A year or so ago, couponing was in full swing. Everywhere you looked in the stores, you saw many people trying to coupon, or even extreme coupon. Lately I’m noticing that couponing seems to be wearing off. Sale items aren’t disappearing from the shelves as quickly and couponers aren’t so prevalent in the stores.
Is it because people are realizing that what is shown on Extreme Couponining isn’t real? Is it because the Extreme Couponing show is now turning into extreme coupon fraud? The Coupon Information Center has even issued a Retailer Alert alerting retailers to the violations on the show. If you are couponing so you can be like the people on the show, you’ve probably become very discouraged. Couponing like that isn’t real. Numerous counterfeit coupons were used on several episodes in order to get the discounts.
Is it because the coupon policies at the stores have gotten stricter? This unfortunately is a side effect of coupon abuse.
Is it because the coupons aren’t as great lately or due to stores such as Aldi popping up offering lower prices but no coupon acceptance? I have no clue.
For me, I haven’t stopped couponing. Honestly, my stockpile is established and so I’m able to shop infrequently to just replenish my stockpile. Also since finding out about my son’s soy allergy last fall, I haven’t been able to buy as many processed foods, which really is great for our family. I often say his soy allergy was the best thing to happen to our family.
Do you think couponing has changed in your area? Have you changed the way you coupon? Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts.
Jessica says
We were never big into couponing just because we can’t buy 80% of the stuff in the papers due to food allergies. I have noticed that a lot of the coupons, especially P&G, have gotten to the point where they are such a low value that using them at places like Target and WalMart, where they don’t double, is almost pointless unless they have an insanely good sale or you can find stuff on clearance.
Shea says
I am couponing so much less I would say that I was pretty into it for almost a year or so, but have gotten busier and I’m just not finding great coupons for the most part. The Athens Banner Herald coupons are hardly ever the ones needed for big sells which I find REALLY irritating. I used to go to Publix on Sunday to get the ATl journal, but am just finding that all of the running around to get great deals is just too overwhelming. Plus, with gas so expensive, I have to ask myself if it is worth going to Publix, Kroger, CVS, Rite Aid, Aldi, Target, and Walgreens. For a while, I know I was getting to at least 3-4 stores a week. Now, I basically just use couponing techniques and Publix and I will check to make sure there’s not something I really need at the other stores. Oh, and I’ve also decided not to purchase more than I need, even if it is free (mainly relating to drug store deals). My time is not free. Stressing about whether is will be in the store is certainly not free. Letting go of trying to get a bunch of free things at all the drug stores has been a big relief for me. So that’s where I am. : ) I still appreciate your blog!!! Thanks.
Mommy Octopus says
Thanks for still being a reader! I agree, gas prices are a huge hinderance for me as well. That and the thought of dragging 4 kids into a store now. When I started the blog, I just had 2 and an infant (in a carrier).
brenda says
Most definitely. Even 6 months ago when I was hired by a small company doing couponing classes things were going strong. The request for classes was growing, and I was consistently saving 35-50% off my weekly groceries while building a stockpile and feeding my family on an ever-decreasing salary. Now it seems the coupons are not nearly as plentiful, are hitting that horrible 55 cent value more often (not double-able) and the sales are never what I need…and the classes requests have dropped considerably. Not sure why this is all happening.
Tracy Harper says
I love this post! I have almost completely stopped couponing for my grocery and household items. The time I was spending researching, collecting, and buying coupons wasn’t really benefiting me. It was actually stressing me! I shop at Aldi a lot now or the weekly sales at Kroger and I’m staying on budget just fine.