PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A few years ago, Nathan Engels realized he’d racked up $80,000 in student loan and credit card bills.

He wanted to get out of debt, so he started clipping coupons to save money.

“It’s not something that you’d see a lot of men doing, but it’s a natural thing for men,” Engels said. “We’re really worried about finances, we’re really worried about providing and what better way to provide for your family and never worry that they’re going to go hungry.”

Engels, known as Mr. Coupon, says what he’s doing is not rocket science but that really careful coupon clipping timed with store sales can save up to 50 percent off most weekly grocery bills.

“I just match coupons to sales to stores. All I do is I say this little coupon right here I’m gonna go out and find where best to use it and when best to use it,” Engels said.

He subscribes to five Sunday papers and spends anywhere from five to 15 hours a week clipping and organizing coupons.

He also has tricks to combine couponing and menu planning for even more savings.

And you’ve probably seen items like soap and deodorant packaged in pairs advertised as a better value. Mr. Coupon says it’s not always a good deal.

You have to pay attention to the unit price and the UPC code. Packaged together there’s one UPC code. Separately there are two which means you can use two coupons – one for each – increasing the savings.

For more tips he’s created a website called WeUseCoupons.com.

“We’re using the power of the internet and combining sales with stores and often times you can get products for rock bottom prices and even free sometimes,” Engels said.

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