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A Kansas woman has transformed her shopping habits through the strategic use of coupons, leading to significant savings and the ability to quit her full-time job.
Taryn Blankenship, a 28-year-old from Wichita, Kansas, shared that her journey into couponing began during the pandemic. As food prices surged, she became determined to find discounts to reduce her grocery expenses.
Blankenship revealed that her weekly grocery bill averaged $150 before her discovery of extreme couponing. Now, she impressively spends just $40 per week on groceries. Her pursuit of great deals has not only lightened her financial load but has also liberated her from the constraints of full-time employment.
She explained, “When it comes to shopping, I aim to use coupons for all of my items or secure products at 75% off or for free.” Over the past four years, this dedication has allowed her to save around $12,000 and an average of $3,000 each year.
Having quit her nursing home job at the start of last year, Blankenship highlighted how essential couponing was to that decision. “I would not have been able to do that if it wasn’t for couponing,” she stated.
Since 2020, she has managed to avoid purchasing household essentials such as laundry detergent, shampoo, and toothpaste, relying entirely on her couponing skills.
Her couponing journey took off in January 2021 when she found an incredible deal that saw her purchasing five packs of razors for $1 each, in addition to receiving $5 back for each pack due to a rebate.
“Since then, I have been hooked on couponing,” Blankenship said enthusiastically. Her methods include utilizing cash-back applications and traditional paper coupons to maximize savings.
“I won’t buy anything unless I can get it for free or at a highly discounted price,” she asserted. Her shopping strategy focuses on clearance items rather than what she might prefer to eat that week.
This clever approach has enabled Blankenship to build a substantial stockpile at home, which she has been curating since she adopted this new lifestyle.
“Everything at the store expires at some point, so it will eventually get marked down,” she reasoned, underscoring the benefits of shopping for clearance items.
Since becoming coupon-savvy, Blankenship is channeling her newfound freedom into her craft business and content creation endeavors. “I have the time to do whatever I want. It has given me freedom,” she noted, expressing her gratitude for her new life.
Moreover, Blankenship is dedicated to supporting her community. She frequently donates essential items from her stockpile to low-income families. “Last year, I donated over 50 tubes of toothpaste, 40 boxes of detergent, and more,” she shared.
Her story not only illustrates the power of resourcefulness but also highlights how one can turn budgeting into a lifestyle. Blankenship’s remarkable couponing journey is an inspirational example of how careful shopping can lead to greater financial independence and the ability to give back to the community.
As inflation continues to strain many households, Blankenship’s success story serves as a reminder that strategic shopping can pave the way to financial security. Through her efforts, she aims to inspire others to adopt wise spending habits and discover the significant benefits that come with them.
