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Arts & Entertainment

Extreme Couponing Tips Attract Crowd at Library

Kathy Spencer shares tips from her new book "How to Shop for Free: Shopping Secrets for Smart Women Who Love to Get Something for Nothing."

Recently the Westborough Public Library announced a program called Shop for Free? Westborough Library Shows You How!” Within two days, the program was full. 

It’s no wonder why.  The Feb. 27 program featured a two-hour presentation by Kathy Spencer, a Massachusetts mother of four and nationally recognized “extreme couponing” expert. 

Spencer told her audience that coupons have changed her life and her average grocery bill is $4. “I could always spot a bargain,” Spencer said, explaining that she began couponing years ago when she decided to stay home with her fourth child, and her husband became ill.

The epiphany happened in the juice aisle, when juice was on sale for $1 and she had three $1-off coupons. Realizing her juice purchase would be free, “it clicked and I set a goal to get more. I slowly watched my grocery bill shrink.”

Spencer acknowledged she spends hours studying circulars and web sites, yet surprised audience members when she revealed she does not clip coupons immediately and she buys coupons on eBay.

With her daughter Crystal’s help, she raffled off items during the program, including newspaper inserts, $5 off a $5 purchase at Kohl’s and a table full of items she obtained for free.

So, how does she do it?

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“Stockpile. You have to stockpile first to make this work,” Spencer emphasized, telling the crowd that the key is to find the best savings and combine them with store promotions, coupons and rewards programs.

Spencer advised beginners to first assess their grocery spending and set a small goal, or “happy number," such as a ten-percent reduction. 

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She reviewed strategies, telling her audience they should never pay for toothpaste. “Last year I had so much toothpaste I gave it out for Halloween.”

Rite Aid is one of Spencer’s favorite stores. “You can get rich at Rite Aid," she said, referring to their extreme circular and rebate offers.

Does she use coupons for things she could get for free but that are useless to her family?  You bet. “I used to throw them away, but I realized I could pay it forward and help people,” citing diabetes monitors which she distributes to senior centers and hospitals as well as donations of excess goods. 

 The crowd listened intently, and the only question that stumped Spencer was “How do you file your printables?”  She admitted “I can’t lie, my printables are a mess!”

A group of Spencer fans traveled from the North Shore, including Kim Codair of West Newbury who has been following Spencer’s advice for a few months, “I actually just bought some shelving to organize what I’ve stockpiled.”  

Jim Martel from Stowe shared “I’ve couponed before, but never like this.  I learned I can scan at CVS and get different coupons.”

 This is an exciting time for Spencer, who was featured on Good Morning America and was asked to be on TLC’s “Extreme Couponing.” 

 To learn more, visit Spencer’s website at www.howtoshopforfree.net  

 

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