In 2010, money was tight for my family, and I wanted to save as much money as possible on one income. Once I decided I wanted to stretch our dollars as far as possible, I began doing research, coming across the concept of couponing. I'd used a coupon or two in the past, but I was simply a $.50 savings on a package of tortillas or $1 savings on dish soap: nothing spectacular or brag-worthy.
Once I latched on to the idea of "extreme couponing", I went balls to the wall. I did all the research possible, watching videos, reading websites/blogs, and following other couponers. I was able to grasp the concept and fly with it. I could never sit here and call myself a professional, but I was damn near! I could go to the store and get dozens of things, mastering my coupon skills to walk out paying pennies on the dollar. I once went to the checkout with a bit over $100 worth of products; I ended up walking out paying less than $2 after coupons.
I did so well with couponing and saving, I was making a name for myself in the community. I went on to teach couponing classes. I'd teach a community building or a person's house; I even taught a few classes at a local community college for a couple of terms. I was very successful and did well with my couponing, but like most "hobbies", all good things must end. things got to a point where couponing wasn't fun anymore and wasn't easy. so many people had been cheating and abusing the system that all stores, nationwide, cracked down on their policies; leaving it damn near impossible to get great deals or savings any longer.
Below is the link to my old blog. It went quiet shortly after 2014 started and I never looked back.
