Ways to Save with Coupons that You Won't See on TLC's Extreme Couponing Show

TLC’s Extreme Couponing television show has left a bit of a bad taste in many a veteran couponer’s mouth.Reality television is designed for ratings and this show is no different.It is extremely difficult to duplicate a transaction like what you see on the Extreme Couponing reality television show.So why should anyone watch it?It should be watched for entertainment purposes, inspiration and ideas only.

It is a fact that since this show’s first season there has been an explosion of Americans wanting to learn how to use coupons to save extraordinary amounts of money on their grocery bills.It is possible to cut over 50% on the majority of the things you buy at the store but extreme couponing on a regular basis will not score you things such as fresh meat, produce and a lot of the dairy products needed to eat a healthy diet.You have to be an extremely savvy shopper in order to be able to save on those items, but it can be done.

Here are a few tips when it comes to extreme couponing that you will not see used on TLC’s Extreme Couponing show:

Second Day Meat

There is NOTHING wrong with second day meat that has been discounted for a quick sale.These meats are usually being sold at around 50% off regular price because they have reached their “sell by” date.Notice that is a “sell by” date, NOT an expiration date.Either use it that day or wrap it in freezer paper to use at another time.This is a great way to stock up on meat and is just like having a 50% off coupon for it.

Ditch the Websites That Are Telling You What to Buy

Yes, I know a lot of mouths just dropped open but I’m telling you if you do this you will save a lot of time and will never miss a bargain again.A lot of websites are set up with inaccurate prices because the price of one item can vary greatly from region to region.So if you live in New York and are following a website that is based in Georgia, chances are a lot of the prices on the items listed aren’t accurate.So as you are going through making your list and planning your trip, you’ll find a lot of the prices are inaccurate and the trip isn’t as wonderful as it could be.

I have found it is better to walk into the store with my box of coupons without any preparation. Yes, I scan the weekly ads for accurate prices on the things in my area and am sure to take the ad with me when I go to the store so I don’t forget anything.Walking through the store and doing the matchup as you go takes a bit more time the first couple of times you do it but once you are used to it, the process goes much quicker and you’ll find the things that you are buying are exactly what you will use.You can spend that extra time doing other things you enjoy while still saving over 50% on your grocery bill!

Ditch the Produce Section and Plant Your Own

Produce is expensive and a lot of times it is covered in pesticides and fertilizers.Buying organic isn’t an option for all families.With a small investment, planning and minimal effort you can cut out the produce section of your grocery store forever.

Planning a garden can also be a fun family activity to get the kids involved in.It can be a valuable lesson in science and the environment.Get their input on what to plant, whether you want to purchase plants from your local greenhouse or start them from seeds.Most vegetables can easily be preserved through the winter by freezing or canning.It really can be a great excuse for family time and saving money at the same time.

Build a Stockpile without Shelf Clearing

Extreme couponers post photos of their huge stockpiles online all the time to receive the oohs and ahhs of their followers.It’s nothing to see 100 bottles of laundry soap, body wash and toothpaste all lined up and proudly displayed.You’ll also occasionally see shelf clearing on the TLC show Extreme Couponing.This is a horrible, gluttony practice that triggers complaints by other customers of the grocery store and will eventually cause problems for the couponer in the form of denial in the number of coupons they can use.

Building a stockpile is a great idea but it doesn’t have to happen overnight.There are always coupons and sales going on for certain items such as body soap, toothpaste and laundry detergent.When there is a sale combined with a coupon, a good, logical and acceptable number to purchase is no more than 5 or 6 at the most.By doing this every month, you will find your stockpile growing quickly over just a few months!

Other food items are best purchased in quantities under 10.Usually you will find a lot of 10 for $10 sales in grocery stores so it is easy to say that the store has set the number of items that are acceptable to purchase by their own sale.If at any time you are denied this particular number, and it has been known to happen, you can mention the 10 for $10 sale and question why it would be ok to purchase 10 of that item but not the one you are currently buying.

It may be coincidental that grocery stores have changed their coupon policies and that manufacturers have scaled back on the number and value of the coupons that they release since the premiere of TLC’s Extreme Couponing Show.Using coupons to maximize savings at the grocery store is a learned skill that requires organization, persistence, knowledge of where to find coupons and an eye for a good deal.Keep reading and researching and eventually you too will be able to save thousands of dollars a year by simply using coupons.