A Mission woman has put her organizational skills to use, saving her family hundreds of dollars a year, and will now be teaching others how to do the same thing.
Using coupons has seen a resurgence since the 2009 global economic downturn, and local mother of twin boys Jamie Hayes said her money-saving efforts have enabled her to remain at home with her children, rather than going back to work.
"I am now saving between $100 to $300 a month off my grocery bill," she said.
Hayes has a binder of coupons she clips from The Mission Record's Thursday stack of flyers, and some she obtained off the Internet, or by directly contacting certain companies and getting them mailed to her.
Coupon forums abound online, through which Hayes picked up many tips and strategies she puts into practice each week.
At the outset, she was spending about 10 hours a week sourcing coupons and cross-referencing prices between major retailers to find the best deal. With a structure now in place, that time has been cut in half.
With coupon stacking, which only certain retailers allow, it's possible to get free items, and Hayes has scored free toiletries and diapers.
After teaching a couponing workshop at her church, and with more people advising her to teach a class, Hayes approached the District of Mission and will now be sharing her thrifty wisdom through two classes held later this year.
The Art of Couponing happens Sept. 28 and Nov. 19 at the Mission Leisure Centre, and costs $20 per person.
For more information, visit Hayes' Facebook page, Clever Canadian Couponing, or send an e-mail to clevercanadian@hotmail.com.