Posted on 12/31/2010 5:24:06 AM PST by PJ-Comix
My expectations for Extreme Couponing were, to say the least, extremely high. As every child raised watching Supermarket Sweep and the less-superior-but-still-notable Shop Til You Drop, I have a great appreciation for retail-based programming.
I have to admit, however, that my initial impression of Extreme Couponing led me to believe it was a competitive show — a one-episode special of sorts. Incorrect. It was actually a profile of four individuals who had firm grasp on the art of grocery savings to an inspiring extent. (One woman filled her cart with more than $600 in merchandise and paid only $2.64 after coupons. A true American hero.) I even found myself running to grab this week’s circular out of the trash where I had just placed it, hoping to find a deal like those I’d just seen taken advantage of on the special. I found no such deal and was uninspired as quickly as I had found my desire to coupon, leading me to toss the dirty paper back into the receptacle with a “pfft” for good measure.
But the failure also gave me an idea: I want to learn how to do this.
While my initial desire was to see a show in which the extreme couponers compete to see who could save the most money, I’ve concluded that a simple show of versus would not be enough to put these people’s skill to use. (Yes, I’d count saving buckets of money a skill.) They should mentor others about couponing.
We have British ladies teach parents how to raise their kids. We have screaming muscled people teach us how to be skinnier. Why can’t these people be experts in the art of coupon savings and mentor us over-spenders? I’d seriously watch that. (Disclaimer: I’ve been known to watch some truly vile unscripted television.)
What do you think, PopWatchers? Did you watch Extreme Couponing? Would you watch more of this? And if so, how could TLC make this into a weekly show?
http://www.thegrocerygame.com/
I totally agree on the hoarding diagnosis.
I believe there is an increase in personality disorders in our society. Why else would there be at least 2 TV shows that I am aware of dedicated to hoarding, another dedicated to interventions, and another one about *strange addictions*? This doesn’t even touch all the programs devoted to obsessively observing the lifestyles of upper and upper-middle class *housewives* or of celebrities in the so-called reality shows. This is a form of voyeurism, IMO. I find it boring as can be, but it is certainly very popular. I believe it all substitutes for productive lives, just as the hoarding gets called *frugality*.
As for couponing, you would have to give it away. Who can possibly make use of dozens of boxes of dry cereal, for example? When we traveled for our business, doing trade shows, I would save all the hotel toiletries and donate those to abused women’s shelters.
THEN.... notice how when you buy certain products at a Walgreen's that you get "register rewards" --- on your sales slip you'll see the register rewards, they're printed on the back.
Frankly, I consider the idea of explaining these extreme couponing practices kind of similar to verbally explaining to someone else 'HOW TO WALK.'
lol -- inotherwords, you gotta jump in and get your feet wet.
There are LOTS of sites which explain the best Walgreen's deals, you can find them on google, but to understand the entire process you need to DO it.
Here are some explanatory articles from eHow.com, but they are a poor substitute for your own experimentation.
How to shop for free at Walgreens | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/how_4900719_shop-walgreens.html
How to get paid to shop at Walgreens
How to Save Money and get Free Stuff at Walgreens
How to Benefit From Walgreen's Register Rewards Program
How to Get Extremely Discounted Items at Walgreens
How to Find Walgreen Coupons
I've read that there is an epidemic of personality disorders nowadays, but of all things, I also recently read that ... I think it's the Brits... are deleting Narcissistic Personality Disorder as a diagnosis.
Perhaps that's because narcissism is so prevalent as a key trait in other personality disorders?
It seems to me that PJ-Comix is so experienced at couponing that they don't have multiple dozens of cereal boxes -- although they obviously ADORE pizza, LOL
I'm thinking that it would be nice to figure out how to get Extreme Deals on pet foods and pet products --- as the animal shelters all have such massive needs and long wish lists. I don't know whether many Extreme Coupon Deals exist for pet-stuff, but I'd be interested in learning about that.
The frozen milk in 8-oz. increments is brilliant, I’ve known people who simply freeze the entire bottle, but I much prefer the idea of single portion sizes. I’ll have to pick up an extra gallon, next time it’s on sale and do some experimenting.
Thanks!
A few months ago I picked up a TON of FREE Chef Michaels cans for a friend's dog and also for my sister-in-law's dog. The latter dog LOVED the stuff since she ATTACKED it hungrily. I also got her a lot of Whiska's for her cat for almost nothing. Ditto back in March when I picked up 3 lb bags of Good Life Recipe for cats.
My belief about deleting personality disorders from the diagnostic manuals (IIRC, the US is doing that, as well), is that there is no cure. Cognitive therapy helps, but it has to be ongoing and is expensive. Some meds for anxiety help some people, some of the time, to some degree, but, again, it isn’t a cure, per se.
I have no idea about pet food coupons, but some beef or pork producers who process their own animals for their own use might be willing to make a deal for liver and other offal and scraps. I am actually working on this for beef liver from a farmer, as we have discovered that liver perks up our elderly Akita to am amazing degree. His vet suggested fish oil, which I add in capsules when he has canned dog food, but I also give him canned mackerel (about $1.42 for a large can) as often as possible. He loves it!
My problem with freezing an entire bottle is, first of all, the space needed. Then, it can take a day or more to freeze solid and to defrost. Finally, the water will separate out and you have to make sure to mix it really well, once it it is defrosted.
There are only two of us and even a half-gallon will spoil before we get to use it all.
Just make sure to not fill the inner bag to the top. Expel all excess air and place the totally sealed bag with the milk inside another completely sealed bag. Defrost in the microwave for a few minutes, in increments, at 30% power. The outer bag is reusable, as is and the inner bag can be rinsed and reused. I have some that I froze in September and it is still fine.
They also try to use a coupon for both the initial purchase, and for anything bought with the Register Rewards.
Presumably, there also are still a few manufacturer's mail-in rebates around, too.
Here's official information from the Walgreens website:
As a customer-focused retailer, Walgreens encourages the use of coupons by our customers in our retail stores, in accordance ...
http://www.walgreens.com/topic/help/generalhelp/coupon_policy_main.jsp
Register Rewards | Walgreens
The Walgreens Jingle Ca$h coupon value cannot exceed the total purchase amount.
No cash back and no cash value for the Walgreens Jingle Ca$h coupon. ...
http://www.walgreens.com/topic/save-money/register-rewards.jsp
Baloney. I'm on other forums besides this one, ones with threads specifically for the weekly CVS deals. It's easy to get around CVS limits and the ones doing sales are hitting every store within a 50-mile radius just to get free stuff that they can sell later on.
No, I'm for people looking for a deal as opposed to those gaming the system.
Please sir, can I have some more????
http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/06/tlc-extreme-couponing-series/
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