Extreme Couponing Tips

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.

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

• 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.
• Study the weekly supermarket sales and compare this to your coupon inventory.
• 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!
• 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.
• 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. 
• Manufacturer websites sometimes have exclusive coupons.
• 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.
• 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.
• Understand the supermarket’s BOGO (Buy-one-get-one) policy. Sometimes you can get the same deal with buying just one item.