[dfed913]

Originally Posted by Sally

If I did not take my attache case (binder) into the store with me it would be like leaving my money at home. I don't go without it.

The wonderful thing about the attache case binder is that it looks like a business person and not a crazy notebook like I carried before, also it fits into the top of the shopping carts much better because of the size.
Don't leave home without it.

Sally

OOOH, could you? Would you? Please? Post a pic of this. Sounds interesting to me as I often shop right after work...in my work attire...LOL Maybe I'll feel better if I have one for each. Weekday/Weekend LOL

Seriously though, anyway you could post a pic? THANKS!

[SoccerMama]

I usually leave my binder in the car and take it in 90% of the time. You never know when you will find a good deal!

[crackedwillow]

I use a photo album...

It is perhaps 5 X 7, stores a lot of coupons, and to me is better than having a large binder. It fits in my handbag, and I rarely miss out on good deals, because I plan, keep track of what's on clearance from the sites, and clip accordingly....

[mikeswife]

I have 2 big binder's 1 for Food & 1 for household item's I won't even go in to a store if I don't have my book's with me I might miss a deal

[Jeannemc]

I used my binder for the first time yesterday. I did carry a few of the little 13 slot coupon holders with me and had also tried a box. The kids dropped the box in the car one day-Not good! It did take time to get it together, I used baseball card holders and photo holders.
I had 2 people follow me to check out just to see what I saved!
I will not go any place without it. After the dropped coupons and missing a few deals over the past 6 months I have decided to walk in with it always. It is my oversized wallet.

[angel wings]

Amen!! I carry mine all the time. Even if I think I am going to make a quick run to the store. I am going on vacation in Aug. to Houston, Tx. Yes I am taking my binder with me. I am going to show other families how to save.

I was at the grocery store last week and I had 2 managers and 3 cashiers come to see how much I saved. One of the managers took down this site and said he was gonna have his wife look it over!!

Thanks AFC members

[ChelleMorty]

I always take my binder in with me. Mine is heavy and bulky....but like someone mentioned, it would be like leaving my money in the car.
This last weekend I was at Walmart and I told the cashier "sorry about all the coupons" and she said "oh you aren't too bad, some ladies have huge binders full". I stepped aside so she could see my cart...with my huge binder opened in the child seat! LOL

[hplymarried]

I have had my binder for a full week now. It's so much easier. I feel like my brain is not on overdrive from digging thru coupons!

Kelly

[LauriMom5]

I too take my binder into the store with me because I want to have all of my q's with me. My mom teased me this past week that "no wonder it takes me so long to do my shopping" because of it. I just like to take my time to make sure I am getting the best deal. I love the pencil bag in the front for q's I am using idea. I too am one of those shoppers whose q's are falling all over the place or dropped, or pushed too far into the pocket, or forgotten because I don't have an organized place to put them once I have decided to use them. That will be one my list this week! One question, I need to get some photo pages (4x6) or something for my larger q's or internet q's. I am always having to trim my q's or fold them to fit into my baseball card pages. I looked at Target and WalMart, the 2 main stores I shop, and was unable to find separate photo pages/ refills in sizes smaller than 8x8 or 12x12. It seems scrapbooking has taken over using photo pages, and I have considered just buying a photo album and taking out the pages for my coupon binder. Anyone have other ideas for this problem? I also am wanting to change from the 3 ring binder to a zippered trapper keeper type binder to prevent my q's from falling out- which they seem to do frequently. Hopefully they will be getting in stores soon with school supplies soon to be makign their appearance. There is Christmas stuff in some stores already!! I would appreciate any ideas you ladies can share with me. I have had many people comment on my coupon binder while I am in the store- all positive comments and "good idea" praise. Thank you ladies for the idea- I'll pass the praise on to you!

[LauriMom5]

P.S. I also took my binder on vacation with me this past week- and showed my folks just how much money I can save- my dad was even asking me if I had a q for this and that by the end of the week! LOL!

[fluffkin79]

Originally Posted by angel wings

Amen!! I carry mine all the time. Even if I think I am going to make a quick run to the store. I am going on vacation in Aug. to Houston, Tx. Yes I am taking my binder with me. I am going to show other families how to save.

On our last trip I was clipping and sorting while DH was driving. We left on a Sunday and I stopped to pick up papers on the way out of town.

I keep forgetting to look for card holder pages, so I haven't gotten a binder together yet. Right now I am using a photo album, but it is falling apart. I'm not worried about looking silly carring a coupon binder - I travel with 3 small children, 1 "little" binder can't do anything to embarrass me! (You don't know embarrassed until you travel with a potty-training child, and a sibling to LOUDLY point out their mistakes.) Besides, I live in a smallish town. The local stores already recognize me a the coupon lady.

[brownie16]

I put mine zippered binder in a big canvas bag. It "hides" the binder, and people are starting to use the canvas bag instead of plastic sacks now, so I assume most people think I'm just bringing my own reusable sack.

I always have the q's I think I'm going to redeem in a recycled envelope (from bills and such that come in the mail). I also have an empty recycled envie to transfer any and all q's I'm going to redeem, that way there's no loose q's around while I'm shopping.

[carlsonfour]

I don't have a binder, but I take both of my accordian files in with me. The first is all my Q's, but there isn't more than 3 of the like kind as most stores I shop at (grocery) will only do that. The 2nd is a check file accordian that I have tabs for the main stores I shop at. I keep the store specific Q's in it and Catalina's, ECBs, RR etc for each store. Those pretty much go everywhere with me. I also have a 2nd accordian file with the extras I don't keep in the main one and I sometimes have that with me too just in case there is a killer deal and then I'll have one of my kids check out with the extras. LOL

Here's a pic I uploaded to show someone else. Well, crap it won't seem to let me insert, but here's a link:



If I did have a binder, I'm sure I'd take it in everywhere too. I don't care what others think and am oblivious to it if they are looking at me strange. They aren't saving 70-80% off their groceries, so let them stare!

[ctsunshine]

Originally Posted by carlsonfour

I don't have a binder, but I take both of my accordian files in with me. The first is all my Q's, but there isn't more than 3 of the like kind as most stores I shop at (grocery) will only do that. The 2nd is a check file accordian that I have tabs for the main stores I shop at. I keep the store specific Q's in it and Catalina's, ECBs, RR etc for each store. Those pretty much go everywhere with me. I also have a 2nd accordian file with the extras I don't keep in the main one and I sometimes have that with me too just in case there is a killer deal and then I'll have one of my kids check out with the extras. LOL

Here's a pic I uploaded to show someone else. Well, crap it won't seem to let me insert, but here's a link:



If I did have a binder, I'm sure I'd take it in everywhere too. I don't care what others think and am oblivious to it if they are looking at me strange. They aren't saving 70-80% off their groceries, so let them stare!

I love the action shot! Thanks for sharing the photo...

CTSunshine

[SwampQueen]

I keep my Qs in a small recipe box with dividers. I bring that and my reusable bags with me into every store.
Both the reusable bags and coupon box stay in the car so that I don't forget them.

[LindseyLouXOX]

I don't have a binder but I do have ANY & ALL coupons I will use in an organizer that I take EVERYWHERE with me. You never know where I will stop and there might be a deal. But I do not take it in the store with me. If I find a great deal I note it and when I am done shopping, make another round after I go outside to get the coupon. Or if hubby is with me I run out to get what I need. I can't see myself with a binder it'd be dropping all over or my 2 yr old would be tearing out coupons and throwing them all over,

[mandarn]

Yeah, the first time I took it into CVS with me, I felt like the biggest dork. But now I don't really care so much.

[skbrush]

I am still unorganized. I was doing so good now I need something bigger!

[runnl8]

Mine is known as "The great big book of everything" those who watch Stanley will understand...
but I have only left it once and that was by accident and I was so upset I left the store without buying anything but items I knew for a fact I didn't have a coupon for. I use a 3 ring photo album because I can't look at too many coupons at the time. My kids are grown but laughed at first now they ask me to get them coupons and my grandkids always want to see how long the register tape is. My DH loves it. It is such a money saving hobby. People do stop me but usually to ask where I got my book or all my coupons. I try to give them one or two if I see something in their buggy that I can share with them.
RUNNL8

[nbp2452]

I have a binder with alpha tabs and notebook paper and all my Q's are alphab., I can get to them fast and just lift up on the tiny piece of tape I use to anchor it and tada! I also can print exp. date and other details on the page bigger than trying to squint at it. I tried boxes and the baseball pages but this alpha is faster.........

[onlymadaresane]

I haven't moved to a binder yet- but I'm thinking I'll eventually get there. At the moment it's a smallish accordian deal (like for checks) I also have a cheap o spiral notebook that I write down the deals in (for quick reference) and I add all the coupons I get in excel program so I don't have to hunt through the accordian every 5 minutes or rely on my memory! (ha!) The excel program only takes maybe 15min a week (with toddler interuptions) to keep updated! I print it out 1-2 a week. Works so far!

[packgirl4]

I'm scared of bringing in a binder...... I know i'm a dork!!!! LOL

[gagesmommy]

I don't bring mine in. If there is something I really need on clearance I go home clip them and go the next day. I found a Mary Kay bag. It's huge and holds a lot so now I only have the 2 big binders instead of my dresser drawer. I love this bag though since it has all these plastic like holders that are for samples and any q's that are clipped I put in there if I won't use them right away. Got it at a rummage sale for $2!!!!

[mothermayi]

My coupons go wherever I go..In the house incase I have time to sit and plan, in the car when I leave the house-just toss them in the trunk.

I keep them in a tote, and put in a diaper and a small pack of wipes, a kids book or two, and then I'm on my way...

I have most of my planning done, and the coupons I plan to use in a baggy, and then I have my binders just in case.

[puglyduckling]

I just upgraded to a binder a week ago. My Q collection way outgrew the little accordian book. I love it.

Although today was the first day I actually took it into the store with me. I really had no intention to (in fact I was getting anxious at the mere thought) but 12 yo DD insisted. I made her carry it in! And nobody even looked twice at me. And I got in on some great deals to boot!

I guess the first time really is the hardest!