Travise Smith has proven that “necessity” can cause us to be inventive enough to overcome life’s toughest obstacles.
The self-labeled “Coupon Mama” from Rock Hill has attracted quite a following numbering nationwide, from savvy shoppers seeking to cut their grocery bills to retailers who are enamored with her dedication to marketing their brands.
The beginning of Smith’s true calling began at the end of a career as a loan originator. She worked for Pulte Homes, but received a pink slip in December 2007. As she put it, home loans were not in big demand that year. Smith found herself looking for the best ways to save money on a tight budget. She had clipped coupons for years, but soon found herself even more committed to it.
She began sharing discounts and freebies with her friends via Facebook. Her good habits and helpful hints were in high demand from friends and followers. And, so, Smith became the Coupon Mama. She even established Couponmama.org.
Shop, Save and Share is the company’s motto and it stands on a verse out of Proverbs 21:20: In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has
Creating a following
Smith was initially so addicted to Facebook that she was carrying her laptop from room to room. “My husband ‘un-friended’ me because he was tired of seeing my coupon postings,” she says. Finally, Smith decided to give up Facebook for Lent, and committed herself to spending more time in the Bible and studying the word for guidance and encouragement.
Much like millions of others nationwide over the last couple years, Smith and her husband, Adrian, found themselves way over their heads in debt. They lived in a new, three bedroom home with everything they wanted and needed. “We were keeping up with the Jones’”, says Smith. “But we were dedicated to getting out of debt.”
She listened daily to the Dave Ramsey show on the radio. Ramsey is an expert on financial guidance and encourages others to live debt free. “We got out of $172,000 of debt in 29 months,” says Smith. The family sold their house and moved into a home owned by relatives. The house was much older and smaller, with no central air conditioning. Smith confesses it was tough, but well worth it. They have since been able to build a new home.
“I’ve always equated coupons as money,” Smith says. She has advice for everyone from start-up clippers to so-called “coupon queens”.
The Coupon Mama has received such a large following that she began holding weekly training sessions. These classes teach consumers how to make the most of coupons by combining it with the store’s sales flyer and the store reward points. “I teach ethical practices in couponing,” says Smith. “I want to help people become financially fit.” Smith says that with just a little organization and planning, shoppers can make a huge dent in their shopping receipts.
Couponmama.org lists classes for the month, which are often booked by groups but some are open to the public. She charges $10 per person for the class. She provides a manual, a goody bag and lots of knowledge. “I have a few ladies that have taken the class at least five times,” says Smith. “They claim that they learn something new every time.”
Smith involves her sons in her business, too: 11-year-old Camryn and 8-year-old Colby sell binders and organizer inserts at the front door at the classes. They set back enough money for tithes at church and keep the rest for a savings account.
She recommends sharing coupons with friends, thus the ‘share’ part of her motto.
“Take coupons to work, church or play groups and share them. Someone will be able to use them,” says Smith, “Expired coupons can be used overseas in U.S. military commissaries for 6 months after the expiration date, so save them and send them to a family you know serving their country,” says Smith.
Coupon Mama encourages people in training to take extra food and supplies they don’t need to food pantries and churches. It’s clear that helping others is a big priority to Smith. “My biggest passion is volunteering,” says Smith.
When Hurricane Katrina hit a few years ago, she immediately went to assist. She spent two weeks in New Orleans helping people recover and provided them with basic needs. Her second passion is teaching others life skills and planning.
Lisa Fudge is a recent student of Coupon Mama. “My life and my wallet are forever changed,” says Fudge. “I learned things about coupons that I would have never known had I not attended the class. I used to say that if I did not have to grocery shop that I would have plenty of money. That is so not the case anymore,” says Fudge.
In four recent trips to the grocery, Fudge has saved $176, and only spent $91. “The Coupon Mama has been added to my personal list of heroes,” noted Fudge.
Carolyn Henderson recently took Smith’s Coupon Mama Class. Smith taught her to shop with a list, pay with cash and use coupons the smart way by waiting until an item is on sale or taking advantage of double and triple coupons.
“Now I go to the store with a budget in mind and I don’t go over the budget,” says Henderson. “This keeps me from impulse-buying and getting things I don’t need. I used to never take the time to clip coupons and always used a credit card or debit card,” says Henderson. “The difference in my grocery bill is less than half of what it used to be.”
Henderson also had the good fortune of benefiting from a promise the Coupon Mama makes to all her students: If Coupon Mama runs into a student shopping and they are following all of her guidelines, she will pay for their groceries.
“Travise found me at Bi-Lo and I was following all of the rules from class: using coupons, planning a budget, paying with exact cash and using recycling bags. I also purchased something to share with others,” says Henderson. “She paid for my groceries that night! I had a $60 budget and went over by a few dollars. Since I did not have a coupon for my Diet Mountain Dew or my green grapes, they were the first to be put back,” says Henderson. “I was so thankful to have my groceries bought that I soon forgot about giving up a few luxuries.”
“Travise teaches how to get so many great deals that are free or almost free,” says Henderson. “Sometimes, I don’t need the extra items but why not share with the less fortunate. I have donated my overage to food banks, soup kitchens, local women’s shelters and friends that could really use it… it makes you feel good inside to help people out.” Smith says that specifically three large retailers in Rock Hill are Coupon Mama fans. Further, she notes that CVS and Walgreens express their love for the “Coupon Mama” on their electronic billboards.
She believes her company is also her testimony and opportunity to share her strong faith. “In my blog, I talk about Christ and coupons,” says Smith. “Proverbs 21:20 is always part of my message and my sponsors have to be OK with my message. Bi-Lo and Arrow Pointe Federal Credit Union have been my best sponsors.” And, she adds, neither sponsor has ever asked her to remove her Christian-based message.
Coupon Mama is gaining notoriety across the United States, helping others save by learning the trade of clipping coupons. Smith has been invited to other states, including Alabama, Ohio and Florida to hold coupon training classes, and well-known publications such as Southern Living Magazine have contacted her.
What’s next? Smith’s plans include sharing her knowledge inside corporations and with their employees and possibly writing a book.
Smith is so much happier working for herself. “I have a passion for this work and that makes a big difference,” she said.
More information: Couponmama.org.