CouponsDaily.com Q & A
Listed below is a selection of questions for the Couponer Q&A. Please review these questions and answer as many as you wish and feel comfortable answering. You do not need to answer all of these questions, but we do ask that you answer a minimum of 10 questions with at least two sentences per answer if possible. Feel free to skip over any that you do not feel apply to you.
About Your Blog:
1) How long have you been blogging?
My first foray into blogging was about 4 years ago. This was about a year after I created my website, TheFrugalLifestyle.com.
2) How long have you been blogging about couponing and frugal living?
I have been blogging about frugal living and couponing soon after I created TheFrugalLifestyle.com 5 years ago.
3) What prompted you to start your coupon blog?
After some friends asked me how I've saved money on this or that, I decided to compile everything I have done to save money into one website. From there I decided to also incorporate a blog within the website.
4) What is the main mission of your blog?
The main mission of my blog is to empower others to adopt a frugal lifestyle without giving up what they are accustomed to. By being smart in their choices, prioritizing and taking control of what's truly important, everyone can truly enjoy a "richer" life.
5) What type of deals and content does your blog specialize in?
My blog specializes on spending less on almost everything. I also offer ideas and tips on how decorate on a budget.
6) What does the future hold for your blog?
I plan to continue to offer relevant frugal tips and ideas. In addition, my goal is to write more about investment tips and ways to make more money with little effort.
7) What are the most popular coupons or offers used on your blog?
The most popular offers used on my blog are from daily deal sites. For example sites, such as LivingSocial and Groupon.
About Couponing:
1) How long have you been couponing?
I have been using coupons for a long time. The first time was probably about 15 years ago.
2) How did you first get into couponing?
I would get a variety of coupons in the mail from local merchants in my neighborhood. There was a coupon for a restaurant that I wanted to try, so I took advantage of their mailer coupon and have been going back ever since.
3) What advice would you give to new couponers?
My best advice to new couponers is to only clip and save coupons you will actually use. Also to keep these coupons handy in their wallet so it's always accessible when they are out and about.
4) What do you most enjoy about finding discounts, getting freebies and saving money through couponing or deal searching?
I feel a sense of victory when I've found a way to save money on something I was already going to buy. Freebies are the best (besides being free of course), it exposes potential customers to new businesses which they might have otherwise not known about.
5) What does your family think of your couponing habits?
Everyone knows I'm the go-to frugal girl. When it comes to finding a way to save money, they ask me first.
6) What is the number one tip you would offer someone who is interested in couponing?
My one tip is to start small, couponing can get overwhelming. Start with signing up online for birthday freebies, that way the coupons show up automatically in their email.
7) Do you like to coupon by yourself or with friends family or on a team?
I generally like to coupon by myself. However, I have shared coupons with my boyfriend and even swapped coupons with my friends.
8) Is couponing worth the time spent on finding deals, clipping offers, etc.?
Absolutely! People will be amazed on how much money they can save by just taking the time to find deals and offers. The savings can add up if one has the mentality that there's the potential to save money on almost everything!
9) How do you keep your coupons and deals organized?
For printed coupons, I have a designated case in my purse that have tabs for categories such as Restaurants, Groceries, Home, Beauty, etc.. As far as online coupons, my website is organized by pretty much the same categories so it's easy for me to go to a certain page and just click on the offer links.
10) What have you done with the extra money you have saved being a couponer?
One of my other passions (besides saving money) is travel. So the money I've saved goes into my travel budget. Last year, I was able to use most of that money towards a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for Christmas.
11) If you had to estimate, how much have you saved overall couponing?
I think I've save as much as $50 to $75 a month. Most of these savings come from grocery member discounts and restaurant coupons.
12) Any particular books, speakers, etc. that you have read or seen to help you learn the coupon industry better?
I read a book a while back that I really liked called The Everything Couponing Book: Clip Your Way To Incredible Savings. I'm also inspired by frugal celebrities like Kristin Bell and Zooey Deschanel that although they have plenty of money, they like to get a deal just like the rest of us.
About Shopping Experience:
1) What is the maximum amount of money you have ever saved on an order?
I saved $74.50 on a Catalina Express roundtrip ferry fare to Catalina Island. They were having a Free Ride to Catalina on Your Birthday promotion! I have also saved $20 on two 25oz bottles of olive oil at the grocery store, I only paid $5 total. I used a combination of a personalized club member discount, plus the grocery store was having a buy one, get one free deal.
2) What resources do you use when trying to find the best deals?
I mostly search online for coupon code deals or rebates. I also sign up for my favorite brick and mortar stores' reward programs, so that I receive emails on deals and discounts they offer.
3) Do you prefer shopping online or in stores?
I personally prefer shopping in stores, I like to touch and feel what I am buying. But, I also like the convenience of shopping online for items such as health supplements to beauty supplies to electronics, as long as they offer free shipping!
4) Which stores do you find give the biggest discounts or the best sales?
For online shopping, Amazon always seems to have the best prices on practically everything! My go to retail store for basic items is Dollar Tree.
5) What type of products can consumers find the biggest discount on?
Pre-owned vehicles can save someone as much as 30% to 40% off buying a brand new car. Look for certified pre-owned cars (up to 3 years old) that are re-condtioned and comes with a warranty.
6) Is there a particular day of the week, month or season that you prefer to shop?
It really depends on what is on your shopping list. For example, the supermarket I shop at offers weekly coupons, so I make sure I utilize those coupons before they that week, which in my case is on a Tuesday. In terms of booking flights, the best time to purchase tickets is Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern.
Other:
1) Why do you feel it is important or beneficial to live frugally?
The great benefit of being frugal is that it eliminates waste and clutter which in turn helps our environment. By doing simple changes towards more “green” and frugal ways, together we can make an impact on our planet.
2) What are some easy things that people can to do save on their everyday purchases?
My recommendation is to sign up with their favorite grocery store(s) member rewards program. This is the most efficient and convenient way to save money on food and groceries, because often times the discounts are already programed into their membership card.
Please also include:
A short, 2-3 line bio about yourself.
My name is Marissa Winfrey and I have been living a frugal existence ever since I can remember. I work from home, so saving money is key for me, since my income fluctuates monthly. I have always looked for great bargains and getting the best value for my money without compromising style and quality. My website and blog offers my readers money-saving tips on just about everything, from housing and shopping, to technology and travel. Follow Marissa on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.
About Your Blog:
1) How long have you been blogging?
My first foray into blogging was about 4 years ago. This was about a year after I created my website, TheFrugalLifestyle.com.
2) How long have you been blogging about couponing and frugal living?
I have been blogging about frugal living and couponing soon after I created TheFrugalLifestyle.com 5 years ago.
3) What prompted you to start your coupon blog?
After some friends asked me how I've saved money on this or that, I decided to compile everything I have done to save money into one website. From there I decided to also incorporate a blog within the website.
4) What is the main mission of your blog?
The main mission of my blog is to empower others to adopt a frugal lifestyle without giving up what they are accustomed to. By being smart in their choices, prioritizing and taking control of what's truly important, everyone can truly enjoy a "richer" life.
5) What type of deals and content does your blog specialize in?
My blog specializes on spending less on almost everything. I also offer ideas and tips on how decorate on a budget.
6) What does the future hold for your blog?
I plan to continue to offer relevant frugal tips and ideas. In addition, my goal is to write more about investment tips and ways to make more money with little effort.
7) What are the most popular coupons or offers used on your blog?
The most popular offers used on my blog are from daily deal sites. For example sites, such as LivingSocial and Groupon.
About Couponing:
1) How long have you been couponing?
I have been using coupons for a long time. The first time was probably about 15 years ago.
2) How did you first get into couponing?
I would get a variety of coupons in the mail from local merchants in my neighborhood. There was a coupon for a restaurant that I wanted to try, so I took advantage of their mailer coupon and have been going back ever since.
3) What advice would you give to new couponers?
My best advice to new couponers is to only clip and save coupons you will actually use. Also to keep these coupons handy in their wallet so it's always accessible when they are out and about.
4) What do you most enjoy about finding discounts, getting freebies and saving money through couponing or deal searching?
I feel a sense of victory when I've found a way to save money on something I was already going to buy. Freebies are the best (besides being free of course), it exposes potential customers to new businesses which they might have otherwise not known about.
5) What does your family think of your couponing habits?
Everyone knows I'm the go-to frugal girl. When it comes to finding a way to save money, they ask me first.
6) What is the number one tip you would offer someone who is interested in couponing?
My one tip is to start small, couponing can get overwhelming. Start with signing up online for birthday freebies, that way the coupons show up automatically in their email.
7) Do you like to coupon by yourself or with friends family or on a team?
I generally like to coupon by myself. However, I have shared coupons with my boyfriend and even swapped coupons with my friends.
8) Is couponing worth the time spent on finding deals, clipping offers, etc.?
Absolutely! People will be amazed on how much money they can save by just taking the time to find deals and offers. The savings can add up if one has the mentality that there's the potential to save money on almost everything!
9) How do you keep your coupons and deals organized?
For printed coupons, I have a designated case in my purse that have tabs for categories such as Restaurants, Groceries, Home, Beauty, etc.. As far as online coupons, my website is organized by pretty much the same categories so it's easy for me to go to a certain page and just click on the offer links.
10) What have you done with the extra money you have saved being a couponer?
One of my other passions (besides saving money) is travel. So the money I've saved goes into my travel budget. Last year, I was able to use most of that money towards a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for Christmas.
11) If you had to estimate, how much have you saved overall couponing?
I think I've save as much as $50 to $75 a month. Most of these savings come from grocery member discounts and restaurant coupons.
12) Any particular books, speakers, etc. that you have read or seen to help you learn the coupon industry better?
I read a book a while back that I really liked called The Everything Couponing Book: Clip Your Way To Incredible Savings. I'm also inspired by frugal celebrities like Kristin Bell and Zooey Deschanel that although they have plenty of money, they like to get a deal just like the rest of us.
About Shopping Experience:
1) What is the maximum amount of money you have ever saved on an order?
I saved $74.50 on a Catalina Express roundtrip ferry fare to Catalina Island. They were having a Free Ride to Catalina on Your Birthday promotion! I have also saved $20 on two 25oz bottles of olive oil at the grocery store, I only paid $5 total. I used a combination of a personalized club member discount, plus the grocery store was having a buy one, get one free deal.
2) What resources do you use when trying to find the best deals?
I mostly search online for coupon code deals or rebates. I also sign up for my favorite brick and mortar stores' reward programs, so that I receive emails on deals and discounts they offer.
3) Do you prefer shopping online or in stores?
I personally prefer shopping in stores, I like to touch and feel what I am buying. But, I also like the convenience of shopping online for items such as health supplements to beauty supplies to electronics, as long as they offer free shipping!
4) Which stores do you find give the biggest discounts or the best sales?
For online shopping, Amazon always seems to have the best prices on practically everything! My go to retail store for basic items is Dollar Tree.
5) What type of products can consumers find the biggest discount on?
Pre-owned vehicles can save someone as much as 30% to 40% off buying a brand new car. Look for certified pre-owned cars (up to 3 years old) that are re-condtioned and comes with a warranty.
6) Is there a particular day of the week, month or season that you prefer to shop?
It really depends on what is on your shopping list. For example, the supermarket I shop at offers weekly coupons, so I make sure I utilize those coupons before they that week, which in my case is on a Tuesday. In terms of booking flights, the best time to purchase tickets is Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern.
Other:
1) Why do you feel it is important or beneficial to live frugally?
The great benefit of being frugal is that it eliminates waste and clutter which in turn helps our environment. By doing simple changes towards more “green” and frugal ways, together we can make an impact on our planet.
2) What are some easy things that people can to do save on their everyday purchases?
My recommendation is to sign up with their favorite grocery store(s) member rewards program. This is the most efficient and convenient way to save money on food and groceries, because often times the discounts are already programed into their membership card.
Please also include:
A short, 2-3 line bio about yourself.
My name is Marissa Winfrey and I have been living a frugal existence ever since I can remember. I work from home, so saving money is key for me, since my income fluctuates monthly. I have always looked for great bargains and getting the best value for my money without compromising style and quality. My website and blog offers my readers money-saving tips on just about everything, from housing and shopping, to technology and travel. Follow Marissa on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.
