Corner Brook woman saves big by using coupons when shopping

Kayla Pike at home in front of some of the items she got for free or at a reduced price – thanks to using her coupons. - Contributed

CORNER BROOK, N.L. — Kayla Pike of Corner Brook looks forward to Wednesday evenings. It’s a great way to prepare for her weekly trip to the grocery store, she said.

“I go through the flyers to see what I need, to see what’s on sale ... then I usually do my big shop once a week,” she said.

The mother of two young children, Pike does whatever she can to save a few dollars.

She started taking couponing more seriously about two years ago when she joined a couponing group on Facebook.

Pike estimates she spends about an hour a week searching for and collecting coupons.

Her efforts are rewarded with a save of over $100 a month on groceries.

Pike has used up 20-30 coupons during her weekly grocery trips.

“On those days I try to go when it’s not too busy,” she said during a recent phone interview.

However, she said, she’s never encountered shoppers who get frustrated when her check-out takes longer because of the coupons.

In fact, she said, the opposite is true.

“I’ve had a lot of people ask where I got the coupons. Most people (who comment) are just interested in it,” she said.

Pike said there are numerous Facebook groups that help shoppers get started as coupon collectors and offer tips on where to find coupons.

“There are so many websites where you can go online and print coupons. And when you first go into (stores and supermarkets) there is often a board where you can get coupons,” Pike said.

She also suggests shoppers keep their eyes open for coupons on product boxes and those that are posted near products in stores.

There are also online coupon trading groups, she said.

Pike said she’s often met up with people from the Corner Brook area to trade coupons.

“And, if I see somebody in a lineup with a certain product and I have a coupon I’m not going to use, I’ll give it to them... I’ve also gotten different things for free that I didn’t want myself but that I’ve donated,” she said.

Pike suggests that some companies will mail out coupons if emailed and complimented on their products.

From toothpaste to shampoo, cereal to cleaners — Pike has gotten many useful products without paying a cent.

There are times, she said, when an item will be on sale, you take advantage of the retailer’s points program, use a coupon and then claim money on a cash back app.

Cash back apps send weekly offers that earn shoppers cash back when they purchase the items and scan their receipt. Once the account has accumulated a certain amount of money, the shopper can request a cheque.

Printing online coupons and matching coupons to sale prices in the weekly flyers is a great way to save money, Pike said.

The satisfaction is evident when she brings her groceries home.

“I can’t wait for my husband to get home and I’ll say ‘How much do you think I paid for all this?’” she said with a laugh.

PIKE’S SUGGESTED WEBSITES TO PRINT GREAT COUPONS

PIKE’S SUGGESTED CASH BACK APPS

Checkout51

Caddle

PIKE’S SUGGESTED FACEBOOK COUPONING PAGES