Cutting Corners

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  Wai'anae, Hawai'i
  February 19, 2014, Wai'anae, Hawaii
  
  Although the cost of living in Hawaii has an expensive price tag, there is one way some local residents are racking up savings.
  
  According to the Institute of Energy Research, Hawaii has the most expensive energy in the country with gas prices at $3.47 a gallon. Gasoline is not the only necessity costing more on the islands. Groceries such as orange juice or milk can cost up to seven dollars a gallon. Life-long Hawaii resident and mother of four, Corinne David, has decided to literally cut the cost out of shopping.
  
  “Couponing is when you go shopping and you bust out your coupons, thats your money,” David said. Coupons are printed discounts that are offered in newspapers, online and in other media. The coupons alone only add up to a few cent’s off merchandise, but a few cents here and there can lead to hundreds in savings a month.
  
  Accourding to Yahoo.com by spending 20 minutes per week the adverage consumer can save $1,000 per year by taking advantage of the coupon and special offiers.
  
  Corinne spends about three hours a week planning her shopping trip. First she cuts out the coupons and then begins outlining her game plan consisting of price matching from stores, getting competing advertisement and shopping on the clearance racks.
  
  “You like clearance because you can use coupons to get it even cheaper” David said. The three hours of clipping and deal hunting can sometime save Corrine and her family over 75% off of retail prices.
  
  The potential for savings that couponing offers does not suit every consumer. School teacher, Vanessa Shalkey, doesn’t mind paying regular price for products.
  
  “I think couponing is cool, you can save a lot from the discounts, but it takes time to look and cut them all out. Also, they may not have the products that I want at the moment,” said Shalkey.
  
  For Corinne David and many others, couponing is all about getting the lowest price she can possibly get. “If I can get it for free, I want it for free. Thats the goal, 100% just pay the sales tax” David said.
  
  Every week Corrine purchases four Sunday papers every week and with the amount money Corinne saves from couponing, she can put towards other expenses.
  
  “I can use the savings, towards my kids football practice, or football buying their uniforms” David said . With a household of six people Corinne will continue to coupon in the future.
  
  “I like that my mom coupons because I get free stuff, I like that she brings home deodorant because I don’t want to smell stink” said Kody Rosa. Even though Kody dislikes carrying the bags of groceries he still likes it when his mom come home with new stock. With scissors in hand Corinne David will stop when then the last copy of inserts are extinct.

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looking back

What I've learned from this experience is that you don't have to give up on the things you enjoy. There're easier ways to save a bundle.

 Dani Kaohe-David, Reporter

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I've realized that there are other ways to cut back on costs without sacrificing the things you enjoy.


Marcela Bator, Photographer

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