Grocery Geek Savings Page

Gleaned from GG post:

I had a few people ask me about how I use my binder system and knowing how hard it was to get mine to work for me, I wanted to share the process from start to finish. It took me one set-up and two additional restructurings to get it the way that works best for me.

SETUP
First of all, I started with an ugly binder that I already had on hand. I read stories of how people have had their binders stolen so I didn't want mine to look appealing. LOL I also didn't want a zipper case due to the appearance of it looking like computer equipment. Thirdly, I already had it and it was free! Ha ha!

Next, I went over to Staples and picked up 3 packs of the 3-1/2" x 5" photo pages (3 to a page) with room for a label. They were less than $3 for 10 sheets (that's 30 pockets for coupons). Three packs gave me 90 coupon pockets.

Next, I tried to sort items by category and how I shop: Condiments (general condiments, dressings, marinades, pickles/relishes, spag sauces, spices), Dry/Canned (canned meats, canned soups, canned beans, canned veggies, can/jar fruit, canned pasta/other, rice, box-other, pasta), Snack/Cereal (chips, crackers, popcorn, cookies, bars-oatmeal/granola, nuts, cereal GM, cereal Kelloggs, cereal Post, cereal other, breakfast mixes, pancake syrup, jams/jellies, peanut butter, cake mixes, baking oils, other), Refrigerator (butters/creamers, yogurt/milk, cheese, cookie dough, drinks, general, cold cuts, meats), Freezer (individual meals for DH work, lasagna/casserole, meats/meatless, ice cream, desserts, breads, junk food, breakfast), etc...

Each bold word is a different color of tabs. Each section following has its own tab.

CLIPPING COUPONS, THE LIST & SHOPPING WITH BINDER
When clipping coupons, I place them in each pocket by expiration date (closest to expiring in front). I glance at the date on the front coupon as I add new coupons and pull any that have expired.

When I get my new List each week, I mark it for the items I want. Then I go through my binder and pull the coupons in order of The List and put them in the front page that I use.

I start with The List and pull all the coupons I intend to use while I am still at home. I put those coupons in the bottom pocket marked This Week.

As I shop, and put the items in my cart, I move the coupon up to the Check-Out pocket. This way I know exactly what is in my cart. If the item is out of stock or not on the same sale as The List, it goes into my Re-File pocket.

At the register, I just reach into the Check-Out pocket and give all those coupons to the cashier because I know those are all in my cart. When I get back home, I re-file all the coupons from that pocket.

That's my method.


FAQ

About how many coupons fit in each pocket?I've never thought about counting, but I even when cutting coupons from five papers, I haven't run out of room yet. The expiration time seems to take care of it. However, I did expand categories a few times to make browsing easier. Eg: paper goods became "Paper Towels/Napkins", "Tissues" & "TP". If you really want to know, I'm going to guess it easily holds 25 per pocket.


Do you have to pull them out to flip through them, or can you see all the coupons in each pocket?Because they are sorted by expiration date, I do have to pull them out if I want to look for a specific coupon that isn't right on top or just cut from this week (in the back usually). However, because the pockets are longer, the top opening bends easily to flip through them without removing them from the pocket. (If I am in the store and not sure of the variety in there, I do pull the whole stack out to flip through faster.)


Do you put coupons in the pockets on the back? If so, are the labels/coupons put in upside down so you can read them while flipping through at the store?I haven't had to put any in the back yet. In fact, each pocket has an index card (I think I mentioned that in the original post) to make it so I can't see the page behind it. Because I am only using one-sided pages, I can flip through the binder on end, without having to open it completely in the store. Does that part make sense?

As for your consideration of switching, just remember that it will take hours & probably a big mess too, to make the move. Don't get discouraged. It will probably also take a couple of adjustments to get it how you want it. I will probably add a couple more pages within the next few months just to expand a couple of categories that are a little to packed (condiments especially!).

Additonal insight on categories:

This Week�
Condiments
Pickles & Relish
Dressings
Marinades
Hot Sauces
Spices
Kid Meals
Canned Meat
Canned Fruit
Canned Veggies
Beans
Soups
Sauces
Rice
Pasta
Box- Other
Low Carb
Chips
Crackers
Cookies
Popcorn
Fruit Snacks
Candy
Bar-Fruit/Cereal
GM Cereal
Kelloggs Cereal
Post Cereal
Cereal- Other
Breakfast Mixes
Cake & Brownie Mix
Baking Oil
Beverages- General
Yogurt & Milk
Butter & Cream
Cheese
Refrig- General
Refrig- Cookie Dough
Refrig- Drinks
Refrig- Meat
Freezer- Meat
Freezer- General
Freezer- Breakfast
Freezer- Lunch
Freezer- Ice Cream
Freezer- Desserts
Bread
Pull-Ups & Wipes
Paper Products
Plastic Products
Cleaners- Kitchen
Cleaners- Bathroom
Cleaners- Other
Household Deodorizers
Laundry
Face & Body
Lotion & Shaving
Feminine
Make-Up
Hair
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Teeth- Other
Mouthwash
Soap- Bath
Soap- Kitchen
Medicine- Vitamins
Medicine- Pain
Medicine- Allergy
Medicine- General
Medical- Other
Outdoor- General
Pet Products
Tape, Film, Batteries
Dining Out
Receipts
Expired
Re-File

Added instructions on how to make templates
...templates are a standard function in microsoft word, if you have word on your computer. Open a blank spreadsheet, go to Tools on top menu, select Letters and Mailings, then Options. you should see a list in bottom left corner of avery labels that you can select, or change "label products" for other label types.


So, there is the much sought after Binder method. Keep in mind you will be equally successful with many other options. Some Grocery Gamers use this method but with different pages - scrapbooking pages or baseball card pages or large photo pages. Some use boxes instead of binders. Some are perfectly content filing the inserts by date to pull and cut when necessary. If you choose this method, you will notice that the List gives you the insert details for each coupon.

Decide where you fall in the time spent/money saved continuum (the less intense systems will save you time but you may save slightly less on offList deals). Go with the system that feels the most natural to you. The great news is you can not HELP but save money using the Grocery Game!!