Jamie over at I’m a Money Magnet is showcasing her coupon organization.  I was agog over how many coupons that woman has!  Yikes!  Granted, she’s probably been doing couponing longer than I have (I just re-started back in December 08)

I know you are all anxiously awaiting the unveiling of my coupon organization, aren’t you?  Yes, that’s what I thought.  Anxious!  Wait no longer…..may I present…..Paula’s Coupon Organizing!

As you can see my coupons are in a big black binder.  It’s actually E’s binder from when he was in school.  It’s pretty scuffed up and I doubt it will last long.  I just need something big enough to hold everything for now until I figure out what I want.

As you can see, coupons make me happy!  My little coupon man is happy because he just saved 30% at Walmart!

Here’s the inside cover of the binder.  I have a few loose coupons I cut last week but didn’t use.  I also have a few stuck in the spine part of the binder.  I’m thinking this will be my current week’s coupons.  I’m actually experimenting with this right now.  I was lugging the coupon binder and  notebook with my lists & coupons.  I am thinking one less thing to lug along would work better.

Each Sunday after reading the paper, I collect all my coupon inserts.  I go through each one and I type up this spreadsheet with the name of the insert (RP, SS, GM, PG), the product name, amount of coupon, and expiration date.  For now this is working, but I can see that it won’t work for long.  If I begin buying coupons on Ebay, forget it this, this system won’t work.  I have a spreadsheet for each week.  My coupons are seperated by date, not by coupon.  I also highlight the coupon on the spreadsheet for things I know I’m going to use.  Highlighted in the above photo is a coupon for Scotchbrite’s Flat top stove cleaner.  Walmart has them now, and I’ve been wanting to try this product.  The highlighting reminds me to buy the product.

My grocery procedure is as follows:

  1. Tuesday afternoon I skip with joy out to my mailbox.  My joy overwhelms me if my postal worker has actually delivered the sales ads.  She doesn’t always, and then I am devestated!
  2. I return to the kitchen with my recipe binder, my calendar, my coupon binder and my notebook for my grocery list.
  3. I check through all the sales ads, saving Super One for last as they always have the best loss leaders.  I circle with a highligher all items that seem like a good deal.  I check my price list to make sure my mommy fog brain is not kicked in and what I think is a good deal, actually is.
  4. I inventory my fridge, freezer, and pantry.  Then I make a menu plan for the following week or two weeks, depending on how motivated I feel.
  5. I write my grocery list.  The list is separated by categories like Produce, Dairy, Meat, Grocery Misc, and HBA.  If I’m planning to price match an item while shopping @ Walmart, I highlight that item on my list.  If I have a coupon, I put how many coupons I”m using next to the item and if it’s a price match, I write which store I’m price matching from, then I highlight it.  This helps keep me organized at the check out.
  6. I clip all coupons I’m planning on using and clip it to my list, in the order of the list.  I’m very particular when I put my groceries on the checkout belt.  I like to have like things grouped with like.  I know, anal.
  7. I place the lists, the coupons, the sale ads and my cloth grocery bags into one big bag.  This makes it easier to cart into the store.
  8. I wait with baited breath for lessons on Thursday to conclude so I can head into the stores!  I secretly laugh when I get things for free @ Walmart.  Way to stick it to the man!!
  9. Sometimes I visit more than one store.  If I have to do this, I usually do this over two days.  It’s hard bringing the kids with me if I have to visit multiple stores.
  10. I come home and take a picture of my goodies, list my prices & savings and then I blog about it.  I know all of my readers just wait in anticipation for this Thursday blog post.  :)

Head over to I’m a Money Magnet and check out other’s coupon organization.  Share your story, we’ll all love to hear it!