I have tried envelopes. I have tried purse size coupon organizers. Frankly, I stink at organizing coupons. I did some research, and the The Frugal Free Gal helped me. I am now the proud owner of a coupon binder that is organized!
You'll Need:
Zip-up binder
3 Packages of baseball card holders
3 sets of dividers
This video from the Frugal Free Gal will show you how to put your coupon binder together.
http://thefrugalfreegal.com/2011/01/create-your-own-coupon-binder.html
Even though they are a bit more expensive, you do need a zip-up binder. It makes a big difference, and you won't lose anything.
My daughter loves helping cut out coupons (thank goodness). My rule is that I only cut coupons that I will use. Besides the Sunday paper, there are a few other places I get coupons. About twice a month, my grocery store sends me coupons based on passed purchases. This is an easy way to save money. Target also has online coupons that you can print out. I also make sure to keep my 40% off Justice Coupons and my Kohls coupons in the zipper part of the binder.
The Ultimatest Grocery List
This grocery list is great. It has everything you could ever want and more! Plus, if there is more you want you can add it. Most of it organized the way grocery stores are set-up. The only exception for me is the snacks and the canned goods. They span multiple aisles.
The website I found it on has quite the sense of humor and lots of collections of grocery lists they have found!
http://www.grocerylists.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/GrocerylistsDOTorg_Deluxe_v3_0.pdf
You don't have to leave it in the cart when you are done!
The website I found it on has quite the sense of humor and lots of collections of grocery lists they have found!
http://www.grocerylists.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/GrocerylistsDOTorg_Deluxe_v3_0.pdf
You don't have to leave it in the cart when you are done!
Menu Planning & Grocery Shopping
I am REALLY trying to do a good job in 2011 with menu planning, grocery shopping, using coupons and remembering to bring my reusable bags at the grocery store. My plan is that I will be more organized and save money. Since it is just January 4th, I'm not sure if I can measure my success very accurately. However, other than a trip to pick up medicine, I haven't made any extra trips to the grocery store!
I made up this menu/grocery shopping planning page with the intent that I look at what I already have in my pantry/freezer/refrigerator when planning my menu. Since I'm still trying to figure out how to get a PDF into my blog, the best I can do is give you a link:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/46294592/Menu-Meal-Planning
Step 1- Fill out the yellow section with foods you already have.
Step 2- First, plan your daily meals trying to use up the food you already have.
Step 3- Make a grocery list with everything you will need.
At my house, breakfast is usually the same, so I combined it with snacks. If you are into elaborate breakfasts like omlets and need a special breakfast menu, I don't think my plan will work for you. If a bowl of cereal or a frozen waffle is good enough, then I think my menu plan will work great!
You can always Google "Menu Meal Planning Grocery Shopping" and there are lots of free planning tools on the Internet.
P.S. Maybe by 2012, I'll be able to have a PDF embedded into my blog
I made up this menu/grocery shopping planning page with the intent that I look at what I already have in my pantry/freezer/refrigerator when planning my menu. Since I'm still trying to figure out how to get a PDF into my blog, the best I can do is give you a link:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/46294592/Menu-Meal-Planning
Step 1- Fill out the yellow section with foods you already have.
Step 2- First, plan your daily meals trying to use up the food you already have.
Step 3- Make a grocery list with everything you will need.
At my house, breakfast is usually the same, so I combined it with snacks. If you are into elaborate breakfasts like omlets and need a special breakfast menu, I don't think my plan will work for you. If a bowl of cereal or a frozen waffle is good enough, then I think my menu plan will work great!
You can always Google "Menu Meal Planning Grocery Shopping" and there are lots of free planning tools on the Internet.
P.S. Maybe by 2012, I'll be able to have a PDF embedded into my blog
Apps to Help Keep You Organized
I think my iPhone is the coolest invention ever (well that and my Nook). I always try and get free apps or 99 cent apps (call me cheap). Here are some reviews of my favorite apps that keep me organized:
My first favorite app, isn't really even an app, it is the calendar on my iPhone. I put everything here, and sync it with Outlook. I still keep a calendar on the fridge, but my phone is with me everywhere, so I always feel like I know what is going on!
I also like Stick It, 2Do and ShopShop.
Stick It simply creates sticky notes for you. I use this all the time when I'm making "To Do" lists."
2Do really is great for projects. I use it quite a bit for my job, but I've also used it when planning parties or events. It is a more expensive app, but I have 2Do Lite, and love it.
ShopShop is an easy, quick grocery list maker.
For traveling, I like MapQuest and AroundMe.
MapQuest is like a built-in GPS! It has been great, especially traveling in unfamiliar big cities.
AroundMe identifies your position and allows you to choose the nearest Bank, Bar, Gas Station, Hospital, Hotel, Movie Theatre, Restaurant, Supermarket, Theatre and Taxi.
Probably the app that has saved me the most time and money is RunKeeper. I used to run a new route, then have to drive it to figure my distance. This app calculates your time, distance and gives you your current pace. I use it when biking, walking and running. It was free and worth every penny!
Since I'm a big fan of Mint.com to help with budgeting, the Mint.com app is another favorite of mine!
My first favorite app, isn't really even an app, it is the calendar on my iPhone. I put everything here, and sync it with Outlook. I still keep a calendar on the fridge, but my phone is with me everywhere, so I always feel like I know what is going on!
I also like Stick It, 2Do and ShopShop.
Stick It simply creates sticky notes for you. I use this all the time when I'm making "To Do" lists."
2Do really is great for projects. I use it quite a bit for my job, but I've also used it when planning parties or events. It is a more expensive app, but I have 2Do Lite, and love it.
ShopShop is an easy, quick grocery list maker.
For traveling, I like MapQuest and AroundMe.
MapQuest is like a built-in GPS! It has been great, especially traveling in unfamiliar big cities.
AroundMe identifies your position and allows you to choose the nearest Bank, Bar, Gas Station, Hospital, Hotel, Movie Theatre, Restaurant, Supermarket, Theatre and Taxi.
Probably the app that has saved me the most time and money is RunKeeper. I used to run a new route, then have to drive it to figure my distance. This app calculates your time, distance and gives you your current pace. I use it when biking, walking and running. It was free and worth every penny!
Since I'm a big fan of Mint.com to help with budgeting, the Mint.com app is another favorite of mine!
Cables: A Pet Peeve of Mine
It seems like every piece of electronics comes with a USB cable. They are something you NEED, but I want them out of sight!
For cables that I don't use very often, I keep them in ziplock baggies that are labeled and store them in a pencil box.
For the ones I use frequently (camera, ipod, Nook), I keep in this little Case Logic case I found at Walmart. I've had it for about 4 years. It works great for traveling. I just throw it in my backpack and I have every cable that I need!
This is a "newer" model:
http://www.caselogic.com/universal_mp3_travel_case/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=154005&productid=10028474
Other ideas are:
toilet paper rolls
velcro wrap
twist ties
*Just make sure not to bend the cables too much or you can damage them.
For cables that I don't use very often, I keep them in ziplock baggies that are labeled and store them in a pencil box.
For the ones I use frequently (camera, ipod, Nook), I keep in this little Case Logic case I found at Walmart. I've had it for about 4 years. It works great for traveling. I just throw it in my backpack and I have every cable that I need!
This is a "newer" model:
http://www.caselogic.com/universal_mp3_travel_case/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=154005&productid=10028474
Other ideas are:
toilet paper rolls
velcro wrap
twist ties
*Just make sure not to bend the cables too much or you can damage them.
Starting 2011 by Taking Inventory & Use it Up!
I always feel like I need help staying organized in the kitchen. I am always running to the store to pick up something for dinner (it doesn't help that I could walk to the grocery store). To start of 2011, I'm taking inventory and making a list of what I have in my freezer and pantry and I'm going to use it up!
For example, I could probably come up with about 10 days worth of meals from my freezer. I have tons of food in the pantry. I have lots of canned veggies, soups, pasta and rice, yet somehow I feel the need to buy more groceries.
I'm planning a menu based on what I have already in my house:
chili
chicken quesadilla
tacos
chicken and cheesy rice casserole
spaghetti
fajitas
Hashbrown casserole
I'm starting off 2011 by using up the food in my freezer and pantry and only buying "perishable" foods until I've cleaned out what I have!
Hopefully this strategy will not only help me in my meal planning, but save money!
When I went around the house, we are also stocked up on paper goods, ziplock baggies, toothpaste, shampoo and soap!
For example, I could probably come up with about 10 days worth of meals from my freezer. I have tons of food in the pantry. I have lots of canned veggies, soups, pasta and rice, yet somehow I feel the need to buy more groceries.
I'm planning a menu based on what I have already in my house:
chili
chicken quesadilla
tacos
chicken and cheesy rice casserole
spaghetti
fajitas
Hashbrown casserole
I'm starting off 2011 by using up the food in my freezer and pantry and only buying "perishable" foods until I've cleaned out what I have!
Hopefully this strategy will not only help me in my meal planning, but save money!
When I went around the house, we are also stocked up on paper goods, ziplock baggies, toothpaste, shampoo and soap!
Happy 2011
I believe I'm starting the new year more organized than I started 2010!
Something I struggle with is keeping my coupons organized. This is one of my resoluations for 2011.
I also told my children that unless it is food, I'm not buying it. It seems like we have enough "stuff" to last us until 2012! We'll see how long this resolutions lasts.
I am proud to say that in 2010 my craft room was featured on Crafty Storage! Hopefully, I can find more creative ways to keep organized in 2011.
http://craftystorage.blogspot.com/2010/07/bridgets-studio.html
Something I struggle with is keeping my coupons organized. This is one of my resoluations for 2011.
I also told my children that unless it is food, I'm not buying it. It seems like we have enough "stuff" to last us until 2012! We'll see how long this resolutions lasts.
I am proud to say that in 2010 my craft room was featured on Crafty Storage! Hopefully, I can find more creative ways to keep organized in 2011.
http://craftystorage.blogspot.com/2010/07/bridgets-studio.html
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