Why Extreme Couponing doesn't work for me? Part 1

For those of you who aren't familar with "Extreme Couponing" on TLC, let me give
you a short synopsis. Basically the show follows "Extreme Couponers" in their quests to
get cart loads of groceries for next to nothing...Some people have bought $1,000
in groceries and paid $50.

At first glance I am in love with the thought, can I get $1,000 in groceries for $50.
With our average grocery bill running between $150-$200 every two weeks for a
family of 7 I'd like to feed them for a third of the cost. So I sat down and started
watching the show. I knew it wouldn't work for me for the following reasons.

1. I don't buy processed foods.
I noticed that most coupons are for processed food. Take Spaghettios for instances.
One serving of Spaghettios has 2 teaspoons of salt and 3 teaspoons of sugar. A box
of Kraft Mac and Cheese has pretty much the same amount of salt in it. That doesn't
even mention all the additives, dyes, and preservatives it takes to make those things.
I prefer to make these items to control the salt, sugar and dyes that are in them.


2. I don't believe in hoarding.
I noticed that most couponers buy large(ok obnoxious) quantities of items. Who
really needs 45 free bags of croutons? I believe in buying managable quantities of
items. I like to switch up the variety and if I have boxes of items in my house
that need to be used then I won't be able to add new items in there. Besides when you
move a lot like we do, you don't want to be lugging around cases of food to the next
place.

3. Never buy what you can make homemade.
Once again the coupons seem to be for prepared items. I use to buy toaster waffles.
At $1.29 per 8pk box that works out to be about $.16 per waffle. Not bad right. Well
I got a waffle maker a couple of years ago at target(its a cheap $10 one). I started making
my own waffles. I figured it out that a basic waffle recipe makes 15 waffles. When figuring
out the cost of ingrediants you can make waffles for $.04 per waffle. That means for that
$1.29 you spend you can make 60 waffles. The best part is you can freeze them
and pull them out, pop them in the toaster and have a healthy breakfast in a matter of
minutes.

4. Don't buy brand names.
Coupons are hardly ever available for store brand items. I buy very few items of brand
name. Having been a food buyer at a major national retailer this is a lesson that I learned
very quickly. Private labels(store brands) are held to strict standards and are often given
blind tastings or comparison tastings by the buyers to the brand name products. Another
little known fact is that some of the peole who manufacture brand name products will
also produce store brand items in the same plant, put them in a non name brand bag
and you save on average 60%. There are a few items I prefer to buy brand name on. For
instance Cherrios are made in Buffalo, NY(my local region) so I buy them in an effort to
help boost my local economy. For the most part though store brands are the name of the game.


Well that should get you started thinking. I've got lots more practical tips to share for busy
moms. I've enjoyed sharing and looking forward to giving some more tips to everyone.