Organize: Coupon

I have been couponing on and off for about a year now. I have gone to strategy classes, read books, and researched how others organize their coupons to best utilize their savings. I don't like to spend a lot of time clipping, storing, and rummaging through a bunch of clippings in order to save $0.40 on eight items (and only then, if its not expired). At the same time, a tight budget means more motivation for me to figure out a way to make it work for me. In that effort, I have taken little bits of different strategies to make my own, and I am constantly revamping it.

For me, a physical organizational system is key to getting me to actually give it a shot. It also must be attractive, so I am happy (or even excited) to use it. Again, I couldn't find something that fit my personal organizational needs, so I buckled down and made my own. Yes, I am posting it as a freebie too.

Now the physical organization takes an initial time investment. But it is well worth it when you don't have to spend the time looking for lost and crumpled coupons floating around in your purse and pocket (yes, personal experience does help the cause on this one...)

First: collect your coupons. (Expired coupons can be donated to the military! Did you know that? Just found out myself!)

Second: Separate your coupons into categories. (ie. Food, beauty, pets, etc.) I used tabs in my binder for each of my categories. I also made the divider pages to go with it. You can find them here:
Coupon Binder Dividers

Next, organize coupons as desired within the selected category. I use a new page for each type of coupon. For example, in the food section I have a page for dairy coupons, a separate page for frozen, etc. I've made it easier to tell what page I'm looking at by attaching a tag to the pocket with a paper clip (that way, they are still movable should the need arise). These can be found here
Coupon Binder Organizer Tabs. You will find my flag tags for types of coupons, along with months, "use by" tags (that can be laminated for reuse) and store name tags. I also included some blank ones so it is more custom to your personal style. 

I used double sided tape for categories I know I'll keep around as their own page...

For most categories I used paper clips to keep things flexible within the inner workings of the binder. That way, as coupons change in and out I can keep things clearly labeled. I hope these will help you as you organize your coupon loveliness too! Please leave a comment if you do use them and tell me what you think! (or you could leave a comment anyway.)

 There are a variety of different sections but I made sure to include a "Favorite Stores" section to keep my store coupons separate from my manufacturer's coupons. It helps me know where I need to pick certain items up.

As for the "Use by ___" labels, I am not yet organized enough to use them fully. I saw them while internet surfing and thought they were a good idea. Laminate them and use a dry erase marker to keep track of expiration dates, etc. 

Hope you like it! Please,let me know if you do use it! And good luck organizing! 

Deborah

Coincidence? It was too perfect for that."Divine intervention seems to fit the bill today... I'd like to call it a "tender mercy," but honestly, it wasn't so tender today... merciful? Probably. What on earth am I talking about? Well, where do I begin?

This particular intervention has come over the past few weeks. My most amazing friend invited me to attend a class at the local institute with her for the summer "semester." Anyone is welcome to register, so we decided we would take "Women in the Scriptures" together. What a blessing this has been in my life. I owe a lot to that dear friend... (more than just this I assure you.)

I have learned a lot already in this class. The past few classes we have talked about trials and how we can make it through them by reading the examples of these incredible women. Today we talked about Deborah the judge of Ephraim (Judges 18-25 roughly). What an interesting story. It seriously does make a great read... but the message was for me today, and I didn't even know it yet. 

The class ended in the early afternoon. My mother was willing to watch Brayden which allowed me to give my full attention to the message. We discussed how Deborah was sought for her wisdom and faith in God. She addressed Barak with a question, calling him out. When he told her that he would go to war if she would come with him, she said, "surely I will go..." She knew that God would deliver their enemies to them should they remain righteous. 

What an incredible faith. She showed immense support to Barak in his time of need. As a wife I can provide that same type of support and faith for my husband. I can remind him that God will take care of us, even if it looks like we are outnumbered (so to speak).  It was an uplifting class (as usual) and my friend and I discussed it (among other things) on our way home. 

A few hours later I received some... less-than-exciting news from my husband. Initially... I was less than Deborah-like. I retaliated with a bit of anger (I admit it). But after having a little while to cool off, the lesson from earlier today kept going through my head. I realized that this stress was worse for my poor husband who was trying to decide whether or not "to go to battle" (figuratively, of course). He needed a Deborah and God knew that, I knew that. And so... am I a modern day Deborah? I sure hope so... at least a little more than yesterday... 

Thanks be to God for the many blessings in my life. Thanks to a strong and courageous husband, father, and patriarch of our home. These two men are my providers and will forever be.

Vital Records Section 1 + Printables

This week I am focusing on Section One of my Vital Records binder: the Address and Contact Section. It seems to me that this will be important to have any number I might need at my fingertips in case I don't have my phone for some reason. Plus, having these all in one place makes it super convenient when I need to quickly look something up... I think of it as a personal yellow pages.

Being the OCD that I am I like my pages to match. At least closely... I could not find anywhere that combined all the things into one place for me. So I have created my own pages and being as excited and generous as I am, I would like to share these with you as well. Yes, I AM a nerd.

First, I'd like to gather some of the most important numbers. Just remember I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency). These are the most important numbers. And so my section will look a lot like this:

Addresses Supply List:

·        I.C.E.- In Case of Emergency phone numbers* (print out on both sides of the page for a one-stop-shop for all my number needs!)

·        Contacts: Family & Friends* (a sort of directory for my family as well as my husband's family)

     Ward & Stake Directory (from lds.org)

·        Business Contacts* (I keep track of doctor's numbers, etc.)

      Business card sheet protector (for the business cards of businesses important to me...)

·        Christmas Card List* (It will be saved and I will be glad I don't have to start from scratch if I lose my computer.)

*printable template

Print out as many copies as you need. I used them to create a sort of address book. Hope you find these helpful. Please let me know if you like them (or if you don't... just please, be nice about it...)! 

I have some other organizing projects coming up! I can't wait to get them underway! Keep an eye out for some coupon-ing love!