Are you going to watch "Extreme Couponing" on TLC tonight? I've been watching a few episodes! Overall my thoughts are that while it's exciting that couponing is being portrayed on television, I worry about how couponers are being perceived as hoarders. Couponing is a great way to stretch your family's budget, but when it is used to stockpile items just for the sake of having them, then it might be time to scale back a bit.
"Extreme Couponing" inspired me to make a list of Couponing Dos and Don'ts. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Do…
*Ask your friends, family, and co-workers for extra coupon inserts that they are not using
*Match up your coupons to a sale price
*Stack a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon
*Use digital coupons (for example, Cellfire and UPromise)
*Pre-order items in advance if you know you’ll be purchasing a large quantity
*Keep your coupons organized in an envelope, folder, binder, or some other safe place
*Pay it forward by donating extra items that you don’t need
*Follow a money-saving blog to stay on top of deals
Don’t…
*Use coupons fraudulently (for example, for a smaller-sized item if the coupon specifies a larger size)
*Clear the shelves to buy so many items that you won’t even use
*Dive into a dumpster – saving a few bucks is not worth compromising your safety!
If you're new to couponing, be sure to read my Couponing 101 article to learn more about how coupons can help you save! You can also check out these printable coupon websites:
Coupons.com
Coupon Network
RedPlum
SmartSource
Target Store Coupons
And don't forget to follow My Evansville Mommy on Facebook and subscribe to our feed or email subscription - that's the best way to stay on top of all the great coupons and deals that get posted every day!
I didn't even think about the safety issues of dumpster diving (I guess because I don't do it)but you are absolutely right! There could be needles or other contaminated object in there, not to mention if you don't get in and out carefully you could break a bone.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I should confess that I did once go through my mother-in-law's trash to rescue some coupon inserts... but I knew her trash was safe. :)