“Coupons are my crack.”
“If this house burnt down, sorry kids — you run, but I’m grabbing the coupons.”
These are a few quotes from extreme couponer Joyce, featured in Season 3 of TLC‘s hit Extreme Couponing, which premieres May 28 at 10pm ET/PT. Last year, the show was viewed by an average of 1.5 million P2+, and it’s been reported that shoppers saved $4.6 billion with coupons in 2011, $500 million more than the previous year. Perhaps motivated by the series, or the down economy, or both, shoppers appear to be trying even harder to save money with coupons wherever possible, and some people take that to extremes.
More of these extremists are featured in Season 3 of Extreme Couponing. The premiere episode introduces University of Louisville student Dominique, who teams up with his frat brothers to throw a big toga party. The only way they can afford to do it is if Dominique pulls of the most extreme coupon shopping trip he’s ever attempted. He pushes his buddies to any lengths to get the coupons he needs, including going door-to-door in togas asking for coupons and singing for coupons in the quad.
The episode also follows Jeff, who comes from a “dynasty” of male couponers. Jeff and his brother Dan learned from father Dave, and now Jeff is teaching his son Sam how to coupon. At 8 years old, Sam is old enough to accept the family’s heirloom coupon box and its stash of no-expiration coupons. But to fully join his family’s ranks as a full-fledged couponer, Sam must first save at least 75 percent on his very first solo extreme couponing shopping trip.
Other couponers viewers will meet through Season 3 include Aprille, who coupons for snacks that she trades for favors and car repairs at the car dealership she works at in Michigan; and Alabama minister Adrienne, who believes that paying full price is an abomination and spreads the coupon gospel to her congregation through her sermons. How much would Jesus save!
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Credit: TLC