This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kiersti Torok. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I’m a professional couponer who shares tips with my millions of followers on social media. I have a long couponing history. Both of my parents got laid off during the recession and had two teenage daughters. They needed to figure out how to make ends meet quickly, so my mom took a community college class and learned the basics of couponing.
As a teenager, I wanted to go to the mall and shop, so to supplement that, my mom and I would coupon. I picked it up really quickly. We’d listen to Backstreet Boys in the car, and clip coupons while drinking McDonald’s coffee. Now, I share my tips with millions of others. Here are some hacks for shopping for holiday gifts for cheap, all year long.
Shift the holiday timeline to maximize clearance shopping
When my husband and I became first-time parents, we had no money— like $50 to spend on Christmas. But we noticed there was so much clearance shopping after Christmas, and wondered if there was a way to celebrate Christmas in January.
We came up with an idea when my kids were very little to get my kids a stocking and fill it with what we could afford, small things like candy and toys to open on Christmas Day. We’d also include a handwritten note from us, plus a gift card that said it was good for a shopping trip with mom and dad. We’d take them to get hot chocolate, go to the store, and make it a whole experience looking for clearance toys. (In our house, Santa brings realistic things, like a book or a football, not over-the-top toys.)
With these gift cards, they could get two to three times as much in January as they could have in December, but they also got quality time with mom and dad. They ask for that now, even as older kids. It’s their favorite thing about Christmas. You could do this with other holidays, too.
Stock up on candy for one holiday for the next one
Again, use clearance to your advantage. I like to shop for the candy that you’re going to use during the holiday before.
For example, I already bought all my kids’ Valentine’s Day candy during the Christmas clearance sale. Candy packages might say “Christmas” on the outside, but inside is just red candy, which works for Valentine’s Day. Green would work for St. Patrick’s. The Valentine’s Day pastels would work for Easter.
It takes a little more effort to be strategic, but I’m able to save 70% to 80% on the candy they’ll eat, regardless of the packaging. And keep in mind that candy lasts a long time.
Think outside the box in general, and have patience
A lot of times, things are marked for one holiday but have nothing identifiable on them. For example, I bought a Starbucks Christmas tumbler on clearance. It’s just red; it doesn’t say anything about Christmas. So now it’s a Valentine’s Day gift for teachers. I’m going to fill it with candy and add a note from my kids.
Don’t rely just on in-store shopping, either — clearance savings also happen online. Timing it right is going to save a lot of money, and maybe time, too.
Saving money is all about being realistic, understanding your budget, and being patient. If you’re strategic, the savings will come easily.
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