OK - so who is watching Extreme Couponing?

[luvmy3]

I know whenever there are coupon threads here, people say they get coupons for produce, meat, and healthy items, but when you watch these shows the extreme couponers do seem to purchase mainly overprocessed food.

I don't buy alot of produce at my regular grocery store so if you saw me shopping, you'd see alot of stuff in my cart, but not alot of "healthy" stuff. I go to a couple different stores, one mainly for produce and one that has great sales on meat because there are rarely coupons for that stuff. If these people are all about saving money, then it may be the case where they shop around for the best prices on those items so you only saw what they were getting with their coupons.
I didn't see the show, so I'm not sure they addressed it, I just wanted to give another perspective

 

[disneyismyname]

I didn't see the show, and never will, as I hate this kind of TV, BUT can someone explain why they have to get so many of an item? I don't understand why you get them free if you have 100 of something, but not if you have 1 of something. I've been curious about TV stories on the news where people have a shopping cart filled, and they say the paid like $10 for all of it.

How does the whole premise work? We clip coupons... and we might save 10% off our bill.

They said on the show last night that a certain coupon (lets say for the Mustard) is only a on a coupon "6 months at time" ( I believe thats what the narrator said). Now with the coupon ...and if its already on sale at the store (Mustard being 3.50 on sale for 2.50)...which is extra savings, you get the best deal. Where as if the store didn't have it on sale to begin with you wouldn't get the greatest deal with the coupon. And also double coupons..which is a whole other ball park...

 

[happygirl]

I wish I was more organized to do something like that. I will use coupons here and there but not that many. I would never ever call the stores either to check the coupon rules. It really does save them lots of money so that is amazing.

 

[PUZZLDY5]

I watched it. I coupon. I stockpile but I do not hoard. There is a difference. The items that I buy and stockpile are items that we use on a weekly or monthly basis. I will not buy items that are unnecessary.
For example, last night on one of the shows there was a woman who baught approx. 60 bottles of malox. Really? Why on earth would someone need 60 bottles of Malox. Can't justify using that much in a lifetime. (or if you can you have bigger problems than saving a buck) When asked why she baught that many her answer was "it was on sale". That is hoarding. There is no difference between hoarding products that you won't use and clothes, purses, shoes etc.
Getting off my soapbox now.

 

[need2cruise]

I don't get it either. There is really not any healthy good foods in our coupons. I only buy produce that is organic (do not want to ingest chemicals), and in the summer we garden and hit the farmers market and never buy any produce in the store. There is not coupons for that kind of stuff. I only buy the hormone free milk, no coupons for that. I only buy meat at the local meat store (local farm, no hormone or chemicals used), no coupons there.

I know a few people who are into the coupon craze and they stock up on anything and everything. 10 boxes of poptarts, 15 boxes of sugar cereal, the kid yogurt (twix, etc kind), fruit snacks, etc. Hello, none of that is good for you!! Yes, you save $$ on that stuff, but the money you are saving is just going to be spent down the road on issues like heart disease, cancer and other such illnesses (whole other issue I won't get started on)!!

 

[VeganCupcake]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/04/06/135176315/extreme-couponing-is-here-to-prepare-you-for-the-coming-mustard-shortage

Haha, was reading through the thread and had to google to watch the mustard queen(still haven't found it yet)& I found this article as well. I watched some clip with a lady and her hubby buying 100+ Butterfinger bars. Gross, I mean I love chocolate but I would much rather be healthy then pretend like I'm saving money by buying a butt ton of candy bars I don't need just b/c I have a coupon for it. The woman looked like she was starting to sweat when they were trying to count them out, ridiculous! I also think that eating that unhealthy will cost you a LOT more (time,money,LIFE) in the end then just buying healthy food choices that may not have the best deals.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

My 12yo DS was totally fascinated by these people. He thinks it's bizarre to buy all that mustard. Buying for the sake of getting it free is so wasteful IMO. Donate what you don't need. I think one lady had 600 boxes of cereal, or was it 60? That is going to expire and I don't think even my kids could eat that much cereal!

 

[daughtersrus]

We have a grocery store that will double coupons, but only up to 5 coupons, and you need to spend 25 dollars minimum and THEN anything after that can be used with the coupons.

Somebody mentioned that it's not moral to coupon like these people are doing. I completely agree. Wouldn't this extreme couponing eventually bump up the price of everything? If companies are virtually PAYING people, costs must rise in the long run?

There is no way anyone in our area can come close to what these people are doing because none of our stores double, let alone triple coupons. We used to have some Eagle stores in the Chicago area that would double coupons but they went out of business years ago.

It's not costing the stores anything to accept them because they get face value for the coupon plus a fee from the manufacturer.

 

[MELSMICE]

What network is this on? Seems like something that I would DVR and watch when I can't sleep...

It's on TLC.

 

[graygables]

Yes, you save $$ on that stuff, but the money you are saving is just going to be spent down the road on issues like heart disease, cancer and other such illnesses (whole other issue I won't get started on)!!

I can't speak to others, but in my case, I HAD to purchase and feed my family with the coupon items. I simply could not afford to feed them any other way. It would be HEAVEN to be able to afford organic everything, but let's get real, in today's economy many people cannot afford to feed a family even regular produce, much less expensive organic. White pasta bad for you? Absolutely. Will it fill hungry children's bellies tonight? You bet and it's cheap to boot.

Yes, some people take it to an extreme, but for some, it's born from necessity, so let's walk a mile before passing judgment. I think there may be underlying security issues as well b/c I remember going and looking at my fully stocked shelves feeling like I had achieved some security for my family. We might not be able to buy gasoline or pay the electric bill, but we would still have something to eat.

 

[allison443]

There is no way anyone in our area can come close to what these people are doing because none of our stores double, let alone triple coupons. We used to have some Eagle stores in the Chicago area that would double coupons but they went out of business years ago.

It's not costing the stores anything to accept them because they get face value for the coupon plus a fee from the manufacturer.

What about when the store doubles or triples coupons? Is the doubled or tripled value a cost to the store itself? Not sure how that works.

 

[Guy Incognito]

I didn't see the show, and never will, as I hate this kind of TV, BUT can someone explain why they have to get so many of an item? I don't understand why you get them free if you have 100 of something, but not if you have 1 of something. I've been curious about TV stories on the news where people have a shopping cart filled, and they say the paid like $10 for all of it.

How does the whole premise work? We clip coupons... and we might save 10% off our bill.

they are probably just buying the sale items that have the biggest mark down and combining that with coupons to basically get a lot of them for free or next-to-nothing. Say mustard is on sale for $1; and they get a coupon for $0.50 off, and it's double-coupon day at the store, so now it's free. Most reasonable people would be satisfied with their one free bottle of mustard and go on their happy way. These freaks will go out and obtain 70+ of those mustard coupons and use them all on a single trip.

I didn't see the show (and like you, have no intention of ever watching), but I'd guess that the bulk of their carts are filled with 50/75/100+ of the same items, because those are the 'best' deals for the day. So in the end, all those items that would normally cost hundreds of dollars only cost them $10-$20.


Like others have mentioned, if these people could focus their OCD nature and combine their coupon fixation with being a supplier for a local food bank/shelter, they could make a world of difference for many needy people.


this show is just one more addition to the plethora of 'extreme/OCD' type shows out there; which are basically aired so the rest of us can feel relatively "normal".

 

[rchristiansen]

I also think that eating that unhealthy will cost you a LOT more (time,money,LIFE) in the end then just buying healthy food choices that may not have the best deals.

Such a good point! I've learned so much about that stuff. I'd rather spend more on the organic - non processed stuff. It's really about health.

Also, we used to be big "couponers", but after learning about all the junk/garbage food out there, my mind has completely changed. I can't bring myself to buy certain items. I wondered too about how it would cost more to buy organic, fresh non processed stuff. But my food budget hasn't changed. Granted, I don't have a freezer full of frozen pizzas or chicken nuggets anymore. I. plan my meals, shop once a week and spend the same amount.

White pasta bad for you? Absolutely. Will it fill hungry children's bellies tonight? You bet and it's cheap to boot.

I think that is was the PP is talking about. It's so unhealthy and too many kids are being fed these foods because it's cheap, which are going to lead to costly health problems down the road. It makes me mad at food manufacturers who are just trying to make a buck, rather that providing nutritious food.

 

[luvmy3]

Such a good point! I've learned so much about that stuff. I'd rather spend more on the organic - non processed stuff. It's really about health.
But for some it really is about budget.

Also, we used to be big "couponers", but after learning about all the junk/garbage food out there, my mind has completely changed. I can't bring myself to buy certain items. I wondered too about how it would cost more to buy organic, fresh non processed stuff. But my food budget hasn't changed. Granted, I don't have a freezer full of frozen pizzas or chicken nuggets anymore. I. plan my meals, shop once a week and spend the same amount.



I think that is was the PP is talking about. It's so unhealthy and too many kids are being fed these foods because it's cheap, which are going to lead to costly health problems down the road. It makes me mad at food manufacturers who are just trying to make a buck, rather that providing nutritious food.

Yet you have no problem paying more for organic? How about being mad that organic food cost so much. If it didn't maybe those people who save money buy buying the non-organic, hormone filled, processed junk could afford to eat better

I don't buy organic, I think its a waste of money, but thats just me. I wouldn't get mad about what food they are selling, nobody is holding a gun to anyone making them buy it, we all have a choice of what we put in our carts.

 

[VeganCupcake]

I've definitely been in a position before where I had to buy "junkier" food b/c it was all I could afford, so I understand buying the white pasta if its BOGO, or maybe some cheaper foods that may not be as healthy. Its the candy bars, ice cream, chips and cookies(not meals but just junk food snacks) that the people on the show are buying excessively that has me scratching my head the most.

** I also just randomly thought about my MIL who takes care of my SIL's 3 kids(she would be the polar opposite of a helicopter parent). MIL is always saying how they can't afford to buy certain things unless they are on sale which is a load of hogwash. The reason they can't afford to buy things unless they are on sale, the real reason is their portions are OUT OF CONTROL. When we go over for dinner they will fill up a dinner plate of food, eat it all then go back for seconds and thirds. I go over to spend time with my neice and nephews when they get home from school. The last time I went over, my youngest nephew(who is very overweight) made himself 2 soft pretzels, and 2 hotdogs which he washed down with a gatorade and then some orange juice! I told MIL the last time she said something that if they would just watch their portions a weeks worth of groceries could last them a LOT longer. My point is(sorry I guess I was sort of venting) I think that portion control is one of the easiest ways to budget as well **

 

[need2cruise]

I can't speak to others, but in my case, I HAD to purchase and feed my family with the coupon items. I simply could not afford to feed them any other way. It would be HEAVEN to be able to afford organic everything, but let's get real, in today's economy many people cannot afford to feed a family even regular produce, much less expensive organic. White pasta bad for you? Absolutely. Will it fill hungry children's bellies tonight? You bet and it's cheap to boot.

Yes, some people take it to an extreme, but for some, it's born from necessity, so let's walk a mile before passing judgment. I think there may be underlying security issues as well b/c I remember going and looking at my fully stocked shelves feeling like I had achieved some security for my family. We might not be able to buy gasoline or pay the electric bill, but we would still have something to eat.

I know money can be the issue, I've been there where we had to eat hamburger helper, etc. But honestly, I've found the eating natural way is actually better for you and does cost less. The regular produce is just as good as organic, I just prefer organic because of the chemical use (with strawberries its impossible to wash the chemicals off because of how porous they are). That is just personal preference.

However, whole grain pasta costs the same here where I live as white pasta. I can make a fire roasted red sauce for about $2.50 (just a little over the jar priced stuff) but theres so much that it can be used for 2 meals if you freeze half of it.

Bag of red potatoes, you only have to use 3 of them at a time and you can mix in sweet potatoes and have a decently healthy meal cheaper than buying the boxed potatoes (if you make things like roasted vegetables, your own oven fries, etc).

I can say I haven't noticed a difference in our grocery bill just in what we buy. I used to spend a lot of money in junk food but now I spend it in fruits and whole grain and they are fuller longer so not as much snaking. Prime example, yogurt. Most people the the small individual ones or the kid yogurt. Those things are full of sugar! Just buy the big plain tub, put in a little honey and let it sit and when you scoop some out, add a little cut up apple and walnuts and that will hold you over for a snack or breakfast. A thing of plain oatmeal is cheaper than a box of cereal. Just add some brown sugar, cinnamon and fruit and much healthier for you and instead of being hungry in 1-2 hrs because your glycemic levels jumped around (most cereal is bad about that), the oatmeal will hold you over much longer and keep those levels steady.

But the point isn't to make anyone look bad for eating white pasta, etc. I know money is tight for a lot of people and at the end of the day, you have to be able to feed your kids, I've been there and anyone of us can be there at any given time with how the economy is.

 

[rchristiansen]

Yet you have no problem paying more for organic? How about being mad that organic food cost so much. If it didn't maybe those people who save money buy buying the non-organic, hormone filled, processed junk could afford to eat better

I don't buy organic, I think its a waste of money, but thats just me. I wouldn't get mad about what food they are selling, nobody is holding a gun to anyone making them buy it, we all have a choice of what we put in our carts.

I don't mind paying more for organic foods. I also like going to local farmers markets and helping out the local economy. Organic foods cost more because they are not produced in a factory setting. They are higher quality foods, and higher quality products cost more.

The thing is these mega-food manufacturer's offer the cheap option now. And that's what I'm mad about. I'm mad that this type of food is marketed and suggested as a good option. Years ago, organic foods were the only option. Food costs have gone down because of the processed foods, and people expect cheap foods. Years ago families spent a higher percentage of their income on food than they do today. http://www.billshrink.com/blog/10320/america-grocery-spending/

Also, there are some that think the obesity epidemic and higher cancer rates could be directly linked to the high prevalence of processed foods in our society.

So you throw the coupons in the mix and the processed food is even cheaper. Again a reason I'm mad at the food companies for pushing this type of product. However, I do see a very tiny shift in the marketing - offering products that have not HFCS or marketing products as organic. Hopefully, this shift will continue.

 

[need2cruise]

I don't mind paying more for organic foods. I also like going to local farmers markets and helping out the local economy. Organic foods cost more because they are not produced in a factory setting. They are higher quality foods, and higher quality products cost more.

The thing is these mega-food manufacturer's offer the cheap option now. And that's what I'm mad about. I'm mad that this type of food is marketed and suggested as a good option. Years ago, organic foods were the only option. Food costs have gone down because of the processed foods, and people expect cheap foods. Years ago families spent a higher percentage of their income on food than they do today. http://www.billshrink.com/blog/10320/america-grocery-spending/

Also, there are some that think the obesity epidemic and higher cancer rates could be directly linked to the high prevalence of processed foods in our society.

So you throw the coupons in the mix and the processed food is even cheaper. Again a reason I'm mad at the food companies for pushing this type of product. However, I do see a very tiny shift in the marketing - offering products that have not HFCS or marketing products as organic. Hopefully, this shift will continue.

What people don't realize is, when you eat processed foods, it makes you hungrier because of what it does to your system. When you buy fresh produce, whole grains, etc, it actually sustains your food cravings longer and is a beater energy source for you body, so you are eating less. But until someone tries it, it's hard to understand. I used to eat cheerios for breakfast thinking, "hey I'm eating healthy", but I"d be hungry again in 1.5 hrs. Now, I eat unflavored oatmeal, add in some cinnamon (which is actually good for you body) different fruits (blueberries are great for fighting disease) and sometimes brown sugar and I'm not hungry for at least 4 hrs.

Everything nowadays is mass produced or a corn based product and it is taking a toll on a persons health. Some of the best cancer fighting drugs out there are actually found in............. broccoli, tomatoes, dark leafy greens, etc. It's not conviently packaged and ready to go, but it really only takes a moment longer when you learn some techniques for preparing a meal with fresh veggies/fruit. We need to eat 7-8 servings a day of this stuff and people are lucky to get more than 2-3 TOPS.

Anyway, I'm a huge advocate for fresh produce only because of the chemicals. Washing does not always clean something of these chemicals. I know strawberries and peaches are 2 of the worst for retaining chemicals even after washing. But I will say eating just the non organic or frozen is better than not eating it at all.

All my whole grain stuff costs the same as the white stuff though. My fresh veggies are a little more than frozen only because I prefer organic, the regular produce is about the same. Meat, I buy what is on sale at the meat store and it's cheaper than the grocery.

Anyway..........there needs to be more coupons for the good stuff!

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

I could understand if these people are donating 75% of each product they got to a local food pantry who are always in need of it, and keeping 25% of each product for themselves. I mean seriously, who actually uses 100 boxes of pasta noodles in a year? In addition getting things that they never use to begin with just for the purpose of getting it for free. I think these people get a high out of paying only $6.75 for a grocery bill that was originally $725.

 

[FergieTCat]

I swear these people will be on the next year's Hoarder's shows.

What in the name of grocery shopping does 1 family need with over 50 bottles of mustard? Cuz - you just have to think that there are already more bottles of mustard at home.

LOL! That would make a great cross-over episode for either show.

I give them credit, but I don't get why they stockpile all that stuff. I can understand things they will use within the next year, but what abount donating some of that stuff to either a food pantry or a shelter?