I used to use recycled envelopes from the mail marked by the row for the grocery I mostly shop at. Was cheap and easy to replace when one would wear out.
now I'm using a plastic accordian thing that I've marked with catagories. I only keepp the coupons that I might use so I pretty much remember that I have a coupon for something when I see it come up on sale. I take my coupons to my church as I run a coupon exchange there so if I need an extra coupon or two I can pop in and see if there are any of them there.
I couple of weeks ago I called the church secretary to let her know that Romano Macroni dinners were clearanced for $.99 and I knew there were coupons in the box. She pulled 14 coupons that we split between herself, her daughter and me.
Lori Mae,Patti, Roberta, and Blondie I have a large plastic box with a hinged lid and a handle, that has 4 divided areas in it. It was made specifically to sit inside the child seat in a grocery cart.
I have dividers made of very thin cardstock with categories on them (dairy, canned [includes both meats, veggies and fruit], meats, paper goods, etc.). I put the coupons behind the categories.
I make my main list on the back of a used envie as Roberta does, and as I do that, I put the coupons in that envie. I also mark the envie (Bumble Bee tuna - 2 - 2c; Tyson chicken - B1G1 - 1c) that 2c tells me I have 2 coupons in that envie.
Also, if I have a rebate form I write on that envie to save that receipt. Just like I would if I have my diuretic. I save them for itemized tax purposes.
But I take the whole coupon box with me, too. Just in case there are any unadvertised deals - like that Macaroni deal that Roberta found. I have my name, and phone number taped to the inside top of the box, just in case I leave it at that store - which I have done. I also put a small note that a reward is offered for returning it. The money has gone twice ($5 a pop) to the customer service person who called me. I have asked for their name when they call, and made sure they got the money. I now have a bright orange 3x5 card taped to the outside top so it will catch my eye easier to remind me to put it in the cart. The box is a dull gray and it just doesn't jump out there at you, if you know what I mean.
I clip after church on Sundays, mostly watching the football games. I file as I clip.
I also divide up the coupons for the Coupon Swap Club into food, non-food, pet food, and baby groups for easier disbursement as I clip. I take that one step further by division into the ones that expire the end of the current month and others in that are longer-dated.
Well ladies, I better go for now.
There will be 2 coupon inserts in this weeks papers.
Happy clipping!! Norma
It is like getting loaded up for a real trip when I go shopping. I have my cloth bags (8 in one bag, with the envie and pen attached to the grocery flier in there, my purse and the coupon box.
Patti - hope you find the Frank's Hot Sauce or Frank's Red Hot Sauce. It sure is a lot of seasoning/taste for a little bit of money and only a small amount needed to flavor the food.
Blondie, I got your envie yesterday. Thanks for sharing.
Charlotte, your envie came in today. In the rain, mist and nastiness. Thanks for sharing.
I have found out that there will be 3 inserts, in tomorrow's papers. An additional Smart Source with General Mills products.
I was very happy this morning when I went shopping. I spent $40 and saved $60.
Instead of getting my "free" turkey from the store, I opted for a ham instead. The store was substituting Cook's Shank half instead if you wanted it. Now you know I can't make it too easy, I opted for a butt half which was $.10 more a lb. than the free substitute. I also had a $1.00 coupon. So, I got one that was just about 11 lbs., and with the coupon, paid $.09 for the ham.
To make my trip even better, they had Perdue Ready-Roasters on sale for $4.99 each. They are 6 lbs. each. I had 2 $1.00 coupons, so I got two, making each one $3.99 each. So, for just pennies over $8, I got 23 lbs. of meat. Yay, I was so happy. I can't get a Sam's Club rotissiarie chicken for that, and these are larger too. I know about energy to cook it, but I really think it was worth it.
There were a lot of other good deals too, but that was really the best.
Listen, got to go.
Happy clipping, and remember there will be 3 inserts in those papers tomorrow.
Norma - great savings you got today. Thanks for letting us know how many inserts will be in Sunday's paper. I saw a male friend at the music tonight, asked him for coupons, and he said he may join us at our Coupon Club tomorrow afternoon. We do it Thurs afternoon at the library and Sunday afternoon at the Karate Studio.
Beautiful day in the Upstate of SC, clear, sunny, 74 degrees. I heard Atlantic City and the Northeast got some really bad weather that brought damage to the pier in Atlantic City. I know you are not in Atlantic City, Norma, but close.
Roberta, you are right, and how many 6 lb. raw chickens are out there under any name anyway. They probably grade them out and save them for this kind of more expensive product. The first one is good. I stuck it right in the oven for dinner last night.
Blondie, That would be great to add another person to your club. Also, I live 3 blocks from one of the 3 roads into Atlantic City. On Thursdays my gf who works in AC and I go to dinner. I went to pick her up and could not get in. The road was closed, as was one of the other main road in. Since there are only 3 ways in from the mainland (AC is actually an island), and there was only one still open, and she said it was way too clogged, we decided to skip dinner this week. Even Friday, it was still blocked. i understand everything is flooded, damage everywhere. I only have one limb in my yard, but my neighbor has one that is long and has a pretty good diameter to it down.
Ladies, better go for now and get some tea and breakfast in me.
Norma glad you got the coupons. I will stop at the store this week and get one of the turkeys on sale for 49 cents a lb. That will go in the freezer for a later date. I ordered my fresh turkey for Thanksgiving at 89 cents a lb. I bought some stuff for Thanksgiving already. Will get the fresh stuff next weekend.
I cut the coupons out of the paper already. I will collect the ads from the people at work that give them to me on Monday. It is great that people give me the coupon papers that they don't want.
