A friend called today to tell me about a segment she saw on Good Morning America. They were talking about TLC’s new special Extreme Couponing.
TLC will be profiling four “extreme couponers” and following them on their shopping expeditions. It thought it sounded like something I would love to see, until I saw the clip on GMA of a woman dumpster diving for coupons and another woman saying she cancels plans and neglects her husband to go couponing. TLC, this is not a show about extreme couponers. This show looks to be more about OCD. Don’t we already have enough reality shows about OCD and hoarding?
What bothers me the most is the bad rap it gives couponers. I think of myself as an extreme couponer and could not in anyway relate to what the couponers profiled were saying or doing. I don’t obsess about couponing and I write a couponing website. I am all for free toilet paper…it gives me joy too, but 15 years worth?
The couponing community works hard to show couponers the right way to coupon. Not to clear shelves, not to buy more than you can use, not to abuse store policies so that stores stop accepting coupons.
I am sure this special will have great ratings because people love to look at crazy behavior, but TLC did we really need to wrap all of us couponers up in this crazy wrapper?
All the couponers I’ve met have been hard working, generous and are trying to help their family. There is no reason to demean people who are trying to save money and live responsibly.
I hate to give them the publicity, but if you’d like to see the clip, you can find it here.
I’d love to know what you think, share your thoughts in the comments.
Important note: I have not seen the entire special yet. I am hoping it is not as bad as the GMA clip made it look. I don’t personally know any of the people featured, but some of my blogging friends know Nathan. I was told that he calls ahead to his Kroger and makes a special order for an upcoming deal, buys the items with his coupons and then donates them to the local food bank. I think that is wonderful and I hope he is properly represented. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Read The Latest:
Extreme Couponing: The Secret to Taking Your Couponing to the Next Level
What Did You Think of TLC’s Extreme Couponing?
Update: I am all for letting everyone “talk back” and share their opinion, but I am doing my best to moderate. If you leave a comment that is cruel or contains ANY profanity, then it will not be approved.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Joanie Demer, also known as The Krazy Coupon Lady, is one of the couponistas featured in the show. I just saw that she (or actually, Heather, the other KCL who runs the blog), just posted a response to the GMA story and thought you might be interested.
As an author working on a a book about extreme couponers, I was excited to be interviewed for possible inclusion in this special program. Now I’m glad I wasn’t chosen. I should have realized that they would take the most extreme cases. Ironically enough, I AM addressing obsessive-compulsive and ADD behavior in my book because I have recognized some of those tendencies in myself as a stockpiler and several of those couponers I am interviewing have described themselves as OCD or ADD. Does it cross the line from smart shopper to obssessive compulsive when someone stockpiles more toilet paper than they can use in 40 years?
Hi, I am on the show, and the one who is being labled as “OCD” because i have supposidly 40+ years supply of toilet paper.
For one, I don’t know about you guys, i go throw easily 4 rolls a week. Do the math, it don’t add up.
Second, Nate and i both donate a TON of stuff. They don’t show that. I am very unpleased with how this turned out, so is my family.
I am not going to defend the hoarding comments because it’s not worth it. So while i go on helping everyone i do, the rest of the bunch can sit there and make the hoarding comments.
As for cancelling my plans, i don’t have a problem doing it if it’s making me money. If i get called into work, i’d have to cancel anyways right?
Everyone leads a different life, my husband does not mind. Why should the world?
Ok, I’ll make a hoarding comment……not clearing the shelves is a great thing and I applaud you for it. There’s nothing more irritating than someone taking more than they can possibly use and leaving none for others. Hoarding is not a good thing! You take more than you’ll ever use so it either goes bad or expires and is wasted while others who really need it do without just because of greed. Hoarding also makes stores change their coupon policies ans manufacturer’s change their coupons like P&G only allowing 4 of any “like” coupon to be used in one shopping trip. It only hurts everyone in the long run.
im not sure if the person that posted this is really the person that appeared on the show……but if it is then i have a few words for you…….. THAT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME! i dont normally use coupons but now i will and i would like to ask you for help on getting started. tips, links , anything that will help me learn. every one else is hating cause they cant do it and they waste money . what you do is great so dont stop
and for the record, yes nathan and i BOTH pre order, never clear shelves and donate a TON to different places…
Pre order? Maybe at a big grocery store, MAYBE, but not for all your big hoarding. Donate to tons of places? As if you could part with the hoarde! lol
Come on, I’m so tired of all the ladies and guy from the show trying to defend themselves all over their blogs and others. Posting videos of themselves donating goods is very self-serving. The krazy couponing lady conveniently posted a video about donating and not clearing shelves this week. lol, yeah right. Don’t use the “i donate so much stuff” line. Maybe you do, maybe you don’t, I DOUBT IT! That’s the excuse everyone uses that has a big couponing/hoarding compulsion.
Yeah, I coupon and stock up. But come on, these people are nuts.
You know what they say…give them an inch and they take a mile….
It’s pure greed at this level and we all know it!!!!
You’re so right on target. I’m tired of these OCD couponers who try to justify their obsession for buying all store stocks just for the thrill of it. Instead of donating, why not allow other people who have some coupons to use them to buy their stuff cheap so they don’t have to line up at those food banks? Truth is, all these statements about donating to food banks and other organizations are used as a lame excuse for them to abuse store policies to buy all they want. I wonder what manufacturers will say into all these extreme pre ordering and shelf wiping of stores while using coupons as payment?
i saw the show and dont think your a hoarder i was wondering were do you get your coupons
Stop attempting to defend yourself. Its pointless. Everyone always assumes they know the best thing for you and yours. If they want to come pay your bills then, and only then will their opinion matter.
I think its a fascinating show. I spend 600 plus a month on food alone for my family of five, and haven’t been smart enough to use the first coupon.
I know better now.
I saw what must have been a pilot of this and it really was as bad as this clip makes couponers out to be. I think copying your paste to an email and sending it to TLC would be a fabulous idea.
Im not a big fan of the show because I think it will make it harder for couponers to be taken seiously. The lady on there runs a blong “The Krazy Coupon Lady.” Now I like her blog, but I think shows will only show the very extreme (like the lady dumpster diving.) I think that with most couponers the stockpiling is not that excessive. But Reality series shows like this one will show the worst side of people.
These people on the show are going to give normal couponers a bad name. But, it’s not all the editing or whatever. This IS what these people do. They are the extreme end of the group, and it’s too bad they are representing couponers now. ugh.
I think that the “crazy” part of couponing wasn’t even being shown in the video clip that I saw but anyone that has ever been behind me (or any other coupon person in line) would say that the 12 different transactions and all the of the hard work that people put into this is the obession. I personally have been doing it for 2 years and I would love to see as much paper products as the special showed but I am too cheap to spend the money on the papers just in case the sales don’t match up. I think that taking one piece of any thing is going to be make it look like people are crazy. I love couponing and I have shared it with others who want to learn. I don’t get enough to donate except to other family members usually but it is really easy to get things cheaper when you buy more of them. I wish that someone would show something from beginning to end but it isn’t the American way and it wouldn’t sell the way that this show is going to. Too bad for everyone out there trying to save money that the show doesn’t focus on that to teach people instead of looking into making people not like couponers
I haven’t seen the clip, but subscribe to Joanie’s newsletter and get a lot of good info from it. I look at it from a different perspective regarding “hoarding”. I am probably a lot older than most of you and my kids are all grown with children of their own. Since the 80′s my husband and I have been “survivalists”, not trusting the government, now more than ever, and we have always stored back food and supplies in case of an economic disaster. We took a 15-20 year break from those activities until this past year when I found out through couponing that it was possible to get things practically free or at least dirt cheap and thought that this would be a good opportunity to start stocking up again, not only for our own use, but to help out our daughters and their families, my mom, and whoever else we learn of who is in need. The warning signs are all around us, and the economists are saying that the dollar WILL collapse, causing widespread panic as store shelves become empty virtually overnight. Since I have a really good stockpile with at least a year’s worth of food, it won’t be me who will be looting and stealing, it will be those who haven’t prepared. I can even imagine that there will be many who will say, “Why didn’t anyone tell us?” Those who criticize the prepared are basically jealous and are feeding their own need to lash out at what they don’t understand and don’t have the intestinal fortitude to accomplish themselves.
Hi Beth. I agree with you and I think you are right on the money.
The dollar WILL tank in the next year and the more prepared we can be for ourselves and our families the better off we will be. It is coming whether anyone wants that to be true or not. It WILL happen. Preparing is not only smart, it is necessary.
For the folks that are so opposed to the extreme couponing, my question is WHY? If someone is going through the trouble (hours of time and effort) to obtain food and staples at a huge discount, what IS IT that makes you so angry about that? That someone is getting “MORE than you?” Seriously. Why are you sooooo angry at people who use their creative skills to save money for their families and also donate to their local food banks? What exactly is the problem with that?
I use coupons, and a couple of times a year I do an “extreme couponing” trip where I get to stock up on some staple items. It takes time and effort. I share the wealth with my friends and my family. I feel proud of my efforts when I do it.
For everyone that is so negative about this, YOU TOO have the same ability to do this if you put a little effort in. Nobody is stealing from your pocket and it’s just plain petty behaviour that makes you look jealous and petty.
If Nathan is the weusecoupons guy who has an entire garage filled with more stuff than his family will ever use, than yes he is OCD and will definitely give couponing a bad name. I saw a show where he had about a thousand jello boxes and now he has over a thousand deodorants? Even deodorant has an expiration date. What a waste.
How sure are we it is going to be wasted? Ever read of garage selling or weekly selling at the flea market? Just a thought.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show Coupon Extreme. I have Three boys that eat everything. We spend $300-400 evey 2 weeks or so. I live in Arizona and would LOVE someone to come show me how to do this!!!!!!!
The show did make me feel bad for the husband as it seems he is being pushed around by something he cant compete with. I dont see hoarder but I also dont see the point to throwing around accusations on this woman or any of these people. They all seemed willing to share their techniques which is awesome. Hopefully the people at pantries and shelters are reaching out as they surely can help do good. If they are already doing it fantastic if not they should consider it.
For those in the know is it possible to get coupons on vehicles? Should I look into this before I buy/lease my next mini-van?
Best!
Well, I have followed coupons sites and saw the clip. I don’t get it but if these people do donate there goods that is great. Personally for me, I don’ t see the benefit. I try to clip coupons but I don’t find that many great deals. Since there is only 3 of us in my family now I don’t need to buy lots of boxes of cereal, lots of deodorant or anything like that. I don’t believe the savings are there. I do hate to see people be talked about negatively because no one really knows what people do or what people are like. I took someones free coupon class and it was mostly about saving money at the deals you get at CVS and Walgreens. It was really a waste of time. I only clip coupons for what I buy and if I have to buy two of something that I don’t need just to save 50 cents then it is not worth it for me. If I had a bigger family, I might see a benefit but I won’t buy something just because I have a coupon because I probably won’t use it anyway. If these people can save money for themselves and then donate it that is great. I just don’t see what all the fuss is about. Most reality shows only show the negative side of things because that is what makes the ratings. Go ahead and flame on.
were do you guys get your coupons
Extreme Couponing: The Secret to Taking Your Couponing to the Next Level
When does it come back on or was it just a special i loved it!!
I would also like to point out that combining coupons with cooking from scratch is probably the best way to save money. 25 packages of highly processed food is still unhealthy, but saving for the coming economic (much worse than it is now) crisis would dictate that it could still be a very smart move. Fake mashed potatoes and cans of beans, ravioli, and ramen noodles can go along way.
Whooooo Hoooooo Amanda,
I think I am on the road to what outsiders think is OCD, or hoarding. Man what a rush I get when I do this. I am not at the level that Amanda who is interviewed in the show but would love to know really how she does it , her secrets and tips. My family comes to me for coupons and shopping tips.I feel a defeated when I run to the store without any coupons , or don’t hit a certain $ amount in coupons. I would love to be in touch with Amanda or any of the shows couponers. In this economy I feel this is just a little way we can have some control over some of our expenditures. We are not breaking any laws, we are not hurting (physically) any of our neighbors and we are pretty much minding our own business. Its not an obsession its a hobby, I am proud to have this so call bad habit (hobby). As for all you nay sayers, keep your nose in your own house and mind your own business.
I just saw the show NATE show on using coupons.
First–I am kind of stunned that (Joanie?) keeps her groceries in the garage.
From what i read on the net from food scientists–the worst place to store food is in a garage due to extremes of heat and cold.
In other words–there is a loss of vitamins/minerals when cans are stored in the garage.
The worst places to keep food are in a garage and in an attic that gets very hot. Unless both these places have temperature control systems that can keep the temperate between 50-80 degrees.
Cans/jars should be maintained at relatively normal/constant temps.
2nd-I tried this type of extreme couponing for about four weeks a few years ago.
While it is easier for someone who doesn’t work (or is retired) to do this–it is much more challenging and potentially not cost effective for those who have a job.
It took me countless hours of clipping and “hunting down” coupons followed by 2-3 hours at a grocery store comparing prices to determine if product on sale and with coupon was a better deal than the store brand. In most cases it was not.
Still i paid only about $27.00 on what should have been a $130.00
bill at one point. But did i really save? No.
When i calculated the time involved in hunting coupons followed by three shopping runs of 2-3 hrs a piece whatever savings i would have had went out the window when i calculated the TIME i spent (at the time worth $25/hr) into the equation. As a self employed individual, this is about how much i made an hour at the time.
On a related note–there are many grocery stores in this country that no longer have “double and triple” coupon days and they are imposing stricter policies as to how coupons can be used. Some stores don’t even allow coupons in conjunction with items on sale for example.
Finally–there are better ways of saving on groceries besides extreme couponing (which in most cases is done by mothers that don’t work outside of the home).
Things such as Food Cooperatives, buying local, learning recipes to make family dinners for less than $8.00, eating healthier with less meat in diet, staying clear of store bought frozen dinners and junk food, buying in bulk from warehouses (Costco, Sams) and buying at discounted aftermarket stores such as BigLots can go along way to substantial savings on groceries.
Our family of four spends an average of $250 a month on groceries (down from what we used to spend- $450.00) doing all that i mentioned above.
I do use coupons from time to time but i don’t obsess over them like Joanie because i simply don’t have the time.
Once upon a time when i was a Stay At Home mom i had all the time in the world–but not now;)
Itis interesting to watch the Excessive couponing……….Cause I dont see anyone buying anything HEALTHY………It is High is Salt and Sugar …..So tell me who is staying healthy to eat this food ? ……….Which I only need a couple of laudry detergent and hand wash for my household keeps me going for a month………I love those who buy case of dog food ….well sorry I dont need that much and also dont need a job to donate it to some food shelf ………for tax deduction……….and cant be deduction if you didnt buy it in the first place!!!
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