AHOSKIE – When it comes to shopping, everyone loves a bargain.

And in a day and age where a family’s budget is stretched to the limit, a penny saved is a penny earned.

A Saturday seminar sponsored by Roanoke-Chowan publications will feature Chelsey Edens – aka “The Coupon Queen.” Edens will conduct two classes (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) at the Ahoskie Inn where she will share her secrets of how the use of coupons can leave more money in the pockets of average citizens after they pay the cashier for their purchases.

The seminars are free for current subscribers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald or the Gates County Index. If you are not a subscriber, consider becoming one for a special introductory rate of $20 and attend the class for free. Call 252-332-7201 for additional details.

The classes (limited to 25 each) are filling up fast. There is a limit of two reservations per person.

Edens said she started “couponing” by simply purchasing local newspapers and clipping those cost-saving vouchers.

However, as it is with any hobby, there are other ways to further your interests.

For Edens that included purchasing a binder in an effort to better organize the coupons as well as discovering a website that matched coupons with grocery items on sale locally.

She will admit to not taking her passion to the extreme level – referencing those who spend up to 40 hours a week on their couponing and then go out and fill several shopping carts with outrageous amounts of the same items.

Rather, Edens will show those who shop simply to provide what is needed for their families or as individuals how to match coupons to sale items (for greater savings), locating the best deals, and organizing coupons.

Currently, Edens says she saves approximately $300 per month on groceries for her and her husband. By combining in-store sales with couponing, Edens said she can purchase six bottles of laundry detergent for a combined $6. On “super double days,” Edens has purchased $60 worth of groceries for 10 cents. And she does this by only investing three-to-five hours a week in collecting and organizing her coupons.

Would you like to save that kind of money with very little effort? Then join Roanoke-Chowan Publications and “The Coupon Queen” on Saturday at the Ahoskie Inn. Reserve your seat today!