Recently TLC came out with a new show called Extreme Couponing. And it’s a show that is true to its name. It shows you the extreme side of couponing where people buy thousands of coupons, clear shelves, climb into dumpsters and have stockpiles that need to be insured.
If you want some lessons in unhealthy living, I can point out what the show teaches right now.
1. Couponing only gets you junk food. This simply isn’t true, and I’m sad to see people filling nine carts with sodas and candy bars on this show.
2. Couponing takes hours and hours in order to save money. Again, this is a false notion. When I go on a coupon trip, my planning takes about an hour and I am in and out of the store in thirty minutes.
3. All couponers are extreme and they hoard. I’m most definitely not an extreme couponer, and I don’t think that the majority of couponers clear the shelves either. My family lives on a mostly organic diet, and I save anywhere from 50-75% on my grocery bill.
4. Couponers are selfish and don’t help anyone but themselves. This is another false message that comes across with this show. Many of us coupon not only to help our families, but also so that we can donate goods and help others.
Of course because of producers and network executives, I’m sure the show is only highlighting what will create good ratings. Unfortunately this places the cast of couponers in a bad light.
But I just wanted to add my voice to the mix and say that you can live healthy, eat organic foods and not overdo it when it comes to saving money.
What are your thoughts on the Extreme Couponing show on TLC? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
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grrrr ugh make it go away before our coupons do!
I love your list – it’s perfect <3
Those ppl sound like the ones to blame for why I can’t find a Sunday Paper with coupons
I am with you. Once I fill the space I have for groceries and household items I stop buying. Of course they have to make the show featuring the extreme couponers out there. I would go crazy to have that much stuff in my house and the stacks of coupons that they featured on the commercial. I went from a $1400 a month budget on groceries, household items, going out to eat, entertainemnt, hair cuts, clothes etc.. to a $800 a month budget for all of that and now that I coupon I have more than I have ever had. I know in my area where I live I could not use that many coupons in one transaction, and I would not want to. It is much easier to split transactions, easier to keep track of. I will watch it for fun though!
We are a homeschooling family of 5. My Husband works hard for every cent our little family has. Before couponing our grocery budget was $800 a month and we were barely surviving…after couponing we spend about $200 a month and are now able to purchase every need we have on that. We may be extreme in some things but calculating how much our family will use in a years time is All we buy. We also have been able to donate many times to our church and local foodbanks as wells as families in need.
As for coupon inserts we purchase ours through our local newspaper that offers a discounted price for their Sunday papers for couponers. (A single newspaper everyday of the week and 5 on Sundays for $20.00 a month. This also helps minimize newspaper thieft)
I was just making the same comments to my friend. I completely agree with you! I love this blog and find your tips very helpful and not extreme.
oh you know it! I went to this “coupon class” and this gal buys 10 papers a week – now I get mine out of a machine because I look like crap and don’t want to go in the store usually (lol) and they are always down to 1-2 papers – how many of those papers are either A being gone through or B not being paid for??? I don’t get her savings either 10 x $2 = $20 A WEEK x 4 = $80 A MONTH in just Sunday papers AND she buys from clipping services? WHAT is she saving??
Great perspective Crystal!
Erin
You know this is one of the many instances when I am so glad that we do not have t.v. reception. However I do agree with your comments… we do use coupons and are definitely NOT hoarders. We like the ability it gives us to save as well as have the ability to share with others who are in need. I would like to say thank you for sharing all the wonderful savings opportunities you find!
I agree. I am new to couponing and watching the pilot show awhile back made me think I was watching TLC’s other shows “Hoarding:Buried Alive” or “My Strange Addiction” My fear is that this show will make people try to do crazy couponing things and the stores will respond by cutting out or limiting coupons or programs!
If something were to happen to their home, and they had this huge stockpile, their insurance companies would not refill that stockpile to that extent. No way.
This is ridiculous! I was watching the clips on TLC’s site. Ugh these people are HOARDERS!! Saving money is fine, but when you buy so much that it goes out of date before you can eat it, how do you save anything when you throw it away?
I agree with you completely. This show shows the EXTREME Couponing – bordering on compulsion, hoarding, and other disorders.
Couponing is smart and cool when you use it to your, your friends and families benefit. I never buy stuff just to buy it. If it’s free, I might if I could use it or donate it to someone who needs it.
I think the show makes couponing look crazy to those that don’t coupon.
I’ve been couponing for years and really cringe when I see these people clearing the shelves and buying so much crap. You can save so much money on things that are truly good for you. I have 3 growing boys and we eat good… on a budget. But, like you said… TLC is in the business of making shows that will attract attention and a “normal” person who coupons to make ends meet just doesn’t make good TV.
I started couponing about 3 months ago and it has become my newest and favorite hobby. Like some of the couponers on the show, I have made new friends through couponing. I am sure to always be friendly towards the store staff. They appreciate organization as well. I know the cashiers at area drug stores by name now and they actually take me to the unadvertised deals. I also give coupons to other shoppers in the aisles with me, especially if I don’t plan to the item(s) they’re shopping for. I also allow people to get in front of me in line…because my check out does take me longer now to check out.
I also NEVER pay for toothpaste or toothbrushes, and keep all Health and Beauty and Cleaners under $1.00. I DO NOT hoard. My daughter will actually tell me “No more cereal mom.” or “Mom, we have 10 tubes of toothpaste now.” TIME TO TAKE ACTION!
There are so many people right in my community who “would if they could”. As a christian, and a single mom just trying to make it work, I appreciate that I can give the items I have gotton for free or next to free, to those in need. We have “rules” for the quantity in our house. If we reach the magic number…time to start the donation box.
What I do NOT LIKE about couponing are the extreme coupons who wipe out the shelves so they can get an unlimited raincheck to come back and continue getting the sale long after it’s over. I NEEDED Clorox/Lysol Wipes and my store was wiped out, and remained wiped out for over a month. SELFISH! This is actually “cheating” if you ask me. I truly wish ALL stores would limit the quantity that people could buy in one trip. CVS and Rite Aid keep track of your limits with the scan cards needed to get the deal. It’s FAIR for others this way.
It also takes WAY TOO MUCH TIME OUT OF MY LIFE! I just can’t seem to keep my time down. Any suggestions? Yes, I have a binder ( a bag with supplies too).
I agree, people have said it is only for junk food, but I save on yogurt, milk, cheese and all almost weekly. I get whole grain bread, and either buy on day old or with a good coupon. Etc, etc, etc.. Oh had fruit last week with coupons, fresh fruit, raspberries.
The show doesn’t tell us… where they get all the coups and what the hell they do with all 77 bottles of mustard, especially when “she doesn’t even eat mustard”
Watching right now. I am amazed at the unhealthy foods they are getting. I also think it is giving the impression cr*p food is all you can get with coupons. Which as all you guys already know, is not true.
I agree. I have heard all of these statements that you mentioned and they make me angry. Thanks for the great post.
If it is ok, I would like to post your insight to my page. I am very passionate about couponing but I am not like these people. I’ve been asked many times if I’ve seen the show and making me think they are implying that I am like this. I would like to set the record straight and I think you said it perfectly.
I agree with a lot of you. I am watching with my jaw on the floor. Who needs 66 bottles of mustard? 100 toothbrushes? Chips to feed 800 people? Its a little ridiculous. But one positive is that it gets me excited to think about what I can do to save for my family. There is definitely a middle ground that will work just fine for me.
I agree, If you have the ability to save so much on food, why not share it with those who are less fortunate. You cannot tell me that they can eat all that before it expires.
I have thus far only seen the “special” not the actual series premier yet, but one of the women profiled took over part of her DH’s “man cave” after already filling 2 rooms in her house.
Another thing I noticed, these people are buying WAY more in a trip than I do in a month. Shopping for my household looks very, very different… I don’t think I have EVER EVER EVER had a transaction over $120 before coupons, I never do all my shopping at one store, and I don’t spend more than 6 hours a WEEK on dealhunting and shopping combined (10 man-hours total, because I have an “apprentice” aka DH).
Couponing is fun but those people are a little off the rocker. If you are going to do extreme couponing , how about charity instead of filling a garage with food that will expire. I love my new found hobby but a few of something is ok. I dont need 40.
I just love bargains!!! Makes me feel great!!!
I understand the producers of the show found the most extreme shoppers. BUT, that is not an accurate depiction of a couponer. We are a community of people who strive to use our hard earned money wisely. I love giving back to my food bank and teaching others how to save. Coupons have enhanced my life, but they haven’t become my life!
I loved the show! It motivated me to start trying to save.
How much cereal can one family eat?
I have stock piles of things but…really some of that was ridiculous! kudos to Nathan I believe who does ALOT of donating : ) way to pay it forward!!!
As someone who works as a cashier, people like this being “glorified” are really going to mess w/ the rest of us normal couponers out there.
What got me was the 35 bottles of Maalox. If you’re going to donate what you can’t use before it expires, then great. Otherwise it’s just wasteful and unhealthy hoarding.
Actually, the guy with the 1000 boxes of cereal stated he was donating it all to his church’s food pantry- I loved seeing the lady’s special can holder that rotates them to use the oldest can first. With 7 children and an obviously very small house, she’s doing great, and you’d go through that amount of food in a month. Once we lived in a 1200 square foot home with 3000 books (we sold them online to get through college), and we looked like that lady, only with books instead of food. There were literally bookcases in every room except the bathroom. Sometimes you do what you’ve got to do to make ends meet, even if it means being weird. Overall, I thought it was interesting- though I already knew most of the “tips”.
It paints couponers in such a bad light. You know retailers are watching that show and are going to change the policy to deal with people like that. It’s just going to make it more difficult for the average coupon shopper to do there thing because the stores will tighten up their policies assuming everyone is going to try to pull something like that.
This just goes to show that you can be fanatical and imbalanced about anything. I intentionally did not watch because I don’t need to know. I coupon as much as I can, but lately have been making the choice to have quality time with my family rather than spend all kinds of time out making deals. I want to be sane and available for my family first.
They certainly came up with the correct name.. these people are extreme, to say the least. What aggravates me the most is the fact that they’re showing these people purchase things they don’t even use, like the woman buying all that mustard. It’s ridiculous! To say you don’t even like it then clear the shelves buying it is just rude! I think it would be so much better if they showed these people in a more realistic sight, for example, purchasing these items at a great deal, then donating them. So many people would love to have a tenth of what these people have in their stockpile.
I’m with you! I just watched the show for the first time last night, and was surprised how negative couponers were portrayed. It’s like the people on the show have a disease! I also feed my family a natural/organic, vegetarian AND gluten free diet. So I can’t save 95% like many of them did, because I’m NOT filling five carts with soda and candy bars! But I do bring home a whole lot more healthy food with my small budget than I would be able to if it weren’t for my “non-extreme couponing”!
I do think it’s kind of ironic that Extreme Couponer’s is followed by Hoarders on TLC.
I watched the show for the first time last night with my husband. I think the show exagerates about almost everything. I have couponed before and it takes me about onr hr. to get my things ready. I dont clear out shelves. I buy what I need and thats it. Couponing is a great way to safe money and donate to our lacal charities.
My thoughts are that it’s not worth my time. I didn’t watch the show. I have no plans to. It’s just more junk programming imo.
I feel like this show is going to scare the manufacturers & big stores. And as a result we will not get as good of deals because of it. Either the coupons will be worth less or the sales won’t be as good just because they don’t want some looney filling 9 carts full of free mustard (that their family doesn’t eat) and leaving the shelves empty for people who actually want to buy it.
I only watched a few minutes and felt disgusted by the family hoarding so much in items that they either don’t need or even want only because they got it for free! Just had to clear out the shelves in the name of greed. I agree with Samantha that this will change how the deals will be going forward because now that the mainstream media has picked up and ran with this the manufacturers & stores will be making changes.
I didn’t watch the show b/c I knew it would irritate me. I do think these people are borderline hoarders and have taken the “thrill” of couponing and saving money to the extreme. I’d feel a lot better about what they are doing if they donated what they didn’t use to food banks and charities (maybe some do). It’s ridiculous to stockpile that much stuff when there are people out there who could really use it and need it.
Bravo for your comments on the Extreme Couponing Show. I watched it for the first time recently…just to see for myself all the stuff that I have heard about this horrible show. Please continue to voice your opinion on what this show really is. I believe that blogs/bloggers need to get out another point of view. Unfortunately for those of us who want to take care of our families, the people in this show are making it difficult. Furthermore, I have never seen a more pompous, arrogant, greedy assembly of people in my life. Grabbing, obsessing, HOARDING, etc. I would not call that stockpiling. One lady said she “couldn’t sleep at night” thinking about another deal and sometimes shopped at odd hours because of this. At the sight of such vulgar excess product manufacturers and stores are changing coupon policies and store policies as I write this. I know because my local stores have already made changes. And we can believe there will be more changes coming. None of this is helpful to responsible couponers.
I am so glad everyone thought the show was outrageous too! What I hated the most about the show was the fact that many of these couponers were buying and storing too much food that would be spoiled before they ate it. The one lady bought 150 full size candy bars. Does anybody ever need to store that many candy bars in their house? The only thing that will lead to is heart disease.
As usual, television only shows extremes. I hope people don’t believe everything they see on TV, even on “Reality Shows”.
I watched the first episode and refuse to watch any more of it. They have an unhealthy lifestyle that benefits no one. Watching the excess and seeing their homes made me cringe. I coupon but my family eats healthy. This show encourages hoarding which means they may end up on the other show. Seriously.
First time show watcher…and I’m thinking someone needs to evaluate these people mentally. I don’t have a problem with people saving money with coupons,but when you have to call friends to checkout with cuz of store policy on limits,then that’s not saving its stealing and will probably change store policies everywhere. I really feel sorry for the husbands of these women too, they don’t seem as excited about it as the wives,they do it to keep the peace. It did have a comedic moment when J’aime Kirlew said that the way she dresses makes ppl think she has money…first of all honey find a coupon for a fill length mirror cuz ur too old and over weight to pull that ridiculous 1980′s look…girl I’m embarrassed for you since you obviously can’t see all the “what not to wear” moments. Crazy hoarding off balanced is all I can say
Thanks to all of you couponers for writing and commenting. I’ve been watching the show because I do not use coupons and wanted to see if it would be worth looking into. I am vegetarian, eat organic and try not to buy processed foods. After watching the people on the show so far (maybe 8 episodes or so)… all I saw them buying in terms of food was CRAP food. So, for me, I was just about to say forget it to even trying to look for coupons for what *I* eat. But, from what many of you are saying here, it is indeed worth the effort and there may be coupons that will benefit me if I take the time to look. So, thank you to to the original blogger and commenters for the great info.
You’re welcome Kelli! Hopefully you will find some great resources here too. Be sure to check the organic tabs at the top.
I just learned about this show today.
A few years ago, I bought a bunch of domain names to learn about blogging, domaining, etc. One of them was a simple site with links to useful coupon ads. Starting back in April, the traffic to this site has gone through the roof, and I have been trying to figure out why. Today a friend explained to me that there was this show on extreme couponing on TLC.
I am a little distressed to see what this entails. I have not yet read the show, but the behavior I have read about is extreme indeed. This is not what I had in mind when I first thought of extreme coupons. We spend about $500 a month on groceries. Given that minimum wage is something like $7.25 an hour, then if you are spending more than 68 hours couponing a month (17 hours a week) you are better off couponing in moderation and getting another job.
After learning about this extreme behavior, I am glad to see that there are wise people like you out there offering useful and beneficial advice that I now see I too can take advantage of.
Thanks!
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