Couponing 101: How to Organize Coupons

This is a day late...sorry.  Things got busy.  If you missed my last 2 Coupon Class posts, you can find them here:
Store Coupon Policies
Where to Find Coupons

Today, I'll talk about organizing your coupons.  I have 2 favorite options:

Dating Inserts:  This was my method of choice when I was new to couponing:  I'd write the date on the front of each newspaper insert with black permanent marker.  Then, when I needed to find a coupon that was mentioned in a database, I could easily find the insert that the database was referring to.  T/his was the major advantage to this method.  The disadvantage was finding a way to organize all of my printable coupons.  I found it easiest to have a purse-sized coupon accordion folder in my purse.  I'd only print the coupons I knew I was going to use, so I was able to put these in the folder for safekeeping, as well as any of the others I'd clipped from the inserts, until I got to the store.  This is very easy for beginners.  Once your coupon "collection" grows, however, you might find this next method more reasonable.

A Coupon Binder:  I found a zippable binder (much like the Trapper Keeper that I had in grade school) at a rummage sale, but you can find them at Walmart, Target, etc.  I then headed to Rainbow Sports Cards (3310 S. Minnesota Ave).  They have used baseball card holders (the kind with 9 or so pockets on each page) 20 for $1 or so.  I cut out the coupons each week, and place them in the pockets.  I organize them so that all of the coupons of the same type are together (drinks, snacks, breads, breakfast food, etc.).  They zip nicely in the binder so i don't lose them, and there's room for other stuff like scissors, etc.

There are many other methods of organizing coupons, but these are the two that have worked well for me.  What method do you use.  What do you see as that method's pros and cons.  Please share your thoughts or ideas in the comments...

FREE: Red Bull Sugar Free 4-pack

Go here to get yourself a FREE 4-pack of sugar free Red Bull.  The site is busy, but if you keep refreshing the page, you'll get on (I had to refresh 4 or 5 times).  Click on "Go forth for a 4-pack", fill out the form about your New Year's Resolution, and click "Go Forth".  Then, post to Twitter or Facebook to get your coupon for the FREE 4-pack.  Let us know if you snag one!!

Step 2 Play and Shade Patio Set - $19.86 Shipped

JC Penney has this Step 2 Play and Shade Patio Set marked down to $15.  Then use coupon code Y11NOVAP at checkout to bring the cost down to $12.75.  Add $5.99 for shipping and $1.12 for tax, and the total cost is only $19.86.  These are regularly $69.99, so this is a great deal!!  Keep in mind any birthday gifts you may need to purchase (or even for Christmas this year if you have a place to store it).

Saving Money This Year

Ask anyone who knows me well, and they'll tell you that I've always been frugal - even before I discovered coupons.  One of the things I was willing to "splurge" on was a good cup of coffee.  Let me be more specific..I'd spend a pretty penny for a Caramel Latte.  Toward the end of last year, I decided to try coffee creamers to see if I could get the same taste for much less at home (with 2 kiddos, I don't have time to run to the coffee shop and I wasn't happy about the money I spent).  I found one!  I am in LOVE with my new creamer.

Why do I tell you this?  Everyone wants more money in their pocket, and everyone has something they're willing to spend a little money on.  Wouldn't it be nice to have your cake, and eat it, too?  With the age of the internet, you can find a DIY tutorial for just about anything:  the recipe to your favorite soup from Outback Steakhouse (okay...so that's another vice of mine), a way to strip the paint off interior truck panels that some moron that owned it before you painted so you don't have to buy them new (my hubby's latest quest), or how to make your own party decorations (I LOVE Pinterest!).

So how will you save money this year?  Leave a comment with some of your ideas!

Couponing 101: Tip of the Day

Yesterday, I posted about store coupon policies.  Today, I'd like to show you a few places to find coupons for the things you regularly purchase.

My favorite way to find coupons is to use a searchable coupon database.  Databases can be searched specifically (by brand like Kellogg's) or generically (by item like ice cream).  Here are the two databases that I use frequently as well as their pros and cons:

Hot Coupon World:  I like this database because it automatically searches as you type.  You don't have to hit "submit" and wait for the page to load.  It also offers a direct link to printable coupons...you only have to click once.  Sometimes, though, it's not as comprehensive as the next database I'll tell you about.

A Full Cup:  This is a fairly comprehensive database.  You do have to hit "submit" and wait for the page to load, and also have to click 2 links in order to get to the printable coupons mentioned.  You also have to register to use the database, but it's FREE.  I use this database often, and find it easy to navigate even with the previously mentioned downfalls.

If I've searched the databases and still haven't found a coupon for the item I'm looking for, here are a few sites I look through for printable coupons.  Please note that you can usually print 2 of the same coupon per computer from each site:

Coupons.com - search different zip codes.  I've found 77477 to have the most coupons
The Coupon Network - Has printable coupons and future savings coupons
Smartsource - I love that they have a drop-down box where you can see all the brands that have coupons on
                       the site
Redplum - Slightly more complicated as you have to click the links across the top to access different    
                 categories of coupons

Also, if you're searching for a coupon for a particular brand, be sure to check that brand's website.  Brands (like Hormel) often have coupons available on their sites.  Also, here are two brand sites that have many coupons.  Remember, you can usually print 2 coupons from each site per computer:

Betty Crocker or Pillsbury - you do have to sign up to print coupons, but doing so is FREE

Another place to find coupons is in the Sunday paper.  The first Sunday every month, find a P&G insert which has coupons good for P&G items (like Olay, Gillette, Cover Girl, Charmin, Pampers, etc.).  Also, there's usually a Smartsource and a RedPlum insert, as well.  When I do coupon match-ups, I refer to SS (SmartSource), RP (RedPlum), and PG (P&G) and list the date of the insert the coupon can be found in.

Finally, I recommend signing up for coupons and promotions from your favorite stores to be delivered to your inbox and texted to your phone.  This is a great way to get great deals at mall stores and restaurants.

Hopefully this will help you when you're looking for coupons.  Please don't hesitate to ask if you have a questions.  I'm here to help!!  Tomorrow, I'll help you determine the best way to organize your coupons to maximize their use...

Chili's: 2 FREE Kids' Meals With Adult Entree Purchase

Go here to print a Chili's coupon good for up to 2 FREE kids meals with the purchase of an adult entree.  Coupon expires January 4, but you still have a couple of days to use it.  Enjoy!!

Sharpie Fine Point or Ultra Fine Point 12-pack - $3 (FREE Shipping)

Staples has a great deal on Sharpie markers.  Get a 12-pack of rainbow colors for only $3 shipped.  Go here and scroll about half way down the page.

$22: Haircut, Hair Color, and Facial Waxing at Signature Salon

Go to Groupon to score a package deal good for a haircut, hair color, and facial waxing for only $22 - that's 51% off.  What a great gift to yourself or someone you know (expires July 4, 2012)!  Deal can be found on the right side-bar after sign-up/sign-in.

FREE Christmas Tree Disposal

Did you and your family have a real Christmas tree in your home this year?  If so, you can dispose of it for FREE through January 14th at The Christmas Tree Drop-off  Site at 301 N. Lyons Blvd.  They are open today until 5pm.  Be sure to have your tree bare (no lights, ornaments, or tree stands).

Sunshine Food Match-ups: Week Long Ad (Ends 1/3)

There's not much to be had, but here's what I see in the regular Sunshine weekly ad this week:

Hot Pockets - 6/$10
Use $1/6 coupon from here
Final Cost: 6/$9 or $1.50 each

Old Orchard Frozen Juice Concentrate - 2/$3
Use $1/4 coupon from here
Final Cost: $1.25 each wyb 4

Let me know if I missed something...

Sunshine Food Match-ups: 3 Day Sale (1/1-1/3)

Here's what I see for the 3-day sale at Sunshine this week (sale starts today, 1/1 and ends Tuesday, 1/3):

Totino's Party Pizzas - $0.88 each (limit 8)
Use $1/4 coupon from here
Final cost: $0.63 each wyb 4

Also, for those 3 days, Sunshine will be having a tripling event.  I'll do match-ups for the week-long ad that ends on Tuesday.  The ad says that the tripling event does not apply to sale priced items, but a Sunshine insider has told me that their computer doesn't differentiate by item, so it should triple on ALL items.  Be sure to comment and let us know what great deals you found!!

Couponing 101: How do I do this coupon thing, anyway?

I thought it might be nice to post a tip or two per day to help newbies succeed at using coupons (or refresh our memory for those of us that have been doing this for a while).

My tip for today:  Know your store's coupon policy.  I print a copy and keep it in my coupon binder.  Then, if there's ever an issue, I'm able to politely, but confidently refer to it.  Here are the links to some of our local stores' coupon policies as well as the "in a nut shell version" from me:

Walmart: My favorite thing about Walmart is that they price match AND take coupons, so it might help alleviate the running from store to store to get a good deal.  The other thing I LOVE about Walmart is that they will accept a coupon for an amount greater than the purchase price. For example, lets say you have a coupon for $1.50 off Tide that has no size restrictions.  You could go to Walmart's travel section and get a single load packet of Tide for right around a dollar.  Most stores would lower the coupon value, but Walmart will give you the entire $1.50 off.  That means you either get $0.50 off your other items, or you can get cash back.  What a great policy!  Check out the link for an easy to understand version of Walmart's coupon policy...

HyVee: My favorite thing about HyVee is that they often have store coupons in their ad.  Per their coupon policy, you can stack a store coupon AND a manufacturer's coupon to get a great deal.  We do this with pop a lot.  HyVee often puts their pop on sale 4/$10 (sometimes with, sometimes without an in-ad store coupon).  Then I scout out a manufacturer's coupon from another sale ad that week (Lewis drug has them a lot).  We've found them for as much as $2 off the purchase of (4) 12-packs.  When stacked with the HyVee sale price, we get Coke or Pepsi products for 4/$8 making each 12-pack only $2.  The lowest we've paid for a 12-pack is $1.75...but even at $2, it's cheaper than the generic stuff!!  Check out the link for their entire coupon policy.

Walgreens:  Before I started couponing, I seldom went to Walgreens.  I found that they were often times double the price of places like Walmart.  Their sales, though, combined with the fact that you can stack a Walgreens coupon with a manufacturer's coupon make for the best couponing, often times.    For example, Walgreens will have a buy one get one free sale on an item.  You can use 2 manufacturer's coupons as well as a Walgreens coupon, if one is available.  I've gotten 2 items FREE this way.  If you coupon for very long, Walgreens will soon be one of your favorite places to shop!  Click the link for more on their coupon policy.

Lewis Drug:  Lewis drug is another place I sometimes find unexpected great deals.  They do except printed coupons, but the value can not exceed $5.  This can be disappointing sometimes when you're purchasing a more expensive item (like a Sonicare toothbrush, for example.  There is often a $10 off printable, but you can't use it at Lewis Drug).  Check out the link for Lewis Drug's complete coupon policy.

Menards:  My favorite thing about Menards is that they accept competitor's coupons.  They also price match, plus 10%.  For example, if Home Depot has something on sale in their ad for $10.00.  You can take the ad to Menards, and you'll get that exact item for $9.  It looks like you could still use a coupon on top of that,so it can make for a great deal!

Kmart:  Does not have an "official" coupon policy.  I don't stop at Kmart very often, so I can't speak to their policy.  I do know that you can get some good deals there (especially on toys) with online printable coupons. Be sure to comment if you know the ins and outs of Kmart's coupon policy.

Sunshine Foods:  I couldn't find a coupon policy online, but I'll tell you what I know.  They DO accept printable coupons as well as coupons for FREE items (I've never tried using a printable FREE item coupon, but they accept the ones from the newspaper or from magazines).  The double coupons with a value of $0.50 or less on ALL items, even though their ad says that doubling doesn't apply to sale items.  Occasionally, Sunshine has tripling events where they'll triple coupons with a value of $0.50 or less, usually around holidays.  I'll post weekly coupon match-ups for Sunshine as they often have a great deal or two on groceries each week. (Be sure to go online to sign up for their e-mails..choose the store of your choice, then enter your e-mail in the upper right hand corner.  They send great coupons to your inbox!)

Home Depot:  I can't speak to their coupon policy other than I do know they accept competitor's coupons.  What I can tell you is that they, like Menards, price match plus 10%.  This can help decrease your running around and get you a great deal!

Hopefully this will help you as you go to use your coupons.  Please don't hesitate to ask any questions that you may have, or share any experiences that you've had at any of the stores.  We can all learn from each other...