How Coupons Saved My Life
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.
Thank you for sharing, you are so brave. As you said this kind of realness is rare in social media, but it is powerful. This is a huge encouragement for all of us. Thank you.
Collin, Thank you for being so transparent. You’re right that people always try to portray ‘perfection’, which is exhausting! Being able to reveal the things we bury deep inside is so freeing! You are an example to all of us, and I appreciate you your sharing heart! May God continue to bless you and your family! xoxo
Love you Collin 🙂
All I can say is..THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! From my family to you. That was more than sharing your testimony, that was helping me with mine. Again..thank you 🙂
Thank you for that inspirational video, Collin! I hit rock bottom last year as I struggled with PTSD and postpartum depression after my daughter’s birth. During that time it was so difficult to see my friends’ photoshopped, carefully edited posts on Facebook showing off their wonderful family lives and physical fitness feats. As you remind us, families aren’t always perfect. Life isn’t always perfect. That’s not what it’s about. Thanks for sharing!
We love you and your site, thanks for sharing. Can you do a article on how you stay fit now after bulimia??
I have never met you…but I love the imperfect person you are!
thank you for sharing such a personal video. We love your blog and more importantly you! You have changed many lives, thank you again.
Thank you for sharing! It’s so true that social media makes ‘it seem’ that everyone is perfect! Thank you for being real. Many blessings on you and your family as you walk forward and see your life fuller than you ever imagined!
Collin….we all sit back and think everyone else has a “PERFECT” life based on pictures and posts. The reality of it is NONE of us have perfect lives! Our journey through life is simply that…a journey with ups, downs, highs, and lows. Sometimes those lows are super low. But, that’s when God is closest to you! I sat watching your video with tears streaming down my face. All of us “Hipsters” feel like you are part of our family and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for opening up and sharing such deep feelings and experiences you have had. We love you even more knowing how truly strong you are! Thank You for all of your hard work! Not only do you provide amazing deals but you are a part of our everyday lives and I look forward to reading your posts each and everyday! Can’t imagine life without you in it!!! You are a blessing and we all love you and your beautiful family!
I love all of you too!! 🙂
You are such an amazing person! Thank you for opening up to us because we all know how hard that must’ve been. I can only guess that when you posted this video it was probably such a sense of freedom…freedom from your past. I know I admire you being raw + uncut with us. Thanks for sharing Collin! Thanks for inspiring us. Coupons have done so much for a lot of people and your guidance has been HUGE.
Goosebumps. I have followed your blog for 6 years now and I adore you and your philosophy. Thank you for sharing that you aren’t perfect and neither are we 🙂
Collin..I watched your video and it is extremely inspiring, what you do is fantastic for everyone and I thoroughly enjoy your site. You are a very sincere and caring person. We should all strive to follow you. If we love and care for each other think what the world would be. A guy who loves couponing. Dan
Thanks, Dan! 🙂
You are such a strong person, thank you so much for sharing this video….it is a blessing to many~ Coupons have changed my life also….I paid of $25,000 in personal debt in a few short years because of coupons. I can now say I am debt free. Love you Collin and your videos and all the help you give many~
Way to go, Karla! 😀
Collin, such a powerful video! I know this will help so many people. Thanks for keeping it real! You are a phenomenal woman!
Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many comments on here ever. I started following you when my oldest was a baby and I was a new stay at home mom. I was isolated and lost since leaving the work force and dealing with a baby who never slept. It felt so good to get into couponing. I was using my brain and helping the money my husband earned stretch farther, it gave me confidence! Thank you so much for all you do and for sharing your story with us. Coupons are so much more than paper. 🙂
Collin, you are such an amazing person…thank you so much for sharing your story with us!
Colin – I just got a chance to watch this last night. I think you’re unbelievably brave to put yourself out there like this. You don’t owe us this. You don’t owe anything to anyone except yourself, and I hope you now realize how very amazing you are. I stumbled upon your side during a brief screen shot of a lady’s computer on the extreme couponing show. I’ve been following you ever since, and you have made a huge difference in my life and my ability to provide for my family. Thank you for that. I hope you realize the positive influence you have on so many people! Don’t listen to the haters. There’s always going to be others out there trying to bring you down. You are a remarkable woman and you touch people’s lives every single day. What a gift that is! Thank you for that, and thank you for being a part of my life!!
Thank you so much for sharing this. Your story is inspirational. I hope I can get to a secure place financially soon. I really appreciate your points about social media also.
Thank you for sharing your story. I have been following you for about 3 years now, you have helped me so much with being able to provide for my family and grandchildren. Along with having my own addictions over the years that are thankfully gone, at this particular time, I am going through a struggle with my daughter over some pretty important issues, I feel alone in it quite often. I am sorry you had these issues in your life, but I am grateful that you shared and overcame. I don’t feel so alone right now. I would have never guessed that you had issues at all, as you said, it looks great from here, but I am eternally grateful that you told us. I see these people on line, it looks perfect, and I feel more like a failure, but since you were brave enough to share, I realize I am not out here alone. I pray and pray, people act like they know so much more than you, but you can’t make an adult do anything they don’t want to do, even when you are their mother, imagine that. Thank you.
There’s nothing like a mother’s love, Tracy! You’re not alone and I hope things work out for the best with your daughter!
Thank you,Collin!
Colin you are such an inspiration. Keep it up! You make all of us proud to be part of the Hip2Save community 💛
Great video today..I’m sure you touched many souls with your story..I’m new to couponing but have been on hip to save for quite awhile ..reinforces my choices on how much money I don’t have to give stores
Thank you for sharing your story with the rest of us, I’m sure it was a hard choice to make to share the most intimate part of your life.
Thank you so much, Colin, for sharing this intimate part of your life with us. You are a big part of my everyday life and have been for 4-ish years now. As someone who has struggled with depression and food issues, too, I feel your pain. Thank you for all you do! You make my life better! I admire you so much!
Colin your video took alot of courage to make and it was amazing. I’m sorry you ahd the struggles in your life that you’ve had but your video is a great reminder for those who forget or don’t realize everyone has struggles and and a great inspiration for anyone who deals with the many life struggles there are. Everyone should remember what you said. Social media makes it easy to hide the truth and no one should feel bad that their life is not so perfect as those we see on FB or Instagram. Thank you and keep up the good work!
I’ve been folowing Hip2Save since 09-10. You’ve saved our family tons of money. Thanks for being so real and honest.
Thank you Collin!
Collin, Thank-you so much for all you do for all of us! This video came today, just when I needed it, as today I was having the worst day ever as far as anxiety and depression, even though I am surrounded by a loving husband, children, and extended families. I related very much for you saying it is okay to be depressed and have kids, but it is a constant struggle. Truly, thank-you for this and everything else, perfect timing for me! I’ve been following you since the Today show connection and so glad to be doing so! I’m still learning the ropes of the coupons, but thanks to my gift stash, I haven’t had to go out and buy a possibly/probably more expensive gift in I can’t remember when! Love to you and all the readers!
So glad it was helpful!
Colin, thank you for sharing your story! I cried all the way through that video. Bless you for having the strength and courage to reach out to help others with so much more than couponing with that powerful message!
Thanks for this ♡
Thank you for sharing, I love all you do for and love your sight you have help me so much 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story. You are incredibly strong.
Thanks for sharing! I haven’t really ever struggled with depression, so it’s important that people like you share your stories to help me learn to be sensitive to and a better friend to others I know who do struggle with it. Also, I think it’s really a beautiful testament to your marriage that you highlighted how supportive your husband was and is to you! Marriage can be really hard and I just think it’s really beautiful when couples support each other in a culture where it’s so easy not to. These personal video set your blog apart!
Thanks for sharing Collin 🙂
Theres all kinds of battles to fight in life and i’d like to say thank you for showing us yes you really can beat some you just have to try and try again how ever many times it may take. You did it girl.
Collin I have been following your blog since forever! Thank you for sharing your story with us! We love you!!! Seeing you happy is very contagious.
Thank you!
Oh Collin how I love you! You are an amazing lady who has helped my life in so many ways. Thank you for being so inspirational and for sharing your “human” side with us!
Colin, thanks for sharing. For the last five years, you have been a part of my daily life. Even though there is a big difference in our ages, I have always felt a strong connection. NOW I know why. You are a very strong, brave and compassionate person.
Thanks for sticking with me, Toni! 🙂
Collin,
you are so brave! I admire you ! Thank you for sharing your story. Our family truly appreciates you helping us save so much money! Thank you!!!
Everyone no matter how perfect they may seem goes through trials and tribulations. I myself am facing some right now. You pay it forward everyday to many people, myself included. Your site is somewhere I go to many times a day and always brings a sense of relaxation. Thanks for being you!
THis was amazing!!! Thank you for sharing!!! I think everyone has struggles and challenges and it’s amazing to see you overcome yours. This video was so refreshing to see today. Thank you!!!4
Sometimes I cut coupons so fast that I cut myself. It reminds me of my mom.
Collin, I have followed you now for a few years. That took guts to share that video, thank you for keeping it real, and hoping you are at a place in your recovery that by sharing this it will strengthen your resolve and help others too. Keep on being YOU! You Are so LOved!
Collin, thank you for having the courage to share this video about your past struggles. You are going to help lots of people.
Thank you for sharing!!!! 💜
What a beautiful testimony. I hope you continue to share your story and “pay it forward”. Somehow I think you may have had lots of prayer involved and that is a very good thing!
What a beautiful testimony/story! We all have our struggles and you are not alone. Thank you for including us in your “journey”. I hope you can continue to encourage others with all you do and be blessed!
How courageous and generous of you to share that part of your life. Collin, I’ve been following Hip2Save for many years now and have told so many people (not just friends, but strangers I meet in the store!) about your blog. Continue to keep up the good work. All the best to you and your family 🙂
Thank you so much, Bunny! 🙂