By now you’ve probably seen or at least heard of the TLC show Extreme Couponing. Thanks to my DVR I’ve been able to watch it and I’ll admit, I’m totally addicted! I’d heard the stories before of people that used coupons to pay pennies on the dollar for their groceries but I never really believed it was possible. But thanks to Extreme Couponing you get to see the actual process that these people go through to achieve these massive savings, and while I’m still skeptical, I’ll admit I’m also inspired.
What is Extreme Couponing?
Using coupons, extreme couponers stockpile massive amounts of products. They plan their shopping trips with military precision. They go to great lengths to accumulate coupons: dumpster diving, enlisting friends, family and neighbors to save coupons from newspapers, ordering multiple Sunday newspapers. But the result is paying pennies on the dollar or even getting items for free.
Why Haven’t I Started Couponing?
The idea of couponing has been in the back of my mind for years now but some common misconceptions have kept me from taking the plunge:
- Coupons only entice you to buy junk you don’t need.
- Even if you have a coupon for an item you use (eg. paper towels) the generic item is still cheaper.
- Extreme couponing only works when stores double coupons.
- There are few coupons available for someone that doesn’t eat a lot of processed food and buys primarily organic.
These were my beliefs when it came to couponing. But after watching Extreme Couponing and doing some research I’m starting to believe that if you know how to use coupons and take advantage of store promotions, even someone like me who doesn’t buy a lot of processed food and doesn’t live in an area where they double coupons, can save enough money to make couponing a worthwhile activity.
How to Use Coupons Effectively
It is true, a coupon by itself for a brand name product will not make it cheaper than generic. Savings come when you can “stack” a manufacturer coupon with a store coupon for an item that is also on sale. Then you stock up on items that you use when they are on sale versus buying “as needed”.
My Plan
This month my grocery bill was over $700 for two adults and a toddler. That is RIDICULOUS! So I’m very hopeful that couponing can save us some money. My plan is to start small and focus on diapers, paper products and toiletries. Also, a huge chunk of my grocery budget is dairy products: milk, yogurt, cheese. So I will be looking hard for opportunities to save in that area.
I’ve committed myself to do this for at least three months. I think that is the minimum amount of time needed to see if couponing is a money saving activity for my family. In addition to couponing, I’m going to get back to meal planning to avoid last minute trips to the grocery store or the urge to eat out a lot…which we have been doing lately. I’ll publish regular updates so you can follow along on my little coupon experiment. I’m still skeptical but hopeful this will be an effort that will save my family money.
Do you coupon? I’d love to hear how you use coupons to save money.
Hi, I’m Cathy! I’m a former career-driven professional turned stay-at-home mom. Living on one salary has its challenges, but it is possible to live the good life while spending less. Cool to be Frugal is all about how we’re thriving, not just surviving, on a single income.
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Good morning Cathy, and couponing saves money if done right. I am not an EXTREME couponer, but I do religiously use coupons…tending to save about 50% on my grocery bill. There are lots of internet sites (couponmom for one) in which you can print off coupons, along with store coupons (Target,etc) . In fact this week, I have coupons manufacture and store coupons (Target) in which I will go in a buy gogurt…saving 1.75 on 2, which in turn will be cheaper than Aldi’s or generic. I try to budget $100 for hubbie, son (6yr) and me for a month. I buy only what we need that is on sale, in which I have a coupon for, and on double coupon days. In fact with using coupons, I am still able to buy/give for the local food shelf even though times are a little tighter. It does take a little bit of effort/time, but I think of it as a part-time job (1-3hr/week including shopping), and the savings are great.
With reading you blog, I know you can do it, and you will be amazed at your savings. However remember, it is not a great deal if you don’t use it or it goes to waste before you get to it. Thanks for a great blog and have a great day.
Hi Lisa!
$100 a month is incredible! Thanks for sharing your tips. I love hearing about real people making couponing work. If I can get my bill down 50% I will be very happy!
I should of mentioned that we garden ALOT, and from that, I can/freeze etc, so it does help stretch the $100. Especially like you guys, we definitely like the dairy products, and those seem to be going up tremendously. Keep me posted how you do, I think you will be amazed at how much you can save with just a little effort.
Be sure to check out OrganicDeals.com – she posts organic coupons/deal scenarios, as well as good online organic deals (Amazon has amazingly good prices on organic groceries!), AND places to find coupons for organic brands (like Organic Valley, Horizon, etc.). ALSO- learn the organic generics of your favorite store, they all have them.
Hi Melissa!
Awesome tips! I’m adding OrganicDeals.com to my favorites.
Very true about Amazon. I’ve found great deals on organics at Amazon and their subscription program is fantastic giving you an additional 15% off.
Thanks again for the great tips!
I do! I don’t get $800 of groceries for free and play video games with the cash register, but I have saved 40-50% using coupons and keeping track of sales since I started a couple months ago. I clip only for products I’d already use (unless there’s a ridiculous $5 coupon or something…then I clip it just to check it out…if I CAN get something for free why not?,) read my local stores weekly ads, and started using e coupons, or coupons your store lets you load to your shopper card online. I’m not a pro and my savings aren’t 95%, but I also have a life.
Hope this helps!
Good morning Cathy
So it has been a week, how’s the extreme couponer doing on her new mission?
You can do it, baby steps all the way!
Hey Lisa! Thanks for checking in. Well, I spent my first week clipping coupons, pouring over circulars and generally feeling overwhelmed. But I’m getting organized and starting to feel like I can do this. I have one small shopping trip to CVS under my belt and I think I got some great deals. Once I get another trip done I’m going to write a detailed update to share my progress. Stay tuned and thanks for the encouragement!
I started couponing in May to of course, save money! My budget is only $100 a week, for two adults and two kids half-time, so usually our fridge is not as stocked as I’d like. Couponing helped a lot; I was able to save on some essentials and some treats for the kiddos. I’ve started ordering coupons from clipping services, so I can get more of the ones I use. I’m waiting for pasta coupons to arrive so I can go to the store and get 20 boxes of free pasta!! Slowly, couponing is helping the budget!
Like you I live in an area where no stores double, and we have limited options of stores. A few main ones and that’s it- so I have accepted extreme couponing will not happen for us. The best deals I find are usually in store and not advertised- an item on sale with an in store manufacturer’s coupon. They limit one item for each purchase- so we can’t clear any shelves like on the show either! So if I find a good one, I have my oldest pay for one set and I will pay for the other set. If I save 25% or more off an item I am happy! I will continue to look for coupons and browse the isles of any great deals and good luck to you!
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