source: Jerry Kirkhart
Every week I’ll pose a question for you to share your experiences and tips. If you have a question that you’d like me to post, I’d love to hear from you!
A lot of people say that they just don’t have the time to invest in couponing and shopping at multiple stores. While there’s definitely a learning curve when you’re first starting out, I don’t think it takes too long to develop your own system for doing everything efficiently so that it definitely pays off.
Usually, I shop at one drugstore and one grocery store per week, depending on which have the best deals, but lately I’ve been skipping the drugstores since I have quite a stockpile. I check out the list of deals for each store and write down the item I want to purchase, indicating in some way if there’s a coupon available, and then cut or print the coupons I need. For high value coupons I usually write those down separately at the end of the list so that I can check the price. I’ll take a minute to flip through the actual ad too because I’m a visual person and might spot something I missed that way. Then I put the coupons for each store in their own envelope along with any store loyalty card I might need and I’m ready to go!
How do you organize your shopping list, coupons and scenarios? Do you shop at multiple stores? What do you do at home before you shop to get organized so that it feels less chaotic or stressful when you’re shopping?
Join the discussion — add your two cents to previous Ask DSM Readers questions too!
Jennifer Knickerbocker
That is a good question! I have a 4 boys and a hungry husband to feed and so we are so very busy that we don’t have a lot of time to go to mulitiple stores. We shop at Albertsons and the Commercery (husband is Army Reserves) and then Costco. Sometimes it is friends gardens, road-side stands, and the 1/2 off shelf. We spend $550 per month all-inclusive and try to be as Organic as possible. My husband and I use our household control manual to help us with meal planning and goals for a two-week span (because we eat a lot of fresh produce).
Amy Z.
Ok, I gotta ask. What is a “household control manual”? If EVER there was a home that needed something of that sort, it is mine. Anyone know how to create a household balance manual? That seems to be my perpetual “rub”. Ugh.
Deanna
Basically it’s an organizational tool to get all the information you need to run your household gathered in one place. Do an internet search for “home control journal” or “household notebook” or “home management binder”…you get an endless supply of links, and don’t forget to visit youtube to see how others have put their’s together. Lots of free printables out there, or you can make your own. I like the ones on organized home . com. Anything and everything is game, it’s whatever you need to get all your stuff in one place (“family calendar” with everyone’s activities mapped out, Important Contacts listed, Daily/Weekly/Monthly/Seasonal Chore lists to keep housework running smoothly, Shopping lists, Weekly/Monthly Menu Planner, Gift Ideas for Birthday/Holidays…whatever you need, it’s one-stop shopping)
Ruth Ann
I put together a similar notebook for when I travel. Learned to do that from a guy at work when I was traveling a lot for business. He always called it his “brain book”. Travel arrangements, maps, contact information, schedules, envelope for receipts, note paper for keeping track of expenses and other things…everything goes in the brain book. Makes things so much easier to have everything in one place, especially when you’re traveling.
Kim
As I see deals online throughout the week I just copy and paste them into a Word Doc. I also add other items to this list throughout the week, so it’s a work in progress. Then when it’s “shopping day,” I pull my coupons, paperclip them together for each store, and then they go into a see-thru folder with my shopping list. I usually spend $50-$65/ week for our family of 4 (w/ 2 teenage boys!) I usually make a quick run to Walgreens and CVS (they are across the street from each other), and then a trip to Kroger and/or Walmart.
Lori Walsh
I have 2 small boys 3 and 6 and a hungry husband. I buy a lot of fresh foods, I stick to the outer aisles of the grocery store. We spend about 450 a month on groceries and that includes every meal, my husband brown bags and I homeschool so everyone is home to eat all meals. I usually stick to one store..shoprite and i buy what is on sale and only use coupons on what is on sale. I buy my meats when they are on sale and I divide and freeze them for future meals. All my veggies I buy in the store or at local farms including my eggs. I buy very few processed foods and some canned veggies.
Donna Conzett
I keep a Word document on my computer desktop that has the name of all of the stores in my area. When I see a deal or maybe even one item on a list of items on a blog that I want to remind myself of, I copy and paste it onto my Word document under the name of the appropriate grocery store. When I am ready to go shopping, I print my list out and cut the stores apart with my scissors, load this list and the coupons I need to fulfill it in an envelope and I am ready. I may not decide to get everything on my list but at least I have it as a reference…
Maria
Donna that it is the same as I do!!
Christine
That’s a great idea Kim. I never thought about that.
We usually shop at Walmart and Whole Foods every two weeks but in the mean time I’m monitoring sales & coupons online. I have my coupon organizer organized by isle at Walmart. So I grab my coupons as we enter the isle, then put the ones I’m going to use in the front and the rest back for another time.
Usally, I run to CVS or Giant Eagle for good deals on my way home but only if it’s worth my while.
Jessica
I have an excel spreadsheet that has a box for the 5 stores (3 grocery and 2 drug stores) that I go to. In each box I have a column for the item, sale price, coupon, where its located and any rewards. It totals up the prices at the bottom so I can get an idea of what I’ll be spending and make cuts if necessary to fit my budget. When I’m done I print it out, find all the coupons and put in my little coupon box. That way when I am out and about during the week, I can stop at any one of the stores and pick up the deals. I do have one main grocery store that is usually the cheapest for most items and do most of the grocery shopping there.
Jordyn
Going through store inserts used to be such a hassle, but since I discovered SouthernSavers.com, I have no problems finding the best deals at the stores in my area. I am lucky to live within 5 miles of several stores, and am able to get some awesome deals by comparing store prices.
CJ
I just shop for myself so I dont buy a lot every week. I have 3 grocery stores near each other so I look at the ads for the sale items and write them all on a half sheet of paper (divided into thirds so each store is on one sheet) and keep that sheet in with my grocery coupons. Then I have separate lists for the sale/freebie items at Walgreens and CVS. I match the lists up with my coupons so I’m ready to go when I hit the stores.
Veronica
I do it 1 of 2 ways: As I read the deals and postings of items at convenience stores (Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, etc.), I copy and paste that list into a word document. I can easily delete the items I’m not interested in. Saves alot of time over writing. For grocery shopping, here in WI doubling coupons is not standard, but currently 1-2x weekly at one chain — and only 5 (10 on special days like today!). With a limit on # to double, I write my list and put 1QD, 2QD, etc. after each item, so I know what my plan is to double (highest values!). B/c some items are out of stock, I always have back-up high value Q’s. Items that aren’t doubled just receive a “Q” after the item on my list. Always lots of circles of items that need rainchecks too!
Jennifer
I usually look at the sales online via previews and pull out my coupons and paper clip them by store in the front pocket of my organizer. I am only still playing the drug store game because I have a 10 month old in diapers. I usually shop rite aid sales with a $5/25 coupon and have a goal to get at least one pack of diapers and spend less than $10 oop and $5 after all rewards for everything I buy. I figure I can stock up on non-perishables now, and use them for the next year or two. (after diapers lol). I usually work in laundry detergent, shampoos, deoderant, baby shampoo and creams, clearance sales (my .30 flip flops and $1.24 10 pack socks), and cold medicine into my deals. I also am working the publix sales for some cheap non-perishables (we are currently not the ones buying groceries per our renting agreement) for when I get a new job and we move onto our house. *sigh* I need a job offer soon!
Carrie
I get on DSM every week-usually Thursdays-to plan my weekly trip. I cut and paste the deals by store into a word document. I even cut/paste the coupouns and what you put as the final price. Then, I print them and go through my coupons to match. If I don’t have a coupon, I cross the item off my list, or as I come across high value or FREE coupons for things not on my list, I write them down. Then, I put the coupons and list for each store in their own evelopes and I’m done.
Jennifer Christianson
I keep all of my coupons in a binder and the ads either in their correct sheet protector in the binder or in the bag because I’m not shopping quite yet. Then on the day I go, I make out my game plan. Fortunately there are two towns about 7 miles in either direction where all of my stores are in a row…Albertsons, Fred Meyers, Safeway, Walgreens, Walmart, Winco. I don’t go to them all of the time, but I plan my attack based on their sales and my coupons (which are neatly organized in trading card protectors by aisle (I use Wal-Marts aisles). I also use my apps on my iphone – Intuition for errands, Grocery iQ for list and MealBoard for meals. I love to save money!
Nanette
Wow! I am totally taking some tips from Deanna and Jessica. I also use an Excel Spreadsheet method, but I love how you guys are posting things in word as you go, that’s going to save me ALOT of paper and ink, I was just printing them as I saw them.
In regard to groceries I mainly price match at my Walmart Neighborhood Market. So I keep an Excel file of items we normally buy and check http://www.grocerysmarts.com each week for a quick review of sales (great way to catch the quick deals, but DSM is better on match ups). I enter everything into the spreadsheet including coupons and off I go. I have also recently added a column for “actual price” so my husband (an anal accountant) can see how much I really save when I price match, it’s helped him appreciate my coupon cutting and ad reviewing much more!
I also keep a file folder on my desk for each drug store (I work from home so this is easy for me). I can print the weekly match ups and put them in there with the ad and keep all the coupons specific to items on sale or the store (i.e. Target coupons) in that folder. Then when I find myself running to Target real quick or finding the time to go there I have everything already in one place. I recently revised that system and moved everything to an accordian file! I love it and the girls at Walmart are always impressed and send other customers to talk to me! ;)
I’ll happily provide my excel sheet if anyone wants it and how to price match at Walmart quickly and easily too! I can also show how I’ve organized the accordian file and how I keep sales ads, match ups, etc.
Now I have to go get a home control journal … ;) We only have one human child, but 5 canines and one swine make this a crazy house indeed!!!!
Thanks everyone. So glad I took the time to jump on here today! Thanks DSM for this!
Kathy
I’d love to get a copy of Jessica and Nannette’s Excel work sheets if you are willing to share. They sound like something that would really help me to plan and stay organized in the stores.
peg
I would like to see an example of the excel work sheets that several of the ladies use:)
Joy
Okay, I’m very old school. For my Target stack Qs I put them in a small ziploc bag and handwrite the list of Qs that are there. Then, as I go through each aisle I check the list. I also star the items that are on sale. I don’t always use all my stacks though. I try to wait to pair it with a sale if it’s something we don’t need right away.
For my other coupons, I use two of those small, cheap plastic coupon organizers (one for Target/Walmart and one for grocery store). But sometimes they are just bursting with Qs that I can’t close it. I don’t rock the drug store deals ‘cuz it’s just more work for me and the drugstores aren’t around corner from me (like Target, Walmart and grocery store are) except a rinky dink Rite Aid.
When I go to grocery store (Price Chopper), I go through ad the night before and handwrite list of items that are on sale that I want to buy and then write Q next to it if there’s a match.
Monica S
Wow, what great tips! I agree – I’d like to see a sample of some of the excel spreadsheets that people use. I’m an “unorganized” organized shopper and we always buy things that aren’t on the list, so I try to scramble through my coupon book since “I know I have a coupon for that somewhere!” and it’s just usually a mess. I’m overall a very organized person so that’s probably why I panic while in the store and I can’t find something!
enielsen
I only have Dollar General in town, so it’s not too hard to be organized for that. :)
But…that means I drive 30-45 minutes one way for any kind of shopping. I HAVE to be organized in order for that to work! If I forget something, there’s no going back – we just wait until the next trip!
I usually handwrite a list on scratch paper with the items I need (I don’t print lists b/c I think that gets wasteful) and the coupons I’ll use. I paperclip the coupons in groups by store.
Suzette
I stock up on notebooks at back to school time. Around the end of the week when the Walgreens and CVS match ups start coming out, I start compiling my list for each store of what is on sale and what coupons match up. I usually do one store per page, depending on how many items are on my list. I do my shopping on Sunday mornings when the shelves are stocked, the stores are empty and the family is sleeping in. I keep my notebook with me most of the time so if I’m checking blogs at home or at school I always have it. I tried the list on the computer, but then I had to print it everytime I left the house and it just didn’t work for me.
Megan
I love seeing all the comments and have noticed that a lot of you use Microsoft Word. I happen to copy and paste into an applilist on my phone when I’m at the store shopping!cation called Evernote, which can be found at evernote.com. The nice thing is that it slows me to create a note for myself that I can view via my android phone, the internet, or an application on my computer. That means I create the note to help me clip my coupons and then I can also view it as a note to view on my cell phone when shopping!
Catherine
I have a foods co, food source, raley’s, savemart, and safeway ads in the paper. I usually write the best sale items (excluding bogo sales and sales that require coupons) and go to walmart and price match my groceries. You have to take your ad with you. And then I’ve got CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens three miles from my house on the same street. I carry all my coupons with me. They’re divided by stores and the expiring coupons are up in front. Spend about two hours a week organizing it. Spend about $150 for the three of us (18month, me and my mom) for all shopping.
Sandra
I use 2 plastic shoe boxes with snap tight lids that I keep at home. I use index card dividers labeled with ex. Yogurt, then index cards labeled with brand of yogurt. When I check my emails/website, I print my coupons and my grocery deals listings. If I find out about a one item deal, I write a “note” on one of my old expired coupon (cut in half that I use the back for scrap paper). I put all in my Case-It 2 zippered organizer. One side has my Household Manager side. It contains my calendar, addresses, phone numbers, sweepstakes, bills, rebates, store coupon policies, reward numbers and my restaurant/misc. coupons. Also, I keep scissors, stamps, calculator, paperclips, etc. I also have a section for Coupons to Cut, Coupons to File, Websites to visit. The other side I keep all my Coupons using the Binder method with baseball cards. I have one Pocket Dividers for each store that I keep the ad. If I printed out the entire grocery deal, I will file it there also. Then I have the baseball cards filed with my “note” of a deal. I keep all the store specific coupons filed in this binder. When I get home at night, I try to cut and file all the coupons I printed and match any deals into my Binder. I carry my Binder everywhere and if I decide to stop anywhere, I have the deals with me. Whenever I run into a store and notice another deal or clearance items. I write a another “note” to myself. On all the notes I write the Store, Date, Item, Sale Price, Coupons needed, Final Price. I have found that this method has also helped me make sure my coupons have all scanned correctly. I try to go to one store a day. At the end of the week, I clean my coupon binder of the old ads/deals and start inserting the new ads/deals.
Angela
I keep my need list on OurGroceries app for my phone (https://abusymomoftwo.blogspot.com/2010/08/managing-shopping-lists.html).
That way, if I’m at a store (or my husband is), we can be sure to pick up the needs, not just the deals. We just figure out whether to buy one or more based on if it is a deal.
For deals, I do the CVS and Walgreens ad review on Sunday and prepare my list – although, I feel lucky to get there by thursday/Friday most weeks. For the grocery store, I pull out my ad (the visual piece you mention Tara) and skim it, pulling the deals that I see. Then, I reference the best resource online for that store (the store can vary), and find the deals I missed or the deals I didn;t realize were good deals because I was missing some printable coupon options. At the same time, I am laying out my tentative menu plan and I combine it all for my plan. I print out coupons and pull out coupons from my files and put them together with my list and head to the store.
Karen D.
Before, at the end of a month, I was discouraged seeing all the coupons I had taken the time to cut out and file, get thrown out because I hadn’t needed to use them. What a waste of my time and effort. Knowing there must be a better way, I did some searching and found CouponMom.com. Using the CouponMom.com website and method has made my saving and shopping much easier, and less time consuming! The site lists the deals and sales at gocery stores, drug stores, and stores such as Walmart and Target. It lists the sale item, if there is a coupon available, and where the coupon is available, and how much you save when you buy the item. I can go through and check off the items I am interested in on the list and print out a list specific to what I intend to buy. It has worked tremendously for me!
Kristen
I have TWO coupon organizers. I use one for all of my coupons that have been cut and organized, and the other I use to put all of the coupons for that month into (so I can try and use them before they expire), and I also put the coupons to products that are on sale into my spare coupon organizer. That way I’m only sifting through the coupons that maybe expiring soon or for things that are on sale that week.