I used to be an extreme couponer. I lived in the Boston area where stores tripled coupons with no limit. I belonged to a "coupon club" (think quilt guild but coupons) where we traded coupons, UPC's (for rebates) and cash register tapes. I also did refunds/rebates for cash, products, coupons and what have yous (usually toys). The best shopping trip was 85% saved. I think I had about $100 worth of groceries and ended up paying $15 or so (that was back in the early 1980's when things were cheaper). I now use coupons regularly, but not extremely. I don't get a newspaper, so I have to rely on finding them at the post office where there is a coupon box and the library where there is also a swap box.
I've noticed a big change in coupons over the years. While coupons used to be "cents off one any size" of the product, now you get maybe $1 off, but you have to buy multiples of the item. When stores double or triple coupons, the old coupons were better, you often got the product for free or for pennies. Now the savings is much smaller.
I will always use coupons and do the occasional rebate/refund, but I am not extreme anymore. Last week I managed to save 10% on my $100 grocery bill using coupons. My last rebate was $20 from buying an air conditioner (energy star rebate). Would I still like to save more, you bet, but I'd rather be quilting than cutting coupons (unless they are for JoAnn's!).
Just my 2 cents....
Anita