With a little luck, Jan Sondys occasionally can make $1 for purchasing two tubes of toothpaste.
Yes, you read that correct – make $1.
The best part is Sondys, a senior IT manager at Walbridge, does it all to support those in need in the Toledo, Ohio area.
Like many people, she got a start with the TLC show “Extreme Couponing” which highlights shoppers that save while buying a large amount for low prices by utilizing coupons.
“Seeing the people get cartful after cartful of items for free made me want to try it. Not to that extent, mind you,” she said. “Just to save a little bit of money. I did it for several months, then got busy with other things in life, and it got set aside.”
But this past summer, a cousin reached out to her on LinkedIn after starting a new nonprofit – Toledo MAGIS.
According to MAGIS’ website, “MAGIS is Latin for ‘more.’ Our purpose is to provide personal care product kits to people who could not otherwise afford them. In doing so, we are providing MORE for those in need: MORE dignity, MORE assistance, because we can do MORE, because they are worth MORE.”
“Since my extended family are all from the Toledo area, of course I wanted to help,” Sondys said. “I told her that I used to be pretty good with couponing, and I would see what I could do in the way of donations.”
The Sunday Paper
Sondys’ is always on the hunt for good coupons, typically searching for personal care items including:
- Toilet paper
- Razors
- Shaving cream
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
But how does she find out the best bargains for her buck?
“There is a website that I use that gives me a preview of the coupons that will be in the Sunday paper. I usually buy 3 Sunday papers,” she said. “Also, thanks to my coworkers at Walbridge, I find coupon inserts on my desk on Monday morning, or dropped off or handed to me throughout the week. This really helps me out, and I really appreciate each and every coupon I get! After I clip the coupons I am going to use, I pass the rest on to my fellow couponers in the office.”
The support of fellow couponers and coworkers is always extremely appreciated, she said.
There are a few good deals that still stand out to her, including the two tubes of toothpaste that made her $1.02.
“I just paid $3.98 for two tubes of toothpaste – but I got a $5 coupon back on the deal so to me, that is making money on the deal,” she said. “I’m up $1.02 on the transaction. I will turn around and use that coupon for more items for MAGIS.”
But one of the moments that stood out to her involved purchasing disposable razors.
“I went into a store, coupons in hand, to buy two packs of disposable razors, and they gave me cash back on the deal,” Sondys said. “They paid me to take the razors out of the store! Now, just to be clear, not all stores do that; most will just make the coupon equal to the price of the item.”
While her efforts started small, the impact is major to the community she supports.
“I am able to donate dozens of items monthly and my cousin reaches out to me when they are short on items, to help her find the best price,” she said. “I joke with her that I am now her ‘Purchasing Agent,’ although most items are received through donations.”
Sondys encourages everyone to get involved in some charity that means something to them, even if it’s a little bit of time a month just to buy an extra item or two.
“These things tend to grow,” she said. “You go from just wanting to do a little something, to getting vested, to getting involved. Try it, you’ll like it! And let’s support each other!”