'I use coupons to save £1,750 each Christmas - and spend just £20 on lunch'
A mum stashes coupons throughout the year so that she can save a total $2,200 (£1,750) on all festivities the whole family.
Dropping just under £100 in total, Dianne Debros spends less than $100 (£79) for her family of four and spending just $26 (£20) on Christmas lunch. The 34-year-old from Ontario, uses tokens she finds online and in newspapers to get money off her shopping - saving her thousands on her family Christmases. Her thrifty habits kicked off post-pandemic when food prices started to rise when mum-of-two became obsessed with using coupons to help lower her food bill.
She decided to see how much she could save over Christmas and managed to buy and cook her Christmas lunch for just $26 (£20) - which includes chicken, potatoes, vegetables and stuffing. Dianne splashes out $100 (£79) on presents - a doll house, paw patrol toys, for her daughter Annabella, six and Lillianna, four, and Bluetooth headphones for her husband, Tom Stitzel, 40.
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Previously Dianne spent an average of £159 a week on groceries (Dianne Debarros / SWNS)
When food prices started to rise following the pandemic, the mum-of-two became obsessed with coupons (Dianne Debarros / SWNS)Dianne, a digital freelancer, from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, said: "We have been doing this for a few years now. There are a few different ways we combat not having huge expenses at Christmas. Instead of doing turkey we did chicken as it is less expensive, that was one of our cost-saving things that we do because turkey is so expensive.”
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Dianne started couponing in 2017 - trawling websites, apps and shopping aisles for the best deals. It's not just Christmas when Dianne bags these deals; she added that she gets a range of items very cheaply all year round, adding, "There are also lots of programmes you can sign up for. I have received free make-up, diapers - you can get all sorts of things.”
For her food shop, Dianne has a bulletproof plan. "In terms of our food shop, for the meal we definitely try and stay within our $30 (£23) budget for groceries. Last year we spent $26 (£20) and that fed four adults and two children - we had so much leftover."
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The savvy mum saves £7,000 in groceries every year (Dianne Debarros / SWNS)
Dianne also fills up her community pantries (Dianne Debarros / SWNS)"Coupons come out on a rotational in Canada. Each week you can go to new stores and get coupons in the aisles. You can use cashback apps and digital coupons. We use coupons mainly for our grocery budget to make it $30-a-week.”
She said: "One thing we purchased was a playhouse that was originally $219 (£174) that was on sale for $50 (£39). There was also a wooden swing set that same day that was originally $599 (£477) and was on for £39. Setting a budget for Christmas gifts and spending is definitely the ultimate way to make sure we don't go over budget.”
Last year Dianne spent less than £100 on Christmas (Dianne Debarros / SWNS)Dianne also shared her top saving tips, listing Dianne's couponing top tips including: setting up a budget, downloading grocery apps for the best deals, and replacing turkey with chicken and sharing ingredients to save on cost.
She added: "Plus creating a meal plan that incorporates less expensive options - chicken instead of turkey, seasonal or local vegetables versus what's imported at high cost. Having family over, get them to bring homemade dessert - it will cut down everyone's costs and is a great way to incorporate kids helping to create the meal. My sister-in-law brings all the baking supplies and bakes with the kids - they feel a sense of contribution and it's bonding time with their aunt."
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