Reader Spotlight: Getting Organized, Part I
January 19, 2012
Yesterday I put out an “Ask the Readers” asking you guys about how you get organized. I just loved reading your responses and thought it would be really nice to post some of these as a special Reader Spotlight. Make sure to leave a comment if you have a tip to share!
Patty:
When the SS and RP inserts come in Sunday’s paper, I write the date in black sharpie pen on the outside page and then stack them in a plastic tub. That way, it’s easy to find the particular week’s coupons when it’s listed under a sale items.
Melissa:
When you sit down to read the MONDAY Publix preview, sit down with a pen and notepad and write down your favorite deals, and print the printable Q’s you need right then and there. That way, when its time to shop on wed/thurs you are already have your list together.
Repeat for any other stores you shop at when that preview comes out on your favorite site. It saves a LOT of time instead of reading the previews, then going back later to write the list when you “think” you have more time.Also, If you “only have a minute” to read the preview, then DONT read it, wait until you have the time to sit down with it and do what you need to do.
Yanin:
I have a binder for each store and as the deals come through, I have a spreadsheet for each store and their deals, as well as I add the coupon source so when I get ready for my trip, I know where to go to find them. I find it is easier to keep track of the store coupons, current deals, and policies. It is very important to get to know one store at a time. You definitely have to master it and having a binder for each helps me stay somewhat organized.
Joy:
I keep a notebook near my computer so that I can write down deals as I see them. I have a page for Publix, CVS, Walgreens and Winn-Dixie. This is especially for new deals that pop up during the week and aren’t on the Weekly Deals list.
Cara:
Do a little every day if you can with clipping, sorting and pulling expired coupons. I hate it when I let stuff pile up and have to spend an hour or more on it.
Let your husband, partner, children or anyone else that reaps the rewards of your couponing help you! My husband will clip, I will organize and my 3yo discards the excess paper.
Grace:
My husband just discovered the grocery list on http://www.publix.com. You can put in your local Publix store number and the list will even tell you on which aisle you will find the ingredient you wish to buy. There is a place for taking notes and to indicate that you have a coupon for each item. It tells you the price and / or special for that week, and you can save it for later, e-mail it to view it on any carry-size device where you can get internet (i-pad, kindle, cell phone, etc.) or print it out for a quick trip.
Christy:
I write my list on the back of an envelope and put all my coupons in the envelope. I keep a spare pouch in my purse and if there are any coupons I don’t end up using they go in the pouch to get re-filed at home.
Denise:
I make my list in order of the store’s layout. My shopping plan, since I usually shop with my 1&2 yr olds in the car cart, is to hit the free balloon first and get the kid’s cookie before checkout to buy that extra time. We also shop during the day when the old folks think it’s cute that my boys race to get to the next blinkie
Aren’t these some great tips? Thank you guys so much for sharing!! If you have any other organizational tips be sure to leave them in the comments!
I view the ad and super deals, cut and paste the products I think I will need and/or want (including the coupons listed that go with the products) into a Word document. I then take a yellow highlighter and mark what coupons I have, and use a pen to mark how many to buy. That way, I walk through the store, go to the products I need and know exactly how many I need to buy and how many coupons I have to go with them, and will write the approximate price. It usually takes me about 30 minutes twice a week to look for and get my coupons together for the trip. I use an envelope at the store for my coupons so I’m not lugging around my binder. I use a pocket in my purse for the coupons that don’t get used so they are not lost or accidentally thrown away.
On Sundays when there are no inserts, I use the time I would have spent perusing and clipping for clean out instead. I go through old inserts, manu. Books, AllYou, etc to clear out expired coupons and make room for more the next week.
Denise: “We also shop during the day when the old folks think it’s cute that my boys race to get to the next blinkie”
That made me laugh! I shop with the old folks too
I do the very same thing Christy does: put my coupons in envelopes for each shopping trip and write the list on the front of the envelope, along with the totals I expect to pay after coupons. I use a separate one for each store and it beats lugging by huge binder around.
I used to keep a spiral notebook and map out each store’s deals in there throughout the week, tear out that sheet, and put it in an envelope with that store’s Q’s. I found reusable plastic envelopes (similar to a plastic accordion, just without the extra pockets) at Publix so now they don’t get torn up anymore!
Recently, I found groceryiq.com where I can organize lists by store and each item has a notes section where I note everything from mapping out the final price to where to find the coupon if I don’t have them handy at the moment. There is an Android app and an Apple app (free!) so I always have access to it between my phone, iPad, and computer. No more spiral notebook for me!!
I have a four drawer file cabinet where the bottom two drawers and part of a third are all coupons. I organize my inserts by date of the sunday paper they came from in file folders writing the date on the little tab. I also have a three ring binder I drag to the store, organizing current shopping trip in the front. I cut any and all coupons I thing my household or friends may use so they are all ready to go and don’t have to cut a whole bunch at once. Happy couponing I love it especially when leaving the store getting paid to shop.
LWhen I first started couponing, I took a trip to the publix that I shop at the most. I quickly jotted down each isle # and the items that were listed it on each isle. (that hang from the ceiling. I know I probably looked a little crazy, oh well! Its worked out great) anyway, So when I got home, I organized my coupon binder according to the layout of “my publix”;) when I clip my coupons, I put them in according to which isle they are located on. Then, when I plan my shopping trip, I do the envelope thing too;). That way, I have all my coupons ready to go, I know what I need, and I can get in and out of the store more quickly. I always bring my binder in, just in case i forgot something. I keep it in a cute reusable shopping bag. Most usually my 1 1/2year old is with me. So, i try to make it quick, before she gets fussy. we stop by the bakery for a cookie, to keep her happy while we zip thru the store in our “racecar” (gotta love those buggies! ) We have a lot of fun. At checkout, she gets a balloon, and that keeps her occupied until the last coupon is scanned and we r out the door. I really love the piblix I go to. I have few cashiers that are my favorite, and are very helpful and fast at check out. A lot of times, I have 5 off 25$ coupons so before I ever start putting my groceries on, they say, “are we stopping at 25 today?;)” I then have each stack of coupons ready for each transactions,debit card in hand,so that it will move along smoothly.