Extreme Couponing… What are Your Thoughts?
As many of you have emailed, there is a new show airing tonight at 8pm EST on TLC called Extreme Couponing. The show profiles four coupon-obsessed savers (as TLC calls them) trying to get as much as they can for as little as they can. The show sounded pretty interesting, but as I started to read the description… well, I am not sure if interesting is the right word. Why you ask? Well, here goes…
*Important Note: The statements I make below are just my opinions. You do not have to agree with them and I have no problem with you sharing your points, even if they differ. I do, however, have a problem with disrespectful comments, inappropriate language and just being downright cruel. Those type of comments will be deleted. Thank you for your understanding.
So now my thoughts on this new show… I personally do not like how couponers are portrayed on the show. Now before I go on, I know they are portrayed like this for ratings… I get that. They want people’s jaws to drop and eyes to be wide open. But, it still stinks.
Meet the shoppers of TLC’s EXTREME COUPONING:
Nathan started clipping coupons four years ago when he and his wife took a closer look at their finances. Now, debt free with more than 10,000 items stockpiled in his garage, Nathan is preparing for the biggest haul of his life. On his latest visit to the supermarket, Nathan is leaving with over 2,000 items – his most massive checkout to date. With 1,100 boxes of cereal, 300 toothbrushes and 60 bottles of hand soap, Nathan is looking forward to topping himself and saving thousands of dollars in the process!
Retail value: $5,743.00 Nathan’s cost after utilizing his coupons: $241.00 – 95% savings!
Amanda is a full-time Storage Facility Manger in Cincinnati, OH who spends up to 70 hours a week researching in-store promotions, clipping coupons and surfing the internet for the latest and greatest deals. She already has a stockpile of products from previous couponing ventures worth up to $15,000. But this extreme saver is most proud of her collection of toilet paper – over 3,000 rolls – enough to last the average couple about 40 years! Now, with the help of her husband, Amanda is preparing for her largest checkout ever consisting of nine baskets of food, beauty and pet products including 218 boxes of pasta, 268 containers of noodles, 100 bottles of sport drink and 150 candy bars.
Retail value: $1,175.33. Amanda’s cost after utilizing her coupons: $51.67.
To me a great show on couponing would be a show that is teaching the average person how to coupon. A person that doesn’t have 70 hours a week to scour ads and clip coupons, a person that doesn’t have access to an entire garage to store all of their “goods”… and really, who needs that many “goods”?!
It’s called reality TV… but in my opinion, it’s definitely not realistic. As a coupon blogger, I hope Hip2Save motivates and inspires all of you. I try to make sure the videos I make ARE realistic and with that I mean, you will be able to go to the store and snatch up the same deals shown in the videos.
Again, I know this show is called Extreme Couponing, but I’m just not getting the point of the show and maybe that’s because I coupon in such a different way.
I don’t coupon so I have a receipt to frame… OK, so that may be a little bit of a fib. In the beginning, when I first started my couponing adventures back in 2007, I was very excited about the savings displayed on all my receipts and I did proudly show them to everyone I could… even people who didn’t want to see them! 😉 Yes, I was annoying like that. And I do think that’s normal, as I would assume most newbie couponers are very excited about their new-found talent! …But I quickly learned that couponing can become all too consuming. From clipping and organizing coupons to going through the weekly ads and then planning your trips… and on top of that, planning your days around when you need to go to the store. Too consuming!
I am still learning how to have balance in my life, but one thing I have learned along the way… well, it’s quite simple. When it comes to couponing, Nothing is a BIG deal!
Example: I let my high value $2/1 Pampers Wipes coupon expire and I would have been able to score FREE wipes at Walmart. Guess what? Not a BIG deal! Do you get what I’m saying? Start thinking like that and all the annoying stress you feel about rushing to the store so you don’t miss that oh so amazing deal will be gone!
I love my hubby. Random, right?! Well, not really because he is the one who taught me to really understand that most things are “Not a Big Deal”. And as you may know from reading my blog, I am a neurotic, high energy and very spastic woman… so for me to be able to step back and say, “It’s Not a Big Deal”… well, it’s HUGE and if I can do it, so can you!
Now I know I’ve kind of veered off from the topic at hand, but what I really wanted you to get out of my post is to not let couponing and deal hunting consume you. The same deals always come back over and over again.
Before I finish this post, I have a challenge for you – miss a deal this week and remember, it’s NOT a Big Deal! When you’re missing that deal, do whatever you like… take a bath, read a book, play with your kiddos, laugh, love, smile. Life is wonderful, so take full advantage of it! 🙂
Thanks for listening to me ramble.
The problem I see is this a a double edged sword. TV shows and sites popping up all over showing how to do this and soon everybody is doing it and you cant get any deals cuz there is not enough product to meet the demand. And the more this becomes mainstream, the worse ya know. Very scary.
I love you Collin! I love how laid back you are (you may say you’re neurotic, but this post proves otherwise). I have to say that its liberating not to do deals sometimes. We really have to realize what is more important! You have helped me save SO MUCH money in the past year alone that I am far more comfortable with my budget than I have been ever. I have been able to snag gifts for little to nothing or free for birthdays and Christmas because of the deals you post. Thanks for everything Collin! Keep up the great work!!!
The extreme part is right. I don’t know anyone that would really need that much toilet paper or that many tooth brushes. Why don’t they put there talent to use and donate the items to a homeless shelter.
my thoughts exactly Ashley!!
I agree. Hoarding is selfish. I hope what I do is helping my family and others. All things in moderation, right?
Couponing is to help people with limited money, not to hoard.
It’s people like this that get on the show Hoarders…gotta buy any and everything because it was on sale!
I just had to let you know that after working for one of the biggest food manufacturer’s in the U.S for years in Finance…companies do not have coupons to help people with limited money. If that was the case, coupons would only be available to those who needed them. Companies use couponing as one form of marketing. Either to introduce new products and get people to try them, to boost current sales, cycle inventory, help a lagging product or to keep their brand “alive”. Not once was the motivation we discussed during the budget process and cycle on couponing was to help people who have limited money. We did it to move product off the shelves. Also we know some consumers only buy an item with a coupon. I just had to make a comment here because my company spent millions on helping those in need. Coupons is just not one of them. They are for everyone. I don’t need to use coupons but I live my life by the rule …”never pay retail” so I like using them and I don’t feel like I’m taking from someone who needs it.
Colin, I totally agree about balance. My hubby, the love of my life, has taught me the same thing!!! It was actually his idea to double my grocery budget if I would only shop at one store. 🙂 (Meijer is awesome – so I still get great deals!!) I’ve been thinking lately that BALANCE is going to be the theme of the new year for me. Balance in everything… yes, couponing is so much fun, but still it has to be in balance. Great post! Thanks again for the reminder!
You can go overboard in anything. When I was raising 4 children on my husband’s school teacher’s salary we could have not made it without coupons and rebates. I saw a review of the show and one of the couponers took a trailer load to his church for the food pantry. I do this, too. Not a trailer load, but when anyone needs things I have it to give. I would like to know where these people shop. I don’t get deals that good. Couponing is not illegal. Tell them to get a grip.
I agree with everybody! That is crazy! Wow! If I saw someone in line with that many items I’d think they were buying for a restraunt, store, or charity not themsleves. I’d hate to be that cashier! Shows like make couponing and couponers look bad. I bought 8 bottles of liquid hand soap today at Target on clearance for .34 each and starting feeling like I’d bought too many on my way home. Wow! Eight bottles in nothing compared to what those people bought!
I agree with Colin about letting deals slide by and enjoying your family and friends sometimes . That’s been my philosophy for several months now because there’s always another deal around the corner.
Those are the type of people that clear a shelf, when I just want 1 or 2 free items. It’s almost like an addiction.
I hope they show some real applications so everyday people realize that saving some money isn’t so hard and doesn’t take 70 hours a week. I’ll have to watch this…you know we all will!
Collin, Thank you. I really needed that today. Sometimes I catch myself being overly excited about deals and having to go out and snag every deal. I need to step back and realize that spending time with my family is more important. Where do most of the freebies go anyways?… In a box in the garage…
Reality TV isn’t reality. We have a friend whose Ex girlfriend was on Bridezillas (another reality show) and when the Bride and groom to be were in a disagreement… the camera crew would stop the shoot and direct them to get worked up more (shouting matches and nasty comments). I am interested in seeing how the people on Extreme Couponing do what they do because I have never heard of getting such deals… but that’s it. My husband is an assistant grocery manager and if everybody shopped like that… he wouldn’t have a job to feed my family and businesses wouldn’t be able to keep their doors open. Personally… I abide by the three coupon per item limit / per trip… and count my blessings.
Thank you so much for posting this! I definitely do not have 70 hours a week to coupon considering I work 37.5 hours a week and have 2 small children. I just found your site a few months ago and even made my first coupon binder last month with the help of your video! I am really trying to save my family money, but I can NOT go crazy if I miss out on a deal. Do I get obsessed sometimes? Sure, but once I miss a deal, I always realize it’s not that big of a deal…there’s always another one around the corner!
It would not be so bad if they donated to their local food bank.
I rather disagree in that unless they are pre-ordering or something, they have to be clearing the shelves. In that case they are leaving nothing for the people who depend on coupon savings to make ends meet. If more people would learn to combine coupons/sales/moderate stockpiling, maybe less would have to depend on the food banks. I say this because I have been in line behind people using food stamps paying full price for things and I just wish I could tell them how much farther those food stamps would go if they shopped differently. Also, all the stores in my area used to do unlimited double coupons and one even occasionally did triple coupons. Now, there are no more triple coupons and two of them limit how many they will double. I have to think it is because of “overuse” (for lack of a better word) of coupons.
It always gets to me when people try and use the “I donate everything” excuse to justify their hoarding/obsession.
Our local food pantry will only support a select few so if you’re homeless, unemployed, if your rent is above a certain percentage, don’t have transportation to the food pantry during the very limited days/hours it is open then you are SOL, I don’t think people realize how MANY working poor there are in this country and so many of them are not eligible for assistance. Coupons are a necessity for quite a few people to make ends meet that do not use a pantry or church.
I totally agree with you Collin.I think there needs to be a balance when using coupons and really self examine yourself why is it you are really using them.I have been using coupons for about ten years now and as my family grew i saw the need to use more.At times I have gotten so upset when i was given a hard time to the point i could not sleep at night.Thats when i realized i need to step back and not take things so seriously.So what if they didnt take one or two coupons.Its ok.In regards to that program i can see how this can get out of hand.If you dont have any financial struggles and not have any kids then there is a problem with a huge stockpile.Its called an obsession..Even if you are donating a portion to the local food bank you still have a problem.!
*Collin you are so level headed and we appreciate that!*
See they needed someone like Collin on the show, to let people know that couponing can let people be frugal and it’s a way to help your family stay on a budget, not go crazy like these people, and like you say it’s not a big deal to throw away a coupon it’s not something you had to begin with so it’s no loss, I am going to be watching this show just to see these people.
I agree with your post. I am happy to get the deals I have. I have a small stockpile and I am happy. I have learned it is okay to miss the deal today or this week. I have been able to help my mom with giving her products from my stockpile. I love this site and all the work and your great attitude – thanks for all your time Colin!
Wow, I just want to say AMEN!! I recently took a break from couponing. At first I was really stressed thinking about all the “deals” I was missing. Then after a week I felt totally relieved. What a stress reducer knowing I didn’t have to “run” to the store to get that deal only to find none of the items in stock. If there is one think you said Collin that sums it all up it was “to not let couponing and deal hunting consume you. The same deals always come back over and over again.” Once you learn that you will finally find peace with couponing and enjoy it instead of dread it.
I probably won’t even watch it! I love a great deal as well as the next person but this goes way beyond that! I’ll admit when i first started over a year ago, i thought i had to get in on every single deal. Now, not so much. I pick my battles these days! I let a lot of deals go. I have a descent stockpile of things i know we’ll use. I make sure when a sale comes up for canned tomato products, soups, rice , shampoo, kleenex, tp, laundry soap etc i get what i think we’ll use in the next 3-6 months and that’s it. If it’s a really really good deal w/ very little /to no oop i will get extra for my parents who are elderly and live on a fixed budget and give it to them. I take a bag of goodies to them about once a week. I just can’t imagine ever feeling the need to have 3000 rolls of tp! It’s all in moderation for me. =)
This is the kind of thing that makes us ordinary, sane (well, relatively sane) couponers look like nutcases. Grrr.
Well said Colin. I saw the preview to this on GMA yesterday. They showed the stockpiles and I think it’s way over the top.for the average family…the one guys garage looked like a supermarket.
I agree with you on what you said. It’s no big deal…there is always another deal and nobody should sweat getting every deal…because they are always out there. I have been couponing for many years and cut way back about a year ago and my stress level went way down. I get what I need now and nothing more, except for donation items to the women’s shelter and the food pantry if I find a really good deal at Publix. I quit the drug store deals all together..far too time consuming.
I agree that each of us needs to find a balance and if couponing is stressing you out because you don’t want to “miss out” on a deal, then it’s time to cut back. I have also cut back and feel a little less stressed. 🙂
I’m a teacher. I only doo the drug store deals during the summer when I have more time. I try to stockpile enough to get us through the school year until I can “hunt” again. It actually saves me a ton of time during the school year to not have to run to the store every time we need toothpaste or deodorant.
Honestly? This kind of behavior can get out of control very easily. I will admit that I would get nervous if I ever got down to having ONLY 50 rolls of toilet paper in my stockpile. The day I said that out loud, I realized I had a problem and I’ve been deprogramming myself ever since.
LOL!
I have seen people that just buy to get something for free. I guess Collin, my husband is alot like yours he has helped me relaz about not getting a deal. I mean I am still working on it, but I am alot better. I now have no problem letting coupons expire. I have enough stuff we really don’t need it. I do get upset with the way TLC is making us look. People that don’t coupon are going to think this is how everyone is. We really aren’t, I do it to save money. If I save $75 or $10 at the grocery store I am happy. Thank you for this post.
I do very much agree with you Collin that it is sad that TLC is making couponers look well like crazy people..lol! But I do want to say that Nathan who as another reader pointed out runs We Use Coupons.com nd he did send out an email yesterday and he explained that he and his wife do donate alot to local food banks and shelters. Here is what he said in the email:
“We may be a little ‘extreme’ but our desire and hope is for families that need to save money will check out couponing!!!”
Nathan explains that during filming,” I built something that was about 15 feet tall!! They filmed it’s creation and it was almost entirely donated to local foodbanks! During this episode we donated around $6000-$7000 in product to a fantastic pantry!!! (we share this not to brag, but to lead by example, giving is such an amazing aspect of couponing!!!)”
Thank you for sharing this – I left a similar comment! These people are not all crazy – but giving and want to do the right thing!
You’re spot on about balance. It takes some time to learn that, I think: when we first start it is just all so exciting and we feel we need to catch every deal…but after awhile I found I balanced back out. Sometimes when my family is having an extra difficult week, we just don’t go. CVS is not life. 🙂 And sometimes, the deals aren’t good enough to warrant the extra trip. Anyway, all that to say that you’re right. 🙂 And while I suppose the show is going for ratings and the extremism is sort of understandable…shouldn’t those people be referred for mental health evaluations? I mean seriously, that can’t be normal.
Wow. I don’t even want to watch this show about extreme couponers. It is exactly what others have stated…hoarding and greed. It is ripping off manufacturers and stores and I would imagine both of those institutes will reconsider coupons all together if they are grossly abused in this way. I know that most Hip2Save followers do not behave like this, thankfully! Collin, keep up your good work…we love you!!
From what I understand, many of the items that the people purchase are being donated to a local food pantry. These people are being targeting and made to look like craziness. one of he women profiled is the Krazy coupon lady. I read her blog daily and really appreciate the deals she posts. With today’s economy, many have to cut back. TLC had the opportunity to educate people on coupon saving, but instead is using it to exploit others.
Collin you are SO RIGHT! And I find it hilarious that your hubby says “its not a big deal” because thats what my bf says to me all the time! I’m always worrying about the smallest things, and in life we have to remind ourselves that it really is not a big deal.
This post made my day.
I love your site. I will forever be a faithful Hip2saver!!! 🙂
I think that this show would be FABULOUS if it showed people donating their items, what they can get for their own families, and how to survive off of such a great resource: coupons. It was amazing this year giving away HUGE bags of gifts that our family could use that we got for pennies (and some things we had made money off of). TLC should definitely look into a way to find those people because Hip2Save definitely helps our family out A LOT!
I miss many a deal because I work full time and just don’t have time (or energy sometimes) to go “snag the deal.” I am perfectly happy with the pantry full of dry and canned goods I’ve stockpiled and the closet full of toiletries. I get what I can get and I don’t get upset to steal a line from the book “Pinkalicious.” We have had a wonderful Christmas and a wonderful 2010 thanks in part to Collin and her deals. (My daughter’s favorite present was the Amazon Coby mp3 player loaded with $15 worth of free mp3s and the free audio books from Gilt Groupe.) I haven’t seen the show or even previews for the show so I can’t comment on it. It does sound a little over the top though.
I could not agree more. I have several friends who coupon but we have slowly learned that we can’t get every deal and to let some go! I have saved tons, but I also give tons. I don’t have a problem parting with items even if I paid more than I wanted to for them. I know how to pick m battles, I know that I do great without going to certain stores like Walgreens ( I always get the eye roll and issues there) As good as the deals may be I know that some are just not worth the problems. Good luck on LIFE and couponing! May 2011 be bountiful for all of US!!!! Always give and you will receive.
You know you are an extreme couponer when you are so excited about your great deal that you leave the store clutching your receipt and leave your goodies behind…..guilty.
OMG! THAT is hilarious! 😆 We all get crazy at times, don’t we? Oh well, live and learn, right?
Guilty. Usually, more worried about the receipt than the stuff because I need it for a rebate….
I have to laugh at the 3,000 rolls of toilet paper and not because it seems like a lot, but because I get all the TP for my house (it’s just me and my roommate) and I also get it for my parents house (at which my brother also lives). I usually get great deals with coupons (a lot of times even free) and I just have to say, I don’t know if they eat it or what they’re doing with it, but it seems like I am constantly getting in and it just disappears. I wonder just how long it would actually take my parents and brother to go through 3,000 rolls…I honestly don’t think it would make it any where near 40 years! Lol.
I will watch the show…I personally think it looks interesting. I understand what Collin is saying and don’t think the show will really teach anything, but think it will definitely be entertaining.
I been known to do some extreme couponing, but after I supply my family’s house and mine, the rest is donated to the shelters and food pantry. For me, it’s more the thrill of the hunt and of course not having to pay much or anything for the things I get.
That’s a different show…saw previews for it (called, “My Strange Addiction” or something like that). Showed a woman who eats upwards of half a roll of toilet paper a day….
OMG! Seriously??
I just Googled it and all I can say is WOW!!!
I totally agree with everything you said. I just started really using coupons and getting great deals. In just the past week or so I have started realizing that it isn’t a big deal if I miss a deal. I want to watch this show just to see what it is all about. I can’t imagine having that much toilet paper stocked up!
Couponing and hoarding are different but I see this show as equating the two. What a shame. Yes, I coupon and I depend on sites, such as this, to do a lot of the research for me. It is empowering to save money and cut expenses especially when I cannot increase my income. What a shame that couponing is not cast in a more positive light.
My husband cut out an article from “Wired” for me to read recently that highlighted extreme couponing but I liked that article better – the lady they followed into the grocery store donated lots of items to help others (although she did get upset about a 69 cents mistake and went to customer service to get her money back after only pay $2 out of pocket – I thought that was a bit silly!)
But seriously – this type of show will give us all a bad name. And these people are just hoarding and not sharing?
These “Extreme Couponers” definitely have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and they need some Prozac!!!! Although, I doubt there’s a coupon for Prozac, so they probably wouldn’t buy that 😀
That is crazy to get that much of one thing, at one time. I can’t believe a store would take that many coupons for the same item.
I can’t believe the store has that much stock!!
True! I just read Julie M’s post, two down from here. She said that they pre-order the stuff. Can you imagine the time it takes to shop for all that stuff and then the time spent in check out? That’s just plain NUTS!
Unless they’re donating lots…they’ll be on Hoarders next 😉
Last year a reporter from one of the big top 3 networks went to a few saving forums and asked for extreme couponers. One site turned them down and told them that they would end up making it look ugly.
A few people from other forums took them up on the offer and it did indeed turn look like most couponers have an extremely obsessive hoarding habit. One of those people just did tlc show as well as a gal who posts on several forums and another gal who runs her own blog.
While I have my own opinions on the guy, I can say that the women have been up front on their blog posts and forum posts regarding recent their “reality” tv experience.
They were asked to go “extreme” and while many had permission from their stores corporate office, ordered stock in advance of the trip and donated the majority of the extreme stockpile, chances of the real version showing up on tv will be slim. They will each get 10 minutes of airtime after commercials. If you saw the Good Morning america, ET report or other ABC promo, they made them out to look like OCD Greedy Hoarders. …….. Its all in the editing………
The best way for TLC to draw in viewers (as well as above shows) is to edit the show in an unflattering,unhealthy,over the top, one sided point of view.
The upside is that the people got compensated. The bad side to all of this is that most of our Targets,Walmarts,Publix,Krogers, CVS and Walgreens will start to impose limits and manufacturers will make stricter coupon rules.
The last time a tv show did a show on extreme couponing most savings forums posters noticed a rise in fraud activiy in their stores. People started printing fraud coupons and newbie coupon users ignored the coupon restrictions and abused the terms. This show will make people think it is easy to do, they will think stores accept this type of behavior of smash and grab shopping, and it will make store managers and cashiers look at us and treat us differently than before.
It is not tv responsibility to teach us how to coupon and how do things in moderation. Most people are unaware that tv shows are scripted and reality is NOT BASED ON reality.
I am going to watch the show because I researched the people and their views of their participation before thier appearance and after recent tv reports calling them ocd and unhealthy. I want to see how much was edited to make it look as bad as the news clips have made it.
I it becomes a series then I propbably won’t watch it. I have better things to do with my time 😉
This was an awesome post — thanks for the reminder! I do often find that couponing has started taking over my life, and the most important deals — my husband and kids — are put on the back-burner, just so I can find a way to save a buck. This was a great read.
I’d like to see TLC show couponers doing good for their community and society as a whole (not hoarding free products in their house and garage like a bomb shelter). I feel that this is more representative of myself and other couponers I know. When I find good deals that I know my family won’t realistically use in a reasonable amount of time, I donate them to help other families in our community.
Extreme couponing is hoarding. Those people have a compulsive obsessive disorder. A typical family will never be able to use all of those food and sundry items before they go out of date.
I only want what we need. The worst thing for me would be to stockpile something that gets spoiled before I can use it.
You are soooo right!
The preview clip I saw on another site showed a mom with 2 little kids dumpster diving for coupon inserts. I assume it was a recycling dumpster for newspaper only, but that is crazy! Cam you imagine taking your kids to the dumpster? Thanks Collin for teaching us about balance! Everything in moderation is a good thing! Happy New Year!
I would soooo rather “buy” coupons from clipping sites or trade on other forums then to dumpster dive…but to each his own I guess 😉
Thank you Collin. I so needed to hear it today. I probable mentioned it too much on this site. DH is deployed and I do have my coupons printed out for CVS photo album deal and I was beating myself up for not being able to go do the deal. I just don’t want to take all three young kids to the store with me. So i quietly was telling myself that it’s ok, but reading your post I know that it’s ok and “it’s NOT a big deal”. Thank you for putting it back into perspective because I will get to spend the most valuable time with my kids and as hard as it is to say if i was given a choice between my coupons and my family, the family would come first without a question. Now I am asking myself why was I beating myself up in the first place, duh?
Well said! I think it’s great to have a stockpile but when it (couponing/stockpiling) control your life and you have more than an average person could use in 40 years there might be a problem. Everything in balance, right? Thanks for doing what you do! 🙂
You know Collin this is more like hoarding more than anything. It would totally be different if they actually donated these items to food pantries, churches, and etc. They really dont need all that stuff & there are others that are less fortunate that could!
i think you should randomly ramble more. we don’t get to hear enough of your thoughts, and i know it’s probably very risky to do that since we’ve got too many trolls on the internet but i’ve been a reader for over a year and this has got to be one of my favorite posts ☺
Sounds to me like these people have a problem with hoarding. This is way beyond the normal person who coupons to save money. Give me a break! There is more to life than saving a few dollars here and there. By the way, even if you did give some of your stockpile away, why would you want that much stuff in your garage! It would go bad before you could even use it. Now, that is a waste of money.
I SO agree. When I saw the clip on GMA the other day I was disturbed. The people let couponing control their lives! That is so sad. There is nothing wrong with getting good deals on things you will use or can donate but seriously if you are putting in 70 hours a week and not spending time with your loved ones… there is a problem. It really seemed like these people were addicted and have become proud and have let those things run their lives. Not a fan of how this shining a negative light on those of us who are just trying to save money while balancing family and friends and other things. So sad.
It is easy to get swept up in the money saving game…I’m sure everyone has been caught up at one time or another. I know I have. I think it is great to get a good deal and then to share that deal with people who need it. That is what I have been trying to do with my church, glad that on my meager budget I am still able to give back in a small way.