What to do with your Expireds? (Frugally)

Please let me know if you would like to send your coupons overseas to US bases to help support military families over there.

I have a place I send mine and would gladly share the information.

Also, if you would like to contribute and do not have the time to clip/sort/send yourself. I will  CLIP/SORT/SEND them if you send them to me.

The base I send to accepts them bagged up by expiration date that way they get a great potluck in each bag and the box can be opened and distrubuted instantly.

Here's how I do this frugally if you want to know how:

• I purchase by zip sealed (not fold over) sandwich bags from the Dollar Tree. They have a 62 count box that works well.
• I do not send expired IPs (internet printables) overseas to help cut down on coupon fraud.
• I take the extra paper that is usually thrown in the recycling bin from cutting out IPs and write what month and year on it and put in into each bag after filling it a little.
• I classify coupons by size after sorting by month. I promise you can maximize your space in your bags by doing it this way. The sizes are square and rectangular. If you can stack all the squares up you can fit them next to each other in the bag and then put the rectangular ones in behind them.

• I pick up a flat rate box or 2 from the post office along with a couple of Customs Forms. The boxes are free but the postage is flat rate. Postage you pay depends on the box size you get.
• Then you send off your box(es) and REPEAT lol.

I do not tally face value or anything like that. I used to but it is definitely way to time consuming and I'm only one person lol.

But again if you would like me to do all the "leg work" and just would like send them to me that is fine to. Please email me at darkenmind1326@yahoo.com and put something about "expired coupons" and what website or person referred you to me in the subject line. I will gladly love to chat with ya. I'm based in/around Columbia SC.

Rebekah~

Week #12 challenge - Create a Coupon Binder. (4/17/2011)

Believe it or not ...I have tried all 3 methods of organizing. I can't honestly tell you which one has work best.

METHOD 1 - Index Card File
I started off just with a little index card file box I had gotten on sale at probably Walgreens for like $0.39. I used index cards because of their thickness and cut the tops like a manilla folder would be for a tab. I labeled them by just simple writing what categories I thought might would help me remember where I put specific ones. The I realized that some of the coupons were taller than the index cards. So then what I did was taped a piece of masking tape doubled over to form like a "pull-tab" so I could see where the different sections were. This lasted a long time and I am thinking about doing some sort of combination method

METHOD 2 - Binder with Baseball Card Holders
I can tell you this method did not last very long. Although this sounds great, I am not one to be all "prettiful and/or glamourous". So with that being said, my binder was just the average generic brand 1 inch or so with baseball card inserts (that I just happened to get on sale at Staples when I decided to do it). Yes I would admit the poly dividers are much more durable than the paper dividers but poly ones are expensive. If you are careful, using the paper dividers are great. This one did not last very long because I don't have that much time to do "coupon origami" to make all different sizes of coupons fit into a small holder. I was however able to see all my coupons and know what I had.

METHOD 3 - "No Clip" & Print Off Reference Sheet

This is what I call it. Some other sites call it the File Method. You are basically just printing the sheet from a website like http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/ or another person's blog where they have copied and posted the list and then paper clipping it to the proper insert. I use an accordion type poly folder that has 8or 12 pockets. It works for what I need. I got it from Big Lots a while back. (This site lists all the coupons that could possibly be in your Sunday newspaper insert with coupons. This does not mean all of the coupons that are listed are going to be in your paper because some are regional and that is just how the companies do things.

When I used to print the list I tried to go behind them (because the coupons are listed in alphabetical form usually) and put them by expiration date. I soon found this to more trouble and just printed the alphabetically. Then I grab a highlighter and go through my inserts and highlight the ones I have and change the values to reflect the coupons I have been sent. Also if there were ones that weren't included in the list as well.

When I trade or send someone coupons from these print-offs, I try to write the name beside the coupon and strikethrough it to know that is is no longer in the insert.

I have come to like this particular method because it shows me what was sent to begin with, do i still have it or was it traded, and when it expires so I know when to clip it. The only thing about it though is that I feel as if I do not clip it and have it in my box then I don't really know if do have them (yes mixed emotions lol).

METHOD 4 - The Combo: "No Clip" & Print Off Reference Sheet/Baby Wipes Box
I must credit this idea to my dearest coupon friend Cindy of Summerville. She was the first(that I have seen)that uses the baby wipes box for holding her coupons. It is a wonderful storage for the short regular size coupons or the rather long rectangular one. But Cindy you get the Kudos for it;)!

(as you can see i tried to create a lid holder on..with duct tape. It lasted a while lol.)

I say this method may actually work.

1. Print your usual preview list off and highlight the coupons you were sent for each insert.
2. Cut out all of the coupons and organize how you normally would.
3. If you use, trade, or give to someone else just mark it like you would in METHOD 3.
4. Using your lists you can accurately have your baby wipes box up-to-date with the most recent coupons from your inserts.

This method will only work with the inserts or coupon booklets that get sent out or you pick up at the stores.
As for tearpads, blinkies, peelies, and Catalinas you may need to devise your own system. For this you may want to use a site called http://www.hotcouponworld.com/ (HCW). It is completely free to sign up. All you need is an email address and password. This website acutally has a huge database that you can search through and make lists of coupons. Their lists consist of "Have", "Keep", and "Wish". This way instead of typing all day the ladies at HCW have done a great job in simplifying the process in being able to post a link to your page where your "Have" and "Wish" are posted. Any time you update either, anyone that clicks your link will get the updated version. For example here is my link to my lists : www.hotcouponworld.com/userlists/darkenmind1326 .You do not have to be a member to see it..to click it and see what it is all about:).


How other people organize their coupons:
Money Saving Mom
Frugal Coupon Living
I Heart CVS
Passionate Penny Pincher
Life As I See It
Adventures in Savings: Adventures in Organzing Coupons & Adventures in Savings: My Coupon Categories
Stylish Saving in the Capital District
Common Sense with Money, Living Well for Less
 The Modern Saver
Where My Heart Is: How I Organize Coupons
A Spirited Mind: New Coupon Strategy
Mrs.Money Saver
Mommy Managing
A Visit With Grammy
I am Totally That Mom
Green Bay Savers
Joy in the Burbs
$pend Less 2 $ave More
Love 2 Shop & Save
The Coupon Addiction
Green Stew
Roly Poly
Mom Saves
The Frugal Homeschooling Mom
The Kings