Extreme Couponing

Did you see the Extreme Couponing Special on TLC? It was C-R-A-Z-Y!!! I love saving money and do some pretty good couponing when Harris Teeter runs a Super Double or Triples special, but they take this to a whole new level.

Source

Here are their savings on the shopping trip that was recorded:

Amanda Ostrowski - Cincinnati, OH 

Retail value: $1,175.33. Amanda's cost after utilizing her coupons: $51.67.

Nathan Engels - Villa Hills, KY 

Retail value: $5,743.00 Nathan's cost after utilizing his coupons: $241.00 - 95% savings! 

Joanie Demer - McKinleyville, CA (http://thekrazycouponlady.com/) 

Retail value: $638.64. Joanie's cost after utilizing her coupons: $2.64 - 98% savings!

Joyce House - Philadelphia, PA

Retail value: $230.38. Joyce's cost after utilizing her coupons: $6.32.

I originally saw this clip on Good Morning America, then recorded the special on TLC. I kept it, so if you're local friend reading this & haven't seen it, you're welcome to come watch it with me. I am just amazed! I have no desire to have a garage-full stockpile or anything like that, but it is rather fascinating. 


I have been inspired to up my couponing. I may even venture into the drugstores...even though that game seems a bit intimidating! Any advice??


According to my cable box, it will be on TLC again on January 15th at 10pm, so try to find it & watch it or record it.

HT Triples!

Harris Teeter started their Triple Coupon event today, where they will triple any coupon up to $0.99. So if you have a $0.75 coupon, you'll actually be saving $2.25! This is a great way to get a lot of free stuff.

Here is my loot!

I paid $15 and saved $40 - not bad! Best of all, it's all stuff that we will use. I am NOT into buying stuff just for the good deal of it, we really have to like and use stuff before I'll even clip the coupon.

In other coupon news...I went to Walmart yesterday to use up a bunch of my P&G coupons before they expired on the 30th. Josh is pretty particular about razors, only Gillette will do. And they have to have at least 3 blades. This does NOT provide me with a chance to get cheap razors often. However, yesterday I hit a great deal. I had 2 BOGO coupons w/o a price limit, so I bought 4 packages that were $12 each. That saved me an immediate $24. Then, I had two more $3 off coupons which could be applied to the two packages I did pay for. So, I basically got $48 worth of razors for $18. Not bad in my book! I ended up saving $50 in coupons yesterday at Walmart on things like dog food, shampoo/conditioner, razors, etc. I've had a pretty good "couponista" week! :)

"You'll go broke buying bargains"

My FIL used to frequently quote that to me. At first I just ignored him because I LOVE to shop, but after a while it really started to sink in. He hasn't quoted me that in a long while, so either he's given up or I've gotten better about my shopping. Let's hope it's the latter :)

When I first started "couponing", I would get caught up in the coupon-madness and all the good deals I could get. Then I would get home, look at what I'd bought, and wonder, "What the heck am I going to do with some of this stuff?" I've gotten a bit smarter in my coupon ways. Now I only use my coupons on items that I already like and use. (For example, I'm a Colgate girl & I only like Colgate GEL toothpaste. I do not like actual toothPASTE. YUCK! No Crest or Aquafresh for me either. Just Colgate Gel, thank you very much.) My only exception to this rule is FREE items - I'll always get those. Even if I don't want them, I'll donate the items to Storehouse.

All of that lead in to show off my Harris Teeter Super Doubles deals. Starting today, the Teeter will double your coupons up to $1.98. So all those $1.00 coupons that just miss the triples cut off can get used up. You don't get nearly as many free items, but I tend to get good deals on some of our health & beauty items, especially when I combine the VIC specials & my coupons. Here's what I got!

Sun-Maid  Raisins (15oz box):  $1.62/box
Irish Spring Bar Soap (3-pack):  $0.69/3-pack
Colgate Toothpaste: $0.50/each
Gillette Shampoo: $2.49/bottle
Vive Pro Shampoo: $2.99/bottle
J&J Baby Wash: $1.00/bottle
Band-Aids: $0.50/box
Total Spent: $15.29 + tax
Total Saved: $32.08
(I really hope that math is right. I also bought milk, eggs, & BOGO strawberries while I was there & tried to subtract their costs)

I was a bit hesitant about this trip since I'm participating in the Pantry Challenge, but it was totally worth it to get those good deals on some of our favorite products.