A System for Saving with Coupons and Prior Planning

I have been asked how I manage my coupons and I thought I would share my system with anyone interested. This is a very easy to adopt procedure, otherwise I probably wouldn't keep up with it. At one time I kept a detailed spreadsheet to track my coupons but after failing to update it after each trip to the store, it becomes outdated and unmanageable pretty quickly.

After doing a lot of research on line and reading many articles here on Gather, this is my system:

I bought a photo album with clear pockets - 2 per page, 2 per side, so that when the book is open, four pockets are displayed. I divided the pages up by the type of item and ultimately had so many coupons I needed to expand. Now I have food item coupons and toothpaste/toothbrush/dental hygiene coupons in the photo album.

I used file folder labels to make section headings so I could flip to the desired section easily. I have other product coupons in a little blue expanding file, also divided by category - hair care, shaving, plastics, etc. These two coupon holders have coupons for items I use often, items I would like to try, or items I am familiar with and will buy if they are inexpensive enough or free by using the coupon and sales.

I save all the other coupons until they expire in a folder. When I scan sale fliers from CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Kroger and others I double check the folder to see if I can match up coupons with sale items for a good deal. Remember, if I can get an item free, I'll pick it up, even if I don't need it so I can donate it.

I use letter sized (#10) envelopes to keep my coupons in when I go shopping. The CVS envelope includes my Extra Bucks coupons, a written list of what I plan to buy and manufacturer's coupons I'll use. I do the same thing for the other stores.

I always take my "photo album" and expanding file with me to the store in case there is an unadvertised special or a sale I missed. This has helped me get some great deals more than once!

We don't buy a Sunday paper but my mother-in-law drops off the sale fliers and coupons on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning for me. I usually check expiration dates on my filed coupons, clip new coupons and scan the sale fliers while I watch a movie with my husband. (He's off on Sunday and Monday.)

The next night I begin to formulate my plan. First I go through the CVS booklet and match up coupons that I can match with sale/free after Extra Bucks items and fill up my CVS envelope. I repeat this process for Walgreens and Rite-Aid also.

We don't really grocery shop every week now, but I do always check the Kroger and Food Lion sale fliers just in case either of them has sale items I would like to take advantage of.

Now that I have my system established and my coupons filed efficiently, I spend about 2 hours a week managing my coupons, scanning store fliers and preparing for shopping. I often end up with huge savings. Sometimes I even end up earning about $50/hour based on time spent and savings realized. That's a pretty good rate of return!