What is Extreme Couponing and How Do I Get Started?

If you buy groceries, I'm sure you've heard of it. Extreme couponing. It's the newest fad sweeping across America. Extreme couponing takes a lot of time, effort and patience. If you can do it, extreme couponing can provide immense financial rewards. Someone who is extreme couponing is clipping coupons, scanning ads, and grocery shopping in an attempt to save the largest amount of money possible at the grocery store. Extreme couponers purchase coupons, meticulously arrange them in binders organized by aisle or category. They know the store policies on coupons, and the store planograms and visit as many stores as necessary to maximize the savings.

Extreme Couponing is gaining a large following. The first thing you should do is purchase at least three Sunday newspapers, a three ring zippered binder, a small clip board, a thin calculator, and some plastic baseball card protectors. About 20 will work to begin with, and try to get a variety of sizes. Stores are beginning to put limits on the number of like coupons that can be used, and companies are also placing limits on how many like items can be purchased with their coupons. Three will get you a good start. To make clipping easier and quicker, layer the three sets on top of each other in order and clip them all at once.

Once you've clipped your coupons, arrange them alphabetically by category and put them in the baseball card protectors. Make sure you only put like coupons with like coupons, even if you only have one of a particular coupon. This makes the coupons easier to find when you need them, or when you need to toss the coupons that are expired. Try to make sure the expiration dates show in the protector, but fold them if you need to. From there, grab your grocery ads and start your shopping list. Although this part is time consuming, it isn't difficult and it helps maximize your savings.

• Plan a meal list before you go to the grocery store and make your grocery list based on that.
• Only buy items you need. If you buy things you don't need and most likely won't use just because they are on sale, you are decreasing your savings.
• Purchase coupons and entire coupon inserts on eBay.
• Sign up for any rewards cards your grocery stores offer and know the terms.
• Don't shoot for huge stockpiles. The people you watch on TLC's Extreme Couponing show are the exception and are bordering on obsessive/compulsive behavior. Having a few items saved back is a good thing, but you don't need to have a grocery store in your basement.
• Find out what days your local stores stock their shelves. Chances are it isn't on the weekend, so try to go during the week when you know your items will be in. If they aren't in, ask for a raincheck.
• If you have kids, get them to help you clip coupons and match them with sales. It's also helpful to have another person shop with you so you have a second cart driver, but the shopping trips can be very long, so kids might not be the best to help with that task.
• Find stores that honor double coupons up to $1.00. You will make up for the extra gas money in your savings.
• Clean out your refrigerator and shelves prior to going to the grocery store.
• Keep a tally of the prices you will be paying on your calculator as you pick out your items. Even at deep discounts, your bill can add up quicker than you realize.
• Don't forget to cut out coupons from inside boxes.
• Join coupon trading groups. Check your local newspapers to find out where you can join.
• Move your used coupons from your binder to your clipboard as you pick out the items.
• Be courteous to other shoppers, and try to shop at times of the day that the grocery store will be less busy.