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Community Corner

Parents Talk: Albertville Woman Has Extreme Coupon-ing Down to a Sweet Science

Meet an Albertville woman who can walk home with cash in her purse after buying more than $100 worth of items from local stores. Think you can do it?

Editor's Note: Wednesday, of course, is Parents Day (formerly Moms Day) here on St. Michael Patch. This week, we're focusing on an Albertville resident who has taken the art of coupon shopping, or "couponing," and made it into a way of life. All of today's Parents Day features will revolve around this topic, including a profile on Emily Goldsberry, tips from her that you can use, and five frugal finds around St. Michael-Albertville that could pay off for you. 

I was sitting working at Caribou Coffee when a conversation made way to my ear.

“My total was supposed to be $109, but after coupons I went home with $7. They paid me to take the stuff home.”

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Couponing is a big thing these days, there are websites and blogs devoted to it along with a new TLC show.

I sat down with Albertville resident Emily Goldsberry to find out her secrets and how anyone can get involved in saving a little change these days.

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When Goldsberry moved to an apartment a few years back, she realized that without parents or roommates to depend on it was time to stretch the budget. She started dabbling in couponing.

About a year ago, she took it to the next level. With a house, a dog and a boyfriend, the 30-year-old decided that taking it up a notch was what “was right for us.”

Each Sunday she picks up several newspapers (you can also get circulars at many of the stores), and then cuts out the coupons for anything she might ever want to purchase and files them away. Her organization system is one to envy. A three-ring binder has baseball card pages filled with coupons ranging from household goods to cereal. You name it, there’s a spot for those coupons.

Depending on the sales and coupons available each week, she will buy between four to seven papers and then the work begins.

“It can be consuming if you want to be dedicated, but I think the savings are worth it.” Goldsberry says.

Last week on her shopping trips, she went to Walmart and purchased nine bottles of Ready to Feed Similac Formula. After using the nine $5  coupons she had, she received $9.12 cash back. And all that formula is going to her church food shelf.

“I don’t have any kids or need any formula, but someone out there does.”

Donating her purchases or “finds” is not rare for Goldsberry. Typically she donates at least 30 percent of what she buys throughout the year.

And the cash back? That’s a bonus.

Walmart’s current coupon policy says that if the coupon exceeds the value of the product being purchased, the difference can either go towards the basket purchase or cash back.

Goldsberry follows the coupon rules and regulations. She makes sure to buy the items on the coupon and the required quantities. One is only allowed to use one manufacturer and one store coupon per item being purchased. There are some couponers in the media that don’t necessarily follow the rules and “that gives all of us a bad name.” She also carries the store coupon policies with her so that if a problem arises she has it.

CVS is another popular place for Goldsberry and other couponers. In 2011, she has had a total savings of $958.50 with her Extra Care Card. The card is a free program but offers discounts and special coupons and reward dollars when buying certain products.

Goldsberry claims the secret to her success is being organized. “Also, there are blogs out there that outline the good sales and how to match up your coupons to deals each week.”

During these economic times as budgets get tighter, many of us are open to coupons and taking a few minutes to save a few more dollars.

So, this week’s Parent Talk question is: What do you think? Are you interested in learning more about couponing? 

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