Women2Women - Spring 2018 - 36

Work2Life

BERKS COUNTY WOMEN SHARE THEIR TIPS AND TRICKS
By Karen Klein - Fulcrum Information Resources

money and walk out of
the store with a bunch of free stuff?" asks Michele Christman,
a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice in
Wyomissing.
Michele has a busy family consisting of her husband Bruce, a
partner with Beers + Hoffman Architects in Lititz, two daughters
in high school, and a son in middle school. Over the last few years,
Michele has become a self-proclaimed "extreme couponer."
When you work full-time, have numerous community activities,
and manage a household, it can be challenging keeping the pantry
stocked and not spending a bundle doing it.
"I was constantly running out of everything," Michele said. "I
would get into the shower and discover the kids took my shampoo
and conditioner. I was always running to the store for supplies."
Michele started couponing by watching experts on YouTube. There
are videos for beginners and for those with more advanced couponing
skills. Some videos specialize in deals at retailers including CVS,
Target, Rite-Aid, Walmart and Walgreen's. The YouTubers review
the stores' upcoming weekly specials, the manufacturers' coupons
that apply to those specials, and in-store coupons that can be added
to make the deals even sweeter.
Extreme couponing makes sense for Michele since she takes
advantage of the "downtime" while two of her children attend ice
hockey practice at rinks in Chester County several nights a week.
She has almost two hours of time to fill and uses it to shop at CVS,
her store of choice, and go to the gym.
Michele noted that extreme couponing may not be for everyone.
Although it can save you hundreds of dollars, it's not necessarily a
timesaver.

36 Women2Women Spring 2018

"Organization is the key," she said. "You have to look for the manufacturers' coupons, cut the coupons, compare the coupons to the
store deals, and understand the rules for the retailer."
She recently spent 50 cents on Mitchum deodorant (typically
about $4.50 full price) by combining a CVS product discount with
a manufacturer's coupon, and layering an in-store coupon on top
of the purchase. CVS ExtraCare Rewards members can scan their
rewards card at an in-store kiosk to receive additional coupons.

Michele Christman, extreme couponer

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Women2Women - Spring 2018