SOS: Stuffing your stockings for next to nothing

Holiday shopping for everyone on your list is already stressful and time-consuming enough.

So why in the world would you take extra time to clip coupons?

You're going to go into debt anyhow, right?

Not so, says one local couponing expert.

"I rang up a purchase just this week. I paid 13 cents for $103 worth of products," Karen Alaniz said.

Alaniz is president of the Southern New Mexico Coupon Club.

She was able to buy $100 worth of makeup and other health and beauty products for pennies.

She's had some practice and puts in a good bit of time sifting through the paper and online offers.

"I put in about two hours a week clipping coupons," she said.

So what are her tools of the trade?

She said to check out the Sunday newspaper first, then online at coupons.com and other specialty coupon magazines.

Karen also said to hit up the clearance sections during holiday sales, check out the dollar stores and understand the small print on coupons.

"Looking at coupon lingo that says 'not valid with any other offer,' that usually means not with another manufacturer coupon. That doesn't mean you can't combine it with another offer in the store," Alaniz said.

Once you get some couponing practice in, Alaniz says, it can be great for you and your family's bottom line.

"It's tough. It's hard work. But if you're committed to being debt-free, it can be done," she said.