NorthEast Ohio Couponers Member Spotlight!

There is good news for those of us who sometimes wonder about the real person behind the forum postings. Within each issue of the NEO Couponers Newsletter, we plan on helping you learn more about your fellow members with our Member Spotlight Column. We are starting off with ThriftyAmy! She is a busy mom with a great career but still finds time to shop wisely, contribute to the forums, organize and participate in swaps. In addition she has helped me with special administrative projects and coordinated one of the best news stories to date on our fellow members and couponing. Thanks Amy! Oh yeah and check out her Halloween costume pictured here. What else would she be but the "Coupon Queen!"

Demographics - Married, Kids, Pets, Job, etc...
Age: 33 Have lived in Brunswick for 7 yrs. Married for 10yrs. - got engaged at my prom! 1 child - Anna (19mos.), 1 cat - Tiger (orange tabby), 1 dog - Buddy (fox terrier/jack-russell mix) I have been working in healthcare management for the past 11 yrs. and currently manage three offices for University Hospitals.


When did you start couponing?

As a teenager.


How did you find out about the NEO Couponers?

Sept/Oct. of 2006 through an article in the Cleveland PD about Joe.

Do you have a budget or savings goals? Any idea of how much you save by couponing?

I don't budget, our saving's goals are to always have money in the bank to cover our expenses and live within our means, I have saved thousands of dollars since couponing - but not exactly sure how much.

Where do you shop at and how often?

GE - 1x wk CVS - 2x wk Aldis - 3x mo. Marc's - 1x mo.

Do you have a favorite deal?

Energizer Battery deals from CVS "buy $10 get $5 ECB" - plus the batteries are usually $5.29 during this deal and there is usually $1 off coupons.

What is your coupon organization method?

Very small, modest plastic holder with 12 slots - but I use it on both sides (front & back) so this gives me 24 slots.

Best Couponing Tip?

Almost all stores take their coupons along with manufacturer coupons.

Favorite Quote or Motto to share?

Laugh now...cry later.

What do you like most about being a NEO Couponer?

Besides the obvious of finding out about deals that I didn't know of - it would be the avatars. I think it tells you a lot about the person.

You organized the first of what has become the infamous Brunswick Coupon Swap held at Donato’s Pizza in Brunswick on the third Tuesday of each month. Do you have any suggestions for others who want to start an NEO Couponers Satellite Swap?
Make everyone feel very welcomed and have each person around the table introduce themselves and say a little about their life - do it each time there is someone at the swap for the 1st time.

Hobbies & Fun?
Cooking, fishing, swimming, and I love to karaoke, especially Eminem's song "Without Me" & Guns 'n' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle"

What do you splurge on regardless of cost or lack of a coupon?
Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. to listen to Howard Stern - and the music choices are fantastic - it is true - you will never listen to commercial radio again once you've tried it

Toothpaste Anyone?

Toothpaste, Anyone?

By Bonnie Fishell (Frazzled)

At the invitation of a friend, I joined this board back in February or March of this year. I have always bought multiple newspapers, and have used coupons, but NEVER to the extent of the folks on this board. Back in March I had the pleasure of going to see “Joe the Coupon Guy” and was floored by what I learned! I never knew that when something was BOGO, that you could use TWO coupons! That started my stockpile of Hillshire Farms smoked sausage (I still have some in the freezer!)

The easiest concept for me to grasp was the “free” or “Get paid to take” toothpaste. We went to 7 graduation parties this summer, For all of the kids going away to college, I prepared baskets with the free toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, razors, etc. At first I did it for a close friend as joke, she had been hearing me rave about my couponing experience! What started out to be a joke, turned into a very welcome gift for the kids going off to college and the parents who would have had to purchase these items. I got quite good at making these baskets and even sold some for a nominal price to coworkers to give as gifts.

Through it all, as of last month I still had 72 tubes of toothpaste. My husband was livid, every drawer he opened, every closet he opened, there was toothpaste. I was told I was not allowed to purchase anymore. Hence the “new” storage area became the trunk of car. I was constantly joked with at work “Who has the free toothpaste this week?”

At the end of last month I had to travel to Atlanta with coworkers. We checked into the hotel, and guess what I did not pack????? TOOTHPASTE!!!!! I had to pay $ 1.89 at the hotel gift shop, which even though I would be reimbursed made me crazy!

Now this would be funny enough if it ended here, but NOPE. I have a boss who is total comedian. I turned in my expense report, he actually NOTICED the stupid tube of toothpaste, and I have yet to live it down. We were in Tampa last week and he had 10 tubes of toothpaste sent to my room. I will get him back, I ALWAYS get even!!!!

Bonnie Fishell (Frazzled)

To New Couponers

Starting Simply - Begin Couponing Today!

If your brand new to couponing or have delved into it just a bit in the past, the best advice I can give you is to, “just begin”. Start with the coupons in the Sunday paper! This could be the very same Sunday paper you read the article about the Northeast Ohio Couponers and that got you here to begin with! Get your weekly store ads and then find out what coupons match whats on sale that your household uses. If you don’t have a coupon organizer handy ($1 at Marc's, CVS, etc...) you can just use plain envelopes sorted either by categories, i.e. dairy, cereal, etc… or by your stores shopping aisles. There are more advanced techniques, abbreviations we will include in a glossary,etc... but there is plenty of time for posts and articles on methods later. We just want to give a little push start today.

1. Don’t give up. Although you may begin reaping a little savings this week, you really need to give it a month or two (sales run in cycles) to see the major savings in which your making a huge difference in the amount you spend shopping! Like everything else worthwhile, it takes committment to really make a difference! If I had a dime for every person who joined us with hopes of saving like many of us in the group do, only to not be heard after a week — I wouldn’t need to clip coupons anymore, because I would be rich.

2. Become an active participant in the group. Register and introduce yourself at the forums and list your location in your profile so we know what areas you are most likely to shop at and your finding the deals at when you post. If your schedule allows for it, make it to one of our satellite live coupon swaps. If there isn’t one scheduled in your area, then take the plunge and organize one. It’s easy and we will help you, just ask!

When You Need Multiple Coupons...

Sometimeses even with trading, you just can't get enough of a certain coupon. You know - it's on sale, there is a great coupon out and here is your chance to build your stockpile. Well then it could be time to reach out to our partner, "The Coupon Clippers". they charge a very small handling fee to clip and send the coupons to you!

SO if you decided to open up eBay store to get rid of the overflow in your home, now you can get a business cards for FREE to promote yourself to all your friends! Other uses for your own card are unlimited! Are you a cub or girl scout leader, babysitter, PTA member or just to have an easily accesible form of contact info for yourself. The program walk you through designing your own card. It's fun to watch the creation of your new card. Give it a try!

Need Money for Christmas Shopping?

You wouldn't believe what sells during the holidays on eBay! Used toys, games (even parts of them to replace parts missing from the buyers original purchase), costume jewlery, old videos, DVD's, CD'S, silverware, dinnerware, nick knacks, clothes for baby, kids, men and women and even kitchen sinks! Some sellers are making a mint selling their used car parts and accesories!
Sign up for a store and sell your stuff to add to your coupon and shopping savings! eBay Stores

The Coupon Guy

Did you hear about us from "The Coupon Guy"?

Joe Daugirdas aka "The Coupon Guy" is one of more prolific members when it comes to teaching others how to save BIG! He is a man on a mission to help reduce poverty in the Cleveland area. Check out Joe's Blog for more info and a schedule of his upcoming classes.

While there be sure and pick up a copy of his Savvy Shopper guide and check out his offering for an "Around Town" book!