Extreme Couponing: Are You in the Loop?

Extreme Couponing is an extreme sport that combines savvy shopping skills with couponing in an attempt to save as much money as possible while accumulating the most groceries. The concept of “Extreme Couponers” was first mentioned by The Wall Street Journal on March 8, 2010 in an article entitled “Hard Times Turn Coupon Clipping Into the Newest Extreme Sport“. ABC Nightline followed with a March 25, 2010 segment of “Extreme Couponing Competition: How Far Can $50 Go?“. One contestant paid $50.61 for groceries that retailed for $118.84. Another spent $30 on groceries that retail for $500.

According to Inmar, in 2009, more than 367 billion coupons were distributed and 3.3 billion redeemed across the nation with an average face value of $1.44. This translates to a less than 1% redemption rate of more than $528 trillion dollars worth of coupon savings. The grocery coupons you need are out there, you just need to connect with people who have them.

Here’s are some Extreme Couponing techniques to help you save money:

1. Clip ALL the coupons from your weekly circulars and Sunday newspaper. It’s always a good policy to clip all coupons because an item may go on sale in the future and you can trade your coupons with other couponers for the ones you do want. eCoupons.com plans to launch an Extreme Couponing grocery coupon trading service next week to help shoppers connect with each other and swap coupons.

1. Study the weekly supermarket sales and compare this to your coupon inventory.

2. Know your supermarket’s coupon policy:
   1. Are expired coupons accepted?
   2. Can you use 10 coupons for 10 of the same items?
   3. Can you stack a manufacturer coupon with a store coupon?
   4. Are there double and triple coupon days?
   5. Does your store accept competitors coupons?
   6. How are coupon overages applied to the final bill?
   These are the most frequently used techniques for reducing a grocery bill significantly and how some shoppers are even entitled to cash! Since supermarket policies are constantly changing, call before you shop and ask the questions above. Make sure you write down the name of the person at the supermarket who gave you the information.

3. The local Sunday newspaper is an excellent source for grocery coupons. Save 50% or more on local newspaper home delivery. Apparently, Extreme Couponing led to to increased thefts of newspapers simply for its coupons.

4. Coupons, individual or booklets from Red Plum, Smart Source and P&G, can be bought on eBay. Although coupon manufacturers place restrictions on coupons limiting their transferability to ensure the coupons stay within the targeted market, these restrictions are not universal and are difficult and/or costly to enforce. Since most coupons are not allowed to be sold, the fee is considered to be for the time and effort put into cutting out the coupons. Do not pay for electronic coupons. See below:

5. Watch for new electronic printable coupons on websites like:

   eCoupons.com From Grocery Coupons to Coupon Codes, eCoupons.com is one of largest electronic coupon websites.

   Kellogg’s Sign up now for $5 in exclusive coupons.

   Coupons.com Printable Coupons.

   Coupon Network Printable Catalina Coupons.

   Redplum Coupons Printable Coupons from Redplum.

   Cellfire Coupons available at Kroger and Kroger subsidiaries, Safeway subsidiaries (not including Dominick’s), and Shop ‘n Save.

   SavingStar – Grocery eCoupons. Sign up for SavingStar to save digital grocery coupons directly to your store loyalty cards.

   1. Manufacturer websites sometimes have exclusive coupons.

   2. Apply for your supermarket’s loyalty card. The supermarket’s web page may have additional coupons and savings that can be loaded onto your loyalty card. These discounts are taken directly at checkout.

   3. When in the supermarket, watch for coupons in aisles right in front of the product. Remember to use them at checkout. Coupons are also printed right after checkout based on your purchase. Save them for your next trip.

   4. Understand the supermarket’s BOGO (Buy-one-get-one) policy. Sometimes you can get the same deal with buying just one item.

   5. The New 2012 Entertainment Book is Now Available.

   6. Restaurant.com One Day Sale – Most $25 Restaurant Gift Certificates for $2.00 Coupon Code: FALLSeptember 28 Only.