Just a cardboard box?

I started shopping at Aldi’s this earlier this year, thanks to a smart friend of mine. During my shopping trips I would often see empty cardboard boxes on the counter, where you bag your groceries up.

I always try to bring my reusable bags with me, wherever I shop, as it’s easier to bring everything into the house and I’m usually paid a nickel for every bag I use. Well, the other day I impulsively picked up a salad box while shopping at Aldi’s. Why, you ask?
This is why.

Since I’ve started couponing I’ve accumulated quite a stock pile, so now I have to figure out a way to organize everything. Hmm… go to Target and buy cute, expensive baskets and tubs or go to Aldi’s for groceries and take home a free box? I like free!
Here’s how it turned out.

I took everything off this shelf, sorted by type & size, took a few kitchen items to the basement (things we rarely use) and then put the box to work.

Organizing helped me realize that the next time I print a “food storage” coupon from Target's website, I should use it on Saran Wrap, as I only have one.
So there you go. Free organizing!

Organizing Coupons

This is how I organize my coupons. I have a few different categories and file them in order of how expiration date. I’ve seen other couponers (is that really a word?) walking around Target with their binders full of coupons, but this is the system that has worked for me, so far.
I like this little organizer (from the Dollar Spot at Target, I think!) because it fits into my purse.
Speaking of coupons…

I took a look at the Target ad for this week to see if anything was on sale that I happened to have a coupon for.

I saw flour was on sale, so I circled it, as I was pretty sure I had a coupon for it. I flipped through my “food” coupons and found what I was looking for, but then realized even after saving 50 cents I’d still be paying more than I would at Aldi’s, without a coupon. A deal isn’t always a deal. Using a coupon doesn’t always save you money.

I was delighted to come across the sale price of orange juice and I knew I had a few more Target juice coupons left. I printed them here.

Kraft cheese is also on “sale” at Target this week. Not that great of a sale, as I can get shredded cheese for a dollar per cup at Aldi’s, but I was able to combine my Target coupon with a manufacturer's, making it .58 per cup.

Be on the lookout!

I picked up a Papa Murphy's pizza for my family this past weekend and look what I found!

I went on-line and completed the super quick survey, so now I have another coupon to use!
 I managed to miss this on the previous pizza I had picked up. The coupons in the newspaper are the
 easiest to come by, but others are out there. Be sure to have your eyes open for peelies and other in-store coupons. 

What was my password???

If you're like me, you have that terrible tendancy to not write down a username/password for something, thinking you'll remember it later. Um, yeah. It doesn't usually work for me either. I made a simple Word document to jot down all of my couponing usernames/passwords on. Go here to download it and tweak it to meet your needs.

Also, here's another one for general usernames/passwords.

Managing coupon related e-mails

One of my first big coupon hauls.

I've had a personal e-mail account for over a decade now. During this time I've always had more than one account, be it a student account, work, or now, an account for couponing. If you haven't started a separate account for coupons, I highly recommend it. I receive so many coupon related e-mails on a daily basis, so it's nice to have that separate from the rest of my world.

Holiday Food Planning

Yum! Ginger Crinkles! Have you started planning for the holidays?

This past week the Thanksgiving and Christmas items came out in full force at my local stores. Decorations were on one side of the Target seasonal store space and Halloween clearance on the other. I picked up cookie dough, Ziplock bags and plastic containers, and a few food items with my coupons.

After I came home and took a look at my pantry I decided I better start my holiday food planning, so I don't buy more than I need. I have a holiday food planning form to share with you here. It's a Word document that you can download and tweak to meet your needs. I'm hoping the holidays will be more enjoyable and less expensive if I plan out the food needs for the season. No more running into Hy Vee at the last minute to buy an overpriced fruit tray for this girl!

Also, go here to snag some Ziplock coupons. (You'll have to set up a username/password, but it's an easy one!)

What can I do with...

Leftover bread machine bread?

Cut it up, add a few seasonings (or not!) and store it in the freezer.

Here's a great recipe to use stuffing in. It's quick, easy, and delicious!