Clipping Coupons Should Save Money Not Cause Stress

By Cornelius Nunev


We are all planning to save money in these troubled occasions. Coupon cutting can help keep grocery and other expenses down, and those savings can add up. But coupons have an unsightly side, too. TLC's reality show "Extreme Couponing" depicts an action that, for many, may become a dark fixation.

Reality show began it

"Extreme couponing" is a phrase popularized by The Learning Channel's reality show of the same name. According to TLC, it is a show about "the world of bargain shoppers who have mastered the art of saving. Get tips to help you save Big." TLC first previewed the show in December, 2010. It started airing regularly in April, 2011. A second season starts this month.

The couponing hoarding relationship

The show is, as reported by MNSBC's Allison Linn, about "bargain-obsessed people coupon-clipping for hours, and in some cases even Dumpster diving for more coupons." We see these people clearing out shelves in grocery stores and presenting huge stacks of coupons to the register clerk, as reported by Linn. Afterward, they're seen bragging about the pantry stuffed with several years' supply of household goods.

Several talk about it

Since more and more individuals are starting to take advantage of couponing, the show has brought on retailers and manufacturers to backlash.

Bud Miller, executive director of Coupon Information Corp., said "a fairly large number of people are going into stores with really unrealistic expectations."

Last month, retailers spoke with the Food Marketing Institute. It warned that coupon users are becoming more fraudulent as time goes on. Couponers will make an effort to use coupons for things they cannot. They will in addition try to intimidate cashiers into giving them what they want.

An increase in Sunday newspaper theft reported

Sunday newspapers, in just the last year or so, have begun to be stolen much more frequently across the country, in part due to couponers, as reported by Linn.

The Sacramento Bee is doing things to prevent theft from happening, as reported by Dan Schaub. The papers are being used by couponers. This was clear to him. The days with coupon inserts, Wed and Sunday, the newspapers sell really quickly.

Fraud being committed

In April, blogger Jill Cataldo posted an article pointing out several unethical and even illegal coupon practices showcased on-air by J'Aime Kirlew, one of the buyers showcased on "Extreme Couponing."

TLC responded to the controversy in a statement, saying the business takes the concerns seriously and will look to the matter. The brief statement closed with: "We look forward to sharing the tips and shopping savvy from all the couponers featuring in upcoming episodes."




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