Coupon Organization

We both like to blog what we do in our daily crafty lives to hopefully inspire you to step outside your comfort zone.  

How to Organize Coupons

Start by clipping them. 

 I know that sounds simple and lame.  Some people organize them in sheets and do not clip til they need them.  I don't know about you, but I am not cutting in the grocery isle on a Saturday with people bumping into me.  I like my fingers and want to keep them.

Organize by Category

Here is my personal list:

Beverages

Cereal

Breads

Canned

Condiments

Snacks

Quick Meals

Gluten Free

Misc.

Office/School Supplies

Dental,Shaving, & Deodorant

Personal Care

Paper & Plastic

Cleaning & Maintenance

Meat & Poultry

Veggies & Fruit

Dairy

Frozen

Other Stores you shop at

Feel free to change it up.  Organize the Titles however you want or add some more.
I shop dry goods 1st and cold stuff last.

Get a box of paperclips!  Make some room and sort it all out ahead of time.  Also organize by oldest to newest.  

Choose an Organizer

Whether it be a massive 2" binder with different sheets.
I have used money display pockets & baseball collection pockets in the past.

Or the classic small expandable file folder

I have used a plastic expandable from Targets Dollar spot.  You can buy patterns to sew one yourself  or design a paper 1.

Pardon all the Pics I could not go back and crop!


Or the

1" small binder with Half slit pockets
I use Avery Brand Pockets and Tabs for Sorting.  Some of this is Discontinues to the the Scuffle between Martha & Avery;)    I have also made paper bound versions of it.

You Don't Have to Spend Much to Save Some $$$$

Whether it be $3 or $25 you will make that back!  Make sure you use coupons to buy your supplies!  That will be your 1st step to saving some $$$ :)



Thanks for stopping by!
Shelley

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Financial Series 1

Savings

So many of us have trouble with keeping a savings stash or account. Start Simple $10.00 Every Pay Check.  Starting now!

In the past few years we have gone through all of our savings for 1 thing or the other.  That's what it's for: unexpected auto repairs, major appliance replacement, moving expenses.

Savings is not for:

A new purse or a new toy.

Is it a Need or a Want?

"I need TP."

"I want nail polish."

How can you justify that frivolous purchase?  YOU CAN'T!

Put it back.  Teach your kids the Need/Want Rule!  Start the budgeting conversation with them.

No one needs instant gratification, but we always want it!  Try not to live in the moment all the time. That is how so many people end up in such financial hardship. Remember that the credit card should be for emergencies only!! No, the night out isn't an emergency! :)

Saving while shopping

Sign up for Store Rewards Cards.  Remember to use them!

Make sure you are using a junk email you have already set up.

Use your Couponing skills.  Don't fall into the "I have a coupon for it so I need to buy it" trap.

Coupons stretch your food budget.  It is never meant to make money only save.

 Need or Want?

Here are some types of savings ideas you can do:

The Envelope System

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159244536801687379/


A Cash Stash

Created By me on the fly.
Get your circle punches, adhesive, paper, scissors, & your imagination out for this one.



If you need the Coin hole top for your Mason Jar, you can find it here.

http://www.amazon.com/Loew-Cornell-1026304-Transform-Inserts-Slotted/dp/B00KC0KV2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453680362&sr=8-1&keywords=transform+mason+jar+lids

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelley

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Editor: Alyssa Johnson-Glassel  AKA 2 Dainty Crafters

How to Organize Paper Scraps & Die Cuts from Craft Projects

A question I often see on blog posts is, "How do I organize scraps & patterned paper?"
This is a simple tutorial on how to do just that.

The Clean-Up!

Collect all your scraps and have a place to sort them.
One that has no children or pets knocking into what you just sorted :)  Orange cone the area off if you must!
 Now you need some time and that will depend on the amount of scraps you have to go through.  Mine took quite some time but was well worth it.
You will also need a container to store them,  I have several different types of cubes to experiment with.
Lastly purchase Heavy Duty Clear plastic sheet protectors with various dividers, and one 3 ring binder.
The reason for heavy duty is in the next photo.  I bought cheap Dollar Store ones and they didn't last a year.

Start by sorting plain paper first.  Make a pile for each color then put that color in a clear plastic sleeve.  Organize your colors however you like and place them in the bin for easy access.
Next Organize patterned paper by the predominant color.
Sort and put away in clear plastic sleeve.
You can also sort vellum in a separate sleeve as well as glitter paper.










Ta Daaa!  Nice Neat and Organized!

The Bonus!!

Not only did I organize Scraps and Patterned Papers, I also organized punched out Die Cuts!

So in this one is used the Baseball sleeve sorters and Money holders.  I sorted by shape with this, not by color.

I hope this help with organizing your craft clutter.  Happy crafting!

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Craft on! Shelley

Editor: Alyssa Johnson-Glassel  AKA 2 Dainty Crafters