It was just announced that TLC’s Extreme Couponing Season 2 will begin September 28th. I know a many of you probably found this site after watching the first season, and sometimes I feel a little torn about the show.
On the one hand, TLC’s Extreme Couponing has introduced a lot of people who were struggling to the possibility of saving money on their groceries. That’s a good thing. On the other hand, Extreme Couponing has also caused a lot of problems, everything from shelf-clearing to coupon fraud, from stealing newspapers to stores refusing to accept coupons at all. That’s not such a good thing.
This morning I watched a preview clip of the second season, and I was a little disturbed to be quite honest. As a couponer and just as a person, this is not what I want couponing to be about! There are so many opportunities to be generous and giving; instead this clip focuses on excessive selfishness. I couldn’t help myself, I was compelled to make a video. (I know I just made one last week. Don’t get used to it! 
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{Get the Rock Bottom Price List here}
And here is what I got:
At Publix I spent $43.90 on $127.25 worth of groceries, a savings of 66%.
4 Lloyd’s Meats in Original BBQ Sauce, assorted varieties, 18 oz, BOGO @ – $5.49 (4) $1.00/1 Lloyds Meat BBQ Tubs Printable Coupon (90210) Final Price: $1.74 each 4 Bugles, 8.6 oz & Chex Mix, 8.75 oz BOGO @ – $2.67 (2) $0.50/1 Chex Mix Printable (2) $0.50/1 Bugles Printable Final Price: $0.83 each 6 Knorr Sides, assorted varieties, 3.8- 6.4 oz @ – $1.00 (2) $0.75/3 Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides printable (NLA) (3) $1/2 Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides, exp 9/04/11 (Publix Tearpad or Printable) Final Price: $0.23 each 4 Kraft or Seven Seas Dressing, assorted varieties, 14 or 16 oz, BOGO @ – $3.39 (2) $1/2 Kraft Dressing, exp. 9/25/11 (SS 08/28/11) (1) B2G1 Kraft Salad Dressing Target printable Final price: $0.35 each 4 Newman’s Own Pasta Sauce, assorted varieties, 15- 24 oz, BOGO @ – $2.77 (4) $0.50/1 Newman’s Own Pasta Sauce, Salsa, etc., exp. 10/8/11 (RP 08/28/11) Final Price: $0.88 each 2 Arnold Sandwich Thins, assorted varieties, 8- 16 oz, BOGO @ – $3.69 (2) $0.55/1 Arnold Sandwich Thins Mini’s Printable (NLA) Final Price: $1.29 each 4 Kellogg’s Eggo Frozen Pancakes, assorted varieties, 12.7- 16.4 oz, BOGO @ – $2.79 (2) $1/2 Kellogg’s Eggos Frozen Product, exp. 10/2/11 (RP 08/07/11) Final Price: $0.89 each 2 Publix Sour Cream, assorted varieties, 15 oz, BOGO @ – $2.19 Final Price: $1.09 each 2 Snyder’s of Hanover Snacks, BOGO @ – $2.99 Final Price: $1.49 each 2 Sabra Hummus, assorted varieties, 10 oz, BOGO @ – $3.99 Final Price: $1.99 each 2 Publix Deli Southern Style Potato Salad, 16 oz, BOGO @ – $2.69 Final Price: $1.34 each 1 Cauliflower @ – $2.00 1 Cantaloupes @ – $2.50 * * *Altogether, this week I spent $52.67 on $173.81 worth of groceries, an average savings of 70% for the week.
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And now it’s your turn! Seeing others’ examples is one of the best ways to learn new couponing strategies, hints, and hot deals. If you have a blog, please link up your coupon savings here. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to share your shopping experiences in a comment below.
Shopping list prepared at:
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Amber September 1, 2011 at 6:50 pm
I LOVE YOUR Videos! I would watch one everyweek esp the Sunday Walgreens ones!!!
Ruth September 1, 2011 at 9:15 pm
LOL, thanks Amber! But I think weekly videos would be WAY too much pressure.
Kim September 1, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Ok Ruth , I wont get used to the videos, but I sure do like them
It realy does help to see how things work well for me it does 
Keep up the great work !!!
Ruth September 1, 2011 at 9:14 pm
I’m glad you like ‘em! Thanks for letting me know.
Sarah September 1, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Hi Ruth,
I have been following your blogs for about 2 months. I have been couponing for around 6 months. I am just really starting to try harder on the grocery side of things. Thanks so so much for the price list. It will really help me get a start on things. I think you, your blogs and your girls are great! Thanks again.
Ruth September 1, 2011 at 9:14 pm
You’re more than welcome Sarah! Thanks for commenting!
Wendy September 1, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I absolutely love your videos and one thing that draws me to your site repeatedly is because you are what all couponers should be…honest and NICE!! I saw the clip earlier today as well and was literally sick to my stomach that this is what is representing couponers. I pray that this kind of behavior is stopped and the show, if they must continue it, will realize this is not something to be put out for others to follow! Can you imagine if even half of the couponers adopt that lady’s attitude? Scary… (of course maybe more than I realize already have that attitude?)
Thanks for all you do and for being the kind of couponer that should be imitated! Props to you!
Julie September 1, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Thanks for another great video! It really reinforces why I was drawn to you and your site. I started following you a few months ago and have learned a lot. I was drawn to you by your videos on Youtube…I loved how down to earth you seemed (and are!). I love your saying “any savings is better than none” and how you always point out that finding great deals is amazing but you still need to make sure you put food on the table I heard about the TLC Extreme Couponing Season 2 preview this morning on Facebook and was hoping you would respond to it! You didn’t let me down. I completely agree with what you said! Thanks for your posts!
Tracey September 2, 2011 at 12:20 am
Loved your video (again)! I don’t even watch Extreme Couponing! It’s so unrealistic and it’s really hoarding more then couponing! Thanks for all you do!
Michelle September 2, 2011 at 3:01 am
You did great! I’m always so jealous of how good you are.
Ruth September 2, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Don’t be–you’ll get there!
Sarah September 2, 2011 at 4:36 am
I love your attitude Ruth! There are lots of couponing sites out there, but I love to check in on yours most because of your kind spirit and overall perspective on saving money. Thanks for putting forward a Godly example to follow.
Ruth September 2, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Thanks Sarah!
Chrissy September 2, 2011 at 5:04 am
Wonderful Video… I hate those who clear shelves..(and its not because I wanted to clear them first as stated in the extreme Season Two clip I just watched)…GRRRrrrrr. I never could understand why they feel compelled to do that… I take 4 – 6 of an item when I go shopping because I return towards the end of the sale and get a few more… Unless you have to take 10 to get a special deal specified as the sale might state… I am shocked that they air how rude these extreme people are…. Us normal couponers are very nice and respectful to the other couponers…
Thanks for doing that video
Ruth September 2, 2011 at 5:31 pm
You’re welcome Chrissy
Satin September 2, 2011 at 12:37 pm
To be honest I never really watched the show. I just saw the commercial, and was inspired to want to save money. So instead of trying to catch the show, I took the shortcut, just jumped onlined to learn how to coupon and went from there. Since I purposely got rid of my cable, I probably wont watch the new season as well unless its on Netflix then I may check it out to see what hoopla is all about. thanks for sharing your video anyway. I love your vids. just to let you know Chick Fil-A offering a free breakfast entree between 9/6-9/10. Go to Chick Fila website to get reservation.
imsatindoll.com
Ruth September 2, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Thanks for the heads up Satin!
Tanya September 2, 2011 at 2:19 pm
I really appreciate the fact that you are trying to help people stretch their money, and I like what you said about using coupons as a means to be generous and giving. Keep spreading that message!
Ruth September 2, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Thanks Tanya.
Carol September 2, 2011 at 5:03 pm
It’s funny that made this video because a coworker was telling me how the police are doing a sting in his neighborhood to catch the person that keeps stealing the newspapers. It’s insanity that people would actually take it to that level! Thanks for posting another video! You’re spoiling us! haha
Ruth September 2, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Carol, that is utter craziness! TFS.
Jessica Rockwell September 2, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Ruth,thank you thank thank you for posting this video!!! You speak about everything that I try to tell friends and family who coupon with me or on their own. I do know people personally who steal papers and who freak out when told they are not using a coupon correctly. I have send them this video! I hope they get the hint!!
Pounds4Pennies September 2, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Great video. However I see Uncle Ben’s in the picture but did not see it in your list. Did I miss this? I was curious how much you pay for rice. Uncle Ben’s is really expensive here, even with coupons. I try to only buy brown rice now. Mahatma seems to have better coupons and prices here.
Ruth September 2, 2011 at 6:27 pm
I must have forgotten it in this list! I will add it when I get a chance, but I know it is included (with the printable coupon I used) on the SWSL matchup list. It was BOGO & then I had a $1/2 coupon, so it was a pretty good deal, but I’ll have to look up the exact price.
Kristen @ Joyfullythriving September 2, 2011 at 9:03 pm
I feel the exact same mixed feelings about Extreme Couponing. Coupons are a wonderful way to save – not hoard. I have decided not to continue watching the show because I don’t want to condone this type of coupon behavior. I want people to stock up and save – normally and nicely, as you said!
Melanie September 2, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Great video! I do enjoy watching the show for inspiration – but like you, this particular person was very disturbing! I mean really, give the poor guy some of those power bars – is it really necessary to be nasty? *sigh*
Thanks for the post, the inspiration, and the link up – it is appreciated
Megan September 3, 2011 at 5:02 pm
I just want to thank you for teaching an almost “moral couponing”. It isn’t about getting as much as you can for as little as you can. It’s about saving money! The one and only episode I watched of extreme couponing was of the guy that donated all of the deodorant and bacon to a shelter. I thought that was awesome that you could save yourself and give back. I used to donate as much as I could to women’s shelters since I’ve been in their shoes before. Unfortunately, monetary circumstances have prevented me from doing this. Through couponing though, I have been able to donate toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream, shampoo, ect again.
On the other hand, I’ve had too many bad experiences with everything mentioned in your vid. I used to buy my papers out of a machine nearby. I’m one of those people that poke through the paper before I buy it though. One week every single insert was taken out of all of the papers in the machines. After that I started going to a gas station that sells the papers inside. To my horror, after 3 months, the same thing happened at the store. The owner is a super nice guy (and since I had been going there to buy my newspapers for months) he asked the paper guy (who is also really nice) the next day if he could have a couple of the inserts for me. When I came in, the next Sunday, he gave them to me and promised that he will not let it happen again. Talk about customer satisfaction!
Then, as far as the shelf cleaners, I have several in my area, but one in particular is bad. When it comes to the weekly deals, she will take every single item within 15 min of the store opening. It isn’t just one store either. She does this at 2 Walgreens, 2 CVSs, RiteAid, 2 Safeways, 2 Targets and the Commissary. Its like a race to see who can get to the deals first. Its just my hubby and I. I only take 1 or 2 of the items on sale. I’ve asked her nicely if she has a big family, but it is just her, her hubby, her tweenage daughter (and she brings her daughter who is also learning to shelf clear). Worst of all (which I ABSOLUTELY DON’T do after learning from you) is that she will do a dozen transactions all in a row, even with a huge line behind her, and she will not start even sorting through her coupons until she is at the register. From several weeks of couponing, I have learned her schedule and I have figured out that she will be at such and such store at blank time and so on. For the most part this has allowed me to avoid her (except at Walgreens, since we both stop their first). It’s just so frustrating that I have to change the way I shop to just adjust to her selfishness. GRRRR!
Ruth September 5, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Wow, I honestly haven’t run in to anyone like that around here! She sounds like she could use some re-training.
Feel free to refer her to my site! Ha! 
Joann September 4, 2011 at 7:50 pm
I am having problems finding a super market that doubles coupons up to $1.00 They all double up to .50 cents around here. How do I search for these markets? Can someone help me in my search I live in Michigan… Thank you
Lori September 8, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Hi Joann, I’m in west Michigan and there are no stores that double coupons of any amount here. I did a quick google search for double coupons in Michigan and there are some that will go up to $1 but it does vary by area. Good Luck!
M.H September 5, 2011 at 11:50 am
I couldn’t agree with you more Ruth!
I work at a Pharmacy store and just a few weeks ago, we had one woman who was *sneaky* about the newspapers coupons, she took all the advertisements out of the newspaper and only kept the coupons inside, then later she had her daughter bring in the newspaper saying that when her and her mom bought and went to their car that the paper had “nothing in it” except the paper, so the manager had to give her an exchange, even though I know that’s not the whole story, considering I saw her going through the newspapers and doing her dirty work but wasn’t allowed to really say anything…Talk about dishonest couponing, that just makes me sick to my stomach. Dishonest couponing is the reason why most drug store employee’s dislikes coupons, I on the other hand like couponing to save money but I do not go over-board like on that show or the customer at my work pretty much stealing a 2nd set of coupons, the dishonest couponers, are definitely putting a bad name for all who coupon, and it’s only going to get worse with a second season of the TLC show.
Abigail September 5, 2011 at 6:16 pm
How horrible!!!!
Ruth September 5, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Wow Marcy, that is really awful! Thanks for sharing. Hopefully those of us who believe in ethical (and nice!) couponing can find a way to counter the impact of those shady ones.
Abigail September 5, 2011 at 6:16 pm
wow. That disgusts me. I only watch that show when there is nothing else on… TLC ‘The “Learning” Channel’ is teaching people not the best things nowadays. We used to watch that channel a lot; but now- almost never. sick.
Vera @ Lady and the Blog September 19, 2011 at 11:53 am
Hey! Just wanted to say I LOVED this video – so many of my friends have a negative view of couponers because of the shows / press. I TOTALLY appreciate this!
Ruth September 19, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Thanks Vera!
Lisa January 1, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Just found your website, love it and watched your video on being nice. THANK YOU. It’s great that you are promoting positive responsible couponing. I have noticed a huge increase in couponers in my area, probably due to the TLC show, and have noticed a huge increase in all-around inconsiderate behavior. And as a result, have seen our area stores change their policies and become less accomodating to couponers. Let’s keep it honest, let’s keep it fun!