Coupon Binder Reminder!

I know I say this frequently but, take your coupon binder with you everywhere you go!  (Of course your coupons should already be cut out and organized inside the binder or it really doesn't matter any way!)  I was reminded again yesterday of the rewarding savings I'm able to grab because I always have my coupons in the car.

After driving my daughter to Volleyball practice I decided to make a quick run to Smiths, which was just down the street.  I hadn't planned on going to the store - it just kind of happened.  I decided to walk around and check for unadvertised deals (cuz I'm addicted to savings) when I came upon and endcap full of clearance Trident gum.  There were piles and piles of gum marked at just $0.37 per box.  Because my coupons were cut out, organized and tucked away in my coupon binder I was able to quickly find my $1.00/3 Trident coupons (of which I had 5) and get 15 packs of gum for $0.04 ea!!!  With the combined clearance and coupon discount I saved $13.65!!  Holy cow, do you know what I can buy with an extra $13.65?

Ok, so I would never pay full price for gum anyway, but still, because I was prepared I was able to capitalize on an otherwise lost savings.  I know some of you may not like to cut your coupons out, but rather save them by the whole insert.  I love that anyone saves their coupons, but keeping them in piles in the corner of your room, filing cabinets or accordion folders also saves you from saving the maximum amount of $$$ possible.  Not cutting coupons out makes shoppers coupon collectors, in my opinion, meaning they just collect dust in the corner. I know that I am more apt to go shopping if my coupons are cut out and at the ready, than if I have an uncut stack in the corner.  In the seldom moments that I have to get to the store, if I had to sit down and hunt through stacks of inserts for only the coupons I needed at that moment I would be more likely to not take them with me or just not buy the product all together for lack of savings!

It really does not take any more time in the long run to cut your coupons out up front. Not only does cutting out any coupons which your family would use if it were cheap, free or a family favorite, save you money on unadvertised deal finds, it also helps you keep track of what coupons you're keeping verses relying on someone's website to tell you what you've got.  As a bonus, if you use the coupon binder method with clear baseball card pages to organize your coupons, you will actually memorize your coupons after repeatedly seeing them on a weekly basis. 

If you haven't tried the binder method give it a shot and I think you'll find that having your coupons ready and waiting at all times is the key to successful savings.

Savvy Savings - Be Ready

As I shopped with my sister yesterday at Smith's in Payson I was reminded how important it is to be organized and up to date in cutting out my manufacturer coupons.  I'm teaching a coupon class for my sisters church group and she wanted some examples of hot deals you can get with coupons so off we went to Smiths. I showed her how Mega Event, Case Lot sales, online printable coupons and loadable coupons work and then I thought I'd point out the clearance deals (since Dec/Jan are hot personal hygiene clearance months) and how much money you can save by watching clearance and manager's specials shelf tags.

I found Loreal Excellence To Go on clearance for $3.82!   My sister was thrilled!  She uses this hair product and at over $5 in savings she planned to stock up.  But wait!  I had my coupon portfolio with me, of course, and in it some $2.00/1 manufacturer coupons.  Hair color for $1.82 - WOW!!!!

Couponers ask me all the time if they should could their coupons out or just save them, uncut, by the insert.  My answer has always been the same - you save more money by having your coupons cut out and with you at the store.  While not cutting coupons may save some time up front, they have to be cut out eventually and with over 1,000 unadvertised and clearance deals at most stores weekly, you'll simply miss out if you don't cut them out!

I prefer the binder/portfolio (it is a portfolio of savings you know) method of coupon organization.  By using clear 9-pocket photo holders to store and organize coupons shopping becomes a breeze.  You can see the product, value and even expiration date on coupons because the sheets are clear.  You'll even develop a bit of a photographic memory as you see your coupons on a frequent basis and are reminded which coupons you've got sorted in your binder.  You'll see and unadvertised deal, like the L'Oreal, and remember you have a coupon for that!  Savings made simple!

Of course you can save money not using the cut and store method, but you can save a whole lot more if you have your coupons with you at all times!  What coupons should you cut out?  Any coupon for a product or brand that your family would use if it were cheap, free or a family favorite.  If you wouldn't use it, why cut it?  Get your coupons cut out and keep them up to date for the most savings possible!  And if you get behind and overwhelmed, cut out the highest value coupons and save the insert booklets until you can catch up.  Couponing is soooooooo worth it - so don't give up, just do your best until your life is a little less hectic!

If you live in Utah and are interested in getting the BEST DEAL on a multiple Sunday newspaper subscription - check out these deals:  Newspaper Deals

Check out my coupon portfolio page description HERE!