"Extreme couponing" show is ridiculous - Page 9

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by mar123 

Amy- yes, I do believe she was cheating; I have read those articles as well. I don't spend 30 hours a week couponing- I have a full time job and 3 kids and a husband. I just find it ironic that some people around here are so judgmental of people who use coupons. Yet these same people resent judgment for their own lifestyle choices. If someone is cheating the system, that is wrong and should be dealt with. otherwise, it isn't really anyone's business.

I don't think the judgement (if you want to call it that, although I don't think most are intending to judge!) is about 'using coupons'... but more about HOW they are used and WHAT they are used for, in the context of a natural living forum. If we were on a 'mainstream' board, I think the reactions and underlying assumptions would be quite different.

I do look at coupons, although I don't generally use them. Yes, there are A FEW out there for things I perhaps could theoretically use, but the MAJORITY of them are not for things I would consider buying, and don't seem to jive well with natural living, and really wouldn't save me any money once other things are factored in. So it's hard to picture how someone could save 30% or more by couponing, while still striving to live naturally. However, it's become obvious through tons of threads on MDC lately that NOT everyone on here necessarily even wants to live naturally and that 'natural' means very different things to different people... and obviously there is more than one way to meet the 'natural' goal if that is something you strive for. I do think that coupons cause people to save on things they might not otherwise buy (I think that's the point of them?)... so sure, you could save $1 on XYZ, but would you have even BOUGHT it in the first place if it wasn't a sale/coupon? Is it still cheaper than the generic brand? Is it really saving money if you compare price per ounce? Did you still save, even when you factor in things like gas, store-wide elevated prices, etc.? (general 'you' not you specifically!) Some of the examples I've seen lead me to believe otherwise.

I have no problem if someone wants to use coupons though, or even 'extreme' couponing if they can do it legally/ethically. But even with the examples provided in this thread & elsewhere, I don't see how it's something that could help me & my family continue to eat healthy, meet our 'natural' goals, AND save money.

[mar123]

crunchy-mommy- I see your point about coupons and natural living. As some have said, there are ways to find coupons for those things. And yes, I take into account all those things you mentioned. But I am fortunate to have 4 store within 2 miles of my home. And while I may use coupons for things I don't normally buy, that is not typical. There was once a type of cheese I wanted to try- I tried it because with the coupon I got it for .25. We liked it, but I still only buy it with coupons. When I buy cereal, I only buy what I have coupons for. I get some from Kashi, but sometimes it's Cheerios. With my dh out of work for almost a year, it is called survivial.

I do see it as judgmental; but maybe because I am not as natural as some, nor am I striving to be. (I do buy more natural things, but have no desire to be 100% there) I have learned a lot from this board, which is why I read here. But I do see judgment of others who are not living in the same vein as those on this board. But I also read threads from those same people who are very angry that others judge them. It is irony at its finest.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by mar123 

crunchy-mommy- I see your point about coupons and natural living. As some have said, there are ways to find coupons for those things. And yes, I take into account all those things you mentioned. But I am fortunate to have 4 store within 2 miles of my home. And while I may use coupons for things I don't normally buy, that is not typical. There was once a type of cheese I wanted to try- I tried it because with the coupon I got it for .25. We liked it, but I still only buy it with coupons. When I buy cereal, I only buy what I have coupons for. I get some from Kashi, but sometimes it's Cheerios. With my dh out of work for almost a year, it is called survivial.

I do see it as judgmental; but maybe because I am not as natural as some, nor am I striving to be. (I do buy more natural things, but have no desire to be 100% there) 

Yup, I get you, my DH is unemployed too. I certainly can't afford to buy all organic or anything, no matter how much we scrimp on other things. I'm also not 100% natural, although in my ideal world, I would be! (Well, actually, not totally even then... I love my computer, and have no desire to live in a grass hut, for ex.!!) And Cheerios are not evil... I wouldn't consider that to be altogether 'unnatural' even... there is a lot of middle ground... Buying a few boxes of Cheerios, to me, doesn't quite compare to stocking up on Pepsi. One is still nourishing, the other is junk and really isn't about survival at all... no offense to anyone who loves soda. Nutrition in the US is a really big concern for me, and the fact that things like Kool-Aid and lollipops are even considered 'food' is a huge issue to me. It's one thing to treat yourself to a piece of candy, but another to stock up on 100's of them because they were on sale, and call it 'food'. I worry about the health of Americans (and especially of children here) and I feel like many coupons compound the problem. The food manufacturers are largely responsible as well. I'm not saying a bottle of HFCS ketchup is going to kill anyone, but all those things add up and are not healthy... I really look at money in terms of nutrition-per-dollar... I'm probably getting OT a bit, sorry...

Originally Posted by mar123 

I have learned a lot from this board, which is why I read here. But I do see judgment of others who are not living in the same vein as those on this board. But I also read threads from those same people who are very angry that others judge them. It is irony at its finest.

I totally get your point... too much judgement all around. Everyone is doing what they feel is 'best' (or at least what they feel is their only option!) so when my 'best' and your 'best' don't match up, it's normal, I think, for both sides to feel judged... Maybe you're right, I do sort of judge a parent who buys over 100 candy bars (this was on the one episode I watched)... because no one needs that amount of candy, no matter how cheap it is, and I don't know why they wouldn't just spend that $3 on something SOMEWHAT nourishing. I just feel they are lacking something... nutritional education? common sense? willpower? personal responsibility? mental health? community support? SOMETHING... I don't really see any other way to look at it, but I am more than open to hearing more on the issue!!

[mar123]

I am certainly guilty of judging others- I am not perfect. I just my SIL who feeds her kids a diet of red dye, sugar and caffeine. My kids don't even know what kool-aid is! LOL. We do buy freezie pops once in a while for a treat by the pool at Granny's house, but that is maybe once a month during the summer. I also don't get the women who buy 100 candy bars, etc. even if they are free. But one thing I notice about the show is every time they say that it is the biggest trip the shopper has ever had, etc. So I don't think most of these people shop like this all the time.

I liked the woman who let her son's friends come in and 'shop" in her basement. I have spent a ton of money every year buying food for my classroom for my students. Yes, it's not usually healthy or natural stuff because it can't be refridgerated and it can't be nuts (my personal favorite natural snack). So I stick with cheese crackers, small bags of chips and sun chips, etc.

I have also found that my kids will eat cereal as "dessert." So sometimes I will use that coupon for cookie crisp cereal, and that is the dessert that week, LOL.

[lilyka]

This varies by store and who is paying to advertise through the catalina machine.  The ones at our store are done by catalina and do print out plenty of stuff that says "This is not a coupon"  Usually it is advertising for an upcoming discount.  Especially the "get $5 off your next purchase" coupons.  The two companies that do it the most are Kraft and General Mills.  So for example you will get a one that says "This is not a coupon!  Get up to $10 off your next general mills purchase between the dates of xxxx and yyyy  purchase 3 boxes and get $1 off, purchase 5 boxes and get $2 off...blah blah blah"  The if you come in those days and buy 20 boxes of cereal the machine will print out a coupon for $10 off your next grocery purchase.  It is very complicated and as a cashier I hated it LOL  it is good to know when and how to get those big "free money" coupons.

Originally Posted by bobcat 

mar123,

If it says, "this is not a coupon," it is probably not a catalina. 

[Amys1st]

As I said, I dont care how much you coupon nor am I judging you. The lady on the show cheating the system? Yep judging her and I think she is abusing the system and making it bad for people such as yourself who coupon and do it honestly. She is also making it bad for the person who ran to the store that day to buy mustard for dinner and lo and behold- no mustard! Why? Because Mrs Extreme had to buy it all for no one to use it. Yes, I find it disgusting and the way they buy everything up and store- that is some sort of mental issue. Just like hoarding. If your couponing is interfering with your family or worse the job that helps you provide for your family, that is one thing that needs to be addressed. But couponing to save some money for other things? That is why you use them. No I do not coupon because the way our lifestyle is, there is no reason for it. If you were here for a long while such as others, you would know about our famous co-ops, buying clubs etc that you can buy your organic and natural groceries at wholesale. Or planning with this in mind. I do that, so for me the extreme couponing is entertainment and something to talk about here. For you, it makes a difference month after month. And more power to you if you're doing it honestly.

Originally Posted by mar123 

Amy- yes, I do believe she was cheating; I have read those articles as well. I don't spend 30 hours a week couponing- I have a full time job and 3 kids and a husband. I just find it ironic that some people around here are so judgmental of people who use coupons. Yet these same people resent judgment for their own lifestyle choices. If someone is cheating the system, that is wrong and should be dealt with. otherwise, it isn't really anyone's business.

I have learned things from this show (although the show bugs me- the fake drama every time. UGH). I didn't know about stacking coupons, for example. I saved a bundle at Target because you can use their coupons with manufacturer coupons and Target has great coupons on their site. I am trying to save as much money as possible- 30%-50% is my goal.

[mar123]

Amy- I am aware of co-ops, just don't really have that option where I live. I envy those that do.

Also, when you use the term "you" in writing, I think you are spefically addressing the reader. When I am talking about people in general, I use 3rd person, not the term "you," so maybe there was misunderstanding when I read your post. I thought you were making assumptions about me, since you kept saying "you." Sorry if I misunderstood.

[Amys1st]

makes sense. BTW, MDC used to run co-ops but we stopped a few years back. I ran several for many years and they had a national presence. Places such as Frontier etc are great places to buy natural products at wholesale prices. Peace.