When Extreme Couponing came on whatever channel it was on, I, like everyone else, was fully engaged in the show. Watching these people cut coupons then go into a store and rack up a bill that was in the hundreds only to have the store owing them money was amazing to me. During this time it wasnā€™t in my time budget to coupon clip and look at circulars. But when I was on maternity leave with babyĀ #2, I thought Iā€™d take a stab at itĀ as aĀ means ofĀ saving money for myĀ family.

Saving Money With Couponing

Now my best friend Terri is EXCELLENT at couponing so when I got a text from her saying the grab the Sunday paper because there was some kind of extreme sale going on, I did. I clipped for what seemed like hours on end before logging into my Publix and Kroger accounts to clip the virtual coupons. Then from there, I made a shopping list at each store.

Boom.

I was feeling successful. **Spoiler alert: I wasn’t.**

Do you guys remember the show Extreme Couponing? Well, I tried to save my family money by couponing & well, the only thing that was extreme was my failure.

I Failed At Saving Money With Coupons

Publix was up first. I stuck to my list and only got the things that were on sale and that I had coupons for. Publix is typically more expensive than Kroger so this list was pretty short–I can probably name everything that was on my list and what the discount price was kind of short. I get to the cash register and she rings everything up. The total was $115 and some change.

Full disclosure: I was a little shocked at the price since my cart really wasnā€™t full. But my coupons hadnā€™t been applied yet so my moment of greatness was still waiting. I give my phone number and coupons as I prepare myself for that number to start coming on down Extreme Coupon style.

If you blinked you would have missed how many numbers i came down. after all my coupons, my total was $107 and some change.

Friends. I saved about $8. Eight.Fricking.Dollars.

Couponing: A Humbling aka Angering Experience

I donā€™t know if anger is an accurate description of how I felt. I felt like screaming and hollering like abc does when sheā€™s strapped in her car seat and ready to eat.

Rage. I felt rage.

How was it that Iā€™d managed to miss the mark so badly??? I mean, all that time and cutting for $8???? Yes, I failed miserably. Iā€™m going to try again and this time Iā€™ll organize but after this, Iā€™m done.

Eight.Damn.Dollars.

Are you a couponer? What tips do you have for the shopper trying to save with coupons?