A savvy extreme couponer says she’s so good at using vouchers she saved herself $12,000, has financial freedom and has even been able to quit her full-time job.
Taryn Blankenship, 28, began couponing — using tokens she finds online and in newspapers to get money off her shopping — during the pandemic.
When food prices started to rise, Taryn became “obsessed” with hunting for discounts to help her lower her grocery bill.
She used to spend an average of $150-a-week on groceries but has managed to slash her food shop cost to $40 — thanks to her passion for finding the best deals.
Taryn said that she saves $3,000 a year, which has enabled her to quit her full-time job in a nursing home and “live freely” — focusing on her craft business.
Taryn, a self-employed sticker shop owner from Wichita, Kansas, US, said: “When it comes to shopping, I would say I am using coupons for all of my items or getting it for 75% off or free.
“I manage to save myself $3,000 or more a year and have saved around $12K over the past four years.
“This allowed me to quit my job at the beginning of 2024 and I would not have been able to do that if it wasn’t for couponing.
“I was able to save around $100 a week as I wasn’t spending money on essentials.
“I haven’t had to buy any essentials — like laundry, shampoo, toothpaste — since 2020.”
Taryn started couponing in January 2021, she used Rabatta — an online shopping app — and got five packs of razors for $1 each — and got $5 back for each pack from a rebate app.
“Since then, I have been hooked on couponing,” she said.
“Pretty much any item — from laundry care to food — I get for free but at a discount.
“As a couponer, you won’t pay full price for many items — I won’t buy anything unless I am getting it for free or at a very good discount.
Taryn quickly became hooked on couponing and would use cash-back apps or traditional paper coupons to save money off her shop.
By using coupons, and taking advantage of deals, she has been able to get her shop down from $150 to $40 a week.
Taryn said: “My local store has a program where they mark food on clearance, some of the items are within a few days of expiring.
“When I go grocery shopping, I shop on clearance rather than what I want to eat that week.
“At my local store, you can use digital coupons and clearance prices.
“Everything at the store expires so at some point it is going to be on clearance.”
Annually, Taryn will save around $3k a year as she hasn’t had to spend money on essentials.
She keeps a stockpile in her house which she has been adding to since 2020 and when she finishes an item she will just grab it from storage.
The savings Taryn made allowed her to quit her full job in a care home and concentrate on her passions.
Taryn said: “I haven’t had to buy home essentials since 2020.
“I have been able to save that money up and quit my job.
“I know that when I wanted to leave my job, I wouldn’t have to buy anything new and I have been set for around a year.
“Since leaving my full-time job, I have been able to concentrate on my craft business and content creation.
“I have the time to do whatever I want — it has given me freedom.”
Taryn often uses her savvy savings to support her community.
She will often give essential items she has stored away to low-income families.
Taryn said: “Last year, I donated over 50 tubes of toothpaste, 40 boxes of detergent and more.
“I will donate that to my local place that gives hygiene products to low-income families.”