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Community Corner

Frugal Family: Local Blogger Shares Super Saver Tips

Learn about great ways to save your family hundreds, if not thousands, in everyday deals.

Many families tighten their belts when times get tough. People cut back on extravagances like vacations, expensive dinners out and entertainment expenses in order to cut down on monthly costs. After trimming back on the “extras,” many families feel at a loss on how to find more money in their bank account after paying the necessities.

A recent emergence of frugal and practical moms online has managed to actually change what families think about as previously untapped pools of money in the daily categories of food, toiletries and household supplies. These thrifty savers have expanded their savings to other area shoppers through blogs and presentations to help share the local deals.

Angela Russell, a Tacoma area stay-at-home mom, blogger and freelance copywriter, has developed an impressive following of local parents looking to cash in on Russell's sage advice and South Sound savings. Her website, The Coupon Project, features posts on local grocery store bargains, links to printable coupons and a weekly coupon matchup. 

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Beyond just listing resources, The Coupon Project serves as a “How To guide” to take her readers beyond the hodgepodge method of using one or two coupons at the end of a typical trip to the store. Russell has gotten her system down to such an art that she usually saves around 50 percent off her family’s grocery bill each week. Extended over a year, these simple but intentional steps could save a family thousands with just a change of mindset and practice.

It may surprise some that this frugal lifestyle does not entail using a coupon for every item or driving around to five stores just to find the best deal on cereal. "I do not believe in hoarding or living cheaply. I believe in being smart with your money, time and your resources," Russell said.

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Some of her biggest tips include:

  • Consider the bigger picture. For example, hopping in the car to drive to a store for one free item may not make sense or save you much in the long run. Instead be a savvy shopper who consults mailers and online resources before planning an outing. 
  • Buy items in the bulk section of your grocer. Through buying items like spices, flour and nuts in the bins of stores like Winco, people can get just what they need for mere pennies.
  • Pay attention to sales cycles. Russell estimates that 60 percent of her savings can be attributed to just buying what is on sale without any coupons and keeping up with events like March being National Frozen Food Month. 
  • Practice “Brand Dis-loyalty.” By purchasing the products your family needs instead of the brands that you have become accustomed to, you will save money and get an opportunity to try products that you may have never experienced otherwise.

Russell is very enthusiastic about sharing her discoveries with other families looking to cut down expenses. In addition to her blog, she utilizes social media sources like Facebook, Twitter and monthly webcasts to keep Seattle/Tacoma area parents informed. Her message may also be learned in person at local classes for informal groups or organizations like MOPS. 

Tara Bailey, a recent Coupon Project class attendant and Gig Harbor mother of two, felt that the class would be worthwhile for anyone who was looking to save for their family. “Before the class, I thought I knew about how to use coupons but now I see there are so many more possibilities. I was able to start applying Angela’s ideas right away to spend only $21 for $43 worth of groceries at the ," Bailey said.

Whether you are saving out of necessity, wanting to reduce your expenses on the basics to spend more money on fresh or organic produce or hoping to set aside money for a special splurge like a family vacation, Russell serves as a great resource to local families to sensibly save on everyday items. 

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