How do you keep track of the deals?

satcook · #1 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 05:46:41 AM

I am not new to couponing, but I'm starting to really get into it big again. I got lazy last year with a new baby, returning to the workforce, etc.

I see things posted here that I'd like to look for at the store, like Nexcare bandages and schick razors at Wal-mart, items at Walgreens, etc.

How do you keep track of these items? I think I"ll just jot things down as I read them, but I was just wondering if anyone had a better way.

Lori

Anissa H · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 06:32:08 AM

Im pretty new to all of this.. but like you I just jot it down as i read it. I have a shopping note pad, and each page has its own store. I jot each deal down and when I fulfill that deal, I just cross it off. Beats keeping a spreadsheet or something online, because it saves me printer ink for my IP's! ;)

purplefdu · #3 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 04:27:51 PM

I use a separate post-it for each store as I go through the forums. When I buy the sunday paper I pull the ad for each store I shop and stick the post-it on top. I normally record the price, coupons I should use for the deal, etc and stick them in my on-hand organizer in the appropriate pocket (labeled for that store). I'm a post-it addict so it works for me pretty well as I'm always looking at my post-it lists.

jennrn · #4 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 05:08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satcook

I got lazy last year with a new baby, returning to the workforce, etc.

Lori

Lori,

I just have to correct you, you did not get lazy. Having a new baby is a life changing experience and returning to work is work. So pat yourself on the shoulder. I have 3 little ones and going shopping with them is difficult. Good luck to you. Just take it one step at a time. And just remember that there will always be another deal. My problem was, I was running around trying to get every deal and it really exhausted me. I'm just a little more selective now and try to combine trips to save on gas and time.

satcook · #5 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 06:44:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anissa H

Im pretty new to all of this.. but like you I just jot it down as i read it. I have a shopping note pad, and each page has its own store. I jot each deal down and when I fulfill that deal, I just cross it off. Beats keeping a spreadsheet or something online, because it saves me printer ink for my IP's! ;)

I think that I'll just have to start jotting stuff down. Thanks!

satcook · #6 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 06:45:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplefdu

I use a separate post-it for each store as I go through the forums. When I buy the sunday paper I pull the ad for each store I shop and stick the post-it on top. I normally record the price, coupons I should use for the deal, etc and stick them in my on-hand organizer in the appropriate pocket (labeled for that store). I'm a post-it addict so it works for me pretty well as I'm always looking at my post-it lists.

I do have a nice organizer for my coupons that has some folders in the front so I could definitely use those for the ads!

Thanks!

satcook · #7 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 06:48:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennrn

Lori,

I just have to correct you, you did not get lazy. Having a new baby is a life changing experience and returning to work is work. So pat yourself on the shoulder. I have 3 little ones and going shopping with them is difficult. Good luck to you. Just take it one step at a time. And just remember that there will always be another deal. My problem was, I was running around trying to get every deal and it really exhausted me. I'm just a little more selective now and try to combine trips to save on gas and time.

Actually this was baby number 4, but for some reason it realy threw me for a loop. I think it was the going back to work that did it! I work in the evening at the grocery store, so it was just so easy to just shop after work. This isn't too good for the pocketbook though.

I usually just have to take the 2 littlest shopping with me. I don't know what I'm going to do this summer when I have the 7 year old too. He usually gets the 3 year old riled up, and they run around the store, so he'll get some talks about how to behave. Our 6 year old has cerebral palsy and has a nurse from 9-5 on weekdays so I try to go to the store at that time.

Lori

onehotbev · #8 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 03:59:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anissa H

Im pretty new to all of this.. but like you I just jot it down as i read it. I have a shopping note pad, and each page has its own store. I jot each deal down and when I fulfill that deal, I just cross it off. Beats keeping a spreadsheet or something online, because it saves me printer ink for my IP's! ;)

This is such a simple, but FANTASTIC idea! I think I'll start doing it too.

Thanks for sharing!

maree_strawberry · #9 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 04:55:14 AM

Blog It all!

at the top click on Blogs,

look down left side under Options,

click on post to your Blog.

Lots of members do rt here.

HTH

Onward · #10 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 02:25:43 AM

I keep a spreadsheet in Excel. I concentrate on 3 stores: CVS, Kroger, and Publix, so I look through the circulars here on HCW ahead of time & post the specials for each store by week that I'm interested in. I start matching coupons with the specials.

Then when I go shopping, I sort by the current week & print just that week's specials for each of the 3 stores. When I get home I delete the rows for that week and start adding info for the next. Usually I've got specials going for the next two or three weeks.