Taryn Blankenship: The Extreme Couponer Who Saved $12,000 and Gained Financial Freedom
The Beginnings of a Couponing Journey
Taryn Blankenship, a 28-year-old from Wichita, Kansas, is no ordinary shopper. This savvy extreme couponer has mastered the art of saving money through vouchers, discounts, and rebate apps, enabling her to save a staggering $12,000 over the past four years. Her couponing journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when rising food prices pushed her to find creative ways to cut her grocery bills. What started as a necessity quickly turned into an obsession, as Taryn discovered the thrill of scoring incredible deals and slashing her weekly shopping expenses from $150 to just $40.
How She Does It: Strategies and Techniques
Taryn’s success lies in her strategic approach to couponing. She uses a combination of online apps like Rabatta, digital coupons, and traditional paper coupons to maximize her savings. One of her earliest triumphs was purchasing five packs of razors for $1 each through Rabatta and earning a $5 rebate for each pack, effectively turning a $5 expense into a $25 profit. This experience hooked her on couponing, and she soon expanded her efforts to cover everything from groceries to household essentials.
Taryn’s grocery shopping philosophy is simple: she only buys items that are heavily discounted or free. Her local store’s clearance section has become her go-to, as she knows that all products eventually end up there. By focusing on what’s about to expire rather than what she wants to eat that week, Taryn has learned to stockpile non-perishable items, ensuring she never runs out of essentials. This approach has allowed her to build a stockpile that has sustained her since 2020, eliminating the need to purchase basic necessities like laundry detergent, shampoo, and toothpaste.
Achieving Financial Freedom and Pursuing Passions
The $3,000 Taryn saves annually through couponing has been life-changing. By cutting her weekly grocery bill by $110, she has amassed enough savings to quit her full-time job at a nursing home in early 2024. This newfound financial freedom has allowed her to focus on her true passions: running her sticker shop and creating content. Taryn’s story is a testament to the power of smart budgeting and resourcefulness, proving that with dedication, anyone can take control of their finances and live life on their own terms.
Giving Back to the Community
Taryn’s couponing success isn’t just about personal gain; she also uses her skills to make a positive impact on her community. She regularly donates essential items from her stockpile to low-income families, ensuring they have access to hygiene products and other necessities. In 2022 alone, she donated over 50 tubes of toothpaste and 40 boxes of detergent to a local organization that supports families in need. For Taryn, couponing is not only a way to save money but also a way to give back and make a difference in the lives of others.
The Future of Extreme Couponing
As Taryn continues to grow her sticker shop and content creation business, she remains committed to the couponing strategies that made it all possible. Her journey proves that with creativity, persistence, and a keen eye for deals, anyone can transform their financial situation and achieve their goals. Taryn’s story is an inspiration to anyone looking to take control of their finances and live a life filled with purpose and freedom.
