Extreme Couponing or Extreme Hoarding?
Extreme couponing or extreme hoarding? That is the true question. If you happened to see the new show TLC Extreme Couponing, you know exactly what I am talking about. I thought it was wonderful when I saw one man buy over 1,000 boxes of cereal to donate to a local food bank, but then I saw enough deodorant in his stockpile to last him the next 150 years. What about the 40 year supply of toilet paper? Was the cereal just a ploy to distract us into thinking he isn’t crazy after all? I am not the judge.
I have to admit that I use coupons like crazy in my town. In fact, I am known as the Coupon Lady at my local Publix. I even teach classes on how to use coupons. I have also been known to buy 40 boxes of pasta at one time. However, if you look at my stockpile you will only find about six. The reason is that I give away the stuff I don’t need. When I first started couponing almost two years ago, I got caught up in the excitement. I had 20 deodorants in my closet just for my husband. I must have had 10 shampoos and 20 boxes of cereal. When I started cleaning under the bed only so I could have another place to store things, I decided that something was wrong. I soon realized that the same stuff was going to go on sale over and over again. I didn’t need 40 years’ worth, I only needed 3 months’ worth. So what did I do?
Around that time, we had a group of college guys stay at our house for a night. I over heard one of them say that he needed deodorant. I got so excited that I grabbed enough bottles for each one. They were happy. I was even happier when I told them I had gotten it for free. It wasn’t long before one asked for shampoo, and another for shaving cream. Soon I had given away at least 15 items. It was so exhilarating to be able to help them out, especially when it didn’t cost me much at all.
So what can you do? First, I recommend learning how to use coupons so that you can save money on groceries, but then I recommend giving something away. Ok, so you don’t think a stick of deodorant is a great gift. How about that coat you bought last year and only wore twice or the bicycle you keep promising your wife you are going to use? We all have something that we hoard. To one person it may be deodorant, to another it may be shoes. I don’t think hoarding is having an over abundance of something, but simply having something you aren’t going to use and just keeping it to yourself.
There are people on your street who are in need of things. They will not come up and ask for it, but with a watchful eye, you will start to notice. In our county, we have several places that help people on a daily basis. If you use coupons and have a 20-year supply of soup, decide today is the day you are going to let only lint and dirty socks occupy the space under your bed. Then take a trip to the Potter’s House, Habitat for Humanity, or Manna Ministries. To get rid of some clothes or shoes you won’t ever fit back into or that will be out of style by the time you do, why not try the Salvation Army, Nu Hope, or the Arc. Look around and give like it is going out of style. You might just find you like it.
