OT - Any extreme couponers in our midst?

I search online for coupons for things I use often. I once fell into the pit of buying things I normally would not because I had a coupon for it. :-/ That was a long time ago. Anyway, if you get really good at it, I think you could easily start a little nest egg!

The only thing I hate, and I know not all extreme couponers do it, is when they get greedy and clean off the entire shelf and leave none for anybody else. So annoying.

I am not an extreme couponer.  I can't even come close to 2 of the previous posters.  Way to go to both of them, by the way!  I have a lot of respect for those that can do it.  

I use coupons for what I buy regularly.  Like Kelly I will email or write for coupons and you will (more often then you would think) get coupons for free items as well as cents off.  My trouble with those now is that a lot of the places near me (from the markets to Target) won't take coupons for free items if you don't have to purchase something in order to get the freebie.  Sucks.  I could understand the ones printed at home but even ones that manufacturers have sent me that are clearly not printed at home.  

The tip about All You magazine is a good one.  Sold only at Wal Mart but available via subscription and well worth it.  

I have an email address just for registrations on product sites because you have to register for newsletters a lot for some to send you coupons.  Also worth it if you don't mind it.

Savingsstar.com is cool you can upload coupons to your loyalty cards.  You have to use $5 worth, however, to get a check or direct deposit, they don't take the savings off automatically at time of purchase.  

I follow hip2save.com  and get wind of a lot of deals there.  She posts the coupon match ups from the sale ads for Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, Target and others that are very helpful.  She has found the deals you just go and buy them.   Plus a ton of freebie offers are posted there.  (That can of roasted tomatoes I used in my taco casserole was a free sample.  Got it in the mail.  LOL) 

Also Target and Rite Aid, Dollar General, others I am sure...they have coupons on their websites that are store coupons.  You can stack those with manufacturers coupons like you print or get in the paper and use them at the same time.  I really think that is where I do the best.  At Rite Aid I will take manufacturer's coupons, stack them with Rite Aid coupons (and if you are lucky get register rewards...cash coupons you can use later on your next purchase) and I can clean up on some vitamins and OTC meds.  Along with everything else they sell.

It can get overwhelming if you let it-pretty quickly.  I recommend easing yourself in it and seeing what works for you and the young 'uns. 

 Yes never never be a shelf clearer. If you know you need something in bulk talk to the department manager and order ahead or purchase the items during the sale and pick them up when they come in. 

 I will clear a shelf, I will.  But keep in mind I'm only getting at most 5-10 of an item and they won't special order that amount for me.  If that's all that's left I'll take em all.

Now if I were getting 25, 50, 100 of an item it would be different.