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April Greetings!
Have you watched "Extreme Couponing" on TLC? Most consumers who use coupons have seen it. Nothing in the show is new to me but for many consumers, they are experience shock and awe at the notion that anyone could buy so much for so little. My tip this month highlights the good, the bad and the ugly about "extreme" couponing so you are able to find a healthy balance.
Easter and Mother's Day are approaching! Look for coupons to reflect choices that match these upcoming celebrations. When you match your shopping list with these coupon savings as well as store specials, this is when you save the most money.
Mother's Day Promotion
Give Mom a Couponizer and for a limited time, we will include a $25 Gift Card from Restaurant.com! Yes, this is worth $25 towards a $50 meal at any of the participating restaurants at Restaurants.com.com. What a deal!
Check out this offer at the bottom of this newsletter! If you are in the market for a gift for a Spring wedding or baby shower, end of year teacher gift, take advantage of this special offer!
For anyone new to The Dotted Line, every month I share a money saving tip, tool and testimony as well a favorite recipe that uses ingredients that can be bought using coupons. I hope you enjoy each issue, as always I welcome your feedback.
Happy Savings to all,  Amy Bergin Wife, Mother and President, The Couponizer Company |
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 TIP - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Extreme Couponing
Find out what is right and wrong with this show.
Extreme Couponing on TLC sure has brought saving money by using coupons into the spotlight! All of the consumers who are featured on this show are smart, highly creative and determined people who at one time had a common problem, financial stress. One show guest was asked to respond to someone who says they don't have time for coupons, she replied "Honey, you just haven't been broke enough!" It is undeniable that when there is not enough money to cover expenses, then stress builds inside your body, your mind, your marriage and/or in many other significant relationships. So, to relieve financial stress, the choice is simple, earn more money or cut expenses or some combination of both.
Coupons actually accomplish both! By matching a product choice with a coupon thereby lowering the price of the item, you turn what was once a piece of paper (or image) into cash! When coupons are used as intended, then a winning outcome for all is created. However with "Extreme" anything there are risks associated with going too far.
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.
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TOOL - Entertainment Book 
Now is a good time to buy this book! Find out why...
This book yields huge savings on so many things! This past Spring break I used several coupons for bowling, laser tag and meals and saved over $50! This book is usually released around the holidays and coupons are typically good for a year. My 2011 book has coupons expiring on November 1st. So by now, the remaining stock of 2011 books are being offered at clearance prices! Buy one now and save all summer and into Fall! |
Virginia Clement - Virginia Beach, VA
I am not even sure when I first bought a Couponizer, but I think it was back in 2005 or earlier. I've had several, one I lost (TRAGEDY!), and one wore out from use over a span of a couple of years. I currently baby my Couponizer and make sure it stays securely with me in the store, as it is the most valuable "shopping buddy" one could have! Many people have stopped me to ask how I coupon clip and save with the Couponizer while I am shopping; while I've watched other women struggle with gigantic boxes they try to balance on their carts. I've found that armed with a list, and checking through my coupons before I leave the house and marking my list with a "C" next to any entry that has a coupon,it simplifies and quickens the shopping with coupons experience. If I know I must use a coupon because it is expiring, it stays in the "Coupons to be used today" pocket and I mark that on my list. Works great! Yesterday I saved over 30.00 on my bi-weekly shopping trip on a total of of 389.00!
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RECIPE from Amy
Classic Smoothie
Why pay huge prices for smoothies when you can make them for so much less? Kids love to get involved so let them make their own!
Ingredients:
1 cup orange juice
1 cup hulled and quartered strawberries
2 fresh bananas, sliced
6-8 ice cubes
Directions:
Pour orange juice in blender, add strawberries, bananas and ice. Blend until smooth.
Coupon Alert! Orange juice.
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