Know the truths and the myths of the coupon game.
Coupons have been around for years but in recent years have surged in popularity. We’ve all heard about the extreme couponing craze and seen it in action on the popular TLC show “Extreme Couponing.” It’s incredible how much money people can save if they put time and effort into it like perusing the weekly newspapers to get manufacturer coupons, pairing them with store coupons and redeeming them on double coupon days for maximum savings.
However, we wanted to debunk some common myths to ensure that all you savers aren’t led astray by the extremely extreme practices on the show.
Myth: You’ll always be able to use as many coupons as you want to save.
Reality: Due to the popularity of the show, many stores are cracking down on the use of coupons to avoid fraud. Make sure to check your grocery store’s coupon policy before creating your plan of attack.
Myth: You’ll always save money when you buy in bulk.
Reality: Although it’s exciting to get a great deal, many shoppers find themselves spending a ton of money on products they don’t need because of perceived savings. If those products are never used, the cost savings go right out the window. The stockpiles (and in some cases, entire rooms) of goods on the show are taking couponing to an extreme level and show wastefulness rather than thriftiness.
Myth: It’s super easy and fast to extreme coupon.
Reality: As the show depicts, many extreme couponers spend several hours clipping coupons, shopping at the grocery store and haggling, taking valuable time away from their families. In the end, is it really worth it?
Saving money – and putting some time and energy into it – is one thing; extreme couponing practices are, in most cases, unnecessary and more trouble than they’re worth. Just do your research and figure out what savings strategy works best for you.
