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?
I work at a grocery store and since that show aired it is driving me crazy! I have noticed both positive and negative effects on couponing just at my store. I feel it will eventually ruin parts of couponing.
I wouldn’t concern yourself with what others are saying or thinking. If they have something negative to say that is their problem. They can’t be happy with themselves so they must judge others. Keep doing what you are doing and save your family money. These giant corporations can spare a few dollars for those of us who don’t make millions.
hi i started couponing in the middle of Jan 2011
i did a long time ago when i was around 10 but back then i only cut coupons
for will u know candies and may glade stuff but only 2-3 coupons things that looked
nice or things i thought my mom used wish she but not every coupon
in the past 14 years of my life that my sister and i can remember we used to throw away all
the coupons since we didn’t know how they worked.
anyway with getting little used the coupons deals i do miss up and spend more then what intend to
with items being out-of-stock.. but what i hate is the stare from the staff of the store or other customer like just 3-4 days ago April 30th i bought $28 worth stuff i had CVS $5 off $25 email Coupon so i bought enough thing i had my fav cashier to check me out 🙂 and behind me i had 2 guys i think cuz i did 2 transaction and was doing 3rd as i planed everything so i dont spend more then i can afford and the comment i get while doing the 3rd transaction is “its those extreme couponer’s” and i turn and am smiling at them cuz i didn’t realize that being called extreme couponer is means those crazy people that buy thing which they dont need. i bought like shampoo i had (2) $2 /1 Pantene product coupons from the P&G booklet mailed to my and my sister’s house i exchange coupons with her plus they were expiring the next day plus with the deal buy 2 Pantene products get $2 ECB my younger sister like this so i thought why not use the high value coupons and also had to use some of the ECB that were getting a bit close to expiring and plus bought the revlon items since my $2/1 coupons didn’t work on the Revlon nail polish my younger sister loves cosmetic plus family and friends come to our house to her for getting done their make-up as she does very well.
anyway so we need candies, cosmetic, and shampoo, plus diapers i just had my baby 3 weeks and 1 day today.
plus i do different transaction cuz of CVS coupons sometimes other times cuz of ECB i dont like having BIG amount ECB specially if im not going to buy things i dont need or have coupons for that much so whar will i do if i get $24 ECB all together? no idea in my head so i do 6 transaction so i get small amount in my ECB so if i need to buy something for $6-$9 i will have enough ECB with out having to buy fill-ins to reach the ECB without any good deal going on… as we all know there are weeks were there r not that many goods go on in CVS so i dont like getting a headache…
i dont shop at Walgreens only 1-2 times in a month as i hate that place i cant get there RR its hard to save much there since if u have 2-3 different RR and more coupons added to them then u need the same amount of items as the coupons u have i can never get things lower then $1 most times!
the big reason isn’t the RR its the staff thats mean they never know how to bring down the MFR coupon down i had to get the coupon policy yet still after reading they dont get it until i go in slow motion ans the stares they give every time i enter with my mom oh god cant go there that much.
and rite the manager sometimes gives a mean look or may he just has that look i dont know, the thing that upset me last week was that
i had a rain check for Veet that was out of stock in the week there was the deal on it that buy 1 get $1 + Up Rewards i missed it no thanx to the rack being cleared i went 3 weeks in-a-row couldn’t get anything and last week when i went in with the $3 in-ad coupon with my $2 MFR coupon and they were like they cant do that cuz the item is below the 2 coupons amount my Rite Aid has the 20ct for $4.49 i told them that they can bring down the MFR to $0.51 but the guy i though was the manager told me he has no idea what im saying and that i should come tomorrow and talk to the the manager i was like i though he was the manager too.
plus i dont have a car or a ride the next day so i had to leave all the things and leave since my deal was all messed up and if i did the deal without my planed deal i knew i would spend more then i had planed and i need to save for diaper deals now so i gave up with out buy anything.
now saving my ECB for upcoming weeks Pamper diaper deal i had 2 Coupons that came in the mail that are expiring at end of this month and the i dont remember one is $2 off any and the other is $3 off 60ct+
oh wow i typed a lot… and without say the most important thing dont think to much about what other say in my case above all the way above i said i was called “extreme couponer” will when i was going to my car i told my sister i was called that and thats when i knew what i was i have really slow reactions to things im such a dumbo but at times i think its good at least i doesn’t hurt and mess my head at the register where i mess-up my deals and things go wrong…
i dont just get weird looks because i do couponing another reason is cuz of races i hate that the most if im not American doesn’t that make me lower then the rest of the world? will i try to ignore which at times im really good at but i cant say the same about my sister she can get really bad affects as if she’s doing something really bad using coupons no thanx to that she spends more then save last time she spended like $33 when the had planed to spend only around $10-$15 or less.
i try to tell her not to pay attention and just do her deal and ignore the rest people and we buy what we need..
i live with my parents since my hubby isn’t here with me yet we are total of 9 people in our house
myself and my newborn son
my 3 brother 2 sisters and 2 parents
my mom doesn’t understand how to do deals at store only if she has to buy 1-2 items she can buy but even then she can mess up lol..
so my older sister does her deal at the store and her own as will at times she says that she she thinks they will think bad of her since she does 2 same deals one on her card for herself and the other one on my parents cards for our parents.
i tell her to just tell them our mom doesn’t know how to do the deal so she helps her. so thats how things are for use
sorry i went on and on with typing anyway i thought i would let some of you know that at least u get stares for couponing
my sister and i get weird looks, stares and dirty looks for couponing and being from different religion.
Well, I can say, no matter what the person says passing me in the isles, or at the registers, I’m gonna keep on using my coupons ! I do my shopping monthly, so I have a cart full. Recently, I took my binder and off to Kroger I went. After, about an hour and 1/2, I had my coupons pulled and my cart full. I passed a manager and he offered to put side rails on the cart….LOL…which I thought was hilarious, especially when my total was so small. Recently, I just went to wal-mart yesterday looking for my grandson a birthday present. Saw Toy Story 3-pc short sets marked down to $7 hanging a a $5 rack. So I scanned them, THEY SCANNED FOR $1. The smaller size said see sales assoc…so I took both sizes that I needed and stood there until they over rode the price on the smaller sets. Went back last night, 3 shelves of toys on clearance with a sign saying 50% off lowest ticketed price. Found Marvel Super Hero Squad cars that transform into 8 different cars for $7….so 50% off that was $3.50. I stood there while the line got longer and longer waiting on the manager to do a price over ride. I don’t care how long it takes or who they gotta call….I’m gonna use my coupons and wait on my price over rides. My family can use that $$$$$ that I save. Just smile and think….My total will be less than yours !!!!
you go Girlfriend,,, it’s about OUR families! and what we can do to make life better for our peeps.
I also have a box of Jafra, toothpaste, washclothes, soaps, deodorants, toothbrushes and all sorts of stuff to donate to the Hip2Help Tour………. and saved enough couponing to pay for $30 worth of postage to ship a box of FREE toys for Collin for the tour,,, The people that don’t coupon don’t have the money (or freedom) we have to help each other and live better, richer, fuller lives… Keep on keepin’ on
I have been couponing for over 20 years I just love it so much! Believe it or not I did it when I was a teenager. Anyway I learned a long time ago to not worry about other people because you are doing the best thing for your family and that is all that matters. Just let it roll off of you because I think people who are mean like that just do not understand what is important in life. It happens to us all just kill them with kindness that is what I do. be as nice as you can be.
i’ve been couponing for 37 years now. i’ve never had people make negative remarks, instead they are more intrigued when i go thru the lines and the cashier will say how much i owe and then when i hand my coupons the bill is next to nothing. so that’s when the person behind me in line will ask me “how you’d do that”
the only problems with sneer remarks are from the cashiers or management always from walgreen’s and target.
both these stores seem to have a major attitude towards me. i just smile as i go out the doors. 🙂
I try to be polite to folks, but I agree that sometimes being polite isn’t enough. I’ve had some issues with Walgreens and Target before and it’s very discouraging. For instance, I had the famous $5/2 Revlon beauty tools coupon. I was told multiple times I couldn’t use it. There was one instance where the cashier said it had to match exactly what was on the photo even though the Catalina was printed at Target and said “$5 off ANY two beauty tools”. There was another instance where the Walgreens cashier wouldn’t let me use two coupons for two bottles of Clorax spray. The first thing he said was that it”s a printed coupon and therefore I copied it (I don’t see where the logic was in that statement, but I explained to him that their store accepts Internet printed coupons). The manager came by and sided with him and I gave up trying to argue it. At the same Walgreens, I had one cashier who threw my transaction at me and on another occasion the two customers behind me was snaring and making comments about how GOD what a #@$@ coupon lady. I don’t think the show has helped normal people like myself trying to save some money and not clearing the shelves.
Oh my, please don’t allow what others are saying or doing affect you couponing! They are just jealous! Seriously. Hold your head high and be very proud! We spend much time to save the money that we do on couponing! BE PROUD!
i just started couponing last year. i am still getting the hang of it but i have just moved up to 4 sunday papers. i don’t do the shopping in the house but my mom takes the coupons and use them. which i like because she is a senior citizen and gets the 5 % off the bill so we try to save as much as possible. we don’t have enough coupons to clear shelves but to tie us over until we need to buy something else. i love hip2save. it has helped me see what couponing is all about and how to save the most money as possible.
Thank You Collin.
I haven’t experienced anyone thinking I’m one of those extreme couponers, but over the years I’ve heard the exasperated sighs and whispered comments of plenty of impatient people in lines behind me. I’ve said, on more than one occasion, “If you’d like to write me a check for what I’m about to save using coupons, I’ll gladly leave this line.” Never had anyone take me up on it, but I have seen jaws drop when my savings were announced. I just don’t care. I do tell people behind me that I will have a lengthy transaction, just in case they are in a hurry.
Hi Rashelle. I have taught my children that coupons are currency, and the money that they help you save is either your money, or “their” money. Be so proud of the money you save that you worked so hard for and the great job you are doing! My couponing allows me to have toiletries for free, help to supply family members with the same who are going through hard times financially, and donate more to the church and military drives. If people want to sneer and complain (which I do get looks when they get behind me in line and they see my coupon pile) then boo hiss if they don’t like generosity and good kharma! Plus, they are not good stewards of their money. You keep up the great work!
I do find myself a little inspired to work on my couponing after I watch an episode of “the show,” but I agree that it does sort of give me a stigma when I’m out at the stores. I carry my coupon box discreetly hidden in my daughter’s diaper bag so that it doesn’t attract negative attention. When she stays at home (leaving me with no excuse to drag along her large diaper bag), I’m left over-thinking my strategy for camoflauging the box… which I know is a ridiculous waste of time/ energy. I don’t ever buy lots of a single item in one shop but because of the negativity and scrutiny, I’ve found myself considering purchasing extra items to detract attention from my totally acceptable use of coupons. The other day I was purchasing only half a dozen different cosmetics, but each with a coupon. I knew the total was going to be under $1 and a couple of the coupons would “beep” because they needed to be adjusted down. I was so anxious about what sort of attitude I’d encounter at the register that I actually had to pep talk myself before making my way to the check-out. And of course, most of the time that’s when I have a really friendly cashier… it’s when I’m not expecting it that I end up on the defense.
Also, just something I’ve noticed… real shopping trips just NEVER go as smoothly as on the show. I can check out with a dozen items and have a cashier digging back through the items to make sure an item matches the coupon, have them question why the coupon is beeping or after the transaction is done realize they missed an entire coupon. Often, SEVERAL issues occur. The show would have a person believe that you can show up at any old store, wipe their shelves clean of entire SKU’s, fill 2 or 3 baskets and present the cashier with a stack of over a hundred coupons. Further more, you will encounter a friendly cashier who is supportive of your couponing & doesn’t question any of your coupons (there will also be fellow customers cheering you on, along with a manager that is rarely called over except for technical issues). Then with just vigilant observation of the register, you will catch any mistake as it happens. Once you’ve completed the transaction and everyone in the store has applauded you, the entire staff will be smiling and thankful for your business. LOL… That is not the world where I do my couponing! Sometimes I have to feel embarrased, defend my use of a coupon, wait while a cashier calls a manager over to ask if a perfectly normal little coupon can be used, pay a total that I know seems “off” because the line behind me is long and I need to look at the receipt to figure out what went awry, or even not realize until I’m home that a mistake was made and have to fix it the next time I’m in the store. It just simply isn’t realistic to have a shop go as smoothly as the majority do on that show… and the truth is, that even if some people are extreme couponing and giving “wise couponers” a bad rep… eventually the reality of shopping with a stack of coupons, in the real world, will sober them up. It may take a while, but they’ll lose interest and life will go back to normal. In the meantime, share the extra coupon that’s about to expire with the tired mom shopping next to you, call your mom and tell her about the great deal you saw at Walgreens and grab a girlfriend to hit the deals with you. As King Solomon said: This to shall pass. Keep your head up!
Who cares what other people think! They only think we’re ‘taking advantage’ because they don’t know how it works. And you’re not ‘loco’, people who don’t use coupons for things they buy everyday (and then complain about how much stuff cost) are loco. You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone, you shop wisely so that you can better provide for yourself and your family-and you shouldn’t be ashamed of that!
Exactly….who cares what people think…your main goal when couponing is to save money, not pay full price, and that is smart. The whole reason for manufacturer coupons is so the consumer will purchase the item. The fool is the person who goes into a store, with no plan and just grabs whatever off the shelf and walks out of the store with a $100 grocerey bill, and you the couponer who will have twice as many items will walk out and only pay a fraction of that because of stores specials and coupons.
I wouldn’t worry about what other people say. In fact, if you just look them straight in their eyes, and smile at them, you will keep them wondering, but maybe they will realize you aren’t “loco”.
I had an incident the other day at a grocery store, where I was strictly buying a few items that were on sale with great coupons, plus instore coupons. (By the way I’m brand new to couponing) I walked by one of the cashiers and asked her if they doubled coupons at their store and she assured me that they did. So when I got ready to check out (I had about 15 items only), I gave the same cashier my coupons and she began to double them, and there was a guy standing at the end of her line, and he said “Oh you must watch that Extreme couponing show”, and I told him I did and that I was still learning what to do. (I didn’t have a binder, only an envelope with coupons and my purse).
So as the cashier was doing the coupons, the guy piped up and said, “hey, wait a minute, we don’t double coupons here!!!” glaring at me. The cashier said, oh we don’t?? “At my other store, we double coupons”. I live in a very rural area and this is the only store here, so I’m assuming she might be from the next town away with this store. So, I opened my wallet, pulled out $5.00 and told the cashier, I’m sorry mam, but I’m not going to be able to get these groceries, I don’t have enough money. So she had to turn to the “MANAGER” who was standing behind her to tell him that he had to void my order. (the rude guy was the manager) I think maybe I taught him a lesson. Maybe?? Maybe they didn’t lose that much money, but his rude attitude towards me made me never want to go in there ever again. So hang in there!!
You do what you have to do for your family. The rest of the world doesn’t need to know your personal business and why you are using coupons. Its your business only. Forget the rest of them! You are the one saving money not them!!
Growing up as a child of Great Depression era parents I have a prideful opinion about saving money and not spending it needlessly–my folks were truly frugal. I grew up using coupons, not because we needed to, rather the money was put to a better purpose such as great vacations and other luxuries. My parents never had a house payment, car payment or credit card payments–something that’s extremely difficult to do nowadays.
First of all, any of you who are feeling self conscious about using coupons need to learn NOT TO GIVE A DARN WHAT OTHERS THINK!!! Most of the time this attitude comes with age–the older you get, the less you care what others think or say to your face or behind your back. My dad called it a thick hide.
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT!!! Others are not privy to your financial needs or expectations–their opinions don’t count when it comes to feeding, clothing or providing for you or your family. And LOCO is defined by not taking advantage of saving as much as possible in this economical climate.
Furthermore, if someone begins to spout off about your method of shopping, turn around and ask them if they like to shop the sales. If they answer yes..because they like to save money–just tell them too bad they haven’t learned how to really save money and ask them if they’d like to learn to save more than 50% all the time.
Every place I shop, coupon overages are not allowed so I would have responded to the “taking advantage” comment by educating people who are jumping to judgement by saying…. “Excuse me, I am not taking advantage of anyone, and if you understood what you were talking about, you’d know that. Furthermore, for your information, this store does not allow coupon overages. Not that I need to justify anything to you, but I shop with coupons to save money on groceries so I have the money to put in my gas tank and pay my property taxes.
Lastly, remember…you are stimulating the economy with every purchase you make!!!
*** LIKE *** Well said!
I would think, too, that with the way the economy is (not) recovering, the rate of unemployment, and let’s face it—the INFLATION that the government doesn’t seem to want to admit to—more people would want/need to coupon to help make ends meet!! It doesn’t seem to be the case, though. Most of the people I have noticed couponing are either older people, who have probably done it their whole lives, or a few women with young families.
I too really don’t like that show and how much problem it is causing in the stores now. However I love couponing and Do not really care what people think about my using coupons. I warn them when I am in line and already checking out that I have a LOT of coupons and if they are behind me with a few items i will let them go ahead of me. But I am proud at how much money I have saved and I know if things get tough we may not have meat to eat but we will have tuna and beans and pasta as well as the fact that we will have soap to wash with and clean teeth. I won’t stop for anyone. It is indoor hunting to me. And I love it.
and you don’t have to KILL anything! Hahaha,, just shootin from the hip.
Boy, this subject it a hot one..
be loud be proud and be way to HIP not to SAVE!!!! Yeah for us!
Okay I admit it… I am also in a definite couponing slump. That show makes couponing seem like a dirty habit, and to be completely honest, it kind of demotivates me. I haven’t clipped the last 3 weeks of inserts, and today I spent $85 at Publix and only used one single coupon. I just have the mentality lately that I don’t want to be thrown into the same category as those crazy people, so I just don’t have the motivation to clip or use…. 🙁
I went through that about 8 months ago. I think sometimes you just need a break because of “coupon burnout”. Happily the burnout didn’t last long…and rethinking my clipping/filing system helped streamline my process.
Hello all you couponers,
I have been couponing now for about 1 and a half years now. I can remember when I first started with my girlfriend, and she would get about $150-200 for about $30-50 on average. When you first start out there are lots of transactions that you end up holding your breath until you get the final total. Now, several months later, I know what to expect and already usually have it totaled up before I pull out my wallet. With time you learn how to use overage to buy things and get more out of your purchase. I honestly do not believe that the people on Extreme Couponers are faking it, because I do the same kind of transactions. I just do not do as large a purchase as these people. I don’t have a spare room to fill with toothpaste, pasta, or right guard. However, I do set up scenerios to get enough overage to pay for lots of dog food, dvds, xbox games, and yes even one big purchase for a big screen hdtv. I’m disappointed that Publix has changed its store coupon policy, as well as, Rite Aids buy 1 get 1 coupon policy. I will still be taking advantage of Walgreen’s, Kroger, and Cvs though. As for the people and their bad looks. Well there are always people who dont get it or understand what you trying to do with coupons. I always tell people when they get behind me that it’s going to be a while and should go to another line. Usually they get the hint. Also, here in Georgia, there are some store managers that are complete idiots….Walmart and Target. For the most part the drug store and grocery chains are the easiest to deal with. They bend the rules the most, and generally treat you like they want your business. My advice to all the newbie couponers is: if you go to Walmart or Target and a Manager or Employee at a register gives you problems, simply use the self-checkout or find a Walmart or Target that has employees that actually like doing their job. It’s not you or the coupons. Sometimes it’s simply the supposed Customer Service Manager who has a chip on their shoulder. The more you coupon, the more you learn what to do, where to shop, and how to spend your time effectively. I personally spend about 5 to 6 hours a week doing this. I only cut the coupons as I need them. I only buy items that are on sale, free, or I have coupons for. I have saved close to $15,000 in the last year and a half. And Im buying a house with what I have saved up. So when I hear the term coupon weirdos, well… I have to laugh. When you see people begging for jobs, 15 to 20 percent of our country unemployed, folks living off welfare, and the politicans coming up with no answers except spending more? It really puts things into perspective. I personally believe our government should be forced to live off coupons for a decade or two. Maybe if the saved %90 everytime they spent the tax-payers dollars, we might be in a different boat as a Nation.
I had a boss who made fun of me and told me I had better things to do with my time than coupon. (I was on my lunch hour, what else can I do?) Anyway – she walks in one day and was all excited that she saved 60% at Safeway because of their grand reopening sale. I felt like saying, “Uhh, I save 60% on EVERY shopping trip…” I honestly think people judge because they 1. Don’t understand how easy it is. 2. Don’t want to feel guilty that they are paying full price for an item when with a little extra time they could have saved. To each his/her own and you know that you are doing the best thing for your family. I think it scares some people that us mommy’s and daddy’s are becoming a force to be noticed. Also, if you’ll notice, when large companies are looking at new marketing campaigns, MANY of them are focusing on the Mommy Blogger groups. More power to you ladies and gentlemen!
BTW…because I know how to coupon shop I was able to donate close to $100.00 worth of merchandise to a local church heading to Joplin, MO. I am not working, so I really couldn’t allot more than $10.00 for a donation, however, with the skills Collin has taught me, I was able to parlay that 10 bucks into a large donation of toiletries, Luna bars and sports drinks.
Because the some of the coupons were larger amounts than the cost of the items, I brought the line to a hault. Although I didn’t need to, I turned to the people behind me and explained what I was going on and that it was for emergency kits going to Joplin.
To my suprize, everyone was very understanding and supportive–usually I don’t “justify” my coupon usage, but I really brought the line to a halt and wanted them to know I wasn’t adding to my personal stockpile.
I understand how Rachel feels about the stares. I learned to overcome this by reading comments by others who have had problems and realized that most of the people who don’t believe it just don’t know and are uneducated with coupons, including a lot of store clerks, and even some managers, when it comes to the own policies. I say happy savings. Why should I let others, more especially uneducated ones, steal my joy of saving for my family. I really have gotten more aggressive with stockpiling since I have learn to overcome other people’s opinions.
I just learned how to stack coupons from my daughter’s classmate’s mom. I am very thankful she taught me the basics to “Smart Couponing”. But also am very discouraged by the comments and dirty looks from customers and the staff at the stores. Especially at Walgreens. This cashier at Walgreens told me that the “Extreme couponers are the worst and that they carry around huge binders everywhere they go” I told her that I have a huge binder full of coupons and I was proud of it. That I’m smart enough to know how to save money by using coupons that the stores and the manufactures put out! Then 2 days ago at Kingsoopers, the cashier tells me ever since the Extreme couponing show came out, her job has become that much harder and she hates it. WTH?!!! Seriously?! I’m living off of my unemployment checks because I can’t seem to find a freakin’ job, your telling me that your pissed off because you have to work harder?!!! I’ll gladly take your job anyway! BUT I’LL STILL BE COUPONING!!! I’ve run into cashiers that had NO CLUE as to what their store policies were AT ALL! and I’ve had them fix the mistakes despite the long line behind me. If you take the time to properly learn how to do your job, then the transactions wouldn’t take all dang day! It really ticks me off that I spend my time researching and matching up coupons so I can shop at your store and you talk crap to me because I’m using coupons! The stores get paid $0.08 per coupon on top of the face value of the coupon, so you would think they would encourage the customers to use coupons. Instead, they talk crap, give looks and make you feel like an alien. I felt really sick after several bad experiences but my husband told me that they aren’t smart enough to do what we couponers do. I have every right to use coupons and not to let others bring me down. Misery loves company and I ain’t playin’!!! A cashier at Target told me earlier this week that Target is seriously thinking about doing away with coupons because of ALL the Extreme couponers abusing coupons. I told her that it would be a shame if that happens because I would no longer shop at Target. I hate to sound so mean but I’ve been made to feel like I have to defend my couponing and I am sick of it. I am not a hoarder, I am unemployed mother of 2 fast growing kids! I’m just trying to stretch every single penny I get from my unemployment check! Bunch of haters! Instead of supporting one another and lifting each other up, they choose to push and stomp on people. Flat out Degrading… shameful… shame shame shame…
I am new at couponing also, but most of the problems I have had are from people who are uneducated, including store clerks and some managers who don’t know their own policies, and refuse to believe that couponing works. I enjoy seeing people’s mouth drop open behind me at checkout when the savings drops my bill.
I think that show RUINED couponing for so many people. I HATE shopping now. I used to enjoy it. Now I get looks and comments and the shelves are always cleared. When I pick up 2 of an item there are comments about how I’m clearing the shelf… excuse me? Since when is 2 a store’s stock? Anyway, I hope the show dies a painful death and soon!!
Mama bug totally agree with you. Hope that shows goes away
I am so glad you posted this email. I have been feeling a little ashamed also since the show has been such a hit. I am glad/sad to hear others are having the same thing happen to them. I can’t understand the greed of some people. I actually saw a lady steal two newspapers this Sunday morning at the Olympia Albertsons (Yeah I saw you!) just to get some more Twice Value Coupons because the store put them behind the counter because people are stealing them! The lady looked right at me and took her papers and took off. All this was going on while the lady in front of me was doing 6 transactions and yelling at the poor cashier because the prices weren’t what she thought they should be (she bought the wrong size cheese!) I was horrified and ashamed to be a part of that crowd. Part of me wishes the show would be cancelled before something awful happens. This is blow-over right?
Hey Roshelle. ( I hope I spelled your name right, it is 12:31 am and I am about to run out to the military base close to me just to get a copy of the paraglide for coupons so I don’t have time to go back and double check spelling so I truly apologize if I misspell your name of all things incorrectly.) Anyhow, allow me to share my story with you because like you I do not shop to clean out the store. I shop for things that are free but I refuse to buy things that I do not use or do not need unless it is free and I plan on donating them. This is because I do not have a lot of money to spend even 15 cents on an item that I will not use. I get plenty of looks from a lot of people. I get snickers, comments, and eyes. I have a few people ask me about my couponing as if they were interested in starting and then leave me with nasty comments as if I am a hoarder or have my shower full of unnecessary stock. I do have a stockpile but nowhere near as large as the show on television. People forget that it is TELEVISION. They aren’t going to broadcast an episode that says although we do phenomenally well in couponing in our trips to the store that are aired doesn’t mean we NEVER go to the store and do not have coupons to use. Aside from that, have you ever heard of the comedian Kat Williams? I reference him because he says some interesting and very intelligent things, as far as self esteem goes. You see all the other people with their remarks are what he say are “haters” ( a hater is someone who is jealous or that sees that you are doing well and are mad because of something that they don’t have or aren’t doing. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it has anything to do with your couponing or couponing in general. Some people are just mean because they had a bad day with their boss and are now taking it out on you, sometimes not even realizing it) Try to keep your head held high and remember that you are using your brain when you are couponing. The companies that give out coupons are essentially giving you money to buy their product. If you were going to buy the product anyway why not let the company share the cost with you. As my friends and I say in college, “How can I be mad, they aren’t messing with my budget!” They are giving US money essentially. Some people are afraid of change and others are very judgemental. Don’t allow their arrogance to stop you from doing your thing. We are in a RECESSION and even if we weren’t if you want to be a billionaire sometimes you need to let someone else spend that 50 cents on ketchup and let you keep yours in the bank. That is what couponing pretty much is. Be a multibillionaire girl, live easier because of coupons. Those other people are going to be even more jealous of you then as well. So like I said keep your head up let your money be your servant not your master. COUPONS HELP YOU MAKE THIS POSSIBLE! <3333 Hugs to times a million!
I think extreme couponing show might cause some companies to put restrictions on coupons. As for people who see me couponing at the store I have always had mixed reactions…I grew up couponing and my whole family is into it. Some folks out there think only poor people use coupons…but I have to laugh because the money I save I can use to splurge on fun stuff. My joke is when i checkout at the cash register is “with my savings I can buy more shoes.” I use a coupon for almost everything I buy, from clothing, to household items…Smart people coupon…dumb people don’t.
I have gotten a few dirty looks and exagerated sighs…I have said “its a good thing you werent behind me yesterday, or I’ll bet your glad I have this organized or it would take alot longer. I was in a walgrens one time buying ONE item with ONE coupon and a guy behind did an exagerated sigh, slapped his leg and turn halfway around and back again…I looked directly at him, gave him an exagerated smile and then seemed to have alot of trouble finding my atm card…childish I know but oh so satisfying…something to remember…if I am at the register, and your behind me, I have alot of control over how fast YOU get out of the store….LOL…the bottom line is….YOU dont put $ in my bank account…YOU dont care about my family or children…and unless your going to pay for my items, YOU dont get to have an opinion about My buisness……
I haven’t gotten any dirty looks, but several people have asked if I watch extreme coupon or if I am an “extreme” couponer, and I have my standard answer. NO I am not, and I think that no person needs a thousand toothbrushes. It takes away from real families trying to buy a toothbrush for their child. There is not reason to buy 200 of any thing at any time, in any shape or for ANY reason. Those people are giving the rest of us hard working shoppers a bad name. I use coupons to help our budget, because I haven’t been able to find a job. PERIOD.
You know why you are couponing, to help feed your family, although the extremes might also be feeding their families, I think they are doing it just for the conquest, and although I like to have 2 or 3 or 10 times on my shelf of something I will use continually, I KNOW WHY I COUPON. To save MONEY to help my family and not to be rude, but
who gives a flying fig what others think of your coupon shopping! 🙂
I just recently started couponing when a friend brought me a bag of things she thought I needed, I asked her if I could pay her, and she told me most of them were free, or less than $1. I was shocked at how quickly I could see the savings. Then the show became popular, and I get comments like oh “she’s an extreme couponer”. I am not, but I do stock up when it is something I use, and I never clear the shelves, unless its the last one.
I began stocking up on other odds and ends for family members that need it. I don’t feel bad, unless I am causing a line, because it is frustrating when you have to wait behind someone. But I noticed that many more people will watch in awe as my savings drop at least 50% everytime I go grocery shopping. Leave Rite Aid with a bag full of stuff for 50 cents – most of the time the cashiers love it. Yes I see them moan and groan, but if I plan ahead and know exactly what to hand them when, nobody complains. If the moans stop.
So I suppose my suggestion is:
1) plan ahead, place the coupons in order – store coupons, then manufacturer, then reward points.
2)have a back-up plan. Face it, you know the item you want the most 9 times out of 10 isn’t going to be there, so decide what you back up plan is before entering the store.
3) Try not to go at busy times (unless its busy with other couponers). I know this can be hard. But if you do not work during the day it is easy to go right when you put the kids on the bus. The only other people shopping is other people just like you.
I am a Cashier at Walmart, and I apologize for my fellow cashiers that might not be as coupon friendly as I am! Our computers/registers do beep at coupons sometimes, and most of the time for no reason. Unfortunately some of us ‘couponers’ either don’t pay attention, are not to bright (sorry about that), or try to sneak simular items past us…not realizing that the register WILL know that the correct item has not been purchased. I have had people hand me Glade coupons and have purchased something different and tell me they didn’t think ‘it really mattered’ !!! Yesterday I had a woman purchase one coffee and hand me FOUR coupons and not understand why I could not except all four!!!
I do coupon, just went today on my day off and saved $11.60 on a small order. I price match from King Soopers, Safeway and Sunflower Market ALL the time. Even I get funny looks from my fellow workers, and one cashier said my ‘price matching’ was a pain for her! Oh well…it’s my money I’m saving!!!
hi i just wanted to give my opinion in this subject; i think couponing is wonderful, i am a religious person and believe that it is of a WISE WOMEN to save and work through the coupons for a better Family care, when I go shopping with MY coupons I’m always exited and happy of what I’m going to get for My family, I am not rich, I have many kids and only a Husband to provide so I have to be a good stewart towards Our money provided things aren’t going to brightly lately and I don’t care what the UNWISE people staring at Me think, I have many kids to take care, a FAMILY that I LOVE! and I will do anything right and good for Them, I have to provide meds for My Kids which are very expensive, One of them is going to have open heart surgery very soon(keep ‘er in Your prayers), another one of my kids was diagnosed with osteosarcoma & He’s having a tough time knowing what He was diagnosed with, so as You see, I will do anything to be able to take care of Them, thanks to this site I have been able to EFFICIENTLY SAVE enough to pay for the many DR, appts, gas meds, hospital stays $$$$ etc. so I do not once think that this is an embarrasment instead I think is a way that God has provided Us, guiding Us through Our troubled times and to help Our Families, so this is My opinion, be Happy, be Proud, God has given You the knowledge to be an AWESOME MOM.
I hold my head up high, unapologetically hand over my stack of neatly stacked coupons, and when I am handed my receipt, I look at the “savings line” and usually say out loud, “Now that makes me happy!” in a victorious tone. I think that self-confidence is a vital life-skill which I either exude or FAKE.
We learn as children, humans will find any reason to single-out, pick-on, discriminate against another human. Almost always the motivation stems from their own insecurities. So whether they are glaring at your screaming baby, don’t approve of the way you speak English or don’t like your coupons, completely ignore them. If you aren’t already convinced, convince your self now…..this is your life, your family, your budget! THEY are not relevant.
Here is one of my favorite quotes. I try to teach this to my daughter. It can be applied to this situation as well,
” No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
You are not the only one noticing these behaviors out and about. I have only been couponing for several weeks, and found that I have gotten quite good at it, but never, ever make huge purchases like the ladies, or gentlemen on “extreme couponing.” I have heard “She’s one of them!” or as it seems, as soon as a cashier sees that I have coupons in my hand they already want to reject them and tell me they don’t apply. I too feel that this show has made couponing a little more difficult, but I also have noticed a rise in the coupons I find online, around stores, and so on… so I just keep the mindset that it doesn’t matter what these people think or say to me, because the bottom line is that I am saving money, and lots of it. Every time I leave a store with my purchase, I am thrilled at the amount I can or have saved, despite the deals I can’t obtain from others clearing the shelves, but I am not going to let anyone ruin my fun, because face it, COUPONING IS FUN!
The Extreme Couponing show is not my idea of the average shopper. They do not explain to the public that there are policies that are not being followed. 4 coupon limits, no prints, only six double, and so on. I do not like the way they portray the average shopper/saver. Now mind you, if I follow the rules, I can save on average 60-70%, but I do a long trail of math behind it. I do research, I match, I plan. It takes time and I work for my savings. I don’t care how they feel about my savings.I can not wait until the first person says something to me. I will ask them to give me 40.00 and I’ll give them the coupons they have a problem with…and they can do whatever they want with them. But as long as they are in my hand, nobody is taking my savings away from me! Coupons are cash! Oh and by the way, have you ever read a coupon? The Company actually pays the stores to accept them. It’s a marketing scam to entice the product! Most people cut the coupon, they stick it in a wallet or leave it on the kitchen table and forget all about it until it’s expired and throw it out…In that time they have bought five of that item. YOU are smarter than that, and I will never be ashamed that I can save my money better than someone else! I will never be ashamed that I have math/organization/planning skills more than that of the average shopper. I’m on it, and I’m gonna save. I don’t have to buy Paper towels for a year because I paid 29cents a roll last month. Do you think P & G will fall apart over me? NO, there are twenty people out there who aren’t smart enough to save and will pay 1.19 a roll…and then we can listen to them crank about how expensive things are! Unhappy is unhappy…smile, and hand over the coupons!
My Spouse accidentally threw out my stack of coupons from January to April, and I cried. I felt like he threw out my wallet. And I just forgave him as the coupons would be expired for the most part! That was savings I lost out on! Now, I carry my binder no matter where I go. My coupons stay with me. Coupons are cash! And yes, I’m and extreme couponer and I’m proud of it! I’ll laugh at them any day while I pay 89cents for what they pay 9.89! BE MY GUEST! I help people if they ask, and they do! One man said “You girls are smart and you’re making a name for yourself! I wanted to meet a girl who is smart enough to save. Could you go on tv?” LOL…I just said no, I’m just a saver who watches good deals.Then I gave him a B1G1 right guard coupon to go get himself two deodorants with the sample body washes on it for free at Wags…He was thrilled! He was telling everyone he just saved ten bucks! LOL…He was so happy to meet me, and I was happy to save him money! So there is good in it….saving, helping, sharing, and shopping…where’s the problem? =)
I’m so glad to read these comments. I actually almost thought for a moment that I wasn’t saving enough because of the coupon show!I actually started to feel discouraged. I save when I can and when I can be organized enough with our busy schedules, kids activities, LIFE! LOL! I’m definitely not extreme. I am, however, very picky on where I use my coupons. It isn’t worth it to me to have to leave a store upset. On to the store that smiles when they see me coming! 🙂 Carry on Couponers! Thanks Collin for your site to learn, save, and share!
I work @ Wags and have stopped coupling myself because it is such a hassle anymore. Plus, I am so tired of being yelled @ & chastised by customers when we run out of a product on day 1 of a sale. We literally have ppl who come in w/ binders & send their 4 kids through the line 1 @ a time just so they can get 5 boxes of icy hot w/ register rewards. Thanks to these ppl for making my job a living you know what. Just get what you need & move on.
This is my fear and I have not even started really getting into couponing(just started about 2 wks ago).I am afraid somone will yell at me or just be flat out rude for just trying my best to stretch my budget.I am going on a shopping trip tomorrow and am seriously nervous somthing is to beep and have a cashier flip out.I know I am thinking worst case and I am only using about 5-6 coupons,but they are all printed and know that those sometimes cause cashier hissy fits.I am sure things might be ok but still in the back of my mind I have the what if’s.
Couponing*
This just happened to me tonight. I only purchased maybe 15 items and had some ad matches and coupons for maybe half of the items and cashier asked me if I was one of those extreme couponers. I was like seriously? Anyways I’m proud of my savings. I once had a cashier tell me that I should be in charge of the government’s budget because of the way I save money I could get the country out of debt fast. Ha. It was comical, but made me feel good.
Oh girl! You know who the “loco” ones are? THEM! They are the ones who should be feeling bad, cause they are more than likely paying FULL PRICE FOR EVERYTHING!! Rashelle, you have got a skill and those people would probably cry if they saw how much you spend a month on your groceries compared to them. You gotta know that just because they don’t know you, doesn’t mean they wouldn’t totally love you if they took a minute to get to know you and absolutely jump at the opportunity to learn your deal hunting/couponing techniques.
You have got nothing to be ashamed of for keeping your coupons organized in the binder (which is hard to do, speaking from personal experience) and for whipping it out at the stores and taking full advantage of as many deals as possible. You sound like a genuinely good person who just wants to take care of her family in the best way possible, so just keep it up!
Sometimes the best way to take care of those “coupon haters” is to offer them a coupon/item matched with a coupon if you can spare one (candy is always a crowd pleaser!) . Even if they deny your offer, they will more likely leave the store remembering that you were nice, cashiers will have seen that you “aren’t so bad” and you can spread the good word that not all couponers are nutso hoarders and are willing to share their good deals they have worked hard for! Everybody loves a random act of kindness! And especially at those stores that have the rude cashiers, it could take care of that problem right away. They’re just jealous, but they don’t have to be if they know you are cool enough to let them in on the deals you’re getting! 🙂
Take care and hope things get better. We are all rooting for you!
Wow! I can’t believe all the amazing comments that have been left, and unfortunately I’ve only made it thru about half of them so far (will finish the rest in the morning). Thank you to each and every one for taking the time to write a comment and share your thoughts and experiences. It really has helped me to get re-motivated and remember why I do this in the first place, and remember all the times I have been so happy to share my couponing knowledge with people in the store, and do ignore the haters. So much great advice from all the awesome H2S readers! I pray the ones that are having similar problems will benefit from the others advice as well. And again I can’t tell you how much all of your comments mean to me and I hope to all the other readers as well. Thank You 🙂
People keep saying that they “are doing it for their families”, but when I see someone on that show brag about having more of an item than their family will ever use, it infuriates me!
There are so many starving people in this world, yet there are people HOARDING – yes HOARDING – food so they can brag about their stockpile. It is DISGUSTING!!
TLC should be ashamed of themselves! They are giving NORMAL people who like to coupon and save money a bad name, while they are encouraging people to see how big their stockpiles can get so they can be on their show.
I have a little suggestion for those people who are bragging about their stockpile: don’t ROTATE, DONATE! If you need to be dusting it or rotating it to make sure it doesn’t expire – let it be a blessing to someone else and get it out of your basement/garage/out from under your kids’ beds and take it to a Food Bank! I understand having a stockpile of items in case of emergency, but having 100 packages of pasta when there are only 2 people in your home is ridiculous!
OK – I’m done. 😉
I too have noticed negative affects. One if the women on the show was in my town dumpster diving.one of my local stores use to provide old papers Monday morning.not anymore! I would ask people who had a problem with couponers if they watch all the extremist programs on that channel? Thats the extreme end, just like the people with hundreds of cats.The learning channel must have some whacked producers to think up some of the shows.Take a break for a while, but come back to couponing 🙂
For me the show is very unrealistic. I do not have a single store that doubles coupons regularly. With that being said I try and save as much as possible on the purchases I make. I love seeing all the beautiful stockpiles on the show, I love seeing everyone save money. The crazy part of the show to me is the 60 some hours people spend getting ready for the big buy. Also, who in their right mind has milk crate after milk crate full of coupons? And where do they get those thousands of inserts for free? (yes I saw the dumpster diving episode!) I’m a regular gal with a regular family just trying to stretch a buck.
I started couponing in January of 2010, and by March of 2010 I had a good grip on the game. I think couponing is a very personal experience. You choose what you want to buy, how much you want to spend, what you want to store and how many. No one makes you do it, it’s a personal decision each of us has made to take care of our families. I think all stockpiles are great from one can to one thousand. Who cares what you have. It’s your choice.
When you find someone is snickering at you or being rude, kill them with kindness. I always offer up a coupon for something they are buying or offer to let them in on a deal that might be too good to pass up. This either shuts them up or puts the pressure on them to be kind too. I think a lot of people still don’t understand how to use coupons, so it’s an unknown environment for them. Education is the best defense. The money I saved couponing last year allowed me to plan a couple of awesome vacations for this year!
I have a coupon binder and a file box, I am sure I will always use coupons in one form or another. With food prices increasing and some sites talk about a possible food shortage in the future, isn’t it a great feeling to know that you and your family can whether the storm?
I am one of those people annoyed with couponers because they hold up the line and buy stuff they dont need. Enough with the life stories, people in line really dont care. I just keep my thoughts to myself and never make others feel uncomfortable
I’m sorry but how do you know they don’t need a particular item? Can you tell by looking at someone what they need? or maybe just want because they couldn’t afford it without a coupon?
How do u know what they do or don’t need? and if it’s that big of a problem for you that they have a strong desire to save $$, change lines.
I am very lucky to have a Publix in my area. They have the absoulte best customer service of any store I have ever shopped!! My sister & I shop together, we both have our lists & our handy dandy binders with us. We joke with the employees and have fun on our trips, if we get any funny looks or negative comments we don’t see or hear them because we are in our own little coupon happy worlds. The employees at Publix often ask us if there are coupons out for certain items either on sale or going on sale so they can be prepared. It’s funny they miss us if we don’t shop for week or more, they want to know where we have been. Couponing has actually brought us closer together and I love it!! We shop Publix, Bi-Lo, & CVS on a regular basis. Our Walgreens aren’t very coupon friendly & they are always out of stock anyway, the same with our Rite Aids. Target became too much of a hassle with coupons not coming off correctly or just poor customer service (bad attitudes, poor training, & so on). I cannot imagine ever paying full price again for cleaning products, hba items, crackers, cheese…..things that there are always coupons for. Recently, a couple of elderly ladies saw us shopping and told us how smart we were and said they wished they had the discipline to be more like us. We have also had others comment on how organized we were ( they didn’t see the piles of coupons not clipped or clipped and stuffed in our binder pockets LOL!).
Hold your head up high and be proud of your accomplishments, whether that is saving $5 a week or $50+!
well said!!
TLC is channel to make fun of pepole daily live for sample they have , show Hoarding, show extreme coupon etc.
my mom said rich pepole make the type show who grew up rich don’t understand what like to live small budget.
cashiers & mangers love make you feel intimidate to keep you from use your coupons or rr . One day I heard one of cashier saying she I love making couponer feel small so they would stop bring coupon in here.
i do try to ignore and smile i can’t change other people’s views but yes there have been times
when a few people saw that my balance went download from $65 to only $0.99 and at the time it went down slowly
the lady behind me was like wow thats a lot of money i saved and i how i did it she was impressed that time i felt so proud as it was my first time and i think this took place about 1 month and 2 weeks ago it took place in Target and even the cashier was so sweet/nice that said it take lots of time to do couponing.
and once at CVS the lady behind me waiting when she saw that with all my coupons and ECB my total was only about $1 + tax and she was like is that all u pay for that full bag the cashier was like yep they know how to coupon 🙂
though if u look at it if i didn’t have my ECB i would be paying more then that $1…
Plus if i didn’t first pay with cash i wouldn’t have had those ECB on hand and no saving
people think that all these coupons are free specially the ECB
sometimes i keep rolling my ECB to help me save as i knew i was having a baby so now
i should start to learn to save
find free or close to free or cheap diaper or those that at cvs have some ECB deal diapers so i spend some i gain some..
i still coupon and will in the future but buy only the things i need or give it to family and friends
that need it!
i have a few people at cvs only 3-4 staff that are nice plus my sister and mom give them somethin for the hassle the cashier has to go though when using the coupons that beep for no reason as a thank you for being patience with them and not getting annoyed like some people. i love those people
plus we dont always but that much so only like at times cosmetic or toothpaste and such those 2 items get use a lot in our house plus i bought a few Similac bottles for my baby my mom told me to use Enfamil as she fed that to my last 3 siblings as she fed first 4 breast milk
so i ended up donating all the bottles i bought with all my Similac coupons i had. i finally donated
something for other moms i feel good.:D
Not going to give you the “sticks and stone” speech cause it doesn’t help! Like others have said keep doing it! (chin up) for your family. The show is a fad it too will end! I saw 2 or 3 and I was done! No more for me! Thanks for being brave enough to share. Xoxoxo your way!! :p for those who made you feel bad! Ellas estan Locas for paying full price! (Eng. They are crazy) hold it! One more :p!!