Extreme Couponer Uses Deals to Donate

Image: Lily Robinson stands beside her most recent donation to Lifebridge North Shore.

When asked about the best coupon deal she’s ever made, Lily Robinson doesn’t have to think before answering. “I hit zero dollars once and the cash register stopped working,” she says proudly. But Robinson doesn’t keep her discounted hauls; she donates them to charity.

Robinson began using coupons to donate when she realized how many more people she could help when she saved money along the way. She’s couponed for about a year, using the CVS app to optimize every dollar she spends. “I’d estimate that I’ve donated $500 worth of products and only paid $200,” she says. “If I didn’t coupon, I’d never be able to afford the variety of different products I get.” Offering variety empowers clients to choose the products they prefer, rather than taking whatever is available. “Giving them the simple choice of what kind of shampoo they want to use can give them back a sense of self. Everyone deserves choices and to be happy,” she explains.

Getting the best deal does take a little preparation. Robinson first finds all the coupons she’d like to use and writes them down in a dedicated couponing notebook. Then, she splits the deals into transactions and starts shopping. The preparation, she says, is worth it. “Donating can change peoples lives,” says Robinson. “I want other people to know that donating to Lifebridge is easy and couponing makes it super affordable.”

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