Revisiting Coupon Organizing Methods

In getting ready for Southern Savers.com Coupon Workshop here in Cartersville on March 27th, I'm going to repost some of my past coupon shopping break-downs and shopping post. This post is originally from December 2010

When I first found www.southernsavers.com back in October, I was overwhelmed with the amount of time and energy it took for me to organize my coupons. I read several different blogs, including Jenny’s at Southern Savers and found that although everyone has their own favorite way to organize, there are really four main methods:


1. The “stuff it all in an envelope” Method
2. The Expanding File Method 3. The Notebook Method
4. and the No Cut Method
While I’ll let Jenny give you the “how-to’s”, I will give you my testimonial.

Believe it or not, I did start with the “envelope” method. I had a main envelope that I tried to keep in order according to products (dairy, cleaners, etc.) Then I had an envelope for each store (CVS, Ingles, etc). Each week as Jenny posted her lists, I would pull from the main envelope and place the coupon I needed in the appropriate store envelope. Problem was that, as time went on, I acquired too many coupons and it was a mess! I couldn’t keep with what was expiring and sometimes I would see unadvertised specials in the store and not have my main envelope!

So I advanced to the expandable file method – actually it was the DELUXE model! I purchased a hard index card file that resembled the card catalogs in the library (when I was young they had actual FILE CABINETS with card indexes, not computers!)

This worked much better. I created file tabs for each product division then put the files in order of the store isles. I created separate files for specific store coupons (such as Extra Care Bucks) and kept the coupons in each file with the newest dated one in the back. I felt a little weird carrying this thing in and it was awkward to navigate in the store – but it was better than the envelopes!

Finally, after seeing many women with their fine nice zip-up notebooks – I moved on up again.

I bought the notebook (regular priced $19.99) on sale for $12, the trading card sleeves and divider tabs for a total of $21 – but used my Staples Rewards coupon ($15) and only paid $6 out of pocket. It took TWO days to change over the coupons. Each sleeve represents an isle in the grocery store I frequent the most. Each coupon product has its own place, with the oldest coupon on top. I love it! I can scan each page to see if there are any expiring coupons and mark them with a sticky tab. When I go to the store, I use the cart with the kid’s extra seat and it fits perfectly.

After using this method for a couple of weeks, I feel much more organized. Having the notebook that zips up and has a handle on the binding is great. Nothing falls out. Nothing gets wet. Everything is easy to file.


So now, I’m thinking…..should I try to the no-cut method now that I have all my “cut” coupons organized? Maybe I should have listened to Jenny adn STARTED with this method? LOL!


I have to say the only thing that is keeping me from changing is that I like to have ALL my coupons with me when I shop. I hate to be in Publix, find an unadvertised sale and NOT have the coupon…..Guess I’ll have to think on that one a little more.


Now, tell me……what method do you use and why?

Sunday Night is for SHOPPING!

This week's CVS shopping, for lack of a better word, sucked. I don't know if it's because I was already ticked off at my local new CVS or if they just didn't have good sales this week. Here is the breakdown of what I did end up with:


(2) Starburst Jelly Beans for Easter - Reg. 2.79ea on sale $2, used $1off coupon and earned $3 ECB - Final cost - FREE - Saved $5.58

(6) Crunch Bars for Easter - Reg. 89 each, Used B1G1 Coupons for all 6, final cost .45 each - Saved 2.67

(3) Milikyway Bars for Easter - Reg .89 each, used B2G1 - saved .89

Dove Heat Defense Shampoo - Reg 4.49, sale $4, used $1 coupon, saved 1.49 (I needed this for ECB credits or would not have purchsed it)

Herbal Essence Shampoo - Reg 4.29, sale 2.99, used $1 off coupon, plus coupon for Free hairspray (value 4.49 - final cost 1.99 - saved 6.59!!!

FREE Herbal Essence hairspray

Maybelline Mascara - Reg 8.49, used $2 coupon , plus CVS B1G1 50% - Saved $6.49
(This one miss-rang and gave me 50% of the higher product!)

Maybelline Lip Gloss - Reg 5.99 used $2 coupon, plus CVS B1G1 50% - Saved $2

Total at Regular Price $39.21
Savings in sales and coupons - $25.71
Earned ECB $4
Final Cost $9.50 

DAYS IN THE GARDEN - Labeling Your Seedlings

A great way to label your new seedlings, herbs and be earth-friendly at the same time!

Take an old set of mini blinds and snip the slats into 8 inch lengths. Use a Sharpie to write the name of the plant and stick the slat into the ground.  No more faded popscile stick tags!

Sunday Night is for SHOPPING is BACK!

Now that my life is somewhat back in order I have actually had the time to update my coupon organizer and hit the coupon shopping circuit again! I know my regular readers have been waiting, so I went ahead and did some end-of-the-week shopping today. Don’t worry, I will do my regular sale shopping tomorrow night and post it as well. I hope you all have kept with the program and been using www.southernsavers.com to help you along the way. DON’T FORGET – Jenny herself if coming to Cartersville on the 27th for her Coupon workshop. You can purchase tickets online at www.thekendalcompanies.com, by calling Excel Academy, or at the door. Now for today’s great finds:
CVS
I was more than a little upset at my new local CVS this afternoon. After planning my shopping trip, I arrived at CVS to find they had already pulled this weeks yellow sale tags. I depend on these to help me find the sales products that I have pulled coupons for to make sure I get the right sale product. I had to take the actual flyer and go row by row. I ended up getting frustrated and leaving without shopping the entire store. I did end up with some great finds. Since the sales will change in the morning, it won’t help you much, but I wanted to get a refresher on breaking down my receipts for you.
(2) Colgate Toothpaste -Regular price $4.89 each – Sale B1G1 Free, used (2) $1 off coupons – final price $1.45 each – SAVED$6.89
(2) Colgate 360 Toothbrushes – Reg. price $4.49 ea. – Sale B1G1, used (2) $1 off coupons, final price $ 1.25 each –SAVED $6.49
Always Infinity Pads 18 ct – Reg price 4.99 – Used FREE coupon from box – Saved $4.99
Ultra Dawn Dish Soap – Reg. Price $1.99 – Sale .97, used .25 coupon – Final price $.72 Saved $1.27
Always Thin Liners 72 ct – Reg price 3.99, sale 2.99, used $1 coupon – Final price 1.99 Saved $2
Always Pads 16 ct – Reg price 3.79, sale 2.99, used $1 coupon – final price 1.99, saved 1.80
Playtex Glide 36 ct – Reg price 8.49, sale 4.99, used $1 coupon – final price 3.99 saved $4.50
ACT Mouthwash - Reg price – 4.79, sale 3.99 used $1 coupon- Final price 2.99 saved 1.80
Carefree liners – Reg Price 1.59, used $1 coupon – Final price .59 Saved $1) it was not on sale but my coupon was expiring so I went ahead and got the smallest packet)
Bottle of Coke = Free Reece’s (Yes, I needed a snack) This Coupon was on the Coke fridge door

Kotex 14ct – Reg 3.79, sales $3, used $1 off coupon n – Final price $2 saved 1.79
Total Before sales and coupons $54.09
Total sales and coupons $32.92
ECBuck Used $19.00

Total out of pocket $2.17

Southern Savers Coupon Workshop Coming to Cartersville!

I am SO excited! Jenny over a SouthernSavers.com has agreed to come to Cartersville to do one of her Extreme Coupon Workshops. It's 2 hours of instruction on all the ins and outs of using coupons to save (and sometimes make) money. My blog followers know SoutherSavers.com is where I got my start. Check out several of my past blogs (and website) to see where I saved HUNDREDS of dollars myself. I even posted my actual receipts for proof her system works. You can also check out the different ways I have organized my own coupon collection to make it run smoother.

Please check out Jenny's site too. She has video tutorials that give you a little sample of what her workshop will contain and you can get a glimpse of how her site works. She offers links to find printable coupons if you are missing one, breaks down each week's Sunday flyer by store and has tons of other info.

The workshop will be held on March 27th, starting at 10am. It will be held in the auditorium at Excel Christian Academy in Cartersville. To pre-order tickets online, visit my website at www.thekendalcompanies.com. Tickets are also available from the school office. Pre-sale Tickets are $15, proceeds to go towards the Excel Academy Booster Club. You will be able to purchase tickets at the door for $20.

I am working on getting the local Publix, CVS, Ingles, Rite-Aid and other businesses to donate coupons and samples. Hopefully ,we will be able to offer a free little gift bag to all attentants. If you have a local business and want to donate something to the grab bag, please contact me directly.


 I know that Jenny will have a great program for our community. Everyone can stand to save a little money these days! Help us spread the word by sharing this link!