Monday, February 16, 2009

Hand over those coupons and no one gets hurt!

Yes my friends, after months of lurking on blogs with titles like "The Obsessive Shopper," "Thrifty Mama," and "The Krazy Coupon Lady," I too have boldly joined the ranks of the extreme coupon mamas.  The economy/housing market being in the state that it is, we have nary an extra penny to rub together around here, and I am committed to making every cent count to feed my little family.  Plus, it's like, totally addicting y'all!


I mean, I've always been a gal who loves to feel she's gotten a great deal ("You like them?  They were 70% off!), but this extreme couponing thing is a whole 'nother level of deal-getting. Extreme couponing is like visiting another country where everyone gets things for free or almost free and the locals throw around mysterious and exotic-sounding terms like "catalinas" and "BOGOF".  It's like a game--outsmarting the overpriced local grocery stores (yea!), building up my food storage twice as fast (double yea!), and feeling the tremendous satisfaction of a well-fed family.  

Let me warn you though, once you go this route, you will be changed forever.  There are consequences to extreme couponing.  Paying full price for that can of corn Niblets?  No longer an option.  Guilt will inevitably follow if you do.  Be patient, my friends.  Soon those Niblets will be on sale, and along with your coupons, you can enjoy their golden deliciousness for pennys instead of dollars.  You will start to see other shoppers will carts full of food and no coupons and shake your head at the poor fools.  "Should I just go over there and tell him that if he buys one more box of those crackers he will get another free and get a coupon for $10 back on his next purchase?" you will think.  And as you assert your coupon rights with an inexperienced checker you may feel your husband slowly inching away from you like he doesn't know you--but no matter!  The triumph you will feel at getting $100 worth of groceries for $20 will more than make up for that.  It feels almost criminal to get such great deals, but yes--it's totally legal!

So who's with me?  Who with stand with me and boldly shop like no one has shopped before? And if you're not quite ready to take the plunge, can I have your coupons?

11 comments:

Paula said...

Emily, I am totally on board. I have been addicted for the last several months... it looks like we've found the same websites. Matt's starting to get the glazed look in his eyes when I tell him every night "I got this for free!" or "This meal cost us $2.50 for the whole family!" Yes... I join you in saying BRING ON THE COUPONS!!

richelle said...

Hallelujah and Amen! I with you!

Emily C. said...

Do you think there is a support group for this kind of addiction? And if not--let's start one, and then get together and gloat over all the free stuff we just scored!

Anonymous said...

Amen, sistah! I've been addicted for years! Can I offer one piece of advice to the just-getting-addicted? Do this at night when there are fewer shoppers and the kids (and husband) are not with you! It's so much easier and way more satisfying!

Anonymous said...

Isn't it great!

Jana said...

I think you and me and every mom in Meridian is doing this! It is way addicting!! :)

Martha said...

Emily - tell me tonight - I have to know...how did you get 60 cans? I was only able to get 14 with the coupons (2-$2, 2-$1 and 2-$1.10). I've got to stock up. I tried to print them more than twice and wouldn't let me.

Emily C. said...

Martha, I'm posting this reply in two places, so hopefully you'll get it--

The way I got so many free cans is that I made Dan print them off as many computers at work as he could. He managed to print them from the progresso site twice from 4 different computers, so 5 including ours, and then we had enough coupons for 6 transactions. It was awesome getting it all at the store!

Casey said...

I love you! But I love my coupon deals MORE!

Jas and Berg said...

That is hilarious. I love how passionate you are about this. I haven't done this before the Alberton's Diaper Fiasco. That was so rewarding, and I would love to get more involved in this coupon world. Way to be so smart!

Carol said...

Emily,
You don't know me, but I grew up down the road from your fabulous husband, and I just wanted you to know that you crack me up. Congratulations on making it into the KCL blogsite. Woohoo! Keep the good deals comin'!