Extreme Couponing - The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

The Good
I do like the way the show champions using coupons to generate cash that does not require an employer. Many consumers are full time homemakers as evidenced on the show and for them using coupons provides a way to contribute financially while managing the day to day flow of raising a family and running the household.

Also, I love the passion many of the folks on the show have for saving money and helping others. If you head over to the show website, there are useful tips and links to creative and informative video clips and blogs. If you are new to coupons, you will find some great information and for more experienced shoppers, you may learn something new and can share your couponing experiences with others. The collaborative spirit of consumers these days is refreshing and certainly a welcome force during what continue to be rough economic times for many people.

The Bad
I don't like the obsession with coupons and stockpiles. Extreme couponers seem to have trouble saying "No" when coupons are involved. Who needs $1,500 in toothpaste, laundry bins full of deodorant and enough maxi pads to last a lifetime? The reconfiguring of home space to accommodate excessive stockpiles of goods that is then sometimes insured is (in my humble opinion) kind of crazy since insurance costs money.

Hoarding comes to mind, but actually accumulating something for preservation or future use is okay until it interferes with quality of life. Some of the people on the show seem out of control, unhappy and on the verge of a nervous breakdown and this is not good. Also, the amount of time it takes to pull off mega savings that are featured in the show is not achievable for the average consumer, after all the show edits out much of the work behind the scenes to glamorize the outcome.

The Ugly
I don't support win-lose scenarios in business. According to the Coupon Information Council, "unfortunately, as with anything of real value, coupons are subject to misuse and fraud, just like credit/debit cards, checks, currency and virtually every type of legitimate economic activity." Many consumers simply do not understand that coupons are promotion marketing and when a business needs more business, they freely offer discounts in the form of paper or digital coupons in hopes of stimulating and/or sustaining business.

You'll see this often when a new product hits the market. So, when a customer uses a coupon as they were intended, then this is a win-win. But what happens when coupons are hogged and/or disproportionately used to exploit the system or worse counterfeited? This is a win-lose scenario in business. Why? Because all the product that was meant for many goes to few. If win-lose scenarios last long enough then smart businesses simply stop offering attractive discounts and find other ways to attract and retain customers.

There are billions of dollars saved by consumers every year and for many coupons are a genuine help through tough economic times. So how do we all co-exist in the coupon age and maintain win-wins in the marketplace? Let's all continue making informed decisions when buying anything, after all this is at the core of smart money management.

Also, be educated about coupon misuse and fraud and use coupons as they were intended. Remember to consider the big picture since your actions as a consumer do effect others and being a good steward of the gift of savings will help ensure it's availability. Then find your level of involvement with coupons, deals and discounts that works for you and as with anything, moderation is the key to long term success.

>> Article From The Coupon Organizer.