If you missed it last night, Extreme Couponing will again air on TLC on Tuesday January 4, 2011 at 10:00pm (EST) and 1:00am EST on Wednesday January 5, 2011.
Did you happen to watch Extreme Couponing on TLC last night? I did and I have mixed thoughts on it.
On one hand, I am concerned that showing the "extreme" side of using coupons at the stores might create a backlash against those who use coupons in moderation. I am also worried that they made it look like you HAVE to spend that much time (one woman said that she spent 70 hours per week clipping and planning her shopping trips??) in order to save big. That can be discouraging to those looking to get started saving money.
On the other hand, I like that they showed that Nathan donated so much to charity. I have always loved the fact that using coupons allows me to increase my charitable donations.
We had a lively discussion last night on the Moms Need To Know Facebook page about the episode, but I would love to hear your thoughts on "Extreme Couponing". (both the show and in general)
(Oh - and if you need a refresher, don't forget to check out my Coupon 101 posts as well as my Coupon Ethics posts)
Malinda
I saw the show last night and it was really exciting.....i'm such a dork at heart. I loved the donation of the cereal, but he was being gluttonous with his purchases of tooth brushes and deorderant. I love to save, but even if its free, i won't take it home unless i have a use for it. It seems like most of these people have gone to the extreme out of need. At one time in their lives they were in a real financial hardship. I guess they never want to experince that again. Good luck to anyone who stands in line behind these people...lol
Heather
I don't understand what prompts people to take couponing to the extreme. Anyone that's on this show is advertising themselves for an episode of Hoarders.
Christina
I thought that it was fun to watch the show since I like couponing. However, if I were someone who didn't coupon and saw this show for the first time, it would definitely disgust me. I know that the show is called EXTREME couponing so it would naturally showcase individuals who overdo couponing but it would have been nice to put in a couple other examples that were not so extreme which would be more practical like the majority of us. The first lady definitely has a problem if she is cancelling plans with family to go shopping. On the other hand, the lady who walks 7 miles to collect her coupons from friends and neighbors had a legitimate reason to start on her couponing journey. Not only does she save money, but she probably stays fit with all that exercise!
One thing to note that I felt was kinda pushed aside is that the money that they spent after is not all they spend out of pocket. Especially when using a coupon clipping service you also take into consideration the money you pay for that service too.
Stephanie
Like others, I thought the show was a little amusing but it definatly bothered me a bit as well. The man who hoards 100 toothbrushes...that's a BIT much....well, more than a bit.
I like that Christina mentioned the cost of the coupon clipping service. They mentioned that the first lady spent $60 in coupons but didn't put that in her total cost (the $50+) that she spent in the store. Not that getting $600+ worth of groceries for just over $100 isn't great, but still...
I'd love to be even better than I am but I'm currently feeling alright with the 50% that I average to save every week. 🙂
Cathy
The show was not even realistic. I have been couponing since 1999. I have
bought over 566,000.00 for 19,000.00. I have keep all my receipts and when I retire
from this I plan on a big bon fire. But it was all piece meal not "having
the store order me cases" because they were on camera. I have yet to
find a store that would have that many toothbrushes in one trip. And the
mix of coupons that Nathan had. The show would do better to show the
product and then the coupon that was used, but I only seen that being done
one time and that was the Yakasoba Noodles. And lets face it a man that pays
150.00 for cereal and has the stock pile that he has with salad dressings that
are going to expire within a year, I don't think he is going to donate all that
cereal and if he did why did the show not show what good can be done with
couponing. I keep my stuff in a pile till I have purchased all the product I can
with coupons, take a picture for my memories, and then it is out the door.
My last adventure was Krusteaz Cookie Mix. I got 376 boxes. The most I could
get in one order was 20. Now that is realistic! Got my picture taken and now
it goes out to church, shelter and some for family is boxed up. All this show
did is make them look like fools and that hurts those that are really trying to
do some good for their family and community.
Rebecca Williams
Joanie (the 2nd lady) donated to charity too...it just didn't show that part but she showed it on her blog! Even though I enjoyed watching that show because I already followed the Krazy Coupon Lady, it wasn't realistic. It reminded me of hoaders and gives couponing a bad name.
Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder
I enjoyed the show last night. Although I share your concern that it might create a backlash. I'd hate for my local cashiers to start giving me a hard time.