Coupons have been getting a lot of attention lately.
A few months ago, TLC aired a special called Extreme Couponing and now has created a series of the same name. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not. TLC’s show purposely tries to make Extreme Couponers look just that–EXTREME. The portrayal leans towards obssessive-compulsive hoarders, rather than just savvy shoppers who are saving money for their family.
The truth is that Extreme Couponing is not about being an extreme person, it is about extreme savings. And there is absolutely no shame in saving money!
If you have been reading this blog for a while, you are probably already very familiar with the LWSL Beginner’s Guide to Coupons. It is my 8 week how-to-use-coupons series that breaks down the extreme couponing process into manageable “baby steps.”
And I have a little gift for you. Beginning today, it is available as a FREE downloadable eBook:
The LWSL Beginner’s Guide to Coupons eBook
Whether you are brand new to coupons and want to learn everything you can, or you have been using coupons for a while but are in need of a concrete guide to help you maximize your savings, the BGTC can help!
If you haven’t yet dared venture into the world of couponing, I hope this great book will help encourage you to give it a try. The savings make it well worth the effort! And as always, please feel free to leave comments or questions below. I do read each and every comment, and I try to answer any questions as best I can.
Happy couponing!
Affiliate links may be used in this post. Printing a coupon or ordering a product through this link may result in a commission, which helps pay for the cost of running this site and keeps the content free. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Caasie April 6, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Thank you for the free ebook. I found your site the other day and it has to be one of the most clear cut and user friendly sites out there! I have to agree with you that the TLC show makes the people in it look extreme. I am new to couponing and would just like to save my family as much as possible. Thanks again!
Ruth April 7, 2011 at 10:06 am
You’re welcome! I hope you find it helpful, and I would love to hear your feedback!
Christine April 6, 2011 at 9:53 pm
I haven’t caught the TLC show yet…but I’ve been nervous to watch because of the fear that “extreme” will look “crazy”. I coupon and wish that I did it better, but I know that I have come a long way from my pre-coupon days of saving less than $10 per shopping trip. Now I save anywere from $50- 90 per week and I have shrunk my weekly budget for a family of six from over $200 to $140 or less per week. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the “crazy” part of couponing is NOT doing it!!
Thanks for the great resources!
Ruth April 7, 2011 at 10:08 am
I haven’t actually watched a whole episode yet either! They shouldn’t have it compete with American Idol.
I’ve got priorities!
Christine April 6, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Why can’t I find the coupon matching listed at the top of the website like it is in the video? Am I missing it?
Alisha April 7, 2011 at 3:45 am
Christine, are you looking at the top of this website? The coupon matchup list is found on Saving Well, Spending Less (savingwellspendingless.com). Hope that helps!!
Ruth April 7, 2011 at 10:07 am
Thanks Alisha!
Christine April 7, 2011 at 11:33 am
O geez…I missed that!! THANK YOU!!!!
Caity April 6, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Thankyou thankyou thankyou I’m looking forward to reading this and learning as much as i can to save my family some money and stick to our tight budget!!!
Ruth April 7, 2011 at 10:09 am
You’re welcome Caity! I hope it helps save your family a lot of money.
Kelling Kendall April 7, 2011 at 1:04 am
Thank you so much for the free ebook!!! This is new to me but I am going to be living off campus next year to save money and my fiancee and I will not have much money after we get married because he will be paying off student loans and I will still be in graduate school plus we are hoping to save for a house depending on where I can get a job after grad school. Where we live will be dependant on my job instead of his but it will most likely be in a city which is more expensive. If I had not come across this, I would still be worried how we were going to pay for food. So again, thank you so much! This was exactly what i was looking for to cut the cost later in life when I have one.
Sincerely,
Kelling
Ruth April 7, 2011 at 10:10 am
You’re welcome Kelling. I hope it helps. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Even though money will be tight I’m sure you and your husband will look back at this time with very fond memories someday!
jamie April 7, 2011 at 2:52 am
wow thanks for the download, ruth! i became your blog subscriber when i found your extreme couponing videos on youtube. we don’t have extreme couponing here in my country but i did learn from my parents that buying in bulk saves time, money and effort. if given the chance to use coupons, i would totally do so, and this download you provided is very interesting and educational. i might use it someday, who knows. it’s not gonna hurt if i knew how to do this.
thanks again!
jamie
Jessica @ These Are The Days April 7, 2011 at 2:52 am
You amaze me Ruth. I’m so GLAD we met at Blissdom. xoxo
Ruth April 7, 2011 at 10:11 am
Thanks Jess. I’m glad too. (Miss you!)
Tori April 7, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Hi! My name is Tori and I am 18 yrs old. My family has always struggled to afford things and I am so interested in getting started to help them out! I saw your guide was free and I can’t wait to get started! Thanks!
Ruth April 8, 2011 at 7:07 pm
You’re welcome!
Brittany April 9, 2011 at 12:09 am
Hi Ruth,
I’m just curious if there has ever been a week where you weren’t able to get anything for more than 60% off? I’m only asking because I looked at Kroger’s match-ups this week and unless I’m just plain awful at math (which could be the case), I didn’t see anything that looked like that good of a deal.
Thanks!
Brittany
Ruth April 14, 2011 at 11:11 am
Some weeks are definitely better than others. You’ll find at Kroger that you do really well during their Mega Events and then just pretty good the rest of the time. Once you have good stockpile to get you through the so-so weeks, you’ll find it a lot easier.
Jessica Rockwell April 12, 2011 at 5:07 am
Thanks for the video! They always help!
sadie April 21, 2011 at 12:38 am
hi. I am a mom with a two year old and a very tight fiance… i guess tight would be a polite word to use for his money habits. I completely understand needing to be cautious with money, but he is extreme. If we have a 80 dollar grocery budget at walmart, and we go over by more than just a few bucks, he will literally freak out in front of everyone! I do not make much $ but am very creative and can be very thrifty without using coupons, but I think that starting the coupons, can possibly save much more and make my life much easier! Besides newspapers where are many other places to find substantial coupons, and could you give advice on how to organize them? any optimistic words will help!
Ruth April 21, 2011 at 12:57 am
Hi Sadie! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I hope you and your fiance can find a middle ground on finances before the big day, because take it from an old married lady, fighting about money is no fun at all!
Coupons can definitely help you stretch your budget & there is a ton of information on this site that can hopefully help answer all your questions. Start with the Beginner’s Guide to Coupons (above, under Coupons 101), and then check out some of the other Coupons 101 posts. You can also check out some of my You Tube videos by clicking on the You Tube side tab to the left or the You Tube icon next to the header above.
Hope that helps!
Jamie April 21, 2011 at 3:28 am
I have been trying to start saving some money and I really appreciate your input! I’m a very much of a beginner at this but I’m ready to be an expert!
cortney May 9, 2011 at 2:10 am
I can’t find the coupon match up?
Ruth May 9, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Coupon matchups are found on my sister site, http://www.savingwellspendingless.com.
cortney May 9, 2011 at 9:36 pm
thank you =] hopefully I can get the hang out this.. i’m really trying =] TLC makes it look like there’s sooo much math and stuff to go along with it
cortney May 10, 2011 at 12:43 am
so this is what i can’t figure out…
****
Lean Cuisine Frozen Meals – $1.98
$1/3 Lean Cuisine, exp. 5-31-11 (ALL YOU Apr ’11)
$1/4 Lean Cuisine Product printable
Final price: as low as $1.65
****
How would this be only 1.65 if it’s only $1 off when you have to buy 3 or 4 ??
monnie May 10, 2011 at 6:30 pm
hi all i just stated and im still confused.ty
gina May 19, 2011 at 4:55 am
Hello, I’m a mother of 4 teenagers on a very limited income, I’m on disibilty and my husband works, tonite we did watch the episode of Extreme Couponing, we already use coupons didn’t realize that I could be using them more and differently.. I’m hoping to learn this pretty fast and hope I can save a ton.. Wish me luck.. if anyone has tips they would like to share, I’m all ears.. Thanks so much
Ruth May 20, 2011 at 8:59 am
Hi Gina. If you are brand new, the LWSL Beginner’s Guide to Coupons, which you can download for free here or read online by clicking on the Coupons 101 link in the navigation bar above. It will guide you through the whole process step by step! Good luck!
Kathleen in Iowa May 29, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Today was my first time out. I live outside Cedar Rapids Iowa. I have 2 weeks worth of coupons and thought I would take some baby steps to get the hang of things. It could have been better. I met a fellow couponer at my local Walgreens while shopping and she gave me some great tips on how to complete transactions at Walgreens. I had forgotten that in order to get the best value for your buck to have each transaction seperate. The manager rang me up and it worked out great however, I should have heeded the warning of not starting out at a drugstore like Walgreens. When I tried to redeem my rewards The Marion Iowa they store will only take one coupon for one item. Meaning if I want to use my rewards and my manufacture coupons I have equal my items for each coupon, a reward coupon is considere a coupon. I saved about 50% today which is better than I have ever completed, however I will have to figure out something different to redeem my rewards down the line. I have enough deodorant for 6 months. With 3 teens this will be great! I still have a lot to learn and plan to keep on going! Thank you Ruth for this website, it is changing our life!
necole mcgee May 29, 2011 at 11:45 pm
i want to start saving as much as i can.
Holly June 4, 2011 at 8:31 pm
I am sooooo new and sooooo dumb it seems. I have tons to learn but want to so badly. I just finished printing your book off so am hoping it helps. We are a family of 6 on one income. I stay at home w/ the children but we struggle w/ shopping a lot. Everything is sooo expensive. Do you have tips for laundry soap, toilet paper and paper towels? These are a biggie for us! Where should I continue to look for tips from you? Thanks thus far.
Kathleen in Iowa June 9, 2011 at 12:11 am
Holly,
Paper products are I think the most difficult too. I really have to watch my ads. I am a beginner at this and with 3 teens too, (I swear they eat up as much in paper as they do in food)! I will be watching to see what Ruth suggests. Don’t beat yourself up, its not worth it, we are all learning this process. My advice is to watch the sale ads, if you don’t have double coupon stores, use stores that match ads, plan, don’t give up and with patience and diligence it will pay off. Remember the rule..if it’s not on sale and you don’t have a coupon, don’t buy it!
Naresh Yadav June 8, 2011 at 11:15 am
Hi,
I have started a coupons site http://CouponsCapital.com You can find latest coupons from this site.
Endora June 9, 2011 at 6:53 pm
I am new at this i have read your e book twice and i am still stressing. I have been saving coupons for 2 weeks ,i missed one week due to the holiday. But i am curious you just keep clipping coupons and keep a eye out for sales. Then use the coupons to get the best price. I live in Md and i wish there was some way to get together with local who do this. I am so stressed and confused. They make it look so easy on the show. I am just tired of spending 200 to 300 a week on food. Any tips would be healthful thank you.
sara June 11, 2011 at 6:40 pm
hi I’m very new to this in fact i have never couponed befor and want to try is there a way to get old coupons that came out a few weeks ago and whats the best way foer me to stock up on cupons i shop walmart walgreens cvs rite aid and winco food stores
sara June 11, 2011 at 6:41 pm
hi I’m very new to this in fact i have never couponed before and want to try is there a way to get old coupons that came out a few weeks ago and whats the best way for me to stock up on coupons i shop wal mart Walgreen’s cvs rite aid and win co food stores
Daniel June 13, 2011 at 5:13 am
This will be a god send, I hope. My wife and I are looking into couponing as a couples hobby after watching a few episodes. we don’t want to be that “extreme”. But to save a little for our daughters college fund and to be able to afford to just go out once a month would be fantastic
Crysten June 15, 2011 at 8:51 pm
I’ve been watching the show when I can and I’ve seen some ofthem that are obsessive but I am JEALOUS. I am going to check out your website and download the eBook. I want to be….and XTREME Coupon-er
Bianca Alonzo June 16, 2011 at 3:37 am
I want to start couponing like the show but i dont know how to get started
Naresh Yadav June 21, 2011 at 3:54 am
Thanks to This Site.
J Griego June 27, 2011 at 6:32 pm
I’m a stay at home mom would LOVE to learn how to start couponing. I watch the video I just have a question are there any coupons that are good for fruits and meats or do you pay for those?
marah` July 6, 2011 at 11:58 pm
i love to start couponing but i cant ever find a good website!
Laura July 9, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Just wanted to say thanks for your advice. It’s so nice finding someone who can break things down where others can understand.
Falon July 9, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Hello my name is falon.i am a 21 year old and i have 2 little girls 1 the age of 2 1/2 and a 6 months old.I have a family of 4 and my husband works everyday.but in this economy it is not enough.I was wondering if you could help me start this and to do it the right way.I didnt know if you could help me from clipping the right ones,to knowing how to use them right.it is also hard where i live because we have 3 stores where we can shop and when i called to see their policys they dont double triple nothing.they keep the original face value.now if i want to beable to shop right i would have to drive 2 hours.so i an desperate and begging for ur help on how to save my family money.
Kaitlyn Brown July 13, 2011 at 1:13 am
What are some of your favorite coupon shopping websites that makes a lists?
joe July 19, 2011 at 4:55 pm
thank look forward to reading
Erin M. September 11, 2011 at 12:52 am
Thank you so much for this. It is getting harder and harder for me to get groceries and things for the family and I really appreciate this. I hope I can learn a lot and figure out all the best ways to save.
Ruth September 11, 2011 at 11:11 am
You’re more than welcome. I hope it helps.
Carrie October 15, 2011 at 9:57 pm
I am a mother of 2 who is having a hard time finding a job to supplement my husband’s income. Couponing is going to be such a great thing for us! I have loved TLC’s show and think that these men and women are geniuses and don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner!
Jamie October 25, 2011 at 3:25 am
This website is amazing! I’ve always wanted to start my own and really admire yours. I am also new to couponing and am excited to get started. Thanks so much for the advice!
lisa finney December 8, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Hi I am a mother of 3 kid I am living on a budget soon as I pay all the house bills there is no money for food but 40 dallars just for food how can I do counponing can you help me thank I get the news from a friend I need a lil help