SHARK BITES – Extreme Couponer vs. Extreme Hoarder – There’s No Right or Wrong
Extreme Couponer vs. Extreme Hoarder:
It’s always a good thing when one can snag free items by using coupons. However, some folks can go above and beyond, to a point where couponing takes over their lives and their home. In today’s economy, and due to the highly televised ‘Extreme Couponing’ on TLC, it seems almost everyone is or plans to try extreme couponing.
When is Enough… Enough?:
I know many of us like to see our refrigerators, cabinets, and storage areas full of products. Let’s face it— we are proud to have taken a “bite out of our wallets”! One can never have enough products. Or, can we? For instance, non-food items like paper towels, toilet paper, laundry and dish detergent, toothbrushes and toothpaste are definite must haves. But, how much is enough? Do we need to score 20 bulks of 20 rolls of toilet paper in one haul? Do we need to clear off shelves just to get our budget down to zero? There is so much controversy behind couponing. However, at the end of the day, people will buy what they want to buy.
Has Anyone Ever Called You a Hoarder?:
Have you found yourself satisfied in bringing home haul after haul, from your couponing experiences, and then look around and see you’re now entering your children’s rooms, or husbands closet space to put your products up, due to no more “regular storage space”? Has anyone ever called you a hoarder, because so much space has been taken over with products from couponing? Is it a great bargain, if you have been asked these questions? If you’ve answered yes… do you think you should revise your couponing strategies? It all depends on preferences and your ultimate goal, so there is no right or wrong answer.
To Strategize or Not To Strategize: That Is the Question
Coupon strategizing can take up a lot of your personal time. And, for all the hard work to prepare for a shopping haul, one wants to reap the rewards with a brag or two right? After all, your stockpile has gotten bigger and you’ve saved tons of money! What’s the downside though? After all the work of gathering, sorting, and cutting coupons, researching sales papers, going shopping early in the morning or over night— just to score a big haul— does it benefit you overall? Did you have to buy products you normally would not use, but did just to get a deal? Do you lose time with your family, or lose sleep after you have worked 40 hours in a week? Is it all worth it just to have bragging rights? Of course, we can never have enough toilet paper. But, have you asked yourself if you really need 50 bottles of ketchup at once just because you know of a great deal? If you are a couponer who gives to charities like local food banks, then it makes sense to get a lot of products at once. There is no right or wrong answer. It really just depends on what you feel works best for you and your family.
The Stores Are On To Us:
Have you noticed a lot of store coupon policies have changed drastically over the past year? Do you feel the great exposure from the television show Extreme Couponing may have caused this to happen? Do you see new couponers at the checkout totally messing up their transactions? Have you noticed the cashiers taking their time, because they do not want to get in trouble by pushing a coupon through? It seems there is such a backlash that stores are revamping their policies, so they no longer lose out on so much money. With all this inevitable revamping, even the most seasoned extreme couponers strategizing abilities are a bit more difficult than usual. Some stores no longer have double coupon days. Some stores will not accept printed coupons, or limit the amounts printed. Any rule can change at any given moment. So, it is up to you, the consumer, to be very clear of the stores rules with EVERY SHOPPING TRIP. It sucks to be at the register, and unbeknownst to you, your transactions do not end up like you expected. And, it really… really… sucks, when you have to spend more money than expected.
Just a Thought or Two:
Maybe with all the ins and outs of couponing, one should just buy what is needed rather than just buying to be buying, because a product is on sale. Over time, it takes over your homes space, and then you are back to square one— no space and friends calling you a hoarder. It’s up to you to take heed, or simply laugh it off. After all, it’s your home! Also a side note, I am a huge fan of donating excess products you have laying around the house. Whenever possible, pickup what you can and donate — a little donation goes a long way.
I hope any and all your shopping trips are successful.
Remember to always take a “bite” out of your wallet when shopping, and leave your shopping experience as a ‘Savvy Sharky” winner!
P.S. Sharky Poll: Do you think you’re more of a savvy shopper or a hoarder? I’m looking forward to your answers and any feedback. 🙂
~Sharky
What is “Shark Bites”? Shark Bites is a money-saving tips series here on FreebieShark that aims to help you and your family get the most out of your money. “Shark Bites” posts are both educational and straight to the point. Just another way FreebieShark is helping you save!
