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So what started as a one time deal is now an Extreme Couponing series… I voiced my concerns and thoughts after the last episode and they haven’t changed. So this time I just want to touch on what the reality of extreme couponing is, based on what we saw tonight. (I did actually watch tonight’s episode since we were away from home and had cable).
First pretty much everything you saw tonight can’t be done in most grocery stores.
- They will not let you check out for 5 hours and do 18 transactions back to back, and nor should they.
- The lady shopping in the Kroger store in Houston lives in an area that will actually no longer double coupons starting next Wednesday.
- Most stores have a limit on the number of like item coupons they will accept or a limit on the number of like coupons they will double. (We will see Bi-Lo break their own policy for this in a few weeks on another episode).
- Many coupons are starting to have limits written on them “per transaction” and “per customer”.
- Very few stores double items past their value (i.e. you buy a 60¢ product but they double to $1). The one big store in the south that has done this, Publix, is even updating their systems to no longer allow it. Remember stores pay for the doubling on coupons so there is no reason for them to do this.
Realize that stores view this as press, and they are willingly and knowingly breaking their own policies so that you will see how much you can save if you shop with them. To me this is a BAD idea. Now they (and all of us) will spend the next sixth months re-educating folks on what the real policies are.
Now that we got the reality check… can you still save a ton? Yes.
It is very easy to save money on your groceries! To get started read the Learn to Coupon page and watch some of the videos on Southern Savers.
A few big things to realize:
1. We only need enough for 6-10 weeks depending on your area.
2. You will see a sale again, I promise! So go easy and leave some for the rest of us.
3. Save what you can, but remember why you are saving!
Once you have read all the getting started details, just pick the store closest to you and find the list using the store names at the top of the site. Remember that everything on the weekly lists on Southern Savers is a good price that week. So if you need it, buy it!
Further Reading:
Getting Started Easily with Coupons
Extreme Couponing 101: Burnout
How To Reduce Your Time Spent Couponing
Extreme Couponing 101: Coupon Redemption
