I saved over $2K on Christmas gifts and food for my family — here’s how I only spent just over $100

A savvy mum uses coupons to save $2.2k each Christmas – spending just $26 on her festive lunch and $100 on presents for her family-of-four.

Dianne Debarros, 34, uses tokens she finds online and in newspapers to get money off her shopping – to help with the cost of raising a family.

When food prices started to rise following the pandemic, the mum-of-two became obsessed with using coupons to help lower her food bill.

She decided to see how much she could save over Christmas and managed to buy and cook her Christmas lunch for just $26 — which includes chicken, potatoes, vegetables and stuffing.

Dianne splashes out $100 on presents – a doll house, paw patrol toys, for her daughter Annabella, six and Lillianna, four, and Bluetooth headphones for her husband, Tom Stitzel, 40.

Dianne, a digital freelancer, from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, said: “We have been doing this for a few years now.

“There are a few different ways we combat not having huge expenses at Christmas.

“Instead of doing turkey we did chicken as it is less expensive, that was one of our cost-saving things that we do because turkey is so expensive.

“In terms of our food shop, for the meal we definitely try and stay within our $30 budget for groceries.

“Last year we spent $26 and that fed four adults and two children – we had so much leftover.”

Dianne started couponing in 2017 – trawling websites, apps and shopping aisles for the best deals.

“Coupons come out on a rotational in Canada,” she said.

“Each week you can go to new stores and get coupons in the aisles.

“You can use cashback apps and digital coupons.

“We use coupons mainly for our grocery budget to make it $30-a-week.

“There are also lots of programmes you can sign up for. I have received free make-up, diapers – you can get all sorts of things.”

Last Christmas, the extreme couponer spent just $100 on her Christmas presents for her family and saved $2,200.

She said: “One thing we purchased was a playhouse that was originally $219 that was on sale for $50.

“There was also a wooden swing set that same day that was originally $599 and was on for $50.

“Setting a budget for Christmas gifts and spending is definitely the ultimate way to make sure we don’t go over budget.

“Plus creating a meal plan that incorporates less expensive options – chicken instead of turkey, seasonal or local vegetables versus what’s imported at high cost.

“Having family over, get them to bring homemade dessert – it will cut down everyone’s costs and is a great way to incorporate kids helping to create the meal.

“My sister-in-law brings all the baking supplies and bakes with the kids – they feel a sense of contribution and it’s bonding time with their aunt.”

Dianne’s couponing top tips –