The Coupon Project

Reader shares stylish & small coupon organizing system!

Reader Julie emailed me earlier this week and shared some of what she's doing to stay organized. I asked her if I could share the photos she sent me, because I think this is a great example of another way you can organize your coupons and trips. I always stress that the organizational system that works best is the one that works best for you.

Here's the scoop on Julie and her family: they are vegetarian, and always looking for a good deal on healthy, organic items such as soy milk, canned beans, and pasta sauce. Even though the majority of coupons she comes across might not fit the bill for her, it's still worth the savings for the coupons she CAN use!

Julie realized that she didn't need a very large coupon binder. So she decided to use something small and stylish. And, in a very frugal move, she decided to use something she already had: this awesome Wonder Woman planner!

At the beginning of each week, Julie uses this ShoppingCheatSheet table she came up with to outline which stores she hopes to shop at during the week. She keeps a tab in her book for each store to organize the receipts and coupons related to each store.

 
She then ordered these business card holders to store her coupons. Neat, tidy, and ready for the store!

 

Remember, you're only going to save money couponing if you've: 1) gathered coupons in the first place and 2) know where they are to retrieve them. Last week, I found a file in the bottom of my office's cabinet labeled "coupons and promotions." This file was likely started about 7 years ago in my pre-couponing days. What's the moral here? Out of sight, out of mind.

Thanks for sharing your planner, Julie! Oh how I wish I could keep things as neat and tidy as you!

Couponers: use your savings to help the people of Haiti!

 

 

Have you ever considered that saving money increases your ability to help others?

Most of us will easily save $10 on our shopping this week thanks to sales and coupons. And here's what I propose. That you turn around and donate at least $10 to a reputable non-profit organization to support the efforts in Haiti. Here are my personal recommendations. 

World Vision. This organization is usually one of the first on the scene and they offer critical support to the people in need. 

Red Cross. Donate online, or simply text "90999" and $10 will be added to your cell phone bill in support of the cause.  

Compassion International. This organization has helped children in impoverished countries for years, and they currently have a disaster relief fund set up for the people of Haiti. My husband and I have supported Compassion for years and I can attest to the integrity of this organization.  

What else can we do?

I'm currently in the process of trying to find out where local readers might donate supplies and food. (If you know, please speak up.)

Also, today Money Saving Mom has a Mr. Linky up. For every blogger that joins the effort to help raise funds for Haiti and links about it, she will personally donate $10 to Compassion International! And for every person that simply leaves a comment on her post, she'll donate $0.30! I invite you to see what she's doing here.     

Photo credit Lauri Koski 

Don't throw out your expired coupons...donate them

 

 

This morning I was sitting here, cleaning out my coupon binders and stuffing them with new coupons. As I was doing so, it occurred to me I haven't taken the time to share what to do with your expired coupons.

The answer? Donate them!

Overseas military bases accept coupons that are up to six months expired. This is a great way to help those that are helping us overseas! 

It's very simple to get started. Simply go here and choose a military base to "adopt." Be sure to email the organization and let them know of your decision. Then, mail your coupons as you're able. There are instructions for mailing found on the website over here. They request that the coupons you send be no more than 2 months expired to allow adequate time for mailing, processing, and using. 

This program has been running nearly 20 years now and your coupons are much appreciated by our military families looking to save on their food budget. I hope you will consider participating! One suggestion, if you coupon with a group of friends, perhaps take turns collecting the coupons and mailing them in. Feel free to team up with others to "adopt" a military base.   

Reminder: today and tomorrow, order Papa Johns to support fallen officers' families

 

 

I wanted to remind my readers that today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday) Papa Johns will be donating 100% of the profits received from their orders to aid the families of the fallen Lakewood police officers. So if you like pizza and like a worthy cause, you can't go wrong.

There have been some rumors about Papa Johns outside of the Puget Sound region participating. In reading the comments left on their Facebook fan page, it appears that only the 42 Puget Sound locations will be donating 100% profits; however, some stores outside the region may be opting to participate as well. So if you don't live in the area, please call your local store. 

Again, I imagine Papa Johns will be receiving MANY orders today. So place yours early and be patient. 

Go here for stores near you and to place an order.   

Washington Papa John restaurants to donate 100% profits to family of slain Lakewood officers

 

 

Thanks to my friend, Jessie, for bringing this to my attention.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday (the 8th and 9th), all Western Washington Papa John's franchises will be donating 100% of their profits to the families of the slain Lakewood officers. I was able to find some information about this here and here, but the company has yet to put out an official press release. (I will update this post once I have that information.)

If your family likes pizza, why not consider buying some next week and supporting some worthy families in the process? If I were to hazard a guess, the restaurant chain will likely be bombarded with orders, so place your order, be patient, and for heaven's sake, be kind and remember the cause behind this event.

Find stores and menus here..  

Watch for Boy Scout Food Drive in your neighborhood

My friend Tenis alerted me that the Boy Scouts will be having their annual food drive. Scouts will be visiting neighborhoods throughout the country and leaving hang-tags on doors that describe how the drive works.

If you choose to participate, you'll be asked to have your food placed in plastic or paper bags and have them ready for pick-up on Saturday, November 14.

Items they are in particular need of include:
non-perishable canned food
baby formula
dry goods
paper products

Food from the drive will be used to help our nation's many food banks.

To all my wonderful couponers and stockpilers out there, please consider helping this worthwhile effort!