Tonight was the premier of TLC’s Extreme Couponing series. The show follows savvy shoppers as they plan and plot their way to unbelievable savings. Let’s just say, it’s definitely extreme!
I will be the first to admit that coupons, and the frugal mindset that comes along with them, have changed my life! They’ve allowed me to drastically reduce my budget and have changed the way I shop. In the last two years coupons have enhanced my life, but they haven’t become my life.
I understand the producers of the show found the most extreme shoppers. Let me reassure you that it is NOT an accurate depiction of a couponer. We are a community of people who strive to use our hard earned money wisely.
Here is the truth about coupons:
- You can drastically reduce your budget using coupons. I cut my budget from $660 per month to $300 per month!
- You don’t need hundreds of coupon inserts. I buy 2 Sunday papers and have plenty of food for my family of four (plus extra to give to my local food bank).
- You don’t have to spend hours clipping coupons. I only clip the coupons that correspond with my shopping list. All others can be donated to military families.
- Coupons don’t have to consume your life. I spend less than 4 hours per week on couponing. This includes creating a shopping list, clipping coupons, shopping, and putting away the groceries.
- You don’t need a huge area to store food. I have a stockpile in my coat closet and an extra shelf in my garage. I only buy enough product to last 6-8 weeks (until the next sale) and then give the rest away.
If the show led you here then I say, “Welcome!”. The Carolina Clipper is here to provide practical tools to make saving money easy and fun. You can fit coupons into your busy life. Here’s a great place to start:
5 Easy Steps to Slash Your Grocery Budget in Half!
Step 1:: Collect Coupons
Step 2:: Organize Coupons
Step 3:: Budget
Step 4:: Plan Your Trip & Shop
Step 5:: Meal Plan
Our Facebook page is a great resource for money saving tips. Plus, you’ll have access to our FREE templates (meal planners, grocery lists, recipe calculators, and much more!). If you’re in the Charlotte area you can look into our Coupon Workshops.
What are your thoughts about the show? What are some tips on ways that you’ve used coupons to enhance your life instead of controlling it?
I found your site through your comment on KCL and all I have to say is Thank the Lord. I watched the episode of Extreme Couponing tonight and felt like such a failure. I am a SAHM of 6 kids (5 boys & 1 girl) included in this is a set of 3 year old TRIPLETS. I am blessed in so many ways. I began couponing in Jan 11 and really felt like I was doing well. Until this show made me feel so discouraged. Your comment really brought things back to reality. Thank You. Your site is so WONDERFUL and you are such a Blessing. I have read so much and I can’t wait to fully digest it all and apply your techniques better. I wish I could take your workshops. I assume you are in one of the Carolinas?
Welcome, Tina! I’m so glad you found my website. I strive to keep it a positive and encouraging place. I really enjoy teaching people how to save money AND enjoy life at the same time. I can only imagine how busy you are with 6 kids. Let me reassure you that with a little planning you can save big money! My FAQ page is a good place to start. Yes, my coupon workshops are in the Charlotte area. However, I’m thinking about creating a virtual class online. Be sure to subscribe via email so you’ll get all the posts. This way you’ll know what’s going on. Let me know if you have any questions about anything. I’m here to help!
Do you recommend coupon clipping services.
Hi Tina, I recommend coupon clipping services on rare occasions. For example, I need a weekly probiotic called Align which is $30 full price. It rarely goes on sale and when it does I want to stock up. I buy 2 Sunday papers per week so I would only have two coupons to use during an Align sale This would be a good time to order a few Align coupons to match with the sale. Otherwise, I find that two papers are sufficient for our family of 4. Remember, sales are on a 6-8 week cycle. You only need enough to last you until the next sale. There is no reason to hoard or have extremely large stockpiles!
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