Extreme couponing, just like what you have watched on the popular TV show TLC, is all there to offer huge amounts of savings on various household items. It's like a saving galore to people! Sounds fantastic, doesn't it?

However, the reality might surprise you. While some people receive incredible discounts, others question whether it's ultimately worth it. But anyone can use coupons to save money on everyday items if they know what to do and have the right advice.

Now, since 43% of shoppers agree that clipping coupons is a good investment of time when the discount is worth up to 25% off, so, let's examine extreme couponing in detail and weigh its benefits and drawbacks!

What is Extreme Couponing?

The secret to extreme couponing is to carefully gather coupons, combine them with sales and other discounts, and save a lot of money. A few devoted couponers are even able to get products for free or, very seldom, even receive cash back from the retailer. It resembles a bargain treasure hunt in which you are constantly searching for methods to save expenses.

According to a report from Valassis, approximately 92% of consumers use coupons to some degree. Therefore, if you’re planning to jump from a normal couponer to an extreme one, you must dedicate yourself entirely to the world of coupon collection.

To optimize your savings, start searching through publications, websites, and even cash-back rewards programs. Ever since the average value of coupons increased from 2020 to 2021 by 9.3%, extreme couponing has become more than just a pastime; it's a way of thinking that looks for ways to save money all the time, especially in light of rising inflation.

How Does Extreme Couponing Work?                        

The goal of extreme couponing is to combine various discounts to get the most value for your money. To find matches, you first search through the pile of coupons and browse the weekly store ads. It's still up to you to do the research, but websites like Slickdeals can give you a leg up by displaying what others are finding.

Regardless of income level, more than 90% of people use coupons. However, the secret lies in stacking deals at the same time instead of accepting one offer at a time. You can get things for almost nothing by stacking discounts on top of each other, such as manufacturer coupons with store sales.

Although it resembles a treasure hunt, the rewards can be surprising when you stack those savings.

Example:

• A store is having a buy one, get one free promotion on $4 boxes of cereal.
• From the Sunday paper, you have manufacturer coupons good for $2 off each box.
• The store is also running a promotion where you can get $6 off a $25 purchase.

You could purchase eight boxes of cereal if the offer is unlimited and you have multiple cereal coupons. You would essentially "pay" for four boxes because of the buy one, get one free offer, coming to $16. This makes you eligible for the $6 off a $25 purchase promotion. Using eight buy-one-get-one-free coupons would save you a total of $16, which would pay for all the cereal boxes. Thanks to the promotion, you would still have $6 left over to spend on other items.

This is a simplified example, but it shows how you can combine manufacturer coupons, special promotions, and different store sales to get either free items or substantial savings on your purchases.

The Extreme Couponers dedicate a significant amount of time to their hobby, spending over 20 hours a week cutting coupons, buying multiple products, and storing large stockpiles worth thousands of dollars.

How to Do Extreme Couponing?

Extreme couponing sounds tough but it’s easy, only if you figure out the right tips and tricks to do it.  Although combining various discounts and promotions is the real deal, you can still seek help available on forums like Slickdeals.net where users post advice.

• Step 1: You must first collect a large number of coupons. You can obtain extra Sunday papers from friends or purchase them. After that, arrange them neatly.
• Step 2: Next, to take advantage of the greatest weekly deals, you'll need to shop around at various stores. Sometimes, to make the deals work, you may find yourself purchasing unnecessary items. These extras can be donated or sold.

In December 2023, rakuten.com was the most visited coupon, promo code, and sale website in the world, responsible for almost 10.4 percent of desktop visits. Even though extreme couponing requires some work, it's worth a try if you have the time and want to save money. Some people even enjoy it!

What are the Drawbacks and Benefits of Extreme Couponing?

Extreme couponing is considered as the best way, if you want to achieve significant savings on groceries, toiletries, and other items. But even with the money advantages, there were a lot of disadvantages that finally caused the practice to diminish. 

Thus, if you're thinking about trying extreme couponing, there are a few things you should know about beforehand.

Benefits of Extreme Couponing

1. Huge Savings

The enormous savings that extreme couponing provides are among its greatest benefits. The three categories where coupons typically yield the largest discounts are eating out (20.3%), buying personal or beauty products (19.4%), and purchasing clothing or accessories (18.8%).

You can get your favorite products for a significant discount if you use coupons wisely. Moreover, you'll be shocked at how much you can cut off your grocery bill with clever coupon stacking.

If you're on a tight budget or have a large family to feed, these savings can be extremely beneficial.

2. Always Well-Stocked

Buying a lot of the same things is a common result of extreme couponing. If you are also among 69% of U.S. shoppers who are looking for ways to save on grocery items in particular, then accumulating grocery coupons regularly can be a wise decision.

This guarantees that you always have necessities on hand and lets you take advantage of large discounts on bulk purchases.

Couponing can be a game-changer for families with lots of mouths to feed and help you stretch your money further.

3. Smart Buying Skills

Using coupons can help you become a more savvy consumer in addition to saving money. 9 out of 10 respondents across all generations use coupons for a variety of purchases, indicating widespread coupon usage. Coupons push you to shop with a purpose rather than just browsing the aisles aimlessly. You won't make impulsive purchases that could raise your bill because you'll adhere to the list of items to buy more strictly.

Drawbacks of Extreme Couponing

1. Waste of Time

According to research, American consumers spend 13 million hours per week searching for online coupons. Extreme couponing necessitates a large time commitment. Although cutting a few coupons is simple, dedicated savers invest hours in searching through ads, newspapers, and websites. This time also includes planning and organizing the best way to use the coupons. If you're not a full-time couponer, think about whether the time investment justifies the savings.

2. Unnecessary Purchases

Extreme couponing is known for its bulk purchases; as 67% of consumers have made a purchase they weren't originally planning to make solely based on finding a coupon or discount. This habit frequently results in food waste, particularly for smaller households.

Keeping things in excess of what you need can cause them to expire before you use them. Even with the initial savings, gathering these products eventually offsets the financial gain from couponing.

3. Dietary Concerns

More often than not, coupon offers are for processed foods instead of nutritious options like fruit and vegetables. With 25% of all coupon usage going towards processed snack foods like chips, crackers, and desserts, this category accounted for the greatest share.

A desire for a more nutritious diet might not be compatible with spending hours cutting coupons. It can also be alluring and detrimental to diet goals to hoard an abundance of unhealthy foods.

09 Extreme Couponing Tips for the Beginners

1. Do not Rush: Take a slow start

It’s a well-known fact that 42% of coupon users manage to save $30 a week. But, that does not mean you start hoarding coupons. Focus on just one store at first when you start using coupons. You can move on to other stores once you get used to the coupon policies and discounted prices.

Moreover, to ensure a more seamless shopping experience, steer clear of busy hours, express gratitude to helpful cashiers, and exercise patience when checking out.

2. Arrange Your Discounts

Maintain organization to avoid missing out on potential savings. Sort coupons according to product type or expiration date using binders or sheet protectors. Using this technique guarantees that you will find coupons for products at a discount with ease when you go shopping.

3. Understanding Coupon Language

Get acquainted with the terms and policies of coupons. Discover the meaning of common acronyms such as MIR (Mail-in Rebate), BOGO (Buy One Get One) which is utilized by 65% of the shoppers, OYNO (On Your Next Order), and double coupon deals. Recognize pricing to distinguish between regular sales and true savings. 

4. Spend Time and Energy

Couponing successfully takes patience and commitment. When shopping, 14% of female consumers regularly use coupon aggregators, compared to only 8% of male consumers. Even during hectic times, make time in your schedule for organizing and researching coupons. To ensure that you get the most out of your savings efforts, set aside time to sort coupons before going shopping.

5. Gather More Coupons

Extend your coupon-gathering strategy beyond just Sunday newspaper clippings. Get quality ads in several newspapers by subscribing to them, or ask friends, colleagues, and nearby businesses for their discarded inserts. 

Additionally, look for printable promo codes and coupons on the internet. To guarantee that users can access the most recent discounts, more than 75% of coupon websites update their listings daily, so make sure to subscribe to daily deal alerts and frequently check websites for deals.

6. Strategic Buying

Extreme couponers give top priority to buying goods when the prices are lowest. To save money over time, buy in bulk, but make sure you have enough space at home for storage. Investigate your options for online coupons to cut down on paper waste and expedite the checkout process. 

7. Adaptable Brand Selection

Prioritise cost savings over brand allegiance. To get the most savings, take advantage of coupons and sales for different brands. When prices are low, keep an eye out for deals on your favorite products and purchase them in bulk.

8. Look Where the Deals Are

As per some studies, 40% of shoppers report feeling smart when they find a good coupon deal. Thus, to take advantage of the greatest offers, be willing to shop at several stores. Make an effective shopping schedule to save time and money on petrol. To get the most savings, shop at stores that double coupon savings.

9. Make Sensible Purchases

Don't waste money on things you don't really need. Refrain from purchasing items in excess just because they are on sale. To ensure that your couponing efforts truly result in savings, concentrate on finding deals on products you'll actually use.

Conclusion

Extreme couponing combines excitement and survival skills, much like an exciting treasure hunt. If you want to get into the savings game, keep in mind that extreme couponers try to combine multiple savings strategies to reduce prices to pennies.

You're probably heading towards becoming an extreme couponer if you find yourself spending a significant amount of time finding coupons and utilizing them. It's a clever strategy to fight rising living expenses and save every dollar.