Creating Your Coupon Binder & Organizing Those Coupons

Some prefer the accordion style or pocket size organizers...whatever your style you MUST organize your coupons. Otherwise, clipping coupons will just be a stack of paper instead of a stack of cash. I have tried all sorts of ways to organize and carry my coupons and I have found the large binder to be the most effective way for me. I can bring most of my coupons with me this way and easily locate a coupon quickly. I currently use a 4” 3 ring binder with the baseball card holder inserts. You can purchase these inserts in the toy section of Target, 65 sheets for about $10. I've even noticed my dollar store carries them sometimes. Here is how I have my binder set up:

Grocery

• BABY
• BAKING
  • Baking
  • Seasoning
  • Pudding/Jello
• BEVERAGE
  • Coffee/Tea
  • Juice/Kool-aid
  • Pop/Energy Drinks
• BREAKFAST
  • Hot Bfst/Bars
  • Cereal
  • Mixes/Drinks
• CANNED/JARS
  • Canned/Jars
  • Fruit/Vege
  • Soups/Beans
• CONDIMENTS
  • Condiments
  • Salad Dressing
  • Ketchup/Mustard/Mayo/BBQ
• DAIRY
  • Milk/Eggs
  • Cheese
• DIETING
• DRY GOODS
  • Pasta/Rice
  • Boxed
  • Breads/Pastries
• FROZEN
  • Desserts
  • Fruit/Vege
  • Snacks/Apps
  • Meats/Meals
• PRODUCE
• REFRIGERATED
  • Refrigerated
  • Sour Cream/Butter/Cream Cheese
  • Meats/Deli
• SNACKS
  • Candy
  • Chips/Pretzels
  • Cookies
  • Crackers
  • Popcorn/Nuts
• YOGURT

Non-Grocery

• BABY
  • Diaper/Wipe
  • Feeding
• CLEANING
  • Air Fresheners
  • Bathroom
  • Dishwashing
  • Floors
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Multipurpose
• DEODERANT
• EYE CARE
• FACIAL
• FEMININE CARE
• FIRST AID
• HAIR
• LOTION
• MAKEUP
• MEDS
  • Cold/Allergy
  • Heart Burn/Antacid
  • Pain Relief
  • Misc./Other
• NAIL/BEAUTY TOOLS
• ORAL CARE
• PAPER
• PETS
  • Cat
  • Dog
• SOAP/BODY WASH
• SHAVING

Other

• RESTAURANT
  • Fast Food
  • Sit Down
• RETAIL
• TOYS

At home I keep duplicate inserts in a filing system – labeled which insert and dated. This way I don't have to clip every coupon I get. I can go and get a specific coupon in bulk when I know I need it.

Caesar Salad Pasta

Seriously one of the best recipes I've encountered for my picky husband.

Serves 4
You will need:
1 lb Pasta
1 Head of Lettuce or Bag of Romaine
1 Bottle of Caesar Dressing
4 Chx Breasts
Garlic Salt
Croutons
Parmesan

This is a very flexible recipe. You can add additional ingredients if you wish or cook the chicken a variety of ways.  Decide first hand which type of pasta you prefer (personally we like spaghetti noodles in this meal).

Marinade the chicken in caesar dressing and garlic salt (the longer the better).  Once marinated, you can grill  (I personally prefer this method), saute, or broil your chicken until cooked completely through - no pink.

After throwing the chicken on the grill bring pot of water to a boil and add pasta.  Cook until tender or el dente. Drain completely of water and add to a large mixing bowl

Once completely cooked, slice or dice your chicken breast and add to the mixing bowl.

Finally add your chopped romaine along with caesar dressing, croutons and parmesan.  You can also add any other ingredients you wish to add to your salad.  (We add hardboiled eggs and corn to the salad).

Toss and serve

Flirty Aprons

Here is a great deal on some super cute aprons...go to Flirty Aprons and enter code MAY40 at checkout to receive 40% off which makes several of them only $15.57!!!  I asked for one of these for Mother's day since they are so cute, you will totally love all the styles.

Store by Store Tips

Always check your stores coupon policy frequently to keep yourself on up to date changes.  If you have a question on a policy - ASK!  Store managers receive the most up to date info and won't mind telling you before you make your purchase.  Each store has a different policy regarding leniency on expiration dates, limiting like coupons, or overages.

CVS

• Accepts manufacturer and store coupons
• Store loyalty card prints incentives called Extra Care Bucks (ECB)
• Check your coupon center every visit and scan your card.  Coupons will print similar to Catalina's except you don't need to purchase anything to get the coupon.  (This machine looks similar to a price checker machine)
• Extra Care Bucks ring through the register as a store coupon and are like cash
• Check your CVS for their clearance sections.  Some have a dedicated section or end cap, others have clearance in each section throughout the store.  You can identify this by a yellow and white tag on the shelf.

Walgreens

• Accepts manufacturer and store coupons
• Store loyalty prints incentives called Register Rewards (RR) - you do not need a card for these.
• Register Rewards ring through the register as a manufacturer coupon. You can only use one mfr coupon per item AND you cannot use a RR you received for a specific product for the same product.
• Example:  You purchased a Gillette Razor and received $4 in RR.  Your next visit you decide to buy another Gillette Razor, you cannot use the original $4 RR to discount the current razor.

Target

• Accepts manufacturer and store coupons
• Sign up on Target's website for ‘Target text alerts’ on smart phones.  You will receive a weekly text with a handful of coupons.  You just have to show the cashier your phone so they can scan the bar code on the text and the coupon is taken off as a store coupon.  These can only be used once.
• Will price match competitors sales prices
• Catalina's print at the register when you buy specified promotional items.  These can vary week to week or month to month.  Sometimes these print the store logo on them but can be a store OR manufacturer coupon.  Meaning if they are a mfr coupon they can be used anywhere that accepts mfr coupons (even with the original stores logo).

Walmart

• Walmart's coupon policy states (as of today) they will pay overages.
• Will price match competitors sales prices as long as a price is listed (ie. BOGOs will only be matched if there is a price listed for the item)
• Catalina's print at the register when you buy specified promotional items.  These can vary week to week or month to month.  Sometimes these print the store logo on them but can be a store OR manufacturer coupon.  Meaning if they are a mfr coupon they can be used anywhere that accepts mfr coupons (even with the original stores logo).
• Walmart also solely distributes a magazine called "All You" that has tons of coupons in it each month.

Kroger

• Accepts manufacturer and store coupons
• Store loyalty card allows you access to special promotions throughout the store.  You can also earn points for discounts on gas at the Kroger gas stations.
• Coupons can be loaded to your loyalty card through Kroger's website and Cellfire.  These are called ecoupons.  They work the same as a paper manufacturer coupon (and cannot be combined with another mfr coupon).  Once loaded they cannot be removed unless used or when they expire - so load carefully and wisely.
• Catalina's print at the register when you buy specified promotional items.  These can vary week to week or month to month.  Sometimes these print the store logo on them but can be a store OR manufacturer coupon.  Meaning if they are a mfg coupon they can be used anywhere that accepts mfg coupons (even with the original stores logo).
• Kroger doubles coupons showing on their register screen as a 'Bonus coupon'.  The Michigan stores (Great Lakes Region) double up to a $0.50.  This means if you have a $0.50 off coupon it then becomes a $1.00 off coupon.  If you have a .60 off coupon it remains the same.

How to Coupon - Key Points

1. Your coupons will come from your local newspapers in the Sunday delivery.  You can also acquire coupons from store loyalty mailers or inside purchased products.  Another great way to get coupons in through freebie sign ups - Not only do you get a free sample/product but you almost always get a coupon with it.  You can also get coupons off the Internet (sometimes abbreviated IP for Internet printable). 
2. Most companies have coupons on their sites to print as well as a couple sites I featured that compile all sorts in one place.  These include RedPlum, Coupons.com, Cellfire & Target.
• If you are going to print your coupons, most will only allow 2 coupons/IP address (per computer)….. if you have a wireless printer, utilize your phone, ipod, laptop, desktop.
• You can adjust your printer settings to save on ink.  Change your printer options to print black and white only, draft quality and you can even reduce the actual size of the coupons.
3. Smart Source (SS), Red Plum (RP), & Proctor & Gamble (PG) are your best sources for coupons. SS, RP are in most Sunday newspapers. PG is usually once a month, normally the 1st week of the month.
• In case you are confused whether a coupon is a manufacturers or a store coupon - all Mfr coupons start with a 5 or a 9 in their bar code.  Store coupons can only be used in the specified store and Mfr coupons can be used at almost any store that accepts them.
4. Most sales start on Sundays, with Kroger as the exception, starting on Monday (Michigan/Midwest area)
5. Most items follow a 3 month sale cycle, meaning: If it is on sale now it will more than likely go on sale again in 3 month's.  So when purchasing items in bulk, purchase enough for a 3 month supply. 
• Refer to my Managing Your Food Supply article for some food safety tips.
6. When heading to the store, PREPARE!  Know what you want, have a list, have your coupons clipped and ready for the items you are going to buy. 
• Always bring your coupon binder/organizer - you never know what you may find on closeout, clearance, or an unlisted sale.
7. When heading to checkout, review your list & coupons.  Be sure there is nothing you missed and that everything you planned on having a coupon - has one. 
• Be kind to your cashier - do not stack your coupons on each item, they don't like that and it slows them down. 
• Know which coupons need prices written on them such as freebie items and let the cashier know so they don't have to go back through the entire order to find that specific item.
8. Profile your cashier. Young, male cashiers are far less likely to care about how many coupons you have and are less likely to be a Nazi about it.  This is in no way so you can use a fraudulent coupon or a coupon in a fraudulent way.  It is merely for the purposes of speeding the process up in a 100% legal way. 
9. Use reusable bags.  Not only is it green friendly but most stores will give you a monetary credit for each bag used.  The credit is usually $0.05/bag OR if you have the CVS green tea leaf, its scanned each use and every 4 scans earns you $1.00 Extra Care Bucks (ECB).  So essentially that is $0.25/bag - 5 times the amount other stores give!
10. Finally, thank your cashier (and bagger).  Always make friends with your cashiers and show them you appreciate their help and hard work.

 Thank you Chantel for typing most of this up for me...you have helped me save a ton of time & I really appreciate it!!!

Managing Your Food Supply

Because of my restaurant background, I can pretty much answer any food safety questions you may have.  Here are a few basic best practices to follow especially if you plan on having a large stockpile of food (which we don't in our house - we like to eat!)

1. Do not purchase dented cans, crushed boxes, or open containers.  If you must because of a discount or deal, inspect it thoroughly.  This should be consumed right away. Do not wait until the expiration since bacteria can grow in these containers more easily.  (The longer you wait the more likely there is something in there you don't want to eat.)
2. Date your product as it comes in with a permanent marker.  The expiration date is better than the date purchased so you won't have to look for it in the future.
3. FIFO is the first rule you learn in food safety.  It means First In First Out, always use the oldest first.  So if your kids are like mine and just grab, you want to make sure to line your products up with the newesr product as far back on the shelf/cabinet.
4. Turn you cans upside down when storing them.  Dust and other dangerous particles can settle on top of the can and then when opening the can they settle nicely into your food.  So by keeping them upside down you minimize the foreign objects that could end up inside!
5. Grouping - I also like to group like items together like pasta, marinara, and canned tomatoes.  It just makes it easier when throwing meals together to have it all in the same place.

Glorified Rice

Makes approx. 12 servings

1c Rice cooked & cooled
1/3c Sugar
13 1/2oz Crushed (drained) Pineapple
1/2tsp Vanilla
1/3c Mini Marshmellows
2tbs Maraschino Cherries (drained & chopped)
1c Whipped Cream
Coconut (optional)

Mix rice, sugar, pineapple, & vanilla together.
Stir in marshmellows & cherries.
Fold in whipped cream.
Let chill for about 10 minutes before serving.

Terms

(-x/y  RP 3/06) means $x off y quantity of products found in Red Plum dated 3/06
OOP- Out of Pocket
RP- Red Plum (coupon booklet found in most newspapers)
SS- Smart Shopper (coupon booklet found in most newspapers)
PG- Proctor & Gamble (coupon booklet found in most newspapers)
IP- Internet printable
Mfr - Manufacturer
ECB- CVS Extra Care Bucks
WYB- When You Buy
MIR- Mail in Rebate
x5/10- Expires on 5/10
Catalinas- Coupons that print at the register when you buy specified items
Blinkies- Coupons dispensed out of the little machines throughout the isles of a store (usually near the product)
Peelie- Coupon found on the product usually stuck to the product.