'Extreme Couponing': Still fascinating? Or annoying?

I LOATHE this show. I am a couponer, but in no way in the extreme form, and I teach others how to do what I do. There are just so many reasons why I hate this show and what it does to people like me. First of all, there is not a store in the universe that does not now have such strict rules and policies concerning coupons. There are limits to the number you can use, per shop, per person, per day. What this show demonstrates, is a sham as the average person can not, nor ever will be able to do what these people do. Yes, I realize that’s why it’s called extreme. In today’s economy, however, people ARE looking for ways to save money, so the IDEA of this show gives them hope that they too can start clipping coupons and have even similar results as these people on the show. What they do not realize is that they can not, nor ever will be able to save that much, as they very quickly learn that their store has a strict coupon policy, and you can not use a coupon for anything other than what is stated on the coupon. Far too often they become so overwhelmed and frustrated that the scenes I’ve seen some cause in stores is just heartbreaking. Second, as to the “hoarding” issue…remember that the show is called “extreme” couponing and in order to show the large “extreme’ FARCE of shops that they are showing where totals begin in the hundreds to thousands and end up next to nothing…they ONLY WAY to do that is buying hundreds of the same product as there are only so many different coupons that will net you free or nearly free items! It’s just plain ridiculous and yet another reason why I detest this show. I would so rather see an “extreme budgeting” show, where it shows a typical american family, who wisely spends their hard earned dollar, and yes, they can stretch that budget with the use of coupons and actually buy things that their family wants, needs, and uses. Yes, they can have a stock pile, that is proportional to the number of people living in their household and shows america that it is ok to have a small stock of non perishable items that a typical family uses. A show that shows how to EAT HEALTHY and reduce your grocery bill dramatically and practically and actually teaches you how to do that, rather than show someone who merely puts as many items as they can of whatever product they can get for free just so they can demonstrate amazing results at the register. Lastly, what I REALLY hate most about this show is the light it puts all of us couponers in. Not all of us are hoarders or determined to clear the shelves of product. Not all of us will simply get whatever we can just because it is free. Not all of us will use a coupon that is “in the family” but actually use the coupon for what product is specified on that coupon. It is because of this show that stores now have no choice but to become criminal investigators and interrogators at the check out line to make sure that you are using your coupons correctly and most often the experience makes you feel more like a criminal rather than a loyal shopper. When I started couponing 7 years ago, and I would walk in a store with my large coupon binder, most store employees as well as fellow shoppers ,would say, “wow, you’re organized and WOW you saved a lot of money”. Now, especially if I get a new cashier or manager, I most often hear “oh, you’re one of them.” Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean? Oh, I’m a savvy shopper who plays by all your rules, and stretches my hard earned dollar as far as I can, and I try to show others how to do what I do? I abide by your limit of 3 like coupons and 20 coupon limit per customer per day rule? YEP! You betcha I am! But, please, don’t ever insult me by calling me an “extreme” couponer, because THAT I am NOT.

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