Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (2024)

Saving Money / Shopping

Advertiser Disclosure

GOBankingRates works with many financial advertisers to showcase their products and services to our audiences. These brands compensate us to advertise their products in ads across our site. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site. We are not a comparison-tool and these offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products.

3 min Read

Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (1) Written by Sean Fisher, AI Editor

Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (2) Edited by Sean Fisher

Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (3)

sdominick / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (4)

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (5)

Reviewed
by Experts

Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (6)

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

In the era of smartphones and online shopping, extreme couponing has evolved. Gone are the days of clipping coupons from newspapers and storing them in bulky binders. According to the most recent data by the Consumer Price Index, the price of groceries increased 0.3% in November and a staggering 4% over the whole year.

As the price of food rises, frugalist have found digital platforms that offer a plethora of ways to save money. But with these changes, one might wonder: is extreme couponing still worth it in the digital age? Let’s dive in.

The Shift to Digital

The digital age has transformed couponing from a purely paper-based activity to an online phenomenon. Digital coupons, cash-back apps, and online promo codes have replaced traditional coupon clipping. Retailers and brands now offer a variety of discounts and deals directly on their websites or through apps, making it easier for consumers to access savings with a few clicks or taps.

Advantages of Digital Couponing

  1. Convenience: Digital couponing is far more convenient than traditional methods. You can access discounts on your phone or computer, eliminating the need to physically clip and organize paper coupons.
  2. Wider Reach: Online platforms offer a broader range of coupons and deals than what you might find in your local newspaper. This access allows for more significant savings across various products and services.
  3. Instant Savings: Digital coupons can be applied instantly at checkout, whether shopping online or in-store. Many retailers allow customers to scan a code from their mobile device, streamlining the process.
  4. Cash-Back Options: Apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Honey not only offer coupon codes but also provide cash-back on purchases, adding another dimension to the savings.

Challenges of Digital Couponing

  1. Time Investment: Like traditional couponing, digital couponing requires time and effort. Searching for the best deals and keeping track of various offers can be time-consuming.
  2. Overwhelming Choices: The sheer number of coupons available online can be overwhelming, making it challenging to find the best deals or discern which are legitimate.
  3. Impulse Buying: Easy access to deals can lead to unnecessary purchases. The temptation to buy something just because there’s a coupon can lead to overspending.

Is It Still Worth It?

  1. For Strategic Shoppers: If you’re organized and strategic about your purchases, digital couponing can lead to substantial savings. Using a combination of cash-back apps, promo codes, and digital coupons can drastically reduce the cost of both essential and discretionary items.
  2. For Casual Savers: Even if you’re not into the “extreme” side of couponing, casually using digital coupons and cash-back apps can still offer moderate savings without much effort.
  3. For Eco-Conscious Consumers: Digital couponing is more environmentally friendly than traditional methods, as it reduces paper waste.

Make your money work for you

Get the latest news on investing, money, and more with our free newsletter.

By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (7)
Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (8)

Thanks!

You're now subscribed to our newsletter. Check your inbox for more details.

Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (9)

Conclusion

Extreme couponing in the digital age is not only alive and well but has also become more accessible and diversified. While it demands time and discipline, the payoff can be substantial, making it worthwhile for both avid savers and casual shoppers. As with any financial strategy, the key is to stay informed, be selective, and avoid purchasing items you don’t need, regardless of the discount. With the right approach, digital couponing can be a powerful tool in your money-saving arsenal.

Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.

Our Editors’ Picks

  • 6 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money
  • 6 Fall Essentials To Buy at Aldi To Save Money
  • 6 Strategies Anyone Can Use to Pay Off Debt
  • I'm a Debt Expert: Here's How Social Media Warps Our Perceptions of Debt
Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? (2024)

FAQs

Extreme Couponing in the Digital Age: Is It Still Worth It? ›

Conclusion. Extreme couponing in the digital age is not only alive and well but has also become more accessible and diversified. While it demands time and discipline, the payoff can be substantial, making it worthwhile for both avid savers and casual shoppers.

Is extreme couponing worth it? ›

Extreme couponing can help you reduce costs, but it may not be effective for lowering the price of staples. Joining a warehouse club or making a meal plan could be more effective ways to reduce your spending.

Do Extreme couponers still exist? ›

(KTAL/KMSS) – The days of making money off your grocery store run may be long behind us, but saving money on your everyday essentials is still very possible. Coupon culture has evolved over the years while Joanie Demer, Co-Founder of The Krazy Coupon Lady explains couponing is not dead, but extreme couponing is.

Do grocery stores lose money on extreme couponing? ›

In general, stores do not lose money from offering or accepting coupons. In fact, they are more likely to profit.

Why is extreme couponing illegal? ›

All coupons printed in the U.S. have a non-transferability clause, which makes the coupon void if sold for a profit. Plus, many coupon sellers offer stolen or counterfeit coupons, leaving you liable to potential litigation if caught.

What is a disadvantage of couponing? ›

Diminished brand value: Constantly offering discounts and coupons can create a perception among consumers that the products aren't worth their original price. As a result, the brand's image and perceived value may be eroded, leading to a potential loss of trust and loyalty from customers.

Do stores lose money on coupons? ›

Coupons can help introduce new product lines and encourage customers to try a more profitable brand or service. Coupons can also help attract existing customers to come back to your store. The biggest con of using coupons is that they cost businesses money and may lead to lower profit for that sale.

How to coupon in 2024 for free? ›

Where to Find Coupons. There are numerous sources for finding coupons in 2024. Look for them on websites like Ibotta, on product packaging or receipts, and in-store coupon inserts. Many stores also offer digital coupons that can be loaded onto your loyalty card for added convenience during your shopping trips.

Can you get in trouble for couponing? ›

It involves deliberately modifying and/or using a coupon in a way not allowed by its terms and conditions for undue financial or material gain. This is almost always a violation of federal and regional laws in the US and other countries and can result in charges such as theft, larceny, and counterfeiting.

What stores allow extreme couponing? ›

6 Retailers That Let You Double Up on Coupons
  • BJ's Wholesale Club. BJ's allows you to stack one of each of the following on a single item: ...
  • CVS Pharmacy. CVS allows you to stack one of each of the following: ...
  • Dollar General. Dollar General allows you to stack one of each of the following: ...
  • Rite Aid. ...
  • Target. ...
  • Walgreens.

What is the trick to extreme couponing? ›

Extreme couponers typically start coupon stacking by using manufacturer coupons on products that are already on sale. Manufacturers cover the cost of manufacturer coupons, so many stores let you stack manufacturer coupons on sale products because it doesn't impact their bottom line.

What are the best states for couponing? ›

As it turns out, certain metropolitan areas are particularly thrifty when it comes to shopping, according to a new report from Coupons.com. The site used couponing as a proxy for frugality. Some of the top 10 penny-pinching cities were Orlando, Florida; Washington, Charlotte, North Carolina; and New York.

How does extreme couponing get things for free? ›

Combining deals to score items for free or for pennies on the dollar. The key to extreme couponing is not to take advantage of just one deal but to take advantage of multiple deals at the same time. By stacking the deals available to you, you can get great prices on items.

Who went to jail from extreme couponing? ›

Lori Ann Talens, 41, ran the scheme from April 2017 through May 2020, and pleaded guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud and health care fraud before she was sentenced Tuesday by a federal judge in Norfolk.

Did the coupon ladies go to jail? ›

In September, Talens was sentenced to 12 years in prison for “perpetrating a counterfeit coupon fraud scheme” that amounted to $32 million in losses for retailers and manufacturers, according to the Department of Justice.

How many millionaires use coupons? ›

And 93% of millionaires use coupons all or some of the time when shopping.

Does couponing really save you money? ›

Couponing can save you money while shopping, but might cause you to spend more money, especially if you have trouble finding coupons for items you would normally buy or lose out on better deals from cheaper store brands.

Is couponing still a thing in 2024? ›

There are numerous sources for finding coupons in 2024. Look for them on websites like Ibotta, on product packaging or receipts, and in-store coupon inserts. Many stores also offer digital coupons that can be loaded onto your loyalty card for added convenience during your shopping trips.

How do extreme couponers save so much money? ›

The key to extreme couponing is not to take advantage of just one deal but to take advantage of multiple deals at the same time. By stacking the deals available to you, you can get great prices on items.

Is extreme couponing selfish? ›

It's self-centered. Extreme couponers, in their quest to get everything for nothing, do not think twice about anyone else's time as we stand in line behind them. Consideration for others disappears when the extreme couponers is focused on the adrenaline rush of beating the system.

Top Articles
What Happens to Your Loans When a Lender Goes Bankrupt? | Bankrate
From Crypto to Cash: How to Withdraw from Binance
NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration hiring NOAA Commissioned Officer: Inter-Service Transfer in Spokane Valley, WA | LinkedIn
Health Benefits of Guava
Localfedex.com
Aiken County government, school officials promote penny tax in North Augusta
Deshret's Spirit
Roblox Character Added
Iron Drop Cafe
Pwc Transparency Report
My.doculivery.com/Crowncork
Kaomoji Border
Tygodnik Polityka - Polityka.pl
Grayling Purnell Net Worth
Pickswise Review 2024: Is Pickswise a Trusted Tipster?
Persona 5 Royal Fusion Calculator (Fusion list with guide)
Ups Print Store Near Me
8000 Cranberry Springs Drive Suite 2M600
Nesb Routing Number
JVID Rina sauce set1
Truvy Back Office Login
Horses For Sale In Tn Craigslist
Srjc.book Store
Gncc Live Timing And Scoring
Planned re-opening of Interchange welcomed - but questions still remain
Inmate Search Disclaimer – Sheriff
Emiri's Adventures
About | Swan Medical Group
Capital Hall 6 Base Layout
Of An Age Showtimes Near Alamo Drafthouse Sloans Lake
Poster & 1600 Autocollants créatifs | Activité facile et ludique | Poppik Stickers
2016 Honda Accord Belt Diagram
Staar English 1 April 2022 Answer Key
Terrier Hockey Blog
42 Manufacturing jobs in Grayling
20 Best Things to Do in Thousand Oaks, CA - Travel Lens
Indiana Jones 5 Showtimes Near Cinemark Stroud Mall And Xd
Low Tide In Twilight Manga Chapter 53
Simnet Jwu
California Craigslist Cars For Sale By Owner
Executive Lounge - Alle Informationen zu der Lounge | reisetopia Basics
Honkai Star Rail Aha Stuffed Toy
Makes A Successful Catch Maybe Crossword Clue
Professors Helpers Abbreviation
Large Pawn Shops Near Me
877-552-2666
Aurora Southeast Recreation Center And Fieldhouse Reviews
Strange World Showtimes Near Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes Stadium 16
Craigslist Cars And Trucks For Sale By Owner Indianapolis
Bloons Tower Defense 1 Unblocked
The Ultimate Guide To 5 Movierulz. Com: Exploring The World Of Online Movies
ats: MODIFIED PETERBILT 389 [1.31.X] v update auf 1.48 Trucks Mod für American Truck Simulator
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 6133

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.