Introducing Canny Couponing

Keri Hamrick wants High Country residents to cut it out.

The new business owner is referring, specifically, to coupons, and she’s hosting a class series on the “ins and outs” of effective couponing.

“I got into to couponing by first attending a seminar at my church, but a two-hour class just kind of went over my head,” she said. “After some time, a friend showed me a little more about how to use coupons and also went to the grocery store with me. That is where I really began to learn about couponing.”

Hamrick said it can seem quite intimidating, but she simply began to ask question.

“I knew that if my calculations didn’t add up to the stores’, I asked to know why and for explanations,” she said. “It could have been embarrassing, but I wanted to learn, so that I could save money for my family living on a limited income.”

As she learned – and saved – more, Hamrick shared those savings on Facebook, which led up to her friends suggesting that she teach others how to coupon.

Enter Canny Couponing, Hamrick’s new business, which offers a six-week course to inform participants about the unique ways of using coupons to lower the monthly grocery bill, such as using coupons in tandem to double savings, where to find coupons, how to discover sales cycles and more.

The course starts with an introductory class and is followed by an advanced class. To make class official, there will even be a field trip. “During the six-week course, I will be offering a shopping trip for more of a hands-on experience, as well,” Hamrick said.

Canny Couponing will be held at MK’s Southern Cooking Restaurant & Bar (formerly known as Glidewell’s), located at 1182 Main St. in Blowing Rock. Class starts Monday, Oct. 5, and runs from 6 to 8 p.m., repeating every Monday through Nov. 19.

In December, she’ll present a holiday couponing class, with a Christmas recipe and cookie exchange, followed by a new semester of classes starting at the beginning of 2013.

“I’m also looking for other venues to teach the coupon classes at, especially in Boone, and welcome businesses that would like to have a class taught to contact me,” she said.

The cost of the class is $15 for the first session and $8 for each of the next five classes. Class fees may be paid weekly or paid in full at the beginning, with $5 off the full payment. Fees cover a coupon binder, coupon pocket sleeves, a labeling system, highlighter, pen, accessories, weekly sales lists, store coupon policies, information regarding weekly ads, coupon clip and swap, and more.

To register, or for more information, email Hamrick at (cannycouponing@gmail.com) , including name, email address and method and choice of payment.

“With the downturn in the economy, many people across the nation have had to find new and additional ways and methods to make their food dollars go further,” Hamrick said. “Effective couponing by millions of women and men has become the rage, thus saving many families hundreds of dollars normally spent on groceries, toiletries, medicines, school supplies and many other items.

For more information on Canny Couponing, visit http://www.facebook.com/cannycouponing or twitter@cannycouponing, email (cannycouponing@gmail.com) or call (828) 719-6615.