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I see there are some threads several years old on the subject of extreme couponing... there is an insert in my Sunday paper for a free Extreme Couponing seminar. You have to reserve a seat and the seminar (actually called an "Extreme Couponing Event!" ) is hosted by one Chelsea Bradley. It says giveaways and door prizes will be part of the event.
I'm curious... who stands to make money and how from such a free event? Are there "packages" of coupons being sold, or what? I really have no clue. I'd love to save a few bucks here and there but not sure this may be worth my time and the 12-mile drive to get to the event.
So what are these things really about? I'm also just one person so it's not like I am struggling to feed a family of 8.
Couponing these days isn't like years ago - there aren't really many (if any) good coupons anymore. Your best bet is to watch local grocery store sales, keep track of prices, stick to stocking up on meats, veggies, etc. - if you find a coupon that might be worth it, hang onto until it becomes worth it to use it! (it's already on sale, store is doubling coupons, etc.)
It's probably not unreasonable to say that "extreme couponing" killed its own goose. Most shoppers never really consider what coupons and rebates and rewards programs and the like really represent; they're just marketing shucks to get people to buy more, or buy a specific product, and no one including the manufacturer is losing a dime on them. So there was a window there where the manufacturers issued coupons and deals by old-school rules that could be exploited, and the result was that they changed the game so that all those double- triple- stacked- deals don't work any more. And that most coupons have far less value, even when played straight, than before.
Coupons etc. have also gone from passive print-a-million bombing runs to very selective issue, often tailored to the shopper because of their known shopping history.
The bottom line is that manufacturers and stores never gave away nothin' and are better at not doing it now. They've just gotten better at making you think fairly modest discounts with a dozen limitations are still a great deal.
But I bet you one dollar-off coupon that Ms. Bradley has some super-couponing secrets to sell you, once she's dazzled you with the useless free part of the program.
My husband and I went to one of those "extreme couponing" events with Chelsea Bradley. Free of course. Held at a room in one of our local casino's. Even though it boasted they were giving away "door prizes" and other things, they did not give any of that to anyone that did not sign up for a subscription with the local newspaper. They encouraged everyone to sign up for at least 4 newspaper subscriptions, because that way they would get more coupons. (do not want newspaper subscriptions.)They were also selling CD's with more ways to save, etc. And they were also selling coupon organizers of all shapes and sizes. It was just a way for Chelsea to make money as stated above.
It just wasn't for us. Most of the coupons put out nowadays is not for things we buy. And in the state of Nevada, no stores offer double or triple coupons, plus our favorite local store has limits on how many coupons someone can use at once. Say you have 20 coupons off for $1 each on a product. They will only allow 4 coupons. So there goes that deal. You would have to do 5 different transactions, thereby ticking off the people behind you in line.
These days, at our favorite stores, we get digital coupons and loyalty programs where we get free products. One store has a marked down section for slightly damaged products, like dented boxes of pasta, or things they will not be selling anymore, in their closeout deals. We go there first.
Our local grocery stores still all have double coupons. My local Acme Markets will double coupons up to 99 cents (i.e., I'd get $1.98 off)! I do get to "stack" deals a lot of the time: item is on sale + I have a paper coupon that is doubled + I have a digital coupon from the store. Sometimes, I also have a digital coupon from SavingStar. That can add up to a really big discount, but it's not like I get my groceries for free.
Petsmart still lets me use unlimited coupons. So if I have 20 cat food coupons, I can use them all. I suppose they will change that rule one of these days.
Petsmart still lets me use unlimited coupons. So if I have 20 cat food coupons, I can use them all. I suppose they will change that rule one of these days.
There's a whole branch of game theory that deals with this - they let it go if it's a small percentage exploiting a loophole, but change the rules when it becomes more common.
I'm sure the casino that hosted the event hoped for a little side business too.
If you can't nudge someone into obsessive behavior one way you might be successful doing it another. Can't even have sympathy for people dumb enough to fall for this stuff.
If you can't nudge someone into obsessive behavior one way you might be successful doing it another. Can't even have sympathy for people dumb enough to fall for this stuff.
On the one hand, those who champion it derive zero benefit from its practice; as we've cynically noted from the beginning of this thread, though, they have found ways to profit from the championing.
The real problem with coupons, discounts, rebates etc. and their extreme use is that the players aren't really beating the game; they're just playing it from a different position. Saving money on an individual/family level is a worthy goal, but it often doesn't change fundamentally flawed spending habits and can even be used as a justification for expanding them.
The better practice is to analyze all household spending and find ways to cut it regardless of whether there's a coupon - or an app - for it. Especially as couponing etc. is clearly on the decline as a useful consumer tool.
My husband and I went to one of those "extreme couponing" events with Chelsea Bradley. Free of course. Held at a room in one of our local casino's. Even though it boasted they were giving away "door prizes" and other things, they did not give any of that to anyone that did not sign up for a subscription with the local newspaper. They encouraged everyone to sign up for at least 4 newspaper subscriptions, because that way they would get more coupons. (do not want newspaper subscriptions.)They were also selling CD's with more ways to save, etc. And they were also selling coupon organizers of all shapes and sizes. It was just a way for Chelsea to make money as stated above.
It just wasn't for us. Most of the coupons put out nowadays is not for things we buy. And in the state of Nevada, no stores offer double or triple coupons, plus our favorite local store has limits on how many coupons someone can use at once. Say you have 20 coupons off for $1 each on a product. They will only allow 4 coupons. So there goes that deal. You would have to do 5 different transactions, thereby ticking off the people behind you in line.
These days, at our favorite stores, we get digital coupons and loyalty programs where we get free products. One store has a marked down section for slightly damaged products, like dented boxes of pasta, or things they will not be selling anymore, in their closeout deals. We go there first.
Wow... thanks much for this post! It was my suspicion. So you have saved me the time and gas . Clearly this lady must go around the whole country (or at least the southwest) with this seminar. And I get the local Sunday paper but don't want any more either! That bit about not giving away prizes UNLESS you "buy" the subscription almost doesn't seem legal... I thought "no purchase necessary" was a federal law on such things, but I could be wrong. (And my Sunday-only subscription is $12 a month so no one is giving newspapers for free unless you want to dumpster dive somewhere!!)
And Quietude I could not rep you again, city-data told me C. Thanks for your posts as well!
PS to Pink String...per your status statement, those are fightin' words...my two felines are equally brilliant!!! :-)
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) is hosted by one Chelsea Bradley. It says giveaways and door prizes will be part of the event. 
