I once read somewhere (I wish I could remember where), “the more stuff you have, the more time you have to spend dealing with that stuff.” Isn’t that the frustrating truth? How many times have you found yourself wasting away hours looking for a warranty, owner’s manual or title to your car? You could be doing so much more in your life with that time if you were organized…and, could possibly save you some money!

Let me explain. For the past few years, we have played the “out of sight, out of mind” game with boxes of paperwork. You know that game don’t you? Just keep putting everything in these boxes that are stuffed in the farthest corner of the basement because at least it’s all together and someday you do plan-to-get-it-all-organized-and…and…and…*sigh* Oh, it’s a great game alright until you desperately need something in that box – like a Nikon camera receipt or a dishwasher warranty certificate.

Yes, I’ve needed both of those recently. Pathetically, I spent over a week looking for that receipt. I never found it. All of that wasted time. Oh – and I never found the Sears dishwasher warranty either. Luckily for me, both of these companies had their A games on and had us in the system. Whew!! Do you know how much money a broken lens AND a busted dishwasher might have cost us? All because we weren’t organized? THAT makes me want to puke.

After managing to avoid both fiascos, I knew it was time to start on that dreaded, SEVEN box pile up growing in the basement. To be honest, I think I have put off this task for so long because it is just overwhelming. I wasn’t even sure where to start. The last thing I wanted to do was unload a bunch of boxes, only to move things around and re-box them again.

I pulled out the first box and started lightly sifting. Pay stubs from 2003? Receipts so faded that you can’t read what they say? An owner’s manual to my son’s crib???

He’s almost eleven.

Grrr…how did I let it get this far?

At that point, my eyes glazed over. I started to envision myself old and gray, covered in cobwebs, sitting in a dark, dank basement STILL going through paperwork. Well, ok…that’s pretty far fetched, but you get the picture.

I needed a plan. Let me walk you through a few steps on how to get started.

• What do you want the end product to be? In other words, where are you planning on putting the paperwork you need to keep? In a file cabinet, Rubbermaid tote or fire safe? I have this portable filer that is filled with hanging paper files. Seems like an impossible task to fit seven boxes worth of stuff into this little box, doesn’t it?

Fortunately, I was given a Brother Personal Labeler Machine from Ebay Classifieds at the recent SV Moms event in Chicago. What a perfect time to use it! Not only did the labels make my filer look nice and neat, it was fun to use. The labels I needed to make were: Automobile (for titles, work records), Auto Insurance (policy), Life Insurance (policies), Medical, Personal (copies of birth certificates, etc), Receipts, Mortgage, Savings, Tax Info (receipts for deductions throughout the year) and Veterinary. Behind all of that, I have just filed my past years tax folders. Really, that is all I needed. I ended up spending an entire day organizing; getting through about 5 1/2 boxes. I was left with my planned filer, a small box of mementos (which I plan on putting in a labeled tote) and a small stack of product owner manuals (which I will do the same with.)

Oh…also…I burned up my shredder. GRRmpuffttbbzzzzzz and it was on it’s way to the landfill. It was old anyway. Be SURE to let yours cool down according to it’s specifications. Good thing I have $30 in Staples Rewards to put towards a new one.

I’m so glad to have dwindled that pile. Obviously, it has been weighing on me for YEARS. Do you have any other suggestions for tackling an organization project? Let me know!

I knew EXACTLY what I needed to tackle today… …my coupons.

Whoa is me!
I have let them multiply on my dining room table without any attention at all. I suppose, my problem is that I have about outgrown my little green file box. And, even with as long as I have been couponing, I STILL have not been able to find an organizational system that meets my personal needs.

So, I started browsing Etsy. SOMEone out there HAS to have SOMEthing that would work for me, right? Then, I happened upon Glow Girl Fibers. By George, I think I may have found something! Cute fabrics, convenient, functional – I MUST try it!

So I did…and…I LOVE it! When shopping, I’m always frustrated with the fact that I am constantly fumbling with coupons – which ones am I using, which ones need to be taken out, did I bring a certain one, blah, blah, blah. With this organizer, the coupons are right at hand, secured directly to the grocery cart! So, there is no worry of dropping or spilling your precious clipped Q’s.

About the organizer:

• 20 blank separators (15% recycled paper) with 80 blank peel & stick labels (100% recycled paper)
• Items made in non-smoking, pet-friendly home
• 8″ x 5″ with 2″ flat bottom for LOTS of coupons (she also makes a MEGA style for the super duper coupon clipper)
• Fully lined and stabilized
• Folds up & fastens for easy travel

You know you want one.

Here’s your chance!

Deb, at Glow Girl Fibers, is generously offering one organizer ($12.00 value) to a lucky winner! Contest will end on Sunday, February 14th at 9:00 pm CST. A winner will then be picked using Random.org.

You can enter up to FIVE different ways:

First – visit Glow Girl Fibers’ Etsy shop and let me know which organizer you would pick.

Then – four other ways to enter:

• Follow this blog (on the left)
• Follow @ItsToni and Tweet the following on Twitter: I am trying to win a cool Glow Girl Fibers coupon organizer from @ItsToni #giveaway http://bit.ly/dBHSkD
• Become a Glow Girl Fibers Facebook Fan
• Sign Up for the Glow Girl Fibers Quarterly Newsletter

Be SURE to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry, otherwise it will not count.

Good luck and happy couponing!

Let’s take a poll.

During this Christmas season, how many times have you heard:

• I’m so sick of Christmas music.
• I can’t wait for Christmas to be over.
• I can’t beLIEVE Christmas is next week.
• I haven’t even started shopping.
• I’m SOOO busy.
• I bought Christmas cards, but that’s as far as I got.
• I’m broke.
• I’m thinking about not putting up a tree.
• It would be nice if we could skip Christmas this year.

In the midst of list writing, crowd fighting and parking wars, have we forgotten what Christmas is really about?

I think we have.

Including myself.

As of lately, I have been found to have twittered:

@CorrinRenee i’m totally over CHRISTMAS and ready for the new year
and
It’s only Monday, 6:45 am and I’m already overwhelmed with my week.
and
@monicabrand we haven’t even had a moment to focus on the season. Everything just becomes a calendar check off. I’m.Tired.
and
Can xmas hurry and come and go? I need my life back.

I’ll spare you of any more negative holiday talk. I have been full of it this year. I literally feel as if Christmas (and people) have driven me crazy.

And…it’s all my fault.

I need to learn to say no stop, take a breath and enjoy this special time.

In order to do that, sometimes we need little reminders. Let me tell you what happened to us last night.

Every year, my husband and I help to organize a program at his lodge called “Masonic Miracles.”
Basically, they collect money all year, a “needy” family is chosen in December, we buy gifts, have a wrapping party and deliver Christmas to this family. It’s BIG time – thousands of dollars worth of gifts and donations.

It takes a LOT of time and organization, but it is wonderful.

Yesterday, my son and I met my husband (after work) at Walmart to finish up the final gift buying (which took a few hours.) By the time we were finished, it was way past dinner so we decided to eat out at the China Buffet. We had not been there in a while so it sounded really good. While we were there, an older man walked up to our table and placed a business card in front of us. “I always like to give these to families because you never know when you’ll need it,” he said. He is a locksmith. A LOCKSMITH…of all things. How many times do you ever run into someone promoting their lock picking abilities? We had a minute or so of conversation about pets locking people out of cars, he wished us a Merry Christmas and went on about getting his meal.

Kurt and I looked at each other like…what the..? “Now you know, we have to keep this card because that was just strange…and we’ll probably need it some time in the next two weeks for SOMEthing,” Kurt said to me. “That’s usually the way it works, isn’t it?”

So, I stuck the card in my purse and we finished eating.

We started our drive home, in separate vehicles (because we met my husband at the store.) After about a 20 mile drive, we approached our neighborhood. I noticed that my husband was stopped at an intersection for a long time and wasn’t beginning his move forward. I was thinking, maybe he wants me to go around because I have the garage door opener (like that would make a difference.) I kept staring at his brake lights; wondering when he was going to go. Then, I noticed he WAS waving me around. I rolled down the window and he asked, “Did you see what was going on back there?” Um…no…I was too busy wondering why you weren’t driving.

“Angel (who is a police officer in our town) was back there trying to help a woman get her car door open; she must have locked her keys in the car.”

Ok…chills, right?

He told me to give him the card…by the way, we are all totally freaked at this point…so I did and he backed up to the car scene. I pulled on ahead and waited on the side of the street. *JUST* as Kurt pulled up, Angel received a 911 call and had to leave – without getting the car unlocked. She said she would return. Kurt went on to tell the woman the story of the locksmith card, which she was VERY thankful for. And of course, they both were still in disbelief of how this whole scenario has taken place. Kurt wished her the best of luck, and we all headed around the block to our home.

Um…yeaahhh….no way was that a coincidence.

As strange as it may sound, that was a DIRECT message from God.

A direct mission.

We take it to mean: slow down, pay attention and love one another.

Shouldn’t that be what Christmas is about anyway?

More Tackle It Tuesday at 5 Minutes For Mom.

How convenient! J C Penny is RIGHT next door – and that was the next stop on my agenda. A few days ago, I received THE coupon – $10.00 off of any purchase. Score! I love this coupon – it tends to be sent out a few times per year. Another situation where you can easily find something for free or little cost.

As hard as it is to NOT shop for yourself with all of these great holiday sales, I headed straight to the boy’s department. I found a great pair of camo cargo pants – which even comes with a belt = a two-fer.
Normal price: $34.99
Sale price: $14.99
Coupon: $10.00
Cost w/tax: $5.34

I’m so happy with my first two stops – now, on to Bath and Body Works – once again, right around the corner!

Can I just tell you how cute and friendly the girls were at B & B Works? So helpful and fun – I’ll definitely be shopping there again. Especially since I received TWO coupons at checkout AND another for a free $13 item w/$10 purchase coupon in the mail today.
I did two transactions, since I had two coupons for use. I paired those with a freebie sale they already had going on. Here’s how it worked:

#1 checkout
Room Spray $3.00
Travel Body spray – Free with coupon for signing up on website

#2 checkout
They have a deal: buy 2 signature items, get one free – buy 3 get two free
Lotion – $10.50
Lotion – $10.50
Body Spray – FREE with deal
Body Spray – FREE with mailer coupon
They even threw in a free cello bag with ribbon and gift tag.
$53.00 worth for $25.50 – good deal!

At this point, a Twitter friend asked, “@ItsToni awesome..so what’s the secret to your shopping success?” My answer? NO impulse buying. A spree such as this requires some discipline. To continually receive “cheap” deals, you need to make a list, and stick with it. Otherwise, your trip will end up costing you LOTS more money. Of course, a feeling of savings is different with each individual. I prefer leaving with spending as little cash as possible.

Next stops: Toys R Us, Old Navy and Sears/Lands End.

Remember when we went to Jeffery the Giraffe’s birthday party “bash” at Toys R Us? Well, we hung onto that free Hot Wheels Battle Force coupon until now. I roamed the store until I found the little car worth $2.99. If he wasn’t already expecting me to bring this toy home, I would’ve kept it for a stocking stuffer.

Oh, hey…did I tell you that I won an Old Navy coupon over @CorrinRenee ‘s blog, “Oh Hey, What’s up?” A whoppin’ $45 off of $100 purchase! Right at Christmas time? That’s perfect for me. I got all of the above, $180.50 worth for $65 buckeroos. I must say that I was pretty happy about that. See those t-shirts? They were marked down from $10.50 to $3.99!

The last, and final shop stop, Sears/Lands End. Recently, I found a great deal on a boy’s down vest online (only paid $6 bucks – free shipping) – along with the purchase, they sent me two coupons: one for free shipping and one for $10 off any REGULAR priced item. Hmm…I don’t like the words regular priced. Come to find out, this Sears store only carries ladies Land’s End products and the cheapest item I could find was $29.95 – no thanks. I’m not spending *just* so I can use the coupon. I was really hoping to find a boys hat/gloves set or something of the like.

Time to head home. Oh…wait…ONNEE more stop. All of this money saving has made me hungry. Must have Wendy’s chili – with cheese, onion and sour cream of course!

Dang, maybe I SHOULD have gotten something for myself…like a new pair of jeans?

“Out Damn Spot!”

More Tackle It Tuesday at 5 Minutes for Mom!

As you are clipping your weekly coupons, do you ever wonder how…or if…you will ever get them all organized? Do they sit in a pile, waiting to expire? Are they found floating around your purse, wrapped around used bubble gum or wadded up with yesterday’s Kleenex?

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.

With current coupons in place, I put “The Couponizer” in it’s zippered carrying case – along with a pen AND my store flyer (how HANDY) and off I went.

**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

Before I even start this week’s shopping post, I just have to tell you about a past Kroger shopping trip. I never got to blog this and give it full credit like I had intended. Though, instead, here is the end result.

Most items were on sale and had a coupon – others were just on sale.

During the week of June 10th, Kroger had Lysol products on sale for 50% off – costs ranging from $1.49 to $1.88 per item. I had double coupons for all of them, making each cleaner $.49, $.59 or $.88 each. There were three more but I gave those to my mother. I heart Mom.

I won’t even discuss the fight the bleach cleaner had with the cargo space in my mini-van. The van lost and I now need to buy a custom rubber mat for the back. But hey, I DID save $1.00 on that bleach cleaner. Don’t kill my buzz, okay?

On second look at the picture above, I guess that means I have to actually USE that stuff, right?
*rethinking the situation here*

Before sales, coupons & discounts, my grand total was: $142.82

I paid: *this deserves more than a drumroll* $46.17

After a week off of blogging and most everything else in my life (and trying to get my ankle healed which I’m now almost certain I might have fractured), I finally went grocery shopping!

First of all, it was Triple Coupon day at the local Five Star (I just had a Freudian slip and typed “Loco”, which suits this particular groc shop actually. I’m almost certain I saw the Uni bomber there once and another time, a lady was having a discussion with a cabbage and some deli meat. Yup. Loco.)

Total: $30.27 – $8.20 in coupons = $22.07

Roast: $1.99 lb. Will grind this myself into ground sirloin.

Pillsbury Brownie Mix: $1.50 – $1.05 Sunday Q = $.45

Hot dogs: $1.98 for 2 – $1.00 on 2 Sunday Q = $.98 for 2

2 boxes Pop Secret: Clearanced for $1.29 each – $1.50 Sunday Q = $1.08 for 2

Mini Chocolate Cakes: $2.00 – $1.50 Sunday Q = $.50

Dog food: Clearanced for $.50 per can. I don’t usually buy wet food, but it’s a treat every now and then – especially low priced or FREE!

12 Yoplait Yogurts: $6.00 – 2 Sunday Q’s $2.40 = $3.60 for 12

Super Pretzel: $2.00 – $.75 Sunday Q = $1.25

My next shop stop was supposed to be Kroger. Though, McFrug Jr. and I decided to make a quicky trip to Walmart to buy a Waffle Maker. I quickly noticed that many of the items I had planned on getting at Kroger, were CHEAPER at Walmart! So, after we checked out with the new machine, we revisited the car to grab more cloth bags and coupons. Back in we went! I had to be careful NOT to spend the coupons that would double at Kroger.

Here’s what I bought at Walmart that I was supposed to get at Kroger.

2 Cheerios: $4.00 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $3.00 for 2

Peter Pan: $2.00 – $1.00 Mailer Q (offer is over) = $1.00

McCormick Pepper & Onion Grinders: $2.00 for 2 – $1.50 2 Sunday Q’s = $.50 for 2

2 Starbucks Ice Creams: $5.00 – 2 $1.50 printables = $2.00 for 2

Haagen Dazs mini ice creams: $6.00 – 2 Save $1.00 on 3 Printables = $4.00 for 6
(We ate 3 on the way home – Hey, the spoon is included in the lid!)

8 Mac & Cheese: $4.00 – 2 Buy 3 get 1 free Printables = $3.00 for 8

Velveeta & Easy Mac Cups: $.98 each and $.88 each. I had various coupons from the past Kraft printable promotions. Also, in this month’s issue of Parents Magazine (free for 2 years!), there was a Buy One Get One Free coupon for Easy Mac.

Subtotal: $33.22
My Total: $18.86 *can’t help but giggle*

Finally off to Kroger.

This day ended up MUCH longer than expected – especially since I had one heck of a morning with some lost keys and stuff – along with having to drive my husband’s work car in which the AC is broke and it was like 1,000 degrees. This would be the reason why this measley shopping trip has turned itself into a Tackle It Tuesday – anyway, must. get. deals.

Total before sales, coupons and discounts: $64.26

My total: $30.79 *giggling again*

1/2 gal. Chocolate Milk: $.99

Hot Dog Buns: $1.00

2 Whole Wheat English Muffins: $2.00

2 Oscar Meyer Bolognas: $2.00 – $1.00 on 2 Sunday Q = $1.00 for 2 lbs.

Half & Half: $.89

Vanilla Creamer: $1.97
(Husband says this is very comparable to Coffeemate!)

2 Kroger Frozen Veggies: $2.00 for 2

Softsoap: $1.00 – $.40 printable X2 = $.20
(there is a printable somewhere for $.40, I can’t find it now)

Gal. Milk: $1.88

Syrup: $1.86

3 Bounty Towels: $3.00 – 3 $.25 Sunday Q’s X2 = $1.50 for 3

3 Chef Boyardee: $3.00 – $.35 Mailer X2 = $2.30 for 3

3 Chiquita Apple Bites: $3.00
(need things like this for son’s summer camp lunches this week)

3 Horizon Organic Milks: $3.00 – $1.00 on 3 Q scammed from another product in store = $2.00 for 3

Vidalia Onions: $.58 lb.

Kroger Fruit Snacks: $1.00

McCormick Chicken seasoning grinder: $1.00 – $.50 Sunday Q X2 = FREE

Cottage Cheese: $1.00

2 Santa Cruz Organic Lemonades: $3.00 – 2 $.75 printables = $1.50 for 2

4 Sobe Lifewaters: $4.00 – 2 BOGOF Printables = $2.00

Soy Milk: $1.29 Clearanced

Kitten Chow Pouch: $2.09 – $2.19 Sunday Q = Free PLUS $.10
(I don’t have a kitten but my lazy fat cat will eat it anyway.)

So, what in the world does all of this REALLY mean?

It means that I’m crazy for driving out in this heat.

It means I’m crazy for going BACK into Walmart to save a few bucks.

And, It means I’m crazy for about spending $71.72 on $127.75 worth of groceries.

You betcha. *wink*