Audition season is coming up. As a dedicated singer, you schedule out which ones you are interested in, where the auditions are, how you will get there, where you will stay, what you will sing and any other costs required of you (accompanist, application fees, etc.). Do this routine for several companies and over the years your expenses can really add up. Unless you have won the lottery or scored a concert hall full of wealthy patrons, budgeting and saving money is incredibly crucial to a singer if they expect to afford all the costs demanded of them. Personally, I have found that using coupons to purchase necessary items has saved me a lot of money. They have allowed me to travel for auditions, send out press packets, pay for accompanists, afford hotel and lodging costs, and basically afford this profession for the past year. I am in no way an extreme couponer, but I use them as a way to get more for much less.
In my first entry, I made reference to a small store run that saved me 75% on my total bill. From $100 to $25 dollars I was able to stock up on shampoo, conditioner, makeup, deodorant, razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products, toilet paper, fruit juice, salsa, boxed dinners, cereal, and frozen yogurt. I wanted to elaborate on this trip so that you can see there is no strenuous science behind it, just some math and a little effort with scissors and your local Sunday newspaper.
- Makeup
- Ladies, we know how important it is to look your best in any other kind of professional face-to-face interaction. Personally, my favorite line of store makeup is Cover Girl, so when I saw this deal I knew it was time to stock up.
- Cover Girl mascara – regularly 8.99 each
- Sale – $5.94 each
- I had a store coupon – buy one get one free – now it’s $5.94 for 2
- I also had 2 manufacturers coupons I could add to this – $1 off of one – since I was buying 2 it took $2 off my current total
- Final cost: $3.94 for 2 OR $1.97 each
- Shampoo/Conditioner – Dove Products
- Girls and guys, doesn’t matter what gender – clean hair is required. This deal is for everyone and these products can always be used.
- Shampoo and conditioner – regularly $3.99 each
- Sale – $3.49 each
- I had 75 cents off coupons that doubled to $1.50
- Ending cost $1.99 each
- Toothbrushes – ColgateBrand
- Not much needs to be said about this product. Everyone needs one.
- Toothbrushes – Regularly $1.99 on sale $1.00
- 75 cent off coupons that doubled to $1.50 off
- I MADE 50 cents per tooth brush purchased – most stores will not give you cash back BUT will take that extra money off of other products you do not have coupons for.
- Toilet Paper– Angel Soft Brand
- An essential staple in everyone’s bathroom.
- Toilet Paper – 4 packs – regularly $1.99 on sale $1
- 25 cent coupon that doubled to 50 cents
- Ending cost: 50 cents per 4 pack OR 12.5 cents a roll
- Hamburger Helper
- More commonly seen in a college student’s diet but still a tasty dinner when you are in a pinch. Health tip: cook with skim milk and use turkey beef – this will cut way down on fat and calories.
- Helper Boxed Dinners – regularly $2 each
- On sale for $1 each
- I had coupons for $1.50 off 3 (essentially 50 cents off one)
- Ending cost: 50 cents a box – not a bad dinner!
- 100% Juices – V8 Fusion
- These are very healthy for you and at times a great deal.
- Juice: regularly $3.99 each on sale 2 for $4
- I had $1 off one that I could apply to each juice
- Ending cost: $1 per 64 oz container
These are just some examples of products that are used on an everyday basis and the deals you can receive with coupons. In the next entry, I’ll give my best advice on how to get started saving on necessities so that you can put more money into financing your career.
Kristen Basore, a Show Band Vocalist for Carnival Cruise Lines from Ohio, has become an expert “couponer”. She regularly saves hundreds of dollars shopping for the essentials, and she’s sharing her secrets here, hoping to help other singers as they make their way through college, audition season, and life. Read more about Kristen and contact her directly at www.kristenbasore.com
