Most families spend hundreds of dollars on their Christmas shop – many blowing their budget into the thousands.
But mum-of-two Kerenza Richards, from Somerset in the UK, is living proof that the tune of Christmas carols need not be joined by the sound of money being poured down the drain.
The 27-year-old bargain hunter has purchased all her gifts – and even some of her food – for a measly £6, which equates to AU$9.65. What makes Kerenza’s frugality even more impressive is that the worth of her goodies exceeds £400, or AU$642.
In fact, Kerenza even says the gifts her children will open on Christmas morning are top-of-the-line.
How did she do it? By using online voucher codes, special offers and entering a range of competitions since January this year. Investing time and energy into couponing over the last three years, Kerenza explains, has seen her and partner David save over AUD$35,000.
"Christmas can be really expensive, especially when you've got children as well, but if you use coupons it can cost you next to nothing," the thrifty mum told The Mirror.
"This year I've spent a fraction of the price of most of my friends, and I've got everything wrapped up nice and early so it's stress-free too."
The couple, who parent 10-year-old Chloe and son Connor, 4, say David being made redundant in 2013 propelled them to begin a new, money-smart lifestyle.
"We were pretty skint and really struggling with money, plus Christmas was coming up - so I started looking around trying to find ways to save money," Kerenza explained.
"Once you get into it, it becomes really addictive," she continued.
"On everyday items I must save at least £30 (AU$37.20) a week, and I save a lot on birthdays and Christmas too."
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This will be the family's second Christmas funded almost entirely by coupons - a hobby that means Kerenza keeps an eye on newspaper cut outs and shopping receipts all year long.
Her penny-pinching also necessitated buying decorations around Boxing Day 2015.
"I started my Christmas shopping for this year as soon as the post-Christmas sales hit last year.
"January sales are always a great place to pick up gifts and other Christmas things like decorations and crackers for a fraction of the price."
For more tips from Kerenza, follow her blog 'CouponMama' here.