As I am sure you all know, the hardest part of being a coupon queen is staying organized. If you fall behind, let's face it, it's all over!
I have made the usual progression from a tiny purse-sized filing system, to a small binder, then to a large binder. I eventually started leaving my inserts in tact and clipped as needed. That made for a very efficient Sunday morning routine, but what about the internet coupons? Then the ones I clipped but didn't use for one reason or another started piling up too.
For a couple of months now I have been utilizing a combo method of filing inserts and organizing clipped and internet printed coupons in a binder. I will admit, I was not maintaining my binder, and had a huge box of coupons just waiting to be organized.
My new plan is inserts in tact in my amazing thirty-one bag, complete with a hanging file holder thanks to Angela Norton, consultant for thirty-one. The second part of my system is filing all other coupons by category. When you organize in a binder, you have to clip internet printed coupons completely so they fit in the plastic sleeves...I hate that. This way, I can chop across the page paying no attention to how pretty or precise of a job I do, and slide the coupons in the appropriate category. In-store organization will be much better too, because when I find a peelie or tear pad, I can file it right away. When I don't use a coupon, I can also place it right where it belongs.
Now you will know how to spot me in the stores...happy hunting!
Do you prepare a list and pull coupons before going to a store or do you take both basket and bag with you??
ReplyDeleteActually, I do both! I am always fully prepared with my list and coupons ready to go. I bring the bag and basket with me for freebie finds. My favorite deals are clearance items matched with a coupon to make them free. I miss out on so many deals when I don't have all of my coupons with me, and this is the easiest way I have found to bring them all. The basket sits on the rack below the cart, and the bag in the child seat.
DeleteI love it but hard to do when u bring ur two children with you lol
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, in fact one change since I originally posted this strategy is that I no longer travel with the bag of inserts. I'm down to just the file box, since the internet coupons really are better and are more likely to result in an unexpected clearance freebie!
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