I began in-depth bargain shopping 5 years ago, after my daughter was born. I stayed home for a while, and money got tighter and tighter. While looking online for early ads for Black Friday (otherwise known as ‘day after Thanksgiving’) shopping, I stumbled across www.gottadeal.com. The forums on that site were amazing! I used many of the tips I found to do our Christmas shopping. I was amazed at the gifts I could give for so little.

With each year, I saved more and more money. I quickly became the go-to girl for shopping advice. I can normally get someone exactly what they are looking for, for half the price. It may take a week or two to find the best deal possible, but when you are saving hundreds, it’s well worth the wait.  A couple of years ago, I decided to try coupon shopping. There were several members of the forums I belong to that were constantly bragging about their grocery savings. My first couple attempts were flops. I realized that we have no ‘big-box’ or chain stores in our area. Most of our chains are centralized in Southwest Missouri. I kept trying and eventually figured out the science of shopping local.

As I mastered the art of coupon shopping, my bank account and waistline reflected it. We are eating more than we could have ever imagined, the amount of food in our house is unbelievable. I also have a ‘stockpile’ of household items to last us more than a year. These stockpile items are everyday necessities that I often find for free or pennies and stock up.  The stockpile savings alone are tremendous. Not only are we saving the retail price of the item, but we are saving the cost of gas for a quick trip to the store. These quick trips to the store could take up to half a day on the weekend, when I take the husband and kids along. And, when everyone went with me, we were spending a lot of money on stuff we didn’t need.

Friends and family began begging for tips.  As a working mom, I didn't have the time to help everyone learn individually, so when a friend suggested that I hold a class, it seemed like the perfect answer.  The classes just kept getting bigger and bigger.  I realized the impact that this could make on so many lives.  There are so many people that can benefit from couponing, but don't have the time to learn it.  After a 2 hour class, a student leaves with all of the information needed to begin shopping.  

I am lucky enough to have the most wonderful, most supportive family that I could have ever asked for. Except for the occasional eye-roll when I come home with yet another SUV full of stuff, my  husband completely supports my habit. He has been my rock throughout this new venture. I could have never pulled this off without his constant encouragement and praise.

Well, that’s enough about me, let’s get back to shopping!!!