shopping with coupons

I like to check out a couple of helpful sites and browse store sales ads a few weeks in advance of their circulation dates. For example, I already know what's going to be on sale at Walgreen's the weeks of 11-2, 11-9, and 11-16. I know 11-2 is a hot week for Celestial Seasonings tea, Schick razors, and Wrigley's gum. I will pull those coupons and put them in my pink accordion organizer I use for drug store items. If there are any grocery sales, I pull them and put them in my purple accordion folder I use for grocery store items.

how to clip coupons

I buy a minimum of 4 papers/inserts. I have two papers available in my area. I will thumb through both occasionally but most often buy the more expensive, imported (from 50 miles away) paper. They get better coupons, meaning more coupon variety and higher coupon values.

Here is how I cut down on the work load.

Gather all like inserts.


Peel off the top page (which is the front/back cover) and stack them neatly. I am showing them stacked not-so-neatly.

Cut the stack of inserts leaving a good size margin around the dotted line. You don't want to chop off the expiration or bar code. Be careful you aren't infringing on another coupon on the flip side.

Flip insert page(s) over and check for more coupons.
You're done(with that page)! Repeat until all coupons are clipped. File away for future redemption. I sometimes pull aside the coupons I know are going to be hot that week so I don't have to search later. See the following post.

organize your coupons, organize your life

Not really. I've had organized coupons for months and my life still gets crazy. It's a nice title though, no?

I have a photo storage box from Michaels that I think cost me $10 for three. As you can see, my box is looking a little worn and it's probably time to grab one of those other two boxes I picked up. I like this box because it fits coupons that run the width of an insert page without buckling. The dividers are made from cardstock and packing tape. The photo boxes come with index cards but not enough for the number of categories I created. Also, the colors help me find what I'm looking for quicker. I tried to put the categories in aisle order.



Categories:

Paper/Soap (toilet paper, paper towel, paper dishes, kleenex, hand soap and dish soap)
Air Freshner (plug ins, candles, and sprays)
Soda/Candy (bottled water, candy, chocolates, soda, energy drinks, and "health" bars)
Make Up (cosmetics and beauty tools)
Lotion
Face (cleansers, creams, and treatments)
Shampoo
Hair product (hair dye, treatments, etc.)
Kids/Diaper (wipes, diapers, baby food, nutritional supplements, soaps, shampoos, etc.)
Eye Drops
Band Aids (adhesive bandages, first aid, and ointments)
Deodorant
Body Wash (bar soaps and liquid body soap)
Dental (toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, etc.)
Feminine (lubricants, hygiene, OTC medication)
Vitamins (preventative supplements)
Razors (shaving cream and razors)
Cold Remedy
Allergy
Pain Reliever
Sunscreen/Bug Spray
Stomach (gas, indigestion, heartburn, etc.)
Cleaning (this could stand to be broken up more, in hindsight)
Laundry
Baking (flour, sugar, yeast, baking mixes, artificial sweeteners, etc.)
BBQ Sauce/Marinade
Condiments
Jelly/PB
Dips/Spreads/Dressings
Soups
Rice/Pasta
Canned Veg/Fruit
Cereal (breakfast foods)
Juice
Coffee/Cocoa Mix/Tea/Drink Mix
Snacks
Canned Food
Ziploc/Trash
Frozen Meal
Frozen Fruit/Veg
Desserts
Refrigerated Meats
Bread/Produce
Yogurt
Cheese
Milk/Eggs/Margarine
Diet
Odds and Ends
Animal

coming soon

to a post near you: How I Coupon. By popular demand (okay, one person asked) I will bring you my method for clippling, sorting, and storing coupons. I know, I'm such a tease to post this without the photos (YES! There will be photos) and information. Sorry, you'll just have to wait.

does it really take a year?

I had another neighbor encounter today. She had locked herself out while wearing a t-shirt in the crisp, fall air. I knew something was wrong right away. She made eye contact with me as I pulled in from dropping off the big kid at school. We've never made eye contact. I offered to call someone for her but got their answering service. I suggested she try one of the other two doors to the house. Thankfully, for her, her husband hadn't locked the garage door and she was able to get in.