How do you keep deals organized

[cmarfarr]

How do you remember every deal that you see on here, and keeps things organized? I'm still having a hard time keeping tracks of coupons and being organized, but I'm having a harder time keeping track of all the deals. I need tips and help! Thanks!

[puakinikini]

I have envelopes (the long regular ones) that I write the store name on next to my computer - then I out the Qs that I need in them and place it in my purse. Then I stop when I can and pick up the deals. I change the envies each week and refile the Qs I did not use. I use an envie until it is covered in writing. This method works good for me b/c I can write out the deals and keep the Qs in the same place.

[isis]

I keep a notepad by my computer. Usually once a week or so, I'll read through the Walmart & Target forums, write down good deals I'm interested in and the matching coupons. As I find them, I paperclip to the page and when I'm ready to go, stick the list w/coupons in my coupon file.

For the drug stores, as soon as the weekly sneak peak ads are posted, I write down what I'm interested in buying and if there's any matching coupons I should start looking for, esp if I need to make a trade.

Its best when you're just starting out to stick to 1 grocery store, read that store forum only, get an idea of what others are buying and what coupons they're using. If you're chasing down a bunch of deals at different stores, you'll confuse and overwhelm yourself, and maybe spend even more money. As you get that store down pat, maybe a month to month & 1/2 to see the sales cycles, add in another grocery or drug store, or Target/WM.

[mcscheatzle]

During school supply time I purchased a one inch binder for each of the stores I shop. Label it, add the base ball card holders. I shop one drug store and one grocery store. (mostly)

Because they generally use very different Qs, I put the Qs I need for each in each binder. Plus things I know I can pick up free or cheap at each store. When the add comes here for the store, I find the Qs in need and add them to the binder. This way I am ready for the sale and can shop early for the best selection.


As the others have said, try to stick to one store at first. I know it is so hard with all the great deals flying around here. But it will help.

Wishing you much success!!!

[cmarfarr]

Thanks for the tips. I've made a binder and put in dividers for Target, Kroger, and Walgreen, so I can write down the deals I see as I go. Just need to get baseball cards to organize the coupons for each store.
Duh, this is so simple and yet I was making it too hard, by having things everywhere, especially by trying to remember it all, when I could just write down in one place LOL !

[jolly321]

I have envelopes (the long regular ones) that I write the store name on next to my computer - then I out the Qs that I need in them and place it in my purse. Then I stop when I can and pick up the deals. I change the envies each week and refile the Qs I did not use. I use an envie until it is covered in writing. This method works good for me b/c I can write out the deals and keep the Qs in the same place.

I do this exact same method. It is the easiest way for me to keep track of the deals and the coupons for each store.

[cookin4less]

I do mine a little different. I used to pull my q's for sales and do the envelopes, then refile the q's I didn't use. But I got tired of having to refile the q's. I only get one or two papers so I cut out all my inserts and I have those to file each week and didn't like adding to my need to file pile.
So, here's what I do. I use binders with baseball card pages and photo pages for larger q's and sheet protectors for rebate info and sales cycles. I have a nonfood binder and a food binder(well actually right now I have two food binders, one refrigerated/freezer...and one pantry binder.) In the front of my nonfood binder I have a zippered pencil pouch, baseball card page(s), sheet protector page(s), and divider for each of the stores I normally shop...CVS and Wags. I did the same thing in one of my food binders...Krogers, Randalls, Target and one extra for other stores that I shop at occassionally. The baseball pages in this section is where I put store coupons, RRs, Catalinas, ECBs,etc for each of the stores. I keep them in this section instead of filing them with my other q's b/c it makes it easier for me to remember to use them while I'm there and it's easy to see when I have a store q that can be stacked with a man q. The zippered pouches are for rain checks, IVC booklet from Wags, receipts, store cards, etc. The sheet protector is where I put a page with the list of deals/coupon matchups that I want to pick up from that store. You can print them or just hand write them. I like doing one page for monthly deals and a page for each week of sales that I have previews for already. My binders also have an accordian style file in the front that I put my sales ads in. I take my binders with me when I shop and I pull the q's as I put the item in the buggy and put them in either a zippered section on the front of my binder or in the pencil pouch for that store so when I get to the checkout I have all my qs and I don't have to worry about having a q in there for an item that I wasn't able to get. And I don't have to refile q's anymore. I like this alot better than pulling and refiling qs.

My binders are zippered binders but they don't have carrying straps on them so I have reusable grocery bag that I use to carry my binders in.

And like pps said start with one store at the time and get used to that store, then add in another one.

HTH

[wookin]

I have a small coupon organizer. I wrote the store names on the tabs and each week as I see deals, I file the coupons behind the store name. I don't have the patience for a big coupon binder. I used to use envelopes and that works great for me too but the coupon organizer is more compact and fits in my purse.

[neelia]

I just have a spiral notebook by my computer. I save a page for each store each week (sometimes I need more space, though). I write down all the deals. Once I've got all the deals listed, I create transactions. I do all the math before I get to the store, etc. Sometimes I come up with what to replace things with if they're out of something I'm planning on getting.

Then I just bring the notebook with me to the store. Most of the time I just use a paperclip and paperclip the coupons for that store to it's page. Simple!

Now - go grab lots of notebooks while there are back to school sales going on! I got 3 today for under $1!

[bugweena]

I have a small coupon organizer. I wrote the store names on the tabs and each week as I see deals, I file the coupons behind the store name. I don't have the patience for a big coupon binder. I used to use envelopes and that works great for me too but the coupon organizer is more compact and fits in my purse.

I, too, use a coupon organizer and when I see deals just write them on an index card for that particular store and file the coupons in the organizer and then head to the store(s)!