Extreme Couponing Help

bmbwtf · August 2011

I just started watching TLC's Extreme Couponing and I am hooked! I really never used more than one or two coupons. I always felt the coupons actually made me spend more money and would get items I didn't want/need. However this show has me compelled to really try couponing to save money. My finance and I are getting married in 4 months and are saving for a house. For the two of us, we spend about 300-400 a month on groceries... I always just took it as is, but now I am confident we can spend far less! Any suggestions on how/where to get started. Are the Sunday newspapers the best bet to start?

Thanks for any suggestions and help! I'll definitely keep everyone updated on how well we do.What is a realistic amount two people and two dogs should spend a month on groceries anyway?

Thanks lady!

mben1119 · August 2011

I am definitely not an extreme couponer, but I do save a lot of money with coupons. I started with Sunday papers, and also printables-hip2save.com and moneysavingmom.com have excellent databases. To save even more, you can print coupons thru swagbucks.com and sites like that to earn points for the coupons you redeem. I only clip coupons for the things we will use-otherwise I would spend more money than I would 'save.' Good luck!

britlee in love · August 2011

Not to steal your thunder, but that show is barely realistic. On top of that, it's rather wasteful and ridiculous. If you want to start couponing, do it the smart way... Meaning, please don't expect or try to accumulate 50+ rolls of paper towels for free. And for the love of common sense, know that you shouldn't buy something if you dont need it. No one needs 20 tubes of toothpaste or 30 bottles of mustard. Leave some for others!
I suggest starting small. Pick one to two stores to start with, then add on gradually. I started with Walgreens and Target. Go to a good website like hip2save.com, totallytarget.com, or wildforwags.com. Hip2save is great starting point because you can read how the stores work with coupons and what the policies are.
After you read and print the policies, you are ready to start collecting coupons!

Following the above blogs will help because they will list the deals for the week along with the coupons match ups. After you get comfortable with your starter stores, then you can branch out to Walmart, other drug stores, and your local grocery stores. Your local groceries are the trickiest, unless you can find a regional or local blog that posts ads and match ups. If you can't find one, you still should be able to get store ads yourself and figure out which coupons will give you the best deals, but it may take a little more time.
Just remember that it takes time to learn and get used to everything. You'll get it all down, but don't be surprised when deals don't work out like you expect them. Couponing is a WONDERFUL blessing when handled in a balanced fashion (unlike TLC's show) that can regulaly save you 50-75% and more on a really good day. Don't forget that balance is the key (I really advocate hip2save with her "unextreme" coupon methods). Best of luck and have a BLAST saving! It is a lot of fun!!

edit: Wanted to add that I cut our grocery budget in half in about 2 months. I went from spending 250ish to 125 or less a month. How cool is that!? You'll be able to do that too!

bmbwtf · August 2011

Great ideas, thanks so much for your help!!!

stefwhitney · August 2011

I'm an extreme couponer. My mom, uncle, grandma, and mom all do it. Here is a link to my blog, I only have a few posts regarding couponing, but it'll help.

http://stefaniewhitney.tumblr.com/

melissainabq · August 2011

stefwhitney:
I'm an extreme couponer. My mom, uncle, grandma, and mom all do it. Here is a link to my blog, I only have a few posts regarding couponing, but it'll help.
http://stefaniewhitney.tumblr.com/

Nice try but all you've done is copy what much more successful sites have done.

buhfe · August 2011

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minff · August 2011

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rensheng · August 2011

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rensheng · August 2011

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bulaike · August 2011

****

stefwhitney · August 2011

melissainabq:
stefwhitney:
I'm an extreme couponer. My mom, uncle, grandma, and mom all do it. Here is a link to my blog, I only have a few posts regarding couponing, but it'll help.
http://stefaniewhitney.tumblr.com/

Nice try but all you've done is copy what much more successful sites have done.

I never once claimed I was the original creator of each tip. I'm telling people what works for me.

ldeo · August 2011

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CJW&EAW · August 2011

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