Super-Couponing

The upside to couponing? Saving money, of course. The downside? Those piles of unused coupons. Whether you clip each coupon or keep the weekly inserts, there are most likely some coupons you didn't use before they expired. One obvious solution to help tame the mountain of savings-that-could-have-been is to simply toss whatever didn't make the cut at the store. However, before you give the round file a workout, why not consider collecting those expired coupons for a good cause?

For those of you still with me after reading that title: naw, it isn't a real group, and PETA probably wouldn't heartily or readily approve. All fun aside, however, there is such a thing as using coupons ethically or, in other words, ethical couponing.

Since I've started really using coupons combined with sales to help save money on stuff I was buying already, I've also started connecting with friends across the country who are of a like mind.

It's been pretty eye-opening; prices differ on staples across the country and stores can vary a lot in their coupon policies. So today I'm tackling a problem posed by some of my friends outside of my neck of the woods.

Q: My local store does not double the value of my coupons; how am I supposed to super-coupon when they won't even double?

I love perusing savings/frugal/couponing blogs. There are tons of ways to save on everyday things and lots great ideas out here in cyberspace on how to go about it. These blogs are often very helpful and can point anybody with an interest to the right way to start saving.

If you've read any of our series here at MomVesting about super-couponing, then you're at least somewhat familiar with my take on today's booming subject of combining coupons and sales to maximize savings. Though I've written a post about how to acquire coupons, I had never delved into the world of getting those small paper scraps of savings online – until now.

It seems everywhere you turn these days, someone is gabbing about super- or extreme-couponing. The art of acquiring every day things at rock bottom prices by combining sales and coupons has caught fire with just about everyone in the hunt for the next great deal.

Ever notice how some so-called reality shows aren't very, well, real? The concept might be there, but something about lights and cameras gives a lot of the shows out there a very scripted or staged feel. The couponing world's version of a reality show, TLC's "Extreme Couponing," is one such show that touts reality but depicts a generally amped-up version of true couponers. So here is my take on every day, real-life couponing as compared to the drama-filled reality show version.

I recently came across an article online that went on and on about why extreme couponing (what we here at MomVesting call super-couponing) fails. It snagged a ton of comments, and it appeared the majority of people posted legitimate comments and concerns about the couponing game.

As you all know, I've been trying my hand at the latest craze sweeping the nation: super (or extreme) couponing. While I'm the first to admit that I have not achieved a large-haul shopping trip like the couponers featured on the TLC show (think $500 worth of products for next to nothing), I have been consistently saving our household of four more money than ever.

Who knew those national drug store chains could save you money? Before trying my hand at super couponing (the art of matching sales with coupons for maximum savings), I rarely popped into a drug store. In my mind, they were totally overpriced and good for making an emergency medicine run or picking up that last minute card.