I don't know if this is groundbreaking for anyone other than myself, but I didn't realize until I worked at a grocery store's service desk that customers are able to bring in their receipt with the coupons and get a refund for the amount they would have saved if they had remembered, or found, their coupons at a later time. BUT if you completely lost your coupon organizer, than I'm afraid I have no suggestions.
Help! I Lost My Coupon Organizer!
Photo: Mike Licht
This afternoon's trip to the grocery store started like any other. My list was made. My coupons were clipped and organized. The blue tooth was charged and ready to go, and my rock out tunes were cued up in the Jeep. Traffic wasn't obnoxious as I headed out before the holiday chaos geared up. Everything was coming up roses, really. Until about two aisles after my produce cruise, I realized my coupon file was missing.
I can honestly say this has never happened to me before. And this particular coupon organizer was not that different from any other I'd used before, other than I actually used a sturdier plastic accordion file rather than the paperboard variety. Apparently, Sweet Bay's shopping carts are designed for industrial strength, Amazon sized children, because that's how I lost the little bugger. Right through what would normally be the left leg hole for your average toddler.
After re-combing the aisles I'd walked through, and checking twice with the customer service desk, I finally had to accept reality. It was gone. And with it, several hundred dollars worth of savings, including some fantastic coupons my realtor arranged for me at the home hardware chain stores, several slamming spice coupons that only come out this time of year, and numerous other deals too great to mention. So what did I do?
I did what I suspect any other forty-ish woman in the middle of hormonal transition would do. After checking out with my grocery purchases, I checked the parking lot in a last ditch effort, swore like a sailor, drove my stick shift way more aggressively than necessary on the way home, and after unloading my purchases immediately mixed up a double on the vodka, extra tall white Russian. That's right. I took it like a man.
Why am I posting about this? Well for starters, I'm assuming I can't be the first alpha shopping spouse this has happened to. Secondly, I'm wondering if my fascination for streamlined small filing systems is what got me into this. Should I go back to the days of totable boxes, or consider some sort of notebook system? It's not like there are “coupon insurance” programs out there, and I realize that in comparison with everything else that's happened to us this year, this is low on the list of things to stress about.
But damn it, I really went out of my way this morning to get back on track with the coupon thing. I sorted, culled and went way beyond the call of duty to get ready for this shopping run. There's really no recovery plan for this, and in the end, I will just suck it up as always. In the meantime though, I can't help but think about all the other shoppers out there who put enormous amounts of effort into the coupon strategy and even order them online ahead of the game.
We're watching our pennies, but not on the financial edge. And if I was fighting back tears of frustration for the rest of my shopping session, what must people do when these coupons are critical to putting food on the table at all? And are there any alternative filing systems out there that are tougher to lose through the grocery cart openings, yet not so cumbersome as to be a burden? Talk to me. I'm clearly having to start from scratch, so incorporating new ideas into an existing system will not be an issue. Share a story, a strategy or coupon philosophy in general. I'm all ears. As usual, thanks in advance for sounding off.
Best of Wise Bread
seeing all that effort wasted, and at a time when you have plenty of other stress. Sounds like time for a foot rub.
It is a real butt kicker, but in the end I realize it could have been worse. There were times when I was even more stocked on coupons than I was today, and I know as hard as I work on couponing, I'm not hard core about them like others are.
Which is is why I decided to reach out via this post and get the discussion going. In and of itself, the coupon thing is an enormous job. Worth it in the end, but no small feat, to be sure. So I am honestly wondering, what would others do in this same situation, and how do others store their coupons who are uber involved in the strategy itself?
That makes me sick, Myscha. Sorry to hear about it. I'm so lazy on coupons right now, that it would't hurt me too badly. Next week, however, it would have killed.
Linsey Knerl
I nearly threw up on the customer service counter. That's how upset I was. Even the frozen septic this past year didn't make me this sick to my stomach.
I know it's small potatoes in the cosmic scheme of things. But it did get me seriously thinking about the enormous amounts of work many house spouses put into this gig and what it must be like to have to start from scratch when you have poured yourself into getting started on this at all. Many people resist for so long precisely because it IS such a pain in the neck. I'm fortunate in that we can absorb it. It sucks mind you, but we can absorb it. I know many others that this would seriously throw off track. That's why I'm hoping it'll be a good discussion generator.
This doesn't help you recover what you lost - I feel sick for you too! but, when you get a new organizer, put your name and phone number and email address on it, that way, if it does get lost, there is a chance it could get back to you. I do this with all the little bits of importance in my wallet, the address book, photo album, etc., in case I should just leave them out on a counter some place. Might help :-)
I keep most of my coupons in a plain envelope, which is in my purse at all times. That envelope comes out on shopping day as I make my list, and any coupons that I plan to use that day get paper-clipped or stapled directly to my list.
Yes, stapled. :) I've lost coupons when they fell out of the paper clip. My husband makes fun of me when I grab the stapler, but it works!
Thanks guys.
You know, I did leave my name and numbers at the customer service desk. But then it occurred to me that the name on the organizer was my husband's last name, which is what I go by socially. My last name, Theriault, is different. So even if they come across it, they might not call. So the full contact info would be a better idea.
And, I have previously stapled coupons when I was only going out with one or two. But usually, I have so many and I use them at different stores and am not always sure if they will have the item I am going for. Putting the organizer in the purse would at least eliminate the parking lot risk (I snagged one of the carts someone hadn't put away). But I really think it got lost in the store as I remember seeing it early on in the store perusing.
It's just sort of one of those things that's a real bummer and yet, it really is amazing that it hasn't happened before. I've tried pulling ones out that I know I will use and leaving the rest home in the past, but inevitably I end up seeing a sale I wasn't aware of on an item I know I have a killer coupon for back home. So I started always carrying my entire stash.
That sounds really infuriating. While the fact is that occasionally, we do lose things, if you want to avoid having this happen in the future, i would suggest hot-gluing or riveting/grommeting two loops of velcro to the back of your organizer. Heavy duty glue like the kind they use on auto weatherstripping would work too, if you happen to have some (I do). Then you can wrap the two loops around the wire of the cart and hand the organizer on that divider thingie (what the kid would hang onto if they are sitting in the cart. Or on the cart handle. That organizer won't fall after that.
Or maybe glue a short (6"- 12" )leash onto it with a carabiner on the end. then you can just safety-clip it onto the cart in case it decides to try going for an air-dive.
Caribiners are to me what zip ties are to my husband. I love them! Now, as to what I would use for a strap loop . . .
Punch a hole thru the organizer with a hole punch, thread a zip tie through it, then clip a carabiner onto the zip tie. Both you and your husband will be happy to have yet another use for your carabiners and zip ties!!!
Or you could use a nylon strap, put a hole in the organizer, then use a short bolt and nut to fasten it.
So many ways!
glad you got your organizer back, by the way.
I was shopping one day, and there was this jag-off in front of me at the checkout counter, berating the poor cashier about how this coupon should be worth this much and this one should be doubled, the scanner must be broken, etc. and basically making himself a pain in the arse about coupons. Well, he had a honking large coupon organizer, filed, alphabetized, the whole nine. I guess that he was so upset about the cashier, that he left the coupon organizer in the cart, and I saw it there when I returned my cart to the same stall. I was left in a sort of moral dilemma. Do I take the coupons? Throw the organizer in the trash? Turn it in? Leave it there? Well, I am happy to say that I returned it to the customer service desk, and while I was leaving, the guy came in a retrieved it. If he got his coupons back, there is still hope for yours. Check again, maybe someone picked it up while shopping, and hadn't made it through to customer service yet. Good luck!
I use something similar to this: http://www.organize.com/ezcouponholder.html
The coupon holder fastens to the cart handle with velcro.
I, too, have lost my coupon organizer recently. I had a ton of those All You Kraft coupons in there -- they were the only reason I bought 20 of those silly magazines. Other free coupons and valuable coupons were in there, I knew where they were, etc. Plus, due to our current low income, my WIC coupons for my 2 kids were in there. 2 months worth for 2 kids, which is equal to $80ish in milk, cereal, cheese, juice, etc.
I had been at 3-4 stores that day, called each one and left my info. No one turned it in. Turned over everything in my car, racked my brain for days, felt exceptionally guilty.
But, I decided that meant I had to start over with a vengeance and the Robi deal at Walgreens started, so I used that to pay for the milk, cereal etc.
still, every once in a while i wish I had that binder back....
My system is a little different than others. I organize my coupons by category in different envelopes (some big categories like "hair care" or "cleaning products", some smaller categories like "cereal" and "cheese"). The envelopes live in a plastic box. When I make my shopping lists, I sort through the different envelopes to see if I have a coupon for the items that are on sale or that I need. I also pull out any expired coupons at that time. Any coupons that I plan to use, I put in the envelope on which I make my shopping list (often different lists and different envelopes for different stores). I only take the lists/envelopes to the store.
I do miss out on some deals this way (something on clearance that I know I have a coupon for but didn't bring with me), but I know I can't get every deal and I'm okay with it.
It probably takes me a little longer than the super organized couponers to find one specific coupons, but, overall, I think my system is a good compromise between organization and time required to make the system work.
Argh. Been there. The suggestion of writing contact info on the box was something I used the second time. Adding "reward for return" might make a difference too.
I have one of those small plastic coupon organizers. It was almost lost twice at Target. Same situation, it fell through the openings in the kid seat portion of the cart.
I started putting it in my purse while I am in the store. Putting your name on it is a good idea, I should do that to mine.
That looks like a cool set up that's featured in the link.
Something else my husband and I were discussing last night is that our coupon stashes are one of the few remaining things here in the States that we can't protect or "back up" in some way. Even important documents can be scanned and used while you get actual replacements. And credit cards are protected from theft and mis-use. But when you have boatloads of coupons for money you wouldn't otherwise have to spend and then it's gone . . . well, it's like losing cash. You're screwed.
At least I know I'm not alone, although I'm sorry to hear the rest of you have suffered through this as well. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. (Well, nearly anyone) All the effort and time wasted too. Well, onward and upward . . .
I actually think someone stole it too. 'Tis the season and all that rot. But, on the flip side, I'd like to assist in restocking your soon to be replaced coupon organizer.
BTW, I use a new system (to me) to organize. I've been NOT clipping until I have something on my list. If you are overstocked from stockpiling or need to stick to a budget tightly, this method works really well. I just use a black marker and put the date on the inserts as they arrive on the top page and file by month. Then I hit HotCouponWorld.com and use the coupon database to ferret out which insert I need for a specific coupon, flip to it and clip it.
Coupons for a specific store go into an envelope.
Coupons for the grocery store go into a binder. A BIG ONE. Mine is neon green and hideous looking thereby making it something others don't want to be seen carrying. LOL
I also have a couple of smaller organizers but I always seem to go back to the binder. I have it filled with 4 x 6 photo sleeves, tabbed dividers for organizing by aisle or type of product.
Benefits: Faster, larger, doesn't fall through and large enough that most won't attempt to steal it because you can't conceal it and the ugly neon green.
Email me with your mailing address Myscha and I'll send you a pile of coupons to help refill your new organizer, just because.
Happy holidays!
Ginger
Wow. I really appreciate it. And your system sounds interesting. I'm trying to picture how you have it set up. I'll contact admin to get your email info. It'll be fun to get in touch. Thank you so much.
Well, I never would have thought it, but the grocery store called and somebody actually turned the darn thing in. I had my doubts as to whether it would be empty or not, but all coupons appear to be accounted for. Phew! I just got back with coupon file in hand. Although, I definitely want to make system adjustments based on this little incident. Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I hope others who have had this happen benefit from the suggestions as well.
I'm so glad you got it back! I'm still new to this whole coupon thing, and have been trying to find a system that works for me. I think that so far it has been best for me to cut the coupons and file them in a gigantic binder. Then, I go through it and pull the ones I need for grocery shopping. These go into a ziplock baggie that is labeled with the store's name, and then into the side pocket of my purse. I usually will then bring my binder with me incase I find a great deal or clearance that I wasn't expecting, but I leave it in the car, except when I go to two stores that are known for their clearance and unadvertised deals. That's my two cents. I would be devestated if I lost my binder, not only because of the coupon value, but the actual cost of the binder itself is pretty pricey after buying all of the plastic sleeves and such.
Yikes!
You freaked me out so much I had to go look and make sure mine was here.
Sorry about your loss. It really is like losing money.
What a great site!! Got on today to wish you & David a great holiday in your new home & read about your coupon delema..................so glad they were returned to you...................Have been lazy about the coupon thing lately but with all the great suggestions offered here - i'm going to start up again...........Love carmen
Thanks! I might as well try it to see if I like how it operates in the field so to speak before trying another one.
Of course, the fact that the solution will require a zip tie will be music to his ears. . .
Y'know, I'm really diligent about clipping, saving, & sorting coupons to stretch my bucks at the grocery store, but when it comes to heading out the door, I'm pretty disorganized - I usually just jam the coupons in my back pocket with my list, grap up my iPod, toss the reusable shopping bags in the car, and roll on.
I really do need to find a more structured way to get my coupons from home to the register...
I relate to you today I was shopping in CVS one of my stops of the day. I spent a good part of the morning sorting though coupons and ads. I purchased a few things in CVS and let using a few coupons. I went maybe a mile down the road when I ralitzed I left my coupons and holder in the cart. Now I had a nice holder with many compartments lots and lots of coupons and within the few minutes back to CVS someone had taken it. I just couldn't believe it. Mine even had some personal information in it. I went back to the store more than once and even looked around quiet a bit. I'm still a bit upset by the whole thing also wondering if I left any personal info in it. Like you said so many other things are going on right now but still this was many weeks of my hard work. I tried and failed to get another organizer in at least 5 stores. I had gotten mine on clearance at least a year ago. Finally looking on line I found one similar. The coupon Organizer wallet looks like it would be a good one. I hate shelling out the 19.95 for it since mine was less then 10.00 and very similar but I will get nuts trying to find one just like it and probably spend the difference on gas going from store to store. Anyway I feel for you but know exactly what you are going though. On the other hand I really can't believe someone would take it without asking someone first coupons are like taking someones money these days.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, Guest. Like I said, I thought mine was long gone too. I'm wondering if someone took mine, then had an attack of morality and brought it back to the store. Hopefully, that'll happen for you too. It really is a sickening thing to have happen, that's for sure. It's just so much work to get them going, and knowing that's money you wouldn't otherwise have to be spending.
We are all distracted this time of year, too. It's so easy to have happen and not realize it for a bit.
My Hubby and I went to the local Shoppers last weekend to take advantage of their double up to a dollar and triple up to fifty cents coupons.
I saw so many ways that others organize their coupons from several notebooks to the traditional coupon cases to a leather wallet. One lady had hers in the plastic baseball card holder sleeves. Another lady had hers in what I can only descibe as an accordion file on steriods. The last was a guy carrying a mini train case.
I think that I will be doing the last one myself. Something sturdy that I will remember if I don't have that weight in my hand.
I am glad you recieved your coupon holder back.
Since I did leave my black-zippered just over checkbook-sized coupon stash on some check out counter I got to feel the despair of the loss followed by relief when they called me immediately.
I put my name and phone number on everything for fear of losing it . . . and it's not the end of the world if I lose it but it hurts my pride to be in charge of something that gets away from me. I get mad at myself but Vodka wouldn't make the situation any better!
geO
I keep my coupons in a 3-ring binder with base-ball card pages inside. I organize them alphabetically based on brand so I can find them quickly. I carry a big purse, and this fits in there, but usually I put it in the seat of the cart. Its too big to fall through, and it actually lays across the top of the cart nicely so I can thumb through for what I need (I always stop to check out the clearance & see if I get any matches with my coupons). It does take a bit longer to set up, but once its done, its great! And, as I am shopping, if I encounter any tear-pad coupons I can file them away immediately.
I have lots of doubles of certain coupons that I would be happy to mail to you. I also have a Safeway that has lots of Spice Island coupons in the dispenser.
My system is to pull out planning-to-use coupons and place them in an envelope labeled "current shopping trip", and I have written my phone # with 'if found, please call...' on it.
If I don't wind up using a 'current shopping trip' coupon, I refile it while I'm waiting in line for the checker to ring me up.
Sometimes I will bring the accordion organizer into the store and place it in the main portion of the shopping cart, other times it will stay in the car, or I place it in the child seat part.
I too have lost important and big-dollar coupons through the leg holes, and have searched the store in a frenzy.
I now flip the plastic flap up to cover the legholes, and will even sometimes thread the child straps through the accordion flap of the coupon organizer.
I believe you can take the coupons to the store later and get credited for the items that you had coupons for. That is if you can find them.
I have been seriously couponing for six months. I have only lost my coupon organizer one time but realized it within ten minutes and called the store number on the receipt. It was turned in! I told my husband that I would have rather lost my purse than my coupon organizer but he thinks that's nuts. I'll bet some of you agree with me.
I am also an avid coupon train participant (anywhere from 20-50 trains depending on how much time I want to spend at it). The system I have developed for organizing coupons has taken me much trial and error to figure out.
I have a plastic shoe box with envelopes labeled: Expiring January 2009, February 2009, and March 2009 or after. These are all "trade" coupons for my train coupons although I do raid this box if there is a good price on something I don't usually buy.
I have a coupon organizer box in which I store the coupons I am most likely going to think about using in the next few weeks. Coupons are filed according to category. However, although I sometimes leave this box in the backseat of my car in case it is needed. I almost never bring it into the store with me.
I have a limited area for shopping and primarily shop at Walmart and Walgreens so each week (usually Sunday night) I prepare two business envelopes for each store. The Walgreens envelope contains coupons that match sale items and coupons that will be expiring soon. The Walmart envelope usually contains coupons that will expire soon AND coupons I have recently received in a coupon train that will result in very low OOP (Out of pocket) cost to me. Each envelope has my name and address on it because it one of the envelopes I just received in a coupon train. I should add my telephone number as well.
In the store, I have my envelope in one of three places. In my left hand, in my purse, or inside the cart. I like keeping them inside the cart because I make a stack of the coupons that match the items I have in my cart and keep the remaining coupons in it's envelope. One thing I am very careful not to do is to turn my back on my coupons for more than a few seconds. I treat my coupons like cash.
Because of couponing I am stocked up in my food pantry and health and beauty pantry for at least six months. All I HAVE to buy at the store are fresh foods. So I am always on the lookout for items that are free or almost free with coupons and sales to add to my stockpile.
Linda from S. TX
There's something about Florida!!! I had my organizer stolen from the grocery cart a couple of years ago, last year someone stole the ratty 9 x 11 white envelope that had many coupons stuffed in it. This year I'm going to try the photo organizer, but someone will probably rip it off for their beach pics!!!
We have hit some financial hard times so I'm trying to learn how to budget and use coupons, etc. I found this blog entry from surfing the web and found the content very useful. Thanks. One particpant mentioned a "coupon train". I'm curious to know what that is? How does one particpate? Etc.
I did learn a helpful tip from a guy at my job who is an avid coupon clipper. He said to keep all your coupons. Even expired ones? Occasionally the stores will accept them, especially if the barcode is still in their system. That was nice to know because sometimes you get good deals but for one reason or another you're not able to get to the store.
Also, I use the accordian file for storage of the few coupons I have. It's not perfect but it'll do until I find something better.
If you don't mind a simple sales pitch here in this space, I carry a really pretty coupon saver, quite small, not your comprehensive clipper, but very totable in a handbag or backpack. And, it can be yours in a variety of cute cover styles for only $9.50.
Here is our link:
http://www.paperposey.com/Accordion_Pocket_Coupon_and_Travel_Organizers_...
Deluxe Coupon Organizer
Deluxe Coupon Organizer makes it easy to keep your coupons organized and it snaps on to your shopping cart so your coupons are always at your fingertips!
SNAP-ON CART FEATURE
MEASUREMENT: 8 1/2" X 4 1/2"
DURABLE WASHABLE NYLON
30 CATEGORY LABELS 10 FILES
EXPANDS TO HOLD 250 COUPONS
5 TO 7 DAYS SHIPPING
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
$7.99 EACH, ADDITIONAL ORGANIZERS $7.00
* Royal Blue organizers are currently out of stock and will be available July 1, 2009.
http://www.hannahcoupons.com/?gclid=CKbnzqnVlpsCFRSfnAodl2Eo9Q
I thought this might help you out. I'm sure you have gotten a new organizer by now, but it's a thought!
I do have one, but these look great. I love that they come in so many colors, too. Thanks again!
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