Coupon Organization: Making it Work for YOU {part 5}
You’ve patiently waited to see what method of coupon organization I’m currently using… I intended to do this series in a period of 10 days. Of course, life is always busier than I expect, and it took me a little long {asking for forgiveness!}.
This method is a combination of the first two I tried {and featured}. Amber, one of our contributors, showed me this fabulous idea last summer, and I finally implemented it a few months ago. I must say – it is working for me!!
- It has the functionality and portability of the binder, with out spending hours clipping coupons you may or may not use.
- Incorporates the ease of the filing method, without the frustration of not being able to quickly see what coupons you have while roaming the isles of the store.
#3 – COMBO METHOD
So instead of using an expandable file folder that isn’t very portable, you can use your favorite binder! (I strongly suggest getting something that you can close shut thanks to velcro, snaps, or zippers!!).
Personally, I am using my super cute “Stylin Binder” bag. I love it because:
1 – ITS FABULOUSLY STYLIN!
2 – It’s fabulously portable!
3 – It velcros shut, so I don’t have to worry about dropping it and having all the contents fly all over the place!
{You can see all their super cute new fabrics and bags right here!}
NEXT – Purchase some sheet protectors. I remember seeing them advertised super cheap during the back to school sales (like less than $.20 for a pack of 12). Since I missed those sales, I purchased a huge box of 225 at Costco for around $13.00 (If I’m remembering correctly!?). Obviously you won’t need that many, so you could split it with several friends, or just buy a smaller pack on sale somewhere. (I bought a big one so I’d have extras to giveaway at our classes!). You’ll want enough to get you through about 13 weeks (one sheet protector per set of inserts – 30, give or take a few, should cover it!).
Here is the cool part, not only are you going to put your group of 4, 5, or 6 inserts inside the sheet protector, you are going to give each set a “Cover Page” that lists all the coupons (and their expiration dates) on the front.
It looks a little something like this:
I bold the coupons that I am excited about (you could also use a highlighter). This makes for quick and easy viewing! Now when I’m in the store roaming the isles, and I see something on a great sale, I can quickly scan my cover pages to see if there is a coupon to use! Each page has the coupons listed in alphabetical order and I put the newest ones in the front of my binder. Of course, you’ll have to get over the “I’ll look stupid standing in the isle clipping coupons” feeling.C’mon girl (or guy)! You’re walking out of the store paying 50%-90% less than the dude that’s lookin at you funny! Who cares if you’re clippin in the isle!
NOW – I know what you’re thinking. Who in the world has time to go through each insert, type the details of every coupon, AND alphabetize!?!?! Our fab reader Sophie, a spreadsheet freak, has kindly shared her lists with us! Here are the CURRENT Idaho Coupons Lists by Insert Date or you can always click up on the menu bar. Just mouse over “Learn to be a fruGAL”, then mouse over ”Get Organized” and find the link to the Idaho Insert Lists. Simply print it and stick it inside the sheet protector with that corresponding group of coupons!
PLUS – you can always quickly find a coupon by searching our Idaho Insert Database! All the current coupons are found here in alphabetical order. Want to print an entire list for your binder? You’ll find a current download available as well!
Do you want to give it a try?
ps – Not in Idaho? You could always go to sites like Sunday Coupon Preview and copy and paste from there. Remember that those coupons do vary a little bit too, so you may want to double check!
And yes, I still have one more installment in this series! Email me your current coupon organization system! I’ll post the pictures and what you’re loving/hating about it! I also took some pictures of Cathy B’s homemade coupon holders for you to see her great method!
Are you new to this couponing thing? We’ve got all the basics laid out for you in our Couponing 101 post! We’ll show you where to collect coupons, how to organize them, and how to use them effectively! Join in on all our fun and you can be a fab fruGAL too! You can subscribe to our FREE newsletter and join us on Facebook!
Every week we’re talking about how to save loads of money at
Live in the Northwest? Be sure to see all the hot deals at our favorite grocery stores!
4 Steps to Becoming the Master of Your Stockpile
Is it just for kicks and giggles?
So you can SHOP FROM YOUR PANTRY! You know, your pantry, that place chock full of food you’ve been purchasing? Hopefully you’ve been stocking up (aka: NOT hoarding) when you find an item at a rock bottom price!
STEP 1 – MAKE A LIST
What are the top 20 items you use most frequently from your pantry? Look through your cupboards and closets. What do you have in there? What are you always running out of? Maybe look at your recipes to see what you need the most of.
STEP 2 – DECIDE ON YOUR PERSONAL PRICE POINT
Since these are the items you are using the most, these are the things you want to pay rock bottom prices on. Now, of course, some items you just won’t be able to get on coupon. That’s OK – because you’re saving $ on a whole lot of other items! Feel free to use our personal price point list. We also always try to let you know when we’re stocking up on something. Keep in mind, when it’s SUPER exciting for us, we always place a special order with our stores manager.
STEP 3 – ACQUIRE COUPONS
You can’t stock up at rock bottom prices if you don’t have a coupon for every single item you purchase. That is why I am personally getting 6 copies of the Sunday paper. When there is something I REALLY want a lot of, I’ll go purchase coupons on eBay.
STEP 4 – STOCK UP!
When the item is on sale (a GOOD sale), that is when it’s time to stock up! PLEASE, don’t feel that this means you can go in and clear the shelves at every store near you. When it’s something we use all the time (like Prego), we place an order with the manager. This way they order EXTRA for us and we don’t have to worry about taking product off the shelves. I like to get a 3-12 month supply. Keep in mind EXPIRATION DATES! Don’t get it if you can’t use it before it expires!
Here are a few items on my top 20 list:
Salad Dressing
BBQ Sauce
Brownie Mix (a staple in my husbands diet)
Mayonnaise
Chocolate Chips (again, a staple in my husbands diet)
Now you’ve got the stuff, what do you do???
The Fab FruGAL’s are here to help!
What is your #1 can’t live with out gotta have it always running out of pantry item?!
Are you new to this couponing thing? We’ve got all the basics laid out for you in our Couponing 101 post! We’ll show you where to collect coupons, how to organize them, and how to use them effectively! Join in on all our fun and you can be a fab fruGAL too! You can subscribe to our FREE newsletter and join us on Facebook!
Every week we’re talking about how to save loads of money at
Live in the Northwest? Be sure to see all the hot deals at our favorite grocery stores!
Fabulessly Frugal Friday: Save an Extra $50 a Month
1. Shop with a list and Stick to it!
This is why we love PYP shopping lists. We often speak about Albies, when we shop there we only buy what is on the list. Regular priced items are priced high at Albies and are not worth buying!
Gone are the days of going to Walmart or Costco and picking up random clothing items or movies that are cheap. When we shop we stick to our list, essentially keeping us from spending more money!
When shopping Walgreens, Target, Rite Aid, Fred Meyer or other stores we blog about feel free to copy and paste our post to a word document to make your own list to stick to while shopping. Just be sure to tell people where you got the fab info when they are soooo impressed with your money saving skills! 
2. Just say NO to ATM’s with fees….plan ahead for your cash needs.
You can always get a fee free transaction if you use an ATM at your personal bank. Also remember that many stores will give you cash back on an ATM card purchase and that if FEE FREE!
3. Does your bank charge high fees? MOVE YOUR ACCOUNT.
There are plenty of banks that have FREE checking accounts. Don’t pay for yours! We moved our savings to a money market account that gets a much higher return than our banks savings account.
4. Pay off that credit card balance!
We pay off our credit card each month. We don’t ever charge more on the card than we have cash for in the bank. If you are stuck with a balance Robert can show you how to get rid of it in his book. He will also show you how throwing away that card will save you 30% on your expenses.
5. If you must carry a credit card balance, shop around for a card with a lower rate. Credit card companies want you and are willing to negotiate if you are willing to walk away if they don’t give you the rate you want.
6. Look for lower premiums on your insurance policies.
Even if you got a low rate when you origianlly got the policy, you may find a lower rate if you check into it once every year or two.
7. Consider higher deductibles for your home and auto insurance.
You may have to pay a higher deducatble, but it will most likely be worth the money you saved paying a lower monthly payment! Our old truck only has liability insurance because if we crash it, it would likely cost us more to fix it than it is worth.
8. Do you have private mortgage insurance? If you have built up 20% equity in your home, you can cancel it.
Private Mortgage insurance runs about $100-$300 a month depending on the amount of your loan. It would sure be nice to knock that off your bill. You can if you have 20% equity!
9. Use a mail-order pharmacy for long-term prescriptions.
They tend to be less expensive and will save you the gas, hassle and potential of buying other things in the drug store.
10. “Doc, can I get that as a generic drug?”
Most perscriptions have generics that are the excact same drug just less expensive. You are not getting a higher quality if you choose Vicodin over hydrocodone + acetaminophen. They are the exact same chemical compound. One just has a brand name on it and a higher price tag.
Also when buying over the counter meds look for generics. Ex: Tylenol=Acetopminophen, Bayer=Asprin, Advil/Motrin=Ibuprofen, Aleve=Naproxen Sodium.
You can get your own FREE copy of “Multiple Streams of Income“
OR you can purchase Multiple Streams of Income: How to Generate a Lifetime of Unlimited Wealth! Second Edition
Target 8/9-8/15
Gift Card Deals
Get a $5 Target Gift Card when you buy 2
Listerine Mouthwash (1.5 liter)
Pre-Brush Whitening Rinse (32 oz),
Advanced (1.5 liter) and Vibrant White (21 oz) – $5.99/ea
Use .50/1 RP-4/26, or .50/1 SS-6/14, or $2/1 RP-4/26, or $2/1 SS-3/15, or $1/1 SS-6/14
or $1/1 RP-4/26 or $1/1 or $1.50/1 Printable
Final Price = $4.99-5.49/ea
It’s like getting two for $2.49-2.99 after gift card
Burt’s Bees Spot Treatment or Purifying Cleanser – $9.99/ea
It’s like getting two for $7.50 each after gift card
Other Deals
Kashi GoLean Crunch Cereal $2.74
Use $1.50 printable
Final cost $1.24
Kashi TLC bars $2.74
Use $1.50 printable
Final cost $1.24
Air Wick iMotion air care $5.99
Use $6 from 8/9SS
Final cost FREE
School Supplies
Sharpie Accent Pocket highlighters (10 ct) $3.50
Use $1 coupon here
Final cost $2.50
{Buy 2} Bic #2 Mechanical Pencils 26 ct $3.50
Use $1/2 printable
and
Use $1/2 Target printable
Final cost $2.50 each
Scotch Magic Tape $1.50
Use the .50 coupon from the 8/9RP
Final cost $1!
Mead 5 Star Portfolio .50
Hot Pull-Ups Deal at Target
Print this coupon for $3/1 Pull-ups. According to Money Saving Mom Target will have a gift card promotion running from next week and you’ll end up only paying $4.32 per pack after this coupon. Here is a $2/1 coupon too! Thanks Money Saving Mom
Target 5/17-5/23
Find your Target Printables here
Banana Boat Sunscreen trial size .97
Use $1/1 from 5/3 SS
Final Price: FREE
Hershey’s Bliss Chocolate Bars .99
Use $1/1 Target Coupon
Final price: FREE
Coppertone Sunscreen trial size .97
Use $1/1 printable here
Final Price: FREE
Pringles Chips small cans $.69
Use $0.50/1 Target coupon
Final Price= $.19 (by the checkout)
Kraft Mayo $1.99
Use (2) $1/1 coupon bar
Use $1/2 Target coupon
Final Price: .49 each when you buy 2
Chinet Plates (7 in., 35 ct) – $2.49 each
Use $2/1 in 5/3 SS
Final Price: $0.49 each
Rice a Roni – $1.00 each
Use $1/4 in 3/8 RP
Final Price: $0.75 each when you buy 4
Huggies Wipes- 64 ct tub $1.99
Use $1/1 Bath and Body coupon from 4/19 SS
Final Price: .99
Knorr Side Dishes $1.00
Use .75/2 from 5/17 U
Final Price: $1.25 for 2
Hershey’s Bliss bags $3.44
Use $1/1 from 5/3 SS
Stack with $1/1 Target coupon
Final Price: $1.44
Vaseline Lotion 10oz $2.69
Use $1.25/1 from 5/17 U
Final Price: $1.44
Suave Advanced Therapy Lotion (18 oz) – $2.69
Use $1/1 here & in 3/29 RP
Final Price: $1.69
Target Body Wash $2.39
Use .75/1 Target coupon
Final Price: $1.64
Oscar Meyer Lunch Meat $2.99
Use (2) .75/1 from blue toolbar to the right
Stack with $1/2 Target coupon
Final Price: $3.48 for 2
Huggies Jumbo Packs $8.99
Use $1.50/1 from 4/19 SS
Final Price: $6.76 each
I am not sure if it is included in the sale, but we have a $3/1 in the coupon bar.
Pampers Jumbo Packs $8.99
Use $1/1 from 5/3 P&G
Final Price: $7.99
GIFT CARD DEALS
Get a $5 Target Gift Card
When you buy 4 Bertolli Frozen Meals – $6.00 each
Use $1/1 here and $1.50/1 here
Final Price: $3.50 each
Check here for last weeks deals. Many of them are still going. Keep in mind prices may vary by region or even store!
Target Deals
I’m liking this new gift card thing Target is doing (feels like Wags RR’s!).
So here are a few gift card deals for this week:
Select Kellogg’s Special K – $2.39 each – Buy 5 Get a $5 Target Gift Card
Buy 5 Special K Cereals – $11.95
Use $1/1 from 4/5 RP Kellogg’s Cereal (not sure that Idaho got this one)
Pay $6.95
Get a $5 gift card
Final Price – $1.95 for 5 boxes of cereal after coupon and gift card
Alli 90 count $49.99 – Buy 1 get a $10 Target Gift Card
Use $10/1 (you do need to sign up)
Final Price – $29.99 after coupon and gift card
You can find more gift card deals at Coupon Saving Game
NOW – click here to get the current Target Printables
Kraft Salad Dressing $1.59
Use $1.50/1 Kraft coupon (SS 3/29)
Use $1/2 Target printable coupon
Final Price – FREE or overage!
Ritz Cheese and Peanut Butter Crackers – $2
Use $1/1 Target printable
Use $1/2 Ritz
Final Price – $1 for 2 Pringles Chips
.50/1 – Target Printable
match with $1.00/2 in 3/15 PG (expires 4/30!)
Cottonelle Bath Tissue
$1/1 – Target Printable
match with .50/1 from coupons.com
Dry Idea Deodorant $1.99
$2/1 from coupons.com
Final Price – FREE
All Small & Mighty Laundry Detergent $4.54
$1/1 Target Printable
$0.45/1 Red Plum 03/29/09
Or $2/1 Internet Coupon (you can no longer print)
Final Price – $1.45 to $3.09
For many more matchups and scenarios, check out Attention Target Shoppers!
Thanks In Good Cents and Attention Target Shoppers!
And be sure to leave a comment if you find a great local deal! Thank you FABULESS readers!
