So, do I feel like I am an EXTREME Couponer? Do I have a lots and lots of, well, stuff at my house?
What does it mean to be an Extreme Couponer VS Smart Living?
I believe my family and I are just regular people living smart. We coupon, garden, can, hunt. We also make our own laundry detergent and other thrifty projects.
I don't believe this is extreme couponing but Smart Living. We try to be as thrifty as we can and provide for our children. Some might call us "tight", I don't. We save where we want to save but then we might be able to spend more where we would normally not be able to do.
So, what would you consider yourself ... an Extreme couponer or Smart Living
Smart Living, is a great description.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Charlotte Mantia
House Springs, MO
I didn't know anything about extreme couponing until I watched you on the TLC show. I'm new to using more than just a couple grocery coupons a week--but I'm not new to smart living. I call it being a good steward. That's buying mostly what my family needs, with a few "wants" thrown in. Sometimes I think people see me as "weird" in the Dave Ramsey sense, or "tight" as you say. I've learned to see all I have as a blessing that has been entrusted to my care, not just meant for my consumption. I think hard before adding to my collection of blessings, whether it's food, books, clothing, toys, kitchen items, craft supplies--and I try to reduce, reuse, recycle as much as possible. I'm teaching my children to do the same too. I think using coupons is a good way to practice wise stewardship, as long as I use coupons for things I would buy anyway.
ReplyDeleteI just feel like I shouldn't pay full price if I can get something for less, or even free. I save, on average, about $100 a month with grocery coupons. I also use many coupons for restaurants & clothes which are not included in that total. I don't really have a "stockpile" but I have had as many as 15-20 deodorants or body washes at any given time. But, when I get that many, I just quit buying them for awhile. Money that we can save when shopping is just money we can use elsewhere. In this economy we need all the help we can get.
ReplyDeleteI also admired you on Extreme Couponing because you are not a hoarder like most of them. You buy what your family will use in a reasonable time period and you donate to local charities. This is wonderful. I have watched every episode of this show since it started & many of the people featured apparently only buy for their own needs and cannot possible use all of their items before their expiration dates. They seem to be organized hoarders to me.
Welp even though Im just starting to coupon again, I would consider trying to be a "smart mother shopper and teacher", I love the show anI dont wanna become a hoarder and I already weigh enough sooo all the processed foods wont be something that Im goin crazy for in the markets ~ lol thanks for all the tips ~wish you lived closer so I could go with yaaa while learning first hannd on how to really get the savings you are
ReplyDeleteI just started couponing again however, I would not consider myself an Extreme Couponer. I only purchase things I know I will use or someone in my family will use. My plan is to donate to "HALO", our local (Salisbury, MD) charity. They help so many people in need and anthing I can do to help is always welcome. Once I fully understand some of the "in's and out's" of couponing my goal is to teach other thru HALO how to get the maximize their food budget.
ReplyDeletei just started couponing! I, like many others I am sure the show and were inspired. My husband medically retired from the Army last year and since then we have been living hand to mouth, and really struggling to make ends meet. I am Australian and new ever really understood the whole coupon in the paper thing until i saw the show and have read your blog! I have always shopped at Yard Sales and Thrift Stores so i think that couponing will become just one more part of the smart living that I implement in our home and want to teach our children.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Amy for this blog! I have been couponing now for a couple of weeks the only stores I have nearby are Food Lion, Harris Teeter and the Commissary. I have been trying really hard to not 'get it without a coupon' but honestly its been hard getting this going. How long did it take before you had a system in plan to coupon for all your groceries?
Your blog has been such a blessing to me and kept me sticking at it, I saved $100 already this month! :)
Thankyou so much and GOD BLESS
I love watching your episode on extreme couponing! I've watched it a couple times on Netflix looking at your organization method.
ReplyDeleteExtreme couponing? I don't think I am an extreme couponer....but, I will buy items in large quantity if it is a really good deal and it is an item we use. That being said, I use coupons every single time I go grocery shopping.