Marine Corps Base Quantico -- So many coupons, nonetheless spouses aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico make time for saving.
Seasoned couponer Amber Grisham, a spouse from the Marine Helicopter Squadron 1, attended a monthly couponing session Monday at the Chapel Annex to help spouses solve the modern mystery of how to save big with couponing. As a devoted couponer for more than 6 years, she gave tips on price matching, couponing etiquette, and how to plan shopping trips for maximum savings.
With so many grocery aisles, how can a shopper find the right savings? Never be afraid to ask about the current coupon policy, as they change frequently. Once a shopper is familiar with the store's policy, they can easiily find items on sale to match list items and clipped coupons.
“Coupon etiquette is crucial. Grocery stores have a consistent rollout of staff, and many of them are not familiar with coupon usage. Always be polite, patient, and more than anything be honest,” said Grisham. “If a coupon scans for an item not purchased, be honest and don’t use it. Misuse of coupons creates restricted coupon usage, which may have a negative effect on future shoppers.”
Participants clipped and chatted in an open forum about the best stores for doubling coupons, how to get additional discounts for military families, and how to network with other spouses using social media. Spouses also discussed tips for large meal preparation, packing lunches and shopping for picky eaters.
“When shopping, I usually plan a menu and make a list to match my coupons. It’s that easy,” said Grisham, who attributes her success to being organized. “A large binder with clear sleeves comes in handy. It allows me to store items by common products, expiration dates, or even by the grocery store isles.”
What does Grisham recommend when the savings are great and an overabundance of items accumulates? Gift baskets for friends are a great use for a surplus of items, she said. Many spouses also donate care packages that support deployed Marines or redeploying single Marines who live in the barracks.
Couponing is not only a tool for saving, but also a way to support the military community.
Joyce Murphy, family readiness programs manager, shares this American practice with international spouses, in a special class focused on the basics of couponing in the commissary. “A lot international spouses have never heard of couponing,” she explained. “Also, groceries are often more expensive in America than some foreign countries.”
The next open couponing forum is slated for Nov. 9th at the Chapel Annex. For more information on couponing classes and services provided by Marine Corps Family Team Building contact Jo Wrede at 703-634-2678 or 703-784-2687.
— Writer: iirby@quanticosentryonline.com