Thoughts on Extreme Couponing

You know, I have been watching that "Extreme Couponing" program with An'joe, my daughter-in-law.  I know some people who hit the local Rite-Aid with coupons every week when the flyers come out in the local shopper.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love living frugally and saving money makes me very happy.  I was thinking to myself while I was watching these guys...but is this really saving money?  I mean how much toothpaste, fabric softener sheets, and Advil can one family use? 

I think if I were going to feel like I was doing something in the line of extreme couponing I would like to go to the store for my:

1-lb of hamburger (aka mince meat)

1 box of spaghetti noodles

1 jar of tomato sauce

1 package of garlic bread

and 1 Marie Callendar's Chocolate Satin pie

and get that for .10 cents after coupons.  Never mind the 15 bottles of pop, 42 tubes of Crest or Colgate, 10 bars of Irish Spring soap, 5 boxes of Bounce fabric sheets, etc.  I think my reflections are rooted in the daily trips to the local grocery store run by Harold Vey.  We walked there every day and got the things that we needed.  Someone in the family went to Lawlor's Meat Market and picked up the frying meat (steak) or mince meat (hamburger) and brought it back to the house.  We had fresh-baked break and drank a nice cup of tea or a cold glass of water with our meals.  There was always potatoes, turnip, cabbage, and carrots to be had. 

We never had a stash under the beds of this weeks specials.  We did not have to donate our soon to be expired items to the food bank.  We only bought what we needed. 

Years later Lawlor retired and his shop became a chip store.  Ayres had a supermarket a couple of blocks away from our house by that time.  Mom walked there every day to get what we needed under one roof.  She chatted with the cashier and produce manager, the meat cutter, the clerks and went about her business of preparing meals like you would. 

Now, there was a friend of ours who had a nice pantry full of canned goods.  She could go in there and get a can of Carnation milk or a tin of Lynn Valley peas when she needed it.  It was not a storage locker but rather a closet with shelves on each side.  They still went to their local butcher shop and picked up the sausages, or chicken as they needed.

My point?  My hat is off to those who spend their days organizing their coupon excursions and returning to their homes with their haul of bargoooons hunted from the local newspaper.  AND guess what...I am not the only one who thinks that way.  Who knew... 

Extreme Couponing More Like Hoarders Than How To

I wonder if the author of this article had a local grocery store where they bought what they needed?  Do you think his mother went to a meat market to pick up fresh cut meat from someone like our Mr. Lawlor? 

Oh, and just in case you want to check out what my friend will be picking up this week:

Rite-Aid Flyer for This Week

Me?  I will be going to the Perry Market Place to pick up what I need where I get points that add up to $$$ at the gas pump.  Oh, they have three markdown bins that are really good as well.  I will be doing the same at Perry Rite-Aid so there's no fear of me taking all the paper towels on you.  Did I mention that they have wonderful markdown specials at the end of the season?  Well, it all adds up but I don't have to rent a storage place to keep all my bargooooons.  Don't tell anyone but I am spending my money locally to help keep those little stores open...      

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