Please forgive the graphics issue my blog has had off and on the last few weeks. My host, Webhero – who hosts most of my blog graphics for me, has never had an issue before in the last 3 years I have used them so I guess it is their turn.

So, if the graphics are all just little red x’s you have my apologies. Hopefully it won’t be too long before everything is back to normal.

My old coupon system worked fine until about a few weeks ago when I really started taking to getting so much free stuff using coupons and store promotions. My box system just wasn’t cutting it for me anymore. I saw a really cool video description (I wish I could remember where) of a coupon folder and I thought, “hmm, I think I have the stuff to make that right here.” I ended up having to spend about $1 for page protectors but we had everything else just laying around.

So, go here to view my old system if you want to see it. Below are photos and a brief description of my new system. We’ll be giving a similar one away at Frugal Heart sometime next week.

Here is my zip around folder. It is a 2 inch 3 ring binder zipper folder that I have had for about 9 years. I have never used it for much so I thought this would be the perfect coupon storage folder.

The just inside I have a pocket where I keep store ads and then some smaller pockets hold pens, scissors, a calculator, and paper clips.

I have a top loading page protector at the end of each section with all my ‘need to file’ coupons for that particular section. I also have one in the back for coupons that need to be clipped but I usually clip all my coupons right away.

CVS has its own page protector to hold my flier and Extra Care Bucks. I certainly don’t want these to get lost in the ocean of coupons and I make a quite a steal at CVS. As soon as I get more into Walgreens Register Rewards I will probably do the same with it. If you don’t know about CVS and Walgreens amazing deals then visit my other blog to learn about it.

I keep club cards and gift cards in a sports card protector in the back. When I use the gift cards I write in the amount left on each card in sharpie directly on the front of the card.

You may also have noticed that I have notebook paper in the folder, as well. I can write down things I need to remember here – like a particular store’s price on ground beef or an upcoming sale I don’t want to miss.

For a more detailed rundown of how I have made couponing and deal finding bring our family of 8′s grocery spending down from around $600 a month to less than $300 a month head on over to Frugal Heart. I am always adding tips and descriptions of how I do things and I add links to printable coupons that can make a good deal great. Plus, since I am still fairly new at this I write out all my mistakes so others can avoid them!

Whew! This last move was crazy and I am so glad to finally be feeling and living normally again.
I am still having trouble getting back into the swing of things but please be patient. Our giveaways should be back up and going regularly very soon. I may not be able to go right to weekly giveaways again but there are some good ones lined up for the next month.

The new blog, Frugal Heart, we will be giving away a very cool coupon organizer soon! I will post pictures of mine soon and as soon as my pieces order gets here I will throw a new one together for giveaway.

We also have some really great freebie cereal coupons for giveaway on this blog in the next week. Just waiting on those to arrive, too.

Stay tuned! Things are definitely going to get fun around here.