Wife Swap: The Couponing Edition

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Obviously Wife Swap is a silly show that exaggerates both Families for shock value.
Couponing doesn't take that much time and once you start stockpiling you save tons of time going to the store because you already have everything. I also donate to charities.
I also have a weekly email sent to friends who buy my stockpile items cheaper than they would get in the store. This money is my grocery money each week. Both sides win
OH AND BY THE WAY WE SAVED SO MUCH MONEY LAST YEAR THAT MY FAMILY JUST GOT BACK FROM A WEEK IN THE BAHAMAS ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE.

Joy of MS 8:57AM January 23, 2009

I too, am a single Mom of 3 children, and subscribe to refundcents.com. All of the deals posted on refundcents.com enable me to provide things for my children that they normally wouldn't be able to have on a one paycheck income.
Some of my friends, family, and co-workers thought I was alittle crazy at first, but when they seen how much I save on a continual basis through using coupons, sales, and price matching they were stunned. I always get teased about my "stockpile" of items at my house, like my 40 jars of spaghetti sauce I got for almost free, the 32 pkgs of the spaghetti noodles etc...However, you can also ask my friends who has also shared this stockpile with them without second thoughts. Whether it was economically hard times for them,a friend going through divorce trying to make it on her own, or just because giving feels so good, that is what I do with my stockpile.
Coupons do require alittle time, and energy but with the right mind set anyone can choose to learn how to utiltize something that is easily accesible to all of us. Once again if you wish to learn and want to know how to save money, try refundcents.com to start with. Then begin to ask friends, neighbors, co-workers if they will share their leftover coupons with you from their Sunday newspapers (we all use different products, so sharing is a way to "recycle" coupons as well), and it will flow from there.

Amy of WI 7:52AM January 23, 2009

Apparently to some people, spending money on parties is important. Nevermind that you may need $60,000 per year per person for nursing home care. Nevermind that your parents may count on you for financial support. Nevermind that you and your children are going to go into serious debt paying for their college education that wasn't planned. Nevermind that you will not have money to pay any unforseen medical emergencies and are living paycheck to paycheck to keep up the facade. So what if you go further into debt trying to do all of this? Remember, the government is going to bail you out, right??
I think the current economy is important enough to warrant the national exposure Wifeswap just gave to saving money and anyone who thinks its "dumb" is actually clueless. This show was a real eye-opener for people who live a very lavish lifestyle and would have no idea how to survive if they lost their job or if their income was reduced by 50%. I have subscribed to Refundcents for over 10 years now and have to say it is the best money I ever spent. Kudos to Michelle and the McIntyre family for showing America what the real world could be like for them and for helping me overcome my financial obstacles over the years. This wasn't just another goofy reality show. It IS reality!

Sharon of AL 1:56AM January 23, 2009

I have been using coupons for years and I send in an occasional rebate too. I also stockpiled for years and still do some even though we are living full time in our camper and traveling across the US. We winter in TX and usually spend a couple months in each place.
I shop at yard sales and sales at Walmart and Kmart for clothing for myself and hubby. I use no makeup except a little lipstick occasionally, because I don't like the feeling of it on my face and I'm allergic to some of it. I also raised 3 sons who weren't into sports and chose to spend their time playing video games for enjoyment. They are all grown and married now with children of their own who are into church and school programs as well as bowling.
Hubby and I will be debt free by the end of 2009 including paying off our SUV. I use my coupons to help people in our RV park. I set stuff out on a table that I pay tax only or a few cents for that people can take home with them for free.
I will also be sending care packages to Iraq again since my youngest son will be there soon on his second tour. Couponing is a way of life for me. It's a smart choice, save money and pay down debt. With the economy in the shape it is now people are better off saving, not spending like crazy.
Yes, I am also a Refundcents subscriber, I love to read about the deals people get each day, and I'm proud of the fact that most couponers are generous givers to the needy in their community.

Sandy of WV 1:55AM January 23, 2009

I love to use coupons and rebates. Coupons helped me save when I went to college. I did not have money to buy new books all the time. By using coupons, I was able to feed my family nutritious foods and pay the bills. Coupons have helped me through some very tough times. Refunding and saving money is very important to me. I have two brothers and two sisters, and coupons have helped me buy xmas presents and food. Sometimes, I am able to give my family things that I normally could not afford. Coupons are a necessity in this day and age~

Claire of IL 12:18AM January 23, 2009

Dear US News and World Report, Thanks for this opportunity to tell you how much my husband and I have been enjoying our free subscription to your magazine. When we are finished reading each issue, I take them to work, place them in the staff lounge and let my colleagues read them. They love them! So your readership is up! And how did I manage to find a free subscription to your magazine? Why, I subscribe to Refundcents.com. Gotta love those freebies!

Patrice of WA 10:14PM January 22, 2009

Refundcents is a great way to save money! It also enables one to donate to charity much more often.

Grace of CA 10:13PM January 22, 2009

I use coupons,mail in for rebates & try to help cut corners any way we can.Which in return gives me the extra money to get my hair done every 5 weeks without feeling I have hurt the family budget!My child is into soccer,dance and other activities that without using coupons and rebates -we could not afford!It makes our life richer in many ways.

Pat B. of NC 10:00PM January 22, 2009

Reading the comments above I have to act on this also. I'm a loving mother and wife. I came froma family that had loads of money and met my husband which was born on the other end of the tracks.
Until about 3 years afo I'd spend money faster than I could make it. If I didn't have a job I'd still shop til I dropped with no coupons. We moved to Ohio and jobs have been very hard to find and keep.
My husband and I have both been laid of since Sept. 2008. Since then I have saved $3000.00 from using coupons on food and household. Our income is under $1500.00 a month and I use every coupon that is worth using. (Since we have been laid off)
Our basement is filled with tote of different household items we have been stocking up on. What are all these people gonna do when or if they get laid off like us and have nothing else to turn to.
My husband and my family use to complain oh wasting your time with all those coupons and rebate checks. Well I showed them with a free shopping spree on me with my coupons. Now they pay me to do there shopping twice a month.
Its not a stupid hobby nor a stupid movie to watch and learn how others live. You can learn alot and save money doing so.I would love to swap households with another wife and for the experince of a life time.

Tammi of OH 9:41PM January 22, 2009

I took a Dave Ramsey class last spring/summer and our coordinator taught us a lot about coupons. At first it was hard to see savings, but once you get the hang of it, it's amazing to go shop. I may only have 5 different things in my cart and perhaps 10 of each, but to save 80% on a regular basis, it's definitely worth it. Like others who have stockpiles, you learn quickly how easy it is to save money, fully stock your family and to give to those less fortunate. I donate weekly to homeless and domestic shelters. I use couponmom.com for the majority of sales matching and only spend about 30 mins per week on coupons. In the past week I've spent $17 (saved $55), spent 70c (saved $58, yes really) and spent $4 (saved $24). By saving on the basics, I feel more secure in this economy. I'm also using all available funds to get out of debt as quickly as possible. I've been a single parent for 10 yrs and have my youngest currently in college, without student loans. We must be wise with our money, and if using coupons makes us weird, oh well. Let me be weird.

Pam of GA 9:31PM January 22, 2009