Mom wins $250 in coupon contest

Mary Arthur of Awendaw won a $250 AMEX card in Charleston Savvy Shopper's recent coupon contest.

The column recently ran the contest to allow readers to showcase their savings savvy. Entries were judged by the percentage of savings realized on a purchase of $100 or more.

Arthur submitted a receipt that reflected 104 percent savings. The retail total of her purchase was $140, and she received $6.75 back from the purchase.

"Some stores will do it, and some stores don't," she said. "I actually thought I would zero out. I was surprised."

Arthur, who owns a local landscaping/gardening company, has been using coupons to help her family save money for about a year.

She said couponing is important to her because she has a large family to feed. Prior to using them, she spent $600 to $700 per month. Now she spends around $30 per week to feed her family of six.

When she buys extra, she gives it to homeless shelters or East Cooper Community Outreach.

"I don't have stockpiles of anything and I never clear shelves and I'm not there at 7 in the morning, but we do have a whole lot of mouths to feed, and I bet I probably give away 50 percent of the stuff I get," she said.

Her advice to people just starting to use coupons?

"My biggest tip is always buy a paper whether you think you're going to need it or not -- at least one if not two," she said. "And be patient. It does take time, but anybody can do it. It's not rocket science. It really is easy."