Extreme Couponing: Getting Started
You probably have heard about extreme couponing through the TLC show of the same name. While the methods employed by people on the show are extreme to the point of being pathological and more than inconsiderate to others, you can employ some of these techniques in healthy moderation to achieve some savings.
First, get a copy of your local Sunday newspaper and go to the coupon section. Collect all the coupons on items that you would consider purchasing at some time. Don’t bother with items that you don’t really want or need. You can’t save money by buying items that you don’t need!
Now organize these coupons according to the expiration date. Some may expire in 30 days, but some may be good for an entire year. You don’t have to spend them right away. Sometimes you can use the coupon in conjunction with another offer for a really good deal, so it can be helpful to wait. You should also consider the store policies where you plan to use the coupon. PriceChopper, for example, has the recently instituted the policy to double manufacturer’s coupons! This can be a great deal!
Organize your coupons according to the type of product so that when you go to the store you can efficiently find a coupon for a particular product. A little bit of planning here can save you a lot of time. Your time is valuable too, so don’t waste it unnecessarily.
Some sites tell you to collect tons of papers and to go through them all. I would suggest doing what is comfortable to you. Again, if you end up spending 20 hours a week couponing, you are wasting time that could be spent improving your financial situation by taking on a part-time job or taking classes at your local college.
Clip away and save yourself some money!