Woman Hopes Coupon Guide Catches On

Busy families in Ventura County who like the savings of grocery coupons but hate the hassles may find a measure of help in a new business started by a Fillmore mother of seven.

Debbie Burnett, 42, has long clipped coupons to save on groceries and has put together a coupon and sales guide to help shoppers reduce bills by up to 50%.

She hired two part-time people, and using computers at her husband’s construction company, founded Shopper’s Digest.

The company puts together a 10-page weekly guide summarizing what grocery store items are on sale and what coupons are available for shoppers in which newspapers.

Madeline Winmill, a subscriber to Burnett’s service for the past year, says her savings are up and her preparation time for shopping is down.

“It’s great because you can see at a glimpse what is on sale and how much you can save,” said Winmill, who also has seven children. “I don’t have to spend hours running around grocery stores trying to find out what is on sale and what coupons I can use. It’s a great way to trim a [family] budget.”

But so far, Burnett said, the business hasn’t taken off. With only eight subscribers paying $25 per month each and costs of $400 per month to compile and mail the guide and pay her help, she loses money each month.

“It’s very time-consuming,” said Burnett. “But I hope people will tell each other about it and the business will grow.”

She and the two employees go through every coupon in the Sunday and Thursday newspapers and also pick up coupons in the four supermarket chains in Ventura County.

Then they compile a list with all stores, products and savings on a computer printout. For instance, for the week of Oct. 8, the list says that a 10-ounce bag of Aunt Jemina waffles is on sale at Hughes for 99 cents and that there is a 70-cent coupon to go with that. So the shopper ends up paying 29 cents.

Burnett also provides subscribers with file folders for newspaper coupons.

“The great part is that you cut only the coupons that you need,” Burnett said.