Tenn. woman shares secrets to saving

Elaine Trinkle used to be a big coupon clipper but often found herself with a pile of expired coupons that she had forgotten to use. Eventually, she gave up on clipping and decided to stock up on grocery items during buy-one-get-one-free sales instead.

Now, Trinkle, a part-time art teacher from Mount Pleasant, wants to find additional ways to stretch her family's grocery dollars, she said. Yesterday, she and 25 other women went to Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church to hear a Tennessee woman tell how she cut her grocery bill from $1,100 a month to less than $200 a month over the past few years.

Planning and organization are the keys, said Kelly Hancock, who uses a combination of traditional money-saving techniques to keep her grocery bill low. They include knowing what foods usually cost, being aware of which foods the family frequently consumes, stocking up on items selling at their lowest prices, buying produce in season, planning meals and knowing what foods are in the freezer and pantry before going shopping.

Hancock also said understanding how to use the different types of coupons, store policies regarding their use, being diligent about getting rain checks for depleted sale items and taking advantage of consumer loyalty rewards all can play a part in cutting grocery costs.

She told those attending the $12.50 workshop that with careful planning, they could cut their costs by 50 percent in fewer than six months without ever clipping a coupon. With coupons, organized shoppers can save as much as 75 percent on their grocery bill.

To get the best deals, redeem coupons when purchasing sale and clearance items, Hancock said. She listed the names of stores selling items at the lowest sale prices along with the name and date of circulars where coupons for those items can be found on her Web site. Those who know what's on sale and which coupons are available before going to the store save time, as well as money.

The Hancocks, who now have a 4 year-old and a 17-month-old, still eat foods such as salmon, steak, pork tenderloin and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, Kelly Hancock said. While they may eat rice and beans, they certainly are not on a rice and beans diet.

Hancock said her savings journey started when God told her to stay home with her first child.

The former medical devices sales representative and her husband, Bradford, who sold pharmaceuticals before being laid off in January, work together. The couple considers sharing their cost-cutting message with others a ministry. Their Web address is www.faithfulprovisions.com,.

The event was sponsored by Piggly Wiggly.

Reach Wevonneda Minis at 937-5705 or wminis@postandcourier.com.