My $12 Mall Trip

Children's Place (Monster Sale 50% off reduced merchandise)

Toddler Boys Cargo Pants (x2)

$3.50 each

= $7.00

Dillard's

Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser (full size)

= free (mailer)

The Limited

women's tee

$19.50

- 15.00 (printable)

= $4.50

Godiva

truffle *not pictured ;)

= free piece of chocolate per month (Godiva Rewards Club)

Total OOP = about $12

Reader Question: Coupon Organization

A reader asked:  "Would you do a post on how you organize your coupons?"  There are 3 basic components to how I keep my coupons organized:

1. Large accordian file for Sunday inserts:  I keep the inserts whole and write the date at the top.  I then file them by month.  This way if I read about a deal and the coupon is from "11/8 RP" I can just pull it out and snip.  I like this because there is no unnecessary cutting.  If I need to buy something and I want to know if I have a coupon for it, I use A Full Cup's coupon database to search for it.  It's free to sign up. 
2. Small accordian file for loose coupons:  This is used for coupons I receive in the mail; cut from magazines; print "in case"; pull from blinkies in stores; find in or on packaging; cut out of an insert and planned to use, but never did; etc.  It is organized by type of coupon (bathroom, cooking, dairy...)  I go through and clear the expired ones out at the end of each month. 
3. Envelopes:  When I plan a CVS or Target trip, I make my list on a junk mail envelope.  Note:  these are great for saving for many reasons.  I then store the needed coupons, gift cards, CVS card, printed coupon policy, a stock-up price list, etc inside the envelope to take with me.  I have a Target, CVS, Mall, and BRU/TRU envelope at all times. 

Just because this works for me, it may not suit your needs.  Some people like to cut out all coupons and make a coupon binder with trading card inserts.  Others like to carry around a box with little index dividers.  You just have to find what works for you.  Please feel free to share your own organization system in the comments.  Hope this helps!

Coats at Old Navy (Today Only)

If your child (or yourself) is in need of a coat for this winter, you may want to head to Old Navy this afternoon.  They are having a 50% off outerwear sale through the end of the day AND their Give and Get 30% Program (printable coupon) starts today, so the two deals overlap.  This means a $40 coat should cost about $14! 

Thanks, Babycheapskate!

Couponing at the Mall

There are so many great offers to take advantage of at the mall (obviously each mall varies, so below is a sampling).  The key is to combine these offers with sales.  Also, it's important to get on mailing and emailing lists to receive offers.  Not all of the below have current offers and though some of the current offers below expire soon, there is usually another to follow.  I try to make a mall trip once a month (at least to get my free Godiva):

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  Gymboree:  Gymbucks (earn $25 for every $50 spent within timeframe) and mailed coupons
  
  
  
• Children's Place:  Place Perks Rewards (earn $10 for every $75 spent), printable (15% off exp. 11/16) and mailed coupons
• Old Navy:  Old Navy Weekly printables and cardholder deals (exp. 11/8)
• JCPenny:  If you are on the JCP mailing list you may receive a coupon for $10 off $10 or more in the mail a few times a year.  I always use these to get S an article of clothing for free or almost free!
• Stride Rite:  emailed (20% off exp. 11/15) and mailed coupons.  I always buy Stride Rite shoes when they are on sale with a coupon. 
• Pottery Barn Kids Book Club:  For each Pottery Barn Kids storytime your child attends, he/she gets a stamp.  When you have collected 5 stamps, you get $10 towards anything in the store (which is like earning $2 per storytime). 
• Build-a-Bear:  $5 off $10 printable coupons
• Bath and Body Works:  emailed printables and in-store coupons
• Aveda:  printables for free samples
• Sephora:  printables for free samples
• Godiva:  free piece of chocolate each month with a rewards card
• Yankee Candle Factory:  printables and in-store coupons (ex. $1 votives)
• American Cookie Company:  free cookie printables