Last night, I clipped coupons.
I get those pesky packets of ads and pizza deals about once a week, and until last night I’ve always taken them directly to the recycling bin. I don’t need a new (used) car, three large pizzas, or collectible ceramic frog figurines, thank you. But the thriftiness came out last night and I plopped down with the bundle of papers and a pair of scissors and went though.
And you know what? There are some good deals out there. Bartell Drugs, for example, had a coupon for $2.00 off vitamins. I take vitamins, so I clipped it out. They had a whole page of savings on Easter decorations and candy, but I don’t really decorate for Easter, so I didn’t clip those. They had an ad (no coupon) for incredible deals on CFL lightbulbs, which I am embarrased to admit I haven’t bought because they’re so damn expensive. So I cut it out as a reminder.
No pizza ads this time, but some great coupons for Quiznos Subs, which I enjoy from time to time. One for free chips and a drink, and one for a dollar off a regular size sub. And one for buy one, get one half off, which will be great for when my friend Amanda and I go out to lunch to chat. Clip clip clip.
Do you clip coupons? The common argument is that by looking through the ads you end up stopping at a bunch of different stores (wasting gas) and buying things you wouldn’t have thought of if they weren’t on sale. However, I have a pretty standard list of the items I buy regularly, and if they are on sale, I want to stock up (say, on canned tomato sauce, or rechargeable batteries). Coupons for things I wouldn’t normally buy (like Easter candy) get recycled.
Now that I’m a coupon-clipper, you’ll have to tell me: how do you keep these pesky little things organized? There was a great article on Unclutterer about this, but what other strategies do you have?
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I’ve considered cutting coupons before but it just seems like more of a hassle than it would really be worth. Maybe I should give it a try though.
It’s funny, I thought so too, but I was able to flip through the ads while the water for my pasta came to a boil. Some clip while drinking their Sunday coffee and have the big paper.
The storage and organizing seems to be the troublesome issue, now.
I am an avid coupon clipper… it used to seem silly to me too, but now I save tons on groceries… probably about $50 saved in a month for our family of four. So not bad! (a new shirt perhaps!?!) There are coupon “organizers” that you can find in the office supply area of target or the like.
haha – aint no shame in clipping coupons! i do it…though they usually expire before i can use ‘em.
i keep them organized by just putting them in a zip loc bag and keeping them in a kitchen drawer. the PLAN is to go through it once a month and to put the ones that will expire that month in a more visible place or to keep it in my cotton groccery bag so that when i grab my cotton groccery bag to go shopping i wont forget them.
that’s the PLAN….which sounds like it should work…
I am obsessed with clipping coupons and it’s literally the highlight of my Sunday morning. Unless I’m having mimosas, because well…
Anyway, I have a little metal file box for 3 x 5 sized index cards (like this – http://tinyurl.com/djzdl2). I have divided it up into sections like: cereal, frozen foods, cleaners, etc. I file the new coupons away each week and clean out the expired ones about every 2 months.
I usually keep the current month coupons in my purse. Just before I step into the check out line I check to see if I have a coupon that applies.
When I clean out my purse (which is generally once a month) I refill my coupon pocket and toss the expired coupons.
As for storage when the coupons aren’t in my purse, I keep them in an envelope on the refrigerator.
I always get the coupons at the grocery store and will hold on to them for awhile, but always forget to take them with me to the store. Costco sends some great coupons, but I don’t go often enough to use them because they expire quickly. The BEST coupons for me are ones for clothing stores I like. (I always find a reason to use them.) I keep coupons in a little caddy next to the phone on the kitchen counter. I try to always look at it before going shopping.