A SAVVY shopper has stacked up the savings with her clever and strategic extreme couponing methods, saving more than $100,000 across a decade.
The 24-year-old from Washington has scored a number of jaw-dropping deals over the years, including $2,000 worth of JCPenney cookware for just $50.
Savvy shopper Savannah Thomas has managed to save more than $100,000 in 10 years with her money-saving tricks[/caption]
Thomas has turned her extreme couponing tactics into a full-time job[/caption]
Thomas shared tips on how others can get started with extreme couponing[/caption]
Savannah Thomas takes advantage of store promos, digital coupons, and clearance hunting at stores such as Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Walgreens in order to cut the cost of her shopping trips.
Thomas once scored over $2,000 worth of cookware and household goods from JCPenney for just $50.
She stockpiles everything from paper products, cleaning supplies, and laundry detergent to soap and shampoo, then reselling the overflow of essentials on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
Thomas essentially turned clipping coupons into a side hustle then full-time gig, with her money-saving tactics trimming her everyday expenses so much that even a larger trip to the grocery store hardly runs her over $10.
Beyond just home essentials, the extreme couponer has scored everything from Christmas trees and holiday lights at 90% off to new Nike and Adidas sneakers, Under Armour items, and designer jeans for just a few bucks.
How to cut the cost of your grocery shop
BELOW are some tips on how to reduce the amount you spend on groceries.
- Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn’t on your list, don’t put it in the trolley
- Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
- Never shop hungry – You are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
- Don’t buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they’ll charge for chopping can be eye watering
- Use social media – Follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
- Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
- Check the small print – It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
- Use your loyalty cards – Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards
Thomas’ shopping strategy has also landed her free LEGO sets, groceries, and household essentials.
Over the past 10 years, the savvy shopper’s extreme couponing habit has saved her family a boatload of money.
Combined with her clever move to resell some of her hauls on Facebook Marketplace and at her annual yard sales, Thomas has saved them more than $100,000.
She said that she has saved approximately $50,000 via extreme couponing and the other $50,000 by reselling the excess goods, spending her profit on her family and basic necessities.
GETTING STARTED
Thomas started out her journey into extreme couponing when the pandemic hit in 2020 during her spring semester at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.
“I was a broke college student and had a lot of time on my hands with classes being online,” she said, at the time studying for her bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in marketing.
Thomas got serious about saving money, looking to others on social media and teaching herself how to coupon for basic necessities so she would no longer have to spend money in that area.
She focuses her efforts on Target, Walmart, and Kroger each week, with Walgreens as an additional option.
Thomas’ top tips
- Start small by choosing one store you like because it’s easy to get overwhelmed
- Download apps for the stores
- You don’t have to do every deal you see
- Know saving something is better than saving nothing
- It’s okay to make mistakes
Her strategy involves combining store promos with manufacturer coupons, such as pairing Target’s gift card deals with digital coupons that refresh each Sunday.
The shopper also saves money via clearance hunting, which involves finding products that are heavily marked down, sometimes up to 90% off the regular price.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
Thomas was inspired to save money because she wanted to help out her family.
“My parents got divorced when I was nine and I just wanted to help my mom in any way that I could,” said Thomas, raised by a single mom and the oldest of three girls.
She began looking at the grocery ads and determining what her family could afford each week.
Using her extreme couponing and reselling methods, Thomas has managed to save them at least six figures over the course of a decade, a feeling that “became addictive.”
“I’d never pay full price for anything now. There’s a way to coupon absolutely everything. You just have to be savvy and patient.”
Beyond just helping out her family, she has been able to make a major impact in her community through donations and support for struggling families.
“Some people don’t understand why you’re wasting your time or why you want to do this, or people say that there’s greed in it, but what they don’t see is we can help support other local families,” said Thomas.
“For example, I’ve gotten 50 pasta sauces at one time for free and was able to turn around the same day and give them to my food bank.
“It’s such instant gratification and a rewarding feeling to give back and donate as well,” said Thomas. “It’s just so cool how big of an impact it can make.”
I’d never pay full price for anything now. There’s a way to coupon absolutely everything. You just have to be savvy and patient.”
Savannah Thomas
FROM COUPONS TO A CAREER
Thomas has turned her money-saving skills into a thriving business, eventually leaving her part-time gig at a local restaurant to coupon full-time and focus on her social media presence.
The decision to make a career out of her extreme couponing, however, required careful financial planning.
“I did have savings to kind of fall back on, but I feel like in this space as a content creator, you always have to find ways to pivot and have multiple sources of income,” she said.
She shares her tips on platforms like Instagram (@savingswithsav) to help other families afford necessities and to inspire others to take on couponing.
Thomas suggested that those who are new and intimidated by the money-saving method of extreme couponing to start small.
“I would recommend starting with a store that you like and maybe downloading one rebate app and starting from there,” she said, encouraging others to try another store once they have mastered the first.
I managed to save a total of minimum six figures over the course of a decade and it became addictive. It’s such instant gratification and a rewarding feeling to give back and donate as well.”
Savannah Thomas
Thomas also emphasized that extreme couponing has evolved beyond the time-intensive image portrayed on reality TV.
“It’s really not as hard as it used to be. And there are tons of resources out there,” she said.
“You can take five minutes and copy a content creator’s deal and save 80%.”
She noted that there are also many content creators who are willing to walk others through the process and even help put the deals together for you.
SWNS contributed to this article.
Aside from extreme couponing, check out these other ways that you can make some money.
One college student makes $1,000 a week right from their dorm – it takes no effort and only a few minutes.
Plus, free money up to $500 is being hidden around US cities for anyone to pick up – you just need to crack the location code.
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