Each week, our resident Couponista, Amy Leneker, shares her personal shopping experiences and extreme couponing tips so that you too can be a Coupon Expert!


I have a ridiculously lean, fit and healthy friend (I know, I know…but I love her anyway) who often talks about “Runners’ High.” She says this is the unique feeling she gets when running marathons. Well, I get a similar euphoria in my life that, thankfully, has nothing to do with running. I fondly refer to it as "Couponer’s High."

Couponer’s High is the rush of adrenaline that comes with scoring a major bargain. One of my fondest moments of couponers’ high occurred on a day that is sacred to all who take couponing seriously—Black Friday.

Taking Advantage of Black Friday Bargains

I was up at the crack of dawn, and I had a plan. I had scoured online ads, newspaper circulars, and all my frequent shopper emails and coupons to determine how to get the very best deals. Fred Meyer had children’s Adidas two-piece suits for $46.00 and I just had to have a pink one for my daughter, who was turning one year old that Christmas.

I sign up for Fred Meyer’s early coupon alerts through e-mail, so I knew that Adidas was on sale for an extra 40 percent during their two-hour blockbuster deals. Of course I would be there during the blockbuster deals! That brought the price instantly down to $27.60.

I had clipped a coupon for an extra 20 percent off all apparel (now the price was $22.08) and, in addition, I had a Rewards card for 40 percent off one children’s apparel item (now the price was $13.25). I also had a $10.00 Rewards coupon for being a frequent shopper, which brought the final price down to $3.25, or a savings of 93 percent. Wow!

The Savings Breakdown

Original price                     $46.00

Blockbuster deal              - 18.40 (40% off)

Store coupon                     - 5.52 (20% off)

Rewards discount            - 8.83 (40% off)

Rewards certificate         - 10.00

FINAL PRICE       =      $ 3.25

 

 

I had scored a two-piece Adidas suit (so stinkin’ cute by the way!) priced at $46.00 for only $3.25. I was so excited and so proud of myself! I wanted to shout it from the rooftops and in my head I was silently humming something along the lines of “I am woman, hear me roar.”

My annoyingly lean and healthy runner friend says that is exactly how she feels after finishing a race. But I think I’m the real winner—I got the same euphoric feeling, and never had to break a sweat!

Image 1 Credit, Image 2 Credit

I sign up for Fred Meyer’s early coupon alerts through e-mail, so I knew that Adidas was on sale for an extra 40 percent during their two-hour blockbuster deals.  Of course I would be there during the blockbuster deals!  That brought the price instantly down to $27.60.