Extreme Couponing - The TV Show

Although there have been some Extreme Couponing episodes on recently, last night was the series premiere of TLC's Extreme Couponing.  Although I am definitely one for couponing, the individuals on this show take their couponing mission to - well - the extreme! 

These individuals save tens of thousands of dollars, but they have turned their houses into mini-warehouses.  Am I faulting that?  Absolutely not!  Do I believe in stockpiling?  Yes!  In fact, I tend to be teased by the important people in my life about my stockpiling.  In the case of stockpiling, I firmly believe that you have to go with your comfort level.  With this economy and the strange things that are happening at times, I am thinking that my stockpile is looking a little low, and I need to remedy that situation.  Will I ever become an extreme couponer?  Probably not, even though it gives me a real high to know that I can legally get things for free that I once paid for.

One of the things that I did like about the series is that it shows the power of couponing. I remember my first coupon deal that I did after reading Kathy Spencer's book (see earlier posting).  Colgate Total toothpaste was on sale at Rite Aid.  I also had a coupon from the paper for $1.00 off.  On top of that, I ended up with a $2.00 +UP (For those of you who do not know what that is, it is a printout on the register receipt that can be used in place of cash on your next transaction at Rite Aid.).  As a result of those things, the toothpaste ended up being free, and the $.01 extra ended up being applied to another item that I purchased at the same time.  Since then, I have "purchased" more tubes of Colgate toothpaste for my stockpile, and all of the tubes have ended up being free.  I will never buy another tube of toothpaste!  Since that time, I have managed to get light bulbs, printer paper, snacks, and various other things for free! 

Another thing that I liked about the Extreme Couponing episodes is that some of the individuals share their stash with the less fortunate.  In one of the episodes, a gentleman purchased over 1100 boxes of cereal for a little over $150.  He then gave the cereal to the food bank at his church.  If you can get something for free, and you don't need it, then give it away to a shelter, organization, or to someone you know who will use it.  Be generous.

Couponing - you can do it too!  Just save those coupons and realize that you may not be able to use the coupons immediately, and you have to plan in order to use them efficiently.  If you choose not to coupon, then give your coupons to a friend or relative who does.  Be generous.