This week TLC announced the popular show – Extreme Couponing – has been turned into a series with the premiere on April 6, 2011.
Click here to see a preview.
*SIGH*
This show makes me cringe for a number of reasons.
The stockpiles. Yes, I have a stockpile – but I have not converted my garage into a stockpile area (complete with air conditioning). I do not have 1000 Yakisoba Noodles or a wall of toilet paper. I have enough to provide for my family and to be able to donate to local charities.
The number of inserts. HOLY COW, Batman. 1000 inserts? Seriously, you do not need that many! Sure it is nice to have extra inserts, but most families can get the items they need with one insert per family member, not 100 per family member.
The lack of balance. If you have a room dedicated to couponing, spend all of your spare time couponing, and have converted your garage to stockpiling – you have lost your balance. Couponing is suppose to help you buy the things you need, so you can afford the things you want. If all you want is the next deal – you are out of balance.
The manufacturers reaction. As a former corporate marketing “doink”, this isn’t what coupons were intended to do. Coupons are about inciting trial and rewarding long-term customers. Yes, when used strategically, they can also help you save a boat load of money.
But I guarantee you, the conversation in the marketing meeting has never been, “Let’s help Sally stock-up on 100 bottle of laundry detergent because that is a great use of our marketing dollars.” Because of this show, most likely the conversation is now, “How can we put a “fail-safe” on coupons so Sally can’t buy 100 bottles of laundry detergent?”
The non-focus on charity. I’ll admit, I have purchased items that were free or nearly free after a coupon, specifically to donate (like peanut butter, Betty Crocker Potatoes or Helper, canned fruit, cereal, canned soup, etc.). Helping provide food to charities by using the skills I have learned feels good. I like giving it forward. TLC people -you want to watch a food pantry staff jump up and down in joy – donate that wall of Stayfree or bathroom tissue.
The inaccurate portrayal of couponers. I’m a couponer. I’ll say it LOUD and PROUD. But my lifestyle doesn’t resemble anything that is portrayed on this show. Our family eats a balanced diet. I cook most of our meals from scratch (not Yakisoba noodles). We eat fresh fruits and veggies. And I still have a life that includes shopping at Nordstrom’s (on occasion). I save big bucks at the grocery store and live in a pretty tight budget – but I do it without being a whack-a-do.
The honest answer. If you are new to couponing, please know it is possible to save big money at the store. Check out my Couponing 101 and FAQ sections about tried and true principals to save money or check out some of my shopping trips. If you want a more in-depth tutorial – think about hosting a coupon class with your friends.
What do you think TLC Extreme Couponing? Let me know in the comments.
I agree! The stockpiles just bothered me…The majority of food probably couldn’t be used before expiration dates. I am sure that many manufactures are working on how to keep coupons from being used like this, which will end up hurting the average person just trying to save money.
I like being prepared however I try NOT to prepare to eat low quality expired food and that seems to be what they’re preparing for.
I have a large stockpile (not that large) of tampons and pads and I always think, after all that we’ll probably get a leak in the roof and ruin them all lol
This bothers me too! Another thing I have to teach my children after watching something like this! This does not show a giving spirit but behaviors that are not acceptable.
I think people like this have a problem – or they are selling the items to make a profit – think the IRS will catch onto this????
Balance, balance is needed. I do have a stock pile of items that will not spoil like laundry soap and the like – but I also have a large family – so 15-20 bottles of laundry soap will last around 6 months with CAREFUL use!
Please, please TLC show someone who donates and does good with couponing.
The stores are going to get wise and start setting limits besides the manufactures posing limits on coupon use – so yes people like this HURT everyone!
Sorry to RANT – but this does not teach a good life lesson- it teaches greed and to be selfish.
Amen to everything you just said! I especially love the whack-a-do throw-in
How in the world does anyone have time to cut out that many inserts? I can’t even keep up with 10 for my personal use. Many of my friends, family & coworkers give me their coupon inserts. So when I can get items for free, I will buy them & give the extra items back to those who gave me the inserts as a thank you. But it is still overwhelming sometimes to keep track of just that many.
I don’t think you can use 1000 inserts per week and be happy. Not to mention that I doubt that person is obtaining those inserts in any legal fashion. If she were buying that many newspapers, it would cost a fortune. The inserts are not just sitting around for everyone to take as many as they want. I’m interested to watch the show to see where she says she is getting them from. And I hope nobody ends up losing their job over it.
I don’t understand what the people who go on this show expect to get out of it. All I see is everyone now thinking they are insane and as a result, the stores and manufacturers becoming sticklers to prevent this. I hope that both the stores and manufacturers realize that this is not the norm. But the backlash will probably be obvious for awhile.
However, with that being said, if manufacturer’s start to limit coupons similar to what P&G has done with the limit of 4 like coupons per shopping trip, it really won’t affect the casual coupon user that significantly. Yes, sometimes I do want to buy more than just 4, but that can be accommodated by making more than one trip or having someone with me to check out as well. Slightly inconvenient yes, but worth it to stop shows like this, ABSOLUTELY!
I want to be able to use my coupons now and for years to come. The money that I save with coupons allows me do things that I couldn’t otherwise. By being able to purchase 10 of an item now, it also means that I can take a week, or a month, off from shopping when other things become priority. I don’t want that leisure being taken away by media-hungry coupon addicts.
My thoughts exactly!! I like your take on it on your about page.. where you have your “charity” items. I think that is the way to go. I would think all of their soda’s and pasta that they had would expire before they could ever touch it!!
I agree as well. Who needs that much deoderant and toothbrushes to last them 150 years? I love a good deal and would love to take a $300 grocery bill down to just a few dollars but I really don’t need that many toothbrushes.
I have seen a few of these shows and quit watching them.
I have a plastic container that I keep my “stockpile” in. These are items that I purchased (or were free) that are not a brand I use but were a really great deal. These turn into stocking stuffers for Christmas and fill the yearly basket for my child’s classroom where they have adopted the local shelter or food bank. Couponing to me is the hunt for the best deal and knowing what is the lowest price as well as knowing what price NOT to pay for something. I do have to reign myself in sometimes when I see great deals so that greed does not take over.
I agree with all of these comments. I am new to couponing and must admit that I caught one of the Extreme Couponing shows and it in turn got me interested in the “Idea”. However, I don’t think I will be going over the edge and stocking up on 1,000 Toothpastes just because!! I am just tired of dropping $300 on groceries and having nothing after 2 weeks! With my husband being the only one working, we really can’t afford much these days and it would be nice to score extras so my cupboards weren’t so bare!!