Couponing Is For Organized People With Time To Spare. Not Me.

[brightcove_vid playerid=”9″ flashvars=”omnitureAccountID=gntbcstwxia,gntbcstglobal&pageContentCategory=video&pageContentSubcategory=&marketName=Atlanta, GA:11alive&division=Broadcast&SSTSCode=&videoId=955297914001&playerID=34619011001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAB_0PyCk~,_pBlGqvGs04Tc8UUwQF4CFKPQB-OCvyg&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true”]Have you seen that show on TLC called “Extreme Couponing”? It’s crazy, there are all these people who obsess over coupons and then save thousands of dollars a year by skillfully shopping with them. Embedded here is a video with a Georgia mother who was featured on the show and who takes viewers through a trip where her $75 bill is cut in third. It’s quite remarkable. She also runs a site called “Our Coupon Home” where you can learn some of her serious coupon skills.

I love the idea of saving money on our groceries. My husband was mortified to discover recently that hot dogs went to $5.00 in our neighborhood grocery store and a regular pack of bacon is now $7.99. Food inflation is a serious problem and it’s very much cutting into our budget.

But here’s the deal: the idea that I would have the time, much less the inclination to go around collecting newspapers, cutting out coupons, printing multiple copies of coupons and then altering our diet significantly in order to utilize them? That’s not going to happen until such time one of us loses a job. It’s just not worth it to me. I’m barely getting any sleep at night as is, you know?

So how do you do it? Are you so wealthy that couponing is something that only the little people do? Do you, like me, stroll for one-day deals when you happen to be shopping? Or is there some magic for people who are too busy to coupon but still want to save money on these ever-increasing food bills?