Extreme Couponing Affecting the Un-Extreme?
So, I received the following email from reader, Rashelle. She is feeling very discouraged about using coupons and even dreads going to the store. Here’s what she had to say:
Hi Collin, I know this may seem odd but I was wondering if you have heard from any readers that they have been feeling down about using coupons lately because I have. Ever since the “Extreme Couponing” show has been airing I feel myself getting looks from other customers. For example, I was at Toys ‘R’ Us the other day with my son and a lady in front of me had items that I had a store coupon for which I wasn’t going to use and I asked if she wanted it, she was very thankful and asked if I was sure I didn’t need it and my son said, don’t worry she has a whole binder of them at home, and her tone changed drastically as she said “Oh, you’re one of Those.”
I was in Publix last night doing my weekly coupon shopping and was flipping thru my binder when a couple of women walked past me, looked me up and down and then one said to the other “she’s loco” (crazy in Spanish) and at checkout a husband and wife came into line behind me at the end of my transaction while my coupons were being scanned and started talking very loudly about how the people on “that show” take advantage of shopping (and I didn’t even have a cart full of stuff).
There have been so many times lately when I feel glaring eyes upon me and I feel I need to justify myself to these people and say I am not a hoarder, I don’t have a small grocery store in my house, I am not clearing shelves, and so on, but of course I just smile and keep my mouth shut. I hate this feeling of being embarrassed and ashamed of my coupons because I use to be so proud and happy of all of my great savings and I don’t want this to ruin couponing for me, but it has left me very discouraged, and instead of being excited to do my weekly trip, I almost dread it. I was just wondering if I am the only one experiencing this behavior. Thanks for your time and for everything you do!
Since I cannot give you a hug (I so love hugs!) or tackle the stores with you, I am hoping that all of you readers can make Rashelle feel inspired to continue being proud to use her coupons! What ways have you motivated yourself in times of discouragement? How have you made your couponing adventures positive and fun?
If you ask me, those who pay FULL price are the “loco” ones….
I so agree.
I guess like one of the Crazy Coupon friends said…must be they just haven’t ever been broke enough! I battle the looks and everything else, just keep your head held high, and smile and wave:)
I’ve had the opposite effect. I’ve had lots of people stop me in grocery stores to ask me about my coupons: how I get them, how I organize them. But Rachael is right, the Extreme Couponing show is always their point of reference. Every one of the people who has stopped me has referenced it. Take heart in knowing you’re taking care of your family to the best of your ability and using your talents to benefit those you love.
Thank you Collin for posting this! My mom and I were on the phone as I was walking through our NEWLY re-done Super Target drooling (sorry if any of y’all slipped…my bad!) and she asked me if I had checked your site yet today…I said NO and so she read this to me. She said it’s funny cause her and I were JUST talking about this! I am teaching at my church about couponing and its a 4 week series (any pointers? Nervous as heck but its for our Women’s Ministries!) and one of the topics I wanted to cover is Stockpiling VS. Hoarding…cause seriously that show should be called Extreme Hoarding…makes me sick. You helped me get started a year and a 1/2 ago and I am SO thankful. I am a busy SAHM of 3, running my own home business and this economy is tough. We have stockpiled what we will use within a frame of 6-12 months. I have 2 shelves in the garage, a hall closet (small) and my small outdoor freezer. I donate things I may not need to the food bank & NW Children’s Outreach if I get free items but seriously even my checkers know me by name and know I buy max of 4 of an item…not 30! I don’t have 1000 tubes of toothpaste and it IRRITATES me when people get excited about my binder BECAUSE of the show. I am sick of people being rude and clearing the shelves at stores (some of the store managers told me to call ahead for items that I want even if its only 3 or 4 and they will set them aside for me cause it’s gotten out of control!) I just want to thank you for keeping it real. I will continue to shop this way as I NEED to…Thank you ALL out there who have been doing “this coupon thing” for the right reasons! You ROCK! And sweetie…you are NOT alone!!
I have not had any people be rude to me, but I did have a very curious woman comment to me that I was the first “Coupon Lady” that she had seen in real life. She asked me a few questions, which I was happy to answer, but in the end I did end up defending myself a bit because I felt like she thought I was a hoarder. I have a small stockpile of things in our basement, but I’ve noticed we’ve made a pretty good dent in a few things, so I’ll keep my eyes open for sales to stock up on those items. I have saved soooo much money planning ahead instead of spontaniously shopping that I could care less what, what I consider lazy shoppers, think of couponing. If you are a couponer, be proud and hold your head up! All the time spent planning and saving is well worth it and being a couponer is something you should be proud of!
I love the idea of teaching more people how to coupon but I do not like the EXTREME part of the show. I wish they showed more people who actually DO something with the things they pile up (as in donating!!) instead of people who buy up things in bulk just because they are free. Sure, it’s nice to get free Maalox IF you need it and use it but how many would you really need until the next sale comes around???
I totally undestand buying things you’d actually use, stockpiling those totally free products so that you and your family would have enough for a year or even two but getting things you would not use just because they are free … I don’t like when they promote that. If only they showed that those things are being donated, I would love that!
And even those people who stock up just for their own family, it would be nice if some of those free items were donated because if they are doing it in such large quantities, I am sure they could find some to spare.
I know in my area Kroger is going to stop triple coupons, not sure what they will do about doubles … I’m sad to see it go (especially since I just moved here and am just getting the hang of the new rules here) but hope it’s because of the economy and the stores hurting, not because of the show!
But regardless of the show, I’ll keep couponing in my own little way and encourage everyone else to do the same. The fascination with the show will wear of eventually!
They have done several episodes where the Extreme Couponers were indeed donating large amounts to the needy. But the “formula” of he show is to take the few couponers at the far end of the spectrum, not normal people like most of the readers of Collin’s blog. Many of the Extreme Coupons on the show do indeed have a problem with their couponing, just like some people habitually overindulge in alcohol, where most of us who drink do so responsibly. Then the show pushes these people to plan an over the top shopping trip that even they wouldn’t usually do. Like most reality TV, it’s not very realistic.
I haven’t really felt it but notice more empty shelves. Last Sunday night I saw part of the Extreme Couponing show and I was appalled. Some of these people had way too much stuff. How can you use 24 boxes (or more) of brownies before they expire? I have a stockpile but it is more than enough for my family and enough to share with others. If people don’t use the coupons correctly, for the correct sizes, then it will hurt all of us in the long run. Stores are already getting a bit more stringent in their coupon policies but I don’t blame them. I really don’t want the stores to be hurt, I just want everyone to benefit and couponing as Collin teaches, everyone benefits. Thanks Collin for helping all of us out. Rashelle, hang in there. You know you are not doing anything wrong and you are helping out your family. By others seeing you coupon reasonably they will realize that not all couponers are extreme.
Extreme Couponing has its pros and cons. I have had my share of ups and downs with couponing. I got discouraged when I went to the store and “extreme couponers” have cleared the shelves. I have had to pack it in and go back the next day after I regrouped. I consider myself a new couponer. I have been at it for almost 2 months. I have accumulated supplies to get my children through the summer months. I tell myself that as long as I am saving money, it doesn’t matter what people think when they see me with my coupons. Extreme Couponing inspired me to start couponing. I know that the show features people who have made tremendous purchases, but those trips to the store all have to have the perfect scenarios at the perfect stores with the perfect timing. I don’t hold myself to those expectations. Each time I think I am spending too much time using coupons, I go back through my receipts and see the savings I made. Recently I was at Walmart and a young cashier saw me with my coupon binder. She asked me several questions about where I get the coupons and how to get started. She was very interested in couponing. I later checked out with her. I used $80 worth of coupons and she was even more inspired.
I feel for Rashelle, because I agree with her. I have been couponing for 15 years and I have always felt great about saving the money to help my family. Since this TV show, which I haven’t watched because I don’t watch TV, it’s been a total shift in what I see around me. Cashiers are checking every coupon. Other shoppers are making comments. I do feel the same way you do!! I see shelves COMPLETELY cleared. I witnessed a physical fight at a double days event at a local store. Two woman fighting over the last box of noodles! NOODLES!
I don’t have any words of wisdom for you Rashelle, but I will say that I hope this is a fad. Understand that many of these people will not stick with it and hopefully the show won’t last long. I just continue shopping the same way I have always done. I have to continue to save money for my family no matter what other shoppers think about it. Also, I think it’s great you share your coupons…maybe that “coupon karma” will help you feel better.
Unfortunately, many people just want to get “Stuff”. It’s all about them. This TV show encourages that bad behavior. I hope they take the show off the air.
I couldn’t agree with you more! I too have been couponing for a very long time, and recent events have made it extremely discouraging. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one that feels this way. It’s been very aggravating to get to the store ready to shop, only to realize that the shelves have been cleared. I’ve also had a harder time getting coupons like I used to do. Sunday papers are missing coupons, printables go like lightening, and if store fliers are put out people grab all of them.
On my last shopping trip the cashier asked if I had coupons before she even started ringing anything up. She then proceeded to go though every single coupon and scrutinize them. It took forever to check out.
I don’t watch the show either. I’ve seen bits and pieces, but it makes me angry so I don’t watch it.
I’m not a hoarder, or a shelf clearer. I don’t buy 16 Sunday papers either. I buy two.
I’m with you, I pray this is a fad, and that people who partake in this bad behavior move along soon.
Wow all these comments…amazing we can come together about this issue and read encouragement and tips. Thanks everyone. It will take a few day to read. Best of all I dont feel so alone anymore in this matter. comments started at me as soon as the show hit. Rudeness and comments but seems to be only from the employees themselves. I can’t get free groceries here prices are to high, but I like a deal or the oxccasional freebie from walmart and pharmacy. Mixed comments…You People, Those people, coupon lady, You people need to be banned, I hate couponers, They should ban coupons from our store, negativety flying left and right because they don’t understand the store policy., and PLAIN REFUSAL to even take a coupon or do a transaction. Employees who ignore you, your questions, or when you want an answer. Threats of calling cops or having me banned for trying to purposly get a RR at walgreens, to lectures about use (when that person is wrong). Dirty looks and attitude when a coupon wont take (that dreaded beep at the register), being told I can only use one when the coupon clearly stated one per purchase, not transaction or per customer. Needless to say I have called whenever I am mistreated and every store manager or corporate line, HAS ALWAYS taken it very serious. Managers asking me to come back and shake my hand and apologize in person. Also learned that not every employee in person whom claims to be the manager or in charge…IS NOT, and they are an assistant manager or supervisor…but not the top. People whom need re-training. I have had many offers of a gift card for the time and treatment. I turn it down because that is not what I am complaining for…not me, I complain so that others do not have to endore the humiliation or mis-treatment as I have. I recently accepted one because it was also for reimbursement of all I was overcharged. I have not taken my binder in anymore…I only take in an envelope or smaller folder now. What keeps me going is I know I am a SMART SHOPPER now, and I value a dollar more now. I have saved an incredible amount in just 5 months, which now leaves money for other things now such as clothing and food, gas, and bills. I am disabled and my income will never increase for now so its great to now be able to provide sooo much and give soo much and still pay the bills. My three children are now learning to shop smarter. I love making a person happy at the store by giving them savings on the things they are buying, and also giving tips and teaching a person about this site as well as others. A very nice lady at target gave me this site, and I have since passed it on soo many times
(usually at target too). I also share coupons and deals with employees… this helps to break the ice with them and then I try to go to them when checking out. I have had employees tell me I am smart, even clap when I bring a total down from over a hundred to under ten dollars. I love the trips that I save 80-90.00 in coupons. I love buying a couple hundred more in groceries from wathcing sales and using many coupons. I am doing great…still have more to learn as far as using a few different stores. Bottom line…THE NEGATIVE PEOPLE OR THE COMMENTORS OR LOOKERS, DON’T PAY FOR MY FAMILY OR MY THINGS. I AM PROUD THAT I VALUE OUR FAMILY INCOME MORE. I once was in front of a lady that just wouldnt stop slamming her foot on the ground. Her mouth dropped when my total came down $85. I looked at her smiled and said “As annoyed as you are I would have let you go before me but you came over in the middle of my transaction. While you showed your disdane I happen to notice you could have brought your bill down fifty dollars by whats in your cart, but here.. and I gave her about ten dollars in MQ’s, and said thanks to her”. She apologized and stated she was not upset with me but with the store for only having two registers open again and sorry that it came off as me upsetting her, she didnt think of that. I realized now becoming to paranoid, but I really don’t like to upset people. Another I had a hard time, took forever i kept apologizing to lady behind me, but she said she was getting an education and learning a lot of new things…and I gave her the website too. Once I bought twenty of something…store had hundreds by the way and I also asked about it first, not on sale either but a great coupon. a guy behind said “just to ask you….BUT WHAT DO YOU NEED SO MANY of those for”. I stated well I have a family of five, a grandma a neighbor, a brother and can donate but If all for me this will only last two months anyway”. Seriously though, WHY do other people think they have the right to question? Would they dare ask the obese why they are ordering 5 fries, or buying 20 candy bars, or 10 bags of chips? I have ordered at fast food for family and had comments wooow someones hungry or where do you put that. WHAT? Truth is I got the answer from a cahier she said she’d be afraid she would get her ass flattened. REALLY? And men I have never seen a male couponer get treated with an attitude…just giggles and smiles, and oh how great comments. The problem is woman are still treated different then men. Or to many woman are still intimedated y men and have no problems being bitchy to another woman. I call them control freaks but the problem is they have not learned to seperate personnal from work, or grasped that it is not their store or their rules…it is the companies. Instead of EVER CHANGING RULES OF THE COUPON ITSELF…WHICH HAS NO LIFE, THERE SHOULD BE EVER CHANGING RULES AND CRACK DOWN ON TREATMENT OF PEOPLE WHOM USE THEM AND MAKE THE STORE MONEY. how about if you treat a customer rude whom uses them 4 times or let your mouth and manners run off in a ditch one time per customer who makes a purchase, TWO WORDS…YOUR FIRED!! Instead of complaing about proper use of the coupon itself or store policy we need to start putting the focus back on customer service issues. I never get irrate or nasty, i will simply leave if it becomes to much. Better for them to have to answer to a hundred dollar or even fifty dollar void then try and reason with a person who has no ears and two mouths. There are always deals, and other days and I truly believe in Karma. I also go back in when a mistake has benefited me. I feal I can’t hold them liable for mistakes which cost me more and not do the same if they loose. I also do not want that person in trouble. I just did it again the other day. I went back in Walgreens to pay the extra $1.50 coupon the cashier scanned through twice. He called the manager and explained (the woman who is always jinxed and has a problem had an extra coupon scan and didnt want me to get in trouble wants to pay the $1.50)
The manager said “thats ok tell her she’s in here all the time and thanks, it’s ok she can go”. Thats because I am honest and always nice. Why shouldnt I be, I am blessed more now.
we do this for our family and no one should be looked down on so keep your chin up as use them proudly
Not only has the stores gotten harder with the coupon policies but the coupons don’t have as high as values anymore. I notice that the Pizza Rolls what use to be .50 off two is now .50 off 4. The values have jsut gone done. I HATE at show and the way it makes me feel too:(
i find that people are usually jealous. i have had people come up and start looking through my binder! as i prepare my walmart price match stuff! (which i just love!!!!) savin gas $$!!!!
don’t worry and just do your thing! i help support not only my family with two kids but my mom and brother who is unemployed. they just came to visit and i stocked them up with toilet paper and paper towels, pb, and toothpaste deoderant etc. my mom cried. she said she would save the paper towels for xmas! so i just gave her more!!! thank you collin for all you do in teaching us how to coupon! i have couponed for many many years but now i really now how to do it!
I didn’t read all the comments, but I am sure that I would agree with what everyone has said. I do not worry about what people think of what I do or say. As long as it is hurting anyone it’s all good. I love to save money & I haven’t ment anyone that doesn’t agree with me. I only wish I could be as devoted to saving more money like the people on Extreme Couponing. They have helped me out with how they do things. I am a military wife, so the housing that we live in on base does not offer me the luxury of being able to stock pile. I say more power to you & prayer for the haters or judgementalists!!! Just keep on doing what you are doing. God bless you
I, personally, am happy to see stores starting to limit how many sale items you can buy in one transaction. I really wouldn’t mind seeing more of this. Seeing someone buying all that is on the shelf makes me so disappointed.
I agree. I really enjoy shopping at CVS. You know your limit, you get what you need and you are good till the next sale.
I’ve felt myself being very self-conscious about my couponing since ‘the show’ aired. People occasionally ask me about the show, assuming I like it. When I comment that I really don’t like the show for all of my various reasons, they immediately chime in about how crazy they think the couponers are. Obviously I feel a bit of that ‘craziness’ rubs off on all of us couponers who aren’t so extreme. Sort of like how professional baseball players might feel self-conscious after a team-mate is outed for using steroids. Guild by association. I’d much prefer a show about couponing WITHOUT the extreme aspect of it. And I’d prefer baseball without steroids, of course. 😉
Things have changed around here since the show has started airing, but the main thing that I notice is not the negative attitude toward couponing (well, except for the Walgreens cashiers), but the increase in number of people couponing. It is a rare week lately that I do my Walgreens and CVS runs and am actually able to purchase the things I went in there for. The shelves get cleared so quickly. One cashier at our Walgreens said there is a line of people waiting to get in on Sunday morning–seriously?!
I know exactly how Rashelle feels. I haven’t been called “one of those”, but I get looks and whispers that I don’t like. Also, I am encountering new couponers that are clearing shelves and trying to be one of the extreme couponers. I am embarrassed by them. I find myself passing up a lot of deals that I would normally would get. Since Extreme Couponing started airing, most people think that anyone that uses coupons is one of those. I’m afraid that the few out there that do clear shelves and hoard and going to force stores to change their coupon policies and not for the better. Every time someone asks me if I watch that show, I tell them exactly what I think. I let them know that they are not the normal coupon user. They are the bad apple in the barrel.
Can’t stand the extreme couponing show…I avoid it like a plague. Off subject a little…but I love it when a customer is in front of me at any store and has coupons. I was at CVS today and there was a lady in front of my with her little rubbermaid of organized coupons and she was taking advantage of the M&M’s/Prep H/Fuze drinks/Crest toothpaste deals. I wanted to say, “oh, are you a Hip2Save-er?” …cause I tell e’body about this site and I know that in my small little beach town the word is spreading 🙂 I guess for some odd reason, it makes me feel like the cashier is less likely to give me a hard time w/ MY coupons and takes my anxiety away just a little. On the other hand, 6 times out of 10 I can never find what I want b/c the items have been cleared off the shelf…but I just tell myself, ‘I guess someone has been couponing,’ and smile. Early bird gets the worm.
I am a big couponer, my family lives in a town 2 hours away that only has a Walmart and everytime I visit them I always bring things they can use since they are on fixed incomes. I NEVER clear shelves and I NEVER give attitude to anyone but I do get alot of attitude from cashiers, especially at Rite Aid and Walgreens. There is a woman that comes in Walgreens about Midnight Saturday night and fills her basket up with all the freebies and cheapest items and gives the cashiers attitude and gets mad if they don’t cater to her every need. I think alot of the cashiers put everyone that coupons in the same group and it gives us all a bad name. This certain lady sells all of the items at a Peddlers Mall and makes money off of it! This is the part of couponing that should be stopped but what can you do?
I only buy what my family and my household can use within a 6 month to year time frame and I am so grateful for this sight that helps my family so much but I do get down alot because of all of the drama that you have to deal with.
The “resellers” are a real issue and in my opinion store managers need to start banning them from stores. While hoarding may be an issue with some couponers, personally I believe that “resellers” are the major problem.
I can go into Walgreens about noon and everything on my list to get will be sold out. They say there is nothing they can do about the people that resell. I asked if they could put a limit on items and they say no because there is not a limit in the ad. Same thing at Rite Aid.
I’m with everyone else. I have noticed a lot more of the cleared shelves in my town which makes my un-extreme couponing more difficult since we don’t have very many stores in my small town. The list is pretty much Walgreens, Walmart, a TINY Kroger, and a few local grocery stores (of which only 2 double coupons up to $1, and only 1 accepts internet coupons.) I am a stay-at-home mom of 2 boys that are under 2 years old, and my husband doesn’t make as much money as his degree should get him. Between our college loans from going to a private university (my husband has double the loans since he got his masters degree) and our credit card debt that we racked up while still in college we barely make ends meet. I coupon so that we can afford to pay off/down our debt and still feed/diaper/clothe our children. I have gotten a few looks and comments, but I try to just ignore them and remember WHY I coupon: so I can help take care of my family. My husband and my in-laws all thought I was nuts when I started about 2 years ago, but now that they have reaped the benefits they don’t anymore. 😉 So just hold your head up and hope that this too shall pass
hugs go out to you. Today I was in Target trying to find the LA Looks deal, and the store clerk was sweet and helpful and when she found it, she said so how many do you need? I only had one coupon and I said, “just one will do”–I think there is that mentality out there where any one who uses a coupon is clumped into the horder bunch. Very sad really.
People are just mean. (Not everyone but it seems more and more of them.) The golden rule seems to be something of the past. Maybe they poke at other people to take personal pressure off of themselves or maybe its jealousy. You’re walking out of the store with things you need for your family for half the price they are. I don’t watch the show. We don’t have cable. With all the unemployed out there and the low income families there is going to be more and more couponing and the rest of the world just isn’t ready for it yet.
So many posts, i dbout you need my opinion. Seems to me that people that have the most money are the people who save the most. I’d rather fall in the category of thrifty than be someone who isn’t. If THOSE people (the non-couponers) don’t want to stretch their dollar, who cares. You are totally entitled to doing what is best for your family and they can choose another line, look the other way, keep their opinions to themselves. Why are they paying attention to you anyway?
I am new to couponing, but I have had the same experience. When I start to pull out coupons or adds to price match, people say “Oh. Are you one of those extreme couponers?” I feel like I have to defend myself and say that I’m not a hoarder and only do this for stuff I really need, or to donate to charities. It makes me nervous and I end up missing some things.
On a positive note, One lady saw me with my coupons and was upset because she had forgotten hers at home. I told her about printing store coupons for stacking and she decided to go home and gets hers plus print off the store ones. It was nice to know I wasn’t the only one in the store that day.
I just started couponing, and I’m not going extreme, but I have been doing enough to get some odd looks. I just smile and tell them that if they would rather spend a lot more money than a little more time, by all means, find another aisle. I might be a while. 🙂
thank you so much for using “aisle” correctly!!
I just started couponing about 2 months ago. I am sad to say but it was that show (you know the one) that opened my eyes to couponing. Prior to that I was paying full price and I have to say I am envious of everyone who started couponing years ago. I look forward to doing my shopping now and saving my recently larger family (new baby born just 5 months ago) money. I made a coupon binder and have people at work, in the stores and my family members envious of me now with my glorious savings along with my organization! I have also started donating coupons to troops overseas. I mailed out my first batch yesterday and I estimate the coupon savings to be over $1,000. Thank you Colin and everyone out there for the wonderful tips 🙂
Chalk-it-up to jealousy. The people that would act that way are just jealous. Most of us don’t buy 250 boxes of pasta or 300 toothbrushes. I get items totally free very rarely. I have NEVER gotten free toilet paper or paper towels. I usually save around 65% on groceries here in Chattanooga. I find myself looking in peoples carts and thinking to myself “I can’t believe you are paying that much for that item.” Couponing has helped me pay for my sons college tuition each month. It has helped me to help family members who work in construction and are hurting financially. As far as I am concerned, it doesn’t matter to me what others think. They are the ones wasting money. And remember, of all the coupons printed, only a very small percentage are actually redeemed. I love Bi-Lo, Publix and CVS. They are my favorite stores.
Oh and another thing to add. I recently met a young couple with a new baby in the baby aisles of a local Target. I was stocking up on formula that I (of course) had coupons for. The young couple looked at me and asked me about the formula. ( Their baby was experiencing adverse affects from the type they were using.) I indicated that I loved the particular brand and offered them a coupon to give it a try. With the coupon they would only spend $0.49 for the formula 🙂
I work for Target and see TONS of new parents and always let them know about the rebate checks that you can sign up for with the companies. (Similac Strong Moms, Enfamil Family Beginnings, Nestle Start Healthy Stay Healthy) So many parents have no idea and those are some VERY valuable coupons most a $3 minimum!
Some people are rude some are nice but at the end of the day I saved big bucks and that makes my day!!! I just started using coupons last month (love this site THANKS!!) and so far I have enjoyed it. I like talking to other ‘crazies’ while we cross paths in the isles. I have people come up to me and ask me how I do it. I’m also aware of the people waiting in line because the cashier does not know the coupon policy and has to ask a manager, I just apologize and they are more curious than angry, I take the time to educated them on couponing and advertise this awesome site. It never fails, extreme couponing always comes up,I just say, “I am crazy for coupons but with stuff I use regularly who in the world needs 87 bottles of mustard!!” Also, doesn’t it feel great to be able to donate all the stuff you get for pennies to charity!!
all I have to say is cleared shelves. hahahaha I notice them a lot more, and that plus xtreme Q show is giving us all a bad bad bad rap. I wear a baseball cap when I shop now and dont pay much of a mind to looks other people give me when I whip out my wad of coupons. I also make it a point to never take more than I will use, and never ever ever clear a shelf. Even if I have 4 coupons and there are 4 left, i take two and call it a day.
I have 5 kids and I have been couponing for about 2 years now and have saved thousands of dollars over that time frame. I love my coupons and will continue to shop with them…. I only stock pile about a 6 – 12 month supply on things and a little over a year on others…. But I only use and keep what my family needs …. I agree that clearing shelves and hoarding years and years of things like 1000 tubes of toothpaste is a little much…. I can see ordering a head to the store if you want 1000 tubes of toothpaste if you are going to be donating them but I have a family of 7 and we can’t use that much toothpaste…
I do enjoy watching the show but who needs to shop like that at one time…. Clearing the shelves only makes the stores hurt….. I am a cake decorator for our local Dillon’s store and our store gets surprise audited 2 times a month from an outside company for outs on the shelves. Our store can’t have more than 150 outs on the shelves at any given time or our store gets in trouble for having out products that our customers can’t purchase. With the extreme couponers clearing shelves this has created some issues at the stores…. This is why some stores have started to change and limit items….and in some area’s they have taken the double coupons away…. Thank goodness my store hasn’t but some stores have.
I also use to shop at Walgreen’s but my town only has 1 store and by the time I get there everything is gone and they only get 1 truck a week…. So it is rain check for this and rain check for that … which I love rain checks but when you are wanting a RR for an item they can’t give you a Rain check for that… So I tend to just skip Walgreen’s all together unless the sale is worth having to come back on a Friday after the sale breaks to try to catch the next truck and to hope that item is on it.
I will never stop couponing because it saves my family so much money a year plus I just love doing it… I figure if people are upset or want to talk bad about my folder that’s there problem because I’m saving money and they are not…. 🙂
I try to spread as much coupon cheer as possible, most people are grateful. I picked up a store coupon off the floor in front of about 4 people the other day in meijer’s. It was a catalina worth $9.00 off your order! Who doesn’t want free money? I agree with the earlier comments, those who are willing to pay full price are nuts!
ah mamita who cares what people say. so you like to save money. thats ok! dont let this type of people get to you. its been done to me too. but ive also had nice people who think its great. at the end of the day all that matters is you and your family 🙂 stay strong! remember they’re just jelous, you know they were probably eyeing your binder 😉
i think its some peoples way of defending their lack in using coupons.
someone told me that using coupons was a waste of time, and would hate to see our grocery bill.
when in fact, they and their spouse, will not take the time. therefore to make them feel good about their lack in doing so, they make others feel bad.
i will admit when i first was directed to Collin’s site, i would scoop up every deal i could get, i have since then cute back and realized i dont need 15 air wick auto spray air fresheners and have donated items from my stock pile to other people in need.
i truly loved Collin’s comment about its not about how much you can save but how much you spend on items you need.
I do not watch t.v. so i have never seen the show only read about it in the news. however i do think from what i read it may cause some changes in the stores coupon policys.
Just started a month ago and overall the response has been positive. BUT, if I find a super good deal on something, I tend to make it my status on facebook. Not cause I am bragging, just because I hve a couple of friends who are newbies and that is the fastest way of sharing a deal. Well, someone whom I have known for almost 20 years proceeds to tell me that “people” who coupon are greedy & selfish. Go fig. YES! I tend to get a bit more stuff for a lot less, but because of that, I am very quick to give away, HELLO? Anywho. I like to refer to it as ~coupon envy~
I let the people making comments know that I am doing my best to feed and take care of my family of 6 boys while my husband is unemployed. That usually changes their tone.
I have seen the show a couple of times and I cannot stand it… Those people are hoarding and being selfish! I will not clear out the shelf to get the good deal I did get the last Ivory soap a couple weeks back my husband told me he was out of soap. I just started couponing I am a stay at home mom, military wife and we just moved 1/2 way across country. I have gotten some remarks the ones from family hurt more but I will not stop. I don’t spend that much time away from my family to get the coupons thanks to Hip2Save but I do feel like I am finally contributing a little to the income now. I just wish produce was a little cheaper. My daughter loves fruit and I am not going to not buy it in exchange for potato chips because I can get those cheaper. Keep your head up.There are others out there with you going through the same thing. I dispise that show and the bad rap they give us. Oh and I am willing to share my coupons. My neighbor and I went to target last week and I told her my coupons were hers to help herself even got her some toothpaste for her little boy for less than a dollar. It isn’t against the law or morally wrong to save your family some money. The stores and the manufactures print the coupons (or let us print them) because they sell more products if they do.
I had an episode when a man behind me in line was rather nasty about my coupons and heckled me a litte. I addressed it immediately by responding “apparently you have a job with a much better salary than I…..Are you guys hiring?” Other people in line snickered at the man, and he immediately became the star of the show he was creating:)
It’s okay to be weird. Normal is paying full retail price. I have had the same look before but it’s a little worse because I’m a guy. I was not aware of the unwritten rule that men can’t coupon. Coupon is a main part of my financial overall. I realized a few years ago, GOD has given everything to me and I need to manage it properly. I use the same principles in couponing. I need to manage it correct. Don’t get stuff I don’t need, unless I can make money and roll it over into another purchase. I’m teaching a coupon class in the next few weeks and want to make sure people understand that you don’t need to go to the extremes of those on the TV show. I personally don’t agree with extreme couponing. I’m all about stockpile and I’m proud of mine because it shows I’m manage the gifts given to me properly. Rashelle, hold your head high and be proud that you are using coupons to save your family money and managing your gifts the right way.
Fellow Couponers, my first response to this post was a little motto that I used to keep posted in locker at work –“Illegitimus non carborundum”. This translates to (excuse the asterisks) “Don’t let the b*****ds grind you down.” However, I did remember the response of the late Liberace the entertainer when asked how he felt about all the mockery and verbal putdowns that he received for his flamboyant ways. He responded, “I cried all the way to the bank.”
So, don’t let them grind you down and reserve your tears for those trips to the bank with the money you save, even if the bank is a pink ceramic pig on the dresser. Your job is to feed and clothe your family and to be a good neighbor and friend to those in need. It always amazes me that the folks with the least are the ones who give the most to those in need.
If cashiers and/or assistant managers give you a hard time, call corporate and report and complain. No corporation wants employees who are rude and abusive to customers. The word gets out and potential customers go elsewhere. Good service and customer relations is the key to the bottom line.
Maybe because I am old and weary, but I have just stopped accepting bad and/or rude non-service from people who are specifically hired and trained to be ”service” providers in the retail setting.
Never apologize or feel ashamed for doing something honest and thrifty that gives your family food and essentials. Whether it is sewing your children’s clothes, making their sweaters, canning home grown vegetable or using coupons to make your grocery dollars stretch, you are being the guardian and provider for your family.
I think that Extreme Couponing show is an abomination and the best way to get rid of it is to flood the sponsors of the show with letters promising to boycott their products if they continue to sponsor the show. It will disappear faster than those bags of cat litter ever did!
You all don’t need to act like a cranky old lady, but never, ever let someone make you feel ‘less than’. Stand up for yourself and be proud that you have the knowledge and discipline to care for your family with the skills that the good Lord gave you. Let your light shine.
I have been using coupons and am proud of it for 30 years! I admit extreme couponing kinda ruined it for the regular couponers who get a few things for free but dont really classify as hoarders. recently the local supermarket had triple coupons usually the highlight to my week but with the newbies all watching the show there was hoards of people buying up the whole store! normally there would only be around 20 people with lots of coupons> and Rashelle any one who says youre loco cause you use coupons is loco not to in this economy. and if I offered someone a coupon and the person said youre “one of those” I’d say yep a smart shopper and then smile and grab the coupon back!!!@
Sorry to hear that but if it was not for that show I would of never started couponing!!!!!! I understand what your going thru but always remember that they are juging us not knowing what is really going on. I am a single mother of 3 and a full time student if it was not for coupons and my loving mother I could not afford to go to school full time.
P.S. Sorry for my spellling.
I get no more than I need but I am sure happy when I get them free! I just hope these extremers don’t ruin it for us “reasonable” ones. And hoping it won’t put an end to the coupons altogether – you know what I mean?! Like my Kroger clerk said “We figured out that we were paying the customer to take the product out of the store – we can’t do that anymore”
Hello Rashelle and all my friends in “Collinville,”
All of us who follow Collin’s blog should already “centered.” She gives us the coupon information and we use it or we don’t. Sometimes there are problems, other days we score big, but at the end of the day, you answer to your family. NO ONE should have that kind of power over you to make you feel bad about anything, they don’t even know you. I don’t care what they say or how they roll their eyes. Your world consists of your family, the ones who love you, look up to you and depend on you and every penny you save helps them. Whatever your coupon style is, stay focused. I have not watched that show and I don’t intend to. The name “extreme” was a deal breaker for me. I figured it was going to feature people going “overboard” so It’s just not for me. Continue to take care of yourself and your family. Collin thank you so much. I have saved so much money and received so many freebies, I give out your blog info to people all over town. Several months ago, I saw a young lady who had on some really jazzy shoes and I complimented her on them, she said she got them for 6.00 on sale, original cost 50.00. That led us into a conversation about couponing. She said she didn’t have time and I explained it is as simple as using a coupon on stuff you already buy. I gave her your blog address and that was that. She came up to me recently, I didn’t recognize her at first and reminded me where we met, she started couponing and her husband was teasing her about it, she said she was saving money and didn’t care. Just before she made this trip to the store he asked her if she had a coupon for his brand of deodorant 🙂 Thank you so much for being a blessing to us all Collin. Keep your head UP Rashelle!!
I have found that people are very interested in my coupon binder. They ask if I am one of “those people” and I smile and tell them I am not that extreme but I love coupons and I feed and take care of my family with them.
I am proud of my coupons and i am proud to help others with them, Don’t feel ashamed or bad that you use coupons. Just say a prayer for those who have something to say and know that you are better than that!
A practical suggestion: How about losing the binder? I am a couponer and I have to say, I’d probably look askance at a binder-toting couponer, too. Not because of the show, but because it seems so excessive and “stuff-oriented.” I coupon, so I know that that many coupons aren’t necessary for most families. In my experience, the vast majority of the coupons I use are not on bare-bones necessities like milk or produce or meat, but on items that aren’t strictly necessary, but nice to have, like HBA or convenience items. Take a break from couponing and simplify your life by reducing the amount of product you take into your home. Think about whether you really need shaving cream (or make up, body wash, and so on), or if it is just a luxury, albeit a fairly small one. If it’s not truly a necessity, excise it. I’ll bet your coupon stash will shrink correspondingly and you’ll have more time without all the extra clipping and organizing. Be moderate about couponing for a while to re-energize yourself. Eventually, the economy will recover, Extreme Couponing will be cancelled, and everyone who jumped into couponing because of it will burn out.
I also have had good responses with people passing by me in the aisle. They see my binder and they are impressed how organized I am. And they ask all kinds of questions – is it really worth it, how much do you save, etc.? It takes me a little longer ‘cuz more times than not, I’ll start talking to a fellow couponer or someone that is curious about the whole process. I’ll give people coupons if they really are interested in doing it. They are very appreciative. There’s no way that I will use 20 coupons for mustard for example, I might as well share! I also make sure that I tell them in this economy, I have to do all that I can to save anywhere I can.
Whenever people are frustrated with me in line, I choose to have a positive attitude. My attitude is always my choice – I don’t have to have someone else determine it for me! I apologize for their extra wait time in line due to my coupons and I thank them for their patience (even if it is an extremely small amount). I then make it my job then next couple of minutes to become their friend. I explain to them that this is one of the ways that the Lord has allowed my husband and I to make it for the past one and half years. My husband is pastor at a small church and they cannot not afford to pay him more than $720 each month. So he has worked up to 5 jobs at a time so I can stay home with our new son. What a wonderful husband I have! I explain that God has given me the ability and the desire to save our family money so I need to be a good steward of the talents that He has provided. And what do you know, by the time I am done checking out the people behind me, the cashiers, and the bagger have all been so excited for me in the great deals I am getting. They then encourage me to keep on couponing and their huffing and puffing is no more. It is amazing how a little extra dose of kindness on my part, befriending a stranger, and praising the Lord for His goodness will not only brighten someone elses day, but also my own.
They are just jealous because they don’t know how to save money and do couponing themselves! Who cares what they think. You know you are not a hoarder and you know you give to charity, so forget about those rude people and just be proud of what you are doing!
I have read a few comments and believe and feel all of yalls pain… i too havent done much shopping in fear of the staff at the stores…. Rite Aid is the only store that is great about everything! They are so helpful and patient with me 🙂 I am a new couponer ….. I have always used coupons and created my meals against sale papers…. but i have just started with the rr ups and ecbs. I have gotten great results from the people in line behind me but just not the cashiers. I recently went and got in on the deal at cvs with the revlon… the cashier was very up set that i wanted to ring each nail polish up the limit was 6 …. i also had my sisters card and i was gonna get her some as well… but they said that i couldnt that she had to be there… i didnt have the coupon policy so i didnt know if she was right or not …. but i said thats ok i dont have to get it … i dont want to do something that is against policy…. but end the end i didnt get to get all 6 of my nail poishes because she would not hand me the reciept with the ecbs on it she kept it for the next transaction… i ended up getting some polish that was on clearnce .. the polish was only 1.50 but she scaned my 4 dollar coupon and because it wasnt part of the deal it didnt print a 4ecb…. so she wasted 2.50 of my ecb… i was very upset before i found out y it didnt print so i just left… 🙁 but thats ok… i even told them that i wasnt trying to argue if the register didnt work then it just didnt work … thats fine but i just dont get it … its not coming out of there check so ???? and she kept making comments like u know that u can just do them together and get one big ecb… and i said i dont have 25 dollars to spend on nail polish….. she just rolled her eyes and said it would be the same…. uggghhhh
Some couponing advice: fly under the radar. With all the anticouponer sentiment out there right now, you’ll make your couponing easier by doing deals moderately. Sure, the limit was six, so you are entitled to six, but six individual transactions takes longer than one larger one. Next time, just do one transaction or if you really need the product, two max. If you want more, stop back in later in the week. This gives others the chance to get the deal, too, and if the store happens to be out, get a raincheck. Sometimes rainchecks are even better because you can use them at your convenience.