To the Extreme

Wednesday night TLC brought back a showed called Extreme Couponing. After hearing people talk about it all week I decided to tune in. I didn't think I would make it through both 30 minute episodes but did all the while amazed and a bit disappointed in what the show could be.

I tweeted the other day that I thought those that took couponing to the extreme did not eat healthy. I use coupons when I can and rarely procur coupons for fresh fruits or veggies or organic products. Not to say they aren't available, they just rarely come in a Sunday paper. The deals that I saw being made with coupons were for processed foods: soda, chips, hot dogs, canned soups/meals, cereals and tons of non-perishables.

The stockpile that these folks had was ridiculous. I'm sorry to say that when groceries take over your home and you have a gazillion packages of toilet paper under your 2 year olds bed? It becomes less about saving and more about hoarding. And the thrill of the shop and save. These folks can talk about how much they save but wouldn't they save even more if they stopped buying things they had 100 bottles/packages/rolls of?

I perused a few couponing forums and the consensus was the same, the extremist were giving couponers a bad name. They appeared greedy and hoard-like. They were in essence going to ruin current coupon policies and make it even harder for the rest of us. And I have to agree, I've already seen changes to policy because a few always ruin a good thing for masses.

Another issue that was brought up was the good these extremist could do for shelters and churches. A few comments were from people that knew those that had been highlighted and said many did give. So why didn't TLC show that? Instead of leaving a bad taste in the viewers mouths, it would have been nice to see them taking all the extra and donating it. But honestly? It's hard to believe that someone with 3 years of stockpiled groceries who is still shopping weekly is giving anything away.

I'm not sure if I will continue to watch each week. What about you? Did you watch and have any thoughts?