MARYSVILLE — When Maryann Collier’s husband was laid off from his job as a logging truck driver in 2008, she found herself faced with the task of being the breadwinner for them and their five children.

Although she’d led what she deemed a frugal lifestyle, she’d never used coupons before, but she became a quick study.

“It was do or die,” Collier said.

Not only did she learn how to feed her entire family on $25 a week, while her husband was unemployed, but she was also able to help feed two other families, and donate $30,000 to the food bank.

“I’m going to Heaven,” Collier laughed.

Her success not only got her on an episode of TLC’s “Extreme Couponing,” but it’s also set to be showcased through two free one-hour seminars, starting at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the Holiday Inn Express, at 8606 36th Ave. NE in Marysville.

Among the tips she offers are to buy things before you need them, and to maintain multiple newspaper subscriptions.

“You might not need something right now, but it makes sense to buy cold medicine while it’s cheap, before cold and flu season comes up,” Collier said. “Stick with it. It takes time for the savings to add up, but it’s amazing when they do.”