no overage. At least, back when I really tried couponing, that was the policy. I really didn't find the saving worth my time, so I haven't couponed in a couple of years.

And no stores in my area will double at all, so these extreme couponing techniques are basically impossible for some of us.

 

[NMAmy]

If you turn around and resell those 63 packages of croutons you get whatever proceeds you make to put in the vacation fund.

I live in an area that has tons of yard sales every week. A weekend doesn't go by where I don't see at least one house selling their stockpile from shopping trips.

I just can't imagine buying food from a garage sale.

I watched this show for the first time and was appalled. I've lived in isolated areas so I do tend to keep a bit of a stockpile myself--staples that help me put a meal together without running to the store. I buy 3 or 4 cans of something when it's on sale and I have an area of our basement that's set up with built in shelves for just this purpose. I live in Michigan--you never know when you might be snowed in. But when I'm snowed in, my family would not be pleased with 60 jars of mustard and dozens of boxes of croutons.

These people seem honestly to be one step away from their next television show--Extreme Hoarders. They're just organized hoarders. If you have enough paper towels to last several years, then stop buying them. I agree with the OP--it's not saving money to continue buying things you don't need even if it's at a great price.

 

[dodukes]

There are also online sites that sell coupons. I liked the one woman who said God gave her the coupons...

Was that the dump the maalox in the cart lady??? I got a kick out of that to, she had a room BUILT just for the coupons, thats crazY!!! lol

 

[maggiew]

And no stores in my area will double at all, so these extreme couponing techniques are basically impossible for some of us.

The twins that were on the show are in my area and shopped at Jewel (based on the signs I saw in the store). And Jewel doesn't double coupons. So its possible. But not easy!

Maggie

 

[GinnyEmma]

That's true. But those who aren't "pantry needy" (good term) probably have the means to get their own coupons, and that lets the extreme couponers donate to the neediest needy.

I disagree. Extreme couponers are more into fullfilling their own needs.

 

[MrsPete]

How do people get fresh veggies and meat for free? Here's how:

Its called overage. say the product they are buying costs $1. They have a coupon for 75 cents. Say the store is doubling coupons so they get a $1.50 off. Some stores will allow the extra 50 cents to be applied to something else they are buying, i.e fresh veggies. If they have 50 coupons they will get
$25 in overage to cover non coupon items.

I get the concept, but it's kind of like a row of Dominos: A number of things have to fall in line perfectly for that last "free" Domino to fall into place. You have to have 50 of the right coupon . . . and you have to have a sale at the same time as the coupon . . . and you have to have a store that doubles . . . and that store has to allow for overages . . . and that store has to allow 50 coupons per transaction.

So while it's possible to get those fresh veggies with coupons, it's not going to happen 1) without effort and 2) every week. And even if you can create that perfect-storm scenerio, you're still coming home with a CARTLOAD of the junk food and a piddly $25 of the fresh veggies.

I just can't imagine buying food from a garage sale.

Me neither.

Was that the dump the maalox in the cart lady??? I got a kick out of that to, she had a room BUILT just for the coupons, thats crazY!!! lol

That must've cut into the profits.

 

[tlbwriter]

I disagree. Extreme couponers are more into fullfilling their own needs.

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. Yes, extreme couponers (like human beings in general) are more into fulfilling their own needs. But if some of them like to donate their purchases, I don't know why they deserve snarky comments about wanting "the glory" because they donated purchases instead of coupons. If I were in need, I'd rather have a package of diapers than a coupon for diapers.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. Yes, extreme couponers (like human beings in general) are more into fulfilling their own needs. But if some of them like to donate their purchases, I don't know why they deserve snarky comments about wanting "the glory" because they donated purchases instead of coupons. If I were in need, I'd rather have a package of diapers than a coupon for diapers.

Most people who are struggling don't wind up at the food pantry. In our county we have a 14 % unemployment rate. The numbers of people hitting the pantries is up 32% There is just as great a need for "help" for the working poor, those who are struggling to get by without going to the pantries. Our local Y has a place for people to drop their coupons and it is understood that you only take what you need. I'd rather see people helped in that way. The population served is about 30% scholarship, 40% middle class, and then the rest, the people who can actually easily afford the membership.

As far as snarky remarks, anyone tooting their own horn about their donations is only giving to brag and get the attention. Do you go around bragging about your donations?I would suspect not, because I would suspect that you don't feel the need for that sort of attention. People give for a lot of different reasons. Some are truly concerned for the needs of their cause, and some give for other reasons. This persons gets a "high" for lack of a better word, from her "savings." Then she gets the second one when she trots in with the croutons needed so badly, and people thank her. Then to get to brag on national tv, she won't be able to hit that one again without a bigger better hit.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

I did not see last nights episode so I can't comment on it directly, but it does annoy me that couponers are seen as always eating unhealthy choices. You can coupon & still get healthy products.

Besides overages, another way to get free meats/ veggies is through catalinas, those coupons that print out at the end of the order. Often times they are for $ off your next purchase. I have 2 catalina coupons that will save me $9.00 off my purchase at ShopRite this week. I also tend to buy the produce that is on sale whenever possible.

Having said that, I have never purchased $500.00 groceries for $5.00, but I do consistently save 30-50% on things I use. I have a small stockpile for instance, I have 5 mustards (since that seems to be a topic of conversation) that I got for $.50 or less, so when I need it I never pay full price on it.

And yes, I was one of those ladies in Pathmark with my huge binder during triple coupons, and sorry if you came in behind me but I did get 4 toothpastes & 4 toothbrushes because with triple coupons they were free & with a family of 5 they will be used... There were other items I would have liked to get for free with my coupons but they were already gone... those are the breaks.

I think the show is, exactly as the title says "Extreme." And I think that very few people are using coupons & stockpiling to that extreme. But I also think that the Extreme-ness is magnified for the sake of the show. Because lets face it "Sensible Couponing" wouldn't make for great entertainment!

It is TV, like all reality tv it should be taken with a grain of salt. & if it really annoys you, change the channel.