Here are pictures of my coupon box (or my "Football" as my husband calls it. He says I go no where with out it, just like the President doesn't go anywhere with out his "
Nuclear Football") and the tabs I use to keep them organized. As you can see I made my own tabs out of some card stock I had on hand (to save money) But my sister in law went and got the index cards with the tabs and this works better because they aren't as flimsy. I will be getting some of those soon, but even though these are bent, they still work fine. I will also list the categories for you below the pictures. I picked up this CD holder at CVS on a clearance for .59.
Categories for Coupons:Store Tabs: These would be the stores in which you shop. I also put the store savings cards here.
Rebate: Any rebates information that you need to send in...don't forget about them!
-Baby
-Bags-containers, foil, plastic wrap, trash bags
-Baking, oils, mixes, sugars
-Batteries, Film, camera accessories
-Beverages
-Bread
-Cereal (hot/cold), Bars: Protein, cereal and granola
-Candy, Gum
-Canned Items: Meat, soup, veggie, fruit, stocks
-Cleaner:
------Sub categories: ------------All-Purpose, Bathroom, Disinfectant, Floor, Furniture polish, Glass,
Kitchen Cleaner/Dish detergent, Laundry, Room Deodorizers,
Pest Control, Septic, Light bulbs, Misc.
-Condiments
-Dairy
-Frozen: Beverage, Bread, Ice Cream, Meat, Snacks, Veggies/fruit/Potatoes
-Hygiene:
------Sub categories: ----------Allergy/Heartburn, Body wash, soap, Deodorant, Eyes
----------Facial:
---------------Subcategories:--------------------Makeup, Acne, Moisturizers/Cleaners, Misc.
----------Feminine
----------Fiber/Gas
----------First Aid
----------Hair
----------Lotion/Hand Sanitizers
----------Pain Relievers
----------Shaving
----------Vitamins
----------Misc.
-Meat
-Office Supplies
-Paper Products: Facial Tissue, Cups/plates. Toilet Tissue, Paper Towels, Napkins
-Pasta, Rice
-Peanut Butter and Jelly
-Pet Food
-Produce Aisle
-Snacks
-Oral Health
-Misc Coupons
Here are some hints to help you stay organized, while saving:1. Buy multiple papers each week (you may need to do this for several weeks to accumulate enough coupons to see a significant drop in your grocery bill)
2. Only shop for the items that are discounted and that you have a coupon for and then be creative with your meals.
3. CVS and Walgreens are wonderful places to get free or highly discounted items by using their cards, extra care bucks, rebates and register rewards. If it sounds like I am speaking another language, go to
moneysavingmom.com and read her instructions for saving BIG at these stores. She also has podcasts to listen to that are very helpful.
4. Under the "Category" button at
MSM, you will find the stores that are in your area and see the sales and sometimes, even how to use the coupons.
5. Sign up to receive
moneysavingmom.com daily emails. This will make sure you stay current on her post. She and others do the work for you and post the BEST deals to get the biggest bang for your buck. 6. While online coupons are great, DON'T print them until you need them and then print them on the ink saving setting.
7. Once you do this for a while..it is second nature.
8. If you are a stay-at-home-mom, view this as your job. It does take time, energy, organization. Just think of how you are saving your husbands hard earned money. If you work outside the home just think of how far you will make the money that you have worked so hard to make stretch.
9. If you have an
Aldi in your area, utilize it for canned goods and wonderful prices on produce and other cheaper items that aren't available with coupons.
10. Please don't get discouraged...always ask questions if you get confused or don't know what to do. Sign up to receive my blog updates and I will post my deals that can help you. You can also post questions on the blog and I will do my best to answer them for you.
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