Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Extreme Couponing on Good Morning America

The blogosphere is all atwitter with many people unhappy about the bit that GMA did this morning on Exteme Couponing, equating it to hoarding and possibly crossing the line into OCD. If you haven't seen it yet, watch the video below:





Sadly, my views don't change much watching this from the post I made a few weeks ago when I first heard about the TLC show... my comment then was that There is a fine line between Saving Money and Hoarding. Unfortunately, many people do cross that line.

Whatever the activity (whether it's playing an online game, shopping, clipping coupons, or anything else) it becomes a problem when it interferes in your day to day life. When you cancel other plans repeatedly to do that activity and you don't see where it's an issue, it's a problem. When you endanger your family or even your relationship, because of that activity, it's a problem.

Overall, I felt like the GMA bit was rather well-balanced. Matt commented that you couldn't argue with the good that people do when they get all these great deals and then pass them on to others. At the same time, you who is helping to have enough toilet paper to last you 40 years? And to still be buying more? Who cares if it was free, or how cheap it was? You don't need it.

I think that everyone has a little OCD in them. We all have some little OCD, and it's up to each of us to keep that in check. Couponing is fun! Saving money is FUN! So, I can understand how someone could get carried away and continue to buy more and more of something even when they have well more than they could possible use. In just a few months of stockpiling in our own house I've had to cut myself off on certain items, realizing that I can pretty much ALWAYS get those items extremely cheap, so there's no need to do it every week. Some items (like toilet paper and pasta) can always be found super cheap. There's just no reason to buy it every week. Those pennies do add up over time. Sure, it's only 10cents, but I have a years supply and it will still be only 10 cents in six months when I've used up some of what I have.

Extreme Couponers will debut on TLC tomorrow (Dec. 29) at 8pm EST, and feature 4 "Extreme" Couponers.

Cascade Complete Gel, part of P&G Mega Event at Kroger This Week

I was able to get by Kroger today and I am very happy to report that not only are the Cascade Action packs on sale with the Mega Sale but so is the 72oz Cascade Complete gel.  The gel is on sale for $5.99, and there was a Cascade coupon in Sunday's paper for .25 (which will double to .50), then when you buy 4 participating P&G products, an additional $1/item will be deducted ($4 per 4 items), bringing the Price Per Item on the Cascade Complete down to $4.49/bottle!

And Passionate Penny Pincher has a great scenario that will get you 12 P&G products for less than $4

Last Chance to Print These Coupons!

It's the end of the month, which means that many of the current coupons on Coupons.com will be going away, and many new ones will be available soon.  Here are the ones that are likely going to be gone after this week:



****** Don't forget that this Tone coupon combined with the ECB you'll get back at CVS means free body wash
****** This coast coupon equals free soap at Publix this week!

Lots of New Coupons on Cellfire!

Be sure to log into Cellfire and link your Kroger card for more great coupons. They just launched a bunch of new ones including:

  • .75 on Colgate Wisp
  • .50 on Betty Crocker cake mix & frosting
  • .50 on Betty Crocker potatoes
  • BOGO Budweiser bbq sauce
  • BOGO Biltmore marinades
  • $1 on Pillsbury holiday cookies
  • .50 on Pillsbury crescent rolls
  • .40 on Pillsbury Sweet Rolls
  • .50 on Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers
  • .... many more....
While you are at it, be sure to log into Shortcuts as well, it looks like they have some new digital Qs too

Does Your Attic Need Insulation?

We got hit with snow here this weekend and driving around my neighborhood (of older homes) I had a thought. The thought was that I remembered there being some connection between the way snow accumulates on your roof and the need for insulation; I just couldn't remember what the connection was. So, when I got home I looked it up and here's what I found on extremehowto.com:
After the first snowfall, compare the snow on your roof with the snow on your neighbor's roof. If the roofs are similar in slope and direction of wind impact, the snow accumulation should be similar to your neighbor's. If you have considerably less accumulation as compared to a similar roof, it could indicate heat loss due to inadequate insulation in the attic. Also, check the snow around the basement wall. Snow around the basement that has melted more than the snow on the lawn indicates heat loss. Seal it and install insulation accordingly.

The good news, for me, is that the snow seems to accumulate on our roof (and doesn't melt away very fast), so our attic is evidently well-insulated and holding heat (rather than losing it). The other good news is that this was exactly the opposite of the way I was thinking the correlation works.

So, go outside and look at your roof and determine if you need insulation. If you don't AWESOME! If you do, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the upside is that this investment now will save you a ton down the line.