I really liked the episode where the couponer was making care packages to send to soldiers. It made me realize I should clear the shelves when I see a good deal [without coupons though... I don't have time for that] and donate the items to a good cause. A really great idea, if you ask me.

Just as an FYI here's some info:
While using coupons to buy something doesn't create taxable income, there can be tax consequences depending on what is done with the merchandise. Those who resell items for more than they purchased have taxable gain (& they likely aren't reporting it, so your state tax department or the IRS might be interested in an anonymous tip). Those who donate their purchases can only deduct the amount paid for the item (fair market value for items donated, must be reduced by the amount of gain you'd have to report if you sold the item for that price).

Signed,
Your friendly tax auditor

Anonymous wrote:


Really you call this person a "friend?" honestly you coupon haters just need to get a life outside of blog posting. It seems that you get just as much thrill out of picking apart a post as coupon shoppers get out of saving money. Seasoned shoppers know etiquette. The people clearing shelves (out side of the televised edition) are new and will soon figure out that not everyone can shop nor should shop like the people on the show. Most I know donate to some charity. Look at the people hosting a garage sale as your personal shopper...they are still saving you money by doing the leg work. Heaven knows you don't mind over paying the grocer but just maybe the person needs the money to survive, pay rent or some other reason. If you don't like the price...walk away.

Personal CVS shopper, please get a real job.

Anonymous wrote:Just had to jump in and say that I have one facebook "friend" who does this. She's always posting pictures of all the stuff she gets at CVS and how much it cost. The funny thing is that she's about 75 pounds overweight and dieting (she posts about this too) and her pictures always include all of this crap packaged food - like freezer meals, pasta-roni, chips, etc. Plus she buys all of these groupon type discounts for restaurants or cupcakes (that was my favorite one considering she's dieting. Oh, and she's a SAHM who quit her job and I think she started this out of guilt.

You can say you buy "healthy" foods with all of your coupons, but I don't believe it.

I will use a coupon here and there if I come across one for something that I already purchase like coffee beans, toothpaste, cheese, eggs, etc. But this whole extreme couponing thing is just a game.

Really you call this person a "friend?" honestly you coupon haters just need to get a life outside of blog posting. It seems that you get just as much thrill out of picking apart a post as coupon shoppers get out of saving money. Seasoned shoppers know etiquette. The people clearing shelves (out side of the televised edition) are new and will soon figure out that not everyone can shop nor should shop like the people on the show. Most I know donate to some charity. Look at the people hosting a garage sale as your personal shopper...they are still saving you money by doing the leg work. Heaven knows you don't mind over paying the grocer but just maybe the person needs the money to survive, pay rent or some other reason. If you don't like the price...walk away.

Anonymous wrote:Just had to jump in and say that I have one facebook "friend" who does this. She's always posting pictures of all the stuff she gets at CVS and how much it cost. The funny thing is that she's about 75 pounds overweight and dieting (she posts about this too) and her pictures always include all of this crap packaged food - like freezer meals, pasta-roni, chips, etc. Plus she buys all of these groupon type discounts for restaurants or cupcakes (that was my favorite one considering she's dieting. Oh, and she's a SAHM who quit her job and I think she started this out of guilt.

You can say you buy "healthy" foods with all of your coupons, but I don't believe it.

I will use a coupon here and there if I come across one for something that I already purchase like coffee beans, toothpaste, cheese, eggs, etc. But this whole extreme couponing thing is just a game.

Part of it depends on what you consider "healthy." I cook almost every meal we eat from scratch (or pretty close to it). There are coupons for brown rice, whole wheat pasta, organic broth, organic beans, almond milk, whole wheat bread, yogurt, frozen organic veggies and fruits, wild-caught salmon (usually a store coupon, but still a coupon), etc. They rarely have them for produce, but every now and then they do have them for things like carrots, clementines, or the bagged salads/spinach. I do use coupons quite a bit, but only for things we actually use/eat and never for a crazy amount of items (i.e., usually not more 2 of something, and even that is uncommon).

I have also been unable to find something at the store b/c some extreme couponer has completely cleaned an item out. Totally hoarding in my book, unless they are donating the items to people who really need it.

Just had to jump in and say that I have one facebook "friend" who does this. She's always posting pictures of all the stuff she gets at CVS and how much it cost. The funny thing is that she's about 75 pounds overweight and dieting (she posts about this too) and her pictures always include all of this crap packaged food - like freezer meals, pasta-roni, chips, etc. Plus she buys all of these groupon type discounts for restaurants or cupcakes (that was my favorite one considering she's dieting. Oh, and she's a SAHM who quit her job and I think she started this out of guilt.

You can say you buy "healthy" foods with all of your coupons, but I don't believe it.

I will use a coupon here and there if I come across one for something that I already purchase like coffee beans, toothpaste, cheese, eggs, etc. But this whole extreme couponing thing is just a game.

My sil does this. Wakes her 18 month old up at 5:00 am to hit bloom with all of the other crazies. She is 75 lbs over weight and just keeps buying more and more crap to fill up her little apartment. Then brags about how she saved $$$.

I went and did my regular shopping last week. All of my groceries totaled $250 and with the store's incentive card and coupons I was able to knock $110 off the bill. My only splurge was for twizzlers that I had a $.50 coupon for, that doubled to $1.00 and they were on sale 3 for $5.00. Well, I had three of those coupons and got all the twizzlers for $2.00. I am on a road trip and they are my road trip food snack. You know, if I don't have pretzel and cheese combos.