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Weighing in on Extreme Couponing
Last night, out of the kind of curiosity that will make you watch Hoarders, I caught some of TLC's new show Extreme Couponing. While I don't think I will ever have the patience to do what those people do, the lifestyle is strangely fascinating.
No one on this show eats laundry detergent or has a home filled with old newspapers and other detritus, but the people on Extreme Couponing are the obsessive and, yes, extreme types who have come to define TLC programming.
In addition to spending hours researching deals, assembling coupon binders, and actually shopping, everyone on the show has a stockpile. One guy had a room devoted to a thousand boxes of toothpaste; as he put it, "This is my wall of toothpaste." (To his credit, he did use his coupons to make another thousand care packages for troops overseas.) One woman stored salad dressing in a secret compartment under her daughter's bed, while another with no children had shelves of disposable diapers. For those who have the space, that's their prerogative, but it's just overwhelming to me and my two closets.
Next, while I admired the one mom's dedication to meal planning, pretty much all the food I saw people buying was canned or shrink-wrapped. I saw yogurt, but I didn't spy one fresh fruit or veggie. Judging from the image shown here, these shoppers also need to invest in more reusable grocery bags!
Also, I just feel bad for the cashiers who have to spend up to an hour checking these shoppers out. One woman broke her purchases into eighteen separate transactions in order to maximize savings. Another cashier had to wait while a couple called in and waited for five friends to help them get an extra deal. (That couple spent a total of five hours at the grocery store.)
At the end, I had to be amazed when these people walked away having spent pennies for hundreds of dollars worth of groceries. That requires a lot more planning and math than I ever use at Safeway. They each averaged something like ninety-nine percent savings, which can be a huge deal for a family. It's not enough of an incentive to make me devote that much time to coupons — or even watch more episodes — but it's a reminder that there are deals to be had.
Have you seen this show? What do you think?
Image: TLC
135 Comments
I agree with you! Some of that just seems too extreme for me. Like buying diapers but no kids, or buying stuff you don't need! Who needs 36 bottles of antiacids? I have enjoyed beginning couponing but still my priorities lie in healthy food, fresh produce and mini stock piles that are reasonable for our space and family of 2.
I bought some salad dressing a few months ago and recently, when I wanted some, I discovered it had gone bad. I wonder about their food purchases and the expiration date on them. I used some coupons here and there, sit on them until something goes on sale to maximize my savings but who nelly, I don't even have time to properly clean out my DVR.
I think they abuse the system and should limit their purchases to what they can really use before the expiration dates. It's wasteful and selfish in my opinion
A lot of the types of foods these people stockpile are just plain stuff I don't (and won't!) eat. So it there would be no point to it for me at all. Why buy things I will never use?
This reminds me of a news segment I saw years ago about people who enter contests and sweepstakes for a living. It really was a full time job, and most of the winnings were things they didn't need -- not cash -- that they had to go about selling (this was before eBay and Craigslist were commonly used). Impressive? Yep. Insane? Yep.
I also wonder about the time it takes to figure out and execute deals like this. If time is money, does the amount of money not spent outweigh the time that was spent?
Those 5 hours at the grocery store could have been spent earning income to buy healthier food, driving to a farmer's market to buy fresh produce on the cheap...
Not to mention that most people that do it like this, end up making it a full time job, when you could easily work another job instead and earn more money than they are saving and then buy the things that you need, I know you're not taking advantage of a company but you'd have more money left over and you wouldn't be wasting so much and taking advantage of the environment and other things too.
Absolutely disgusting. These people are not only hoarders, but the coupons support their shopping addictions. Most of the products shown being purchased are not only bad for your health, but bad for the environment. It really is sick.
I'm obsessed with this show! I live in a small rural area where no one doubles coupons, but if they did, I would probably be a Mild Couponer. I once saved about $7 at the grocery store and was really excited about it. I have one tiny toothpaste hoard of 2 extra tubes when my grocery store had it on sale for $.99. That's a lot for someone who doesn't plan ahead.
Coupons are great if you buy a lot of branded, processed food, but we eat mostly fresh fruit and vegetables. Plus, I would rather pay more and have more time with my family than spend so much time shopping and organizing coupons. Life is too short!
Also, I have been hearing chatter around the blog community of coupon fraud being practiced on these shows: http://jillcataldo.com/node/16258
Wow, I haven't seen this show but it sounds sickly fascinating....
i've seen this show a couple of times and only one person was said to have donated anything to a food pantry. I can't understand the wastefulness of these people keeping all these things to themselves.
^ i have to disagree. i say take full advantage. credit card companies,utilities,insurance companies,telphone & cable all take full advantage of the public with hidden fees and rollar coaster pricing.
To me this is hoarding and in my small space it is impossible. Not to mention that I rarely use coupons anyway because I feed my family healthy no GMO or processed foods so there is not much savings to be had for me. Plus I don't know any store around me that actually allows that kind of couponing
I went the opposite route this year. One of my New Years resolutions was to attempt to buy only what I needed and reduce wasting anything by throwing it out. Of course, I shop the outside walls of stores (fresh produce/meats/dairy) and make very few ventures into the aisles (stock and the occasional baking supply), so coupons rarely benefit me.
I coupon when I can but tbh I simply don't have the time or energy (or memory space to remember what coupons I have) to do it.
I caught one of the shows one night and there was this extremely overweight young couple with a shiteload of coupons. They hauled something like 8 or 10 full shopping carts to the check-out which were jammed pack with so much food (most of it junk) that the cashier looked like she was about to keel over. My thoughts on coupon freaks is they have to be raging tight wads for one thing but greed and gluttony are right up there as well.
If they aren't donating this food to local food banks or homeless shelters, whats the point?
Whats sad is the fact that these people are sooo proud of their stockpiles. Get a life people.
What the show doesn't tell you is the extra money these people spend to get these savings.
-They sign up for services that give them the info on sales and coupons. A lot of those services are NOT free.
-Some of these people insure their stockpiles
-They have to spend money on storage (for refrigerated items)
Why waste hours of my life to have 300 boxes of toothpaste, 60 bottles of mustard, 100 boxes of pasta?
I think it is clear that people that describe couponing as "disgusting" have never had to make a decision about whether you will be able to feed your family or heat your home in the same month.
As a mother who has been laid off from 3 jobs in the last five years, I can sympathize with doing whatever to takes to get the food on the table.
and kudos to those who "only eat fresh food" you should feel blessed that you are capable of having that lifestyle.
These extreme couponers might want to adopt a "good enough" philosophy. Do something a bit more efficiently/save a bit of money, and move on.
Some of you are missing one key tenet of their mentality (I coupon shop myself). They are stockpiling against disaster. If they, or their spouse, faces long term unemployment, this stockpile will literally save their lives. Yes, there's not a lot of fresh food in my stock pile (hard to store), but I'm guessing that when these foods are combined with the limited amount of fresh foods I'll be able to afford on unemployment or my savings, I'll get by. That is a huge relief in this uncertain economy. And just by looking at this picture, a huge portion of her stockpile are personal and home care goods that can really cost a lot over the course of time.
I agree with sharp_jeremy.
As much as I cannot get with the hoarding aspect of this, buying things you don't need; and the time it takes to accomplish the savings....I also say more power to them.
There are fewer and fewer ways for the average person to come out on top these days. If these people are able to legally "game" the system, then go for it.
GE paid $0 taxes on $14.2 billion in profits in 2010.
15 rolls of toilet paper for $1.00 via coupons doesn't seem that bad to me.
reminds me of my cousin who carries a big pouch filled with different coupons...she'd buy 6 boxes of haggen diaz ice cream bars even though she or her kid don't eat them.(she is a single mom with one young son). She'd buy a new loaf of bread because it's on sale and bring the older ones to her mom's who already has 4 different bags of breads from her. lol
My aunt does this & she often makes baskets to give out to firends, family & co-workers. She's about to be laid off from her job....she won't have to buy toothpaste, shampoo, soap, toliet paper, paper towels...ect. for a few years before she would run out. These are all basic supplies everyone uses daily, so it's not all bad.
We used to try and use coupons for a lot of things, but when we improved our eating habits a few years ago, coupons became worthless. Unless you eat a lot of prepared crap there's very little point. Hubby goes through boat loads of regular Cheerios and All Bran so we load up during good sales and use coupons then, but otherwise, there's no sense in bothering.
And who the hell needs 20 bottles of mustard (last week's show)?
I'm with copelli21 on this one. It's not something I personally have time/energy/extra brain capacity to do, but I don't have a fundamental problem with coupon shopping and buying in quantity when appropriate...
I do, however, agree with other posters that if they're buying items that will expire before they use them and/or that they never intend to use or donate, then this is wasteful and definitely more in line with hoarding than with "saving money on groceries".
Finding cheeky ways to work the system and save money for your family is one thing.... stockpiling 80 bottles of salad dressing is ridiculous.
I've seen a news segment where a couponer plans ahead and shops smart to save 90% on her grocery bill... and still only leaves the store with a week's worth of food for her family and a couple of extra bottles of dish soap. THIS makes sense to me (although I still don't have time/energy/inclination to do it myself).
I once complained to a friend that I was so poor that I couldn't eat healthy foods anymore, and she flat out laughed at me. Five years later, and some learning about what healthy food is, I now spend 1/8th of the cost on food as I did in the past and eat a very healthy and tasty diet. Fresh produce, dried beans, and brown rice are some of the cheapest things you can buy.
I feel only people who feel a sense of lack, and live in a state of fear would need to hoard processed foods, or to feel a sense of security about having enough and being fed.
The practicality of it is ridiculous.
Coupon v. Groupon funny: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/state_web_winter
One can take couponing to any level - be it extreme or more modest. It would be prudent for the consumer to make sure the products are consumed or donated before the expiration date. It is nice to have a stockpile (you get to determine how much) *just in case* unemployment hits, unexpected car or medical bills, sickness, etc. There are websites that do most of the work for you (matching sales to coupons) for a modest fee. Check out SavingsAngel.com. I love it!
my friend just started extreme couponing (after watching this show) and she tried to teach me, but I am only one person, with one cat and a boyfriend who stays over occasionally. She gets a rush when she saves so much, but there are 2 major problems. 1) she's spending money she doesn't have because it's a "Deal" and 2) you can only buy the items you have coupons for.
When I need something, I go buy one thing at it's full price. It actually saves me money, because I can buy the brand I want and I know it won't go to waste. I've tried bulk shopping and I end up throwing out a lot of expired food or products I'm tried of because I have too much of it.
@ Mand@ - Using coupons and doing what you need to get by in life is not the problem. The people on this show exhibited hoarding and stock-piling in excess. Most of the people shown on this series do not even have children. I know a few moms that use coupons and are able to feed their family a healthy diet. You clearly missed the point.
I've watched the show every time it's come on and am amazed at how much coupons can actually save you! While I'm not interested in stockpiling against disaster, I am interested in how you can combine store deals and coupons and live on a small budget. I also have to tell everyone that said that you can't use coupons on "fresh" items...yes you can. You have to search for the coupons...I found a coupon for eggs, FRESH mushroom, non-frozen chicken breasts, salad, and several other fresh items. It can be done but you do have to take the time to get the Sunday paper and search some of the coupon sites!
I am the other extreme - I generally only purchase foods by the meal, or at most about one day ahead. I found that when shopping for weeks at a time, I was wasting an awful lot of food and money. The images in the post gross me out. A room just for stockpiled food seems like some form of hoarding to me, but I would say my methods of shopping are weird to some people too. And doesn't it seem like you'd be attracting bugs or rodents if you had a shed of cereals and stuff? And all those plastic bowls...who needs that much, ever? Seems very disposable to me.
Even though a lot of what's in the picture is processed or prepackaged or a non-food item...a lot of it still has expiration dates. Can that family really consume all of that before then or when another coupon/sale cycle hits? Keep a (reasonable) stockpile...then why not donate the rest to a food bank??
Couponing isn't bad, and you can get some great deals, but there's a difference between stockpiling for your family and being addicted to the thrill of the deal.
RE: alllebasii
I also found it odd, how a lot of those people didn't have children.It was also telling that many of these people were overweight. To me, those people seemed like they were doing it for attention.
I could understand the women with families, but most of the food they bought wasn't very healthy, so there really are no savings to me.
Going Broke Saving Money.
When I used to coupon, I found myself buying more chips, cookies, processed dinners etc. It was almost as if it tempted me to buy things I didn't need or that weren't good for me. Many coupons are also for the newest latest and greatest product which I shouldn't probably purchase yet if I've still got stock of the current versions. Although I probably don't save as much money, I'm much happier walking out of the grocery store with mainly fresh items limited to what I need, an uncluttered panty and more free time. I do search for coupons or deals though before most larger purchases (i.e. tv). I also try to limit my throwaway items like ziplock bags and instead try to store in reusable containers.
The same thing with Costco. I won't buy in bulk unless I need it in bulk. I just don't have enough space. But there are selected items that definitely meet the "bulk" test. I do scan the costco coupons as I often do find deals on things I would've bought anyway.
It brings to mind though all the recent noise about the size of US homes. If we are paying a higher mortgage or rent to live in a larger home because we need room to store all our purchases, is that really the smarter thing financially? Most financial advice on reducing living expenses looks at cars and homes first. That said, I'm sure many couponers are already watching their costs in those areas too. But, I've been trying very hard to get out of the mindset that I need a huge house to be happy. With that comes some concessions, like not being able to buy your mayo, mustard and salad dressing in giant costco size.
I Agree with unseeneclipse. I get deals like this at Whole Foods too, and I eat very healthily with plenty of fresh foods I use coupons on. I spent $4 for 8 boxes of cereal, 8 yogurts and eggs just yesterday. Cereal is the only thing I "stockpile" because it's usually so expensive and has a very long shelf life. I buy what I need.
Maybe these people do their produce shopping separately at a Farmers Market like me. I much prefer to buy local and in-season and it's usually much less expensive - but no coupons ^_~.\/.
I also "Coupon For A Cause" so I have some bags of extra non-perishables and hygiene products to take to the food pantry.
I do use the reusable bags though, sometimes they're coupons themselves!
Every 2 weeks I spend maybe 20-45 min clipping and planning in front of the TV, and maybe an hour in the grocery store. I average 75% savings. I guess it depends on how much your time is worth, and how you live.
I guess I see myself as a moderate couponer. I am not overweight, do not eat an unhealthy diet, am not a hoarder, etc, etc. I shop in Whole Foods for my fresh veggies, seafood, meats, etc. The only way I can afford this is because I use coupons on non-perishables and stock up. Also, when I lived alone, I ran out of tp one day. Never wanna revisit that situation.
Chicgeek, aren't the weekly specials at whole foods meat dept great? I know the whole foods in Honolulu gave little seminars on how to lower your bill (guess they took the term "whole paycheck" to heart).
Yes farmers markets are the best, in Honolulu, I used to go in with $20 and walk out with strawberries, vine ripened tomatoes, arugula and a whole bunch of other goodies. They lasted so much longer than items bought in the market, rarely had to throw anything out due to spoilage.
I like your idea about donating some of the purchases to food pantrys, that is a good thing.
I love clipping coupons from the Sunday newspaper, and occasionally buy a Groupon/Livingsocial but that's about as far as I take it. Recently there have been coupons for Cuties and Watermelons so not everything you can buy with a coupon is bad.
I don't buy things I don't use just because the coupon is a good deal. I look at coupons as a way to buy brand name products or nicer products (fancier cheese for example, or upscale cleaning products) that I don't normally buy because they are expensive. Just because I don't normally buy something doesn't mean I don't want it - it usually just means it's too expensive for me to purchase on a regular basis! Though I don't condone useless stockpiling of dozens of identical products - that is just silly. 5 tubes of toothpaste, sure - 50?! Useless.
I do understand stocking up for unplanned events (layoffs, bad weather, etc.), but:
1) this photo looks like a haven for rats, and
2) I heard one couponing woman say she took every one of a specific product off the shelf "but left one in case somebody needs it." Gee, that's great of you. What are you going to do with the other 18 boxes you "bought?"
As others have said, it just seems wasteful and selfish.
I love that so many people are opinionated on this. Here are my thoughts on why this is awful:
1) They will never use all this stuff. The man who had stockpiles of toothbrushes even admitted that if he changed his toothbrush every months, he would still have many leftover when he died.
Which leads me to...
2) They should be donating all this! If you can get this much for free from these big companies and you yourself don't need it, donate it! What if your kids don't want to inherit your stockpile? What if they make different life choices and have different thinking than you? It's not going to be easy to sell off old canned foods in 15 years! Therefore, it's completely worthless and meaningless to hold onto this stuff.
I'm a couponer, and have definitely found myself spending way too much time planning how to save money - though I have saved enormous amounts. Like, my food bill went from $700 per month to $100. Addictive. But yes, much of it was processed. I don't hugely stockpile like these people but do have a mini-pile of say, cake mix (5) and cheese, frozen (10). Stuff I really use. However Whole Foods has coupons and so (maybe?) does Trader Joes; see: healthylifedeals.com. I am going to start trying that instead. I just saw that those blue chips are $1 per bag at Whole Foods and my inner couponer is excited.
I disagree that coupons are more or less for processed foods. Unless you:
1. Make your own pasta
2. Bake your own bread
3. Make your own cereal (and make your own ingredients for your homemade cereal)
4. Juice your own (home grown) oranges
5. Brush your teeth with your own homemade toothpaste
6. Wash your clothes with homemade detergent
7. Wash your dishes with homemade soap
8. Don't use soap products to bathe or wash your hands
You need coupons. I find tons of coupons in my Sunday paper. I only clip the ones for products I buy, and I get a ton of them for rice (real rice, not minute rice or mixes), beans (real beans, not the processed baked beans), and hygiene and cleaning products.
And even if you do make your own pasta or bake your own bread, I have coupons for flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and anything else you might need for all of your pasta making and baking needs!
Coupons aren't all for bad, processed stuff.
Mauishopgirl Yeah it is! They are my favourite grocery store. I love their seminars, and anything packaged in-store can be re-packaged to exactly how much you want so it isn't wasted. (Plus sampling is encouraged... I love that!)
You can use 1 manufacturer coupon and 1 Whole Foods coupon on each product, just like most stores. I get really great deals on stuff I always use.
@ Illuminatedpst - right on! No more cardboard generic-brand cheerios for me!
"Also, I just feel bad for the cashiers who have to spend up to an hour checking these shoppers out."
They're not on commission.
I understand stockpiling for disaster, but not unemployment.
I put all my extra cash into a savings account -- if next year I lose my job, a lot of those food products will have expired, but my initial investment and its interest will still be good.
@funstraw - I don't feel bad for the cashiers so much as I feel bad for everyone else waiting behind those people.
This doesn't work for me because I don't eat processed foods. There is never a coupon for fresh fruit and vegetables, or an organic chicken.
This kind of boggles my mind. Time is money so if you spend tons of time trying to get groceries for as little money as possible you're kind of defeating the purpose. Get a second job. I guess if you have no job then it might be worth it. Five hours at a grocery store... Sheesh.
As far as the show goes, I would suggest donating many of these free items to people who really could use them, rather than hoarding them under your kids beds. The thought of expiration crossed my mind too as well as bugs from sitting on the shelf for an extended period of time. I like to save money as do many others but the stuff that coupons offer isn't always the healthiest and sometimes people find themselves buying stuff they don't usually eat or use just to get a good or free deal. I am not opposed to using coupons as long as it doesn't become a wasteful hoarding disorder.
To sum up in 3 words "what a waste"
@Village - you don't eat any processed foods? It's nearly impossible for anyone to avoid all processed foods. Unless you only eat bread you've baked, you're eating some kind of processing. If you drink milk, you're eating processing. Cereal is processed in some manner. Dried pastas are processed. Chocolate is processed in some manner.
No, what you mean is that you don't eat artificial</I> and low-quality processed foods.
And while there isn't an abundance of coupons for fresh fruit and vegetables, many grocery stores give store coupons (catalinas) that offer a discount for your next purchase, essentially giving you free fruits and vegetables.
Whoops on that html fail.
@Amy T. -- since I generally cook for only me, I also save money by shopping for only what I need for the next day or two. When I buy a lot, I either waste so much food or I feel compelled to overeat to get to it all.
@defaultname -- that's an excellent point. I get that someone who stockpiles less excessively probably wants to get a jump on certain deals, but I guess I'd rather have the savings and interest for that rainy day, too.
@zenshuga -- so true. If you can afford rice and beans, you've got so many simple, healthy, cheap, and filling options.
I started couponing when I lost my job. I had a family to support and more time than money. I have never gone to the extremes that they depict on the show, but I have saved 60-70% on a good grocery trip. It kept us from needing the food pantries.
I agree that the ladies they have shown so far seem to be in it more for the thrill of getting things for free and the compulsion to collect, but they may someday find themselves saved by the obsession or able to save someone else.
A friend who does this was able to donate a month's worth of food to a neighbor in need.
@Village - I don't know where you're looking, but I have coupons for organic foods and produce including your chicken. In fact, I had a double coupon (one from Whole Foods, one "manufacturer(?)") for whole organic chicken last week. Earthbound always has coupons (I love their salad greens!) and I'm anticipating great sales and coupons on fresh and sustainable items for Earth Day.
I come from a family who always had a few cupboards in the basement filled with food. It was always completely possible to go downstairs and see 10 bags of cookies, five bags of chips, 10 jars of pasta sauce, 20 boxes of pasta, five bottles of bbq sauce, etc. My mom always watched for the best sales, and would use coupons if she had them, to stock up. But our family (of three) would consistantly run through everything she bought, and we added in fresh produce and meat. My husband and I are buying a house soon, and I plan to take the same approach.
It's really all about controlling your habits so that they make sense for your life. These "extreme" couponers are (obviously) going a bit overboard if they have more food than they can eat before it expires, or enough shampoo to last them 50 years. But having three months of (certain) staples available... I don't think that's all that unreasonable.
i coupon. almost always at target (have their 5% debit card which helps) since I'm a stay at home mom I see it as a way to contribute--and I usually average $15-20/hr spent. agreed that it sometimes it more processed food but there are also coupons for eggs, bread, diapers ect.
I used to do this, but I came to my senses. I no longer eat processed foods(i.e., nothing from boxes, packages or any other kind of FrankenFood), like Village above.
No way for me.
a. I value my time too much. If you spend 5 hours at the grocery store to save $100, your time comes out to be about $20/hour. Add to that the hours of coupon cutting and coordinating of deals, and it hardly seems worth it.
b. I grew up in a household with a food-hoarding mother. And.. let's just say that bugs can and do get into things. I still sift all my flour because of one yucky discovery while making popovers in my early teens. Shudder.
it just seems so wasteful to me.
I don't watch TLC because of their glorification of Sarah Palin and their conservative views. It makes me a bit ill. I also think featuring people who are hoarders or may be otherwise mentally ill is exploitive behavior at its corporate worst.
This stocking up behavior is the best argument for buying in bulk I've ever seen. The packaging is very wasteful, and it's really driven home when you realize some of this stuff comes in 300 little packages when it could come in 1/10th that.
If saving money is their game, they're seriously missing out by not using reuseable bags. Our local market gives 15 cents off per bag.
Overall I think they can do better. I agree with folks who state that fresh food saves money. I eat maybe eggs or fried bananas and yogurt in the morning, then I munch on veggies the rest of the day. It's very cheap and most importantly I've avoided expensive medical care because I exercise and I eat like a hampster.
And I also have a stock of emergency supplies in case of a disaster, but it's more based in reality than what I'm seeing here.
I think all the responses of both disgust and defense miss the mark on this particular topic. There is a reason they have made a show sensationalizing the practice of 'extreme couponing' and that is because it is an unusual and fascinating behavior.
Just because the people in this show are more likely to be accepted by society than someone featured on 'Hoarders' doesn't mean they are not just as likely to be driven by similar mental troubles. To pick at the reasons why someone should not engage in the activity (packaging, time as a monetary value, waste) is to fail to recognize the larger issue... that these individuals are likely suffering from a larger issue of compulsion that rules their lives.
Just as the junkies on other vignette shows do not do the drugs because they suppose there aren't negative consequences... I imagine these people do not shop simply because they have a real chance of running out of money or staples, even if they defend the behavior in that way. It would seem that just as one feels they cannot live without the drugs, the other probably feels they could not live safely without the stockpiling behavior. I don't believe that ( though the goal is to 'save money) 'extreme couponing' is a rational practice.
To suggest they're missing the mark because they're not using reusable bags... is like pointing out a chalk drawing on the sidewalk in front of the Louvre. :)
I think it's wise for a person with a busy life to do as much prep in advance in any area that they can. That said, shopping at big-box warehouses, with and without coupons, has become my first line of mental health defense.
I am marrying a man with 2 small children, and we are basically co-habitating. I've gone from a person who can stop into Whole Foods for fresh flowers for every room of the house, a Greek yogurt, a Smart Water, and something off the hot bar for Breakfast at like $40 bucks (yikes!) but then eat cereal for the rest of the week if I want to, to someone who has to feed other people. And guess what? Stopping at WholeFoods every evening to feed 4 people by 7:30 just ain't realistic (i live about 30 minutes from the closest location). Even shopping the same way without coupons at more local chains gets expensive. So in order to eat what I want more often than not at all, I coupon and buy in bulk for more basic things that we all need. It's how I continue to use the quality tp and paper towels I love- not bending on my Viva and Cottonelle, honey- and still feed us healthy, well balanced meals.
And yes, my beans are often the 88cent canned variety rather than the dry beans because I don't want to plan ahead every day, or every week, to do anything but escape to a dance class! But there are huge bags of frozen mixed veggies and brocolli that with some cut pieces of chicken, a little whole wheat pasta, and some Bertolli's pasta sauce becomes a nice home cooked meal for kids who often get Mickey D's hapy meal when they aren't with their dad and I.
I was wondering (I've only skimmed the comments so I'm not sure if someone already mentioned this) but why aren't these people employed by food banks/women's shelters/schools etc. ??? They would get to use their 'talent' and a worthy cause benefits from the savings!
True but it is the stores responsibility to accommodate such situations.
I also noticed that the extreme couponers' shopping didn't include whole foods, such as fresh meats, fruits, or veggies, which got me wondering about the meals they are preparing and how healthy they can be... The things they buy usually consist of a lot of cleaning products, disposable products, and pre-packaged foods.
Extreme couponing seems way too time consuming. Who has the time to plan and shop for 5 hours? I saw that some extreme couponers keep Excel spreadsheets and massive files to plan for their shopping trips. I believe in saving money and using a menu planner, but that's a little much for me...
The massive stockpiles that some of the people on the show have accumulated- in their garages, basements, and closets- seems bordering on hoarding, if not crossing it! I think there is a fine line between stockpiling and hoarding, but at what point does stockpiling become hoarding? If someone has a stockpile large enough to open a store with it, I think that crosses the line.
I appreciate what extreme couponers are doing, but there has to be more of balance. I understand that some families use coupons and stockpile out of necessity, but I don't think that's the case for the majority of people featured in the show.
Every family has the right to decide what works best for it- for mine, Costco-sized items are plenty! I think using common sense and creating and following a family budget is more than sufficient!
I will admit, I do this to a point. Nothing extreme like they do on the show, but I do get the coupon inserts from several people every week. I then go through them, and the flyers, and I will buy most items that I can get free or extremely cheap. My fiance and I don't eat much processed food, but we either pass it around to those we know who are struggling with money, or we donate it to a local food pantry. We do keep a 6-month stockpile of personal hygiene items, but other than that and coffee, soup, and canned tomatoes (I put them in everything LoL), we don't stockpile foods at all.
Does any grocery store in Canada double coupons? I'd love to see a coupon guru shop in Canada and save 90% off their bill. Yeah right.
Well I'll weigh in as a cashier, and I'll just say that it is a major pain in the butt. I live in WA state so you can't double manufacturer coupons but my store does do those double the coupon coupons. That lady with the 18 transactions would be at a store like mine, you have to separate them like that. If you are going to coupon there is a nicer way (at least for me). I really appreciate it when people are organized, I really hate having to help people who have no idea what their doing. It also makes my day better when you are nice and polite to me, some people get so caught up in it all they get really snarky and rude. Lastly, please accept it when a deal doesn't work out like you wanted it to, it's not me who makes up the rules of the store. That being said I think there are some people who legitimately need the products and will use them, and there are some people who are hoarders.
The woman pictured above is The Krazy Coupon Lady, Joanie.
this video shows her donating a ridiculous amount of stuff.
When I found out I could get diapers for free, that's when I started couponing. We only eat organic, natural, preservative free food in our house. But we do use toilet paper and shampoo like the rest of the world. Getting razors and toothbrushes for free makes it easier for us to eat the way that we want to.
The Krazy Coupon Ladies also mention on their site that they have their stockpiles for their families, friends, and neighbors to utilize as well.
It's not just about hoarding or getting a good deal, they're actually contributing to their community, as well.
With coupons I'd buy things I wouldn't buy otherwise. That's pretty much end of story for me. But if people get pleasure from this. . . well, there are worse forms of recreation, I guess.
Just watched the Extreme Couponing excerpts on TLC. What in the world would anyone want with a cart full of ketchup? Or coffee whitener? Weird.
Some of you aren't getting the post. This show isn't about normal couponing. Almost everyone does that. The show is about EXTREME couponing. Yes, you might lost your job and need toothpaste. But stockpiling 20 cases against that eventuality is a bit of a sickness. This is just another manifestation of the shopping addiction. The other thing I noticed was that these people had huge homes and lots of leisure time...
I would coupon if we had coupons in Hong Kong... we just don't, you get points on a card and you redeem the points for discount vouchers on your overall shop (max 1 voucher worth US$6 allowed per day), or you get stickers which you save up for pots and pans. That's about it.
Don't get me started on the price of fresh food, when 6 eggs costs US$7 and a litre of milk costs US$3-4 ...well, you can imagine!
Mom did this. I DID (sort of) "inherit her hoard". Well, Dad did. And in the week following her death, he and I gave all of it away -- none of it would be used in that house ever again.
I think a lot of extreme couponers think they are "helping", that they are saving tons of money. But if they don't use UP what they get, they are just creating hoards every bit as much as people who pile up old newspapers.
Just because something is free doesn't mean you need to take it and find storeage space for it.
Most of these people wouldn't THINK of supplying food banks or shelters with their gleanings -- they EARNED them through a lot of hard work.
I do know of one extreme couponer who has a building at the local flea market, where she resells (at a profit) most of the stuff she gets through couponing. At least that makes sense.
Me -- I rarely use coupons. Too much trouble, my time is worth more than the savings I would get. Plus coupons are meant to promote new products or to promote brand switching -- and I research my brand choices then stick with them until something changes, so I don't play that game.
@thewintering - You seemed to miss the entire point of my comment. Plastic bags and other pollutants are serious problems, not some fancy of elitist society as you are making it out to be.
What would their justification be for extreme couponing? Natural disaster, for one. Our oceans are turning into a toxic wasteland and natural disasters caused by pollutants are a real reason why some people want to stock up.
I don't know where you live, but in our poverty-stricken community, the Big Polluters like coal and toxic landfill industries have witnessed the trashy nature of our town and subsequently realized they could move into our region and pollute all they want because no one gives a rat's behind.
If you think plastic bag pollutants are no big deal, watch Message in the Waves and see how plastic has changed the Midway Atoll of Hawaii from a self-sufficient island into a nearly uninhabitable and dangerous place.
We can't coupon like this in Canada.Food is much cheaper in the USA.That leads me to wonder about some of the menus discussed here.
Beans,rice and vegetables....is very cheap here.Pantry items are fairly affordable.Just how much or how little are people spending to feed their families.I'm suspicious of the claims that people are eating so well.I also can't figure out why you would buy corporate manufactured toiletries etc...,when you can buy the same items at organic health shops.
Cost...I forgot.Everything must be organic,but you would brush your teeth with oven cleaner for a savings.It makes no sense to me.
I youtubed a few clips and this show is NUTS! Ditto to everyone saying 'yikes' to this issue.
For those of you mentioned using coupon sites for fresh/organic foods....which do you use? Let's hear more tips from the non-hoarding gallery :)
These people should be embarrassed. Nobody needs cases of anything sitting around. Pure greed.
I'm still amazed by the mustard thing too. I fail to believe that you can use that many bottles of mustard in one household unless you eat hamburgers and hot dogs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That aside, I think the show is utterly amazing, and I can help but be sucked in by the science of it all. I will say though that if I could coupon like that, I definitely wouldn't stockpile. I'd be giving a lot of it away to people in need.
I'm with malizindie--where do you get coupons for fresh food? I've seen a few for eggs over the years, but that's it. And I don't have a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's near me.
I'm a couponer, and follow a blog that provides guidance on ways to get great deals. I have a coupon binder (which I made after a tragic incident at the grocery store; I spilled the contents of my entire accordion folder all over the floor. Wah!) I save TONS of money. However, I maintain the mindset of if its not something I will actually use, theres no sense in buying it. With this way of thinking, my "stockpile" consists of like...6 tubes of toothpaste and a couple of large packages of papergoods like toilet paper. Additionally, I stock up on canned beans because I use them almost daily. With the savings I earn from couponing, I am able to buy at lots and lots of fresh produce, something I was not able to afford when I first got out of college.
The couponing show is frustrating. They are buying things they don't need or probably even want. It makes things difficult for people like me who are honestly just trying to save a couple of bucks so I can buy apples AND lettuce this week. Cashiers seem to be put off by the process. Its only a matter of time before coupon policies change to prohibit major savings.
We got sick of buying plastic-packaged salads so we started container-growing our own lettuce. Sure the initial buy was expensive, but it keeps growing and growing, and it makes for a healthy lunch or even dinner with some light polenta fried on the side.
I've lost weight, have more energy and am no longer throwing out a whole plastic box of lettuce after a week when it goes bad.
Farmer's markets and local stores have seeds and plants that can be container-grown. It saves money and is sustainable, plus it supports the local economy and keeps the air and water healthier.
I've been wanting to learn how to extreme coupon, specifically in order to benefit my local food pantry (I don't need much in the way of groceries since I grow a lot of my food), but when I watch the show I am so SHOCKED by the hoarding that I haven't learned a darned thing - I literally cannot get past the hoarding aspect! So, while I'd still like to learn how to extreme coupon, I'm leaning more toward cutting back in other areas in order to increase my cash donations to the pantry instead. Yes, I'll say it, I'm scared to death that if I started this process I'd turn out to be like one of those kooks by buying into their mentality that you must hoard.
I also don't get the rationale that you need to stock up on products-that-expire for possible unemployment. If protecting against unemployment is your aim, have an 8 month emergency cash fund on hand, stock up your pantry on healthy basics (bulk items such as lentils, rice, quinoa, and canned items like tomatoes) and you'd do the trick for preparedness.
I really don't understand how these people do this. Can someone explain this to me? I thought most coupons say "limit one per item" or something like that. How can they ring up a total of $200 and only pay $6. That is insane! Plus, I beleive in being frugal and resourceful, but come on, aren't they embarassed at the check out line? I'm all about saving money but we don't have the room or time, and no need for ten boxes of shake n bake. Blech!
Most of the stuff I buy never really goes on sale anyway (aside from things like cabbage around St. Paddy's day, pumpkin around Thanksgiving etc.)
For me, the amount of money that I would save buy using a coupon would be negligible compared to what I could be doing using that time otherwise.
Clipping the coupon might save me $0.50 sure, but it's not really worth it to me. You could spend that exercising (increasing your overall energy levels and productivity, creating endogenous endorphins, decreasing your future health care costs) or doing some kind of hobby you enjoy (I raise tropical fish, aquatic plants, and garden, all of which bring me joy as well as allowing me to sell extras) or spending time with friends and family (invaluable).
I know a semi-extreme couponer, and she does it because it's a fun hobby for her (to each their own!). Some of these people take it way overboard, but most just buy a few extra Sunday newspapers to get more coupons, and then they can combine sale price + store coupon + manufacturer coupon to get enough of that item for free or cheap to last until the next time a deal that good comes along.
The whole point is freeing up your money to do something else with it. For some people, they do this for toothpaste and cereal so that they can spend the money on organic veggies (really! I know people like that) and green cleaning products. If you can't increase your income, you can reduce your expenses.
I don't see a problem with any of it unless people are actually wasting/throwing away things they can't use. If I could get free canned goods for my local food pantry, shouldn't I do it??
if you can save 25% on something you would buy anyway (and use within a reasonable amount of time), it's a better investment than any stocks/mutual fund out there.
being able to stay at home to raise your kids while helping to make the most of a modest family budget is commendable.
i agree, though, that 150-year supply of deodorant and 60 jars of mustard is "extreme"...
and i, too, was hoping to see more donations mentioned/shown. if i could get 1000 boxes of cereal for free (and it all it cost me a few hours in the market and a scowl from a cashier) and then donate it to the food bank, i'd do it in a heartbeat.
We have a sight in Canada that offers up deals and couponing....and a blog that offers you an area to "brag"....it seems that alot of extreme people up here are purchasing and then DONATING the items. I don't see as much stockpiling here.
I decided to give couponing a try this weekend. I got all of the coupons from the past month that my mom had in her recycle pile. I printed quite a few off the internet. I only clipped for items that I already use. Only a few things were food related, and it was healthy food. I saved $40.00 and got a mini-stockpile going. Since I only printed and clipped the coupons I planned to use that day, it took me around an hour. Not bad.
I agree, I bought a sunday paper and spent about an hour drinking coffee and clipping coupons that matched my grocery list. I saved about 45% off my bill. As a college graduate with loans and car payments I think it is a no brainer to save where you can. These people are extreme but there are always lessons to be learned. Plus it is not like I was doing anything but watching sportscenter anyways.
I coupon only for items that we already use. Too many people use coupons for things they wouldn't buy in the first place. Makes no sense.
I am someone who can't stand clutter, etc. and I am constantly purging things. My palms start to sweat just thinking about watching this tv show.
I really need to stop reading the comments on this site, I'm absolutely blown away by how judgmental a lot of the readers are.
How other people decide to live their lives and run their families is a personal decision that only they can make. Good for them for finding a way to make due with what they have.
This week at Walgreens you can get 2 packages of Always Leakguard Plus pads for free. I'll be happy to stockpile six months worth of these.
For those of you who say there are not coupons on healthy food please check out my favorite site
She helps me save at WHOLE FOODS and TRADER JOES.
She will show you where to find great rebates and coupons on Healthy Food!! I have saved so much since finding her!
I didn't see the show, but I'm going to make a point to watch it now. I can think of lots of pros and cons to extreme couponing. But I agree with what someone else said that it's only a matter of time before coupon policies change to prohibit this.
I think its kind of goofy, but I would mostly be pissed if I wanted that one bottle of mustard that they had bought out, or a box of noodles was gone due to couponers. Irritating and pointless.
@ Drumville- I think the problem people have is the COUPON FRAUD that at least one of the people profiled seems to be doing (Google it), the mixed up priorities (kids sleeping on top of food?!?!?), and, like the person above me stated, possibly depriving people who really NEED a jar of mustard because you are hording them all in your stockpile.
Other than that... no judgment.
I've watched 3 eps of Extreme Coupon and have to say that I'm engrossed by the show. In equal measures, it makes me want to start "modest" or smart couponing to get oft used items for free/cheap and also reinforces that it's too much work and energy spent for items I wouldn't or couldn't use.
I think we all want to be smart about our shopping habits and feel good about getting a "deal" but most of the households depicted seem gluttonous and exhibit OCD behavior bordering on hoarding. Recall the overweight couple that needed to buy $1000 of food for a party they were throwing for 20 of their friends? I think they bought like 20 packs of hot dogs. A) who has hot dogs at a party unless it's an outdoor summer bbq and B) couldn't they have just used most if not all of the items from their stockpile - thus sparing the need to buy items a party?? And outside of the large family where one of the parents lost their job and the mom has to menu plan for a month, I think the rest of the lot are wackjobs and should go outside, eat an apple and talk a walk or ride a bike and enjoy life.
I try to buy as much fresh food as possible, but I do use coupons for the packaged foods and health/beauty items I buy. My techniques are not that different from those used by the "extreme" couponers, but on a much smaller scale. The savings can add up quickly if you shop smartly, and I use the money I save from coupons to buy high-quality fresh foods and meats.
my main problem with extreme couponers is not what they take, but what they leave behind. Last weekend there was a coupon for "buy one get one free" men's body wash in the Sunday paper. My husband happened to need body wash so I clipped the coupon and took it to the store with me a couple days later. The body wash was all sold out, a conspicuous hole on the otherwise full shelf.
i've seen one episode, and at first was fascinated (in that guilty pleasure sort of way), then i was a little jealous that i didn't know how to save so much $$. then i realized that my family prefers to purchase more healthy food items, local food when possible, more fresh and organic food, and more green household items. most of the items and food that we purchase on a regular basis rarely have coupons issued for them. i was shocked when i got to use a coupon for our green works dish detergent. so i'd have to agree with most of the comments here...i'll take more family time and healthier/greener products any day over what it takes to get that kind of savings.
I haven't watched this show (don't have TLC), but it looks seriously bizarre. Although 99% savings does sound amazing, think of how much time they really put in. I would much rather have that time to live my life instead of save a lot of money on ketchup and canned soup. I hope these crazy people recycle all that plastic as obsessively as they buy it.
Hello heart disease, obesity and diabetes, it's your friendly neighbourhood extreme couponer! The party's at my house. Well, technically, it's in my secret basement food bunker. See you soon!
I get that people are crazy for coupons, but come on! 3 points:
1. food goes BAD. It does not stay good forever and I think you end up being MUCH more wasteful than you realize when you buy 3 bottles of ranch to get a "deal" and end up throwing one of them out. Or the guy with that much toothpaste, he will NEVER use it all. It becomes obsessive and yuck.
2. they make people buy things they never would have otherwise. You will never catch me using coupons because I don't eat doritos or prepackaged frozen food! This is JUNK!
3. now that I'm buying a house I have had THREE people ask if i'm going to start shopping at Sam's club. What is with the buying in bulk fascination??
I got my husband to do this and now he's gotten me a year's supply of allergy eye drops for free (at $15 per bottle - expiration date 2013). And he's also gotten a year's supply of zyrtec (at $6.49 for a 5 pack - expiration date 2013) and kleenex to last me a few months.
Now, we can put those savings into paying off the credit cards, extra car payments, etc and totally getting ourselves debt free.
On the whole, we're still eating healthy because the register rewards he gets from Walgreens can be redeemed at Publix where we go buy fresh produce, meats, eggs, and milk.
It boggles my mind too. For one thing, do you really need thousand upon thousands of toothpaste? Probably not. So, why continue to spend the effort (time is money isnt it?) on buying things you have stockpiles of for 2-3 years or so. Couldn't they take a break for a year and save the energy, effort, money (gas costs to go to and from the store for each of the deals they want to get). I mean I am all for a bargain and FREE - but it isnt very freeing if you spend half or more than half of your life checking for coupons and spending hours upon hours doing it - in the end, would you look back and go - well at least i saved a sh*t ton on groceries - that is one fine accomplishment...i think i will pass. Yeah, and like others have said - most items from these coupons are - processed packaged foods - especially if you can stockpile things for years and not have much of an expiration date.
secondly, i always thought there was a limit - like one coupon per customer kind of thing?
I think people forget these are EXTREME couponers. There's nothing wrong with stocking up or even stockpiling. TLC had to search out these extremists. Even the shopping trips featured on the shows are special and required a lot of careful planning and often special ordering from the store. So this is not like their every day trip to the store.
And actually from what I've seen many (but not all, I'm sure) of the major couponers donate HUGE quantities of product to shelters, food banks, etc. They're not stealing or even necessarily wasting, so I'm not sure what the objection would be. I certainly wouldn't go to those extremes, but there's a lot of things other people do that I wouldn't do!
I've never seen the show but those people sound crazy.
I think my husband goes overboard when he buys 20 packs of pasta when they are on sale "Buy 1, Get 1 free" ... and we actually eat that within a few months.
Even saving up for an unfortunate event seems crazy to me. Why are you planning your unemployment? Open a savings account.
Just looking at the picture attached to this post gives me the heebie jeebies! I could never live with all that crap in my house, it would drive me insane.
Honestly, when I was unemployed couponing allowed me to continue feeding my family. Unemployment wasn't enough. With that in mind I cannot say anything about these people. Plus, I still do it when I need laundry detergent. I have a stock pile (like 4 big jugs) of it and it's not hurting anyone. Obviously, I'm not extreme at all. I'm just saying that it can be useful when you need it and when you're not abusing the system.
I agree with the poster who said it's selfish and disgusting. Yes, you need to be prepared for emergencies, job loss, etc. and by all means: and there are families on there I have seen that I don't think it's abuse of the system.
But when it's just a couple and you're stockpiling products you don't use (diapers- you don't have kids). That's just wrong. First you're taking products off the shelves for people who do NEED it - diapers or food for people who can't afford to coupon like that because they're working a few jobs and they are just trying to get by: save some cereal, mac n cheese, etc. for them! I just have a huge problem with people who take more than they could possible use or things they can't use. To the family with 7 kids, it's not how I would choose to raise my kids and I definitely don't want to be feeding my kids that much processed food but it's also awesome they are saving for their educations plus teaching their kids real life skills of menu planning.
Personally though, if I were behind them in line or had to check them out: I would probably talk about them like forever as the rudest people. I also think this kind of abuse of the system will eventually cause stores to be more stringent and that will then increase my wrath. I already hate that Target is to freakin' difficult to return stuff to that half the time I end up actually donating those shoes or pants that didn't quite fit etc. and wasting my money. I would appreciate it on a personal level if folks could try to be responsible consumers and not behave in ways that lead stores to craft anti-customer service policies.
I do think that some of this is a bit extreme and I don't think the food and products are out of necessity rather the thrill of having such an impressive stockpile. The show is pretty cool though I must admit. I was motivated to clip some coupons the day after watching that show. We ended up saving $40 in the end but it was only on stuff we really needed and would use. To each their own, I guess.
I don't know. I have a goal to have 1 years worth of food and personal items in case the world ends :) and though we don't eat a lot of junk food, coupons help a little with building up my stash. For example, I want to eventually have a box of brownie or cake mix for every week in the year. Now we don't eat that much cake normally, but if the crap ever hit the fan, it would be nice to have some stored up for a nice break from beans and rice and a treat.
Today I went to Walmart and used a competitor's coupon - buy 2 Betty Crocker items at full price and get 1 Betty Crocker cake mix for a penny. I bought two bags of Muffin Mix for 88 cents and a box of $3 brownie mix for a penny. It was awesome.
I dont care about the food who is that babe?
I'm not sure how extreme coupon-ing is a way to take advatage of the system. Those companies put those coupons out there to get people to buy their stuff.
Personally, I never use coupons. Coupons never offer savings for fresh and healthy foods. I never buy any of those boxed, packaged, canned or bagged on a regular basis, so a coupon is not an incentive for me. Also, I do wonder if coupons really do offer savings when comparing the product you're buying to the competition or generic brand?
Anyway, these people need to seek therapy.
Those of us who regularly practice long-term food storage will be the ones the rest of you seek out when the grocery stores become empty shells with the next natural disaster. Scoff if you like, but between peak oil and the multiple tornadoes that just demolished my part of the world this weekend, I'll continue being frugal AND prepared. In an emergency, at least I 'll survive on something more filling than smug complacency. For those of you who might be interested, there is an older link on "the kitchn" that discusses the benefits of long-term food storage.
fyi: safeway does have store coupons on fresh veggies, dairy, and meat items. you can use their online site to load them on your customer card and they are automatically applied at the register (no cashiers are harmed). also, since safeway tracks the things you purchase, they offer personalized coupons based on your histories - so those w/the all healthy diet can benefit from their enviable self-discipline.
This show has given me a lot of good ideas for saving money, and although I just started using coupons I think it is definitely worth my time. We live in a small apartment and don't eat much processed food, but I have found some excellent deals on household and personal care goods like toothpaste, and toilet paper as well as whole foods like flour, sugar, canned/frozen fruits and veggies, eggs, butter, etc. Of course I will never be like the people on the show, they call it "extreme" for a reason, but I see no reason not to save 50% on items I would be buying otherwise. I'm happy the show exists though because it has taught me some shopping strategies that are very helpful.
I feel like I'm stockpiling (ie wasting resources, money and space) when I have an extra duplicate of an item already in use such as unopened shampoo bottles, toothpaste, mascara, mustard, etc.
I buy exactly what I want and don't waste anything. I buy nearly all organic and local food and I spend LESS than $130 a month. The only coupons I use are the "member discount" ones that take 10% off my final purchase.
Total waste of time and health. There are inexpensive alternatives/stores/methods and still eat healthy (mainly fresh, little processed). I've been getting a lot of my fruit/veg/peanut butter/beans, etc at Aldi's - talk about getting sackfuls of groceries for next to nothing! The little international markets and small fruit markets are also awesome for heap fruit and veg. As far as the major stores, I never buy the name brand stuff - the store brand is way cheaper and tastes the same. Plus, Kroger's organic house line is cheap and very good!
It's admirable that these people are so dedicated, but they ARE hoarders. they're just functioning, and not hoarders of trash but of unused items. I can't believe how much stuff these people had just sitting in their houses. Having grown up and lived in small apartments my whole life, the waste of space is a little disturbing. And the waste of goods in disgusting. Who can eat 200 boxes of cereal before they go bad?
I say these people should use their crazy skills to donate to food pantries and shelters. Otherwise, this seems like a shameful waste of too many variables to count.
As I sat there watching, I said to myself, only in America.
It is an issue of quality vs. quantity. I have family members who do this. One long week of family vacation my husband and I spent our time witnessing our relatives scour the internet for coupons, go out late at night for umpteen newspapers, and organize their coupon binders like 10 year olds assembling a sticker collection. When they came home with a boatload of poptarts for free, I had to escape before I said something I would later regret. Yes, they got things for free. Yes, most of the things they got, I would never feed myself or my children. Yes, they were borderline dishonest in the strategies utilized in getting these deals (choosing the "young" cashier at the store, obtaining store rewards cards for their pets, and teaming up to distract cashiers... not kidding). I prefer Trader Joe's or a farmer's market for the quality of the food. The quantity is in the salt, sugar, and preservatives.
Totally agree. I watched the first episode and thought "my god these people are seriously dedicated" but honestly I believe that their "dedication" and "time-spent" can be used for more productive means. Seriously do these people not believe in using their extreme couponing for a greater good. All those canned foods, cereal's and all the other food that they're hoarding can feed so many people suffering from hunger here and abroad.
I totally agree - it's an abuse of the system. If they simply bought enough to survive and watched the expiration dates, fine. But think about it: a package of mac and cheese? Do you really believe you'll have the use of a microwave and refrigerator in a real natural disaster?
Also the irony seems to be escaping everyone here:
1. Global Warming
2. Natural disasters
3. The cause of global warming.
Get it?
I'm not an extreme couponer by any means, but I do use coupons regularly and spend time each week menu planning and matching up store sales with coupons. We save 40-50% each month on groceries and we eat lots of fresh foods and rarely ever buy junk food. There are plenty of coupons available from brands like Stonyfield, Organic Valley, Muir Glen, Earthbound Farm, Cascadian Farm, Kashi, Simply Organic, etc. I buy milk, yogurt, salad mix, spinach, cereal, frozen fruits & veggies; all with coupons. If I can save a dollar on organic milk, why not use a coupon? It seems that people who complain about there not being coupons for healthy products, aren't really looking for them.
@Goldspinner, I'm storing food in my quake kit but nothing near that woman's garage, I have enough to get me through 30 days and I know I could stretch that to 40 or 45 days in a pinch. Couponing is one thing, and I do use coupons I find for products I actually use, but isn't hoarding something else entirely?
Learning a LOT from everyone's responses to this post... I might give some of this a try for my local food bank after all.
Yes, I've learned a lot from the comments to this post as well. Mostly, I have learned how irritatingly smug and superior many AT readers actually are.
I'm right with RLB on this one. I can tolerate extreme and bizarre behavior by a few much easier than smug and snotty comments from so many.
I wish they would give everything they don't need to the homeless & the needy!
To me this just reeks of what has become the defining national feature of American consumerism and excess. I have watched a few clips of this show and many of these people have far more of anything they will ever need. If they donated it, that's one thing, but many of them have enough supplies to see them through the apocalypse and beyond. And for what? Because life has become so empty that we need to fill it with things, any things will do? Or because we always need to have more of everything? Or is it because they feel like they're getting one over on the man?
Yes, I've learned a lot from the comments to this post as well. Mostly, I have learned how irritatingly smug and superior many AT readers actually are.


text:
|Industry Recognition
|Professional Conduct
I am a general litigator focusing on tenant's rights. Most of my cases involve wrongful evictions, violations of the Ellis Act, gender, age and disability... moreView all photos and/or videos
The practicality of Ms. Campbell's answer immediately caught my attention. In addition to being accurate and analytic, it was customized to the needs... more

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Jackie Kennedy Double Berry Pin
Designed By JFK For Jackie To Celebrate Their Son's Birth
Jackie Kennedy Double Berry Pin
Designed By JFK For Jackie To Celebrate Their Son's Birth
Brilliant red and dazzling "diamond-like" Swarovski crystals sparkle and shine in this replica of what we think must have been one of Jackie's most treasured jewelry pieces. Designed by JFK in celebration of John Jr.'s birth, this berry duo shines with 76 Swarovski crystals set in a 24k gold-plated berry and leaf design. Packaged in a gift-ready velvety box. Brooch pin measures 1"Wx2"H and has a secure bar-pin back.
- One of Jackie's most treasured jewelry pieces
- Designed by JFK to celebrate the birth of their son
- 76 Swarovski crystals
- 24k gold-plated
Jackie loved this pin so much that she even wore it on her first trip abroad, to Canada, as First Lady.
Jackie Kennedy Double Berry Pin
24K Gold plate with Swarovski (R) elements.
Jewelry can be cleaned in lukewarm water with gentle soap and pat dry with a soft cloth. Do not use tissue paper or paper towels as these may scratch the finish.
Manufactured In: China
Material - Country Of Origin: China


text:
Signpost (Weber, Utah), 1982-05-281
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ME(ofDr9Co& WEBER STATE-2110 OGDEN 84408 FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1982 Vol. 42 No. 58 2 WSC faculty members to run for office this fall by Bill Conlon Two Weber State Faculty members will be running for public office this fall, one for the State Senate, the other for the Utah House of Representatives. Jay Clegg, a professor in the Department of Communications, will be running for State Senator form District 22. Clegg will run as a Democrat against incumbent Haven J. Barlow, a Republican. Clegg received his Masters in Communications from BYU in 1966, and received an Education Specialist degree from the same university in 1979. He has been teaching at WSC for 16 years. Married for "ten wonderful years" to his wife LuAnne, Clegg has two sons, ages 8 and 4, and one daughter, age 6. Clegg is an active member of the Fruit Heights stake, Third Ward Grant Protzman, presently the ASWSC student government advisor, is running for the Utah House qf Representatives, for District 7. Protzman is also running as a Democrat, challenging Republican incumbent Ken Alford. Protzman received his Bachelors in Political Science from Utah State in 1975, and is presently a doctoral candidate in Motivation Management from the University of Northern Colorado.Unlike Clegg, Protzman is single. He is an active member of the North Ogden-Ben Lomond Stake, North Ogden Sixth ward. Grant Protzman Jf- - wMste Agassi 1 I V -UiU Mill ..: Si " 1 li l ' 'ill'" "I "YVT t -MMMIMrirfll-ftiW 1 rnnrTii " liiliiiniiiiill Photo bv Dana Johnson A miniature Western scene, complete with stagecoach and store fronts, now on display in UB. Miniatures on display in UB by Janice Strickland Now through June 3 the WSC Union Building dispalys Lyndon Graham's minature vehicle exhibition. Graham, co-founder of the Fairview Museum, will be on campus Friday to greet students and discuss his various exhibits. Graham purchased his old school house in Fairview and he and his partner Golden Sanderson converted it into the Fairview Museum. Graham carves his miniature vehicles and building exhibits of basswood and pine and crates to preserve history. "He saw things disappearing and wanted to preserve them." The 75-year-old, self-made artist and his wife work together to create miniatures of horse-drawn carriages, fantasy scenes and old western town settings. The exhibit, available to WSC students, displays a fantasy-like "cafe elegante" featuring Cinderella's carriage outside a marble palace, complete with life-like horses. Graham records history in his exhibits of a Wells Fargo stage coach and an old western town front with gunsmith shop, saloon and barber shop. A wooden Indian statue is also on display, donated to the exhibit by the Farr West Bank in Fairview. Special features are a Napoleon Carriage complete with horse team and a replica of a 1761 Buckingham Palace Coach used by King George III. The detail in this display is remarkably complete with duplicated paintings on the coaches sides. Jay Clegg Computerized registration by Steve Largent Signpost Editor-in-chief Dr. Emil Hanson, assistant vice president for academic affairs, said Wednesday that, with the new computerized registration system, students will have to break old registration habits. Dr. Hanson reiterated that, along with the new registration policy, the payment of tuition and fees is required at the time of registration. If payment is not made the same day, the student will have to begin the entire process over. Dr. Hanson said, "We are trying to change the student's whole concept of registration. In the past, almost 50 of the students complete registration after the first day of class. Now, all this should be completed before class begins, Some students may have to begin now to plan and budget in order to have fall quarter tuition money available by the beginning of fall quarter registration on July 19." Previous policy has allowed students to attend classes without paying tuition and finalizing registration. Dr. Hanson said that this will no longer be allowed. Students may not attend any classes until their registration is complete. Students should be aware that all registration will now take place in the Registrar's office in the Administration Building. The new class change forms will be available to a student once he has finalized his registration. Each student will be allowed one change during the period of registration, through the end of the first week of school. Any number of changes-adds or drops can be made on this form, including a complete new schedule if necessary. There will be no charge for this one change. After the one free change form has been used, or after the first week of school, there will be a $5 charge for each additional change. Students who will be out of state during their scheduled period of registration may mail in their completed registration form or have someone bring it in for them at the proper time. Tuition payment must be included in either situation. Students qualifying for financial aids (grants and loans) will receive vouchers around mid-August but the student will not be able to spend that voucher until after Sept. 7. If the students wish to register before that time they should make arrangements to pay tuition by some other means and then be reimbursed later when the voucher may be cashed. The new registration forms and fall quarter schedules are available through today in the Union Building lobby. The schedule contains information concerning registration office hours, tuition charges, registration times for each class, along with other necessary information.
Object Description
|Signpost (Weber, Utah), 1982-05-28, Vol. 42, No. 58
|Weber State College
|Associated Students of Weber College; A generous grant from the Utah State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
|Weber's current student newspaper, the Signpost, first appeared on September 29, 1937. For two years prior to that time, campus news was disseminated via announcements posted on a bulletin board known as the "Signpost". As a result, the masthead of the first issue of the paper itself featured a rudimentary wooden sign with the title spelled out in rustic-looking letters. Over the years the paper has been published continuously, though the look, size and style has changed several times.
|Date Original
|College student newspapers and periodicals; Weber State College
|Digital Format
|Publisher Digital
|Stewart Library, Weber State University
|Date Digital
|University Archives LD5893.W55 S5, Stewart Library, Weber State University
|Digital Identifier
|Rights Management
|Public Domain. Courtesy of University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University.
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The lone survivor in a September double-fatal crash that killed an 88-year-old Bethlehem woman and her 67-year-old son pleaded guilty to two summary driving offenses, according to court records.
Lester Smith, 51, of Bath was charged Nov. 9 in the head-on collision on Hanoverville Road that killed Gertrude and Clifford Babin Jr.
Colonial Regional Police Chief Roy Seiple said a dog traveling with Smith also died.
The summary charges, filed by Sgt. John Harmon with Colonial Regional Police, included careless driving and disregarding a traffic lane, court records say.
According to a report in The Express Times, Smith had to pay $124 in fines and costs and will receive three points on his license.
The Northampton County coroner was called to the scene of a rollover accident in front of 4519 Hanoverville Road -- Hecktown Volunteer Ambulance Corps headquarters -- around 10 a.m. Sept. 5.
According to a Breaking News Network alert, three victims were trapped and one was unconscious when the first 911 call came in. At 10 a.m., the commanding officer for Hecktown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 requested the coroner.
Clifford Babin Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene. His mother was pronounced dead at 10:16 a.m. at St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill, according to the Lehigh County coroner.
Smith suffered minor to moderate injuries, Seiple said.
Gertrude Babin had five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, according to her obituary. She worked as a seamstress for the former Josette Manufacturing and was a member of the Ladies Garment Association.
Her son was a retired Bethlehem Steel crane operator, according to his obituary. At the time of his death, Clifford Babin Jr. owned and operated Cliffs Rollback Service.
He and his wife, Meredith, had three sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.


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Spring 2014, Student Events
the division of university mission and ministry
Busy Student Retreat - Registration is now open for the Lenten Busy Student Retreat at BC. There's no requirement or prior experience or faith level, just an interest in wanting to engage Lent in a meaningful way with your peers. It's free, on-campus and on your schedule. Learn more here.
Halftime- Meet new people, connect with faculty and staff, be inspired, and have fun at the Connors Retreat Center. The last opportunity to participate is in March. Sign up now at www.bc.edu/halftime.
Senior Retreat-The Aloha Senior Retreat is a chance to press pause on the hectic and overwhelming rush towards graduation, and spend a weekend chilling out with friends on the Cape. Aloha in Hawaiian means "hello" and "goodbye", and this tension is what many seniors are experiencing: saying goodbye to this chapter of their lives, and saying hello to a new and exciting future. March 28-30, 2014. Email email@example.com for more information


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so I brewed an All grain Arrogant Bastard clone over a month ago. I bottled this beast about 10 or so days ago. when i opened the secondary fermenter it smelled spot on. of course due to my natural love for this beer and general impatience, i had to sneak a bottle after only a week of aging. now i know youre supposed to let IPAs age a good amount of time to allow the hop character to really mature in the beer. However i must say i was fairly surprised that upon tasting this it seemed particularly malty. at 87 IBUs i would still expect this beer to be pretty damn hoppy/bitter even though it hasnt aged to its prime. am i wrong in my assumption? im slightly concerned. i suppose i wont try it again til its gone ~1month in the bottle.
thoughts/opinions would be appreciated.
you wont really know until it is carbed? did you do a full-boil?
was it carbed? after a week in the bottle i can't imagine it was carbed enough and the carbonation can bring out the hops / bitterness than compared to flat beer.
no it definately was not fully carbed, that is a good point. and this was a 5 gallon all grain brew Forbin.
i suppose my biggest concern was the lack of percieved bitterness though. you think carb level has a pretty big effect on that as well?
you think it will lose bitterness? i was always under the impression that over time bitterness will improve before finally mellowing out/blending. something of that nature.
just to be clear, the bitterness i speak of is very different from "hop flavor".
1: Yeti RIS clone
2: Mangrove Hefe
3: Barkshack Gingermead
4: Oatmeal Stout
5: Bavarian Wheat
6: Premium Lager
Fermenting: Concord Wine, ESB
if you have two identical beers with the only difference being in carbonation levels, the less carbonated beer will be perceived as hoppier than the more carbonated one. if the beer was tasted after 10 days i would assume that it would gain a little more carbonation taking away from the hop presence.
"high hop rates can mask oxidation, high carbonation can mask hops" Radical Brewing -P75-Randy Mosher


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Worst 100 Reflections on 2013
From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia
Revision as of 00:25, January 7, 2013 by Simsilikesims (talk | contribs)
This is the official list of Uncyclopedia's Worst 100 Reflections on 2013, a site that can nearly see the light at the end of the tunnel.
- 100. Uncyclopedia splits
- Worse, this means twice as much Uncyclopedia. Only one has a goatee, though. It's the evil one. True story.


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CLARKSVILLE, Ind. (WHAS11) -- Clarksville Police have arrested a man they said was using the postal service to bring narcotics in from other countries.
According to a news release, Clarksville Narcotics, Jeffersonville Narcotics and the U.S. Postal Inspectors worked together to investigate Christopher A. Collard after information came to light that Collard was dealing in illegal prescriptions, LSD and marijuana.
The release states, Collard was using the mail to obtain the drugs and the he would sell the locally.
During their investigation narcotics officers served a search warrant at Collard's home and said they found LSD, marijuana and other drugs. Police said they also confiscated cash.
Collard is facing several charges:
Dealing in a Controlled Substance within a 1000ft of Public Housing- A Felony
Possession of Controlled Substance within a 1000ft of Public Housing- C Felony
Dealing of Marijuana within a 1000ft of Public Housing – C Felony
Possession of Marijuana within a 1000ft of Public Housing – D Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance – D Felony