If you’re anything like me, you know that the thrill of a good deal is second to none. But did you know that couponing can do more than save you a few bucks?
Today, I want to share with you seven ways that becoming an extreme couponer has positively impacted my life and how it can change yours. There are many benefits of extreme couponing that go beyond cheap shampoo or toothpaste.
Incredible Financial Savings
The most obvious benefit, but still worth mentioning! Since I started couponing, I’ve saved a whopping 40% on my grocery bills. That’s money I used to pay towards debt. Couponing jumpstarted our debt-free living journey.
I’m not going to go into that whole story here because I wrote a blog post about it, but when you are living paycheck to paycheck, cutting back your grocery budget is the one thing that is IN your control.
When you save that extra money from couponing, you can now put it towards paying off debt, saving for a vacation, or even just enjoying a guilt-free night out.
*Are you new to extreme couponing? Learn step by step how to become an extreme couponer here.
7 Benefits of Extreme Couponing
Gift Card Glut
Did you know that many stores offer gift cards when you buy certain products? By strategically using coupons, I’ve accumulated a stash of gift cards that come in handy for birthdays, holidays, or those days when I just don’t feel like cooking.
The best store for this is Target. The best part is these gift cards don’t expire. Stacking coupons and Target circle savings with their gift card promotions is a couponer’s delight. The hardest part about this is remembering to use those gift cards.
When you use apps that give you cashback for items you purchase, most of the time, you can turn your rewards into gift cards too. I like to use my gift cards for guilt-free purchases in different apps.
For example, for the ibotta earnings, I typically get a Walmart gift card and use that gift card to buy more Ibotta items. I’ll stick to snacks I normally wouldn’t buy and do an Ibotta haul at Walmart. Cashing out a gift card on the Ibotta app takes seconds, and it can be done right before you check out.
I’ve shared this on Tiktok too.
My fetch rewards I’ll use just for my own special purchases. I typically get a gift card to TJmaxx or Marshall’s and will let myself splurge on an item. You can put these gift cards into any category in your budget, from birthdays to presents.
Charitable Contributions
One of my proudest couponing achievements is the amount of goods I’ve been able to donate to local charities. When I score a great deal on non-perishable food, toiletries, or household goods, I set some aside for donation.
It’s a win-win – I save money and give back to my community.
Product Stockpiling
Thanks to couponing, I’ve built up a stockpile of essentials that saw me through that wild toilet paper shortage back in 2020. It’s become second nature to check the closet when we run out of toiletries instead of adding them to the shopping list.
There’s a sense of security in knowing that I have a backup supply of necessities.
Fun Family Activity
When I started couponing my girls were toddlers and loved to help me clip coupons and organize my binder. Many times I would bring them couponing with me.
I would always have them sit in my stockpile photos, too, and they would love to organize the items, knowing I would be taking a picture. (You can check out some of those old posts with the girls here)
Couponing is a fun family activity that teaches them valuable lessons about money and savings.
Eco-Friendly Shopping
By planning my shopping trips around my coupons, I’ve reduced the number of times I need to drive to the store each week, which is a small but meaningful way I can reduce my carbon footprint.
The fewer times you go to the store, the better your chance of sticking to your budget and not overspending.
A Sense of Accomplishment
There’s a real sense of accomplishment in knowing that I’ve taken control of my finances in such a tangible way. Every time I look at my receipt and see how much I’ve saved, I feel a little thrill of victory.
Let me introduce you to Sarah, a single mom who turned to couponing out of necessity. Through careful planning and strategic shopping, Sarah slashed her grocery bill by 50%, allowing her to start a college fund for her son. Her story is a testament to the power of couponing.
I’ve shared my personal coupon story of our debt-free journey here.
So there you have it – seven ways extreme couponing can change your life. It’s more than just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle that rewards you in more ways than one.
So why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how much you can save!
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