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Exteme couponer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Jessica Pamintuan contributes to Single Soldier Project

Extreme couponer and Army wife Jessica Pamintuan has been working hard to save money and bring in tons of products for the AUSA Single Soldier Project at JBLM. Courtesy photo

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"The Single Soldier Project has another 100 single soldiers, from 555th Engineer Brigade, returning from Afghanistan in June and we want to be ready for them," said Denise Dhane, who spearheads the operation for the DuPont subchapter of the Association of the United States Army.

The Single Soldier Project was instituted to ensure that all single soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord returning from a deployment would be welcomed back with gift baskets and open arms, even if there's no one waiting for them at the base.

"It's a collective effort, but Jessica Pamintuan is this extreme couponer who has been a real shot in the arm for this program. Plus she does it with a smile on her face and is just ready to help," praised Dhane. "She is just a rock star. She has gotten everything from blistex chapstick to shampoo to ramen noodle bowls. She even brought in 200 boxes of pizza rolls that we used as part of a welcome home for a unit returning from NTC last month."

Pamintuan, who has been at JBLM since 2009 with her 62nd Medical Brigade husband and child, began couponing to try and feel useful when she was pregnant and not working.

"I'm a stay-at-home mom now, so this is sort of like my job," Pamintuan said.

So far, Pamintuan has contributed close to $625 worth of items and according to her own estimate she has paid less than $4 for all of it.

The trick, she claimed, is to monitor shopping and couponing blogs and then see the items that are going on sale, especially in bulk. She also orders coupons through clipping services, as well as clipping her own from flyers and newspapers, and she executes her shopping hauls at either Target or the commissaries on JBLM.

"The commissary cannot wait for me to PCS," joked Pamintuan, who will be relocating to Alaska this summer.

Although she has already researched ways to get involved at their new duty station, Pamintuan will continue to help Dhane until she leaves.

"I'm enjoying it and I like that I am able to help these soldiers, who could just as easily be my own husband," she said.

"The money being saved because of her hard work is phenomenal," Dhane stated. "At minimum we spend $10 per soldier, but with her bringing in all this added product at such bargains, we're really ahead on the budget and can help more soldiers."

I Corps spouse Sarah Price has also begun to use her couponing powers for good. After noticing a post on Facebook about needed items for the Single Soldier Project, Price clipped and saved her way to almost 100 full size tubes of toothpaste and more is on the way.

"Every little bit helps," said Dhane. "If anyone else has a couponing talent and wants to step forward and help out, we'll welcome it."

Of course donations are welcome from anyone, couponing ability or not. Routine items needed include hygiene products like toothpaste, towels, shampoo, soap, dental floss and snacks like microwave popcorn, licorice, beef jerky, gum and cookies - though almost any snack food is welcomed. All of those items should be individually packed. There is also a push for new twin bed sheet sets to ensure a good night's sleep for the returning soldiers.

To donate or learn more about outstanding needs, call Dhane at 253.686.1505.

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