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)