Did you happen to have a chance to catch Extreme Couponing on TLC this month? I kept hearing so much buzz about it from Facebook friends that the next time it was aired I made sure I watched. Talk about amazing! The extreme couponers featured walked away with tons of free items simply by knowing where to find multiple coupons, which stores were having the best sales, and when to take advantage of these sales.
I was fortunate enough to snag an interview with one of the couponers featured, Nathan Engels, who is also the admin and owner of WeUseCoupons.com. Nathan had the most impressive stockpile on the program I have ever seen and so I wanted to ask him a few questions about how he coupons, what he does with all of his amazing finds, and how everyone can learn to do what he does so well.
Mommy Cracked: What’s the most you have ever saved using coupons in one shopping trip?
Nathan Engels: The trip that was featured was my biggest to date!
Mommy Cracked: How much planning goes into every shopping trip you make? Hours? Days?
Nathan Engels: Very little actually! I get on WeUseCoupons, see what’s on sale, print our my list and go to the store. I spend 5-15 hours a week doing this!
Mommy Cracked: Your stockpile in the garage was the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen. I know to most viewers it may have seemed pretty extreme, but I know you mentioned on the show that you donate quite a bit of the stuff you score for free and it must feel amazing to be able to help places like you do. Can you explain to my readers the benefits of stockpiling in order to donate to places that can use these items?
Nathan Engels: You change your community! My wife and I are so proud of the fact that we can really have such a positive effect on the community around us. Last year we literally donated tens of thousands of dollars in product to various organizations! Before couponing, it was so hard to give a little cash, but now, I can turn $5 into $50 or if I’m lucky $500!! We encourage everyone to give and give generously!
Mommy Cracked: What method do you use for organizing your coupons?
Nathan Engels: I use a combo method, the binder, some Ziploc bags and then some accordion folders. Organization is so important!!
Mommy Cracked: Where can we find more of your great tips and advice on the internet?
Nathan Engels: WeUseCoupons.com! It’s a great place to learn how to do this. We have virtual classes, tons of articles, you will learn so much!
I thank Nathan so much for answering these questions and encourage anyone reading to check out his website WeUseCoupons.com, register there, and check out the forums to find amazing deals and learn the ins and outs of couponing from the people who know their stuff.
I’ll have to check out how they do it. Most people’s coupon methods just don’t seem to work for me. I like that this is a guy doing it, I might be able to get my hubby on board! Thanks for the link.