My mother-in-law is the Coupon Queen. We can’t go anywhere without her saying, “WAIT! I’ve got a 25c off coupon for that…somewhere!” And the archaelogical excavation begins.

Exasperated and starving, I once said, “Hey, how about if I just GIVE you a quarter? Then can we go?” Didnt go over well at all.

I gotta hand it to her, though. She and my FIL built their own house in the 50s for about $5K in the midwest. Sold it a few years ago for $350K. They were able to retire early because they were always careful with money. Every year they went to Hawaii for at least a month- but always paid for the trip with the cash they earned by making crafts for a local senior center. I dont think they’ve ever carried a balance on any credit card.

I often clip the coupons but most of the time I misplace them, forget to bring them with me, etc. My husband learned how to wheel and deal from his mother, and he’s a savvy coupon/rebate guy. He will always find a better price than me on almost anything. When we bought our SS appliances at Home Depot a few years ago, we ended up with a rebate AND a $250 gift card that he somehow talked the manager into throwing in.