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!

7 Preschool Games for Less Than $4 at TRU!

S is too young for these, but I couldn't resist such a deal.  I will either save them as gifts or they would also be great for a Christmas toy drive this year.  Of course Memory I will keep for matching!   Here's the deal at Toys R Us:

Preschool Milton Bradley/Hasbro Games $3.99 Each

• Candy Land
• Cootie
• Chutes and Ladders
• Don’t Break The Ice
• Hi-Ho Cherry-O
• Ants in Pants (I did not get this one)
• Memory

Buy $25 in Hasbro games, get a $10 gift card
Submit Hasbro Rebate of $2.00 per game
 
7 games ($3.99 each)= $27.93
- $10 gift card
- $14 rebate ($2 per game)
= $3.93 (or 57 cents each!)
 
*Note 1:  My store let me buy 6 games and included the tax towards the $25, but others haven't been as lucky.  So I actually bought 6 games for $1.94 (that's 33 cents each!).
 
*Note 2:  You can't buy multiples of the same game for the rebate to work.
 
Also, if you only wanted Memory, you could buy it for $3.99 now and fill out the $2.00 rebate so that the final cost is $1.99 (still a good deal since these are noramlly priced at $10 each).

If you are new to my blog, we are currently giving away a set of Gaddy Nipper Crayons here!