Extreme vs. Realistic

Have you seen it???

TLC's show called Extreme Couponing.  It has started a trend of coupon-ers in my neighborhood.  I see everyone carrying coupons in binders, envelopes and filers. The shelves are empty on hot coupon items. It has changed the way they shop, and the way stores have changed their coupon policy.

I have to admit...I am one of those mom's armed with my coupons.  I am a beginner!  I have tried, many times, to use coupons.  Normally they  just sit in my coupon organizer until they expire.

After watching the show, I realized I have to stop buying things as I needed them and most importantly...I needed to stop paying full price for ALL my items!  I never took into account how much money I was spending.  I never knew you could get items for free, more importantly lower the cost of my shopping.

I know they call it "extreme" couponing for a reason.  I think 100 bottles of mustard, 150 bottles of pain medication and 40 cases of soda is extreme.  I know many of them donate these items.  But for me, I would like to be a more realistic shopper and try to save money for my family.  I have seen the debates online.  Extreme vs. Realistic.  Don't get those mom's angry...they will let you know their opinion.

You can arm yourself with more knowledge than you need.  There are so many sites available to learn how to shop this way.  I have found a few I like to use.  They're easy to use, perfect for me.

One of my favorite sites is Coupon Mom.

I can go directly to my favorite stores in my area and print out a list of all the items I want to get.  I email the list to myself so I have it in my phone if I forget it.  I also like how she organizes her coupons.

I also like The Krazy Coupon Lady.

 Just the name made me want to learn more from her.  I created my coupon binder by copying her pages and organizing them in a 3-ring binder.

I just started using Couponing 101.

It gives a lot of  tips and a more realistic approach to shopping. I like having a direct link to the item also.

Don't stop there though.  The information is everywhere. Probably the best way to learn is to go with someone who has been doing this awhile.  This for me is my sister.  She has 5 kids and has been shopping this way for years.  Now, she did have a problem with the Target manager about how she could not use more than 1 coupon for an item when I went shopping with her.  Because she has been shopping this way over 10+ years and has been able to use a buy one, get one free and another manufacturers coupon as far as she can remember.  Now she was told by Target, she could not do it this way.  She wasn't happy!   Because of the show, stores are changing their policies.  Don't forget to read them or even better print them out and bring them with you.  Although they can still interpret them the way they want.

I am now armed with some knowledge, my coupons, sometimes my sister and my list.  I'm going to give it a try and see how much I can save.  I have already saved but it has been time consuming.  I would like to save some money for a trip...maybe California, my nephew is getting married in August...maybe Scotland, my 20th anniversary is coming up.  Can I do it?  Will I be realistic?  Or will I get caught up and go extreme and buy 150 packs of gum?   I do love chewing gum.

To be continued....