Just Around the Corner
So, I couldn't really think of a good place to put this - so I figured siince this section discusses how I keep myself on track, keep myself organzied, and partially sane in my mixed up world (you are welcome to check out the details of what has been going on in my blog www.shawnandnicole.blogspot.com )
So - back to the subject at hand - TAXES!!!!!!!
Yup - we all need to start thinking about that 5 letter word. It is right around the corner & if you are like me, no matter how organized you are you will be pulling your hair out trying to find that very last receipt only to say - forget it! I don't need that deduction anyways. Ooops! Tax guy calls and says - Hey! Do you have that so & so paper??? Uhhhhh..... NO - Now the hair pulling starts again.
So... Last year I made a strict rule - EVERYTHING gets filed - I don't care how silly it seems - the tax guy can laugh at me (and he has), but by golly - I am having EVERYTHING I need this year.
What am I doing??? Well - of course I'll tell you.
1) I have my receipt holder (discussed in an earlier post)
2) I have a full size folder (the same as the receipt holder only for 8x11 papers)
3) Quickbooks (Discussed in an earlier post) - this holds Everything from when we got our shots, to what we paid for medical premiums, to what we paid for student loans. Everything. It is all categorized according to the nifty little sheet the accountant gave us last year (We switched companies last year & this guy gave us a breakdown, so I implimented those categories)
4) Printer
5) One Years worth of effort
6) My trusty picture folder (8x11 page holder made of plastic) labeled with our name (last name first, first names second)
So.... Throughout the year I have been putting all of my receipts, bills, tax donations (all the categories from the little cheat sheet the accountant gave me) into Quickbooks & Filing them. I've found it's easier to imput the data once a week filing it as I go, then I can forget about it. (This is the one years worth of effort :)-
In January I print out all the reports that I will give the accountant (I don't have to calculate anything because quickbooks does it & I don't have to fill out the form he sends me - 2 time savers :)
After I have the reports printed, I put them into my Trusty picture folder (I use it every year because I file all the info in my full size folder which is labeled by the year)
I have the paperwork from the accountant which says what he wants, so I just go through & highlight everything that I am waiting for. As the items come in, I file them in my Trusty Picture Folder & cross it off the list.
When I have all the necessary information, I can bring it in for the accountant to do the final work & tell me the outcome.
If I'm going to just be dropping the paperwork off I make sure to also have any absolute supporting documentation so that he doesn't have to call me. If I will be going in, I bring my full size folder & receipt holder.
Once I get the tax papers back from the accountant, I file them, make sure the correct date is on the outside of the full size folder & receipt holder & put them in closet. Starting NEW folders for next year. I just continue with the same file in Quikbooks, because you can go year by year and it's nice to have the comparison.
Here's hoping that Tax season is as unstressfull as possible for you & if this year is a bummer, maybe next year can be better!
Keep Clipping, Keep Saving, Keep Smiling! Have Fun & Enjoy the Little Things in Life!
If there is a subject you would like to discuss, please drop a line & I can get it out there!
So - back to the subject at hand - TAXES!!!!!!!
Yup - we all need to start thinking about that 5 letter word. It is right around the corner & if you are like me, no matter how organized you are you will be pulling your hair out trying to find that very last receipt only to say - forget it! I don't need that deduction anyways. Ooops! Tax guy calls and says - Hey! Do you have that so & so paper??? Uhhhhh..... NO - Now the hair pulling starts again.
So... Last year I made a strict rule - EVERYTHING gets filed - I don't care how silly it seems - the tax guy can laugh at me (and he has), but by golly - I am having EVERYTHING I need this year.
What am I doing??? Well - of course I'll tell you.
1) I have my receipt holder (discussed in an earlier post)
2) I have a full size folder (the same as the receipt holder only for 8x11 papers)
3) Quickbooks (Discussed in an earlier post) - this holds Everything from when we got our shots, to what we paid for medical premiums, to what we paid for student loans. Everything. It is all categorized according to the nifty little sheet the accountant gave us last year (We switched companies last year & this guy gave us a breakdown, so I implimented those categories)
4) Printer
5) One Years worth of effort
6) My trusty picture folder (8x11 page holder made of plastic) labeled with our name (last name first, first names second)
So.... Throughout the year I have been putting all of my receipts, bills, tax donations (all the categories from the little cheat sheet the accountant gave me) into Quickbooks & Filing them. I've found it's easier to imput the data once a week filing it as I go, then I can forget about it. (This is the one years worth of effort :)-
In January I print out all the reports that I will give the accountant (I don't have to calculate anything because quickbooks does it & I don't have to fill out the form he sends me - 2 time savers :)
After I have the reports printed, I put them into my Trusty picture folder (I use it every year because I file all the info in my full size folder which is labeled by the year)
I have the paperwork from the accountant which says what he wants, so I just go through & highlight everything that I am waiting for. As the items come in, I file them in my Trusty Picture Folder & cross it off the list.
When I have all the necessary information, I can bring it in for the accountant to do the final work & tell me the outcome.
If I'm going to just be dropping the paperwork off I make sure to also have any absolute supporting documentation so that he doesn't have to call me. If I will be going in, I bring my full size folder & receipt holder.
Once I get the tax papers back from the accountant, I file them, make sure the correct date is on the outside of the full size folder & receipt holder & put them in closet. Starting NEW folders for next year. I just continue with the same file in Quikbooks, because you can go year by year and it's nice to have the comparison.
Here's hoping that Tax season is as unstressfull as possible for you & if this year is a bummer, maybe next year can be better!
Keep Clipping, Keep Saving, Keep Smiling! Have Fun & Enjoy the Little Things in Life!
If there is a subject you would like to discuss, please drop a line & I can get it out there!
Ok - I've started to get the Deals - Now - HOW do I keep track???
This seems to be one of the bigger things that I get asked when I am talking to people.
How everybody keeps track of there OVERALL savings, spendings, coupons spent, ECB's, Gift Cards - you name it.
Everybody has a different way, but it all comes down to the same thing.... Saving $$$$$$$$$$$$$ & TIME!!!
Do what is right for YOU!!!
This is what I do - take what you want, leave what you want -
First, I found a FREE copy of Quickbooks online. I had to sign up for a trial of someothe program but canceled it before I got charged (it was a website & I wasn't planning on blogging at that time, so I didn't see a need).
Second, I went out and got myself a "coupon" holder. You know the little receipt, coupon, notecard holders that have the pockets in them & close from the top.
(Oh & I SPLURGED on this one - I think I spent about $5 on it, but it get filed with my taxes so it has to last a good 7 years!)
Next I decide the categories that I'm going to use.
Mine are: Bank, BRU/TRU, Daycare (My business), Entertainment (Movies, dining out, etc), Gas, Grocery, Target (Because I always seem to need their receipts when I can't it!), Other Stores, Taxes (Personal), Hospital (because we spend soo much time there, Literally), & Animals. Your's might be different, but it's a start.
Now: you have to decide what kind of record keeper your going to be.
The nice thing is, you can start out in the beginners and as you want to find out more you can add more details. Or... if your a ##'s type of person & have to know everything, you can start all out.
How everybody keeps track of there OVERALL savings, spendings, coupons spent, ECB's, Gift Cards - you name it.
Everybody has a different way, but it all comes down to the same thing.... Saving $$$$$$$$$$$$$ & TIME!!!
Do what is right for YOU!!!
This is what I do - take what you want, leave what you want -
First, I found a FREE copy of Quickbooks online. I had to sign up for a trial of someothe program but canceled it before I got charged (it was a website & I wasn't planning on blogging at that time, so I didn't see a need).
Second, I went out and got myself a "coupon" holder. You know the little receipt, coupon, notecard holders that have the pockets in them & close from the top.
(Oh & I SPLURGED on this one - I think I spent about $5 on it, but it get filed with my taxes so it has to last a good 7 years!)
Next I decide the categories that I'm going to use.
Mine are: Bank, BRU/TRU, Daycare (My business), Entertainment (Movies, dining out, etc), Gas, Grocery, Target (Because I always seem to need their receipts when I can't it!), Other Stores, Taxes (Personal), Hospital (because we spend soo much time there, Literally), & Animals. Your's might be different, but it's a start.
Now: you have to decide what kind of record keeper your going to be.
The nice thing is, you can start out in the beginners and as you want to find out more you can add more details. Or... if your a ##'s type of person & have to know everything, you can start all out.
Types of Record Keeping
You can do everything from simple to Complex. (I will just be putting 1 - ???? because right now I'm thinking that will be the best way to break the methods up)
Please Note: This is ALL using Quickbooks & There is "boxes" that the numbers would be typed into because in QB's you can split the transaction up how you want by making your own categories. This is really nice when it comes to printing reports anytime you want & when you want to compare month to month or year to year.
Example Purchase:
Store A:
Toy = $4.00
Clothing (Mom) = $2.00
Clothing (Baby - $2.00
Milk = $2.00
Bananas = $3.00
Saucepan = $10.00
Toy Coupon = $2.00
Tax = $2.00
Total (Before Coupon) = $25.00
Total (After Coupon) = $23.00
1) Recording only the name of the store & what you spent (Store A, $23.00)
2) Recording the name of the store & what you spent (splitting up what is taxes vs what is cash spent on product.) (Store A, $21.00, $2.00)
3) Name of the Store, what you spent, Taxes paid, coupons used
Note: if you are going to add the coupons use, while you have the "split" transaction open, you MUST add the total of the coupons used into your "total Spent" or else it won't work. Do NOT add the coupons to the ledger, Just the split portion. So, in this example I would put $23.00 in the ledger portion, then press "split" so that I can add my details. While putting in my details I would say - Taxes = $2.00, Spent = 23.00, Coupon = $-2.00 (Note the negative sign). This will bring you "split" total & your ledger total equal. ($23.00)
4) Name of the Store, what you spent, Taxes paid, coupons used, some categories
Note: You can start out with as few or as many categories as you would like. I found it easier to break them up like my coupons are organized (please see that post for further details). So in this one we would do the following: Ledger total = $23.00 (Total OOP).
My Split would be: Home: $10.00 (Saucepan), Dairy: #2.00, Produce: $3.00, Clothing: $4.00, Toys: $4.00, Tax: $2.00, Coupon: -$2.00 (Negative) for a total of $23.00.
5) You can get more indepth than #4 by eiher adding sub-categories (Clothing - Mom), (Clothing - Baby), Etc
6) You can get more indepth than #4 or #5 by adding sub-categories to your coupons. I use: Baby - Savings, Clothing/Mom - Savings, etc, ECB, Gift Card, etc.
It is really all up to you. I know some people who automatically download their transactions into QB's and other software. You don't have control over where the items are put (if you note some of your receipts you will see that baby items are in General Merchandise while soaps and stuff end up in Home and really the list goes on. I want more control then what a download will give me.
After I have that receipt in QuickBooks, I file it in my binder & forget about it :) It's nice to have them all in one spot because when I need a receipt I have it. And as I said earlier, I just file it with the taxes, so I have the receipts should something come up.
If you have suggestions please let me know.
If you are wondering how I do other things, please let me know.
Have a Great day & Happy shopping along with Happy Organizing!!
As I try to remind myself - I get organized one paper at a time :)
Please Note: This is ALL using Quickbooks & There is "boxes" that the numbers would be typed into because in QB's you can split the transaction up how you want by making your own categories. This is really nice when it comes to printing reports anytime you want & when you want to compare month to month or year to year.
Example Purchase:
Store A:
Toy = $4.00
Clothing (Mom) = $2.00
Clothing (Baby - $2.00
Milk = $2.00
Bananas = $3.00
Saucepan = $10.00
Toy Coupon = $2.00
Tax = $2.00
Total (Before Coupon) = $25.00
Total (After Coupon) = $23.00
1) Recording only the name of the store & what you spent (Store A, $23.00)
2) Recording the name of the store & what you spent (splitting up what is taxes vs what is cash spent on product.) (Store A, $21.00, $2.00)
3) Name of the Store, what you spent, Taxes paid, coupons used
Note: if you are going to add the coupons use, while you have the "split" transaction open, you MUST add the total of the coupons used into your "total Spent" or else it won't work. Do NOT add the coupons to the ledger, Just the split portion. So, in this example I would put $23.00 in the ledger portion, then press "split" so that I can add my details. While putting in my details I would say - Taxes = $2.00, Spent = 23.00, Coupon = $-2.00 (Note the negative sign). This will bring you "split" total & your ledger total equal. ($23.00)
4) Name of the Store, what you spent, Taxes paid, coupons used, some categories
Note: You can start out with as few or as many categories as you would like. I found it easier to break them up like my coupons are organized (please see that post for further details). So in this one we would do the following: Ledger total = $23.00 (Total OOP).
My Split would be: Home: $10.00 (Saucepan), Dairy: #2.00, Produce: $3.00, Clothing: $4.00, Toys: $4.00, Tax: $2.00, Coupon: -$2.00 (Negative) for a total of $23.00.
5) You can get more indepth than #4 by eiher adding sub-categories (Clothing - Mom), (Clothing - Baby), Etc
6) You can get more indepth than #4 or #5 by adding sub-categories to your coupons. I use: Baby - Savings, Clothing/Mom - Savings, etc, ECB, Gift Card, etc.
It is really all up to you. I know some people who automatically download their transactions into QB's and other software. You don't have control over where the items are put (if you note some of your receipts you will see that baby items are in General Merchandise while soaps and stuff end up in Home and really the list goes on. I want more control then what a download will give me.
After I have that receipt in QuickBooks, I file it in my binder & forget about it :) It's nice to have them all in one spot because when I need a receipt I have it. And as I said earlier, I just file it with the taxes, so I have the receipts should something come up.
If you have suggestions please let me know.
If you are wondering how I do other things, please let me know.
Have a Great day & Happy shopping along with Happy Organizing!!
As I try to remind myself - I get organized one paper at a time :)
How do I start?? Where do I start??
This page will be dedicated to things I have learned along the way to get good deals and keep motivated.
I will continue to add things as I have the time to do so as this is a continuous website & if I have any say will go on & on just like the song :)
If you are unsure about something that I have written or would like further information, please let me know - I love sharing info & getting people excited about saving. I have learned so much from others but don't feel this format has been adapted yet - so am checking it out :)
If you are a deals site & would like to be included in this site, please let me know the name of your site & preferably where you are based out of so that people in your area can check out your site also! Thanks!
I will continue to add things as I have the time to do so as this is a continuous website & if I have any say will go on & on just like the song :)
If you are unsure about something that I have written or would like further information, please let me know - I love sharing info & getting people excited about saving. I have learned so much from others but don't feel this format has been adapted yet - so am checking it out :)
If you are a deals site & would like to be included in this site, please let me know the name of your site & preferably where you are based out of so that people in your area can check out your site also! Thanks!
It doesn't have to be time consuming
The number one thing I hear when I talk about couponing is: I'm not lucky like you - I can't stay at home, so I don't have enough time to coupon. To that I say - Your Silly :) (Ok - so I spend WAY TOO much time with toddlers - but I Love it! So I wouldn't change it).
But.... As I was saying, it doesn't have to be time consuming. You just have to find what works for you & go with it. And don't get frustrated with the set up time - that IS the what will take you the most time.
I myself have taken many ideas from many places and put them into action for me - you may or may not like my way, but here it is.....
1) I talked to a bunch of people and asked them if I could have their coupon inserts from EVERY where. (I get 1 Sunday paper - that's it). If someone on my list gets the weekly paper & there's a coupon in there, they save it for me.
2) As the coupons come in I "go through" them - this is where it gets a little time consuming but if you keep up on it, it's not that bad
a) I take out the coupons that I want to take with me everytime I shop (these are my core coupons) & file them - I'll talk about how I file in a bit (DO NOT CUT THEM)
b) I mark the outside of the packet with the date (you can find this on the spine of the coupons)
c) I put the "extras" (the packets from b) into a box in case I need them later.
d) Enjoy the completion of your task :)
3) I sign up for any & every store email list. Some stores will give you a heads up of the sales that are coming the next week, so I can start my shopping list early if I so feel like it.
4) Make my list (I usually try to do this on Sunday & Monday while the kids are sleeping -but whatever works for you is best)
5) Shop
6) Enjoy the feeling of starting to reach whatever goal you are going after.
KEY: DON"T GO OVERBOARD!
I ask myself: Am I going to use this? Am I going to gift this: Am I going to donate this?
If the answer to all these questions is NO than I don't get it.
If the answer is Yes, but then the main "purpose" of the purchase is not followed through on, I re-evaluate
But.... As I was saying, it doesn't have to be time consuming. You just have to find what works for you & go with it. And don't get frustrated with the set up time - that IS the what will take you the most time.
I myself have taken many ideas from many places and put them into action for me - you may or may not like my way, but here it is.....
1) I talked to a bunch of people and asked them if I could have their coupon inserts from EVERY where. (I get 1 Sunday paper - that's it). If someone on my list gets the weekly paper & there's a coupon in there, they save it for me.
2) As the coupons come in I "go through" them - this is where it gets a little time consuming but if you keep up on it, it's not that bad
a) I take out the coupons that I want to take with me everytime I shop (these are my core coupons) & file them - I'll talk about how I file in a bit (DO NOT CUT THEM)
b) I mark the outside of the packet with the date (you can find this on the spine of the coupons)
c) I put the "extras" (the packets from b) into a box in case I need them later.
d) Enjoy the completion of your task :)
3) I sign up for any & every store email list. Some stores will give you a heads up of the sales that are coming the next week, so I can start my shopping list early if I so feel like it.
4) Make my list (I usually try to do this on Sunday & Monday while the kids are sleeping -but whatever works for you is best)
5) Shop
6) Enjoy the feeling of starting to reach whatever goal you are going after.
KEY: DON"T GO OVERBOARD!
I ask myself: Am I going to use this? Am I going to gift this: Am I going to donate this?
If the answer to all these questions is NO than I don't get it.
If the answer is Yes, but then the main "purpose" of the purchase is not followed through on, I re-evaluate
HoW Do I gET OrganIZed?!?!
That is a GREAT question!
As I stated previously, the same thing will not work for everyone - but... I will tell you how I organize my coupons (processing coupons can be found in the previous post). Feel free to take what you want & dis-regard what you want as I have pulled a lot of my info from other people & put together my system.
1) Get a closed to accordian binder
2) Decide how you are going to lay out your binder. I use Cub Foods floor plan for my layout as I feel their store is easiest to get around.
Here's my folders:
a) Health & Beauty
b) Paper Products
c) Animals
d) Baby
e) snacks/breakfast/beverages
f) Sides/condiments
g) frozen/meat
h) Cub
i) Target
j) Walgreens
k) CVS
l) To be filed
You can alphabitize them which is easier for me, but it is all up to you (I layed them out this way so you could visialize the store)
3) Take the coupons that you removed from the coupon inserts (UNCUT) and put them into the respective folders as listed above.
4) Take any coupons from the "to be filed" compartment and file them.
If you want to get really advanced, you can put the coupons into a spreadsheet so you know at a glance what you have (there are website I will referance later that can help you easily transfer the data instead of typing it all out - but one step at a time :)-
5) Get baseball card holders or something similar for Cub, Target, Walgreens & CVS. This will help when you start getting rewards & gift cards from them.
5) Enjoy another completed task! :)-
As I stated previously, the same thing will not work for everyone - but... I will tell you how I organize my coupons (processing coupons can be found in the previous post). Feel free to take what you want & dis-regard what you want as I have pulled a lot of my info from other people & put together my system.
1) Get a closed to accordian binder
2) Decide how you are going to lay out your binder. I use Cub Foods floor plan for my layout as I feel their store is easiest to get around.
Here's my folders:
a) Health & Beauty
b) Paper Products
c) Animals
d) Baby
e) snacks/breakfast/beverages
f) Sides/condiments
g) frozen/meat
h) Cub
i) Target
j) Walgreens
k) CVS
l) To be filed
You can alphabitize them which is easier for me, but it is all up to you (I layed them out this way so you could visialize the store)
3) Take the coupons that you removed from the coupon inserts (UNCUT) and put them into the respective folders as listed above.
4) Take any coupons from the "to be filed" compartment and file them.
If you want to get really advanced, you can put the coupons into a spreadsheet so you know at a glance what you have (there are website I will referance later that can help you easily transfer the data instead of typing it all out - but one step at a time :)-
5) Get baseball card holders or something similar for Cub, Target, Walgreens & CVS. This will help when you start getting rewards & gift cards from them.
5) Enjoy another completed task! :)-
OK I'm Organized - So now how do I get the DEALS!?!?!?!?
That can seem like a tricky & time consuming thing - where do you start, where do you look. There are soo many local sites & soo many non-local sites & trust me, there is nothing worse than finding an AWESOME site getting your WHOLE shopping list typed up ALL your coupons cut get your Adrenaline PUMPING go to the store, Wander around & NOT find ANYTHING!!! BUMMER!!
Well, as you can tell, I've had this happen to me & at first I was so bummed out I didn't want to continue.
Now, I've gotten past it & know that this will happen unless I know what I'm looking for & even if I do, the store may be sold out.
So, what I do is:
1) Have my internet up & my xcel sheet up
2) Go out to my fav sites & see what they have pulled together (they will either be putting together deals themselves, taking info from other sites, or getting deals from other online subscribers)
3) Start my list from their site - I figure - if they've already received the info, put the info together, or any other form of getting the info & are willing to share it with me I will utilize it.
4) I go through the ad for the store that I am working on (I use both the printed ad and the local ad on the internet). I put all the items in my xcel sheet that I want to purchase down (I include the quantity I would like to purchase & the sale price). I circle the item(s) in the ad & set it aside for later.
5) Once all my lists are completed, I go through and find out if I have any coupons that match up with the items I have decided to purchase (this being the ones that were not listed on any other deal sites that have done matching for me)
6) Shop, Shop, Shop
7) I record all my purchases in Quik Books so I can keep track of everything from year to year (I do try to save 50% per transaction. Sometimes I save more, sometimes less - just remember every savings is a savings & money in your pocket As long as you are going to use what you purchase)
Well, as you can tell, I've had this happen to me & at first I was so bummed out I didn't want to continue.
Now, I've gotten past it & know that this will happen unless I know what I'm looking for & even if I do, the store may be sold out.
So, what I do is:
1) Have my internet up & my xcel sheet up
2) Go out to my fav sites & see what they have pulled together (they will either be putting together deals themselves, taking info from other sites, or getting deals from other online subscribers)
3) Start my list from their site - I figure - if they've already received the info, put the info together, or any other form of getting the info & are willing to share it with me I will utilize it.
4) I go through the ad for the store that I am working on (I use both the printed ad and the local ad on the internet). I put all the items in my xcel sheet that I want to purchase down (I include the quantity I would like to purchase & the sale price). I circle the item(s) in the ad & set it aside for later.
5) Once all my lists are completed, I go through and find out if I have any coupons that match up with the items I have decided to purchase (this being the ones that were not listed on any other deal sites that have done matching for me)
6) Shop, Shop, Shop
7) I record all my purchases in Quik Books so I can keep track of everything from year to year (I do try to save 50% per transaction. Sometimes I save more, sometimes less - just remember every savings is a savings & money in your pocket As long as you are going to use what you purchase)
Spreadsheet?? What - I have to have a spreadsheet??
No - you don't have to have a spreadsheet, you don't have to have anything special at all - you just have to know what you are going to purchase & stick to it. (No, I dont' always succeed at sticking to the plan - but I don't know if anyone can say they do 100% of the time.)
I personally like to use a spreadsheet because I can print it out, send it to my phone, alter it, keep it for later use or view, and the list goes on.....
What I put in this spreadsheet
1) The name of the store (each store has it's own section on the page)
2) The number of Manufacture coupons I will be using for that item
3) The number of Store coupons I will be using for that item
4) The actual quantity of the item I will be getting
5) The name & size of the item
6) The department I will find it in (use the same categories as your organized coupons)
7) The sale Price of one item (this is the price that is listed in the ad)
8) How much the mft coupon is worth
9) How much the store coupon is worth
10) The Price of the item after the coupons have been removed
11) The total I will be spending on that particular item
12) If I should be getting any cash back (RR, ECB, etc)
Each column is added up at the bottom of the page so I can keep an absolute running total and know how much I would spend before and after coupons (this cuts down on suprises should a coupon be declined)
I have the sheet setup so that I don't do any calculations, I just put in #1, 2, 3, 4, & 7 and the spreadsheet will figure out the rest.
Once I figure out how to attach my spreadsheet, I will put it out here for you to copy if you would like, If you would like a copy sooner that I can figure out how to post it, please contact me & I will email you a copy.
You can do this on paper if you would like, I just find the computer easier because otherwise I end up re-writing everything a bunch of times.
I personally like to use a spreadsheet because I can print it out, send it to my phone, alter it, keep it for later use or view, and the list goes on.....
What I put in this spreadsheet
1) The name of the store (each store has it's own section on the page)
2) The number of Manufacture coupons I will be using for that item
3) The number of Store coupons I will be using for that item
4) The actual quantity of the item I will be getting
5) The name & size of the item
6) The department I will find it in (use the same categories as your organized coupons)
7) The sale Price of one item (this is the price that is listed in the ad)
8) How much the mft coupon is worth
9) How much the store coupon is worth
10) The Price of the item after the coupons have been removed
11) The total I will be spending on that particular item
12) If I should be getting any cash back (RR, ECB, etc)
Each column is added up at the bottom of the page so I can keep an absolute running total and know how much I would spend before and after coupons (this cuts down on suprises should a coupon be declined)
I have the sheet setup so that I don't do any calculations, I just put in #1, 2, 3, 4, & 7 and the spreadsheet will figure out the rest.
Once I figure out how to attach my spreadsheet, I will put it out here for you to copy if you would like, If you would like a copy sooner that I can figure out how to post it, please contact me & I will email you a copy.
You can do this on paper if you would like, I just find the computer easier because otherwise I end up re-writing everything a bunch of times.
What are these Sites your talking about??
There are TONs & TONs of sites out there that want to help you save money - but who are they & how can you easily find them??
Well,,,, I know of some & continue to find them so you don't have to & hopefully with this site more will be added. Oh - I will not be listing these in any particular order, just putting the newest ones I find out about at the top of the list. This may change as time goes on.
www.Pocketyourdollars.com
Coupon Geek (Facebook)
Mommy Wants Feebies (Facebook)
www.mommyluvs2save.com
www.dealseekingmom.com
Well,,,, I know of some & continue to find them so you don't have to & hopefully with this site more will be added. Oh - I will not be listing these in any particular order, just putting the newest ones I find out about at the top of the list. This may change as time goes on.
www.Pocketyourdollars.com
Coupon Geek (Facebook)
Mommy Wants Feebies (Facebook)
www.mommyluvs2save.com
www.dealseekingmom.com