Last night while channel surfing, I came across a new show called Extreme Couponing. I thought it would be a lesson in how to save money using coupons. But, in my mind, it's another show about compulsive behavior and hoarding.
Apparently, there are a number of people who are extremely serious about using coupons. They dumpster dive, have multiple subscriptions to several newspapers, lift papers from the lawns of homes in foreclosure, use several computers and printers to get online offers, and do whatever else they can think of to get their hands on 100s of coupons every week. Of course, all this effort means they are couponing 20, 40, and even 60 hours a week.
Certainly it was exciting to see a final cost of $5.99 for $500+ worth of groceries and staples. And, in one case, a women got $400+ worth of items and the store ended up refunding her $40. But the question begs to be asked, what are they doing with all of their puchases? Hoarding! Or, what the couponers call stock-piling.
Couponers are nothing if not organized. They couldn't process 100s of coupons every week if they weren't. And that same skill is put to use in their stock-piling. They all have designated rooms or spaces filled with shelves neatly stock-piled with 100s of different items. One man was especially proud to show his stash of 1000 tubes of toothpaste all of which he got for free.
As a person who hates clutter, the stock-piling was a bigger turn off than the hours spent. However, after I shared all the above with Jim this morning, he told me the financial experts are encouraging stock-piling. The fear is that, in the near future, inflation is going to soar as the value of a dollar "goes down the toilet." So I am now considering stock-piling (yikes!) a six-month supply of staples. But, first, it's going to require a lot of mental preparation for me to accept extra "stuff" in my house. Dang this stinkin' economy!
*20 Grandma Days until End of School Year*
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