Stashing away cash has long been one of my pastimes.
It began as a survival tactic during my scrimping college years. I never abandoned it.
Why pay retail when — with a bit of digging, patience and planning — I could pay a tiny portion of the price?
For a period, I got really into couponing. When I started to up my coupon efforts, The Krazy Coupon Lady became my go-to resource. I quickly picked up the trade secrets, and friends started dubbing me the Coupon Queen.
Because of KCL, I once grabbed a $120 pair of Sorel boots for $10.And a $40 cast-iron skillet for $16. I discovered how to save up to 97% using CVS Rewards.
I even learned how to stack coupons, time sale cycles, roll offers and leverage rebates to make money from couponing.
Here’s why I’m a fan of KCL and why you might want to visit the site if you’d like to slash your spending on nearly anything.
1. Discover Tons of Freebies
Because so many brands want to win you over and turn you into a repeat customer, the web is full of items available for free. Usually all they ask is for your email and/or mailing address.
But who has the time or knows where to look for these freebies? Krazy Coupon Lady does.
The KCL crew combs the internet for freebies and shares them on their blog. Examples they’ve posted include free address labels, light bulbs, coffee and dog snacks.
They also point out the fine print, like whether you’ll have to cover shipping or cancel a trial later to avoid being charged.
To stay updated on all the freebies they post, follow Krazy Freebies on Facebook.
2. Move From Beginner to Expert
The couponing world can feel overwhelming with its jargon, store coupon policies and limitations.
While it’s possible to pay nearly nothing (and sometimes literally nothing) at grocery stores, drugstores and online, developing that expert-level coupon savvy takes time.
To help you begin, KCL offers a fantastic freebeginner’s guide.
The straightforward step-by-step resource breaks down couponing topics and shows you how to get organized and sidestep common mistakes. Whenever someone asks me for top coupon tips, that’s where I point them.
3. See Only the Deals That Matter to You
Many coupon sites publish multiple times a day, which makes it hard to keep up with every promotion. Some offers are regional or simply not relevant to you.
KCL posts frequently — perhaps even more than other deal sites — but they make it simple to filter deals down to only what matters to you.
Since I’m not the hardcore couponer I once was, I now focus my efforts on one store: CVS. I appreciate KCL’s thorough CVS section and don’t need to look elsewhere to find savings.
The site also has dedicated sections for other drugstores (Walgreens, Rite Aid), supermarkets (Trader Joe’s, Publix, Safeway), clothing retailers (Old Navy, JCPenney, Kohl’s) and more.
4. Let KCL Handle the Heavy Lifting
You get the best bargains when you pair a coupon from the Sunday insert with a current sale.
But it’s rare that this week’s coupons will line up perfectly with this week’s sales.You may need to wait a few weeks for an item to be marked down, creating an ideal time to use your coupon.
You also need to remember to use coupons before they lapse.
It’s time-consuming to comb through every store’s circular and match ads with the coupons you have. Thankfully, KCL does that matching for you.Each week, the site lists what’s on sale at each retailer and which coupons will yield the best savings. If a coupon expires midweek, they’ll flag it so you can use it in time.
You’ll need to keep track of each week’s circulars and learn how KCL denotes deal sources (For instance, “RP 5/31” refers to the Sunday Red Plum insert from May 31.), but once you acclimate, it’s straightforward.
The site even displays the final price you’ll pay, so you know exactly what your savings will be.
I’m still amazed at the behind-the-scenes effort KCL must put into matching coupons and sales, and I’m grateful for the time it saves me!
5. Let Deals Come to You
Saving money isn’t only about clipping coupons. KCL also shares promos, discounts and limited-time offers from online sellers. I’ve scored significant discounts I wouldn’t have known about without seeing them on the blog.
How does the team uncover so many strong deals? KCL has a staff that browses the web and a large community of fellow deal hunters. If a fan spots a standout bargain, they’ll alert KCL, which then shares it with everyone.
The drawback is these offers often vanish quickly.
Highly desirable items can sell out within minutes because of traffic driven by KCL. Sometimes you catch the deal; other times it’s gone. I’ve been fortunate to snag some of these broadcast deals.
6. Receive Ethical, Trustworthy Advice
Couponing carries a stigma, which is unfair to folks who follow the rules. People see a pile of coupons and assume you’re exploiting the system.
Sadly, some couponers resort to dishonest tactics to squeeze out extra savings.
For instance, some individuals photocopy printable coupons, which usually violates the coupon’s terms. KCL discourages that behavior. If you want more printable coupons, the site explains how to obtain them legitimately.
It also admonishes its audience against hoarding and emptying store shelves.
While saving money is one of my favorite hobbies, I refuse to do it unethically.
I respect that KCL shares the same ethics. They adhere to each store’s coupon policy and never advocate shady tactics to score a bargain. I trust that any offers featured on the blog won’t land me in hot water or make me uncomfortable.
7. Gain Motivation From Frugal Founders
As someone who loves stories and entrepreneurship, I’m drawn to Krazy Coupon Lady’s beginnings.
Founders Heather Wheeler and Joanie Demer were friends and young moms in Boise, Idaho, who aimed to cut grocery costs. They began couponing before it became mainstream, then launched a blog in 2008 to share their methods.
It gained so much momentum that they were able to leave their jobs and make Krazy Coupon Lady their full-time career!
These women began couponing out of necessity and turned it into a viable livelihood. I especially admire that Heather became the primary earner for her household and paid off over $50,000 in debt in two years.
When Joanie’s husband lost work and insurance, and later her daughter required hospitalization, she managed expenses with couponing while her family addressed medical bills and worked to become debt-free.
Save More With Strategic Couponing
There was a time I checked KCL multiple times daily. Thanks to the site, I secured many essentials and a few treats for a fraction of their normal prices.
Although I’m more selective with couponing now, I retained the skills I learned during my KCL days and know exactly what steps to take if I decide to dive back into intense savings.
When I choose to return to extreme money-saving mode, I know KCL will be ready with plenty of deals.
Rachel Moore is a Chicago-based freelance copywriter and content strategist. She enjoys biking through cities she visits to hunt down the best taquerias.
