Thursday, December 30, 2010

The "Un-Extreme" Couponing Way

THAT is NOT my way of couponing.
For me, there are better choices.

Many of those who read my blog or facebook page know that I use coupons and deals to maximize my grocery dollar.

Recently I heard about a new show airing this week on TLC called "Extreme Couponing." At first, I was excited. I thought the show might focus on methods, such as the ones I use, which cut my food bills about 50-70% on average.

But, it doesn't.
Rather it shows hoarding - compulsive buying of TP and toothbrushes, enough to supply the average homeless center or Boy Scout Jamboree for a few years.

TLC's program shows a woman dumpster diving for coupon flyers with her son - and her pregnant friend.
*insert sound of tire brakes here*

There are limits.
You CAN save 50%-70% each time you shop using ethical, healthy tips.

My hubby just rebuilt my dilapidated linen closet and we're using it as a food pantry. It's only 10 inches deep, but it's 8 feet wide. I was surprised to find that even with my wacky couponing ways - the shelves are NOT completely filled. And, that's not even a goal.

If you are in the Chicagoland area, you have a fantastic resource in Jill Cataldo's Super-Couponing site. Jill rocks - and she's been featured on Nightline - showing how you can buy meat and organic veggies using coupons and saving big.

(I'm a big fan of Jill and I use her site to plan my shopping trips each week. I've also attended one of her free coupon classes in a local library and I'll be attending one of her free "level 2" classes later this month. And, if you aren't in the area but want to learn Jill's tips, you can buy a DVD off her site or head to You Tube for free videos.)

If you live in the South, head over to Jenny's Southern Savers site. No, her classes aren't free. But, her site is. Great resource.

Will I tune in to the TLC show?
Sure. My DVR is already recording it.

But, I hope that obsessive hoarding isn't what most people take away from the show. Rather I hope folks see that you can stockpile a REASONABLE AMOUNT of food and personal health care products, taking advantage of cyclical manufacture offers, and save LOTS of money for YOUR FAMILY.

Isn't that the key?
Feeding your family healthy foods for less?

Thank goodness there are folks like Jill and Jenny around to show you the ropes.
Now I'm going to try to embed a video or two showing a preview of the TLC show. I'm not sure it's going to work. And, even if it does, chances are TLC will eventually pull the vid. But, until they do, it's a sad look into the dark side "Extreme Couponing."


Top image from TLC's "Extreme Couponing" used under Creative Commons license.
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3 comments:

The Cutting Edge of Ordinary said...

I use coupons all the time. I have, on occasion, saved $30 on a shopping trip to BJ's Wholesale, but jumping into dumpsters?? That's just crazy. Stockpiling more than a years worth of groeries.....again, crazy!

Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D said...

Yeah, I'm with you Lisa.

Now, with our current finances, we love the fact that we can go for weeks without even stopping at a grocery store. But, I keep things reasonable.

We have had to cut back on the pasta and soup buying b/c it was getting a little out of control.

But, it's wonderful to just open the door and "shop the pantry."

We do NOT have a year's worth of anything. But, we do have maybe 2-3 months. :)

Gerilynne said...

I love using coupons but only for products I use. I'm not going to redeem a 50 cent coupon for Pork Rinds just because I have the coupon (we would never eat them) but I've found that if I'm not brand loyal (which I'm not), I can score some good deals.

It's unfortunate that TLC chose to focus on the extreme but then again, this is TLC and if this behavior couldn't be featured, there probably wouldn't be a show about couponing.

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I love to hear your thoughts!
--Dana

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