How to Organize your coupons

Date the circular was in the Sunday paper
Each Sunday's insert goes into a sheet protector in my binder

All of my inserts with the dates on them before I put them in sheet protectors in my binder

I thought that some of you might appreciate seeing pictures of how I organize my coupons.

Back on the wagon....(Spent 94 and Saved 62)

Well, I am back on the wagon again! I went to Meijer after work tonight with my grocery list and my wad of coupons. Another reason I love to coupon shop is that I am in and out of the grocery store in such a short amount of time. I don't browse the aisles; I shop with a purpose.

In this trip, I was able to get many items that I will be able to stockpile. Stockpiling means buying more than you need but what will get you through the next sale cycle. The key to stockpiling is making sure that you don't over buy and you pay attention to expiration dates. Today I bought 6 boxes of cereal, 4 marinades, and 6 garlic bread. I bought a variety of items today. In this total, I have toiletries such as razors, deodorant, dental floss, Paul Mitchell shampoo and face cleanser. The majority of these items were on sale and I was able to apply coupons to the sale price. A few of these items I had to buy because I was out of them. I hate when I have to pay full price but if you have to I recommend that check out the coupon database on www.hotcouponworld.com . You can enter the item that you want to purchase...for example coffeemate creamer. They will tell you date of when the coupon was in the circuluar. For example, 5/22 PG. This means that you would be able to find a coupon for coffeemate creamer in the 5/22 proctor and gamble insert. Of course, it is better to buy this item when it is on sale and then add a coupon to the total price but sometimes you just need the item and can't wait for it to go on sale.

Today's shopping trip cost me $94.19 (with tax)

I saved $62.35 with coupons and buying sale items.
($33.35 Sale savings; $29.00 COUPON savings)

I love COUPONS!

Getting organized...

This is lots of wasted savings....These are all of my coupons that have expired and haven't been used! Uggh!

I went through my huge pile of coupons and got organized again.

Clipped my coupons and ready to go to the grocery store tomorrow.

It only took 40 minutes, and I did it while watching last nights' Glee with my daughters.

Back on the wagon again!!

Getting Ready...to start again

I am already behind my plan for this week, but I am pushing myself to follow through. So, tonight I printed my grocery list from the grocery game and I am going to match my coupons to the items on my list. In the past, this took at the most 3o minutes. Most days it was less than 20 minutes. But......since I have neglected my organization I am going to have to spend some time getting my coupons in order.

If you have read other posts by me in regards to organization, I recommend using sheet protectors and a 3 ring binder for your coupon inserts. Each week when you receive a coupon insert you write the date on the outside of the insert and then stick that week's insert in one sheet protector. I continue to do this every week. Then, when I am ready to find coupons you go to the date and the type of insert and then cut out the coupon that you need. This way you are only cutting the coupons when you need them. The Grocery Game will list the week and the type of insert...for example it might list SS 5/15...This would mean that the coupon you need can be found in the Smart Source insert from May 15th.

Off I go to organize and clip...I will be sure to note in my next post how much time it takes me. I am planning on grocery shopping tomorrow after work!!

Uggh!!! Still not back on the wagon

I know that I have expressed many times that I just can't seem to make couponing a priority. I am going to try again....

I have been keeping a spreadsheet on my grocery and eating out for the last 3 months. I just crunched the numbers and I am frustrated with myself.

Month Groceries/Savings Eating out

February $767/$108 $311 = $1,078 for the month on food
March $1,065/$23 $346 = $1,400 for the month...UGGH!!
April $848/$7 $525 =$1,373 for the month....Uggh!


We are an active family of 4 with 2 teenagers. Expensive items like Gatorade, Power bars, Vitamin Water also add to our grocery bill. Our grocery shopping has become Sam's Club and Fresh Market. Although, I know that we save money shopping at Sam's; I save more money when couponing is a priority.

I also include the amount that we spend on school lunches in our eating out budget.

Even though I am spending more on food than I have in the past, I still have to cut our spending in other areas. It isn't like new money is there to make up for my lack of coupon savings. I have 2 children that will be in college soon and other bills that need to be paid.

As I have stated in other posts on my blog, I am also not able to provide as much to our local food pantries when I am not couponing. I need to coupon for my family's savings as well as helping my community.

So, I have said it again...I am going to give it another try....

Here is my plan for this week...

Tuesday, create my Meijer grocery list and clip matching coupons. (I am anticipating this taking awhile because my coupon organization has become a BIG MESS!! Uggh!!)
Wednesday, shop after work with my coupons.
Thursday, make my list for Aldi

I will post my savings and what I spend this first week back on the wagon!!

Wish me luck!!