Before Extreme Couponing

Before all the Hype and Publicity of Extreme Couponing, other have been couponing for years upon years. Now you see couponers and their big ol binders everywhere! Stores have become more strict with their coupon policies, and cashiers have become (sometimes) a bit more rude in thinking “you’re one of them”. Just in the past three years, I have noticed such a dramatic change in shopping. Coupon values are not as high, coupons are not as great, and deals seem harder to come by. Do you agree?
Now I have been couponing on my own for over 5 years now. I have been around couponing my whole life! My mom has always couponed. And not just the few coupons here and there. My mom has always shopped using tons and tons of coupons. For as long as I can remember I used to tag along for long shopping trips, separated orders, catalinas, and more. I can even remember her going back into the store for money owed to her, even for $0.50!! Coupons allowed my mother to be a stay at home mom. Now coupons allow me to be a stay at home mom, and I am grateful!

extreme couponing

“This is the act of engaging in really dramatic “above-and-beyond” coupon activities”

Okay, in all seriousness…..I think everyone should coupon! And to each their own! We all can have our own opinions 🙂 😉

Now Before Extreme Couponers became so popular, Jill Cataldo was shopping and using coupons too! Here is what she calls “super couponing”. Jill shops the way I do. I don’t just buy junk food (common misconception of couponers) with my coupons. There are tons of coupons all over for healthy products as well! She also doesn’t seem to buy 100 of something just because there was a coupon to get it free. I am all for free items, believe me! But when you are getting way more than you or your family can possibly go through in a reasonable time, I honestly think it is a bit much. And believe me, I know the feeling! I still have feminine pads I got free when I first started couponing! But the difference is that I stopped buying that item now (even if I have coupons to get them free!). The great thing about coupons is the sales and coupons usually cycle and come again!

Is this what your stockpile looks like?? If so, that’s fine. But mine does not! First off … I typically only have a top of 10 items of the same at a time. With a couple exceptions of a couple products we use all the time. I personally look at pictures of stockpiles like this and think….those shelfs cost some money! (LOL…just how I think!) I do have shelves, but only a couple. They are the cheapest kind (of course, do you know me?!) and I toss things in re used boxes.

Watch the Clip above of Jill Cataldo shopping using $50 that ABC Nightline gave her to shop with.
This was a challenge between her and another couponer, Mr. Coupon. Watching this clip you can clearly see the difference between the two shoppers. Be sure to notice the different items in each cart. Who do you shop like??

You can often find coupons for produce, and other healthy food items!

Click Here to Head on over to Jill Cataldo’s Webpage and check her out! She is very informational and knows her stuff!

*This purpose of this post is to bring light to others that not everyone that coupons is like the ones you see on “that show’.  Not all coupons are just for junk food! And a lot of us are simple and buy items our family uses every day!

Either way you coupon is fine 🙂 Like I said, to each their own, and this is just mine 🙂 Thanks! Kristy