When Extreme Couponing Might Not Work for You
One of the most recent trends is stockpiling, as seen on extreme couponing shows and blogs. The idea is that you stack coupons, buy on sale and get multiples of everything in order to save money in the long run. You buy a larger quantity now, and then stockpile it. Later, when you need something, you can then just go to your stockpile, instead of going to the store. Over time, you save money.
However, this type of couponing isn’t for everyone. Here are some reasons that extreme couponing might not work for you:
You Don’t Have the Room
One of the biggest reasons stockpiling might not work for you is that you might not have the room for it. There is only so much physical space you have in your home, and building a huge stockpile might be out of the question. You might be able to build up some amount of storage, but a massive stockpile might not work for you. Consider how much room you have, and then go from there.
You Don’t Have the Cash
Over the long haul, extreme couponing is supposed to help you save money. However, it takes quite a bit of money up front to build up a stockpile. If you spend three to four months building a stockpile, you might have to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000. Do you have that kind of cash right now? Once you spend that money up front, your costs will diminish throughout the year, as you go through your stockpile. However, you need to have some capital at first. If you don’t have the capital to build a big stockpile, you can still be a savvy shopper and save money on your purchases.
You Won’t Get Through it Fast Enough
Some extreme couponers have enough to last them years. However, what happens when something expires? Will you go through your stockpile soon enough? If you are going to end up with spoiled food, it doesn’t really save you in terms of food costs. You want to make sure that you will be able to use the items in your stockpile before you create a huge one.
Bottom Line
While some people enjoy extreme couponing, and stockpiling works for them, it isn’t for everyone. In some cases, you are better off looking for sales, shopping around, and considering your options. You can still save money on various purchases, but without needing the room or capital to get started.
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At first I was totally amazed by the savings, so I seriously considered joining the extreme couponers. Then it dawned on me, these individuals are spending a full week's worth of work time managing to get these hefty "savings". I make a whole lot more than $600-800 a week, and I spend a whole lot less than that on food and other necessities. And I buy what I need and want, not just what I have a coupon for. There are some tips to take away for sure, but the effort can't possibly equal the amount of time that these people put into it.
Surely the skill and discipline that it takes to be an extreme couponer could translate into significantly more earnings than what they're bringing in with what they get with their coupons. These people need to look into professions that pay more and matches their skill sets. They certainly have something going on, but it seems to me that they don't see that they could be doing so much more for themselves. I created my own job a long time ago and work from home, and I know it can be done.
The amount of time it takes -- to look for coupons and to organize them (based on what store they're valid for, and when they expire, and what product they serve) -- generally returns a low pay-for-your-time exchange, in my experience. You may find you're earning less than minimum wage for couponing work.
Plus it eats up mental bandwidth that could otherwise be used expanding your business or learning about investing.
Not a fan. I'm a big consumer of fresh fruits and veggies or frozen. Not going to find many coupons for those types of items. Not interested in most of the processed stuff.
Don't forget the time investment. Those extreme couponers spend nearly 40 hours a week.
I used coupons when I can, but so much of my grocery bill is fresh vegetables and meat. If I wanted a stock pile of potato chips or tooth brushed (that are already part of my six month cleaning at the dentist), coupons can be a big help.
I'd much rather make better use of low costs foods in my home cooked meals and brown bag the leftovers.
Miss T - we are in the same boat. We really try to buy organic and eco-friendly and only don't shop at big box grocery stores. Coupons are few and far between. Mambo Sprouts is the only online coupon place I have found that focuses on natural foods.
Stockpiling does not require a lot of room for it to work. I agree that it isn’t for everyone but for some people that enjoy shopping and looking at sales it is a great challenge!
I agree with Miss T. It is hard to find coupons for the exact brand that I usually purchase. I also don't spend too much time couponing. I cut back in other areas and with everything that I am involved in, it is hard to find the time.
I actually find it very hard to find coupons for things I actually use. We eat a lot of organic produce and there are never coupons for that. We also try to buy as much eco friendly products as we can and again there are not usually deals on those kinds of things. It is unfortunate really that green and healthy lifestyles are supported as much as the others.
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