Meet the Scrimpers- Katie
I'm sure that if you're on Instagram and you follow fellow couponers and people with frugal lifestyles you will have heard, or seen posts by freebielover101.
The mastermind behind this account is Katie! She loves collecting freebies and making the most of magazine offers, her collection is very impressive and looking at her weekly collection pictures, obviously has a talent for it.
Let's see if we can learn a thing or two!
Hi Katie, thanks for taking the time to join me for this Q&A session!
As I have asked most people, as everybody's answer is different, what made you start saving money?
I guess seeing the benefits made me want to start saving money, especially as it means that more money can be spent on items that you couldn't buy beforehand.
Could you describe to us what new things it's enabled you to do, or maybe how it has impacted your life?
It's definitely impacted my life positively to say the least. As weird as it sounds, it has also given me more confidence. In the past it has made me feel awkward as going up to the counter and asking for samples can be unsuccessful and embarrassing, but the more I've ask and I've done it, the more my confidence builds.
Money saving has definitely made me more aware of the value of money and reinforcing the "if you don't ask, you don't get" idea.
Coupons have also had an amazing effect on my life as I've been getting into them more and more. So much free food is often available which means more money to be spent on trips out and experiences!
Do you think you're the only beneficiary from your hobby?
No. I don't own a dog or cat but I love claiming free food, coupons and any hiring sent in the post as I love donating them whenever I go into Morrisons, Tesco or Pets at Home; it's an amazing feeling!
Aw that's amazing! Would you say that's your greatest money saving achievement?
Of course I'm proud of that, but my greatest money saving achievement must be when I managed to buy Christmas presents for all my friends and family for under £8! I even managed to buy for 50p a make-your-own bear kit! That was definitely my favourite.
Awesome! Now, tell us you're secret. How do you get all those freebies that we see on your Instagram?
The freebies on my Instagram come from a variety of sources. Some are from freebie accounts when they mention So-post offers that I haven't found yet, free stuff websites (I normally Google that and browse through all the searches) and instore claims (ie. when I ask at counters) which are my favourite!
I also always email companies as this can be a freebie gathering method and money-saver combined! In the past, I've been sent a range of coupons or coupons to try products for free!
That sounds good, have you found that there are particular shops or companies that are especially generous?
Yes, I've found that loyalty cards are always a practical way to get freebies. For example with Boots, Body Shop, Debenhams and John Lewis- you can get freebies for just signing up!
A company that I've emailed and had a great success with (but don't go harassing them with compliments or complaints if they're not genuine) is the Collective Yoghurt Company. They sent out coupons for me to try their products free as well as money-off coupons, they sent a handwritten letter and a fridge magnet!
They really knew how to cheer me up, as well as the 4 Body Shop nail varnishes I managed to get for free and quite a lot of great freebies from Buzz Agent and Tesco Orchard as well!
Thanks for the heads up! Do you have any last minute money saving tips?
Only buy what you need, if not donate to charity or don't get it at all. A great way to avoid buying more than you need is maybe making an account where you post your everyday empties or just keeping track of them all. This way you will be more determined to use them before spending money on new ones. This way, that money could be saved for the future.
Thank you so much for joining me today Katie :)
For all the readers, I hope you've learnt some new money saving tips, and be sure to check out freebielover101 on Instagram!