“My Hobby became my obsession,” admits Angela Parks, or Angie, during Common Heart’s April 26 coupon class at June Bugs Childcare Development Center. Dana Hinson, who has been couponing with Angie for three years, jokingly nods her head in agreement. The two friends taught participants how to get the most out of sales, coupons and rebates. To Angie and Dana, however, couponing is much more than just saving money. They stressed the importance of giving back to those in need – family members, neighbors, food pantries, or even the stranger checking out in front of you at the grocery store. “God will bless you back 10,000 times for any one little thing you do,” Dana said as she told the class about the relationships she has built through couponing. Angie always includes hygiene products and laundry detergent with her food pantry donations. “Pantries don’t get enough of those items…and I never donate food that I wouldn’t feed my family,” said Angie. Dana added, “That’s not the Christian way to do it.”
Among the wealth of information these coupon divas shared
last month were these five takeaways:
·
Daily
double - Harris Teeter, Lowe’s Food and Bi-Lo double coupons up to .99
cents every day.
·
Freebies!
- companies send coupons and free samples when you comment on products you
like, contact them, or subscribe to their e-mail list.
·
Simple
math - a buy one get one free in-store promotion plus a buy one get one
free manufacture’s coupon equals two items for free!
·
Swipe and
save - Harris Teeter offers extra savings loaded directly onto your VIC
card through their e-VIC program.
·
It pays
to be green - Target, Lowe’s Food and Bi-Lo take an extra .05 cents off
your total for every recyclable bag you use.