Sunday, April 10, 2011
Courtney
Then I looked at my house. I had multiples of everything. My linen closet soon became, Courtney's Corner Store. Seriously? Where am I supposed to put my towels? I start giving stuff away to family members, and then officially stopped couponing. I don't remember the last time I used a coupon, and when I did use a coupon I paid a fraction of the price..
While watching TLC's show Extreme Couponing all I could think was - these ladies need help, NOT a TV show. Sure it's nice to save money, but why not save your life, marriage, and relationship with your children? Instead of doing homework they're clipping coupons. (Okay maybe I'm exaggerating) My point is NOTHING is free, there's TAX, and further more I'm pretty sure each and everyone of those coupons say one per person, not 50 per person.
Why would someone want 50+ bottles of mustard, ketchup, and other condiments? Don't get me start on all the cases of sodas, sports drinks, and juices. One child's bedroom was filled with toilet paper, and bath tissue. When I saw that I was almost positive I was watching TLC's Hoarding: Buried Alive. That's exactly what this show portrays. Another thing I noticed was the majority of the products purchased were processed. I spend about $200-$400 a month on food for just myself and my husband. Fresh produce, meat, and perishables almost never have a coupon. That means all of that food you're saving money on now, will definitely be costing you in medical bills in the future. Definitely something to think about.
I have no problem with using a coupon. I think it's great that companies actually help the consumer purchase their products while saving a little. I really don't think they intend for it to go this far.. nor do they "allow" it. Certain stores have a coupon policy. My store strictly enforces only ONE item can be free from a coupon when doubled, and then the rest you will get for the single amount off. That also means you can't break your order into 19 orders.
I guess this hits a sour note with me because I used to be an avid couponer, and now I can see exactly why every single cashier rolled their eyes when I saved $40 off my $100 order. Not only is this setting a bad name for fellow couponers, but it's also limiting the supply of which companies will further present us with their money saving coupons. Why would they want to give us everything for free? That's not the intention.
I really hope this post doesn't come across as mean - I'm just simply stating my opinion.
What are your views on this topic?
Posted in: random
23 comments:
I think you hit the nail on the head. I think a lot of people who do "Extreme Couponing" see it as a game... but then the game just goes too far. It made me chuckle that you compared it to the show Hoarders... so true!! haha
I coupon... I have to. I'm a single mother trying to raise my child in a comfortable home and provide for her the best I can. If I can save 1.00 or 1.50 on a product then sure I'm going to save it. I also think about the future. If gas hits $5 a gallon I might not be able to really grocery shop, except for produce and essentials. If I have 5 things of laundry detergent that's one less thing that I have to worry about. I think there is extreme couponing and I don't plan on stock piling my house, but having a few of one item works for me.
I think couponing is GREAT. Like you're saying having 5 of one thing. I'm referring to people who have 20+ like on the show. I would have multiples of things if I didn't shop through discount stores like BJ's. I think there's definitely a fine line between hoarding and saving.
There is a fine line, you should only buy what you need or can donate to someone.
I like to coupon, and I have a stockpile of things...but not rooms full of stuff! There is a line of smart...and just crazy! I don't take hours upon hours getting my coupons together - maybe an hour total each week and then I'm done and save a ton!
I think the term "Extreme" in the show's title is very accurate. I think it's way overboard!
I do use coupons, but in general I may save $5-$10 off of my purchase. The biggest reason I don't use them too often is, like you said, there are no coupons for meats and produce. The good stuff you should be eating. It's paper products and processed crap. I'll use them for toilet paper, sure, but I don't need 43 boxes of Hamburger Helper.
I like to use coupons every once in awhile. I also love to bargain shop, but things like that boggles my mind.
I think what the show depicts isn't healthy or smart -- it irritates me.
AND, like you, I get so irritated to see all the processed crap that's being "stockpiled." Even my friends on Facebook that coupon/stockpile show off pics of processed junk, kool-aid, pop, candy, etc. They NEVER show anything healthy that they've purchased with coupons.
And, that's why I don't coupon -- eating healthy, real-food is more important to me than getting crap at a reduced rate.
I wish, wish, wish that there were more coupons for veggies (even plain, frozen ones) and meat. THAT would be a good thing.
last nights episode cracked me up. 60+ bottles of mustard and her husband doesn't even eat mustard lol
I want to learn how to save like they do. I would donate the extra to those in need
I used to do the deals at CVS & Walgreens. Then I realized I have enough toothpaste & hairdye for the next 2 years... enough already.
I also agree about all the processed foods, that is what most coupons are for... sure you might occasionally get a couple dollars off meat or produce, when you buy something else, but that is the exception rather than the rule, and you still have to buy the processed stuff to use the coupon. I would hate to eat that their house.
I agree!!
I coupon, for things I NEED and USE! I don't stockpile like crazy, I may have enough deodorant and shampoo and stuff to last a while but my house and closets aren't overrun. These people are HOARDERS plain and simple, and greedy at that, just because you can save doesn't mean you have to buy out the entire store.
I haven't caught the series, but I don't coupon for stuff I can't use!
Oh, and I stumbled this post!
I won't watch the show anymore. It's discouraging to go to the store to get a couple boxes of pasta thats on sale to feed my family for a couple of weeks to find NOTHING on the shelf. I now know what happened to it. I'm guessing this show is going to wake up the retail markets and manufacturers into tightening up their coupon rules.
I see coupons for meat and produce quite often and personally coupon and have a stockpile and rarely spend anything on groceries yet overall we eat healthy.
As for only being able to use 1 coupon most coupons say 1 per purchase or something along those lines and not 1 per transaction so most coupons you can use 10 of in one transaction. Just 2 weeks or so ago I bought 20 boxes of pasta and used 10-20 coupons and had no issue.
Interesting post girl. I have never been a coupon clipper, just a careful shopper. Even if I bring the coupons I forget to use them ;)
I wish I could remember to take a single coupon to the store with me...sigh. LOL
Not sure this show is offering anything good to the public...I have read no positive posts on it at all.
I wish I could find a balance between not couponing like I do right now and going extreme. It'd be nice not to have to pay for some things or significantly less but I don't know that I have the time or energy to "save" as much as possible.
I feel it becomes an obsession and addiction! You are absolutely right with this entire post.
I coupon but only for stuff we use for the week or two.
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