Wife Swap: The Couponing Edition

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I also am a couponer and just wish my stockpiles were a fraction of what the McIntyre family has. I also subscribe to Refundcents.com and would recommend it to anyone.
I did think that when the two wives met and exchanged information on what they had seen and experienced was good for both families.
We also have to remember that they only showed a very small part of what was taped and it was edited to make them look better/worse for tv.

Karen, OK of OK 1:40PM January 22, 2009

This week was a typical week. I spent $31 at the grocery store yesterday just supplementing what we had run out of or needed "fresh" (vegetables,fruits, meat). I have a family of 5. My stockpiles allow us to buy when things are at "rock bottom" prices and use what we have when they are not. How much does the average family of 5 spend on groceries each week? Five times what I spent?
Crazy, or smart!

Vanessa of OR 1:11PM January 22, 2009

I fully believe there is a happy medium. I use coupons, and subscribe to Refundcents.com however, I spend money on my appearance, if I happen to have a coupon great, if not.. oh well. I save at least $300-500 a month on things I would normally buy. It's been a very easy way to stretch our dollars. I've gotten some great perks out of using coupons, free massages and pedicures from buying products I already use.
I have no problem paying for my kids karate and sports, knowing that I'm saving money in other areas. I live in Southern California, it is expensive to live here. And in this economy those who are savers are going to be the ones who come out on top.

Wendy F of CA 12:59PM January 22, 2009

A penny saved is a penny earned and noone should judge someone who is trying to save money for their family. I was a single mom for 11 years and am now happily married and still use coupons and shop sales. I have saved my family THOUSANDS!!!!!! I also donate to family, friends and the local Social Services. I take something I enjoy and turn it into something good. Nothing wrong with that!!! I would much rather live like the McIntyre's then be in such financial trouble like the other family by overspending on fancy SUV'S and a tanning bed.

Tara S. of 12:42PM January 22, 2009

I've been doing coupons/refunding/rebates for over 25yrs.
I've only kept track of my refunds/rebates for the last 4-5 yrs. I really don't have time to track minimal coupon savings when I save $5-$10, but when I save $40 during triple coupons yesterday, that's a significant savings. Last yr. my total for
refunding/rebate try me free offers, was almost $9000.00
Thats' about $750 a month, and that's not including the coupons, I don't have time to put that into my notebook every time I save a buck or two, I may even be pushing $10k a yr. including coupons. My basement is stocked with everything from free beer, free chicken boneless breast & pizza, to every type of HB&A prod. & cleaning & paper prod. out there. My 20 somethings kids come home and go shopping, I tell them don't go buy that stuff, just bring your cooler and will load you up, they usually go home with a trunk full of groceries a month, stocking them up with necessites that help with their very tight budget.
We have the extra money to do alot more things than most people who normally think this is a waste of their time, yeah right.
Time is money, and we have more of it because of my profitable hobby.

Debbie of TN 12:24PM January 22, 2009

I also subscribe to Refund Cents. I also use coupons as much as possible but I don't spend hours a day doing it. I try to buy what I need but if I can get something free or almost free that I don't need, I will donate the products to my family, church or other organizations. I also go to "bent and dent" stores or low price grocery stores selling outdated or bent can items. You have to be careful but I have gotten bottles of salad dressing for 15 cents! My husband supports me all the way. I don't do it because I have to due to financial constraints. I do it because I believe I should be a good steward of my money.

Vonice Hoffman of IA 12:23PM January 22, 2009

Maybe if more people minded their budgets. With the help of coupons/rebates we as a country/personnelly we wouldn't be in such debt. Thats why this needs to be talked about on this format. The more we save the more we can use for education, family needs, paying off credit cards. And for investing in our futures. Living within our means is very important for individuals as well as governments/businesses. Whatever they choose to spend on clothing /hair is a personnel choice. As long as there families best interest is considered. And is within a balance of life.

Clp of IA 12:19PM January 22, 2009

I too use coupons and belong to refundcents. I think what everyone needs to keep in mind is that these television programs show the absolute extreme and slant what footage they have that direction as much as they can. So I am sure that either family is as far to either extreme as portrayed.
Besides if it showed people not being portrayed this way would any of us watch???

Jennifer of TX 12:18PM January 22, 2009

Good for you using Coupons and Refunds to save money and pay less on everything you buy, my friends and I all use coupons
we don't believe in paying full price not when you don't have to. How nice you are showing your children how to be thrifty.

Ellen of MI 12:17PM January 22, 2009

I guess I am somewhere in between the two familys. I love to save money and am also a member of refund cents. I do rebates and stock up on items we use. But I beleive in doing so we have
been able to afford our ski boat and many trips to ball games for the kids (and now grandkids). We are a very active family
and saving every penny we can has made it possible for us to
enjoy live this way. We don't eat out often and take food with us whereever we go. You don't need to through away money to
enjoy life.
Just my opion,
in Mo.

of 12:11PM January 22, 2009