‘Extreme Couponing’ for the average shopper

Most people on the show will buy extreme amounts of items with an overage so the excess balance can be applied to other items they will not be getting for free. On one of the latest episodes, a woman used a $51 overage from buying 150 bottles of Excedrin to pay for meat.

Getting an “overage” doesn’t work at all stores. Some will discount only the cost of the item. This can also vary by cashier.

However, Walmart is a store that honors the value of the coupon — but it does not double coupons. This means you can enjoy the savings of “overage” shopping.

Which leads me to the deals at Walmart this week.

Walmart sells Nivea body wash for $3 every day. In last Sunday’s Red Plum coupon insert (April 17), you will find $3 off coupons for both Nivea Men and Nivea Women body washes. Also, the 55-yard roll of Reach Dental Floss is sold at Walmart regularly at 88 cents. There is a coupon in last week’s Smart Source insert (April 17) for $1 off Reach floss. Online you can print two $1 off coupons per computer at coupons.com. This means will get a 22-cent overage per floss you buy.

I went to Walmart and this is what I bought:

• Two bottles of Nivea for Men body wash: $6

• Two bottles of Nivea for Women body wash: $6

• Two packages of Parkay margarine sticks: $2 total ($1 each; coupon for 50 cents off at coupons.com)

• Six packages of Reach Dental Floss: $5.28 total

• Total: $19.28

• Total value of coupons: $19

• Total after coupons: 28 cents (before taxes)

This is a great savings and does not require the “extreme” quantities purchased on “Extreme Couponing.” You can still save big buying in bulk without buying things you will never use.

Need coupons? Make sure you get the Sunday paper and find copies for $1 at your local Dollar Tree. Ask friends and family for their inserts. If you still need more, use a clipping service such as The Q Hunter.

Now go out there and start saving— the smart way!

For more savings tips, visit the Here’s the Deal blog online at middletownjournal.com/go/bargains (journal-news.com/go/bargains)

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