The best thing we bought with a coupon

Despite having joined the Coupons.com team in early 2025, I’m the newest member to have come aboard (at the time that this article is published, at least!). To this day, I’m still so impressed by the depth of knowledge our editors have for the retailers they manage. The sheer volume of codes that our team works with and the ability to recall a retailer’s rhythms at any given moment always prove to me how committed to savings everyone is. It highlights that to our team—as cliché as it sounds—saving really isn’t just a 9-to-5; it’s a way of life. And it brings up some interesting topics when we all get together.

In a recent meeting, we were discussing how to handle a specific deal we'd found for you. The “wow, everyone really knows their stuff” feeling hit me again. But someone mentioned the retailer running a particularly great coupon, and it got me thinking: What’s the best thing people on our team have bought with a coupon?

I know that for me, it was when my husband and I saved hundreds on our new fridge last summer when we were able to combine a sale price with two cashback offers. It reminded me of our Managing Director, Alex, talking about saving $70 on a pair of Reebok when I interviewed him recently. I knew that if he and I both had a story, others did, too. So, what were the big wins for the rest of my team? I asked around and here’s what some of them had to say.

Half-off a whole Samsung Frame

• Who got the win: Charlie, account director

• Coupon used: Black Friday deals and a store coupon

• Retailer: Best Buy

What Charlie had to say: “The best thing I ever bought with a coupon was a 60-inch Frame TV on Black Friday from Best Buy. I got it for almost half off the sticker price.

“I’d been eyeing it for months, so stacking the doorbuster discount with an exclusive store coupon made the timing feel like a win. Two years later, it’s still the centerpiece of my living room and a solid reminder that a little patience (and an early alarm) pays off. Black Friday isn’t for the timid, but if you plan right, there are great deals to be had!”

Saving $75 on seasonal wardrobe essentials? Kimi’s on it

• The Coupons.com teammate feeling smug thanks to their savings: Kimi, editor

• The magic combo: Retailer text sign-up discount and sitewide sale

• Retailer: Old Navy

Kimi made a recent purchase that stood out to her while testing an Old Navy discount code for the site. Here’s how it all fell into place:

“As the weather warmed up a few weeks ago, I was reminded that I wanted to buy myself some new shorts, both for casual and workout purposes. At the time, I was testing the process for Old Navy's text sign-up bonus at work, and since I already shop at Old Navy for my athletic apparel, I figured I may as well use the offer I received on my phone.

“It just so happened that they were also running a sitewide sale for 50% off at the time. So between the welcome bonus and the sale, I was able to save a total of $75 on my order of shorts.”

A little extra off a once-in-a-lifetime experience

• Who saved the money: Mar, business developer

• Spill the beans on the coupon: An exclusive Coupons.com discount code

• Retailer: Viator

Why this stood out to Mar: “The best thing I purchased using a coupon was a tour to the Vatican. I used our Viator exclusive code, which gave me 8% off $350. I saved $44.

“I love to travel, and I always know Viator has exclusive codes throughout each quarter.”

When you get 80% off your new makeup must-have

• The lucky shopper: Tyesha, editor

• What couponing sorcery took place: A retailer sale, a coupon, and a retailer rewards voucher

• Retailer: Clinique

Tell us more: “A few years ago, the shade 'Black Honey' from Clinique's Almost Lipstick line went viral. This product usually retails at $25, which is more than I ever spend on any beauty product. However, on one particular day, I found it on sale for $10 off. Even though $15 still wasn't my ideal price point for a lipstick, it was way more palatable. But I wasn’t finished yet.

“To make it even better, this was at a time when Clinique's $3.50 off coupon was available, and I also had $6 in rewards points that I could use on my purchase. When all was said and done, I saved nearly $20 on my first tube of what would inevitably become a staple in my beauty rotation.”

How Valen knew a great deal when he saw it

• Who made the purchase: Valen, editor in our Kuala Lumpur office

• Coupon used: An item-specific coupon

• Retailer: Shopee

What Valen had to say about his find: “When I needed a new pair of earbuds, I went through Shopee Malaysia looking for affordable options. After a lot of scrolling, I decided on the CMF Buds Pro 2.

“Then I spotted a coupon on the listing that would save me the equivalent of about $17. It was too good to pass up, so I checked out immediately. I don’t come across discounts like that for them very often, and it ended up being my best savings win of the year.”

So what’s your big-time savings?

After talking with my colleagues, I think it’s easy to see that all of us have one of those savings that we’re really proud of. Whether it’s on big electronics, like Charlie, or your everyday essentials like shorts or makeup, à la Kimi and Tyesha, a monetary win is always a game-changer.

What, then, is your favorite savings that you find hard not to brag about?

The Clip is where the people behind Coupons.com get to speak plainly. No press releases. No corporate polish. Just honest stories from people who think hard every day about helping you spend less and keep more.