Extreme Couponing - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davidmash · #1 04-07-2011, 01:05 AM

Did anyone watch the show? Does anyone here do any serious coupon shopping?

The show (for those who have no idea what I'm talking about) was about two women who are what they call extreme couponing. One lady bought over $1,900 dollars in groceries and paid $103 after all the coupons and discounts.

Some of the stuff she bought I have no interest in (70 containers of mustard) but she was getting other stuff like soap, toilet paper ... etc. She had it down to a science. She had multiple papers delivered, went to the web sites, filing systems... etc. I do not think I am looking to go that hard core but the idea of paying quite a bit less for items I need is intriguing.

I have done a bit of reading and apparently the Catalina coupons ( the extra paper with the red borders that most of us probably throw out) play big part in this. This seems like a lot of work but it could pay off.

I do not eat a lot of processed foods so I don't know how much I can take advantage of this.

Any one do this?

tbomachines · #2 04-07-2011, 07:49 AM

I saw it. I'm not sure whether to be happy that some people are so thrifty or angry that some people actually have the time to do that. Lets face it, if you're buying 75 tubes of toothpaste really you're just an a-hole .

Chad300tdt · #3 04-07-2011, 08:08 AM

Don't be angry TC.

I watched the show and saw people that have couponing as their only hobby in life. I personally enjoy having a variety of activities although MBs take a fairly large chunk.

I wouldn't be able to be an extreme couponer due to the fact that, for the most part, I don't eat the foods that have coupon offers. Almost 50% of my weekly grocery bill is for fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes there are good store deals and even store coupons, but you can't hoard fresh foods without canning.

TheDon · #4 04-07-2011, 08:24 AM

It looks like an issue. Hoarding, OCD, and other problems. Whatever works for them.

tbomachines · #5 04-07-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Don't be angry TC.

I watched the show and saw people that have couponing as their only hobby in life. I personally enjoy having a variety of activities although MBs take a fairly large chunk.

I wouldn't be able to be an extreme couponer due to the fact that, for the most part, I don't eat the foods that have coupon offers. Almost 50% of my weekly grocery bill is for fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes there are good store deals and even store coupons, but you can't hoard fresh foods without canning.

I just can't imagine how much time it takes to clip and sort 4,000 coupons along with calculating exact savings and store inventory, I don't even think 40 hours a week would cover it. It is impressive, but when you have to divide your 3,000 item purchase into a hundred "separate" bills to get double coupons thats just a hassle for everyone. The other point you brought up is good too - these are all packaged foods that are going in a pantry somewhere, the poor kids probably haven't seen a fresh veggie in years

. I distinctly remember one woman bragging about having 50 bags of chips in her stock, seemed healthy.

Chad300tdt · #6 04-07-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I just can't imagine how much time it takes to clip and sort 4,000 coupons along with calculating exact savings and store inventory, I don't even think 40 hours a week would cover it. It is impressive, but when you have to divide your 3,000 item purchase into a hundred "separate" bills to get double coupons thats just a hassle for everyone. The other point you brought up is good too - these are all packaged foods that are going in a pantry somewhere, the poor kids probably haven't seen a fresh veggie in years

. I distinctly remember one woman bragging about having 50 bags of chips in her stock, seemed healthy.

My wife and I commented on the chip stockpile as well.

I thought chips only have a shelf life of at most 2 months.

50 bags of chips would last me the rest of my life at this point since I don't eat them, but even when I used to eat chips I only went though maybe one or two bags a month.

JB3 · #7 04-07-2011, 09:08 AM

are the women taking the extra food and toothpaste and reselling it in another store? That would be a pretty interesting business plan, super coupon everything, then resell it with a 5% discount from list at their own place.

Otherwise, why buy all that toothpaste?

Chad300tdt · #8 04-07-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

are the women taking the extra food and toothpaste and reselling it in another store? That would be a pretty interesting business plan, super coupon everything, then resell it with a 5% discount from list at their own place.

Otherwise, why buy all that toothpaste?

It requires a good deal of tooth brushing to remove all the processed foods from their teeth.

JB3 · #9 04-07-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

It requires a good deal of tooth brushing to remove all the processed foods from their teeth.

hahha, yes. They could also be using it to fill in knicks in the walls of their house.

TheDon · #10 04-07-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

are the women taking the extra food and toothpaste and reselling it in another store? That would be a pretty interesting business plan, super coupon everything, then resell it with a 5% discount from list at their own place.

Otherwise, why buy all that toothpaste?

I think, from what I gather, is that there are certain coupons that when worked with properly you get money back for buying a product.

Kuan · #11 04-07-2011, 09:51 AM

If you buy 75 tubes of toothpaste you can sell it on ebay can't you?

Edit: I made that comment to be snarky but then I went and searched ebay for toothpaste and lo and behold! Toothpaste!

JB3 · #12 04-07-2011, 09:54 AM

sounds like a pretty interesting show actually.

I like this breed of reality show which is based less creating the conditions for maximum drama over stupid nonsense, and more on following people around on their interesting hobbies or job.

Like the pawn one, and the junk dealer one, ect

Chad300tdt · #13 04-07-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

sounds like a pretty interesting show actually.

I like this breed of reality show which is based less creating the conditions for maximum drama over stupid nonsense, and more on following people around on their interesting hobbies or job.

Like the pawn one, and the junk dealer one, ect

Just give it time. "American Chopper" used to be a good show until the producers decided it needed tampering with. That was the whole theme behind the movie "Woman on Top".

Hatterasguy · #14 04-07-2011, 10:07 AM

If they do it as a hobby its interesting but I would never do it. I don't spend enough to take advantage of coupons like that.

pj67coll · #15 04-07-2011, 10:40 AM

Yeah, my wife does that. Not sure how extreme she is, though she did once pick up 300 bucks worth of groceries for 150 and last night came back wiht 75 bucks worth for 35. So I guess she seems to be saving about 50 percent on this stuff. Seems to be working for her. Myself, frankly I could never be bothered with all the effort involved etc.

- Peter.