Coupon organization: full insert filling

 *** Disclaimer there is many ways to store your coupons, none are right or wrong, and each has it's pros and cons. I've used the methods I'm going to talk about and will give you MY pro's and cons. My feelings will not be hurt if you don't like my way ***

Are you finding yourself overwhelmed by all those coupons? Don't know how to organize your ever growing pile of coupons? There is noting worse then seeing a stealer deal and then spending 30 minutes trying to find the coupon or worse yet not being able to find it!

That's what happened to one of my friends last week, She called me asking what insert was the 7/8 RP My 1st response was "the July 8th Red Plum silly.:." She said "NO what's on the cover!" I said "Hold on I'm on break, be right there" When I got to her desk I was greeted by this:

Photo credit to my friend, I'm not going to out her.

IMO (and I think she agrees) her coupons had no rhyme or reason other then she was keeping them as  whole inserts. My 1st tip, on the side spine of the inserts it tells you where the insert is from and when it was released ie "Smart Source 8/19" This is fine print and not always easy to read so if you plan on keeping your inserts loose, get a sharpie and write on the front "SS 8/19" in big letters.

You can keep your coupons like my friend did above, a massive pile of papers but standing in the store trying to find what coupons you have gets annoying and frustrating when you cant find what your looking for.

When I 1st started couponing again I picked up one of these file folders with 13 (i think) pockets, 13 is about all you will need as that is 3 months worth. By the time you fill it up, the oldest insert will 99.9% be expired.

To start, label with a sticky note each pocket with your oldest insert, If this is your 1st week you would date the pocket 8/19. Slide your inserts in and your done organizing your coupons!

Pros:

* It's fast to organize your coupons, all your inserts are right at your finger tips.

* great for busy moms

* your investment depends on how much to spend on the file folder

Cons:

* more prep time to get ready to shop

* not as user friendly in store

* you may forget what you have, ie you see a killer clearance on shampoo/conditioner. But you have no idea what insert that $3/2 coupon was in, you'd have to search the inserts to find it.

Stay tuned.... comming up next, The Binder Method

 

School Supply Challenge

I'm attempting to supply my boys with their entire school supply list with as little OOP as possible. Miss my 1st post? catch up here.

This weeks trip was a little last minute and considering I dragged 3 hot and hungry boys with me, I did really good.

Office Max had a nice list of cheap to free items, but being the 2nd to last day of the ad I was hoping for the best. Over all they still had almost everything on our list. They were out of the free rulers, and 50 cent glue sticks and we could not find the copy paper on sale.

Pardon the back of the van picture, I needed to snap my deals before handing the goods to their dad.

What I snagged:
3 packs 100 sheet filler paper -- 50 Cents each
2 packs Dixon pencils  -- 10 cents each
3 packs paper mate pens -- 10 cents each
1 pack Glue/Sicor combo -- $1.50 (filer)
1 Angry Birds folder -- $1.50 (filer)
2 24 pack crayons -- free w/ $5 purchase
2 sharpeners -- Free w/ $5 purchase

Total OOP = $5
Total Spent to date = $5.04

Check back tomorrow when I update what we still need and my plan of attack for this weeks deals.

It Back! Oroweat outlet $10 for $5

This is one of my all time favorite promos! For just 2 days you can get a voucher good for $10 worth of bread for just $5 at one of seven Oroweat Bakery Outlets.

The low down:

• Go to Sharing spree and create or log into your account.
• Add up to 5 Oroweat vouchers to your cart.  You must select your location (Beaverton, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Vancouver, Salem, Eugene or Albany).
• Take your voucher(s) to your nearest Oroweat starting 8/19 and be amazed on what you can get! 

My most recent trip to Oroweat OOP $0 after my $10 voucher

You will get 1-5 vouchers for $10 each to redeem at the outlet of your choice. The vouchers are good until 12/19/12. Oroweat Bakery Outlets have a great selection of breads, rolls, buns and the like. Most items range from $1-$1.65 and they run specials often (3 items of $2) and if your timing is right you can get 2 items for $1.  I personally never leave with less then 10 items for just the cost of the voucher. This is like buying high quality bread for 50 cents a loaf!

Sharing Spree donates 50% off sales from the Oroweat voucher sales to a local charity. Today's vouchers benefits Children's Cancer Association - Portland. For me this is a HUGE bonus and when I've talked to some of the lady's at Oroweat they appreciate it too.

Subscribe to the Oregonian 38 cent per week

I had a friend send me this deal yesterday but I wanted to wait until I could confirm the deal before posting.  If you would like to receive the Sunday and Tuesday papers from The Oregonian, call them now for this great deal! The coupon inserts are in these two papers! I heard you can purchase up to 4 deals at this discounted price, however I was only able to get 1.

$19.99 for an entire 1 YEAR subscription! that's just a little over 38 cents a week!

Call 503-221-8240 and use code: 507

This code expires 8/31/12. Good for the following counties: Columbia, Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas & Yamhill.

* Side note the 1st time I called I told them my friend told me about this deal and I wanted to check if I was able to get it too. She told me I had to have received a postcard in the mail to get it and offered me 99 cents a week. I called back a few hours later and said I wanted to check to see if a discount code was available in my area, I gave her the code and was asked if I received a postcard. I mumbled something that sounded like a yes. (I did after all get a postcard the night before, it was just from Rent a Center, not the Oregonian) I asked if I could get multiply subscriptions and was told no.

Sharring Spree: 50% off at G6 Airpark - Extreme Trampoline Sports in Vancouver

Oh My this place looks like fun! I know my boys would LOVE to spend 2 hours jumping their harts out, so I'm really considering jumping on this deal!

for $9 you will get 1 2-hour pass to jump all you can handle in G6 Airpark. They have wall-to-wall trampolines, an open jump arena, a dodgeball court, a basketball dunk station, a gymnastics 'trick' zone, and a separate jump area for children under 8 years old. Plus this deal is good through February!

The Low Down:

• Head over to sharingspree.com
• Log in or create a new account
• Buy as many vouchers as you need, 1 per person jumping
• print and redeem your voucher any time before February!

Fred Meyer's Save like an associate pass

Fred Meyer's Save like an associate pass is back.  The printable pass is valid August 10-15 and is reusable. The pass is valid on all sale and clearance prices and you may use other coupons with it (the Save like an associate discount will be taken after all coupons are applied).

Here are the savings:

• 20% off Apparel, Shoes, Cosmetics and Accessories
• 15% off Home, School Supplies, Toys, School Supplies, Sporting Goods, Auto & Garden
• 10% off Home Electronics
• 10% off Nutrition (organic/natural section)
• 10% off Private Brand products (Kroger, Big K, Private Selection + more)

Unlimited Ride braclet at Oaks Park 7/13 only $7.50

Sharing Spree is having a great deal for Oaks Park: For just $7.50 you will get an unlimited ride wristband for PGE Family Fun Night. The wristband allows you all the rides you want from 4-9:30 pm on August 13, 2012. This offer excludes roller skating, mid-way games and go-karts.

The Low Down:

• Head over to Sharing spree and sign up here
• buy as many wristbands as you want for just $7.50
• Have a family fun night on August 13th!