Shannon Bonesteel of Clifton Park knows how to save. She spends three hours a week getting ready by gathering coupons and making lists.
The goal is to save as much as she can.
"I'm upset if I don't save at least 50 percent, that's a bad week for me," said Bonesteel.
If you're thinking it, it's true. "I'm a couponer," she said.
But not like the ones we see on TV. Bonesteel's couponing is something any of us can do.
"There's nothing extreme about the way I coupon. We're just trying to stick to a budget like everyone else," she said.
Bonesteel's couponing started three years ago when she had kids and the grocery bills started going up. She spends naptime on Saturday with the early bird paper planning how she will keep the costs down.
"I'll go through the flyer, if something jumps out at me as something that might be a good deal I use coupon databases," said Bonesteel.
She showed us an example, crackers on sale two for $4.
"They have a coupon for a dollar off two which works out well because that would get me two for $3 which would be a $1.50 each," she said.
Her coupons also come from the paper, the mail and even co-workers who know of her saving skills.
"I do it because I enjoy it," said Bonesteel.
Each week, as she makes her lists, she is keeping in mind the different rules and perks at each store.
"Wal-Mart will price match," said Bonesteel. "Price Chopper doubles coupons."
And it is important to point out, that what she is shopping for aren't things she actually needs.
"I have enough food in my fridge and freezer to last me months. When I make my list I'm not looking at what's in my pantry, I'm looking at what's on sale."
It is a strategy Bonesteel says saves her about 50 percent a week. We wanted to see it firsthand, so we went shopping with her.
"These are $5.99 each, but I have a coupon that will make them $3.99," said Bonesteel as she showed us clementines she was buying.
"These hot dogs are on sale for two for $2, so a dollar each. I have a coupon for $.75 off two and that will double to $1.50."
Bonesteel says it pays to shop early before the deals of the week are sold out. And she says you should wait for a true deal.
"Bread on sale for two for $5, it might seem like a good deal because they are usually $4 a loaf but they will go on sale buy one get two free," said Bonesteel.
And Bonesteel says she has found that buying generic isn't always the way to go.
"You can save more money buying name brands when they are on sale, and with a coupon," she said.
After just about a half hour the moment we were waiting for finally happened.
The total before savings was $146.34. After her Advantage Card, then the coupons…
"We spent $55.08 and we saved $90.91," said Bonesteel.
