Extreme Couponing.

Lovelies, I enjoy a good deal.  The least amount of money for the best deal out there always makes me happy! I love that my grocery store upgrades all coupons to $1 and stacks coupons from the specific store and the manufacturer, and I recently graduated my coupons to a binder.  Yes.  Even I was surprised about that.  The thing is that I needed more space and slots for my savings!  It has paid off handsomely!  I have saved an average of 50-60% on my grocery bills so far, which I thought was pretty good!! Until I watched 'Extreme Couponing' on TLC.  OMgoodness.  Are these people geniuses or insane? Are they stockpiling or hoarding? All I know is that I want to be able to save 98% on my grocery outings!  One thing I did notice while watching the show was that these people buy things that they don't really need- who needs 100s of boxes of pasta or 300 sticks of deoderant? Granted, one extreme couponer was making care packages for soldiers but he was the only one who seemed to be sharing the wealth.  Also, these people appeared to be extreeeeeemely stressed out when clipping coupons and when they went through the checkout line.  One lady was actually turning red and sweating!
To me, couponing should be enjoyable.  I don't clip coupons for items that I do not typically use or need.  Many of the Extreme Couponers clipped everything!!! Stuff has expiration dates and you cannot tell me that a family is going to get through a garage full of grocery items before something goes bad (don't let me start about the preservatives that maintain these products for however long!! Post for another time).  I suppose it can be done if it's a large family but really, what is a couple with no children going to do with an ever-growing stockpile of shampoo/pasta/butterfinger chocolate bars? It kind of boggles my mind, lovelies. These extreme couponers are spending 20 and more hours per week, searching, clipping and making their lists.  A few of them go to stores more than twice a week.  I couldn't do it.  Like I said, I love a great deal but I love my sanity and peace of mind more.  Just my humble opinion!
Can I tell you what I scored for free today using coupons? 5 bags of Graham Goldfish, 1 container of Mentos gum, two tubes of toothpaste, a bottle of Metromint water and a 4.4lb bag of brand name dog food.  Not too shabby right? ;)