Time’s up!! And the winner is…@ashhan123 from “Confessions of a First Time Mom!” Congratulations Ashley! You have three days to contact me at cheapo [dot] mcfrugalpants [at] gmail [dot] com to claim your prize. 
Yeah, I hear that a lot.
“I don’t know why I even cut out coupons because I never get around to using them.” Maybe…just maybe…it is because you just aren’t organized enough.
Remember a couple of weeks ago, when I was feeling overrun with coupons? And then, Amy Bergin sent me “The Couponizer” to try out. I was so excited when it arrived! I thought, “Here is my answer! I’m going to be SOOO efficient now!”
First of all, I’m sure you are wondering what this “system” consists of. It includes: spiral bound book-separated into categories, scissors, a sorting mat, a zip up carry bag, grocery list pad, savings list pad, instructions.
So, I started the process. First, you must “sort” your coupons according to the categories on the mat. Surprisingly, this was new to me since my little coupon box always consisted of 4 files: food, personal, household, pets. I know…but it’s just the way I do it.
The categories on the mat coordinate with the pockets in the book. That way, it is very easy to get all of your coupons filed away quickly. Let’s elaborate a bit on the spiral book “pockets.” They consist of your normal subjects: bread, frozen, meat, cleaners, etc. Also included are areas for your shopping list, store specials, receipts and rewards. The two pockets that I found most exciting were “Coupons for this shopping trip” and the facing page, “Checkout.” Normally, I can be found holding my store coupons, clinched in my fist (what a mess.) As I put each item in my cart, I’m always dropping the coupons, trying to lay them on my purse or find a place to set them without leaving a paper trail through the store aisle. So, as you can imagine, these two pockets were going to be very useful for me. Now I can just move them from one side to the other.
**Before I go any further, please understand that I am a mega coupon collector – I land somewhere in between above normal and super duper clipper (I don’t go buying them on eBay or anything.) Just to give you an idea, on a weekly basis I receive 3 or 4 sets of Sunday coupons (people now save theirs for me), mailers and many, many internet printables. I also receive coupons with product samples, blinkies and All You magazine. So, as you can see below, I was starting to worry when my Couponizer was already bulging and I wasn’t even halfway through my coupons yet. **
Having my coupon collection with me during my shopping trip was a real bonus. As a norm, I only carry the ones that match items on my pre-planned shopping list. When you have other coupons on hand, it allows more savings for “clearanced” items or unforeseen sales. I can’t count the number of times when I had wished for my other coupons – the ones still at home in my little-green-card-file-box-thingy.
Also, I did like the two pockets I mentioned above and it was useful having the book laying open for easy access. Though, for me, I just had WAY too many coupons. There are days when I may have $40 to $50 worth in one check out. To be honest, they ended up flopping out of the pockets and I was [sort of] back to square one.
Would “The Couponizer” be awesome for a beginner? Absolutely!
Definitely, it would take away that initial overwhelming feeling one can get when first starting.
Would this system be perfect for someone who gets one (or two) weekly coupon inserts and occasional coupons here and there?
You betcha!
For those of you who are at ANY level of frugal shopping, would you like to give “The Couponizer” a whirl and see for yourself?
Here is your chance!
You have a total of three ways to enter this giveaway.
(be sure to come back and leave a comment for EACH entry):
- Leave a comment telling me what system you are using for coupon organization
- Follow this blog (on the left)
- Twitter this: I want to get organized with “The Couponizer” @ItsToni is giving one away sponsored by @couponizer http://bit.ly/1J0E53
A winner will be drawn on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 9:00 pm CST and contacted by email or twitter. Not responsible for invalid information. Prize will be sent directly from sponsor.
Good luck and happy couponing!
Honest Blogger found here: This is a sponsored post – though 100% honest opinion
