I saved $12K shopping with coupons its become an obsession

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 ad...