I’d be willing to climb out on a very narrow limb and assume that almost all of us have heard of the “Extreme Couponing” trend. If we hadn’t heard of it prior to TLC’s show, we sure as heck know what it’s all about now!! Even Honey Boo-Boo’s mom extreme coupons! And Suga’ Bear her baby Daddy!
Much as I hate to be a “follower”, I’d be lying to say I didn’t jump on the tail end of that band-wagon and start drinking the coupon kool-ade. I became as obsessed with couponing as I am with facebooking! We all know how well THAT’S worked out for me!
Positive: Saving money for your family.
Negative: Buying 73 boxes of fruit roll-ups that you don’t even allow your kids to eat, because they were .13 cents each.
In actuality, I come by bargain-seeking honestly. Remember bubble-gum flavored Hi-C? No? Good. That’s probably because it sucked and was only on shelves for a few weeks. Just long enough for it to get marked down to 8 cents a gallon and my dad to buy 112 gallons of it!!! As kids, we weren’t allowed any other juice until we “used up what was in the house!”. That was a LOOOOOONNNNNGGGGGG 27 weeks of chugging bubble-gum Hi-C. Maybe that’s why I can do shots like such a champ now! 
I’ve got to admit, when I fell for this couponing trend, I fell hard. As in Johnny and June hard.
Similac and Enfamil must think I’m the biggest wh*re out there, not to mention a medical marvel, because I’m signed up 17 times on each of their websites to get free formula samples and coupons to feed my “imminent deliveries”! According to them I’m due with a new baby every 3 weeks or so. Won’t they be surprised come bathing suit season! Granted I’ve switched it up with a few different addresses, just to keep them guessing. It’s simple enough to do…… literally like taking formula from a baby! I have friends who could really use the help, so why not? With formula at $47.00 a can I hardly doubt my craftiness is going to bankrupt the formula 500!
Along with couponing, comes Grouponing. You’re all familiar, yes? Groupon is a site you can register with and they e-mail you daily deals. Initially, I loved Groupon! My Dad the bargain-master turned me on to it and I thought it was great. I created an account, viewed the daily deals that were e-mailed to me each morning and thought “One of these days I’m going to buy one of these awesome deals!” Ain’t that some $hit!
A month or so later, after my account had failed to produce copious (or ANY) transactions, Groupon e-mailed me and more or less said: “Hey lady! We’ll give you a $15 credit towards your first Groupon purchase if you get off your butt and buy something within the next two weeks!” Thanks Groupon, NOW you’re speaking my language!
There’s a ‘but’ in every one of my stories and this one is no exception. I feel like Pee-Wee Herman: “Let’s talk about your big but!” Instead of taking my Groupon credit and enjoying it, I just HAD to look that gift horse right in the mouth. If ONE credit is good, wouldn’t EIGHT be better? I then proceeded to register every e-mail address that I or my dog has ever had. Yes, my dog has an e-mail address. Yes it’s a long story. No I’m not right, and yes I’ll blog about it someday.
Don’t you worry though, I’ve been paying for my grouponculous selfishness ever since. I’m fairly certain that Groupon is now profiling me. Ever since I signed up with them 8 times, I started getting deals for weight loss products, and even a half-price trip to “The Biggest Loser” camp! How do THEY know I’m fat?!? It’s bad enough to get those e-mails ONCE, let alone 8 times! Nothing says “Hey Fat Girl” quite like seeing it 8 times before you even go to McDonalds for breakfast in the morning! Well played Groupon, well played!
