BigTent Blog | Product updates and news for groups

32 Responses to “Meet the queen of coupons on BigTent”

1. 1 anna matrana September 5, 2009 at 11:03 am

   Joined last night and not impressed at all!!!! No one is actually telling me how to get all this free stuff and coupons. If anyone can please tell me what I am supposed to do I would appreciate it. I don’t have all day to stay on the computer and click on links.
2. 2 Honeyinfla September 5, 2009 at 12:08 pm

   Need coupons to save save money on food.
3. 3 Lillian September 8, 2009 at 4:27 am

   Just paid. and now can’t even get back to the site. Thought site would be more user friendly. Thank God I won’t go broke from the dollar
4. 4 BigTent September 8, 2009 at 8:10 am

   Hi Lillian,

   Thanks for joining How to Shop for Free on BigTent. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties logging in. You may want to check out this help article: https://bigtent.helpstream.biz/View.jsp?procId=c0cb840a1adcceee011ae17d34b05a92

   If you still can’t log in, please click the “I need more help” button and submit a case to our support team. We’ll get back to you very soon.

   For a quick tutorial on navigating BigTent, please check out our YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlps17RlVHI&feature=channel_page

   Let us know if you have any other questions or feedback.

   Best,

   Mia @ BigTent
5. 5 Kathy Spencer HTSFF September 8, 2009 at 12:55 pm

   Thanks for your interest in How to Shop for Free. We have almost 50 different discussion forums, each dedicated to sharing coupons and advice around a specific store, such as CVS or Publix. You may want to change your settings so that you are only viewing forums for stores that you’re most interested in. To hide other forums, log into BigTent and go to settings > email options. On this page, check off the forums you’re not interested in and select “none, hidden” at the bottom of the page.

   Alternatively, you may want to view all forums on the web, but only receive some over email. You could set your email settings to view most forums only on the web, but get daily digests from the other forums. Again, going to settings > email options will allow you to change your preferences at any time.

   I also recommend that all new members read a couple of our threads on getting started and understanding coupon lingo:

   http://www.bigtent.com/group/forum/message/12882445

   http://www.bigtent.com/group/forum/message/12882006

   Our group has grown by thousands of members in the last month, and we are taking steps to reorganize HTSFF and accommodate the increase in traffic.

   In the mean time please post any questions you may have under the general discussion forum . We have hundreds of helpful members that will be more than happy to answer your questions.
   I have been working like crazy to work my way thru over 10 thousand emails and answer each question so if I havent gotten to yours yet please be patient, I or another moderator will get to you as soon as humanly possible.

   In the mean time if you havent already done so , make sure you sign up at http://www.kohls.com for email alerts. Once you do they will email you a 5.00 off any 5.00 purchase coupon. Shop the clearance racks and shop for FREE. These are also available on eBay for an average of 20 coupons for 1.00. Thats 100.00 on free stuff for 1.00.
   I can’t wait to go shopping again once I have a free moment again!!
6. 6 Noreen September 8, 2009 at 2:14 pm

   I love this site. I joined in April after seeing an article on our local paper. To date I’ve saved over $1,000 on groceries, health and beauty items, paper products etc. I would not have been able to obtain that level of savings without the help of this site. Everyone is very helpful and willing to share their tips and latest savings ‘finds’. Thanks so much!!
7. 7 SheilaB September 8, 2009 at 3:26 pm

   I love this site. No. You don’t learn all you need to know at first glance…but really, isn’t that true with everything in life? While I’m still learning, and haven’t ventured into the grocery realm yet, thanks to this site, I have managed to get a lot of things free or nearly free, simply because I read and check the site every day. Go to any other site like this and you will find the same thing…you HAVE to explore the site thoroughly to understand. Thank-you Kathy, for having this site. I’m truly excited about couponing again and look forward to putting what i have learned to use at our local grocery store!
   Sheila
8. 8 Misty September 8, 2009 at 3:36 pm

   I joined several days ago and love the site. If you don’t have time to “sit and click links” then dont’ sign up and don’t try to learn how to coupon. It IS in an investment in time but it gets quicker and easier the more familiar you are with it. I now spend about 15 minutes a week couponing.
9. 9 Linda September 8, 2009 at 4:01 pm

   As a new member who was curious and a bit lost, it took only a few minutes of reading the e-mail in my inbox and searching the site to get details and understand. This likely, though, is because I started with the expectation of finding a forum from which I could learn how to save rather than expecting a step by step tutorial on how to be a better consumer (read: unrealistic).

   Suggestion: as a description for the website prior to registration include that this is a participative forum to learn about coupons and savings from other registered members. Personally, I think this is aptly stated, but I too have read new user comments (and still am perplexed by their conundrum…go figure).

   Net: Kudos to the site as it is! Just the information about coupon sites that are NOT loaded with virus or spyware is worth the $1.00 a hundred times over!

   Linda
10. 10 Jen B September 8, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    I joined the site about 3 weeks ago & LOVE it!! Of course there is a learning curve with everything. I’m not getting a ton of free things yet, but I have learned so much. I have definitely saved more in the last month than I ever expected. I think the confusion comes because people are not used to forums – I have learned in other venues that you need to read everything. Also, since Kathy is in the Boston area, not all the deals are the same as in my location – I have learned very valuable techniques that I have used in my local stores. I expect that as I get more proficient at “couponing” I will get faster.
11. 11 Melissa September 8, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    Love this site. Joined after clipping coupons and then reading Kathy’s spotlight in the Globe Magazine! I’ve learned a bunch from the forums and have already started clipping more to save more!
12. 12 Cynthia September 8, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    No one can tell you how to shop for free because we all shop at different stores, have clipped different coupons and buy different foods. This forum can tell you where to find the coupons and give you some ideas on how to use recent coupons with sales at certain stores, which might allow you to get free items, butno one can do it for you. It actually requires that we each do our own research. That said, you can get some great deals — and we can often get things for free. Yesterday I picked up 5 pints of Starbucks brand ice cream , in the pint, (which sells for nearly $5 a pint), and I only paid $8…. plus I got a $5 gift certificate for future purchases at the store. Meaning, in realisty, I only really paid $3 for $25 worth of ice cream. Not bad! It was completely legal… and I learned how to do it on this group.
13. 13 Shane September 8, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    People…you need to research the site before you critisize. I joined last week. This week I got 5 bags of cat food at Target that were $5.69 and used $6 in coupons for each. You do the math.
    If you don’t know how to find coupons ask someone…don’t just sit and complain
14. 14 Denise September 8, 2009 at 6:17 pm

    I just joined this website several days ago, and reading the forums and checking out the suggested sites, I have learned SO MUCH already! I expect it to take some time to get really good at it, but I know my first purchase will be better than I was doing before, that’s for sure. I am really SIKED! Thanks so much for this!
15. 15 Trisha September 8, 2009 at 7:43 pm

    I soooo love the HTSFF website. I have saved sooooo much money over the past 3 months since I’ve joined it’s unreal! The HTSFF group is like a second family to me. When I joined in June 2009 everyone embraced me and shared tips to help me and my family of 6 get through a really tough spot in our lives! Whether they realize it or not. I’ve discovered ways to save money that are being passed down to my daughters that inevitably be passed down to their daughters one day. Please understand this…before joinging this site….there was no way I could have figured out a way to save approximately $1700 over the past 3 months! AND THE SAVINGS ARE STILL GROWING! That $1700 alone paid for my college tuition for 3 months, gas to get to class, tolls to get to class, clothes for my 4 kids to go back to school and to repair my van! When tightening our belt in June and trying to find a way just to scrape by – I was looking for anyway I could to trim our budget, the only place left was for groceries and consumables, BUT HOW DO YOU DO THAT AND NOT STARVE! These ladies have taught me how to do just that. Now my bills are paid, my pantry is getting stocked, I’m finishing my last two classes in college and graduating in December with a clear conscious that I KNOW we as a family can make it and survive to boot! We’re saving money and rebuilding our savings after some pretty tough blows to it. So let me attest if you are at the very least having doubts about joining the How To Shop for Free group, don’t! You will be welcomed with open arms, accepted and nutured so that you can and will flourish in the couponing world! For some of us out there this place was a god send and trust me well worth paying $1 for! Don’t take my word for it – TRY IT FOR YOURSELF!

    Trisha
    Delaware
16. 16 njerzgal September 8, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    I have found this site extremely helpful!! I purchased $80 worth of items from Walgreens the other day for just $17.72. All because I read how to do it on this site!! I used register rewards and coupons on sale items.
    It is not hard, just need to invest some time.
    Thanks for the great tips.
17. 17 Lauren September 8, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    I just joined a few days ago after seeing the spot on Inside Edition. Though there a LOTS of click and print coupons I’ve found that have already gotten me many free things, you do have to read through some posts. If you do not want to read a little bit to save some money, move on and try to find the deals on your own. If you like to share ideas for saving money and find some great deals, then join. I’m definitely recommending this site to people I know!
18. 18 Desiree September 8, 2009 at 9:45 pm

    I joined the site last Friday after seeing Kathy on Inside Edition. My fiance’ has been out of work for some time and I am staying with my parents to help them with their bills, so I appreciate every dollar saved. I’m pleased to say I have already received $12.00 worth of free food, as well as a free DVD rental from RedBox and a slew of other money saving coupons. I didn’t expect to shed 95% of my grocery bill right off the bat but I did expect to save some money and I definitely have. This forum providers tons of money saving tips I would not have been made aware of had I not joined. The $1 membership fee is well worth it, as I have already earned it back…and then some!
19. 19 princessarky September 9, 2009 at 4:31 am

    seriously you can’t learn everything in one day and not every trip will be worth $100s that you only paid a few cents for BUT you will learn things here and you will find some great coupons. All of the people here are great and are always willing to help us newbies out.
20. 20 Clayo September 9, 2009 at 6:58 am

    Until I found this site, I had never shopped for groceries at SuperTarget. I stacked some Target coupons w. some manufacturer’s coupons (Q’s) for purchase of mostly sale items and saved almost $50 on $84. And my fridge and pantry are STOCKED to the gills! The only things I will need in the next month or so are bread and milk. Thanks for doing a great job!
    
21. 21 Monnie September 9, 2009 at 7:19 am

    I’m not much of a writer, but I must say, when I first signed up I was confused! I wasn’t sure where to start, what to read, why everyone was writing all these terms I had NO IDEA what the heck they were saying.

    Well, I’m two to three weeks into the game, and I have saved hundreds. Want to know how I did so well? With Kathy’s strategies and reading! Reading and learning from the ladies who are very good at saving! I was never self entitled and not once thought Kathy could possibly link me to every site so I can shop free. If that was the case, I should just pencil her in to do my shopping! To me, that is a lazy mentality.

    I knew for one dollar she was allowing us to share the information. This is a coupon/saving think tank in which every member can learn, and when done learning, participate to strengthen the group.

    I have saved so much money! Hundreds and hundreds already, because I like to shop, and I am a giver. I have learned a new perspective on shopping.

    I win! I have won, and as long as this continues with it’s ideas, sales, and information, I am winning! I made my dollar back the first hour and when I see the doubting members, I think to myself “have you made your effort?”. I have made mine and my home is full of nice new products, whereas weeks ago I was buying store brand, second level for economic reasons.

    Thank you Kathy, and all my member friends, participants and newbies for not making me feel so silly when I see you ask the same questions! I recommend this site to anyone who wants to save money, has kids, a big family, a big appetite, a low budget, an elderly parent, a friend in need, or a desire to get the best bang for your buck!
22. 22 Charlene September 9, 2009 at 9:32 am

    I love this group. I joined last Thursday & I have learned so much. Everyone on this site has been extremely helpful. If you have a question all you have to do is ask =) Thank you to Kathy & all who have taken the time to help out all of us newbies.
23. 23 Sherri September 10, 2009 at 9:06 am

    I live in Canada- would any of these deals/coupons work for me?

    Thanks
24. 24 Reginald Wrenn September 12, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    I’ve not joined yet because I didn’t get the information that I need. We’re a couple of 79-year oders and could surely use the expertise to help us along the way. Several things happened to us within the last 2-years and we had no control of it. I don’t understand the website box is that htt://bigtent.com?
25. 25 BigTent September 12, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    Reginald,

    I sent you an email with instructions on how to join the group. For anyone out there wondering, you can sign up at https://www.bigtent.com/groups/htsff. Just fill out the form, then check your email inbox for an email with a link to finish joining the group. It will cost $1 to join the group.

    Best,

    Mia @ BigTent
26. 26 Trina September 17, 2009 at 5:27 am

    This group sounds great, but no one is willing to share hints on shopping for free. I and several people brought up the same question and I was told that everyone was too busy to train newbies. It was a waste of time and money.
27. 27 BigTent September 17, 2009 at 7:08 am

    Hi Trina,

    This is Mia at BigTent. I’m sorry to hear that you have not enjoyed your experience with How to Shop for Free.

    As an employee of BigTent and someone who is working directly with Kathy, the group owner, I wanted to let you know that How to Shop for Free is in the process of reorganizing. In the last month, the group has added over 8,000 members. This extensive growth has changed the dynamic of members communicating in the forums — message traffic has skyrocketed and the group leadership team is just getting a handle on how to accommodate the group’s newfound popularity.

    Starting next week, How to Shop for Free will have a new format that will make it easier for new members to find support, and easier for everyone to get information about the deals most relevant to them.

    I hope you’ll stay tuned for these changes. Please let me know if you have any other questions or feedback.

    Best,

    Mia at BigTent
28. 28 Trina September 17, 2009 at 7:32 am

    I left the group months ago so I am not surprised that they had issues. There really needs be some help for newbies, instead of rude members not helping. I don’t think I will be back.
29. 29 Kathy Spencer HTSFF September 19, 2009 at 10:06 am

    Trina, I am sorry if you feel that noone has time to train newbies..but that is not true at all.
    Although it is true that I personally have been very busy in the past month with all the press and site changes but that I have been answering thousands upon thousands of questions as well as thousands of active members and moderators.
    Everyday we recieve about 400 questions and they all get answered, I may not be the one answering every single question but I am confident that they are all getting answered by the moderators and the experienced members.
    As well as tips, if you look in the getting started forums , How to.. , and other shopping for free blogs that is where all my tips are stored all the answers are there they are just a little hard to find by newbies that aren’t currently familiar with the set up wich is why Mia and I are working to make things more user friendly for people that aren’t accustomed to using forums.

    We have tons of information to read thru to get you going you just need to set aside some time to look around familiarize yourself with the site and you too will be able to start saving hundreds if you have the desire to learn.
    Good Luck,
    Kathy
30. 30 Trina September 29, 2009 at 7:37 am

    Kathy, this was several months ago. I and several others asking question were told by someone, I think it was a moderator that they did not have time to answer questions and go read the files.
31. 31 Elizabeth Marquis January 11, 2010 at 9:24 am

    Hey Kathy, It’s me Liz from Shaws
32. 32 Coupons February 24, 2010 at 6:14 pm

    It’s an economical fact that the coupons save great deal for suffering families. We should encourage everyone to participate in this. I personally save hundreds of dollars a month..

Leave a Reply