TLC's extreme couponing show

[mom-from-missouri]

OK, so I watched the last 7 minutes of the first show, and all of the second show. If they addressed it, I missed it...BUT, where do they get their coupons?? For every issue of the Sunday paper, I pay $2. Are they paying for those and if so, why wasn't that mentioned in the show??

Our stores do not double coupons like theirs did--none of our local stores double coupons at all. The Kansas City ones double up to 50 cents or a few up to 75 cents... Rarely do I see coupons for milk (roberts once in a while for 50 cents off) and rarely for meat.

Where do they get all the FREE coupons?? They aren't in my paper.

Due to fraud, may of our stores no longer take printed internet coupons...

I'm very good with the coupons, at Walgreens and CVS. But, never have been able to save 90% or more for food at the grocery store as they did, simply because I can't find the right coupons...

So, did anyone catch where they are getting their coupons???

[PetMom]

I watched a few episodes of that.

They don't really show us the actual getting of these coupons.

One mentioned purchasing some (coupons can be bought that you need thereby foregoing buying a newspaper).

Saw one show (not this series) where a woman dumpster dived for newspapers to get coupons.

Some get store coupons.

And as you mentioned rely on the store giving triple a coupon's value - which never seems easy finding.

I notice they do have some meat/milk/eggs but very little produce in the baskets. A lot of processed food. And tons cleaning products that I don't use or make a cheaper homemade version.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Sometimes when I'm at the recycling center in a city park, I see someone going through the newspapers pulling out all the coupon inserts they can find.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

Due to fraud, may of our stores no longer take printed internet coupons...

This usually just takes a conversation with the manager of the store.

I'm very good with the coupons, at Walgreens and CVS. But, never have been able to save 90% or more for food at the grocery store as they did, simply because I can't find the right coupons...

The problem with coupons is that they are typically for more expensive national brands of processed foods. Even with coupons, the store brands are often cheaper. And we prefer not to buy all of the processed crap anyway. When I go shopping each week, 90% of what is in my cart comes from the produce section. There are no coupons for fresh mushrooms or berries or greens. Sorry, but I'm not using canned mushrooms on our homemade pizza, even if I can get them for free. I'm not putting frozen berries in my yogurt parfait even if I get them 90% off.

We don't use a lot of coupons simply because we rarely see coupons for the items we commonly buy.

[msarro]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I'm not putting frozen berries in my yogurt parfait even if I get them 90% off.

Just curious - any reason why no frozen berries? So long as they're not processed (I haven't seen any yet that do process frozen stuff), they should be the same thing as fresh. Its probably one of the only processed foods I eat regularly because of that exact reason.

[SnoopyCool]

I haven't seen the show. However, I know that many people dumpster dive for them at the distribution sites of the local newspaper (myself being one of those at one time - my local distribution center closed, so I don't do it anymore). On any given Monday morning at 6am, I could easily find 30 - 70 sets of coupons. And I wasn't alone there. (*Disclaimer - get permission to dumpster dive and make sure it isn't in violation of your city ordinances).

I know that you can also buy Q's on eBay and other sites, as well. Many people also barter with their local newspaper delivery person. Here, the paper guy only has to return a portion of the newspaper to receive credit, so he has access to Q's that he didn't sell. Offer him free razors, shaving cream, etc., and you're likely to strike a deal.

[irmanator]

you can't use coupons at the farm stand. Most generic brands are cheaper than the brands even with the coupon. Sometimes i find a coupon for my fave shampoo but not often

[jeffrey]

This is how I get coupons when I buy for the food banks:

Start Collecting Sunday Newspaper Inserts

I have never seen the show (although I have heard a lot about it) and my guess is that they are using Catalina Coupons from previous purchases to buy stuff -- this could mean that their savings is not nearly what they claim (or it could be -- just depends how they got the catalina coupons. It was with overages with Catalina coupons that allowed me to eat on $1 a day, buy fruit, veggies and a little meat when I did that challenge.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by msarro

Just curious - any reason why no frozen berries? So long as they're not processed (I haven't seen any yet that do process frozen stuff), they should be the same thing as fresh. Its probably one of the only processed foods I eat regularly because of that exact reason.

I'll use frozen strawberries and raspberries for smoothies and frozen blueberries for pancakes but to just eat them as is or with yogurt, I want fresh. The consistency just isn't the same with the frozen ones after they are defrosted.

[msarro]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I'll use frozen strawberries and raspberries for smoothies and frozen blueberries for pancakes but to just eat them as is or with yogurt, I want fresh. The consistency just isn't the same with the frozen ones after they are defrosted.

True story! Just wanted to check, I was pretty sure they were the same. After they're thawed they kind of... break down.

[rob62521]

A gal I work with claims she does the extreme couponing and gets loads of stuff free. I asked her briefly how. She says she buys coupons as well as purchasing multiple copies of newspapers to get the inserts.

We watch the program and I'm torn between being a failure as a couponer and irate that these folks are hoarding hundreds of items so they can have a stockpile. Some claim to be kind and donate items, but in the long run, who do you think is paying for the hundreds of free items these folks are stockpiling? I would say the rest of us. I notice that on a lot of the coupons I'm seeing in the paper and on the Internet they are printing do not double or triple. I bet that is in response to these folks getting multiple items free. I totally see getting a few items free or at a reduced price, but what man really needs a 1000 tubes of toothpaste?