Couponing

Im so excited today! I get to tell some Homeschool moms about how I use my coupons :) I imagine some will already know the methods I use, or have seen them before, but it doesn't hurt to maybe learn something new, or get refreshed :)


I have shown you all the notebooking method I use. It has really helped me keep track of my coupons much better. The ones I am not sure I will use I still hold onto.

Here is my method:

Every Sunday, I go through my Sunday paper and look through the coupons. I immediately cut out the coupons I know I will use-toothpaste, hair products, certain pain relievers, etc...things that my family will use everyday, almost, and I would like to save money on. When I am done with those coupon sections, I fold them in half (fold the top over the bottom, so to speak). Then, I take those sections (keep that Sunday's sections folded together-will explain why in a minute) and place them into an accordion file which I have labeled for each month of the year. Also, to help keep things a bit simple and less bulky, while I am looking through those coupon sections, I pull out those ads that are in there-you know, the ones for the shoes, the lil adorable baby dolls, jewelry, etc and throw them away. I do not need them, I do not use them and they will just take up too much room :) Yes, I know, it's just paper, but enough of those can take up too much valuable coupon space ;)
Now, why do I fold each week's coupon sections up together? And, why do I save them? Well, I fold them together because it makes it easier to locate each week, within that month, and I can find coupons for those deals these wonderful bloggers post about later on! On the side of pretty much each coupon section, in teeny-tiny print are the dates :) If I keep these sections together by date, it makes it much easier than trying to read each section for their date! I also started, since this past weekend, writing the dates on the outside too!! In BIG numbers-lol!! Now, I can see the dates quickly. So, when some wonderful, amazing blogger share Such and such is on sale at This and That Place and I can use So and So coupon from Supersaver (usually listed as SS on the blogs) or Red Plum (listed as RP), etc...I can go to that month's coupon section in my accordion file, pull out that week's coupon section and go right to that particular coupon section to find my coupon-I put it in my notebook under the area that is for use this week and add that to my shopping list-with the word coupon written beside it so I do not forget ;)
This has helped me. Last time, I once again saved over $10 at Walmart. Not a whole lot, but what can you do with an extra $10? That could be at least 5 days of lunches for my kids-or perhaps 2 dinners for my whole family (with frugal recipes of course ;) It can be almost a half tank of gas for our Durango. Or, maybe even a treat for myself-like a new shirt or something :) But, I often like knowing that money is in our bank account for other uses ;)
So, sorry for this coupon review--I know I have talked about it before, but maybe there is a new reader who might like it! And, please, keep an eye out on the blogs listed in the frugal section--you will find some wonderful ladies who really have searched for great deals using the coupons! You won't be sorry!!