If you have watched TLC’s Extreme Couponing, then you have watched in amazement has they have featured shoppers getting their whole list of groceries at 90+ percent off! I know as I’ve watched, I have had thoughts of what I could do with all of the money saved.
Here are a few things that the trained eye (to couponing) notices as they watch these epidodes.
1.) TLC has paved the way for these shoppers…they have had a few weeks to plan and with the help of TLC, I am sure they got early access to sales ads for their favorite stores. I have asked my local Kroger if I could do a news piece there…and there are SO many hoops that one has to jump thru, that they said no. (I was being interviewed by the local news about fraudulent coupons).
2.) These couponers have probably spent tons of money buying coupons to use on these trips. I have bought coupons before when I wanted to stock up on something I use daily, but never tons of sets with the intention to clear shelves.
3.) If you watch at the end of the check out session when coupons are being scanned you will see a ton of “FREE” coupons. Most of these gals are bloggers and have been sent FREE product coupons to review products. They save them for these trips to boost the savings totals.
4.) When you watch, you have to notice that they are buying TONS of items that they will never in one lifetime use, therefore clearing the shelves and preventing others from getting in on the deal.
5.) Some of the shoppers are honest at the end and say that “this is their biggest shopping trip ever” Well DUH…makes for better TV.
I talked with TLC about being on this show. They asked me if I had a WHOLE room dedicated to my overstock…and well, NO! I definitely do not. We are a family of five. We live and play in all of the rooms of our house. To deny my kids a room to play in, or my hubby a garage to park his car in just does NOT make sense for us. Think of it this way…why one earth would you put items you got for FREE in your garage and park your $25,000 minivan out in the weather and elements? Also, why on earth would you PAY for insurance for your overstock. If you got it for FREE, then it’s no loss, right? They are just THINGS! (Don’t get me started…)
I saw on a recent episode that one shopper said that she just calls or emails companys and says nice things and they send her FREE product coupons. This is not always the case and honestly, if you want to make couponing and saving money a LIFESTYLE, then it’s better follow the steps I’ve outlined below.
1.) Figure out which local store has the best sales and coupon policies. (Some stores double and triple coupons!)
2.) Start by clipping coupons, via Sunday Paper inserts, or online printables for items that you CURRENTLY use.
3.) Organize your coupons in a way that makes sense to you. I personally use a small plastic checkbook sized accordion case
4.) When you get the sale ads, circle the items that you want to purchase and look thru your coupons to match them to the sales.
5.) Stay ahead of the game…buy items when they are onsale and when you have a coupon to go with that sale…NOT when you need them.
Couponing is NOT just about groceries. If you want to make it a lifestyle, think outside the box. I like to buy diapers on Amazon. Pampers puts out coupons on Amazon that I pair with my Amazon Mom membership for HOT prices! I trade my cake making skills for my friends awesome photography skills. We choose to eat out on days that kids eat free, or at places that have HOT coupons. I use daily deal sites to get my haircuts, daycare, pedicures and such at a very discounted rate. When I shop online, I try to always use coupon codes or only shop when I can get FREE shipping! There are so many ways to save…in EVERY aspect of life. Keep following me as I seek to share my CRAZY savings with you here.
If you are thirsty to learn more, read these posts to get ya going:
How to understand Coupon lingo
And please feel free to email me at Courtney@mycrazysavings.com I’m here to help and I honestly LOVE helping others save money. I will not be posting deals on my site that I would not do myself or that I do not think are honestly HOT deals! 🙂
Great article Court!
AMEN to your article!
I feel the same way!! Thanks for putting your thoughts in writing for all the new EXTREME couponers! It is absolutely a lifestyle change!! I wish I had these money saving skills while I was in college ;)!!!!!!!!
Hi Courtney! Love you! I have to say that we were on EC and just to clear up a few things about our show, I can’t answer for anyone else.
We were not given any help or allowed any advance store ads, I wish we were! As a blogger I know where I can see maybe a few days ahead on ads but that didnt help me plan my trip as I didn’t know which store we were shopping at. I was waiting for approval and media release on 2 different stores. I found out Friday morning that I was shopping at Kroger and we filmed on Tuesday morning. So I had 4 days over the weekend to plan my trip. Obviously I was not able to order any coupons. We were only able to double or triple 1 of any coupons although at the time you could do 3. We did not preorder anything and we only purchased 10 af any item.
Thats just how we did it and the way it went down for us! I can’t speak for any other person on the show so I am not sure how it goes for anyone else.