Financially Fit Friday

Emergency Fund - Stocked

Vehicle Fund - Stocked

• I forgot to mention that we have money set aside to pay cash for a "new" vehicle from our tax return.  Having two vehicles is what's making it easier for me to work evenings for more hours and better tips :D

Colorado Fund (Goal is $500)

• Deposited $19 of fun money
• New Total - $259.16

Indiana Fund (Stocked)

Credit Card Beginning Balance 4/29/11 - $6031.08

• $0 in spare change - I was too lazy, I admit, to go into the bank to cash it in. 
• $500.00 in leftover tips and miscellaneous money
• Current Balance - $5531.08
• We've decided to call the credit card company to see if they will decrease our interest rate, versus us opening a new account with a new company.  We'll see what happens.  Dave Ramsey says not to transfer balances around because then you have yet ANOTHER credit card with chances of racking up more debt.  I'd rather not have the temptation. 

     *If you follow Dave Ramsey, he says no matter what to pay down your next lowest balance.  This is not our next lowest balance, but it's our highest interest rate one.  Now that we've paid off so many loans in the last 2 years, we believe this is a better route to go, where as our other loans have such a small interest rate on them, this is by far the worst "loan" we have.  So...Ready...Set...GO!

How I Organize My Coupons - Option 2

Sister K here -

Since Sister C shared her organization method with me when I started and again below, I thought I'd share what works for me since it's a bit different.  I'm a little over-organized sometimes, so this method may or may not work for you.  :)

I have three organization tools:  a file box, a coupon binder and a small expandable file:

After I cut my coupons for the week, I file the rest of the coupon inserts by date in the file box. ( I always buy 3 papers and I also get inserts from my mom and a co-worker.)  The only reason I do this is that I have found that sometimes I miss coupons that I later find referenced in coupon match ups and this way I can check back and not miss out on a great deal.

The coupons I cut out each week go in my binder.  I sort the coupons by category and have letter dividers to help me find the category I'm looking for.  Each category has a page where I sort the coupons.  I use baseball card dividers for the pages.

I do take the binder with me on all my planned shopping trips - "just in case" I find a great deal I didn't know about before I got to the store.  I'm still looking for a cute bag or tote, but right now I'm just using a black tote bag even though it's not super cute.  However, like Sister C, I also make a detailed planning list and put all the coupons I KNOW I will use in my small expandable file, sorted by the stores I shop at weekly.  I also keep my ECB card, ECBs, RRs and Cub gas discount codes here. 

So, there you have it.  Option 2.  As a fairly new couponer myself, I'd say to try out a few options small scale until you know what works best for you.  In other words, don't run out and spend $20 on binder making supplies until you know that's what works for you.  The binder I use was $10 (I think) at Walmart and I bought $10 worth of plastic sheets.  I think I mentioned before that I over-organize, right?  Anyway, it was a little much to spend, but it works for me and I've saved enough to cover the expense so I'm okay with it.  Plus, the envelope system stressed me out and I could never find what I was looking for.  My little expandable file and the file box were things I found in my house and re-purposed so I saved there instead. Again, try out a few different ways and do what works best for you.  You'll love your coupons more that way.  :)

How I Organize My Coupons

Sister C here.  A question was raised on how I organize my coupons.  So here it is...

This was how I first started using coupons. 

I used note cards marked with a bunch of different categories.

Then I "outgrew" it.

It was more so that it bunched weird.

This is what I switched to.

It opens up into a rectangle, so it's like a box with handles.

I know I'm a crazy coupon lady,

but I like to look cool being one lol

Then, I grabbed one of these out of the dollar section one time at Target.

It's just a small accordian file with 6 tabs, one for each store I shop in Mankato.

When I put together my shopping lists for the week, I just stick the coupons right into their slots.

I have two accordian files actually.  One holds my budget for each category in our household.  You can learn about this method of spending by visiting Dave Ramsey. 

I love it - you can refer to my Financially Fit Fridays for how this is working for us :D

Thanks for the question, Tahlia

Cheap and Free at Walmart

Walmart isn't my favorite store to shop, but they do have some great deals. Here's a list I like to check from time to time, just to see if there is anything I can get for free or almost free. One word of caution - some of the prices seem to be regional.  Thanks Couponing to Disney, for updating this list: http://www.couponingtodisney.com/2011/04/25/walmart-under-1-deals-updated-now-102-under-1/

Quick Tip

For those of you with a Kwik Trip near you - eggs are on sale until May 13th for only $0.99 per dozen, limit 3. I'm thinking scrambled eggs, egg bake, french toast for dinner in the next two weeks. They also have regularly low prices on potatoes, onions, bananas and milk.

Free Carousel Rides at River Hills Mall

Don't forget, every Monday your kiddos can get two FREE carousel rides at the River Hills Mall.  The carousel opens at 11am.  We went a few weeks ago right at 11am and it was not busy - maybe 5 little ones is all.  Too bad Sister C can't handle "baby" rides, my kids only got one ride because I was so dizzy.  I used to love crazy fair rides, what happened to me? 

Print Your New Coupons

It's the First of the Month - which means - NEW COUPONS :D 

http://www.coupons.com/

If you have a Swagbucks account, make sure to print your coupons off there, as you earn Ten Swagbucks for each coupon you redeem.