If you watched TLC’s Extreme Couponing tonight, and happened to stumble upon my Coupon and Deal Blog, you may have some misconceptions about how coupons really work in the real world. Remember, everything is done over-the-top on purpose for TV. But you really truly can save anywhere from 70%-90% on each week’s grocery shopping trip!
If you are brand new to couponing, read my Getting Started on Couponing Section. Then, use the Grocery Drop down menu or the Grocery Buttons on the side bar to see what deals your store has this week.
The idea is to build a stockpile of enough items so your family never has to pay full price. Ideally, you should just purchase enough to help you make it to the next sale and when a similar coupon comes out again. Usually, that happens every 4-6 months. I am an Extreme Couponer, but my stockpile will supply my small family of 3 for about 6 months. I rotate out all of my items out and if I accidentally bought more than we can use, I will give it to the Scouts when they do their food drive or to the food bank.
Every family should have a small stockpile to help save serious money. But the “stockpiles” you saw today are NOT normal and definitely not what you need. So don’t get depressed if yours doesn’t look like that.
Make sure you check Freebies2Deals each day to get incredible deals, freebies and offers for free products too! And, don’t forget to “like” Freebies2Deals on Facebook. Sometimes, limited time deals are only posted there so we can keep tabs on the offer. Plus, discussions about coupons and deals are super easy to have. And, it is great to have new friends help you learn the ropes of couponing!
Ashley
Completely blown away while watching this show! I thought I was doing good when I picked up a few things here and there for FREE. However, I was pleased with myself that I do not wear that much make-up as the first couponer shown 😉
SamD
I just watched a few episodes that I DVRd of Extreme Couponing – some of those people are just obsessed! The lady that uses every room in her house – including her kids rooms? That’s too much. Or, the lady that spends up to 7 hours a day planning and clipping coupons!? Really?!
They should call that show OVER THE TOP COUPONING. There’s no way I would want 240 boxes of pasta….even if they’re free…..that’s a s**t load of pasta to be eating before it expires! I love pasta, but I don’t want to eat it every night!
Sam
Kaile
That show gave me absolute anxiety and I was sitting on my couch!!! Just out of curiosity, do any stores in Utah have a double coupon day? Thanks for all that you do !!!
Lisa
I had a few questions about last nights shows…
First: Is the reason they get a lot of stuff free because they go on double or triple coupon day? I mean I have found some good deals from what is posted on freebies2deals, but getting $600 worth of groceries for free? Come on…
Second: Is it common to split up transaction so that you can either roll your catalinas into the next transaction or get their $s off a certain $ amount purchase?
Third: I know that Walmart will now let you use coupons that are for over the $ amount (money makers) but will other stores allow it? The one lady did that on the clearanced vitamins (I think it was Albertsons)…
Thanks!
Carrie
I really want to thank you for all your tips. I have been able to use your tips in most stores that I shop and I have increased my savings dramatically. I would say I’m saving an average of $30-$40 per week. I do shop once a week in order to get what is on sale and stack my coupons. I am so grateful that you share the good news and make couponing a reality in the real world. I seriously don’t know how the extreme couponing actually works on TV but I’m happy to save what I am. I think you have a wonderful website and thank you for making it so user friendly. I also love how you suggest stocking up on items to give as gifts. I’m always running to the store a few days prior and your tips have cut those trips down as well. 🙂
God Bless!
Jennifer
What I noticed about this show is that it took a couple of hours for the people to check out ….. What are they doing About the stuff that needs to stay cold while they are in the check out for two hours? It was fun to watch but absolutely over the top. Having said that , I love saving with coupons!!! This site has helped me to save weekly and I love all of the free samples =) Thank you for all your hard work!!!
Brisa
What I noticed too is that they were buying milk and meet which these are expensive food and I never have found coupons for that kind of fresh staff, so how they do it?? because with just buying 2 gallons of milk is already 5 bucks so that does not make sense to me!!!!!!??????
(I’m sorry if a wrote something wrong, my english is not my first language)
Melea Johnson
They were using the overage from other coupons to put towards items they didn’t have coupons for.