I’m sure if you didn’t watch it, you’ve heard about the new show on TLC called Extreme Couponing.  Ironically, saving lots of money while using coupons is supposed to be something positive, right?   These people have apparently taken couponing to a whole other level, and “extreme” doesn’t quite do it justice!

“Savvy Savers” is a term that has popped up several times over the past 24 hours, but from the collective feedback of the show, “Hoarders in Disguise” seems to be the appropriate term for the stars of this show.

You know, it’s one thing to save money for your family for the things to use and need, right?  Sure, we can all use toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc., but where do you draw the line?

Let’s just say I’m flipping through the coupon pages and sale papers.  Today, I see that there is a $0.75 off coupon for a $2.99 box all in one cake/icing mix.  Good deal, right?  Sure, maybe for someone who is in the market to purchase something like that!  We don’t buy those things.  At this point, if I take the manufacturer up on it’s offer, I haven’t saved $0.75!  I’ve just spent $2.99.

I think couponing can be great for some people, but you’ve really got to be careful on what you’re buying, or you’re not really saving anything!  I’ve known many people who have used coupons wisely and to their advantage.

Stockpiling can be a great thing, if you’re going to use it, but if you’re stockpiling on top of the stockpile you already have, is that healthy?

There are not always coupon options for those of us who chose to shop for fresh foods or organic foods.  A lot of coupons that are out there, food wise, are usually for highly processed or sugar laden product – convenience foods that I don’t buy into.

If you’re going to coupon, be smart about it! I’m all for using coupons if it’s actually saving your money.  Being frugal is one thing, but couponing for the sake of saving a dime is another.   There’s no sense in spending $3 just to save $0.75 on something you’ll never use!