Coffee with Collin: Let's Talk Coupons
Welcome to Coffee with Collin! As you may have read here, this is a new weekly addition to Hip2Save! Every Monday (which is today!), I will broadcast a video that captures me discussing couponing issues, budgeting, dishing about life challenges and more. And the best part about Coffee with Collin, I will be talking directly with one of you! Each week, I will contact one Hip2Save reader and we will visit about various money saving topics! If you would like to be considered as a Coffee with Collin guest, please complete the form found here.
If you want a fun and lighthearted distraction on Monday mornings, then you’ll definitely want to check out this new Hip2Save “morning show.” AND with that being said, here’s the first video…
**If you can’t see the video, then go here to watch it.
I Loved the Video Collin, Happy Valentines Day !
Loved the video! I agree on the Vera Bradley… I don’t get it either.
It was so cool to realize you live in NC! I read you constantly every day and I live in NC myself. It made it feel a little more personal. Thank you so much for the intimate look at your daily routine and thanks for letting us know all the great deals!
Ohhh Collin….. why did you go there with Vera Bradley?! I fought it for a long time, and some patterns are still ugly to me, but they are fantastic bags! Otherwise fantasic video! I love Hip2Save!
Haha, cute video. It will definitely be nice to have something to look forward to watching from a fellow coupon-er on Monday mornings! Keep it up!
Very entertaining!! Collin, you are just too cute! You make being frugal VERY HIP!!
Thanks for making Mondays something to look forward to!
I must say I’m pretty shocked to see all the comments hating on VB. Collin, I think you are awesome, but I disagree w/ you on VB. I used to think VB was “grandma-looking,” but I have not thought that w/ in the past 2-3 years. They have really re-vamped their styling and they have other things than cotton-quilted handbags. They have a really cute line called Frill, that has a vinyl-ish feel to it and totally hip. There are also a lot of nasty knock-offs out there that aren’t so cute. I live in the Fort Wayne, IN area where VB was started so I know a lot about it. I challenge you to give it a chance. Every year there is a HUGE outlet sale here in Fort Wayne where I became a convert to their stuff. I got some AMAZING deals there too! 🙂
Vera Bradley rocks! The ultimate CLASSY handbag…and I live near an outlet store so the prices are reasonable. I agree w/ you Lori. Perhaps all of those negative VB-comment-persons need to take a much closer look. My 12 yr old daughter is a frill line trendsetter in her school and we are always complimented on our hip styles with these bags:)
I have heard about the sale Lori…lucky you!
i don’t do designer anything, and i’m nowhere near trendy, so I had to look this one up. but after looking at the Vera Bradley website, it seems they make some very cute/hip/trendy purses as well as some very ugly/quilted/grandma-looking ones. so, I was also surprised Collin had such a strong negative opinion of them. no matter, i love this site and thus HER! 🙂
Collin, I Loved the video! I’m ADDICTED to your website, it’s so much fun to see all the great deals! Thanks for all that you do!
Loved your video! Im addicted to your website & have gotten my whole office hooked on you too. Mondays are spent talking about all of the previous weeks deals we’ve scored. Thanks!
PS I completely agree about the Vera Bradley purses, I’ve always thought they were un-hip 🙂
Well, after a busy day of Kmart super doubles, blowing bubbles with my 2 year old, Zumba, and now catching up on your blog, I have to say that Coffee with Collin is awesome! I’m excited to watch the next video. You are hilarious!
As far as topics go, I would be interested in hearing if people track their savings and how they do it. My husband (big computer geek) decided to make an excel spreadsheet to track our purchases and saving. First of all, I hate excel LOL so I wasn’t too thrilled with the idea (because it would ultimately be me entering the numbers in). I have to say though, it’s really pretty easy and quick to do. I think tracking your savings is a great way to stay motivated with couponing, especially when there are days I would rather eat rusty nails then cut 6+ inserts, LOL. By the way, I may be avoiding that right now 😉 I’m new to couponing, and like some of the other posters, have felt overwhelmed at times. It’s nice to be able to pull up the numbers for January and see 59% savings. Not bad for a newbie 🙂 Thank you for inspiring me to take couponing more seriously. It has helped our family tremendously!
we’ve started using Mint.com to track every single purchase/expenditure, and it’s wonderful! I also use the Savings Tracker spreadsheet from MyCouponProject.com. It *is* an excel spreadsheet, but it’s not too awful with tons of entries or anything 🙂
Thanks for posting! I will have to look into that. It sounds more time efficient 🙂
I just wanted to throw an idea your way. I used to clip all of my coupons and it took so much time. Now I just take a marker and write the date on the front of each insert. Then I have a file folder and put my inserts in it. I have 1 pocket for each month and insert type. So a January Red Plum, January Smart Source, February Red Plum, February Smart Source, etc. Then one extra pocket for P & G. Then I just clip the ones I need for that week. I use the websites to know where they are located. After about 4 months, they are almost all expired and I flip through them and clip any that aren’t expired and recycle the rest! It has made my Sundays so easy. Just a few minutes to pull, label, and file each insert! Just something to think about 🙂
Thank you for the response! I’ve read about organizing this way, and I guess I thought I could be superwoman and clip everything but it’s HARD to keep up with multiple inserts. I like being able to see everything clipped in front of me for clearance deals, etc. but I think I’m going to switch to this method for the time being. 🙂
You make me laugh 🙂 Thanks for not posting every deal you see out there!!! I love all the help you give! Keep it up!
Collin, I am sitting here cracking up about your comments about the Vera Bradley bags. Thanks for having the courage to take this one on! I am 43 (old by many standards) and have always wondered what the fascination is with these old-granny bags. I have vowed to NEVER own one, no matter how old I get. They are fuggly!!!! They remind me of the quilts my 98-year-old Grandma has made me over the years. Ladies – quilts belong on your lap while you’re vegging out on the couch, not over your shoulder. Even my Granny doesn’t carry one.
Great video Collin! VB def. started out granny looking but over the past couple of years they have really changed their look….I love ’em!! I guess we don’t have to agree on everything 😉 haha
Colin….you have helped our family save in so many ways, Thank You!! Just a little tid-bit…Vera Bradley has so many great deals during the year that help with teachers gifts, mother-in-law gifts and so on. For Christmas I recently bought my kids teachers, bus drivers and secretaries the zip ID case and a Dunkin Donuts gift card. The cost for all of this was under $10 (which was my goal). My mom loves her lanard which she uses for her work ID. There are a lot of cute accessories which are definitely functional. Again, there are a lot of bags that are not. But you need to think out side of the box. You don’t have to get it for yourself. Although I felt the same about these bags in the past, but have changed my ways since. You can also go on shopathome.com and get a rebate.:)
Lol you guys are funny with your VB comments! I too didn’t like them at first but I have to say they have improved there patterns. I had a black and white print that was great! Even better there has to be at least 6 pockets on the inside of the purse I have from them, now I can’t live without it! But to each there own! we all have our own style
Ha! LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! THANKS Collin 🙂 Happy Valentines Day!
I LOVE Vera Bradley! They are a Mom’s dream! They are durable, washable and in the past three years I have owned a diaper bag, 2 purses, 2 wallets and 2 eyeglass cases and not one of them needs replaced. I just toss em in the washer and dryer, and brand new! Incrediable value for the money and I get compliments on all of mine, all the time!
What type of laptop are you using?
A MacBook Pro! I LOVE it! 🙂
Great thanks! I’ll have to check them out!!
Collin, I must say that my MacBook Pro is the best purchase I’ve made to date! I LOVE Macs! 😀
My daughter, who is a senior, really wants one to take to college in the fall. Are they worth all the extra money? I just wrote my first check to Texas A&M for $500 – deposit on a dorm – and I’m feeling the pinch!
LOL you are too cute… and full of energy… 🙂 love that you are a military wife… we are actually transfering back to VA in the next few months… and PS your site I have it written on little scraps of paper in my purse and when I see someone with coupons in the store… I whip it out and send them to your site… GREAT conversation starter…. and I hope that those who I suggest it to find your site as helpful as I do… thank you for all you do !
and Happy Valentine*s Day Collin <3 !
I had to stop the video to write I think those purses are hideous! I agree with you! I think it is funny that people think they are cute! Love your videos! You are too funny! I would love to hear more time saving tips! What sites do you review everyday?
I am so happy I am not the only girl in the world who doesn’t understand why anyone would want a Vera Bradley purse. Thank you for verbalizing my distaste for them 😛
And I <3 Coffee with Collin! Definitely keep it going 🙂
I think the Vera Bradley bags are hideous too!!!! Great video!! My husband has even started checking with me to see if I have Coupons!!!!LOL
I would LOVE to see you talk about how to take a vacation the “hip 2 save” way! With our tax money we just got back I would like to take a vacation. I know priceline.com is a given when it comes to saving but what are other ways? We usually get a condo with a kitchen and make our own food when we go on vacation and limit diners out which helps. What are other ways to cut corners with out losing the fun?!?!?!
Amanda its hard to find good deals and cut corners on vacations. We go to Disney World every December. Disney can be expensive if you stay in the park. But we always rent a house for so cheap 1 mile from the park. Alot of times Publix has the gift gas cards with $50.00 on them for $40.00. BP has had the loyality card promotion they have been doing which ends March 1st. Buy 25 gallons and the cashier gives you a loyality card enter the code online. You get 5 codes and they send you a $10.00 gift gas card. My coke rewards usally has universal tickets on there rewards. I save all coke rewards enter and when they have the tickets on there I snatch up as many as I have points for and we use them to go to Universal Studio. Sometimes I even snag up some of there gift cards for our trip. But I do have several people that save there rewards for me. Our supermarkets are now selling the disney gift cards and I have been buying one (only if im doing real good on coupons) when I go to the grocery store. Also for birthdays this year we already know everybody is getting a Disney gift card. I always print out the coffee and soda coupons that Collin post if it falls during the time we will be traveling cause you can use them on the road at the gas stations. Well that is just Disney traveling tips and I know there are millions of ways and other things you can do to help save.
25 gallons?! Oh my! In this area, they give you a code for 8 gallons. I don’t go there (die-hard Shell gas fan) but my daughter does and they give her about 8 cards every time she goes. I know there is a limit of 3 cards, though.
Haha mistype 8 gallons. Also you can do three cards per email. But hey every little bit helps.
A great tip I read about trying to cut corners with vacations is to sign up for groupon/livingsocial etc. deals for the city you are visiting (or a city close to where you will be going) a few months in advance! HTH! 🙂
what the heck are the black “wings” that are on the wall behind you?? I need to see the full pic!
LOL… those are actually leaves! 🙂 I have those wall decals… so I’ve got a tree with falling leaves.
LOL!!!! Ahhhhhh! I get it now! Thanks for the clarification-inquiring minds NEEDED to know! 😉
I was wondering the same thing : )
lol I don’t like the purses either….I just don’t like the quilt style. It’s nice to hear someone else say that they don’t like them! 🙂 I enjoyed the video!!
Colin you are so cute! I love the video. And I agree with the Vera Bradley statement… gross! I’m 22 and for as long as I can remember, I have had friends who love the line. It was all over my high school and college. I never seemed to get why people love the old lady bags.
Anyways, for a future coffee with Colin, you should give us a tour of your house! From bits I have seen in your videos, you seemed to be quite the interior decorator 🙂
I was wondering about the leaves too! I am pro-vera because they hold up so well. Their wallets are actually the best organizing wallets and grab and go wallets I have ever used! But I would never alter your style because you are so cute just the way you are!!!
GREAT VIDEO! I would buy a VB for my mother, she might think its cute…..You should get a free VB bag for plugging them! Never heard of VB until you mentioned them!
Love the video! I completely agree with the Vera Bradley comment! My daughter wanted one and I told her no and you’ll thank me when you’re older. 🙂 I agree w Amanda above, a “Hip2Save” vacation video would be great!
I am so glad you are doing videos for us again!!! I LOVED your FMM videos, and sometimes if I haven’t been to that store in a while, I will watch them again to make sure I remember how the deals work. Thank you so much for all the time you put into these for us! You are awesome! 🙂
Love the new video series, Collin!!! And I must say…. I agree with you about Vera Bradley! I l live right here in VB country (about an hour from the big factory) so, as you can imagine, we see lots of those bags walking around here.. uck!! 🙂
I LOVE that you are doing the videos again:) I’m so addicted to your website, that I actually have to do my chores and/or errands before getting on your website. I’m looking forward to watching your “morning show” on Mondays!!
I’m very excited about next Mondays, with the organization of coupons and such. I purchased a binder, dividers, and basballs cards a few months ago, but I have STACKS of coupons that are sitting next to the binder that still needs to be cut and sorted. It’s so bad, that I end up missing deals or the coupons have already expired. My husband thinks it’s ridiculous and does not support me on this at all, but that’s a whole other story. LOL.
Again, I can’t wait til next Monday! Thanks for all that you do for us!! 🙂
Love the heart socks! You are amazing even if coffee is what keeps you going! Appreciate all you do! Love the video as it shows you are just a sweet, real person doing real life stuff! Thanks, Jennie
Collin it’s so nice of you to make time and make videos for us again Thanks!
LOL…..I just googled Vera Bradley purses. I think they look like granny purses!
awesome video collin! I put my coupon binder in my big VB tote! haha i agree they arent the most “hip” bags ever, but they do wash up nicely, last forever (ive had mine for about 6 years and still looks new!) and are easy on the shoulder!
Just wanted to chime in and thank you for ensuring that we all save time, money and sanity!
Although I mostly just looking for the coupon and Facebook offers (I love to see the coupon round-up with the printed spitting out dollar signs!), I truly, truly appreciate all the legwork behind what you do! So glad that it’s all in one handy place and I don’t have to take time away from my family and chores to search them out. It’s amazing how much cleaner my home is than it ever has been due to me not having to look and look for deals and saving money, not to mention that the saved money is slowly being redirected towards more fun stuff!
Totally agree about the coffee…never had my first cup until my third child was born in my thirties and then it seemed nearly a necessity.
Also used to think VB looked like something you would buy at a craft fair from a rustic craftsperson…but then I got a free set and they are pretty functional, if not stylish. Sorry, there is just nothing STYLISH about them….it’s like saying Crocs have style. We get used to seeing them and they become accepted, but it’s not about haute couture, really, no matter how many pretty colors they come in. But that’s okay, I own many things due to the comfort factor.
It’s funny…I have heard many people use the “designer purse durability” argument as a way to convince their spouse to let them have pricey bags. I guess if we spent lots of dough on an expensive purse we should demand they last awhile, but if I tell the truth, I have had just as many “cheap” purses exhibit extreme durability. The worst ones I have owned were Fossil bags. Seemed like they started falling apart invariably within six months.
Just watched your video…….still rolling about the Vera Bradley!lol I thought I was the only NC female, that didn’t like Vera Bradley. I call Vera Bradley handbags (shoulder quilts) they remind of a little quilt on a string! You can buy a nice COACH handbag by the time you buy two (shoulder quilts a.k.a. Vera Bradley)…..plus COACH is LEATHER (easy to clean and will last longer for the money). I can go in the COACH outlet and buy 2 hand-bags when they have the 20-30% off coupon for almost as cheaper as one retail Vera Bradley. Please, keep posting the HIP deals……your site has saved me well over $1,000.00 this year (May 2010 – Feb 2011)! Thank you, for your time and tons of COFFEE energy!
It was nice to actually hear someone else has the SAME thoughts about the Vera Bradley purses/bags…I just don’t get them??? So it was nice to know that I hadn’t lost my mind! LOL!! Thanks for the clarification with my fashion opinion…LOL
What a great new feature!!! Thanks for the video and lookin forward to next week! I dont like VB either lol
Collin! I’m so excited to see you doing videos again!! I was just saying to my couponing buddy that I was really missing your videos….and wham! they are back! Loved it! You make me laugh! I can’t wait to see next week about organizing coupons….my coupons are EVERYWHERE and i’m afraid my husband is going to get annoyed with it soon!
Anyway – I’m in total agreement with the VB bags..Grandma bags! YUCK!
Hey Collin! Hope you had a super Valentine’s Day! Um, I am an addictive coffee drinker, and was just curious of what kind of coffee is your favorite each morning. dumb question, but just thought I’d ask! Thanks! Katie
Love the video! Which I could look that good in PJ’s! LOL
Hi Collin. I`m with you on Vera Bradley bags. They are not cute. My opinion. I also agree with you on posting certain things, because I get to see so many good deals for lousy products and it bothers me that people would get so excited about them, because they are just not good things, even if they were free. Once I gave into temptation of getting a really cheap good deal and brought home Kraft singles cheese. I had a sit down talk with my husband over it after which the singles were sent into our trash. My main point – save money without compromising your values, health, taste…etc.
Thank you, Collin for your good work!
Crocs are not hip…. Just my opion. ;O) Love you Collin!
Love the video! Glad to see you started this, it’s a lot of fun. I agree with you on the Vera Bradley…yuck!!! Also, don’t feel like you have to apologize for your mistakes. If it wasn’t for you, most of us wouldn’t get all of the HIP deals that we do receive, so people should be patient if something is gone or a link is not working. I mean, we are not paying you for use of this site, you are AWESOME enough to provide it for free. Lots of love! -Jen
I would love to see a video of you showing your stockpile. I would like to set up a room in my basement for mine and am always looking to see what others are doing!
Collin your awesome!! I stumbled upon your site about 4-5 months ago and I love it!! I feel the same way about Vera Bradley, even the deals on them don’t seem worth it. I’ll stick to my discount purses at Ross. Keep up the good work.
Definitely going to be looking forward to Monday’s! Thanks Collin for everything!!! 😉
Loved the video, Collin! Okay, so here’s what I want to know. I just started couponing about 6 weeks ago and I went a little crazy. I have two binders (one for food, one for non-food) because all my coupons wouldn’t fit in one. I also have a giant bag of coupons that I haven’t sorted yet and I’m keep putting it of because it would be such a big job. The other thing is, I have bought about 25 bottles of body wash, about the same amount of deodorant, and a whole bunch of toothpaste because I could get them very cheap or free. However, I haven’t been able to find awesome deals on a bunch of the necessities I use every day. Will the other items I need eventually “cycle” around and be bargains so I can stock up? Thanks!
I thought I was the only female to be completely baffled by the obsession with Vera Bradley. The ladies from my church are looking forward to the sale coming up-planning their weekend and everything. I have absolutely no clue what is so fascinating about any VB products. I think they are so ugly. I just don’t get it.
your so hip and I love that your teaching us to be hip:) Love Coffee with Collin