This is a challenging but vital part of couponing. I can not stress enough the importance of this. If you don’t do this step it will cause more stress and you will always spend more then you need to. This will usually cause you to stop couponing too.
When I organize myself, I work hard to get everything I can into the same place and in order of how I will be shopping for it. To do this, I suggest a few things. I want to be sure to tell you that the method I use may not work for you. This is kind of like the coupon organizing. Different methods work for different people and you may have to experiment a bit.
Before I go to the store I always start with a piece of paper, a pencil and my computer. I will sit down and look at all the deals. Then I write down all the things we need on a list. This list is organized by store. With some stores I go further by organizing the list by how I would shop at the store. To do this you will need a store map that tells you what items are on what aisles.
After I have the list made I take my coupon binder and get the coupons out, or I print them off from the computer. I take all these coupons and I put them in the same order as my list. This way as I go down my list I have the coupons in order to double check that I have them. When I put the in order they go into an envelope. I have taken the envelopes and cut the top off of them. I added 1/2 a 3×5 card longways with each store written on the part that sticks out of the top. I then put each envelope in the accordion organizer. Each store gets it’s own spot. This gives me everything I need for my shopping trip in 1 place.
I also take my binder with me shopping, but I didn’t do this the first few months I was doing coupons. I would only take my accordion organizer with me. and only got what was only list. Now that I have more practice at couponing and I feel like I know more, I am able to take my binder with me and shop the clearance items with it.
If I have my kids I also be sure I know what Items they can help me get and what coupons they can hold. Also be sure you get snacks or things to keep them occupied. The carts with the cars on the front are great for keeping them occupied also. but just be sure you plan things to keep them occupied so they aren’t complaining and causing added stress to you as you shop.
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