A San Antonio woman is helping people of all walks of life save money at the grocery store, one coupon at a time. <\/p>\n
Brenda Anz calls herself a \u201ccoupon educator.\u201d \u201cI teach coupon classes, and I\u2019ve been doing it for the last 15 years,\u201d Anz said. \u201cSo I come into the household, and I help them learn how to save by using more coupons and less cash at the register.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through in-person and online classes, Anz believes she has helped tens of thousands of people learn how to make their money go further. She said many people who come to her are dealing with tighter budgets and rising expenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so many people that are coming to me, and they\u2019re telling me, \u2018Listen, I haven\u2019t had a raise in two years. I\u2019m having major problems,\u2019\u201d Anz said.<\/p>\n
For some students, couponing has become more than a way to save a few dollars. \u201cIt\u2019s about people helping people,\u201d Nicole Thrash said. \u201cI was in a dark place, and I think couponing has really helped me out a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anz also encourages young people to learn early. Jordan Etta, a senior at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said many people her age may not know where to start. \u201cI feel like a lot of people my age aren\u2019t really focused on saving money, or they don\u2019t 100% know what to do when it comes to couponing,\u201d Etta said.<\/p>\n
Some of the biggest tips include reading coupons closely, because the details matter. Coupon users should check whether a coupon applies to clearance items, whether it can be used more than once, and what restrictions apply.<\/p>\n
Anz and her students also recommend stocking up on seasonal items after a holiday ends, when many products are marked down. Setting money aside in advance for holiday shopping can also help families avoid a large financial strain all at once.<\/p>\n
Technology can also make a difference. Store apps, digital coupons, and social media pages can help shoppers keep track of current deals at their favorite retailers.<\/p>\n