Coupons, coupons, coupons! I have a love/hate relationship with them. Of course, they save me lots of money at the grocery store, but keep tracking of them can be hard work, especially since my coupons are always a disorganized mess!
I used to keep my coupons in my wallet, but my collection got totally out-of-control. I’d open my wallet and they’d spill out all over the place. And, they’d fall everywhere– all over the floor, under things, and in hard-to-reach places– so, not surprisingly, random people would stop and help me pick them up. The whole situation was awkward and embarrassing. I definitely needed a new method!
My more recent method for keeping track of my coupons was storing them in a small basket. Every time I got a new coupon, I’d just toss it into the basket. Simple, right?
This worked well until I needed to go to the grocery store. Carrying a small wicker basket around the store was just not an option! Soon, I resorted to a regular ol’ paper envelope for storing and transporting my coupons.
An envelope was a great option until I realized that my larger store coupons didn’t fit in it. I tried folding them, but they still took up too much space.
The other day, I finally decided to get myself organized. I purchased a coupon-sized expanding file. (Office Depot has some really cute ones!) Now, I store all of my coupons in a lightweight plastic file.
I organized the sections of the file according to how my local grocery store is set up, so I can easily grab coupons as I walk through the aisles. For instance, the produce/deli/cheese coupons are in the first compartment while the ones for frozen foods and bread are in the very last one.
Nice and neat! 
Trading Up Downtown Giveaway
I love my new coupon expanding file so much, I’ve decided to give one away on Trading Up Downtown this morning! I also threw in a NuVal t-shirt. 
To enter: Leave your favorite money-saving tip on this post. I’ll randomly pick a winner tomorrow morning.
Good luck!
Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the 
I love that organizer!
Make sure that you go through your pantry and fridge to see if you already have an item that you think you need before going to the grocery store! I have 3 bottles of dried mint because I didn’t do this!
My favorite money saving tip is using coupons on things that are already on sale- most of the time you get things for free!
My favorite money saving tip is to always check the grocery circulars before shopping and be sure to match your coupons with the sale items – especially if your store doubles coupons.
That organizer is awesome, SO many compartments! My tip is to always make a list, that way you are likely to come home with items you actually need and can both create some actual meals and stick to your budget. I always plan meals before making my list too.
This is an awesome post- I really need an organizer like this. I was just searching through for a coupon this morning in my purse and of course not finding it…haha oh boy!
I have two money saving tips #1- buy bulk items like oatmeal when they are on sale, and #2- try to make less frequent trips to the grocery store and make due with what you have, it will force you to use up things you’ve already spent money on (I need to take my own advice on the second one!)
I shop online as much as possible, using UPromise.com-listed companies so that I get the maximum UPromise contributions. They usually come with free shipping and I combine e-coupons for percentages off!
I shop make a list and STICK to it. Amazing how much you can spend if you just “browse” without focusing…
I actually purchased a cute little accordian-style coupon file from Barnes & Noble. It’s part of their Vera Bradley collection and comes with a notepad to write the grocery list and a pencil. Love it!
My front door is metal, so I have a magnetic basket on it for store coupons. Since I typically make a special trip to use store coupons, I just keep them there until I need them and then I throw them in my purse. The Vera Bradley coupon holder is for groceries and is small enough to stay in my purse, which is helpful when I need to make a quick run to the store because I ran out of something.
Money saving tip – keep a VERY detailed budget. I track every single penny. Mint.com is a great resource.
Turning off appliances doesn’t always mean they aren’t taking in electricity. Unplug or turn the wall switch off (if you can) for TVs, chargers, Stereos, Toasters, etc. The phantom power can really add up.
I dropped my electric bill from $25 to $5 one month making sure I did that. Note: I live in a studio apartment and the stove & heat are gas-powered.
I like to look at what is in my pantry (or fridge) already and try to find recipes that will use many of those ingredients and require me to buy the least amount of stuff to make the recipe!
It not only saves money but forces me to be creative
My tip is to know your grocery store’s coupon policy. Mine doubles coupons up to $0.50, will let you use a store and manufacturer’s coupon on the same item and accepts competitor’s coupons. Knowing this has saved me a bunch of money!
Sweet, sweet giveaway!!! I am a huge coupon clipper
. My advice is to check out coupons.com regularly as they have some good coupons you can just print. Also, comparison shop. One grocery store may have cheaper cereal, while another may have cheaper produce. Check it out!!
I wish I was more of a coupon clipper…but I end up throwing away the worn out clippings that end up stuffed at the bottom of my purse!!
My best tip is to make a list and prioritize it! Fruit and veggies are super important to me, and at the top of my list, and granola bars and certain cereals are not as important, so if I have to save a little money I have to pass on some my least important items!
I always try to make lists and plan out my meals for the week! That helps me save time, save money, and eat a little healthier too
Buy generic – it tastes the same and is almost always cheaper! (make sure to check the price per oz, though!)
I don’t have any amazing money savings tips (I’m in graduate school and graduating in a little over a month…so it’s more of an “OMG I have to save money on EVERYTHING what can I do without?!?!” kind of thing) BUT, I love finding coupons for things that I know I have to buy, because my mom and grandma always told me that I shouldn’t just buy something because I found a coupon and it’s a good deal, I should buy it because I need it!
I save by buying the things that are on sale and that I have coupons for at the same time.
My money saving tip is to not go to the store when you only need a few things! My boyfriend has limited me to one grocery trip every two weeks which has really helpe cut down on my spending. Now when I go I have a very thought out list with coupons I have cut and saved other the two weeks.
My best money-saving tip is to ALWAYS take the time to compare prices at the food store. Even with a coupon for a name-brand product, a lot of times the generic or store brand is still cheaper. And always know your grocery store’s coupon-doubling policy.
My favorite money saving tip is matching sales at the grocery store (usually Meijer) with the coupons that I have. It often makes the items free or really cheap! I need a new coupon binder so I would love to win this!
My money saving tip is to go vegetarian a few times a week. This saves so much without even realizing it!
I almost never buy anything full price. I review 2 grocery store web sites every Wednesday when the ads come out, see what’s on sale, and then shop (and eat) from there.
Meal planning and list making is my favorite money saving tip. It’s also a great time saver.
Also, along with this post, I would love to see a post on strategies for finding/ clipping coupons. Actually finding/ collecting coupons for products I use is my biggest coupon challenege.
I’m in college and my favorite money saving tip is going home and eating my parent’s food:) Just kidding, really I save money by buying from the bulk bins at the health food store. Also, Walmart may not be the most earth-friendly place, but just about everything is cheaper there.
Awesome giveaway! My top money saving tip is to plan my meals for 2 weeks at a time. I plan them around what I already have in my freezer and pantry, and then move onto whatever is on sale at the grocery store. It really forces me to be creative when planning meals, and it saves so much money!
Lately when we go shopping I try to match coupons to the sales ad. Plus, I like to make sure I have a few coupons for things we might like to try or buy regularly (even if they aren’t on sale).
Currently I use a little photo album to store my coupons. I need a new one as the one I’m using has seen better days (and doesn’t hold enough coupons!). But, I love it because I can easily flip through it and see all of the coupons!
Oh my goodness I really need that coupon organizer! My envelopes are falling apart, plus it takes forever to sort through. My husband and I keep a Google document for our budget. We have a certain amount allocated for each necessity, bills, pets, cars, insurance etc as well as a column for income. It keeps an adding tab of money spent on food, gas, and our personal spending. It really helps to know how much we have left each month to spend or avoid overspending.
Cool giveaway! My money saving tip is to buy in bulk with friends ! We’re all single and living in small areas, so not much space for storage – so a group of us will go to Costco then divvy up the goods, so much cheaper than buying smaller sized, and no more dealing with waste/storage issues!
My favorite tip is to make a list before going in to the store
My favorite money saving tip is to keep track of ALL of my spending with a mini-notepad in my purse and my excel spreadsheet
I make a list and stick to it. Also, I ask myself if I really need something when it comes to impulse purchases, often I don’t need it and don’t end up spending the money.
I always make sure to comparison shop when it comes to groceries. Saving a little here and there tends to add up over the course of a week/month/year.
i have to say having the membership card to whatever grocery store you go to most is a HUGE moneysaver! At my local Pricechopper I have a card (and signup is free) and I go in and make sure to check for as many deals as possible! It’s great
I heart coupons! My husband used to be a little weirded out by my overflowing coupon drawer, but after several delicious bogo free meals, he’s always asking what good coupons I have when we’re going to eat out
I think one good money saving tip in regards to coupons is that just because you have the coupon, doesn’t mean you need to buy the product. I used to buy things just because I had a coupon for it, thinking I was saving money, but often I didn’t really need the “new fancy windex” or the “ultra deodorant.” Use coupons for what you would normally buy, and keep the other coupons just in case.
My favorite money saving tip is to always check the grocery circulars before shopping. It definately pays off!
Money saving tip- I use white vinegar as a fabric softner in my wash instead of liquid softners. The smell does not stay on your clothes.
I think buying in bulk at Costco has been a big saver for us. You have to be careful though because even though it seems like everything is cheaper, there are some things that aren’t compared to a regular supermarket. But, if you have the storage space (and an extra freezer!) it can be a big help.
Great way to get organized! My money saving tip: when you get down to the ends of your green onions put them in water and they’ll keep growing in your kitchen.
I always pay attention to whats on sale while I’m shopping. Also, I always sign up for those little key card swipe barcode thingies and always make sure to use them to my advantage when I shop.
My best saving money tip is to eat the food you buy! Sounds simple right?! But how often do we through out leftovers or eat out instead of eating what we already bought.
I love your organization Tina! I have a special pocket in my large purse for coupons when I am in the store to try and avoid spilling them everywhere with my wallet too. The folder by section is a great idea!
My favourite money saving tip is to make my own coffee at home in the mornings instead of buying it out. I guess this is a no-brainer, but once I realized how much money I was spending on a coffee here, a latte there, I invested in a travel mug and now brew my own cuppa joe.
Money savind tip: afullcup.com – Great tips on how to save on weekly shopping trips and a coupon database that can’t be beat!
I try to buy in bulk whenever possible.
I would say, my favorite tip is to buy things that won’t go bad on sale and store it! Like canned beans or soup or tomatoes!!
Make enough the night before for lunch the next day! Circulars,coupon review and a plan for the week is helpful as well as coupons.com. You can search and pick only the coupons you want on this site so it cuts down on all those little pieces of paper!
My recent favorite is using paperbackswap.com and swapadvd.com for my book and movie needs. I have a 3 year old and we have gotten most of her movies through there so I don’t have to spend money on Elmo or Blues Clues. It’s great!
My local grocery store has a double coupon day where they will double your coupons up to $.50! It is an awesome deal!
My best tip is to use coupons! The first thing I do when I get the newspaper each week is find the coupons and cut them out. I also look for coupons in magazines. I love this organizer!
My best tip is to look at the weekly flyer before going to the store. It is easy to get caught up in the shopping process and forget to picl one up or look at the copy at the front of the store.
I like to search the internet for coupons whenever I buy something online, its usually pretty easy to find something.
I plan out my dinners for the week and make a list of the things I need for those dinners. I stick to the list.. that way I’m not just wandering through the store picking up random things, then wondering what to do with it all when I get home!
This is so handy! I try to stock up on things that I use a lot whenever they’re on sale…Oikos was 4/$3 yesterday at Kroger so you can bet I got a bunch!
I always make sure to shop for what’s on sale. Easiest way to save
I buy cutes of meat that yield more than one dinner. Ground meet usually lasts for two nights, as do sausages. And they are cheap to begin with!! Also, making my own peanut and almond butter has been saving me money and it is so much more fun!
Check online for coupons!
I’m pretty good about using the coupons they give you with your receipt at the grocery store. Other than that, I NEED money-saving tips!
We happen to live near 3 big grocery stores. When we make our list, I hop online and look at all of their ads in pdf form. It really does help. Also, we do the majority of our shopping at Trader Joe’s, and almost all of our produce at the farmers market.
I make sure to buy my food based on the price per ounce. This really saves me time and money as it’s super confusing trying to compare products by size and price etc!
I buy things like beans, pasta, canned veggies only when they are on sale and stock up!
I like to buy things in bulk when they are on sale. I also shop at garage sales every weekend in the summer and look for good quality kids clothes and toys. You can save a ton that way!
I could REALLLLLLY use this organizer!!
My favorite money saving tip is to guy frozen veggies & canned since they’re MUCH cheaper than buying produce at the grocery store, plus they won’t spoil! Unless of course, you’ve got a farmer’s market near you, in which case I’d opt for that instead
I like to buy big packages of things I use a lot at wholesale clubs.
Thanks.
Ann
i buy things i use often in bulk, clip coupons and print them online, and eat meals at home whenever possible!
My favorite grocery savings tip: NEVER go to the store hungry!
My favorite tip–stick to a list and leave the husband at home. The list curbs impulse buys and I don’t end up with quite as many snacky foods in the cart when I’m by myself!
i love using coupons and have for years. But recently I discovered shortcuts.com. This site allows me to put the coupons directly on my shopping center club card. It is super easy just to click on the ones that I want and they are automatically uploaded to my card. I use that in conjunction with the store flyer each week to make sure I don’t miss the really good deals on the stuff that my family likes.
I like to look through my pantry before going shopping to see how many meals I can make there first. Then, I look through the grocery store ads to see who has the best sales on meat and produce, and go there for the rest of my shopping.
This might sound silly but I recently decided to buy all my toiletries, cleaning supplies, makeup, and paper towels/toilet paper at Walmart. It saves me a TON!!
I don’t buy just because it is on sale. I resist the urge! I only buy what I need.
I usually try to put a few things back before I go to the check out–kind of reverse shopping
I love this coupon organizer…and I could really use it! I’ve been using a torn up envelope that is being held together by two paper clips:(
Money saving tip – try and only do your major grocery haul, every two weeks instead of every week. Plan out 10 meals for those two weeks (leftovers and maybe eating out can be used for the extra days). This will save you money. It forces you to use “what you have”, become creative in the kitchen, and not stop at the store everynight for something!
We have a binder with pockets that we keep all of our coupons, gift certificates, groupons, etc. in. We also have a section in the back for our favorite menus in our area.
i check out the flyers of four different grocery stores each week, and usually everything i need to get on my list is on sale at at least one of the stores, so throughout the week i hit up the different stores and get only those items that were on sale. i’m already out and about in those areas when i go to the different stores, so it’s not like i’m making an extra trip. it’s a lot of fun to scout different deals when all of the flyers come in the mail too!
i buy store brands of certain products, such as pantry staples, and scour sunday coupons =)
Thanks for the opportunity! I love using coupons too!! My money saving tip would be to buy things in bulk. It’s all about price per lbs. baby!
I meal plan on what is on sale at our area grocery stores. If is it an item we use a lot of and will keep I purchase as many as I can afford. I also take advantage of price matching – for example in our Sunday paper we get a Target ad but the closest store is an hour away. I will take the ad with me to Pamida or Walmart who honors price match – that works great for items like cleaning supplies/paper products/dog food etc.
Any time I order anything online I always look for coupon codes before checking out. Especially larger sites like Amazon and Old Navy ALWAYS have some kind of coupon – free shipping, 20% off purchase, etc.
I look through the advertisements for the grocery stores before I head out to do my weekly shopping. I am lucky to have two grocery stores within a minute of one another- so I can stop at both and get the best deals. Also- I always make a list and try to stick to it the best I can so I don’t get sucked in to the deals at the ends of the aisles!
I think that my favorite way to save money is to first make a list of the things that I need from the store and then look at the weekly adds for good deals and based on the deals, I might stock up on an item or skip that item for the week so that I can keep the bill to a minimum!!
I look in the weekly ads for sales and save up my coupons for things I need the most, then wait for the sales and save a ton! I recently bought 2 tubes of brand name toothpaste for 99 cents using coupons and the store sale. I also LOVE buying store brand items – they work/taste just as well at a fraction of the cost.
I love both of your blogs!
I make sure to not overlook the fact that coupons save money–except when you weren’t planning to buy them in the first place! Stick to your list, buying something just because you have a coupon causes you to spend more money!
My favorite way to save money is to look for the discounts and wait for a good deal for the products! I love finding my favorite things (like chocolate!) on sale!
My favorite money saving tip is to “make it myself”. For so many things, it is much more dollar-saavvy (although more time-costly) to do-it-myself. I buy full-size carrots and chop them up (instead of buying baby carrots–saves $1-$2 per pound). I buy full size bags of chips / cookies and portion them out (instead of buying pre-portioned snacks–saves $1-$3 per bag / box). I make coffee at home with a Keurig (instead of buying Starbucks–saves $1-$3 per cup).
Menu plan and only then do my grocery shopping! Lovely organizer.
Match coupons with store sales. Buy at rock bottom prices then stock up.
My favorite tip is watching for sales and trying to match as many coupons as possible to them. Thanks! I didn’t know about this coupon wallet.
Take advantage of the coupons printed on the back of your receipt.
My tip is shopping with a buddy at Sam’s Club. They have huge portions of cheap produce, so I stock up and split items like peppers, potatoes, spinach, mushrooms with my mom or a friend and then we split the cost. Cheap and splitting the giant portions means none of the food goes to waste. Also, if I buy too many veggies in bulk I’ll freeze them myself. Great post!
My tip is to buy generic when it doesn’t matter, and spend a little more when it makes a difference. Also, to make a list, and go strictly by what’s on it!
My favorite way I save money is that I joined a CSA. For what averages out to $20 per week, they give me a huge bag of organic veggies for 20 weeks in the summer. It is much less expensive than buying this produce at the grocery store and is so fresh and wonderful!
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Check your pantry and make a list according to the stores weekly ads before leaving for the grocery store.
Have a change bucket and put all your loose change in it every time you walk by, works like a charm
I check the store weekly ads and then find out what coupons I can print off and use that to plan the meals for the week. I end up eating some of the same stuff, but I’m fine with that.
[...] I admit it. I’m good with money. I stay on budget, cut coupons, squirrel-away savings, and constantly look for the best deals possible. While I wouldn’t [...]
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i am sooo loving golf coupons… They help me save money while playing my favorite sport…
Hey! I hope that you get this….you mention coupons a lot, and coupons that you use at whole foods. I shop exclusively at health food type stores, and never see any coupons for natural or organic products. I was wondering where you find those coupons, and if you have any tips for someone looking to save on better-for-you food products.
Thanks!
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