Board members of the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Oviedo hosted a "couponing" class taught by Mary Edwards on Saturday, July 9, 2011, to allow people the opportunity to learn how to use coupons, not only for themselves, but for others who are in need.
Edwards runs a website called "Couponers United," that works closely with the non-profit organization, the Simple Truth Foundation of Central Florida. Edwards has been teaching the classes for two years but became a couponer four years ago when she decided she wanted to be a stay-at-home mother with her four kids, and now only spends $40 a week when she shops.
"The reason why we do classes is to teach people how to save money but ultimately we hope they give back to the community," said Edwards.
Edwards was inspired to teach classes after an incident at a grocery store when she was in line behind an elderly woman who was buying a box of cereal during a buy one, get one free sale, but did not take the free box.
"That's really what motivated me to to teach the classes and how to give back," she said. "Just because you don't need it, you can help or bless another family."
Church board member and two-year couponer, Cara Roesner, says she loves the benefits of couponing. "Of course with the way the economy is, any way to save money seems welcomed," she said. "I heard about Mary and how she teaches you to stretch your dollar, especially since I have a small budget for charity. I figured with coupons I could give more to the community. Seminole county has a really strong need for food, especially for children. Using coupons, I am able to donate double to triple what I was doing as far as food product."
Her 7-year-old son, Thomas Roesner, was by her side and added: "It helps you save money. You buy it with coupons or if it's on sale. Always."
Cori Lampe attended with her husband Roger. Neither are couponers, but hope to attain the title for themselves. "We'd like to learn about couponing," said the mother of three who hopes to donate to churches. "We need to save money."
40 students - young, old, men and women - were educated on how to coupon at each of the various stores, and terminology affiliated with couponing, as they listened attentively, nodding their heads while taking notes and continuously saying, "Wow," and "I need to do that."
"I teach the classes to help you lower your grocery bill, but also to learn how to give back to the community ... We hope you give back to the food pantry or shelters in your area," Edwards asserted.
Sisters Tara Harry attended the class for the first time after becoming an active couponer just a few months ago because of the influence of her sister, Meera. "She would make me cut through the Sunday paper and match it up to sales and we try to work together as a team," said Tara Harry, who noticed a drastic change of up to 50% in her savings since she started participating. "I won't go shopping unless there's a coupon or it's on sale and I try not to pay normal price."
Meera Harry, a one-year couponer, concurred. "I told her, 'You're not going there unless we cut these coupons,' and in the end, you do save money, so why not? Why pay full price if you know you don't have to?"
Once they learned that expired coupons were beneficial up to six months for troops overseas, the Harry sisters donated an envelope filled with clippings to Fran Tivald or "Fran the Coupon Man," executive vice president of the Simple Truth Foundation, who accompanies Edwards to collect overage items.
"It's one of the best feelings that you can have as a human being," Tivald said. "That's what the essence of our organization is; in helping others you help yourself."
Edwards teaches about 40 classes monthly. Her next local meet is on Monday, July 11, 2011 at the Amaya Papaya Play Lounge which is a kid-friendly atmosphere for only $5.
For more information, visit couponersunited.com, where Edwards informs of "freebies," "couponing 101" and "deals and steals."
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