Our Extreme Shopping Trip Purchases
I once read a post about couponing etiquette when I was first couponing. It made such a big difference for me to understand the “rules” of couponing. There was also a Do’s and Dont’s of couponing that was really good reading when I first started. Someitmes you make mistakes as a beginner and you learn from your lessons, but when you continue to do the same things over and over you can no longer claim that you “didn’t know” it was wrong.
Recently, there has been more and more cracking down on illegal coupon use, and it is a good thing. Fraudulent use of coupons hurts all couponers and consumers. There are so many good deals out there that there is no need to use coupons in a way that they were not intended for.
It is possible to “extreme” coupon and follow even strict coupon policies. For our shopping trip we followed the following guidelines that are the store policy where we shop:
- We purchased no more than 10 of any item.
- We doubled and tripled 1 (one) like coupon.
- We did not pre-order anything.
This was a very realistic and achievable shopping trip that anyone would be able to do. The difference that the doubles and triples made on my receipt was $5.15. So if your store does not double or triple your total would have been $11.12 and not $5.97 (mine). The difference on Paul’s was $4.59.
There is no need to do anything fraudulent to achieve these results! Here are the 2 most important things that I believe in as a couponer, thanks to Cincy Savers.
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Leave some behind (don’t clear shelves)
While I may talk about buying 20 packages of oatmeal during a sale, I don’t buy them all at once. I make sure my store has plenty in stock for other shoppers by making multiple trips or special ordering through the store manager. Being fair to the stores and other shoppers means that other shoppers won’t get mad at the store. This helps both the store and the other shoppers and is just good practice.
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Use coupons for products they’re intended for
If a coupon says $1 off two, buy two. If it’s a coupon for 12 ounces only, buy the 12 ounce, not the 8 ounce, even if the cashier or register doesn’t catch the discrepancy. Don’t use Swiffer coupons on diapers. All these are a form of misredeption and coupon fraud which costs manufacturers and stores millions every year. In essence, if you know the coupon you’re using isn’t being redeemed properly, it’s the same as shoplifting.
Extreme couponing is a fun and great way to stretch your families budget. It is an awesome feeling to have the confidence to know, that if something were to happen to my husband, and we had to live off my income alone that I would be able to take care of my children. But, I believe that if you abuse it, it will all go away.
Part comedian, part Dad, part athlete. He will boss around your children while they play ball.
Just as angelic as she looks, this girl could easily raise a Village by herself, and all the children would grow up to be President.
Self proclaimed, she would be a webkinz dog. Because, "they're cute, and puppies are too. And they're sweet and they always get along with other puppies."
This mini-Martha Stewart can handle ANY craft you send her way. She isn't all bows and rainbows, she's got karate kid moves!
Not "Pick-Me-Up" like caffeine, she wants you to pick her up! AND NOW!
Anything that can be destroyed WILL be destroyed!
Practically Perfect in Every Way for now! Nicknamed "The Panda" she is rolly polly and lives by the motto, "the little one, is KING!"
The resident Labradoodle, Miller got his name because Mom won and got to name the baby! Need something chewed up? He'll take care of it. Especially if it's expensive..
Amen! Well said Tiffany.. Well said!
Thanks so much for writing this post. I am just now learning of the “mess” people are speaking about. And honestly I agree with you!
No use in price matching 80 something cans of 8 dollar planters nuts, for 1.99 then using $2 off coupons. Then LAUGHING when you tell someone it’s only for the Deluxe not the regular can they have in the basket to price match.
This happened in my local Wal-Mart. It was a hott mess.
Thanks for all of the information Tiffany. I agree that we shouldn’t abuse the policy’s and we should leave product for our fellow couponers. Most of us learn to coupon from a fellow couponer so we should support each other when we find a great deal.
Well said Tiffany!
Great post! When I saw someone decide to clear the shelf because they could, it ticked me off! I made plenty of mistakes in the beginning and shoot, just recently made a mistake that I didn’t catch until later and that was noted and now I’m more careful than ever! Coupon fraud, dishonesty, and clearing of shelves is just plain wrong!
Agreed, well said Tiffany!
What a mess. I am glad you are speaking up about it.
By the way, I loved your rotating shelves.
Hugs,
Brittany
Like!!!!
Excellent post Tiffany! Loved your segment on Extreme Couponing. Looks like you’ve mastered the art of saving and having fun while doing it!
I wish everyone took ten or less of an item. Just my opinion. Thanks for the post. I was so happy to see your trip. It looks so much more like the trips I make to the store, although not as large. LOL On a side note, you have a beautiful family!
Great post!! I am going to link to it for my readers. Every one should use common sense when couponing. We all want to save but we don’t need to do it at the expense of our reputation. Play fair and everyone wins at the couponing game.
Excellent points! I agree that there is nothing more frustrating than when someone clears a shelf and doesn’t leave anything for anyone else. Unless there are only a few products on the shelf already, I always try to leave some for others, so that their everyday needs don’t suffer for my stockpiling!
I just wish that some of the other people who were featured on TLC had read this post before they did that show…
This was well written!
I loved that you write this and I completely understand why you did it and I’m glad you did. I just wrote a post about all this drama and linked back to this article, too. I love how you have all of your kids involved, too!
I was introduced to your website about 5 months ago and check it on daily basis since you always have new posts. After your tv appearance I now find myself checking it throughout the day at work. I am hooked on couponing and look forward to see what deals I can get at stores.
I love the picture you posted. How do you get coupons for fresh vegetable and fruits. I see you bought several cantaloupes.
Can you please break it down for us newbies? How did you get all of that for $5.97??? I want to be you when I grow up! Lol!
I will post what I bought next week!
You go girl! 🙂
I can’t believe it! I was getting suspicious you were on Extreme Couponing that night when I saw your deleted post, but you had deleted it so I couldn’t open it; I just saw the preview on my reader! I had no idea! I am so excited for yoU! I had mixed up the dates and missed the show! I keep checking the tv guide for it to rerun, I can’t wait to see you on tv!!!! CONGRATULATIONS TIFF!!!!!!!!!
I wish this would’ve been more of a topic on extreme couponing. I didn’t watch it, but it got AWFUL reviews in all the couponing blogs I visit. All I could think of when I would read negative comments about you is, they obviously didn’t feature the same Tiffany I know!
Yesterday I got a really annoyed cashier and I’m starting to understand why some really hate anyone couponing. I didn’t say anything and hadto take my coupons to customer service. But I definitely understood her frustration. Btw, I wasn’t doing any of the “don’t”s.
The show was wonderful, and your kids are soooo good! I am actually GLAD they showed on the same show, who to use as a mentor and who NOT to try and be like. Simply stated, some people have class, some do not! I can’t tell you how many people in the almost 2 years I have been reading your blog that I have said “If you want to know how to do it read this blog!” :o) Keep up the great work!
Great, GREAT post Tiffany 🙂 You and the family were great on the show! I’m grateful for all you do for us 🙂
Very cute family! You represented the couponers well on the show. The stockpile in the kid’s room was not for my tastes, but I have 4 of my own and like to keep the essentials on hand.
If you could only double or triple one like coupon how did you get your total so low? Just curious I have a store that triples 3 like coupons (20 per day) and there is no way I could get that much for so little.
I live in a suburb of Fort Worth and am so frustrated when I try to go get some of the specials at Walgreen’s etc. Not only is there some lady that clears the shelves first thing Sunday morning, the store personnel cannot stand her and when they try to limit her, she throws a fit and starts yelling. I’ve had girls from several of the WG’s on this side of town tell me about her.
Does she help others with her loot? Of course not. SHE ACTUALLY OPENS HER GARAGE UP EVERY WEEKEND AND SELLS THE STUFF!
Wow!
Well said Tiffany. I wasn’t able to watch you on TLC but heard about thru WeUseCoupons forum.
Thanks SO much for being an ETHICAL couponer!
i have a lot of respect for you…you are doing this for your children, not because you want to be able to go out and have drinks with the girls. the extreme couponing show where the lady bought 77 containers of mustard all at one time was disgusting, and she seemed like a selfish person…that is my opinion.
All of the forums I visit are buzzing with the girl who was committing coupon fraud. (none of which are coupon forums btw) and I keep pointing everyone here so they can see there is an honest way to do it. Thanks for being so awesome 🙂
I agree ans who really needs 72 bottles of mustard ??? …lol
Thanks for showing that it can be done legally, Tiffany!
You did an awesome job on the show. I am so glad I found your blog and I heart the mart! I have couponed hardcore for years and you both have some great ideas!! Thank you for showing everyone what couponers are really like!
I finally got around to watching TLC’s Extreme Couponing shows this evening and out of the 4 new couponers I felt you and Paul were the only normal ones and that what you did, I could do and you did it without cheating. Thank you! My sister & I are drooling over your 14 lbs of beef!
Thank you Tiffany (and Paul). I have 6 children (5 boys, 1 girl) and have been couponing for 6 months or so. I was blesssed to see you not only do an incredible shopping trip but, to be raising kids with RESPECT and integrity as a couponer. WTG!! Thanks for all you both do! 🙂
I love your motto! I wish everyone lived by it… WHY does someone need 100 tooth brushes purchased at one time is beyond ME!
I don’t know 🙂 I buy 10, we have 9 people brushing teeth in our house!
Thank you for this post. TLC needs to re-edit your episode and put you with someone else’s trip so more can see how to ethically and LEGALLY coupon. My guess is that your episode won’t be shown again because of who was on first.
you are telling me!
Tiffany I am so glad you teach and follow these rules. Since the TLC show came out it’s made me a little nervous that policies might change and not in the consumer’s favor. I am all for others learnig to save through couponing as I have been for a few years but when they see someone buying 100 of something and clearing the shelf, it doesn’t put us as the consumer in a good light and gives others the impression taht’s okay. So…with that said, kudos for teaching ethics!
I missed your show =( I’m just so amazed at the level of savings. My jaw is usually on the floor by the time the register is done ticking. But, the time commitment scares me given the shows that I have seen. It seems they made a career out of it. I just don’t have that time… plus, it already takes me a few hours each week to cut coupons, meal plan and create the list.
I’m so glad you posted this. One extreme couponer on TLC completely cleared the shelves even though on her blog she said she never does. and it was something that her hubby doesn’t even eat. I could have easily cleared the shelves at of Nivea Body Wash at Walmart. Instead I bought only four bottles. This left about 20 bottles on the shelf.
Maybe I am being rude to point this out, but by the picture you’ve got way more than 10 toothpastes and more than 10 cans of peanuts! Just saying…this doesn’t look like a good example!
My husband and I made the same transaction. There are actually 9 peanuts and 18 toothpaste. How does it not look like a good example?
Tiffany thank you for setting such a good example of how to find out the rules and follow them. Rachel you are a prime example of someone who speaks before checking the fact. If you would have watched the show (available online) you would have seen that Tiffany and her husband did two diffrent transaction with identical items. If you still have trouble that is 10 + 10 items = 20