So much is being said throughout the blogworld about TLC's Extreme Couponing show that comes back on tonight. I've done a bit of research on the show since it premiered back in December, and I have a big problem with one aspect of the show.
You'll notice that it's all about ~ I had $760 worth of products but paid only $5!! Woohoo!! What they DON'T tell us is that these extreme couponers BUY their coupons. And to buy 200 of this and 500 of that adds up. So they aren't just spending $5. And that to me is dishonest, because now there is a huge following of women who want to spend $5 a week on hundreds of dollars worth of groceries - but it is simply not possible!! Even on a week when I buy 8 Atlanta Sunday papers, the most I spend is $13 for my papers and coupons. Most weeks I only buy 5 - and that costs me $7. I can't imagine spending more than that for coupons!! Eight of any item is plenty for our family of four. Most weeks I buy 2 double papers and get one delivered, so I have 5 of each coupon.
Right now I spend on average about $100 a week for our family of four - including groceries, drug store items & paper goods for us, items for our stockpile, as well as a few free or uber-cheap items for family & friends, plus items to donate to a local church's food pantry. For example, this week I had 3 boxes of pasta for my sister, 3 boxes of pasta for my mom, cereal & fruit snacks for my college-aged niece, plus 3 grocery bags of assorted food and toiletries for the food pantry. Our freezers are both stocked with meat, veggies, bread and cheese. The pantry is full, the stockpile shelves are full. There is something so satisfying about knowing your family is prepared for an emergency, or any disaster, disruption, etc. I like being prepared, but I could never go overboard with hundreds of the same item - that is just so over the top and crazy!! Who has the space for that? Not your average coupon-using-family-next-door types!! I believe if you are getting hundreds of the same items it is hoarding, not stockpiling! What's even worse, some of these extreme couponers supposedly re-sell the items they get for free - now that is just wrong! I've personally seen ads on craigslist for huge lots of food items and I guess it is extreme couponers selling them. I think that is awful, what do you think?
So while I will watch the show tonight, I will be aware that the show slanted it's portrayal of these extreme couponers - NONE of them are getting the deals for that cheap! They are simply neglecting to inform viewers of the cost of the coupons to get those items for so little money - and that isn't right. Why not make a show about REAL couponers who save 70% off their bills with the coupons from their Sunday papers? And maybe a few internet coupons too? I do this often, and know of many other coupon bloggers who do as well. That would help new couponers to see more realistically how you can save money and maximize your budget - not have them dreaming of getting a cartful of items for free!
Phew, glad I got that off my chest. Now off my soapbox to make supper for my family! Y'all have a fabulous night, and let me know what you think of the show tonight.
If you are in the metro Atlanta area, I've paired up with a local health store to offer my Semi-Extreme Couponing class in Dacula this July. And as always, I offer classes at your home or office - just email me to find out more!
