Extreme Couponing or Extreme Madness?

A few weeks ago, I happened to glance up at the TV and a show called Extreme Couponing caught my attention.  At first, I thought it was silly reality TV, then I began to ask myself, why not?  I listened as one after another statement just made sense.  "If you see a quarter on the ground, don't you pick it up?   Why would you choose to pay $1 MORE for an item?  Coupons are actually currency...."   I went to my laptop and began to search, finding endless pages of advice and coupons.  Strangely, my brother was watching the same show and the next day he took the challenge.

 My brother and his 192 rolls of toilet paper for free is going to keep driving me until I come at least close to that kind of accomplishment.  I hauled out the Kroger savings card that I had kind of, halfway used in the past, clipped a bunch of coupons and headed to the store.  Yes, I was so exhausted with my heavy cart, that I had to call Mike and Joe, looking for help to get it all through the snow and into the car.   I had bought about $400 in groceries, but paid just under $300.  A 25% savings is nothing to laugh at, but I was not ready to star in the next episode on TV.

I had stuck to my plan and I did not purchase junk that I would not normally buy and did not stock up on anything in particular.    The next week, I left the coupons home and did an unplanned shopping trip, which I immediately regretted.  Every time I entered an aisle, I saw items that I knew had coupons waiting at home.  I was paying too much, so I left before too much damage was done (about $100).  Unfortunately, that created a need to make a foolish stop at the local Family Fare.  That trip made me realize I should never, ever do that again AND it also made me realize just how much money I have wasted there over the years.  I don't even want to think about that.

Week 3 began with a plan.  I loaded up my Meijer card with their MPerks sales, clipped the coupons and headed to the store.  I learned that Meijer does not double coupons and that they have their computers set to catch any attempt at using both a coupon and MPerks, which defeated half of my plan.  They were also smart enough to offer the EXACT discount that the coupon gave.  I saved the coupon for later use elsewhere and used the MPerks.

  I was able to buy 5 large boxes of cereal for $10 and felt satisfied that $2 per box was a good savings.  I got $20 off my groceries for filling a prescription at their store and also learned that I do not want to use them as my pharmacy.  Their poor customers service was just as bad as the last time I tried. The 3 men working at an empty pharmacy made the Rite Aid ladies look good on a bad day.  I really messed up their Sunday by filling a prescription.   Thanks, Meijer for paying me to learn NOT to buy my medicine at Meijer.    In the end, I saved about $50 on a $300 grocery trip.  Less savings than I had at Kroger or Walmart.

I have learned it is not productive to try to do a full week of grocery shopping at one store.  It will take a bit more time, but the payoff will be generous, if I use the double coupons at Kroger and take advantage of the card savings at all 3 stores.

  If I really want to work hard, Walmart will match all competitor's ads, so I could get all the ads, make a list and head into my worst nightmare....Walmart grocery shopping.  UGH!

Between the terrible meat at Walmart and their sad produce section, the only deals to take advantage of are on canned, boxed or other packaged items and general merchandise.  I am realizing this is going to require some more planning, but I will conquer it....after all, Walmart has razors this week that will only cost me about 50 cents a package!  I am ready to go again!