Extreme Couponing in Canada

[CJOttawa]

Yes, it's possible. I'll just put this here...



... all that was pennies on the dollar.

The "Smart Canucks" forum has a lot more info than I could possibly post here. In short, price match at stores that do it (No Frills, Walmart and SuperStore come to mind) and use coupons creatively, like a $1 off any size coupon on the $0.50 travel size bottle.

[Homerhomer]

Good on them if someone is into it, but I often wonder how much effort goes into this couponing thing, research, driving to and from, barganing, arguing with cashiers and on and on and on, and if one were to put all that effort into making money they would probably be way ahead of the curve especially if we deduct all the junk that is purchased just because they were on sale.

[Sampson]

That's more Listerine than I'll use in a lifetime.

[Jungle]

I think I know who did that. I offered to be the agent so we could sign a contract with TLC and do a show, but no dice.

[CJOttawa]

Good on them if someone is into it, but I often wonder how much effort goes into this couponing thing, research, driving to and from, barganing, arguing with cashiers and on and on and on, and if one were to put all that effort into making money they would probably be way ahead of the curve especially if we deduct all the junk that is purchased just because they were on sale.

We asked ourselves that same question. For us, it was an hour or so extra a week and that was all at the kitchen table sorting coupons and circling deals in flyers. Oh, and ordering coupons on Save.ca or P&G's BrandSaver.ca sites.

We don't buy stuff we don't use; our focus was on non-perishables that we would consume over a period of months (or years, in the case of the detergent, mouthwash etc)

FWIW, we cut our grocery bill in half last year doing this and it's likely to stay way down on account of all those things we don't need to buy.

[Four Pillars]

That's more Listerine than I'll use in a lifetime.

Maybe you aren't using enough.

[Jungle]

When you stack that much, does it become extreme couponing or hoarders? lol

[blin10]

+1, waist of time... and most of the stuff is useless anyways, how much peanut butter can you eat? how much listerine do you need ? how much kraft sauce do you use? what do you need so many cases of tide for? etc,etc

Good on them if someone is into it, but I often wonder how much effort goes into this couponing thing, research, driving to and from, barganing, arguing with cashiers and on and on and on, and if one were to put all that effort into making money they would probably be way ahead of the curve especially if we deduct all the junk that is purchased just because they were on sale.

[Plugging Along]

I think it's great. I actually did similar something similar when both my spouse and I weren't working. We cut our grocery bill by more than 50% in using coupons, and being really creative with our shopping. It did take me alot of time, but that's what I had then. Now, because of those great couponing and shopping foundations (yes, there is such a thing), I still get alot of benefits. I spend about 30 mins a week planning and finding coupons and my grocery bill is still about 25% less than what it used to be 4 years ago, and that's with growing kids and inflation.

I do see a difference between stock piling (which I do alot of) verse hoarding. Saving up for the things that you know you are going to need and use and building up a reserve. Hoarding, you are saving for the sake of saving it, without any purpose for the reason that you MIGHT need something. For example, when we were expecting our second child, there was a huge diaper sale, we picked up 2+ years of diapers for under $700, that would have easily cost us $2500. I thought that was smart stocking piling, as they never hit that price since. Hoarding would be buying diapers now, knowing I will never have another baby just in case.

My stash of stuff has alot of the things in that picture. I wish I had that much tide. I think some things you will always use, so why not stock up when cheap or free. One can always give them away, which hoarders do not.

[CJOttawa]

I'm amazed at the apparent animosity demonstrated in this thread.

For what it's worth, the item at the front of shelf doesn't necessarily represent what's behind it. We keep FOUR extra jars of peanut butter, not 24. (I believe there are packs of oatmeal and croutons behind those)

...most of the stuff is useless anyways...what do you need so many cases of tide for? etc,etc

We got the Tide at about $5/115 load bottle. (it's usually $25)
8 bottles x $20 savings each = $160 saved.

Over the next two years, we will use the detergent.
The difference is, we won't need to buy it "when we run out" and pay $25/bottle.

Note: there are no stacks of newspaper on the floor or junk piled on the couch.
We aren't hoarders; if anything, we're minimalists.

...I do see a difference between stock piling (which I do alot of) verse hoarding. Saving up for the things that you know you are going to need and use and building up a reserve. Hoarding, you are saving for the sake of saving it, without any purpose for the reason that you MIGHT need something. ...

My stash of stuff has alot of the things in that picture. I wish I had that much tide. I think some things you will always use, so why not stock up when cheap or free. One can always give them away, which hoarders do not.

Bingo! We even give items to charity from time to time. (SPCA/Humane Society loves getting soap, blankets, pet food)

*** *** ***

Our shelf represents "dollar cost averaging" or perhaps "consumption averaging." We buy things we need when we can get them at significantly reduced cost. That money gets invested and earns us money.