<p>I don’t understand how you can pay $0. Obviously, I’ve never watched the show.
But all of the coupons I’ve seen are dollars off, but you still have to buy the item. That isn’t $0. ??</p>
<p>I didn’t really understand it either - the one girl was obsessed with paying $0 so did not even bring any money to the store. It actually ended up with the bill being a negative $1.58 and the store did not allow that, so she spent half an hour going rond the store to fin something that would be exactly $1.58 to make it zero. Her friend found stuff that would have meant they would have to pay like 3 cents, but she wasn’t having that and kept searching till she found pickles that cost 79 cents each and bought two jars which brought the bill from -$1.58 to $0.</p>
<p>My husband and I were wondering about sales taxes. Maybe she was in a state that didn’t have any (because those 2 jars of pickles would have been >$1.58 once you added tax where we live).</p>
<p>I’m thinking, maybe they find things that are already on sale at the store, and then the manufacturer’s coupon brings it down on top of that, to zero or below. Sounds challenging. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I probably shouldn’t let my husband watch it. Might give him ideas.</p>
<p>moonchild–yes. Usually the merchandise is already on sale, then they add coupons, store loyalty, double coupons, etc. It’s rare that someone ends up paying nothing or getting change back, but it does happen.</p>
<p>A lot of states don’t charge sales tax on food items. </p>
<p>Keep in mind several stores have disclosed that they “suspended” their normal coupon policies for the show. Normal limits (I think Target is 4 of the same item/same coupon) are not observed…but I don’t know how that would impact all those stockpiles. </p>
<p>I am starting a small stockpile of “stuff” for D for her dorm room…but that means one or two of an item…and maybe one to store here until she needs it (personal products, bandaids, toothpaste, cleaner). I just don’t see how you could ever use all the stuff they are storing without it reaching expiration.</p>
<p>^That makes sense. College shopping is expensive, so it’s actually a really good idea to do it a little at a time to save money. But most of the “Extreme Couponers” never seem to have a purpose or goal in mind…they just want the stuff.</p>
<p>My H does this to a much lesser degree, and it drives me nuts. During the school year, it’s not so bad because they are always having food pantry drives. D’s class always gets the most bonus points, because he leaves for work, and I load my truck. S-T-U-P-I-D. How in the heck is this saving money, let alone cramming up my basement shelves?</p>
<p>I don’t give a da*n if Kleenex were 72 cents a box, I don’t need nor want 50 boxes of them stacked in my basement…ditto paper towels and a lot of food items…as mentioned, snacks and boxed, unhealthy stuff. We hate Van Camp’s baked beans…but he comes home with 2 b/c they are 39 cents. Because it is cheap should never be the sole reason to use something. Grrrrr…</p>
<p>Silverfish, termites, crickets, ants, roaches and other critters LOVE folks who stockpile. ICK! Why provide more breeding grounds?</p>
<p>I will admit to watching this show on a few occasions and it is really fascinating. I am completely amazed and shocked how the couponers are able to end up paying almost nothing for 600 dollars worth of groceries. If I had to have an addiction, I would not mind this one lol saving ALOT of money. Also on several occasions the couponers are donating the food to charities and less well off families.</p>
<p>^When you spend 40 - 50 hrs / week on couponning, it is not any kind of saving at all, not by any streach of imagination. 40 - 50 hrs / week is a full time job. Let’s face it, it is just an addiction and nothing else. It is OK if this is person’s calling. I feel sorry for them, life is so much richer than to devote that much time for this. But I have my own addiction (although I work full time), so I am as guilty and I understand them, they absolutely have to do it or they will go crazy if they are deprived. There is no any kind of deeper understanding than that, pretty simple, just got to do it, just like me, without any reason whatsoever, actually some of them are probably asking themselves, why and canot find very valid answer, which is OK.</p>