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.
I LOVE this! I struggled with depression during AND after my pregnancy and it made me feel like I was a bad mom. I constantly worried about how we were going to make it, and now thanks to sites like this one we are comfortable and get cheap diapers and toilet paper too. Thank you SO much for being so honest and for the hard work that it takes to make this site run…not to mention your videos! I LOVE them 😀 Thanks again so much and may God bless you and your family. 😀
I jjs saw this. Wat an honest video made and I’mglad u pulled through and making others pull thru too with ur coupon deals. U have an amazing blog that I watch religously! Thank u collin
You have such a sweet, kind heart! Sending an e-hug and thank you for the blessings you pass on to us 🙂
How sweet! Thanks so much for the kind comment. You’re very welcome Melissa!
I found your website today and thank you so much for your very real and authentic video of your life. I have been battling depression and binging for several years now and I didn’t realize that the same way I was using food destructively I was also doing that with my spending. Thank you ever so much for sharing. You’re right this isn’t just about coupons.
Thank you for sharing you are a strong and couragious woman!!!!
Thank you so much sharing Collin. I can also relate to this as I myself faced something similar during and after pregnancy. You are such a courageous woman and you have come a long way since. Keep up the good work 🙂
This just made me cry Collin! I can identify with depression and couponing helping me through that. Though I was always savings conscious and good at saving, couponing really helped me after college. After I graduated it was extremely hard to find work in my field. I moved back in with my dad, my parents had just divorced, and I had no income. Coupons helped me save so much and helped me help my Dad save so much. I was so great at it and it was something we could do together for fun, and your blog was what I read every single day. Thank you for sharing your story! You mean a lot to everyone who visits your page, I hope you know that!!!
You’re welcome Nicole! Thanks for sharing your story!
Collin! This video is amazing as are you! Thank you so much for finding the courage to share! I am sure it will inspire many. My family and I went thru a very tough financial struggle during the recession and couponing really helped us! I feel like it changed my outlook on many things and ultimately made me a better person! Glad to say, things are a lot better now but I am still very conscious of spending. Like you said, sometimes you have to go thru things to get where you are at now :). I wish you much success in everything you do!
You are so brave. Thank you for being honest and vulnerable. If I didn’t love you before, I sure do now! Keep doing what you’re doing! You’re making a huge impact on people’s lives.
I have been following your website and Facebook page forever and just today found this video by accident. It’s incredibly moving and I’m so glad that you shared it….I can’t imagine how many women were helped by it. You’re amazing!!! Thanks for all you do!!!
I think so!
I’ve followed your site for several years, but realized that I didn’t really know how the site was started. What an amazing woman you are, Collin. I don’t know if your familiar with Momastery and Glennon Doyle, but thank you for sharing your “brutiful” story with us!
Wow. Thank you for making me feel like I’m not alone – and not CRAZY! Coupons saved my life too. 100%. My friends have always called me crazy because I coupon (at one point being almost addicted to it). But I’ve also always been honest with how and why it started. My son died from SIDS in January of 2012. I thought my life had ended, not eating, taking a leave from teaching, not able to get out of bed. During my time off from teaching, my sister-in-law introduced me to coupons. For me, couponing saved my life because it created a distraction from my harsh reality. It helped me ease out of the depression and into a new world without my son. Couponing was my transition. I credit God, my family and friends, and couponing 🙂 I’m so glad you shared your story, Collin, and I’m thankful that coupons saved us both 🙂
That was an amazing story. You are a wonderful person Collin, and I’m very thankful for both you and Hip2Save!
Thank you for sharing this video, Colin. I had a daughter who died from Bulimia at the age of 19. We tried everything, but she was not ready to seek help. So glad you had the courage to turn your life around. Hopefully, this video with strike a cord with someone suffering with bulimia . God bless you sweet lady!!
Thank you for sharing. It made me tear up. I am not perfect either, and have had my regrets and struggles.
After a long day at work your site helps me save money while saving time, so I can spend more time with my 5 year old son. Thank you for all that you do. And yes, I have thought to myself, “how does Collin keep her house so clean? I wish I could do that.” God bless you!
Hi Collin, I just watched your video about your earlier life. Thank you for sharing and being so open. I would love to meet you and your family some time, especially since our daughter, Mary Farmer, works with you and has for several years now. I could say more but just wanted to thank you for all you and the Hip2save team are doing. God bless and have a wonderful Christ centered Christmas.
Bill Hermann, Cypress, Texas Oh BTW I tell people all the time about your site!!
Awww… thanks for the sweet comment, Bill! I sure appreciate it and REALLY appreciate your daughter. She is such a hard worker and just a wonderful person. And I as well hope we get the chance to meet.
Merry Christmas!
I first found your site in 2010 and was a daily reader. I have stopped using coupons since then for various reasons, but I was thinking about you yesterday. So today I came to check on you…and I’m so happy to see this video. Keep it up. You are an amazing and beautiful person.
Thank you, Jane!
I love this! I know I don’t know you but I’m so happy for you! Hip2save has been such a blessing for our family! Thank you for all that you do!!
Thank you so much for sharing this video. Your so strong. I struggle daily with anxiety and depression. Couponing is my escape from my fears.
Thank you Collin for sharing this, so many people struggle with different issues, I for one am so grateful for all you do, you are such a beautiful soul…Keep up the good work. God Bless!!!
You are why I started couponing!!! And why I have a coupon blog. It’s called mycoupongoggles.blogspot.com
How cool! Thanks for sharing this Sherry! 😉
Colin,
You have such an amazing story and it was so brave of you to share. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to live your life publicly. You are such an inspiration and I love checking Hip2Save for deals usually multiple times per day. It helps me so much and gives me something to look forward to. You are truly an inspiration. Thank you so much for all that you do. ❤️
And now your paying it forward with being BRAVE and vulnerable. “With brave wings, she now flies.”
Collin, I have followed Hip2Save for over 4 years and I have always loved your personality. I knew this was a special website because of your unique videos and amazing deals but slowly over the years I feel I have gotten to know a long distance friend. Thank you for being so honest and sharing this to motivate other people to start overcoming personal obstacles. I hope you know you have helped me since pregnancy find good deals to pamper, clothe, feed, gift shop for my now 3 year old boy!
All the way from Texas,
Nancy
I’ve been following Hip2save, since about 2012. I would have never guessed you to have gone through everything you have. I first came across this video last year and posted it for my adult child. I wanted to give them encouragement because my child had been struggling with drug addiction. My child went to college, graduated with honors and had an excellent career, all while be addicted to heroin. No one knew and no one would have ever guessed my child was doing what they were doing, until the drugs finally destroyed everything in their life and almost took my child’s life. Today my child is drug free. They have had to start at ground zero and it’s been a struggle, but they are clean and slowly piecing their life back together. Your story about your struggles gave me hope and I wanted my child to know there is always hope and life can be better. Thank you for sharing your story and for all you do.
You are an inspiration! This is very brave. You have helped us save so much $$. Thank you for being amazing you.
Thanks for such sweet words Miranda! You’re most welcome! 😉
What an awesome video! Know it had to be difficult to put yourself out there but may you be blessed with everything you need. You help so many people. Thankful for your loving family, your support team, and you. May you stay forever positive. ^j^
Thank you for opening your home and your heart to us all. I admire you for all you do and the joyful spirit you carry. Thank you for sharing your life with us and for putting a positive messege out about such topic. God Bless you
Your sharing this may help so many others including me. Thank you for your bravery and God bless you!
Beautiful story from a beautiful woman!! Thank you so much for sharing and thank you for all you do!
Wow, what a precious video. Thank you for opening your heart to so many and sharing your hope and encouragement. Thank you also for all the deals you have brought to us over the years. Your freebies and cheapies have blessed both my family and allowed me to bless a children’s home that my church helps support.
God bless you always!
Collin I love how transparent you are, its an inspiration! I can related to this my husband was deployed for a year two weeks after I had my first baby. I learned how to do couponing and it gave me something to work at and keep me busy till he came home, it was the hardest year of my life. Five years later I’m still doing it and its been such a blessing because you can easily bless others with all the items you get! I pray God continues to bless your ministry and your family! I am certain your video has touched many hearts, you’re amazing!
Collin. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story! I’ve followed you for a few years and you always have seemed to be SO together and I envied you your happy life. You have saved me so much money and have helped me and so many other be able to pay it forward. Bless you. Bless you.
You’re very welcome Diane! Thanks so much for the kind words 🙂
Collin,
As I sit here weeping over your testimony, I am taken back to the struggle to stay sober over the past several years and I see a connection that I’ve just lost out on so much time with my child. I traded in one vice for another. I thank you for your honesty and I hear you. I truly hear you and the words have struck a chord… I wish I had heard it before turning 51 but there is no better time than NOW.
I’ve entered this realm of wanting to pay it forward too, help others, get out of my thoughts and give back. Thank you for the raw honesty. You’re the best and I’m so glad I crossed paths with you over the internet.
Thanks for sharing your story. I found your site when I was going through a tough time myself and it helped give me hope. Thank you.
Glad to hear that! You’re very welcome! 😉
Collin, just viewed your inspiring video….. thank you for sharing…….keep up the great work you do……your truly amazing…
I’ve had this video bookmarked since the day it was posted but hadn’t watched it until today. Collin, you are truly an inspiration and I thank you for sharing this with everyone. Coupons have had a great impact on my life as well and I’ve been able to help family, friends, and even student organizations with the deals and tips posted here. I love everything you and your team stand for and I recommend Hip2Save to everyone I can!
Collin,
When I was laid off, for the second time, in 2012 I discovered couponing. I had always used them, but a friend of mine told me about all the money she was saving using websites to help her find the deals.
Through my research I found your site, I cannot tell you how many times I mentioned your site to my husband the next few years. You were definitely someone who helped me when my family needed to use our dollars better than ever before.
Thank you for being so bare boned and sharing your story. God Bless!
You’re most welcome Diane! So glad to help you grab the savings at a time it was most needed!
Thank you for sharing your story and your struggles. I was encouraged by your words!
You’re most welcome Danielle!
Thank you for being so honest I love watching your videos. you give me a lot of hope because we all go through something. I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in 2016 we did not know what to expect we have 6 kids. but luckily I had support from my husband and mom and other family members. now we are in 2017 and I had a mastectomy and a hysterectomy and reconstruction you would thank I would be very happy and thankful that I am alive but there are times when I still feel lonely and depressed maybe its because I am not the same woman I once was. my husband and the rest of the family treat me like nothing never happened I don’t think they get it but I’m fighting everyday to get through the pain I’m still in from having so much surgery . and I find comfort in food and spending money we don’t have just to feel better so I get it Collin.
You are so welcome Kiim! Thanks so much for sharing YOUR story. Hoping you get some pain relief soon!
Thanks for sharing your struggles and keeping things real Collin! So often people forget that everyone has their own personal demons – it’s so refreshing to see someone being honest about them. Thanks for all you do!
Inspiring video Collin. Always remember…..everyone is special and everyone has their own special path in this world.
much peace-love-happiness- to you.
I have always been such a positive thing. Born with spinabifida, double hip surgery in the third grade, allergy to the cold temperture in middle school. Engaged and lost him because he chose drugs in college. Laid off my job after college ….took 4 years for someone to give me a chance. was refused an application to volunteer at a hospital because i was “in a wheelchair” But lately i have been struggling. Had brain surgery and they said i needed a neuro psychologist (which i couldnt afford). It now is a struggle to handle stress and emotion. I have gotten rid of a lot of drama to reduce chances of triggering symptoms that cause pain. Now they tell me the surgery may be reversing. They need to go deeper….which it took everything i had to have the first one, they say this one is worse. It is difficult to be positive. I have been killing myself to try to eat right and lose the weight i gained after the last surgery. I just need a moment of peace where i dont have to worry so much. Thank you for sharing your struggle. People overcoming and changing their stars is encouraging.
Love Hip 2 Save! And Love this inspirational story.
Hi Colin. I’m so glad you have healed enough to put out this video. And you surely do have a lot of confidence now to be able to do that. I have followed you since early days. In fact I remember you were going to see that every subscriber got a free T-shirt and before that happened somehow you went bigger. I am 71 now and couponing is my brain game. Some days it is a challenge. You have saved me a ton of money and it’s a high to get such great deals. As I was printing coupons I told my son “it’s just like printing money.” Now if you could just conquer the stock market… So how does a person get those points to enter the contest anyway? Merry Christmas to you and your family. You are truly in the best years now and making memories.
Hi there! Thanks so much for your sweet words, and for being a long time reader! I sure do appreciate it! Here are some details on the Hip2save Insiders which includes information on entering the contests! https://hip2save.com/welcome-to-the-hip2save-insiders/ Merry Christmas!!
Collin,
Thank you so much for your courage in posting this. It could not have come at a better time for me. I have followed Hip2Save since the beginning. However, I had never explored the site much other than the main postings. I know that I am not the only one who has been impacted in a positive way by your video.
Thank you for sharing Collin. My life has been anything from perfect lately, and I do tend to judge it by all the “perfect” families I see on social media. Thank you for reminding me that it’s okay to love your perfectly imperfect life.
Thank you for being such an inspiration for people like me who get to those dark places. Coupons have helped me feel so much more valuable (yea I know it sounds dumb but it’s true). Thanks Collin! love ya
-Martha
Thank you for sharing this video, Colin. I had a daughter who died from Bulimia at the age of 19. We tried everything, but she was not ready to seek help. So glad you had the courage to turn your life around. Hopefully, this video with strike a cord with someone suffering with bulimia . God bless you sweet lady!!
Just found this video. Your story definitely touched my heart. Thank your for sharing it and everything you and your team do everyday.