Many of us are tuning into the reality show "Extreme Couponing" on TLC and there has been a lot of discussion about the program and if it portrays real life couponing or if it is just a lot of fluff for the sake of entertainment. We want to know what you thoughts are about the program in our "Extreme Couponing" poll.
Poll: "Extreme Couponing" - Is it real or just entertainment?
Become an "Extreme Couponing" Reviewer
Poll: "Extreme Couponing" - Is it real or just entertainment?
Become an "Extreme Couponing" Reviewer
Would you like to write a review of the "Extreme Couponing" program? Do you like the show? Hate it? Do you think it is real? Who is your favorite extreme couponer and why? Who do you least like? Are they savvy shoppers or hoarders? Send in your review for posting on the Coupons and Bargain site.
About.com is a New York Times company.
I think the key word is EXTREME! I coupon and have gotten loads of free items from cat food to groceries to health & beauty items. I really don’t get more than I can use unless I’m donating it to the Animal Shelter or the Food Bank . You have to be careful of expiration dates on the free products too. My stores have a limit on 4 coupons on each item. I usually stack a store coupon with a manufacturers to get the best deal and earn free coupons from the catalina machines. I think the people on these shows can get a little greedy.My favorite lady was the one (can’t remember her name) who was a Nurse and did very well but did not take advantage . ashe said she only takes what she needs and I think she did a wonderful job! I can see a family with children getting a few months worth but in my opinion some just took advantage!
some of the folks on the show… well, let’s just say a cross-over episode with hoarders: buried alive would not be out of the question. while showing ‘extreme’ behaviour may be good for ratings, it’s potentially harmful to those of us who do this responsibly, if stores end up changing their policies. and for those who think a show can’t have that effect: Super Size Me. no longer an option at McD’s, as a result of the movie.
I would like to know what stores allow you to stack coupons? I haven’t seen any one allow this process and the coupons state that you are not able to use more than one product.
There are no stores within an hour of me that double coupons or stack them. There’s no way the average person can do what these extreme couponers do…but that’s why it is so fascinating I think. I love the show, but it doesn’t reflect reality for 99.9% of couponers.
I also share the same concerns as Beth, that the extreme, because of their exposure, may affect not only policies but also the reputations of couponers in general. We only have to look at politics to see how that can happen.
As an unrealistic reality show, though, it’s good entertainment.
Some of these people are just plain greedy and could not use half of the stuff they hoard in their lifetime. To keep it all to themselves is shameful. They should at least donate some of it to a homeless shelter or church. They should be embarrassd!
I consider myself a savvy coupon shopper – but these people give US a bad name. When I ask people to save their coupon flyers for me that they don’t use – they immediately classify me as one of THOSE PEOPLE.
My parents grew up during the depression and my father taught me 45 years ago the value of coupon shopping. I continued that tradition – in moderation.
Buying an item for a super price is definitely an adrenal rush – but it is MORE stressful to then decide, when you get home, where you are going to store it and if it will spoil before you use it. My husband would not tolerate that pack-ratting mentality that those people have – storing items in every empty space – How do you keep track of what you have? It’s now Hoarding – it’s turned into Clutter and is now not a bargain !
And to be in a grocery store for 5 hours and in the line for 2 hours – my store would not tolerate that !! I get ‘the eye’ from people when I pull out my 10-20 weekly coupons ! Or dividing up your order into 18 separate transaction for the cashier to ring – Absurd !
And if someone needs to buy 35 bottles of Maalox – no matter HOW FREE they were – then they should change their diet !!
I still think that they are spending money to save money for groceries. The one woman said that she pays $70 or so to coupon clipping services, then the ink and paper you have to buy to print the coupons… Then as someone else mentioned the gas to find a store that allows stacking coupons. Not to mention the time involved. Some of these women didn’t work because they were “consumed by clipping coupons.” Even free groceries can’t take the place of a salary if the person was working somewhere.
I’m curious if you are still teaching upc decoding like you wrote about at http://couponing.about.com/od/groceryzone/qt/upcdecoding.htm
You do know it’s illegal and is the reason Extreme Couponing’s Jaime Kirlew is hot water right now with the various organizations. If you are a ethical couponer you would remove that page and teach people how to coupon correctly.