Extreme Couponing...

 This was written by my friend Wendy and I agree with ever word! 

By Saving With Wendy
And so it begins again. Greedy shoppers, over the top sales, disregarded store policies, and staged scenes. Will someone please remind TLC they are supposed to be the "Learning Channel" not the "misLeading Channel"

The Charlotte Observer recently printed this article regarding TLC's new season of Extreme Couponing. You all know how I feel about the show. At first I was excited to see a show concerned about today's economy and helping others learn the value of coupons and how it can help stretch a families budget. I was excited others would be able learn what I had learned years ago, how to coupon efficiently. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. I am "extremely" disappointed with the show and what it has "taught people." Couponing is not greedy, grab all you see. Couponing is not cheating the system. Couponing is not all deals at all costs.
Couponing is, providing for your family with in your means. Couponing is sharing and giving to others in need. Couponing is helping and teaching.
According to the article, TLC, doesn't seem to care about any of those "good" couponing traits. Lowes Foods, portrayed for the first time in the TLC series, regrets it's participation.
Lowes.. wasn't pleased with the experience.
"If we had it to do over again, we would not have done it," said Lisa Selip, a corporate spokeswoman for Lowes Foods who said the show was full of misrepresentations and sensationalism. "Hindsight is 20/20."

Lowes admits taping of some scenes are staged, and even acknowledges that the company waived part of its coupon policy for the benefit of TV cameras.

And yet, each week, millions of viewers tune in waiting to see the "Extreme" Yes, I know it is all ratings, and people don't want to see us boring couponers getting 2 free packs of gum and Pasta Sauce for .50. But you gotta remember what TV is- entertainment plain and simple. I just wish those watching the show would remember that and not think they can go out and buy a Sunday paper and duplicate those crazy shopping trips. That you don't need to steal the coupons out of the Sunday paper to save money. That for the most part these "shopping trips" are the biggest trips ever from that shopper, and that many store policies are overlooked. These shows should be looked at as a Made For TV miniseries, as that is what they are MADE FOR TV!!!!!