Good Morning!

So, I guess I should start with the basics and what is probably the most important part of couponing - ORGANIZING.

The most important tool you can have is an organized binder. I started with envelopes and quickly learned that once you get into it - envelopes just don't cut it.  So, get yourself a 3 ring binder. You can start cheap and upgrade later if you wish. For me, I couldn't live without my binder that zips and has a shoulder strap. Here is what mine looks like

I got it at K-Mart. Cost is $19.99 but I got it free with my rewards I had built up over Christmas. It has 2 binders inside which I really like. Later I will take some pictures of mine complete to post for you.

You will also want to get dividers. Categorizing the types of coupons streamlines your couponing experience. I have mind divided by paper products, dairy, beverage, medicine, bathroom, cleaning, etc, etc.

Lastly, you are going to want to get coupon sheet protectors. There are lots of different types available. 9 pocket, 4 pocket, 6 pocket, 3 pocket and so on. EBay is a great source to find these! They even have variety packs which give you a few of each. For my friends in the Marinette-Menominee area, I can hook you up with 5 or so to get you started. I'm not sure if there's a place locally you can buy the protectors at but one of the most popular protectors are the 9 slot ones commonly used for baseball cards. If you find a local place that sells these, please let me know so I can update my faithful readers (of which I hope to have many).

Now, another word of advice - CLIP ANYTHING YOU THINK YOU MIGHT EVEN REMOTELY USE. Why? Because sometimes great deals come along weeks later and you'll be wishing you had that great coupon that made it free or nearly free! I learned this VERY soon after missing out on some great deals a couple of weeks into it because I didn't clip that coupon. Plus, sometimes, you can work out trades with other couponers you know (for instance: no allergies but you need heartburn meds? That's a trade I'll take you up on!).

My Sunday investment is limited to one Green Bay paper and one Milwaukee paper. That. along with my Eagle-Herald subscription, gives me three copies of coupon inserts. I am fortunate enough to have a local restaurant that gives me their two actions and a couple other resources that hook me up also so, on average, I end up with 7 - 10 coupon books a week. Use those resources, girlfriends! Since I read the papers also I really don't consider the Sunday papers a coupon "investment".

Now, make sure you grab all the local ads out of the Green Bay and Eagle Herald - you will need these to compile your price match list for WalMart. Copps, Festival Foods, Piggly Wiggly, Target - all are good Green Bay sources for your price matching needs!

Whew, a lot to take in, right? I'll stop right here and let you absorb that. Next up - making that list! I will post mine each week to help you out. I did my preliminary check last night and there are some great deals out there this week ladies! And I just may have a few extra coupons for some of you lucky ladies if you need them.


****TIP OF THE DAY: EBAY HAS SOME GREAT COUPON SET UPS IF YOU JUST WANT TO BUY COMPLETE. THEY COME WITH THE BINDER, COUPON PROTECTOR INSERTS, DIVIDERS, ETC. SEARCH AWAY UNTIL YOU FIND WHAT YOU LIKE****