THE GROCERY CHALLENGE

[suziq38]

Coupon Organization, frugalsuz-style
So by popular request, here is how I organize my coupons. There are tons of methods out there, this is just what works for me. I think everyone has to experiment a little to find the best way for them.

Step One - separate all the individual pages of the coupon inserts and put them in separate piles. If two pages are connected, unless there's a coupon going over the middle of the page, I'll rip them apart into two separate pages. Any page without a coupon gets thrown away.
Step Two - reassemble the insert into one mega-insert. So all the cover pages go together (unless there are no coupons on the cover page, in that case I just save one copy and throw out the rest), all page 2's go together, all page 3's go together and so on. Make sure the pages are all facing the same way. Then label the front of the mega-insert with the date. Voila, easy as pie!
The beauty of organizing this way is that when I want to cut multiple copies of the same coupon, all I have to do is browse through my mega-insert until I find the coupons I want (aha, there you are Bounty!) and then cut as many copies as I need, all at once. No more paging through each copy of the insert to cut out 4 copies of one coupon. Some folks staple all of the same pages together. I did this for a while, but found it made the inserts too bulky for my likin'.
As I'm creating my mega-inserts, I sometimes see a coupon I know I'll use right away, so I'll clip that one right then and there. But usually, I just assemble and then file the inserts away in my desk drawer. I have a file for each month and they all get stored by date. The first section is where I store my All You magazines and odds and ends coupon booklets and the other sections are the newspaper inserts. When I'm looking for a particular coupon, I'll check the Coupon Database on Hot Coupon World. It will tell me which week's insert it was in and then I just pull out that one from my files.
The downside to this system is that my coupons are at home, not with me in the stores. So sometimes if I see a great deal, I have to make a note of it, clip my coupons when I get home and go back later. But more often that not, I have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to buy before I step into the store and I have my coupons clipped and ready to go.
I do carry some coupons with me and I store them in this smaller organizer that I keep in my purse. Its starting to fall apart on me, but it gets the job done. Most of the coupons in here are ones I clipped knowing I'd use sooner or later or ones that I clipped in anticipation of a sale and didn't use. I also store my CVS CRT coupons here (front pocket). The categories are: Frozen Food, Refrig. Food, Baking, Snacks, Pantry, Makeup/Facial Care, Hair Care, Lotion/Shaving/Deodorant, Soap, Drugs/Medicine, Paper Products, Kitchen Stuff (ie. Rubbermaid containers, foil), Household, Candles/Air Fresheners, Cleaners and Pet Stuff.
I go through my organizer and my file drawers every so often and purge the expired coupons.
I use envelopes to organize myself for my shopping trips. These are a bit messy, but that's how they typically look so I figured I'd "keep it real" as Pioneer Woman would say. I use envelopes that I get in the mail from bills and write on the back. I'll usually write down what I'm planning on buying and tuck the appropriate coupons/EB's/RR's/store cards inside. This really helps me keep track of what I'm buying at all the different stores I shop at. I'll sometimes use a different envelope for each scenario/transaction if things are getting complicated.
So that's it. As I said, this is just what works for me, but I hope it was helpful!
Posted by frugalsuz

[dancinmama]

Dec 23, 2010 20:23:12 GMT -5 jeep108 said:

I use to lurk at the other board. Glad you guys are keeping this board, it has helped me out a lot in the past two years.

jeep: WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge from me - dancinmama!! Why only the lurk? We LOVE helping anyone, but please don't be shy - post and let us know what you're up to!!

[dancinmama]

Dec 23, 2010 19:52:12 GMT -5 @suzwantstobefree said:

If someone gives me instructions, I'd be happy to do whatever is necessary to make it available.

Here you go! Now you can send new members to page 3 and see the link for the handbook!!!!

Thanks suz. That's AWESOME!!

[suzwantstobefree]

[/quote]

Thanks suz. That's AWESOME!![/quote]

It has been in my in box for almost a year. Every once in awhile I go back and look at it!!! I am not as "hard core" as some of you, but I do like the thrill of the hunt, albeit on a smaller scale.

[dancinmama]

Time to take off and go to DSis's for Christmas.

I just want to say to all Grocery Challengers, old and new - wishing you all a MOST EXCELLENT and VERY MERRY Christmas from me - dancinmama!!

[joynerk]

Dec 23, 2010 5:33:32 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

I posted this on the other board, but thought I should mention it here too.

SWIFFER REFILLS AT CVS: Starting 12/26, CVS will have the Swiffer refills for $3.99 and there will be a $.50/1 MC in Sunday's P&G Brand Saver. This is the lowest price I've seen on these in months.

SWIFFER REFILL $.50/1 HOUND ALERT: Okay, I'll be the first one to post a hound alert. I want to stockpile the Swiffer Refill pads and am not sure how many inserts will be left when I go for my coupon roundup. It may be a ton because of the holiday or they may sell out because of the holiday. Anyway, if anyone will not be using their Qs, I may need some extras. I'll post a repeat hound alert on Sunday night/Monday morning.

Is this for the wetjet cleaner refills or mopping pads or dry wipes?

[pubbler]

Hi everyone! I'm here too.
Re swiffer: It will be $3.99 at RA too. Here's what I'll do:
6 x Swiffer refills $23.94
1 x Newspaper 1.20 (Reg price $1.50 - 20% discount)
Less 5/25 (5.00)
Less 6 swiffer Qs (3.00)
OOP $17.14. This will make the swiffer $2.66 each, compared to $3.49 at CVS.
Hope everyone has a very Merry Xmas

[murphath]

I think my question re SWIFFER got lost in the shuffle.

Is this the one that you use the liquid? Do you like it better than a regular sponge mop or washing floor by hand?

[suzwantstobefree]

I don't care for the Swiffer - the chemical smells funny to me and I have read it could be dangerous for pets. JMHO

[hopetoberich]

A small hound. 2 Reach Toothbrush's, $4.69 each & 2 cadbury's bar chocolate @ $1.99,BOGO Chocolate,BOGO mq Reach, + $1/2 reach,& 2ecb's.oop $3.68 got back $6ecb's. I had that BOGO reach mq forever in my bag, I waited for the right time to hand it over and it paid off nicely at the end of the year. I am running out of brush's i went through my boxes and was suprised to only have 1 left. I have been handing out care packages to 2 family members, its suprising how fast the pile goes down when you have people to give it to

[suziq38]

I went to Kohl's today for two last minute gifts for our son. One was a reversible belt.
Brown on one side, black on the other. The regular price was about $26.00, on sale for $18.20, used a $10.00 off of $20.00 coupon, so paid $9.00, tax included.

Another order for DS: Chaps Suede slippers $52.00 regular price, on sale for $21.99, paid with $10.00 off of $20.00 coupon, DH paid $11.99 plus tax.

I have been going to CVS to buy last minute things for the Christmas Eve dinner.
I have been paying with my EB's.

Merry Christmas to all!

[hitenney]

Here kitty - I knew just what you meant! PB is nice, though...

Merry Christmas to all! This year's holiday season I will be happy to say good-bye to.... flying to SD tomorrow, and back to HI on New Year's Day. At least I'll be near a CVS on the 26th!

[misspt]

Merry Christmas!

[bella]

Bella here!!!

[ohiositter]

MERRY CRISTMAS everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[frugalsuz]

Howdy ho everybody! I'm still getting used to this new format too. Its so bizarre to see the GC thread at only four pages. I'm sure that won't last very long.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

[suzwantstobefree]

Merry Christmas You all!!!

Attachments:

[tam2243]

Merry Christmas everyone!!

I am sitting here waiting for my family to wake up. UGH! I have always been the first one out of bed.

[suziq38]

Good Morning, Hounds!
Merry Christmas!
Enjoy your day with your loved ones.

[kathyattraverse]

I'm here too. I'll have to add it to my favorites!!!

[herekittykitty]

Pudgybunny: I just meant that we could shorten it to "pudgy"...nobody wants to be known as pudgy, even if the shoe fits for some of us!! :-)

[pudgybunny]

Here kitty, thanks for explaining I had wondered if that is what you had meant after I woke up more! I just never made it back to the board feel free to call me pudgy doesn't bother me! It is my weight loss name to remind me to keep going. Lost about 30lbs in about 4 months. Now to save money on household staples!!!!

[pudgybunny]

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!! Hope it was relaxing and enjoyable for everyone!

Hmm a normal smile : ) turns into without the spaces, weird.

[brokeinoregon]

Hi everyone! Newbie here hoping to cut down my grocery bills this year. 4 pages is much easer than on msn, I tried to read them before(old and new post) and would just get lost.

Quick question, what is HCW?

[suzwantstobefree]

Broke in Oregon:

A major resource that many of the Grocery Challengers use is an Internet website called Hot Coupon World: (www.hotcouponworld.com). This address will take you to the Hot Coupon World (HCW) home page.

If you look towards the end of page 3, there is a link to the Grocery Challengers Handbook. It will help you with the abbreviations. It is easier when you know the abbreviations as everyone uses them!

[constanz22]

Was at Target by 8:45 am. They had a TON of Christmas stuff left, but there was also a TON of people there going thru it. People's carts were overflowing...I got a few good deals, but, some things I thought would be 50% off, weren't, (like Bounty holiday print napkins, Welch's sparkling juice). I wanted to get doggie outfits and they didn't have any left . Didn't buy ANY wrapping stuff cuz I don't need much and will wait til 75-90% off at CVS. Hit one CVS cuz I had some EB's expiring. They didn't have much Christmas left, nothing exciting. Hope the other stores have more.

[hopetoberich]

Does anyone have a good idea for the olay bogo mq coupon? Its buy the BW get a free lotion. I still think i would have to spend 5 buckaroo's in either CVS or Wags. $5 is to rich for my pocket i think. There seems to be sooo many deals temping me this weekend, i could end up spending $$ oop! I know its been Christmas but i don't see anyone's deals much anywhere... i need help.
Tide looks a good price, Charmin, and more.....

[shelly527in]

I can't get out today to shop or do anything because of snow. No papers even. I may have to try to order some Qs.

[suzwantstobefree]

Well, I am just getting back into the swing of things. Went to Target today. Didn't get but a couple of things - I got one roll of wrap and it is the type that can be used for BDay's too - not really a Christmas pattern. B'day paper seems to be more expensive so I was glad for this. When I was cleaning up today I found a box of unopened cards so I didn't buy any of them.

Went to CVS - started with the Tone and the $1.00 off coupon. Got $3 EB buck and used that towards the Tide deal along with a $1.00 off coupon. Then used the $1.00 EB back and a 75 coupon and got the Colgate. All together I spent $7.01 and have a $2.00 EB for my next trip. Not the best hounding ever, but it is a start.

[gailbon]

shelly 527in....I hear ya! I am from the coastal region of NJ, and we are getting hammered with snow! No after Christmas sales for me today, either, but we did get our newspaper this morning