LYNNWOOD — For almost a year now, Amber Bustanoby and Amber Mitchell have been clipping coupons and cutting their families’ grocery bills in half — saving hundreds of dollars a month on food, toiletries, school supplies, diapers and more.
“I was spending $700 (a month) easily,” without using coupons, Mitchell said. By last week, with coupons, she hadn’t hit $300.
Bustanoby’s numbers for February are similar to Mitchell’s.
And the women, who are both married and each have four children, have been telling others on their blog www.couponconnectionsnw.com about the deals they’re finding.
The Mitchells and the Bustanobys were, like many fellow Lynnwood families, needing to save more money in the current financial atmosphere.
Before couponing, Bustanoby, a stay-at-home mom with four young children, was beginning to realize that she would need to go back to work.
“I used to look for deals,” she said, “but it still wasn’t enough.” A friend told her about a segment on couponing that aired on NBC’s “Today Show.” That was last April. Since then, Bustanoby has saved enough to stay home with her young children.
Mitchell, who at the time was working night shifts at a casino and home-schooling during the day, saw how much her friend was saving and decided to begin as well. Now, she saves enough to stay home with her family in the evening.
Both women own thick binders full of organized coupons. They don’t buy anything at full price. “A coupon comes around for almost anything,” Mitchell explained.
People have been utilizing coupons this way for years. Couponers save by “stacking” store coupons with manufacturer coupons, taking advantage of stores that double coupons, and waiting to use coupons when retailers put the matching items on sale. By combining these techniques, Bustanoby and Mitchell stock up on items when they are at what they call “rock-bottom prices,” buying many products for next to nothing.
With the Internet, this money-saving practice has spread as couponers share deals and techniques on blogs and supplement their clipped coupons with those available online. Mitchell and Bustanoby recently started their blog to highlight deals in the Lynnwood area. They do not currently make any profit off the blog.
They both deny the common criticism of couponing that one would have to settle for lower quality products. “I live a higher quality life now,” Bustanoby said. “I no longer buy generic, and I have laundry detergent to last until 2012,” she adds with a laugh.
Coupon clipping tips
Why coupon? Amber Bustanoby and Amber Mitchell talk about families saving to go on vacation, putting away for retirement, or buying extra food to donate to local food banks. So how can you start?
Visit coupon blogs to see deals that others have figured out for you.
Be patient and wait for the best deals. Go to multiple stores to find the lowest price.
When you find something for an amazing deal, stock up. “The goal is to beat Costco prices,” said Mitchell. But remember to be mindful of expiration dates and your family’s actual needs.
Bustanoby and Mitchell’s blog www.couponconnectionsnw.com has local deals and links to other blogs.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
