Not to long ago, ya know like PRE “Extreme Couponers”, those of us who chose to save money on our groceries we had fun! Now that the show has populated more of a outcry of “What the hell is wrong with these people?” the coupon scene has died down quite a bit. Not only are the companies that offer us the money saving coupons takin’ notice, but, so are the stores.
The reality is “Extreme Couponers” is a fad, not the norm and a far cry from the truth. In the “Coupon World” we as frugal shoppers use to have fun shopping trips at our local grocery stores. Around here in Cincinnati that included the Triple Coupon Event at bigg’s stores {before Remke Markets purchased them!}. Those were the days when I would go shopping at midnight when the sale started and was able to have a good time shopping and saving money for my family. Not only did I have a friend with me to help spot the deals, but, we frugalistas were gathered in the {not so wide} aisles sharing coupons and gabbing about what great deals we were all scoring. Then when we headed to check out, we were so pumped that, we all stood in awe of one another at the savings!
Ya know, this was back in the day when you could score FREE Cottonelle toilet paper, FREE Softsoap Hand soap, name brand shampoo, $.50 laundry detergent, free kitchen cleaners and not to mention the outpouring of smell good products! But, at the end of the day the truth of the matter is that it’s inpacted how much I’m able to donate and that makes me so sad.
BEFORE “Extreme Couponers” I was able to have so much fun shopping….I would literally get $5 worth {usually it was ALL FREE!!!!!} of products and donate it to several food pantries throughout the year. Each month I would pick a cause to donate to in Cincinnati and would get what was on their needs list. However, AFTER the “Extreme Couponers” show aired my Amelia Kroger store wouldn’t allow me to special order products. I specifically tried to order 50 Reach floss to donate and wasn’t able to. The store manager told another manager {that I personally know!} that I was getting these products to sell at garage sales….if you know me I despise that!
The last special order that I was allowed to place was during a Mega Sale event. I ordered 30 bags of Tidy Cats Cat litter for the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry. I DON’T HAVE CATS and again the store manager said something to our family friend about why did I need 30 bags of cat litter and she told him that I was DONATING it and that I don’t even have cats {I’m honestly allergic to them….just sayin’!}.
BEFORE “Extreme Couponers” I enjoyed using coupons! I was able to stockpile by purchasing up to 10 items {ya know shelf clearing isn’t nice!} and that also let me help out family members as it was needed. I’d often give out body wash, deodorants, shampoo, spaghetti sauce and noodles and so much more. But, now that I’m limited to 4 coupons at Kroger and only 2 coupons double at Meijer my stockpile isn’t really all that much of a stockpile anymore and that saddens me.
BEFORE “Extreme Couponers” I could slip at the sales cycle. I would often not even shop for weeks at a time because I didn’t need anything because of the healthy stockpile that I had. Now I have 4 bottles of laundry detergent in my laundry room versus 10 or 12. Instead of 10 bottles of dish liquid I’m literally down to 2. My donation box would be overflowing by the middle of the month and now I’m lucky if I’m able to fill it up over the course of a month.
BEFORE “Extreme Couponers” I was excited! I would look for all the deals on Saturday, order my coupons on Sunday and be ready to hit the stores on Thursday with anticipation of scoring great deals all while having fun! Well, now I honestly don’t get all that excited…I’m thinking the thrill of it all has gone away with all the restrictions the stores now have in place and not to mention when I check out with a “handful” of coupons I’m getting criticized as the cashier specifically looks over every coupon as if I’m going to turn in a expired coupon or unethically use a coupon for a product that it’s not intended for {ya know like on the show?!?}.
I’m so OVER the “Extreme Couponers” show and the BAD FAR OUT WEIGHS THE GOOD. Yeah you see people “talk” about donating, but, in reality these folks don’t do it. You see people “teaching” their friends and neighbors which is good. However, at the end of the day those folks are those who are using fraudulent coupons and taking advantage of the system. Which in turn is why couponing is no longer fun for me.
How has the “Extreme Couponers” show affected the way you shop? Do you feel like you are being treated like a “criminal” at checkout? Have you been able to donate more? Be sure to leave a comment below!
I have to agree with you about the show. It has ruined everything! When I first started couponing i was getting loads of stuff. Now I find myself shopping maybe once a week. I used to get those huge Christmas gift bags and fill them to the rim with stuff for my family. One person work at DHL when they closed, my aunt lost her job, my uncle got stuck with the house payments after my aunt and uncle got divorsed, so basicly everybody needed help and I was glad to do it. Last year the bags got smaller but everybody was stil greatful. I havent been shopping that much this year and Im afraid the bags are going to be small again this year. I have to wonder if the manufacturers didnt put a bug in TLC’s ear about doing an extreme couponing show? Kinda makes you wonder? I got rid of my 80 extra bucks at CVS last Christmas cause I knew I wasnt going to be doing it very much this year. I used to shop at Kroger allll the time now I shop at Meijer 90% of the time and Im getting produce and milk at Aldi’s. I have to agree the “fun” is just not there anymore cause of the show and new rules and way less sales with matchups!
Hey Amy! It’s just a shame at the way things have worked out for the show. I understand they like the ratings, but, at the end of the day what are they teaching? Thank you for the comment girlfriend