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TLC’s Extreme Couponing: Five reasons why I will be boycotting this season!

September 28, 2011 by 30 Comments

The new season of TLC’s Extreme Couponing starts tonight.  I have to admit that when the first season aired, I was intrigued!  I’ve been “couponing” for almost 8 years now and I understand that thrill of getting things for free and even getting paid to take items out of the store.  The problem is that TLC’s Extreme Couponing is so extreme that has led to a number of changes that have negatively impacted couponers.

Here are five reasons why I will be boycotting TLC’s Extreme Couponing this season:

1.  It’s not realistic – I’ve been using coupons “heavily” for about four years now and in that time have been connected to fellow “couponers” on message boards across the country.  Most people, even “heavy” couponers (at least none that I know) spend hours preparing for a grocery trip, a few more hours at the actual grocery store, and then another hour or so at check-out. That’s a full day’s work!

Also, I don’t know any grocery stores in my area that would allow someone to have carts and carts full of items that equated to one transaction.  I can assure you that the employees at my stores certainly wouldn’t be helping push carts full of toothbrushes and pasta around with smiles on their faces.  I once tried to buy six bags of rice that would have been “free after coupon” at a local Kroger store and I was told I could only buy 3 in one transaction.  They actually made me go to the customer service desk and ring up my six bags of rice in two separate transactions.

TLC’s Extreme Couponing paints an unrealistic picture for new couponers and leads them to believe you can accumulate a stockpile overnight with little or no effort.

2.  They don’t show “the big picture” – I don’t know about you, but my time is as valuable as my money.  Sometimes I have to put things in perspective and really ask myself if it’s worth it to spend hours dragging my kids around to various stores just to get free pasta or free deodorant or free toothbrushes.  To be honest, for me, free isn’t always free if it means that I have to sacrifice quality time with my family to get it.  There’s always a ‘cost’ even if it’s not monetary.  So, sometimes I have to say to myself that it’s OK to skip out on a deal and that another one will come along and even if it doesn’t, it’s OK.   The show doesn’t adequately portray the amount of time that would be involved with preparing for a shopping trip that is as extreme as what is shown!

The things that they show as being “free” aren’t always really “free” either.   When you’re using hundreds of coupons, they have to come from somewhere.  I don’t know many people that have that many generous friends, so I’m guessing that they either purchased those coupons from a coupon clipping service or they bought a whole lot of papers.  Either way, there’s an “expense” there that isn’t shared.

3.  The show encourages illegal activity – J’aime Kirlew, one of the participants on the first episode that aired last season, has been accused of committing coupon fraud because she was using coupons inappropriately.  She was using coupons on items that she was not purchasing or on the wrong sizes.  In the past few months, there have been increased reports of people stealing newspapers from stores and of people clearing shelves in stores.  NOTE:  The show doesn’t directly encourage theft of newspapers (at least not to my knowledge), but it’s just part of the hysteria that is a by-product of this show.

4.  The show encourages hoarding – Personally, I think it’s OK to have a stockpile.  We have been through two different rounds of unemployment over the past nine years and I can tell you that having a stockpile is part of what saved us.  Stockpiling also helps me save money on a regular basis as I rotate through food that we have on hand and use it to plan meals.  What is portrayed, for the most part, on TLC’s Extreme Couponing is hoarding.  For the most part, the people portrayed on the show are buying items they don’t regularly use just to buy them or have stockpiles above and beyond what an average family could use before they hit expiration.

For more on my thoughts about stockpiling vs. hoarding, check out this article here–>Extreme Couponing:  Stockpiling vs. hoarding

5.  The show gives couponers a bad name – If you’ve been couponing for long, you’ve probably had some of these experiences:  the big huge siiiiiiiiiiggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh accompanied by a very sarcastic “great” from the customer behind you in line as you pull out your coupons or the eye roll from the cashier and the “We’re not going to give these to you for free” comments.  I like to practice “the Golden Rule” of couponing, which means that I don’t believe in being a shelf clearer.  I’m not going to lie and say that I’ve never bought 20, 30, or even 40 boxes of pasta (or other items) when there was a really good sale.  But, I will say that I didn’t buy all of those items in one transaction or at one store.  I have gone to separate stores or on separate days so that I don’t clear the shelves and so I can stay in the good graces of my stores.

Over the past six months, we have seen major changes to the coupon policies for CVS, Rite Aid, Publix, Target, and Kroger.  These are just the stores I’m aware of.  In my opinion, these changes to policies have not been “good” for couponers, but I certainly understand why the stores have made these changes.  I have also noticed that more coupons are starting to include language that limits the number of coupons that can be used in one transaction and that the value of coupons appears to be decreasing.

PLEASE NOTE:  This article is not meant to promote negativity toward the couponers who have been on the show.  I know that you can’t always believe everything that you see on the show because “reality shows” often put their own spin on things (again – it’s not really that “realistic”).  I know that some of the couponers are great people and actually donate a lot of the items that they purchased on the show.  Unfortunately, the producers don’t place nearly as much emphasis on the charitable part of couponing.  !  For me, the negative impact that Extreme Couponing has had on couponing is reason enough to boycott the show this season.

Here are some tips for building a stockpile legitimately–>So you want to be an extreme couponer 

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more 

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Extreme Couponing: Stockpiling vs. Hoarding

June 2, 2011 by

We’ve had a lot of discussions about TLC’s Extreme Couponing on Facebook lately!  A few weeks ago, I posted here and asked “Is TLC’s Extreme Couponing ruining it for legit couponers?” One of the second most frequent topics that seems to come up is whether “extreme couponers” are hoarders.  While some seem to walk a fine line between stockpiling and hoarding, I think there are a lot of “stockpilers” who are now being referred to as “hoarders” because of the way that couponers are portrayed on this show.

Personally, I think it’s OK to have a stockpile.  I know that some people say you only need a stockpile of items for our family for 2-3 months, but I personally am trying to build a stockpile for a year of both household and non-perishable grocery items.  We have been through two different rounds of unemployment over the past nine years and I can tell you that having a stockpile is part of what saved us because we were able to use what we had.  Stockpiling also helps me save money on a regular basis as I rotate through food that we have on hand and use it to plan meals.

Here’s my “take” on the difference between stockpiling and hoarding:

Stockpilers have a “plan” – Stockpilers know what their family needs and buy according to those needs.  They buy products that their family will use on a regular basis and have a plan for rotating the products that they have “stockpiled” into every day use.  For example, when planning my meals each week, I look at what we have “on hand” and what’s on sale in the grocery ads and use a combination of the two to plan my meals, which helps me to spend less money out of pocket overall.  I wait until the next big sale and then I stock up again on those items that we use regularly.  Stockpilers also understand sale cycles and know which items to stock up on during certain times of the year.

Hoarding, by definition, is the acquisition of possessions, and the failure to use or discard them.  So, hoarders buy items just for the sake of buying and have no real plan to use them and in fact, may become very territorial about using the items or letting anyone else use the items.  For example:  Does anyone really need 100 bottles of ketchup, mustard, or BBQ sauce just because it was “free”?  Do you really need 100 bags of dog or cat treats if you don’t have a dog?

Stockpilers are organized – Stockpilers are organized.  They are careful about checking expiration dates, buy what they can use in a reasonable amount of time and they rotate their items according to expiration date.  If they can’t use something in a reasonable amount of time, they donate it!

Hoarders have bags and bins everywhere and have no idea when any of it expires.   They buy for the thrill of “buying” (or getting items for free) but don’t have a plan to use it.  Having all that “stuff” gives them a sense of security.  They may have shelves and some sort of organization, but they still don’t have a plan to actually use it and continue to buy, buy, buy items they don’t really need while the items sit there and expire, expire, expire.  They hang on to items because you never know what might happen down the road (you may have a baby, you may get a pet, etc.). They also try to justify their “hoarding” behavior.  For example, “Everyone uses paper products and they don’t go bad” even though they have a supply of paper products that more than exceeds what the average family could use in a reasonable amount of time or “But it was free.”

Stockpilers are not afraid to share – Stockpilers are charitable.  They are not afraid to share their tips for getting items for free or close to free with others and they love sharing items from their stockpile with those in need, too.  About twice a year, we have a youth group from a local church that goes on a “service scavenger hunt” for specific household and non-perishable items.  I love the look on their faces when I can provide them with several bags of items on their list!

Hoarders don’t want to share what they have with anyone, but are proud to share the number of items they have acquired.  They may actually feel panic set in or become irritable if someone actually suggests that they share some of the items they have acquired with others.

What are your thoughts?  Does the show Extreme Couponing promote true stockpiling or does it promote hoarding?

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

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Is TLC’s “Extreme Couponing” ruining it for legit couponers?

May 12, 2011 by

Since the latest season of TLC’s “Extreme Couponing” began airing on 4/6, it seems like there has been a great deal of controversy.

-First, the Kroger stores in the Houston Texas market announced that they would no longer be doubling and tripling coupons.  Although they claim that this is not related to the show in any way, many people believe otherwise.  They also claimed that this would ONLY affect the Houston Texas market, but many other markets have already been impacted and they continue to announce the change in other markets.

-Kroger stores also announced that they would no longer allow “stacking” of coupons.  In the past, you could use a digital/loadable coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon at the same time.  I do understand why they stopped this practice because you were essentially using two manufacturer’s coupons on one item, but they made this change abruptly without providing any notice to their customers.  They also announced that they would no longer allow the “stacking” of store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons.

–Publix recently announced changes to their coupon policy which will limit “stacking” of coupons.  You can view more information about the coupon policy, which will go into effect on 5/23/11, here.

-J’aime Kirlew, one of the participants on the first episode that aired this season, has been accused of committing coupon fraud because she was using coupons inappropriately.  She was using coupons on items that she was not purchasing or on the wrong sizes.  What’s scary to me is that she continues to say that she has done nothing wrong?  Check out this interview from the Wall Street Journal where she not only admits to this practice, but also says that she doesn’t see anything wrong with it (if you haven’t seen it yet)!  In my opinion, J’aime gives couponers a bad name!

–The Coupon Information Corporation also issued this sattement about TLC’s Extreme Couponing:

The Coupon Information Corporation (CIC) expresses our great disappointment with TLC’s current series, Extreme Couponing, and hereby offers our expertise and other assistance to TLC and Sharp Entertainment (which produces the show) to enhance the program with more accurate and realistic information. In addition, we hope they address potentially illegal acts that appear to have been portrayed on the show.

Professionals in the coupon industry believe this show creates unrealistic expectations about how coupons work and promotes the misuse of coupons. For example, the show appears to portray coupons being used in violation of the terms and conditions printed on the coupons, such as using coupons to obtain products other than those specified by the coupon offer, and focuses on consumers who have procured large quantities of coupon inserts from unknown sources, which may raise civil and/or criminal issues.

In real life, individuals attempting to use such large quantities of coupons or attempting to use them in violation of the terms stated on the coupons would most likely have their coupons refused at the register or, depending on the circumstances, be investigated by law enforcement. According to media reports, TLC recently stated,

“While the series documents extreme couponing strategies, we take any concerns about specific tactics seriously and are looking into the situation.” We look forward to hearing what TLC discovers.

The CIC’s and other industry experts’ previous offers of assistance to the producers to make this an educational show were previously turned down. Nevertheless, we stand ready to help in the event the producers or TLC reconsider their path and seek to turn this into a show that accurately reflects appropriate coupon strategies and use, which would result in real benefits for TLC’s viewing audience.

I have to admit that when this series first aired, I was intrigued.  Although I have been couponing for a long time and know that it’s not very realistic, I couldn’t help but watch.  But, I think that the changes we’ve seen over the past few weeks where stores are starting to crack down on couponers is just the start.  I have a feeling that TLC’s Extreme Couponing is going to “ruin couponing” for a lot of us.

What do you think?  Have your stores started cracking down already?


*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

 

 

 

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Tuesday Tips: So you want to be an extreme couponer?

April 19, 2011 by


Many of you have been watching Extreme Couponing on TLC and I’ve seen many people make comments such as “I want a stockpile like that” or “I want to be able to use coupons like that.  There are a few things that you need to keep in mind.  First, the people on these TV shows have been using coupons for awhile and so they have learned the “tricks of the trade.”  Plus, their stockpiles weren’t built overnight.

You CAN accumulate a stockpile over time if you follow these tips:

1.  Find good blogs that cover store match-ups for your area so you can get a “heads up” on the hottest deals.  I often get asked if it’s “worth it” to pay for subscriptions to services such as The Grocery Game.  I don’t really know if it’s “worth it” because I have never actually tried those services.  The way I look at it is – When your goal is to save money, why would you want to spend money on something you can get for free?

2.  Stock up on coupons for items that you know your family will use – you can do this by buying multiple papers, trading coupons, using a coupon clipping service, or … dumpster diving (I’ve never tried this personally, but I know there are lots of couponers out there who do)  Check out my post here on where to find coupons for more ideas.

3. Stock up on items that you need/use when they are at “rock bottom prices” (we’re going to talk more about “rock bottom prices” next week).  When you do this, you may be spending a chunk of money out of pocket initially, but this also means that you are not paying full price for these items later.  For example, Bird’s Eye Steamfresh veggies were $.67/bag at my Kroger stores this week.  Now that my stores no longer double/triple coupons, this is a stock up price for me, and we use these regularly.  So, I bought 20 bags.  I spent $8.40 (I had a $5 gift card), and those bags retail for $1.40, so I saved almost $20.  For ideas on the items that are at rock bottom/stockpile prices this week, check out my Couponing for a Cause post here.

4.  Organize, organize, organize. One of the BIGGEST keys to making it as a “couponer” is organization.  If your coupons aren’t organized, you will get frustrated and give up quickly.  We’ll talk more about methods for organization soon!  If your stockpile isn’t organized, things will expire or go to waste.  Find an organization system that works for you!

And…as a special treat, I was able to ask Nathan Engels (AKA “Mr. Coupon”) a few questions about his experiences in using coupons. Nathan Engels has appeared on two episodes of TLC’s Extreme Couponing (he donated all the items for care packages for the troops in the most recent episode).  He also runs We Use Coupons, which is a great resource for new (and “seasoned”) couponers.

Here’s my interview with Nathan:

How long have you been couponing?

I’ve been couponing for around 4 years.

(See….I told you this stuff doesn’t happen overnight!)

How did you get your start couponing?

My wife and I got married and realized we were deeply in debt.  So we cut up our credit cards and set a grocery budget.  In order to stretch our budget we looked to coupons to help us!

(I loved this because it is so similar to my own story!)

How much time do you spend organizing and planning for shopping trips each week?

I spend around 5-15 hours depending on the week!

(I asked this question because it’s a common one that I have people ask me…)

How much do you spend per month on coupons that you purchase from coupon clipping services and what’s your favorite service? (assuming you use a coupon clipping service?)  If you don’t use a coupon clipping service, how much do you spend on newspapers?

I actually try to keep my coupon costs as low as possible.  I generally get 3-4 newspapers and then dumpster dive!!  If you are curious about learning more about dumpster diving, watch this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI5qLtZY8H0

What advice do you have for those who are new to using coupons?

I have really only have TWO tips for newbies!  I call them to two “O’s.  Online and Organization.  Both are super important.  Get online and get organized!

DISCLAIMER: The stockpile pictures is not mine.  It’s just one I found “swagging” online.  One of these days, I’ll take pictures of what I’ve got and how I organize.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information


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My Thoughts on Extreme Couponing

April 6, 2011 by

Tonight is “the big night”  It is the premiere of “Extreme Couponing” on TLC.  If nothing else, it certainly has generated lots of discussion about coupon use on message boards and blogs across the country.

When the first episode aired, I was out of town with my family.  I got several messages and texts about the show, asking if I was watching.  I didn’t get a chance to watch it until a week or so later when I was back in town.

Based on the first episode that I viewed, here are some of my thoughts:

1.  It’s not realistic – I’ve been using coupons “heavily” for about four years now and in that time have been connected to fellow “couponers” on message boards across the country.  Most people, even “heavy” couponers (at least none that I know) spend hours preparing for a grocery trip, a few more hours at the actual grocery store, and then another hour or so at check-out. That’s a full day’s work!  I don’t know any grocery stores in my area that would allow someone to have carts and carts full of items that they were going to be checking out all in one transaction…and the employees certainly wouldn’t be helping push carts full of toothbrushes and pasta around with smiles on their faces.  I once tried to buy six bags of rice that would have been “free after coupon” at a local Kroger store and I was told I could only buy 3 in one transaction.  They actually made me go to the customer service desk and ring up my six bags of rice in two separate transactions.  I’m concerned that shows like this will discourage new couponers, making them think that they are not doing “enough” or that they will paint an unrealistic picture – that you can accumulate a huge stockpile overnight.  I wonder, too, how big these people’s vehicles are to accommodate all that “stuff.”  I know my van wouldn’t accommodate three carts full of items!  I don’t know many of us that have the space for that amount of stuff in our homes, either.

2.  They don’t show “the big picture” – First, to me, my time is as valuable as saving money.  Sometimes I have to put things in perspective and really ask myself if it’s worth it to spend hours dragging my kids around to various stores just to get free pasta or free deodorant or free toothbrushes.  To be honest, for me, free isn’t always free if it means that I have to sacrifice quality time with my family to get it.  There’s always a ‘cost’ even if it’s not monetary.  So, sometimes I have to say to myself that it’s OK to skip out on a deal and that another one will come along and even if it doesn’t, it’s OK.   The things that they show as being “free” aren’t always really “free” either.  When you’re using hundreds of coupons, they have to come from somewhere.  I don’t know many people that have that many generous friends, so I’m guessing that they either purchased those coupons from a coupon clipping service or they bought a whole lot of papers.  Either way, there’s an “expense” there that isn’t shared.

3.  It gives couponers a bad name – If you’ve been couponing for long, you’ve probably had some of these experiences:  the big huge siiiiiiiiiiggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh accompanied by a very sarcastic “great” from the customer behind you in line as you pull out your coupons or the eye roll from the cashier and the “We’re not going to give these to you for free” comments.  I like to practice “the Golden Rule” of couponing, which means that I don’t believe in being a shelf clearer.  I’m not going to lie and say that I’ve never bought 20, 30, or even 40 boxes of pasta (or other items) when there was a really good sale.  But, I will say that I didn’t buy all of those items in one transaction or at one store.  I have gone to separate stores or on separate days so that I don’t clear the shelves and so I can stay in the good graces of my stores.  I think it will also have long term negative effects because I think that stores will start changing policies to try to prevent this type of “extreme couponing” and that it will effect all of us couponers in the long run.  I know the store says otherwise, but I can’t help but think that Kroger’s recent decision to end double/triple coupons in the Houston market after an episode of Extreme Couponing was filmed there is not related.  Just my opinion, of course!

If you’ve stuck around for all of my “opinions” and you’re really interested in how you can get started using coupons, here are a few tips:

1.  Start collecting coupons! Coupons are not just in the Sunday papers anymore.  There are lots of great resources for finding coupons.  Check out my post here on “Where to Find Coupons” for more information.

2.  Start small – It’s very easy to get overwhelmed when you are first starting to use coupons because there is so much information out there.  My advice is to start small and pick one store to focus on and learn the ropes.  I typically recommend starting with a drug store because you can see the impact on your budget and start building your stockpile of health and beauty items relatively quickly.

Check out my store guide for CVS here for ideas on getting started with shopping at CVS

Check out my store guide for Walgreens here for ideas on getting started with shopping at Walgreens

I also have a post here that compares shopping at CVS vs. shopping at Walgreens

I also post weekly match-ups and scenarios, including “newbie” scenarios where you spend less than $5 to get started.

3.  Let someone else do the work for you! There are plenty of great blogs out there that do match-ups for you.  Find a great blog (I’m of course partial to mine…just sayin’!) that does match-ups for your area.  They will usually also outline which items are at a “stock up” price.  In the beginning, it’s hard to know what a “stock up price” is.  I have a post here about “What I’m Willing to Pay for Things” (keep in mind that this is based on being able to double and triple coupons).  I often have people ask me if it’s “worth it” to pay for services such as “The Grocery Game.”  To be fair, I’ve never actually tried out this service.  But, I have a hard time spending money on something that I know that I can get for free.

4.  Learn the lingo – When you first start couponing, and especially if you’re reading message boards, the “lingo” can quickly become confusing and overwhelming.  Check out my post here on “Coupon Lingo” to help you out!

5.  Find an organization system that “works” for you – One of the things that becomes most discouraging for new couponers is how to organize all of those coupons.  I know that when I was first starting out (and a few more times through the years), I’ve suddenly ended up with piles and piles of coupons which my husband was less than thrilled about.  Through the years I’ve experimented with a number of different systems.  Here are a few:

-Binder method:  Use file folders and baseball card holders and organize your coupons by category

-Filing system: Keep your inserts intact (just write the date of the insert on the outside, for example – 4-3 SS).  This makes it easy to locate your coupons if you’re matching them up with deals.  When I used this system, I kept them in hanging file folders by month

-Coupon organizer:  Keep your coupons in a filing boxes or divided coupon holder (I have the sections in mine organized by store, but some people organize them by category)

Here are a few other posts that might be helpful:

31 Ways to Save in 2011 (tips for saving on all kinds of things from household items to groceries and even electricity)

Coupon Basics

If you’ve got questions as you get started, don’t be afraid to e-mail me and ask me!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information


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