Organizing Your "Carry To Store" Coupons

[gsxrfaaast]

Originally Posted by hburmeister the above picis of a January 25, 09 SS(smart source) insert. you see a lined page inserted that has a detailed listing of what is in that particular insert, front to back. each coupon has its own line with short description, coupon value and the xpire date to the far right. this is especially helpful when i am searching for a Q and i can just flip a page and read line by line until i find the Q in question. I wish it were cheap enuf for me to take the coupon database wtih me on my phone as i do have the verizon LG Envy Touch, but for some reason it won't display the coupon i'm searching for in the database, just the page. so the way i have come up with that works best for me is in the above photo. I don't like to have to cut Q's that i may not be using.....LMK if these have helped you

Have you considered copy/pasting the database information into an Excel spreadsheet as opposed to hand writing the entire thing. You can then print a copy to put in your book as old habits die hard and loading the digital version onto your phone. (I'm not familiar with the Envy, but my Tilt works in this fashion.)

The Excel version is searchable by word, date or any other information included. Using the spreadsheet also removes you from having to use your data package, if yours is limited.

I did a spreadsheet of items to purchase for the Kroger super doubles and it helped tremendously to keep me on track. I used it to list the products I knew I wanted, the quantity of coupons I had for each item and any other key information I knew I might need that day.

[hburmeister]

i wish i understood more of what you were talking about...idon't have excel anyway, but i do occasionally use googles version...but how would i get it into my phone? LOL, thats got to be the silliest question you heard lately! LOL but on a more serious note, how would you? ;)

[gsxrfaaast]

Originally Posted by isis Ohh..I like the idea about using the post it tabs for dividers. The downfall with the photo pages is they are longer than the divider page, so the divider doesn't 'stick out' like it should. I deal b/c I know my binder and where everything's at, so I can quickly flip through when I'm at the store for an unexpected sale item. Guess I'll be on the hunt for those now!!

I couldn't get the Post It tabs to stay on because I play too rough. To solve this problem I've used the 1"x2.5" address labels (in neon pink) folded in half over the edge of my pages with most of it working as a tab. I can still get them off the pages if I change how I want to label it, but they're stuck well enough to be able to turn the pages with the tab and not get pulled free.

Oh, and I use a Case It 2 in 1 binder, too. Mine has a 3" ring on the left side and the 1.5" ring on the right. It has all of the same accessories that the smaller ones have, but those got in my way. (I'm just not delicate or particularly graceful.) The outside of the binder can be pulled to expand up to a full 5" if you need it.

[momabrown3]

Where to purchase photo pages that hold 4 pictures?I found a few at the flea market.I like them becauce they hold the bigger coupons that my baseball card holders want hold.

[gsxrfaaast]

Originally Posted by hburmeister i wish i understood more of what you were talking about...idon't have excel anyway, but i do occasionally use googles version...but how would i get it into my phone? LOL, thats got to be the silliest question you heard lately! LOL but on a more serious note, how would you? ;)

I've just researched a little about your phone, and though it looks like my phone, it is more of an entertainment phone vs. the mini pc mine tries to be. It does not appear that you have any sort of computing capable ap on your phone.

You do, however, have the ability to copy things to your memory card (many laptops have a slot you can directly insert a memory card into to transfer data just like you used to do on floppy disks). For your phone, this function was designed to allow the quick transfer of music from your computer to your phone.

Sorry, looks like my solution was no solution at all. :sad:

[hburmeister]

Originally Posted by gsxrfaaast I've just researched a little about your phone, and though it looks like my phone, it is more of an entertainment phone vs. the mini pc mine tries to be. It does not appear that you have any sort of computing capable ap on your phone. You do, however, have the ability to copy things to your memory card (many laptops have a slot you can directly insert a memory card into to transfer data just like you used to do on floppy disks). For your phone, this function was designed to allow the quick transfer of music from your computer to your phone. Sorry, looks like my solution was no solution at all. :sad:

oh hay, no biggie! i turned the data pkg on my phone for $10 a month for x amount of "bytes" or whatever. in one day, i went thru that like nothing! its just that HCW's pages are so full of "bytes" (LOL) that it would cost more than $25 a month for me to use the q-pon database to search for them while i am out shopping, which was suppose to save me the time it takes to write down each inserts q's. so...now to your idea, which isn't too far fetched! i have the little disk dealie that inserts into the phone and computer. i just didn't think about it holding data like you mention! i am sure i can give it a try since i know how to do that...I just hope its big enuf! ;) thank you for your help :) any idea or suggestion is helpful if you didn't know about it beforehand, whether it actually helps or not is not the point! it gives me somethinmg else to try and work with, which is better than not having any other route at all thank you! reps to you!

[BJewels79]

Does anyone here divide alphabetically? I've always found that easier. I currently have the regular ole organizer from Walmart....it contains all my non-food coupons.....it's bursting at the seams though :( Then I have a letter size large divider that I use for all my food coupons. Of course all alphabetical. I just got yet another small organizer to put my coupons in for my shopping days. I'd love to take ALL my coupons with me, but I just don't see a way. Right now I do my research online and through the ads and pull those coupons only and stick them in my empty (new) organizer by store for use on certain days.

[hburmeister]

the whole point in me taking my binder and plastic box is so that i (hopefully) always have on hand what i need for those specials you happen upon right after they mark them or those things that they put on on clearance. thats the reason behind me writing out on lined paper what each insert has. i am just going to start printing my keep list, as i can tell it to print alphabetically. I know, it isn't the same as having it for each insert, but i'm hoping that it will save me more time than i know what to do with :)

[meems]

It would be physically impossible for me to have all my coupons with me...

I have the two containers the kmart one & another plastic larger one, in my car at all times, the balance are stored at home by date. To avoid missing out on something, I try to collate about 15 sets each week & cut anything that"if it was a deal, would I buy it" those are all with me.

Alphabetizing just doesn't work for my brain..I need categories, so binder is out, it feels like way too much front end work too.

[couponskitty]

ok, I use a BINDER but someone showed me... I actually followed this Lady at Kmart...at the begining of my couponing days... She had them separated by AISLE at Meijer, because she shopped there a lot! I found it very helpfull! but I have to be honest... I have a hard time clipping my coupons, so they end up being unclipped, I do put the date and what they are in the front... till I realized that they have the date in small letters in the spine of the cover.

I look online for the coupons that I am gonna use. in the database. Find them,clipped them and take them to the store....

I have a little box that has envelops for the stores around me and their respective coupons and catalinas. So I put there the coupons that I am gonna use that day.

SOmetimes I bring my bag with All my coupons, but I find myself just bringing my little box....

I trully need colored envelops for each store... so I can go to them fast.