‘Happy Money’ Episode 7: Krazy Coupon Lady Shares Her Best Grocery Hacks to Save 70 Percent Off Your Bill
Couponing site co-founder Heather Wheeler reveals easy hacks that cut grocery and beauty costs fast
You work hard for every dollar—and you deserve to make each one count! The good news? You don’t need to spend hours clipping physical coupons to save big on everything from groceries to beauty products. With a few smart strategies and the right timing, you can treat yourself and your family to everything you need (and want!) without the guilt or the budget stress.
In Episode 7 of Woman’s World’s new Happy Money video series, all about finances in midlife, host Digital Director Julia Dennison sits down with Heather Wheeler, co-founder of The Krazy Coupon Lady, for savvy penny-wise secrets. Discover her helpful tips on how you can get the most bang for your buck every time you shop.
Watch Happy Money Episode 7 here or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.
Tune into Episode 7 right here! ‘Your Ultimate Guide to Everyday Savings’
Krazy Coupon Lady’s top grocery shopping secrets
How to meal plan around weekly sales
Meal planning is a fantastic way to save you time and stress during the week, but it won’t always save you money. But with a change to how you approach the habit, you can see a positive impact on your wallet.
“Instead of going to your recipe book and saying, ‘Okay, these are the five things that I’m going to buy,’ look at what’s on sale first, and then plan your meals around that,” says Wheeler. Pro tip: Look at the retailer’s website or the weekly ad to see the meat that’s on sale before your next grocery shopping trip.
For example, if chicken thighs are on sale—but ground beef is not—you’ll want to focus on what you can make with chicken. You can whip up several hearty chicken dinners, from slow cooker to skillet, that will feed your whole family for less.
Why stockpiling smartly saves you money
Grocery stores love offering buy-one-get-one deals, which is the perfect time for you to get items you normally would purchase for less! That’s why Wheeler suggests taking full advantage of these limited-time offers to save yourself money in the long run.
“If something is on sale with a coupon or it’s just a great price, make sure that you’re buying as many as the store will allow, so that you can create just a small little stockpile of those items,” she suggests. “I’m not talking about filling a room in your house, just one little side of your pantry where you’re putting the toothpaste that you get for free and the shampoo that’s 50 percent off. That way, when you run out, you’re not going to the store and paying full price—you’re going to your pantry.”
Best stores for coupons and loyalty rewards
You may be wondering if specific grocery stores are better for your wallet than others. The reality: Every grocery chain has its own unique deals and coupons, so it it’s worthwhile to shop at different stores outside of your go-to. But there’s one extra step you’ll want to take to truly cut grocery costs.
“You have to make sure you sign up for the retailer’s loyalty program,” shares Wheeler. “That’s how you get the sale prices.”
Prefer to do your shopping at warehouse chains like Costco or Sam’s Club? These retailers have instant savings on several items, but you’ll want to do your research before buying if you’re just trying to take advantage of a discount.
“You have to be careful, because not everything is a good deal,” she explains. “That’s why it’s important to jot down prices of the things you use most.”
This extra step will let you know if the deal is one that can’t be beat or if you’re better off buying elsewhere!
The beauty category trick that saves up to 70%
It’s no secret that makeup, serums, perfumes and more can be costly. Despite these products’ high markup, however, Wheeler reveals that you’re actually quite likely to see some great deals on them.
“Beauty is one of the categories that releases the most coupons,” she says. “Most often they’re releasing coupons when there’s a new innovation, or there’s something new to market and they want consumers to try it.”
Target, Walmart and drugstores have been known to release coupons for beauty products weekly, and you can see as much as 70 percent in savings! You may have to be open to trying a new brand to get the deal, but there’s one plus: You could discover a product that you end up loving.
Smart couponing strategies to maximize every dollar
New to couponing? Start here
Couponing can seem overwhelming at first if it’s not something you frequently do, but there are ways to make it much more manageable!
“Just pick one grocery store or retailer, start small and try to figure out their rewards program or the way that they run sales, because each store is a little bit different,” suggests Wheeler. “I would also pick a drugstore, find the one that’s closest to your house and learn their savings program.”
Stack your savings for bigger discounts
One of the best ways to become a savvy shopper? Stacking your savings! This essentially means buying something when there are multiple ways to save.
“It’s not about finding that 50-cent-off coupon and going and using it at the grocery store,” she says. “It’s about timing it on purpose for when there are other things that you can do.”
This can mean purchasing a product that’s on sale, part of a promotion and is eligible for a coupon. If you use a rebate app like Ibotta, Fetch or Shopkick after you’ve checked out, you’ll save even more.
“Get into this habit: After you go to the grocery store, grab your receipt, scan it and you’re going to save several dollars every time,” Wheeler adds.
The surprising way to get free coupons from your favorite brands
Most people only contact a company if they have a complaint or concern, but you may want to reconsider. Wheeler says there’s a missed opportunity for savings just by giving a brand positive feedback.
“Brands really want to hear from their consumers and when you think about it, they don’t often have a direct relationship with the consumer,” she says. “When you email them and say, “Hey, I love your products, thank you so much,” they will send you a coupon that you can use.”
Reconsider product loyalty
Couponing and taking advantage of deals are some of the best ways to stick to your budget. For it to truly work, allow yourself to explore new products and break out of a shopping rut!
“You’ll save the most when you’re a little bit flexible on the brand that you’re buying,” reveals Wheeler. “I always say, be loyal to the price you’re willing to pay, not the brand you’re buying.”
With these simple strategies—from timing your purchases to stacking your savings—you can give yourself and your family everything you need without the financial stress.
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