[Rasha]

4 Weeks, Each Week Has a Set of Tasks to Enter Giveaway

Prizes: Each week we are giving away 4 prizes - Each winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and 1 year AFullCup Supporting Membership!

This week's entry period will end Monday October 10th, 9am EST. Winners will be chosen at random.

Week 1 Task - Share your best tip of “Not Extreme, Just Smart Couponing.” It could be how you organize your coupons, how you use AFullCup to find the best deals, basically how to coupon smart in the real world, not extreme couponing.

Post your entry in this thread. One entry per person.

and

[mom22seans]

I use a binder filled with baseball card protector sheets. I have my them divided into categories and subcategories such as dairy, meat, or HBA>hair care, etc. I keep my free product coupons and RRs/ECBs on the front page as a good reminder to use them before the expiration date! If I don't have time to clip, I file the inserts by date in to my filing cabinet until I'm ready to clip!

[Catver]

Getting organized is the best tip. Give yourself time to get your plans together so that when you are shopping and at the check out stand you know how things should turn out. It's less stressful if you are organized and not rushed!

[MKS6128]

I actually manage my coupons in about the same way. I have a 3-ring binder that also has a filing section in it. It zips shut and has a handle, which makes it very easy to use and doesn't take up much space. I usually buy 3 newspapers a week and I will occasionally purchase extra clipped coupons from a lady that lives in my area. I file the inserts by week in my binder - it has 6 sections. When a week of inserts gets bumped from the filing section, I clip the coupons that are still valid and send the expired ones to the military.

[dbeattie]

I go to the sites of all my favorite products and sign up for newsletters for opportunities to get coupons. I recently started a diet (new healthy eating) and started researching healthy food companies. I then signed up for their sites along with health food blogs.

[ctsunshine]

Get as many free Sunday inserts as you can, clip only wht you know for certain you will use, and keep the insert (don't toss it!). I keep my inserts in a portable file in chronological order.

[Losingitagain]

I have different colored folders for different stores (that I take out of my entire coupon stash) when I hear of deals from AFC. Green is for Walmart, Blue is for CVS, Yellow is for WAGs, Red is for Target, etc. When I read of a deal at a certain store, I copy and paste the text of the deal from the AFC post and print it out. I paper clip the Qs for that deal to the paper and file it in the colored file folder for that store. On my way home from work or on my way to run errands, if I pass that store, I have my smaller tote bag containing those folders and I can run in and get the deal without having to spend extra gas or time running around for deals.

[rose3trs]

I actually, do not use a binder for my Q's. I tried, but found it too bulky and time consuming to use. I use an index card box, with the sections clearly labeled. The box fits nicely in the carriage seat and is much easier for me to use.

[kellynelso]

Start slowly. The best advice I can give is to take your time and learn the ropes before commiting all your time and resources to a setup that doesn't work for you.

[zamom]

I use the binder/dividers for coupons as a lot of people do (love it!). However, as I am disabled, I'm unable to run around to many stores for all the sales. Therefore, I take advantage of Walmart's price match policy. On Sundays I sit with all my ads - CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc. & make lists of what I need & who has the best sale price. When I go into Walmart I have my coupons, my items organized by my lists and the PM items marked by an "*" in the ad. I even put the PM items up first for the cashier to make it easier for her. I may lose out on the extra bucks from the other stores, but it's worth it for not having to go to more than one store.

[Deona]

As soon as I get a RR, ECB, or UP I write the expiration date on my calender. This way I can easily keep track which reward I need to use/roll that week. I haven't had one expire yet on me!
I like to keep my coupons organized pretty simply. I don't own a binder as I don't like carrying around everything with me. I have a little coupon holder that I put coupons I know I will be using or might use inside. All other coupons that I'm not sure if I will use remain unclipped until I find a deal I will use them with. I keep the unclipped inserts in a bag starting from oldest to newest. I also write on the front the date, so it's easier to find a particular insert.

[Texmomof2]

I use two binders - 1 for food and 1 for nonfood items. I will check sales for the week and pull what coupons I will need. I label a 3x5 index card with the store and list the items by sales price with corresponding coupon listed in an adjacent column. (depending on the store I may have 2-3 columns: coupon/Bogo/RR or EB) I prefer to have my entire purchase figured along with an alternate scenario before I even enter the store. The coupons are clipped to the card and fit nicely in my purse.

[daised]

I keep a small travelling coupon organizer with me that has all of my ECBs, UPs, RRs, etc. as well as any coupons that might equal free items and my coupon match ups (I cut the sale items directly from the ad so I don't have to write a list and I have all of the details) for the week. That way, I can always stop off at a store on my way home for a quick trip without bringing the entire coupon collection to the store. It also cuts down on buying too many extra things.

I also keep a price list of my favorite products, the ones I can't get for free (), and use it as a price marker to know when the products are a good deal or a great deal.

For example: Claritin D (an essential for my allergies): an okay/good deal is 50 cents per pill. If I am running low and that good deal comes up with a sale and a coupon then I get it. If I still have plenty, then I only get it when it is a great deal (anything less than 50 cents per).

[mamamasello10]

I dont seem as Organized as some of the others but how I coupon works for me. I make out a list of what I need and organize my coupons in a small pile in order from top of the list to bottom and highlight the items on my list I have coupons for. I then paper clip my coupons to my list and put it in a plastic baggy. I have family members and friends who give me their paper inserts to go through and get the coupons I use and of course I spend a lot of time on AFC looking for good printable coupons. I just went Grocery shopping this week and spent $100 to feed 6 people for a MONTH!

[sadafakhan]

Here is how I organize my weekly trips:

1. I create separate lists on my Iphone for Wags and CVS for next week. For example, if you look at my phone this week, I have two lists: WAGS 10/2 and CVS 10/2
2. Every day, I check AFC especially the WAGS and CVS forums since these are the ones where I shop the most. Whenever I find something even vaguely interesting, I input it in my list with the exact scenario including the source of the coupon, for example, coupons.com or 9/18SS
3. If I see a printable coupon I might use and I cannot print at that time, I input it in a separate list called IP on my phone. When I get back home, I print all coupons I can find and strike them off my list. This way i do not have to go through hunting for any coupons i saw earlier in the day and could not print.
4. Friday evenings or Saturday mornings, I go through the sticky threads for the AFC ad scan and RR deals for that week. I inout anything interesting in my Iphone list.
5. I check my coupons and clip them and put them in a separate envelope for my deals
6. I then compile an excel sheet with my exact WAGS and CVS scenarios listing the following details:
a. Product with price
b. Store Qs
c. MQ Qs
d. RR deals
e. Total OOP after all coupons (goal is to keep OOP under $1 per transaction)
f. RR received
g. For WAGS, I also list the # of products and coupons
h. All available RRs or ECBS
7. Once the sheet is completed, I make sure I comply with all policies and do not use RR on the same product.
8. Once complete, I print out the sheet and keep it with my clipped coupons in the deals envelope
9. Sunday morning!! here I come to CVS and WAGS....
10. I make sure I scan all products before I reach the counter. I panic if anything does not work out as I planned, so I go through this excercise for every product.
Hope this helps couponers who are not pros like me!!!

[nomadicpixie]

Make sure you spend time in the forum section here on AFC that is dedicated to your store. Members post amazing deals and any coupon matchups for the current sale. It saves you a ton of time and you'll find out about the deals you may never have noticed before.

[KaillasB]

Take time to read the AFC forums of stores that you visit. Keep a small notebook by the desk and write down the free/cheap items you know you want as you read them.

The other deals/sales items you want to take advantage of, write those down also, then when you do sit down at the start of the week/end when you clip coupons, you can just pull those out that you KNOW you want to use, have them in a envelope for that store and they are ready to go.

[savysaver518]

Do your homework and be prepared. I research on AFC, plan it out and locate the coupons I need. Always have a contingency plan for an alternate deal if possible so substitutions can be made on the fly. I keep the "planned item coupons in individual see thru plastic pencil holders that go right in my binder- one for each store (& if more then one transaction then paperclip them within that holder.

[siriradha]

I've begun to search on FaceBook for the pages that belong to companies who make the things I like to use. So many companies offer high value coupons and free deals there that this has really paid off!

When you find your company, click on "Like" at the top of the page. Then visit their wall and read through messages till you come to one that tells you how to get a freebie, grab a great coupon, or enter a contest to win your favorite products.

You'll be amazed at how many great deals there are!

Carolyn in CO

[dakotablue]

Go on AFC forums for deal ideas by store (wonderful people on here do a lot of work for you) then double check any thing left on your list for coupons using the coupon datebase (just type in item or brand) That way you'll find any you may have missed or printables you didn't know about.

[Sasa47]

I am just starting to use coupons on a regular basis. In the past, it just seemed like to much trouble with little return. Recently though, I have begun to see a real difference in my savings. I started slow, only a few coupons at a time. No binder as I have few coupons. I make my list of needed items and look for online coupons and go through the inserts my family saves for me. Then, I see if there are any free or nearly free items I can use or donate and add those to the list. I don't save hundreds of dollars but what I do save means my son has a few extras that he would not normally have and that I can donate what we would not use.

[Lana1967]

I have a binder I upgraded from a lillte vlcro holder to. I use the envelopes from bills sent in the mail for my special store stops and put them in the binder so I have everything with me at all times. I read the posts fom AFC to see what th edeals ar and if they aresomething I would use or the residents where Iwork will use. I also always look for coupons at the drs/dentist office. I have gotten over 150 free toothbrushes for mission just from the q's I got at the dentist office. I'm not afraid to ask for them and I usualy get them with no problem.

[serenitybb]

I keep a spreadsheet of all my non-food coupons, need to make one for food items. Prior to Sunday, I go through my list and delete all the expired coupons and then I will print it out. Sunday or Monday, I will go through the Sunday coupons and write them down on the printed list and take out all the expired ones. I will also highlite the ones I have used the previous week if I haven't already done so. I will update the list, save, email it to myself as an attachment, and then with my Windows Phone, open and DL the attachment. This helps me save time in a store. If I see a clearance item or an unadvertised sale, I can look at my list and see if I have a coupon. No time wasted looking through a bunch of coupons just to find out I don't have it and no blocking the aisles while I look through them.

[mandy5540]

I also love the binder method. I really helps me visualize every coupon I have quickly. I organize by category and expiration date. But, my advice is to use whatever works best for you.

Planning is key. Also, knowing your store's coupon policy. There is nothing worse than getting to the check out and a deal not working.

One simple thing I am lost without is a plain envelope to keep my "coupons to use" in while shopping I place all my coupons I'm planning to use before my trip, and as I shop I use an index card to separate items already in the cart from those I still need to get. It kinda doubles as a shopping list

[pmhthomson]

I started a spreadsheet with each store listed so I can compare weekly, monthly, yearly, etc. just which store has the cheapest items and track when the sales are on each item. Hoping this will help me in the long run along with what coupons to use along with them to really save!