TLC’s Extreme Couponing Season 2 starts tonight. As most of you know Tiffany (MyLitter), and I were the premiere episode for the first full season. I can honestly say that I thought we were portrayed accurately and that I feel we represented the Coupon Community well. Our Team Mustard Co-Star, well…was the epitomy of everything we hate about the show. I fancy myself as an eternal optomist and try to make the best of every situation, so please keep that in mind when I am talking about Extreme Couponing. I want to take a look at why so many people HATE Extreme Couponing and why so many people LOVE it. I will attempt to separate fact from fiction.
What people that LOVE the show see:
They see a group (of what can be described as normal or average Americans) that go to the store and get items that they spend tens of thousands of dollars a year on for basically the cost of a Big Mac Meal. I can admit that none of us on Extreme Couponing come across as the brain that is needed to figure out how to cure cancer. That is basically all they see. They think to themselves: “Really? If those 2 morons who can’t figure out why they have seven kids can save all that money, I know I can do it.” That may be a bit EXTREME , but they definitely want to try and save some money.
Reality Check:
These are EXTREME trips! In our season you heard person after person say this is our biggest trip ever. The idea is to show what is possible, figure out what is right for your family and give couponing a shot. Read some reputable blogs, clip some coupons, be patient, and save your family some money. It’s free, why not?
What people that HATE it see:
The biggest group of people that loathe Extreme Couponing are Deal Bloggers and couponers. When I say Deal Bloggers, I do not mean the people that started a blog because they were on the show. Example, the woman on the Today Show who pimped her blog that was started today. She will no doubt have 15,000 FB fans as soon as she can manage to figure out how to get it on Blogger. I am talking about the people who write blogs that the people on Extreme Couponing rely on to get their deals from before they start their own and then continue to post the deals they find on Deal Bloggers sites.
Extreme Couponing shows person after person clearing shelves using hundreds of coupons and paying next to nothing for it. It shows people with enormous stockpiles of products that are impossible to use before the product will expire. For the most part, Extreme Couponing portrays the coupon community as people with borderline hoarding mentalities and other OCD issues. The fact that it was followed by “Hoarders” was not an accident or coincidence. The biggest problem of all is that they see an enormous increase in competition for deals from new couponers that for the most part have ZERO clue about coupon etiquette or regard for the welfare of their fellow shoppers. They also see every person on the show that had never even had a blog now has a Facebook page with 15,000 likes on it.
Reality Check:
These same Bloggers the are repulsed by Extreme Couponing have been working frantically for weeks on every SEO trick they can muster or buy to capture the frenzy of search engine traffic that will commence this evening.
Closing Thoughts:
I am probabaly a lot like you, I Lovehate Extreme Couponing (I invented a new word). Couponing is wonderful and in many cases an extremely important necessity for people to be able to place food on the table for their families. I am inspired by the people that tell me everyday how I help them, and they don’t know how they would be able to survive without all the deals and coupons that we help them find. We are in awe of thousands of people that have attended our coupon classes and want to learn the right way to coupon. We LOVE all of you and are truly honored to serve you. The problem is the super minority of people that think they “deserve” free stuff. They look at coupon fraud as a victimless crime and rationalize their actions with thoughts of “the manufacturers can afford it”. Let me assure you, your actions do have consequences. Coupon policies have changed and will change to adapt to those that abuse them. It may take a while for the beast to catch on, but when he does, he is bigger, badder, smarter and far more EXTREME than you could ever hope to be. Your actions and consequences will not only effect you. If coupons ever stop getting produced, newspapers will shut down, food banks will close and children will go hungry. That may seem a bit dramatic, it is a true statement.
I encourage everyone to coupon, PLEASE do it ethically and honestly. Take your time to learn your store policies and read your coupons. There are plenty of deals and coupons out there if everyone does it the right way.
Join Me on Facebook tonight to discuss and comment live on the Premier of TLC’s Extreme Couponing!
I’ll be watching 😉 Just because Carla and Amanda are from my area and I attended one of their coupon classes 🙂
Paul-I liked you and Tiffany on the show because you are realistic shoppers. You showed how things affect couponing (policy change), all the hard work that goes into it and your trips were completely reasonable for good couponers.
You have saved me so much money. I could not afford all my meds if I did not use your blog and a few others.
I wish TLC would show realistic people so people can learn how to coupon correctly. My stores have all changed policy and I know I for one am paying the price of the new couponers who are unethical-shelves at my stores are cleared by Sunday 9am, cashiers are scared to accept coupons, etc.
I would watch if TLC would show more “Paul and Tiffanys” than Mustard queens. Until then, I won’t watch.
Wow! You have 7 kids? Man, I can barely keep up with my 3. Kudos to you and your wife. Love this site. I used to hate Walmart.
I’m watching your episode right now and your family is most definitely not doing anything negative like these other mustard shelve clearers! You have a large family so you go ahead ! And I love your site!! Thanks so much for sharing with us.
I just have to say that yes Extreme Couponing is the reason I found your site and the reason I follow you. But its because you and Tiffany were the ONLY legitimate people on the show. I wanted to start couponing and start saving money but not like a krazy insane person clearing shelves and dumpster diving! Needless to say I love the legit way and I never clear shelves I only get enough for my lil family and it has helped us so much! So much in fact that we were able to save up enough money to go buy a new car this month! BTW I definitly shopped around for a car and we’re getting one heck of a deal after discounts and alot of research Thank you so much Tiffany and Paul!!
*BTW perhaps you and Paul could start a lil weekly video or something educating people on the real legite way to coupon from making your list strategizing, and all the things that Extreme Couponing doesnt show. I know I for one would love something like that. 😉
Whoops! You and Tiffany not you and Paul haha! Sorry I recommended the same thing to your wife and must have forgot to switch the names ;D
I won’t be watching, not because I am a hater, but just because I have never watched that show before and learned to follow a select few people like you on facebook to teach me when and how to find deals. Now I find I can do the same locally and help out people I know, not by being extreme couponers, but by paying attention and waiting for the right time!
I for one will not watch the show. I really think that the people on season two have been so sensationalized it is sickening. Even Lowes Foods, that is on my area, has said they wish they hadn’t allowed them to film for this season. I appreciate all that you do. My husband and I both lost our jobs due to work being transferred overseas. Our income now is 1/5 of what it was before and we have tapped out all of our savings. Kudo’s to you and the other legit sites. We aren’t eating ramen noodles every meal because of how your site has helped us learn to economize by couponing and our pets are happily fed as well…they send their love <3 for that. And a big thanks to all of you other shoppers that play fair as well. I mean really, is she going to bathe in all of that mustard?
Just finished watching a rerun of one of the shows. Are we so determined to get our few minutes of fame that we forget something important? Coupons or no coupons I tried my best to get my daughter to eat as healthy as possible. Yes she had sweets, but in moderation. The show I just watched had a mother of 6 year old twins. I watched her buy over 100 assorted candies. She was even showing her kids how to “save money” by buying them “BOGO”. Today so many kids don’t eat right. Mostly it’s junk food. We complain about their weight, then go buy chips, cookies, sodas and candy for them. I don’t care if it’s “my biggest trip ever”. Stop and think of what your teaching your kids. Yes, I coupon. And no I wouldn’t buy something like that just to be on a show. If they are going to keep airing the show, they need to have more realistic people on it. And show them buying as they normally would.
Thank you for this site! I have taken your class in Richmond TX and really enjoyed it. I coupon ethically and never clear a shelf! I have also taught a lot of my mommy friends, neighbors, and cousins to coupon THE RIGHT WAY. So, you taught me, and I teach many more…the correct way of couponing gets passed along!
My husband and I agree that your appearance on Extreme Couponing was the ONLY real portrayal of real couponing. You did not clear shelves, you did not buy 100’s of one item, you actually grocery shopped for FOOD that you and your children will consume in a good amount of time. You also got your coupons the right way, by purchasing newspapers. This is one of the main reasons why I follow your blog and your wife’s blog. You are both honest and respectable. Thank you for showing everyone the right way to do it!
Well I am not in your area but I still follow your blog and wanted to say THANK YOU for all your hard work. I will say that many on the EC show are not who they seem to be. For instance there was a lady from Florida (my area) on the show that was saying she does it all for God and her blog shows the same sayings, however my mom works at the local WalMart and when this lady comes in every shudders. If she does not get her way she screams and threatens to call corporate and have someone fired. Im sorry but if you are doing this for God, in this economy why would you try to get someone fired for telling you that you cant use a certain coupon? Also at her classes she tells everyone to look for vague coupons, such as she tried to use the recent Vicks Coupon on Puffs w/ Vicks. When the manager told her NO, she said Heads were going to roll over this when she called corporate. Sorry to vent but its people like this that make me hate the show and makes it hard on those of us who try to do it the right way to save our family money
Couponing and deals should be done ethically and unfortunately this show describes how to abuse the system and be excessive. I am not a hater as I support the whole couponing movement – saving money is always good, hoarding is not! Keep up the good fight on educating people on the right way to coupon 🙂
Thank you for this post Paul, very well said. I wish people did not have the negative attitude to couponers. I decided to do a blog because since our pricing is so higher here in the San Francisco Bay Area I’m with April, I wish TLC would show people who do a normal shopping run.
I must tell you Paul, that I taught a coupon class here in Northern California last weekend and after it was over a women asked for a refund because I did not teach how to shop like they do on the show. She most likely is one of the people here who are steling newspapers for the coupons and don’t know how to use them.
But must say again, thanks to you and Tiffany for taking the time letting us know about the deals at the Mart and other stores.
I think TLC has gone down hill in general all they care about is the dramatic factor. The more crazy bizarre weirdo drama the more people watch it I guess. I for one don’t it kinda freaks me out, like strange addictions that show straight up scares me! TLC has just gotten too drama happy!
I have started calling TLC The Ludicrous Channel instead of The Learning Channel. I agree that the episode that you and Tiffany did was more realistic. I will watch the show. So far I have liked the first part of the show where the couponer contributes food to her church
I am watching… and will also be on the show soon… I hope they portray me the way that I want to be viewed as well…we will see 🙂
Melissa, It is expected that when you use a deal you found on a site that you will link back to them. the pet pads are my original deal. I see where you copied it from KCL, who got it from me. You NEVER cut and paste. That is called hotlinking and will really upset people and it costs them money if you do it with pictures. I am not yelling just trying to be helpful.
I just watched one episode, really if I bought 100 candy bars I would eat them all!
I by no means want to be a shelf clearer or get 20 of the same item but getting 4 or so of particular items I use alot would be nice. I am starting to somewhat understand the concept of coupons. However, how do people get so many of the same coupons??? I don’t understand! Coupons.com and such only let you print one or two. Confused and eager to learn … any guidance would be greatly appreciated!! I love your site, so grateful for it! Thanks in advance!
On the show one woman said she has five computers so she can print 10 of each site coupon. This is the same woman who said the foreclosures in her neighborhood were good to her because she was able to take the newspapers from the driveways. And that’s just one woman!
Will I watch it? No way. I’d rather have my head sewn to the carpet. These people are greedy, disgusting, shelf-clearing hoarders.
And no, I don’t own a blog.
I agree! and I don’t own a blog either!
Well said!!! Some of them are so so greedy like the twin sisters who hoarded diapers even though they don’t even have any kids.
Tilly, these twins remind me of the teen boy who had coupons for maxis with wings and baby formula and he kept it all in a huge room. I think these twins and him should donate it all to a women’s shelter because all of it is going to go to waste!
I love how they always say they are religious but do things unethical. that’s religion for you.
Like this one lady in Season 01 who said she got all the coupons from God. Yeah, like God wants her to be greedy.
I love watching the show; the reason I do it is because I believe in saving on my grocery bill. I only do it for the products that I need for my household; not for the products that I have seen people buy to the extreme. The main thing is to shop using not only coupons but also ad matching as well to get the best deals possible. It will continue to be a lifestyle for families for years to come. Just do it legally and fairly like many of us.
i did not watch because it is not how things work…there are limits and this is not realistic…my store is getting so picky now…people are also shelf clearing…quite discouraging…
I was very annoyed by the lady who declared herself a “shelf clearer” and laughed about it saying “They should have got here before me” Most of the time it seems those people dont even use the item and either donate it or use it as a money maker to get other items for free. There are many people like you said who coupon bc they HAVE to in order to feed their family. These “shelf clearers” are taking away from people who really need it. The most I have ever taken of any item is 6 and I think it was those free 4 packs of dishwasher packs.
One of my favorite places to shop is Hyvee and I am very happy that they limit items to 2 or 4 per person. This makes it fair – although I have still shown up on the second day of a sale to see empty shelves and no rainchecks. :/
That woman actually disgusts me. It’s people like her that causes people to have have a negative impact on those of us who actually use coupons legally and ethically.
I seriously would like to know what stores let those people use that many coupons at one time. I don’t care for the show because it makes ALL couponers look like that.. It’s disgusting really.
I’ve watched the show a few times when it first came out.. I don’t watch it anymore and for those who do.. shame on you!
I only watched a part of the first episode and was so turned off that I stopped watching and never have since. I don’t understand why anyone would want to be associated with a show that makes being greedy, selfish and dishonest look ok! I did not see you and Tiffany but from what I hear you did fine but I think if I had been on that show I would be ashamed to be associated with it in any way (just my opinion). I think we’ve coined a new phrase “organized hoarding”! These people need help…just because everything is neatly arranged doesn’t mean it’s not hoarding!
I was so excited when this show started, but after the first two shows I stopped. The fact that people are so greedy is beyond me. I use coupons to get by, and if I do not need the product, I could care less if its free, I do not get it. Someone else might actually use it. We are a family of 5 and I am not the best on food, but I am pretty good on the rest. I could be better. The fact that these people get an excessive amount and it just sits in their basement is foul. I only get 2 newspapers a week. That gives me plenty of coupons and if there happens to be a great deal, I can get 2 of them, but I am leaving stuff on the shelf for my other couponers. For a family of 5 it gives me an ok stock pile and by the time I need it again there is either another great deal for a similar product or for the same product. It is just disgusting to me that people act that way. TLC should really portray an everyday person making a regular shopping trip buying no more then 5 of any item. I also give extra coupons for items I know I will not use to friends/family or if people are in line and I see they have an item for a coupon that I am not using I give it to them. Why not.
I agree with a lot of what is being said in the comments.I will not be watching the show this season.I watched most of the first season and the majority of it made me sick.We are a one income family with two special needs kids and I used to be able to use coupons to help put food on the table.Now if there is any deal by the time I get to the store the shelf is cleared most of the time.Some say they do it for religious reasons but they should read what the bible says about greed and gluttony.Thank you for what you do and for doing it the right and ethical way.
After last night I thought the show was over the top! No way where I live can you have that many of the same coupon doubled in one transaction. The show is unrealistic and I won’t be watching until they make it more realistic.
I never couponed until I watched Extreme Couponing. I love your and Tiffany’s site. I was about to lose my mind when the show came on. My husband was out of work due to injury on the job. We only had $250 a week coming in and we have 3 children. I learned alot from Extreme Couponing. I am not a crazy person who needs 100 bottles of mustard but I purchase what I think my family needs for at least 4-6 months. Thanks for everything you do!!!! You have helped me more than you realize. My family was about to lose what we had due to lack of income and Extreme Couponing couldn’t have came at a better time. I would have never found I Heart the Mart nor My Litter if not.
I started couponing two months ago because of the show. I take the show Extreme Couponing for what it is, and that is entertainment. The show is called Extreme for a reason. We have a family of 6 and my husband has a seasonal job. I hope to build a stockpile that will sustain us for the 3 months that he will be out of work this winter, then I will build it up again when he returns to work. We have more food, HBA and paper products in our home then we have ever had, and I am not spending more money, I am shopping smarter and I am combining sales with coupons. Thank goodness for Paul and some of the other blogs that have helped my family!!!
I have not watched, nor do I ever plan to watch that show. I have been couponing for almost 3 years now out of necessity. Yes, I stockpile things when I can get them free, but I don’t clear shelves. If I have several of a certain coupon and there isn’t a lot of the item on the shelf, I just make note of the date on the price tag (the date that the price ends) and then just plan to come in another time or two while the price is still good in order to use up my coupons. That way I give everyone else time to get the deals too.
It literally makes me physically sick that that show is going to run for another season. It has done enough already to ruin things for the rest of us.