How Coupons Saved My Life

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I am sharing a video with you today… a very personal video. A video I filmed back in 2012. A video I wasn’t ready to release.

Now I am ready. Ready to share my story. My story about addiction, depression, and how those little things called coupons have done so much more than save me money.

*Please keep in mind that this video may not be suitable for children.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdTiPNJM7JU] If you can’t see the video, click here.

If you are currently suffering from drug addictions, food addictions and/or depression, I strongly encourage you to reach out to a friend or family member, doctor, counselor or pastor and seek help.

Join The Discussion

Comments 1088

  1. Mary

    You have a brave soul, much more than I. A 26 year military mom just like you, middle child out of 8, and lots of hard roads over the years that have taken there toll. Be proud of yourself and if I have never learned a thing out of life it’s to ignore the negative. As I have never thought of myself as bright, I still have not figured out the coupon thing and some of those Target deals. At least thank you for the courage to admit that in my life. I have signed up for your site and making it a point to try to figure this out. God bless you and your family.

  2. julie

    Such an inspiring & redemptive story you have! Thank you for sharing!

  3. Nicole

    Beautifully said! I truly admire your courage and willingness to share! I know that you just changed lives in a big, big way!!
    10 years!! Wow! Time flys! I’ve been popping around, quietly, for 9 of those and have so enjoyed your happy, bouncy, colorful spirit. The depth of this post only makes me respect and admire you more!
    PS…I sure do miss seeing your grandmother!! 💕

  4. Kimberly

    I love this! Thanks so much for sharing your story.

  5. Laraine

    Colin, wow. You have lead an eventful life. Thank you for being so vulnerable. That takes courage! I enjoy your videos and energy. You make me laugh while getting good deals on so many things. Congrats to 10 years of Hip2Save!!

  6. Jill

    Wow! I’m crying like a baby. Love you and your website. You’ve been such an inspiration over the years. Thanks for all you do😍

  7. Tracy

    Wow, you are such an inspiration. I stumbled on your site a few years back and have been an avid reader ever since – a daily visitor. I always appreciate the hard work you put into this, love the sales, savings and journey of your family. Just watching your video and realizing, wow, you are just like everyone else with a struggle, a real struggle because like you said, the videos are edited so I always thought you had a perfect life – just so happy. Please don’t take this as a discount by any means. You are an amazing person and I look forward to continuing being an avid reader for the next umpteen years!!! Thank you Colin, for not only sharing your wisdom of coupons and savings, but your story too. My son is an almost 3 year sober addict and hearing your story, as a parent, makes it easier to realize it’s good to let others know the struggle as it too may help them and that the grass definitely isn’t always green on the other side. Thank you!!!

  8. Brittany

    Thanks for sharing your story.

  9. Jill

    Collin you are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing so much on a personal level and you do make a huge difference 😀God bless you and your family ❤️

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Thanks a bunch for your kind comment! It sure means a lot! You are SO very welcome!

  10. INGRID STPIERRE

    JUST WATCHED YOUR VIDEO-SO INSPIRING!!I’VE BEEN FOLLOWING YOU SINCE 2013 AND YOU’VE HELPED ME SAVE SOOOOO MUCH MONEY!!!THANK YOU,THANK YOU,THANK YOU!!!FOR SHOWING US HOW TO COUPON!!AND ALL I HAVE TO SAY TO THE FOLKS WITH ANYTHING MEAN TO SAY TO YOU,”LOOK IN THE MIRROR,YOU’RE NOT PERFECT EITHER!!”MY MOTTO”IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY,SHUTUP!!LOL!!KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK LADY =)

  11. Gwen M.

    YOU are the reason why I started blogging on freebies and couponing years ago. I was beyond thrilled a few years ago when you posted my write up about my friend and I making Christmas baskets for the elderly in our community. I reshared that write up a million times on my Facebook page because I was like family and friends Hip2Save is like Oprah of blogging world LOL (in other words, it’s a really big deal). This is where I learned my roots and saving is something that I do everyday because I started out learning from Hip2Save. The memories!!! 🙂

  12. Duduwa

    Cheer up Collin! Your website is my favorite one! Ever since I found your website, I never went back to other blogs. It is clearer and easier to understand on your website. I saved a lot of money following your deal scenarios. Thank you!

  13. Bree

    I am a single parent and I absolutely love this website. H2S has got us through several birthdays and holidays, on such a tight budget, with wonderful presents. Many couponing websites I found, seemed to cater to women with extra money to shop with, who had working, supportive spouses and running vehicles with full tanks of gas to drive around town from store to store in ( personal viewpoint and maybe others can relate.) Those sites are discouraging for single or widowed mothers…or ones dealing with illness and limited mobility etc. Enter Hip 2 Save and it was a game changer. There is such a *variety of deals posted, in-store, online, free shipping, sample alerts, giveaways…there is something for EVERY* budget on this site.
    Thank you all so much, all of the sidekicks…for the wonderful savings you direct us to, and for helping us help ourselves and those around us.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Hi Bree,

      Wow! Your comment sure means a lot to me. ❤️ We are so grateful for readers like you! I will definitely be passing along your sweet message to the team. Thank you so much.

  14. Marilyn hilton

    Hip2save is one of my learned coupon tips. I was looking for a way to serve and then realized how coupons can and did change my life to be the giver i am.

  15. chiara

    I’m still teary 5 minutes after watching your video. Thanks for sharing and making us feel that we are not alone in struggling through life. I discovered your site in 2013 when I didn’t have a job and struggling to manage what little finances I had. Not to mention depression. Pathetic as it may sound to others, but your site gave me purpose – something to do and something to look forward to. It helped me overcome my depression and helped me live day to day with a mission to save and then feel happy when I was able to buy something that I needed for almost free, mostly. In 2015, I was able to get back to work and totally happy. Though I don’t open your site everyday, I’m still using your site to save money for my future. I don’t know you at all Collin, but your video inspires me. You’re so human, lol. I’m one of those you’ve helped. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    • chiara

      I forgot to tell you Collin that I love your website. It has a lot of content. Personally, I find the contents more diverse, valuable and well researched. The details and step-by-step way of buying items really helped me understand how to go about in getting those savings. Thank you. Chiara

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind comment and open up. BIG HUGS! ❤️

  16. Demetri Little

    You are an inspiration,Ms. Colin…….a constant reminder to “Be Yourself”,”Be Honest and Straightforward” and “Live Life To The Fullest”……..To one “Amazing Lady”………I wish nothing but the best for You and Your entire Family………..🙂👍💯.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Thank you. ❤️

  17. Stephanie Briceno

    Colin, you are a beautiful person. I just watched your video and am so impressed about your raw openness. In a (Instagram) filtered world where most of the world refuse to allow their flaws to be seen you opening discusses your past struggles. Reminding myself and others like me that I am not the only one who walks the earth who has a past that is less than ideal and picture perfect. You’re such a warm soul and kind heart. Thanks for all your time and efforts to help others, which includes sharing this video. Hugs.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Your comment means so much to me. Big Hugs! ❤️

  18. Cecile Roesler

    Hi, Collin —

    I’m so glad I came across your website again. I just want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for willing to be vulnerable and for sharing this video. I am a former single parent, an empty-nester, a little bit lost and going through depression. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself for all the bad decisions I’d made in the past that brought me to where I am now, trying to find my foothold again, looking for meaning in this chapter of my life. When I was homeschooling my son, I used to be an avid couponer and your site was one of those I frequently visited among others. Somehow I’d forgotten how much couponing added so much positivity to my daily life because it allowed me to be a giver without having to spend so much — I remember being able to give away bags and bags of stuff like school supplies and toiletries to people like my sister who was also a mom trying to save money. By your beautiful example of vulnerability, courage, and compassion, you have inspired me to make the next 50 years of my life as meaningful as possible by being a giver once again. Collin, you are one of my heroes. Thank you — THANK you — for your generous spirit and for giving me hope.

    With love and gratitude,
    Cecile

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Wow. Thank you for taking the time to open up about your own struggles. Your comment really touched me. ❤️

  19. Stacy

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful story! You are an amazing and inspiring person!! God bless.

  20. Bonnie Black

    Thanks for sharing your story. I never knew about your past, but it’s made you who you are today. Be proud! I love HIP2SAVE and have told many others about it. Thanks again for all you and your staff do to help others!

  21. Jennifer

    Hey Collin,

    It’s Jen, your cousin. I simply wanted to tell you how proud I am of you and how far you’ve come. I miss you and I hope we will meet again and I can introduce you to my young boys. I won’t ever forget the times we spent together here in Houston, Cape Cod and Idaho. You keep it up and remember how much I love you and I am oh so proud of you.

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