Christine Whelan FEO, December 7, 2023, VOL. 5 ISSUE 7
It’s becoming more common practice and a matter of necessity these days to find ways to make our paycheques stretch as far as they can.
Liza Fare of Fort Erie has been encouraging consumers, in efforts to pinch that ever-precious penny, to approach shopping like an art.
Those who work at her favourite store recognize her when she walks in the door. With a laugh, “They call me the Coupon Queen.
Recently, Liza made the decision to take her insights and experience and connect with her community on social media. She posted on the Facebook group, Fort Erie Questions and Answers, “Is anyone interested in starting a group for coupon users to meet once a month at the local library to exchange coupons and information?”
COUPONS
Liza spoke emphatically about saving money as a consumer. “You’ve gotta make shopping like an art.”
She reflected, “I started clipping coupons in 1979. I’ve been doing it for a long, long time.” She still has old coupons, “Some are three cents, five cents.” However, she admitted, that these days, Liza finds there are not as many easily accessible coupons around as there used to be years ago.
“I’ve been trying to contact the manufacturers to encourage them to start putting them out again.”
Fare says the trick is to contact the companies and sing your praises. Tell them you’re a fan and prove you’re a fan.
“The one thing I always say to consumers is, if you like a product, contact the maker. Tell them that you like their product. If you have their product on hand, give them the UPC and the best-before date. 99.9%, they will send you some coupons.”
A UPC (Universal Product Code) is a unique product identifier in the form of a barcode that can be found on the packaging.
Liza noted in addition that some of the companies put their coupons on their packaging.
Measurable results
“I wrote to Cottonelle, telling them how I use their products. They sent me a $10 coupon.” Another company sent her a $5 coupon.
“A couple of weeks ago, when I went shopping at Walmart in Fort Erie, I saved $29 in coupons.”
OTHER WAYS TO SAVE
Stock up to save
For this method, it’s a matter of space. “I have a pantry. And I always buy several of an item that I like, if it’s on sale, and I will put it away in my cupboard.”
She continued, “Everything is in alphabetical order. And I rotate in order of when I bought them, from back to front. You can save that way. I try to tell consumers, don’t buy just one item when it’s on sale. If you can’t buy four, buy two.”
Lists are key
“I tell people, you should always go shopping with a list. Stay with the list.”
She told stories of watching people in the store, going down the aisles, “throwing everything in the shopping cart, and then when they get to the checkout, they can’t believe the total. Liza encourages people she speaks with to try to buy the item on sale whenever possible.
Fare commented that she has been noticing people coming into the stores with their lists.
Re-enforcing, “Stick to your shopping list. Stick to the sales.”
She says the worst thing is impulse buying.
Sales
Liza talked about using the stores’ flyers, which are now coming in through Canada Post in the Greater Fort Erie area, as well as located online.
“I will go through the flyers and compare, choosing the store with the best savings.”
CHRISTMAS
When talking about shopping for Christmas dinners and entertaining, Liza strongly discourages a common practice of shopping, “Don’t go from store to store, picking up sales. The money being saved on sales is being spent on gas,” as well as wear and tear on the vehicle.
“When I go out, I have a planned route,” taking the shortest way to her shopping needs. “I try to conserve gas as well as save on my shopping.” Every little bit counts.
Saving on Gifts
“I have a cabinet. Throughout the year, I buy things I see on sale. When friends and family birthdays come up, I will go to that cabinet and pick out a gift.” This will work for Christmas gifts, too. “I refuse to pay full price.”
FOR THE NEW YEAR
Liza encourages us all to approach consumer saving in the new year like a winter project and create a plan. Brainstorm a list of the products you like and expect to buy in the future, find ways to prove you are a fan, research the companies for contact information, and make that connection. How many coupons can you collect? How much money can you save?
To contact the manufacturers these days, the easiest way to find the companies that make your favourite items is online. They will all have websites or social media pages with contact information. If researching online is not an option, Liza says the information is on the product packaging.
“Even if you just find a phone number, you can call them and ask what their physical address is.”
Coupon Users Meet
On January 27 at 2:00 pm, Liza has invited coupon users to meet at the Fort Erie Public Library on Central and Gilmore. “History is repeating itself. I started this all at the Niagara Falls Library in 1979 and now I’m bringing it back to a library, now in Fort Erie.”
It will be an informal gathering. “The plan for the meeting is to gather fellow couponers, to share and exchange ideas, to exchange coupons, and to learn how to save more money.”
Liza first posted on the Fort Erie Facebook group to find out if there would be an interest. “I contacted those interested privately to get their email, creating an email list.” Once she organized a meeting, she informed the potential participants.
“I will bring some coupons and promotional material I’ve received over the years.” She is hoping that others will bring any old coupons they might have. “I love to see the old ones.”
There will be a draw for a homemade quilt.
To stay informed between now and the January meeting, connect with Liza to be added to her email list: liza_fare2000@yahoo.com
The library will also be promoting the meeting as the date gets closer.
Photo provided by Jen Wilkinson
