Learning about Couponing...A LOT to grasp

[msgirlkelly]

I have been focusing the last two days on grasping couponing so that I can be effective in my grocery shopping trip this weekend. Money is really tight right now as it is for everyone and we need to save every penny we can. We've been having to wait for paychecks with a little extra left to buy groceries. If I could learn to coupon effectively I could build up our pantry so that the cupboards don't go bare so fast. There is a discount grocery store near by that I frequent, but they don't always have the same products. You just have to watch for new shipments. Anyway, one of the big questions I have is how do you keep track of expiration dates when you have those huge binders and endless amounts of coupons. I'm trying to figure out which method of organizing coupons will work best for me. I'm a person who has to make sense of something, like draw me a picture kind of thing, before i can make it work. Any inside tips that you have are welcome.

Glad I found this site. I'm excited about the idea of couponing and hope to be successful. Although I must say, Walgreens and all of the different coupons, register rewards, coupon books has me so confused!

[sadlady12]

Hi,
Welcome to HCW!

As far as keeping track of the expiration dates, I can share my method. I use an expandable folder box for my coupons. I have the main categories of food and non-food. Within those categories I have it broken down further into envelopes standing upright and labeled on the ends. I keep my coupons in the envelopes and when I need a coupon for cheese, I look in my "milk, eggs, and cheese" envie. When I get my papers every week and clip and file them, I also make a point of looking through the envie and pulling anything that is expired. Then towards the end of the month, I go through all the envies and pull expired qs. I find that for me, this works best because I am consistently looking at my coupons so it's easier for me to keep track of what I have. I won't know details about the coupon, but I'll know enough to know I have it and where it is.

Many people here do not clip their coupons until they are ready to use them for a particular deal. They file them rather according to insert date and clip the ones they plan to use for a deal. I can definately see how that can be a better method for lots of people.

Organization is such a personal thing. What works for some won't work for others and what works in the beginning may not work so well after a while. I tried the binder first, now I've moved to my file-box, and now I'm considering filing by insert, lol. Try not to get too set on any one way immediately. Try a few things and see what ends up working out the best for you.

My advice on Walgreens.... go slowly! When I first started Walgreens, I jumped in head first and it cost me a lot more money than it should have. I would say, go for one deal at a time until you get the hang of it. There's a lot of information to take in! Jump in on the Walgreens boards and ask questions if you're unsure of how a deal works or where to find a certain coupon. There are some amazing minds over there!

Good Luck! You will be finding room for another pantry in no time! ;)

[msgirlkelly]

Thank you so much. I am thankful to any of you seasoned ladies for your advice!

[jolly321]

Hi, Welcome to Hot Coupon World. We're so very happy that you found us & decided to join our online family. We value our members, as you are what makes this couponing community a success.

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[deares]

When I kept my coupons filed by category, I filed them in order by expiration date, with the closest ones at the front, so I just had to flip through to the first one I came to for that item. I now use the method of fililng them by insert date (in a zip-up binder in sheet protectors) because I kept getting behind in cutting them out. I know a lot of people who keep theirs in a zip-up binder in baseball card holders. The advantage of this over the other two is that you can much more quickly see what you have if you find something you weren't expecting in the store.

[deares]

Just wanted to add that the zip-up binder is helpful, so that the coupons won't fall out if you drop them!

[pwetypweas]

+1 to sadlady - - everything with couponing is so personal! When I first started out, I used a checkfile box w/ categories and I just threw my Qs into the box -- A) I started getting way too many Qs and the box kept overflowing, B) Qs would fall out SOOOO easily (get bumped in the store and SPEW everywhere and C) it just started to drive me nuts having to pull out a whole category to find 1 Q and possibly missing it cause it stuck to another Q -- so for me, the binder method is best! I use baseball card pages and photo pages (for the larger Qs) - I actually have 2 binders - one for food, one for non-food. Each has dividers inside to break down the categories. My binders also have an acordian file on the inside cover (they are zip ups) that lets me stick a few new inserts if I'm going to the store and haven't had a chance to cut them yet.

I get so many inserts that I've learned I can't cut them all -- so what I do is I clip 10 sets of each insert and file the others in a plastic bin with a post-it saying what insert they are (10-25-09 RP for example). That way I always have a copy of all my Qs (or 10 LOL) but if I need more for a sale or a trade I can find them easily.

That sounds like a lot of work doesn't it? Well it kinda is - but it's what works best for me :)

[ash1800]

HI THERE!

welcome to HCW the world of great savings and nice people initially it seems like a different language but soon you will get a hold of everything.

Be sure to check the grocery store forum to check your local store sales and drug stores like cvs,walgreens etc to maximize your savings.

and if you like come join us in trading section so you can get the coupons you need for sales if you need more info you can pm any mod or ill be also willing to help.

[manders13]