Extreme couponing: ‘Sending Kellogg’s birthday cards assists me save £150 a month on bills’
‘Extreme couponer’ Natalie Cooper saves all around £150 a month on her buying bills by utilizing coupons and price reduction codes. But she uses some uncommon techniques to elicit the vouchers 
Photograph: Guzelian
It is named “extreme couponing” and it is a growing craze. Yes, it is “extreme” in that shoppers turn out to be devoted slaves to each and every type of voucher or funds-off deal they can uncover. But it can also conserve hundreds of lbs – or even 1000’s more than longer periods.
The trend comes from the US but is catching on in Britain. Far more consumers are making use of vouchers and low cost codes to minimize the expense of their shopping than ever prior to, in element prompted by growing foods costs. But there is also an component of exciting to severe couponing, say its adherents.
This kind of is the reputation of excessive couponing in the Uk that a Facebook group with the exact same name has been set up, and has gathered far more than 52,000 “likes” in 18 months. Users on the page tell of the most current coupons, and swap guidelines on the ideal methods to use them.
The webpage was created by Jordon Cox, the 16-yr-old Essex schoolboy who grew to become identified for his excessive couponing final 12 months when he bought £600 worth of purchasing at Tesco for just 4p .
Yet another avid couponer is Natalie Cooper, a 24-year-outdated mother from Lincolnshire who claimed to save on average around £150 a month by employing coupons and on-line discount codes.
When pregnant with daughter Madison, now 3, Ms Cooper knew she would have to become a lot more conscientious with cash and believed about the diverse techniques she could save funds. After viewing the American tv demonstrate Intense Couponing she went on the web and identified the likes of Jordon Cox and other severe couponers.
Ms Cooper stated she looked on-line for reductions codes, utilised supermarket loyalty schemes for vouchers, and wrote letters to organizations, which usually resulted in her being sent coupons.
“Rather than just creating to a company and asking them for coupons,” she said, “I desire to write recipes with the item in it, or take a picture of myself with the merchandise, and in return they at times send vouchers.
“One of my 1st letters to a business was about two many years ago when I sent Kellogg’s a birthday card. In return, it sent me coupons.”
Ms Cooper stated she averaged 10-15 letters to companies each month. “Last month I sent twenty, and received 7 replies with coupons, and five with item samples.”
“My best deal was on little one wipes. I managed to get 157 packs of wipes for free over a two-week period thanks to an in-shop promotion and coupons I’d been sent.”
Natalie Cooper with some of the objects bought with her coupon assortment
Ms Cooper explained that she was “very aware” of the adverse stereotype of extreme couponers: “Lots of folks will just bombard a organization with letters asking for coupons, but I never ever inquire outright. I try to do some thing a bit far more imaginative.”
In accordance to study by Valassis, the UK’s largest coupon and voucher solutions enterprise, Britain’s appetite for coupons has “reached new heights”, rising by much more than a third (35pc) in 2013 in contrast with the preceding yr. It reported that 603 million coupons, with a total worth of £1.7bn, were redeemed in the United kingdom final yr.
Retailer-issued coupons were driving most of the development, the internet site stated. In accordance to Charles D’Oyly, managing director of the firm: “The latest increases in redemptions are mostly due to the reputation of coupon-at-till promotions and cost-matching guarantees.”
Is “extreme couponing” a waste of time or a great cash saver?
Ms Cooper, named On the internet Bargain Hunter of the 12 months 2013 by funds-conserving website PromotionalCodes.org.united kingdom for her “prolific use of price reduction codes and deals”, has tips for would-be couponers. “When at the checkout, be polite. If there is someone waiting behind you, probably tell them to go in front as you will consider a even though if you have a lot of coupons.” She also urges couponers to steer clear of active times. “It also helps to choose the greatest time to use your coupon. Wait to see if the product goes on supply initial, and then use the coupon on top of this to get an even less costly price.”
Five should-do rules for successful couponing
one. Sign up to shop newsletters, emails and follow them on social media internet sites to maintain abreast of most recent delivers and product sales.
two. Use websites such as Savoo.co.uk , HotUkDeals.co.uk and Vouchercodes.co.united kingdom to get on the internet price reduction codes for a quantity of diverse merchants.
3. Check out for Martin Lewis’s prime picks on the most current gives and bargains. Appropriate now, Ocado is supplying up to 25pc off a supermarket shop of £40, with totally free delivery (offer you ends June thirty).
4. Sign up to supermarket loyalty schemes. Sainsbury’s Nectar Card, Tesco’s Clubcard and Boots’ Advantage card are just some of the schemes providing loyal clients cash off their buying.
5. Examine forums on coupon web sites as other couponers will spread the news of the newest offers on provide.
Are you a fan of couponing? Inform us how significantly you have saved by emailing , or comment beneath.