I've evolved over the year from a paper envelope to my latest coupon holder that I carry with me to the store. The envelopes worked okay but I didn't like the crinkly window plastic making noise. Plus the paper envelope only lasted about a month before the sides were ripping and the window was pooping out. So, I got this clear sturdy plastic poly envelope from the Florida State Lottery. They gave them out free for some promotion when you bought tickets at the State Fair or some other promotion.
I love this carrier because it is see through and I can just slip my list in the front with the coupons I'll need for sure right near the front to. Then I use a hair binder to keep it closed. I keep all my store cards and my Publix gift cards in there too, so it needs to be secure. This way I can lay it in the basket of the shopping cart and read my list, and not have to juggle the coupons too. I just pull them out at the end of the shop and verify quantities.
I do carry extra coupons for moneymakers items or free stuff in case I want to get them, or need a filler. I also have my rain checks and competitor coupons that I carry, so it sometimes gets a little fat. But then I know its time to clean out, usually when the Advantage Buys end and I need to restock with the new deals coupons.
I also put a return address sticker on the inside in case I ever lose it and someone decides they want to be nice and return it. I would recommend labeling your coupon holder with at least a phone number so if you misplace it in the store, someone who finds it could just call and you might actually still be in the area. Good luck with that, but at least you've made an effort to help the finder find you.
So here's my latest shop from Publix. Not the greatest (81% saved), but I'm getting a little burned out and I'm totally on budget with spending less than $100 a month this year. We used to spend $5000 a year on groceries, which now amazes me now. I'm glad we have all the tools to make couponing so profitable with our store ad match ups and sneak peeks, coupon databases, forums and blogs and of course our wonderful grocery store coupons booklets and flyers that allow stacking.
| 15-Jul | 19 | 46.93 | 12.27 | 26.49 | tax | 8.84 | 19 | -81.17% | |
| Product | qty | price | subtl | -B1G1 | -Q | total | Q# | Q details | |
| lettuce | 1 | 1.49 | 1.49 | 1.49 | |||||
| carrots | 1 | 1.69 | 1.69 | 1.69 | |||||
| banana | 1 | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.32 | |||||
| mushrooms | 1 | 2.69 | 2.69 | 2.69 | |||||
| cucumber | 1 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.65 | |||||
| cantalope | 1 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | |||||
| tomato | 1 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | |||||
| english muffins | 1 | 1.49 | 1.49 | 1.49 | |||||
| Bulls Eye BBQ sauce | 1 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 0.00 | 1 | free coupon | ||
| Kellogs Fiber Plus cereal BOGO | 4 | 3.99 | 15.96 | 7.98 | 7.00 | 0.98 | 8 | $1/1 MQ+ 0.75/1 TQ | |
| Cereal GM Total BOGO | 2 | 4.29 | 8.58 | 4.29 | 3.00 | 1.29 | 2 | $1.50/1 peelie | |
| reusable bag | 1 | 0.99 | 0.99 | 0.99 | 0.07 | 0.07 | 1 | free wyb 2 GM products | |
| Cover Girl nail polish | 2 | 1.29 | 2.58 | 6.00 | 0.18 | -3.24 | 4 | $2/1 MQ+ $1/1 TQ 6-27pg | |
| Cover Girl lip outlast | 1 | 5.99 | 5.99 | 3.00 | 0.42 | 3.41 | 2 | $2/1 MQ+ $1/1 TQ 6-27pg | |
| $/$$ coupon | 0.00 | 0.00 | 5.00 | -5.00 | 1 | $5/$25 competitor exp 7/15 |
