I’m Kristin, your lovely and mouthy hostess. Extreme couponing rants. Houston coupon classes. Grocery store deals. Every week, (or just about), I do the top deals for Arlan’s Market, Joe V’s Smart Shop, H-E-B, Food Town, Foodarama, and Sellers Bros. Let’s talk about it. You’ll find all of that and more here…
I’m 32, married with 3 kids ages 16 to 4. We live in the Houston area. Yes, I have a toddler and a teenager at the same time. It’s probably not as stressful as you think. Okay, it totally is some days.
My youngest is autistic and has a speech delay. We’re on a modified Feingold diet, and have cut out a lot of things from the Standard American Diet. No dye, no MSG, no HCFS (if I can help it), and more label reading than you can shake a stick at. We’re making progress with special needs on a budget and you can too.
I started “extreme” couponing when both my husband and I were underemployed. We had a very limited budget for our family size, and I wanted to make it stretch. So I did. And then it got tighter, and it stretched some more. But we made it through it, and now, even though we have more of a budget, I still coupon like crazy, and do silly things like buy 15 bottles of barbeque sauce. You’ll see why. I started my road to smarter shopping very young, shopping with my frugal grandmother. She would give me a dime every time I found a price error.
When my husband started posting about my savings on Facebook, I received lots of questions, so I started blogging about how I made it work. I host coupon classes about once a quarter. For more info, just email me, leave me a message on Facebook, or leave a comment. I’m excited, and I hope this blog helps you to get a little more excited about keeping your money where it belongs – in your pocket.
If you’re ever curious about something, but don’t want to leave a comment, please feel free to email me at Kristin at CouponKristin.com.
About the Author: Kristin Holt Duncan is a Houston area extreme couponer. She enjoys saving money on the foods that her family actually likes so that she can spend more money on things like Nutella. And Danskos. And Coach purses. You can find her elsewhere on the web, below.
I followed you over from Mile Hi Mama. I like your style and if I lived in the Houston area, or pretty much anywhere in Texas, I’d ask you to coffee! But I live in Colorado and I think the drive would be too much. But thanks for being out there!
Thanks, Melissa!
I <3 MHM to pieces, so I can’t stand it when she’s got a troll infestation.
Hey Kristin I have 3 Girls 11, 8, and 3….. Im struguling with money for school supplies and uniforms I need coupons but cant find any that are good >.< I plan on shopping at Walmart which is where i get the cheapest stuff please help!
Hi my name is ruth kristen am a teen mom and I would love to save but it just hard for me having a baby and I want to always try to save but I just don’t know where to start from so I would love for you to. Show me some tips on how to shop for less money. Thanks you kristen
Hey, Ruth. I was a teen mom. I’ve been there, sister. I had my oldest when I was 15. My baby attended my high school graduation, and went to college classes with me. He’s a wonderfully difficult teenage boy now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Without knowing anything else about your situation, I’m going to give you some real talk advice from someone’s who Been There, Done That. You have a commitment to your baby. You have to provide for that baby till he/she’s 18. Make sure you have your ducks in a row. Follow through with the AG’s office. Get your child support, no matter how much you love Baby Daddy. If you want some help, let me know. I have boxed with the AG’s office for 15 years now.
Talk to people. Get hand-me-down clothes. Kids grow so fast, you’re hardly going to know the difference. Make friends with other moms so you don’t feel so alone and isolated.
Take help that’s available. Sign up for whatever you need to provide for that baby. WIC, Food Stamps, TANF, are all there to help you. You have to finish high school, because it is the only way you’re ever going to make it easier for you. Get on the list for housing, if you’re not in a safe place.
All right, lecture over.
Start watching the deals at Walgreens and CVS. You want to start collecting coupons so that you can turn a profit on something that will help you reduce your diaper cost. And Pampers ain’t cheap. This week, there’s a deal on Reach Toothbrushes, that makes a profit, so you would buy the toothbrushes to have money for diapers. Buy things that are free after Register Reward or Extra Care Bucks, even if you don’t need them right now, to keep rolling those “store cash” coupons.
Find blogs that cover stores in your area and ask questions if you don’t understand. Good luck. You can do this.
Love your blog and thanks for sharing !
Thanks, Laurie!
Hey girl, I live in Northshore/Channelview Area.
So I’m really close to your area, lol.
It’s great to FINALLY see some Houston bloggers.
I’m 19 and my mom and I have recently started couponing and so far everything is working in our favor.
PS: I love Joe’s Smart Shop too !
We might be coming to your class. You’ll see me registered in the next week or so if we are able to go since you’re like 10 minutes away ! Lol.
I guess I really just wanted to say THANK YOU for coupon blogging in Houston !
Thank you for reading!
It’s great that you and your mom are able to coupon together! My grandmother taught me how to be a smart shopper, when I was little.
I hope to see you there! Plus, I <3 your name; my daughter’s name is Jordan.
Hello Hello,
My mom and I really want to attend your extreme couponing class but the whole paypal account stuff confuses me. Is there a way I can meet with you, so I can get you the payment for us. Also, how many spaces are available?? I want to tell all my friend and family to see if anyone wants to join us, but I don’t want to over invite.
Thanks,
I just sent you a message.
I got it … Thanks
I have been tring to find a group that “educates” on couponing and found your blog. IT ROCKS btw!!!
I must have a brain block because I can not find where to subscribe to your blog. Please help!
I also would love to take the class but like many have no fmaily or friends in the area. It is me (30), hubby (28) and my son (19 months).
Thanks!
Thanks Corrin! You’re more than welcome to attend the public class on July 9th! You can find the details here: http://www.couponkristin.com/2011/05/coupon-class/
Thanks for visiting!
I’m sooo happy I found you! Its about time Houston got on the COUPON MAP!!!!! Ive been here for 30 years and still can’t figure it out. Thanks for the info!!!
Hey, Joanne! I used to coupon with my grandma, 20-25 years ago. Things sure have changed!
Hi! Thank you so much for being a Houston resident! I live in Conroe and am starting couponing because my fiance’ and I are having a baby, and we also have his friend staying with us. They eat alot, as boys do and we neverrr have anything in our house! I have always used coupons at Walmart and such, but want to become an Extreme Couponer..well maybe not extreme but close to it!
Do you shop at Walmart,Walgreens..where?!
If so, can you use as many coupons as wanted?
WHy do you need to do at least two transactions??!
I need help to get started! Thanks!
Peace and Sparkles,
Amber!
Hey, Amber!
LOL, I shop all over, but Walgreens and Walmart are my two least favorite stores, due to their poor customer service.
You don’t have to be an extreme couponer to feed those boys – I’ve got 4 in my house! I’m not sure what stores you have in Conroe. Do you have Brookshire Brothers? HEB? Fiesta? Food Fair? Gerlands? Help me out and I’ll be able to guide you a little better.
The number of coupons I use is dependent on what I’m after, how many I actually have, and what the deal is. Like this week, the deal on spaghetti/alfredo sauce is a great one at Randalls. I probably have 10 of those coupons, but I have no need for 30 jars of sauce right now. The sale will be back before the coupons expire in December, so there’s no need to buy them all and clear the shelves. If I was having a spaghetti dinner for a fundraiser, I might think differently.
A lot of times I do 2 transactions if a store places limits on their doubling or if I’m expecting a catalina to print out. The diaper deal I did at HEB is a great example of that. I didn’t do 2 transactions at the same store – I did one tracation at the HEB at 45 and Gulfgate, then I did another one at the HEB in Pearland. I try not to clear shelves, but in this case, I actually needed the diapers for my 2 year old!
Hahaha, okay well looking on your list all we have is HEB and Fiesta over here
I have a hard time understanding where and how to get so many of the same coupons! Do you get yours out of the Houston Cronicle on Sundays?
Thank you so much for your help and support, i really appreciate it a whole lot! My fiance’ doesn’t think I can save money, so i’ve been researching for about a week now trying to get everything under control on my end!!
Well, you can definitely save money shopping at HEB and Fiesta and Walmart.
1. I buy between 4-10 papers per week.
2. I beg my family to save their coupons for me. This usually gets me another 3 or 4 sets.
3. I pick up coupons in the stores.
4. I write manufacturers for coupons.
Okay, thank you so much for your help and time!
Hopefully one day I will become a great couponer! hahaha
Kristen, I won’t be able to make it to the class on July 9th! Plans changed, and I have to go pick up my in-laws at the airport that evening. I was wondering if I would be able to get a refund for the class?
i live here in the houston area with you, i am just starting to coupon save and learning my way around. i have taken your advice about walgreens and cvs with their rr and ecb programs (great idea, i love it) but, do you know any stores in the area that do double triple coupons?
Sellers Brothers
Food Fair
Randalls
Brookshire Brothers
Gerlands
All double or double/triple coupons.
Welcome!
Hi,
I currently live in Fort Worth, but I am planning on moving back to Houston very soon (just waiting on the last call from HR). In Fort Worth I am able to get the Sunday paper for $1 each at the local dollar tree. I have called several dollar trees down there and they don’t have newspapers at all. Do you know anywhere that carries cheap newspapers? I will be in the Sugar Land/Missouri City area, but most of my friends are in the area of 45S and Beltway 8 (Almeda Mall area). I appreciate any advice you can give me.
(I’m sorry, this comment got lost in the giveaway rush)
Well, I live in the rough area of 45S and Beltway 8, so you’re in luck!
Most of the dollar trees around here do not sell the Houston Chronicle, but they did at one time. That’s been a few years though. I was able to get papers from King Dollar for $1 each, but they stopped that in 2008. You can get a subscription for .50/week, prepaid, but I don’t have a subscription. I buy 5-6 papers per week, plus I get freebie papers in my neighborhood. Several areas have different papers that go out with inserts. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’m not sure about the habits in the Mo City area, but there are several shelf clearers in my neighborhood. =/
There’s another blogger in your general area, Katy Couponers , who does a really good job of breaking down the free and moneymaker stuff.
Kristin, I am intersted in your classes and have asked a few of my neighbors if they would be interested in taking a couponing class? They are!! My questions for you are: 1) What is the minimum number of participants for a class? 2) Do these have to be held in a public place or can a private residence be used? 3) I read in one of your earlier comments that you hold a class once a quarter, do yo have an idea as to when the next class would be or does that only pertain to public classes?
I tried couponing a couple of years ago, but went out there with unrealistic goals and when I could not meet them threw in the towel. I am wanting to try again, but need guidance so as to not fall into my old ways again.
Kathy, I’ll email you.
will you email me? I have a question for you about couponing!
I will – but it’ll be later. I’m about to go run to the store and then start on match ups.
When will you have the next class? My daugther and i would love to come and lean how
to save money!
I’m not sure yet. I need time, space, and attendees! I’m thinking mid January. I’ll let you know as soon as I get it set up!
Want to know more about coupons would like to attend a class in Houston or would like to know more info on having the coupon party what is needed or how do I start
Please let me know when tor next class is. Thanks so much.
I’m looking at late March because I’m all booked up till then.
On 7/24/12, Imperial Sugar is hosting a one day coupon giveaway. They will give out 2500 coupons good for up to $4 off any Imperial Sugar product. Details here: http://www.imperialsugar.com/sweet-community/contests/.
Hey Kristin!
I am so glad I found this blog. I follow some larger blogs, but until recently didn’t have a local Houston blog to follow for more accurate match ups! I also LOVE that you post highlights from the Fiesta ad and other Houston stores. I don’t get these ads because I live 40 miles from Houston, but I ad-match at Walmart. I can look most stores up online, but I can’t look up Fiesta….so this will help me so much!!!
I have a coupon question. I have a 5 dollar off coupon for the glade oil diffuser starter, and my walmart still has them on sale for 5 dollars, so it will be free. But, now there are buy one get one free coupons available for this item. Is there a way to use both, to get two free instead of one? I don’t want to cheat or do anything unethical, but I am buying one, I just only have to pay taxes because I am a coupon user! what what! but….if I present the bogo coupon first to the cashier after my order, and get one free, will the 5 dollar off coupon still work to make the first one free too? Thanks!!
I’m so glad I found your site. You list almost every store that I ad match with at Walmart.
I’ve been working with like The Krazy Coupon Lady. I’m so glad to find someone in the Houston area. Do you know of any bloggers doing Kroger stores? I shop mostly Kroger, Target, and WalMart; the stores closest to me.
I usually do Kroger, but I’ve been struggling to finish all of the small stores on time. You can see Tiffany at http://www.mylitter.com or Stephanie at http://katycouponers.blogspot.com for this week’s matchups.