Woman Reduces Total So Much at Kroger Self-Check Out, Staff Have To Verify

A 26-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, has gone viral after saving an amazing $475.11 at a Kroger store.

In a video that has gained more than 800,000 views, Zoe Rankin shared how she made discounts so huge that a member of staff had to come and verify the purchase before she could pay.

Rankin, a savvy shopper known online for her money-saving tips, told Newsweek how she got the huge saving. “The original total was $519.20, and it went down to $44.09, so I saved $475.11,” she said. Her secret? Timing her Kroger card swipe to watch all the savings roll off in one go. “I bought chair cushions that were part of the summer clearance at 90 percent off. No additional coupons were used in this transaction, but I do use them in most of my other videos.”

Store staff were so surprised by the steep discount that they needed to double-check the transaction before allowing Rankin to pay. But it’s all in a day’s work for Rankin, who regularly shares money-saving hacks online to help others navigate the challenges of rising prices.

“I hear everyone, both online and in real life, struggling with affording life, especially with inflation,” she said. Rankin’s strategy extends beyond clearance items. She also shares how she uses cashback apps and coupons to save more money. “People don’t think about getting cashback on groceries, household, and personal care items. If people can save a little here and there, they can afford something they need or want, and I want to help them do that,” she said.

Rankin’s journey into couponing began over four years ago when she started college. Faced with a $40,000 tuition bill, she turned to extreme couponing to make ends meet. She was so successful that the couponing helped her pay for her tuition without needing to work throughout her studies.

“I was stressed about being able to afford food and personal care. Couponing allowed me to get what I needed without paying full price, and I want to share that knowledge with others,” she said.

On TikTok, Rankin continues to share her latest savings and coupon tips with more than 27,000 followers. In the comments on her recent video viewers were so amazed by the huge saving in the video that they were eager to learn Rankin’s tricks.

One commenter wrote: “Tell me your secrets to this transaction plz,” while another shared a similar experience, saying: “That happened to me once when I stacked digital coupons—ended up paying zero!”