Now that you know where to find Canadian coupons, you’re going to have to figure out some sort of organizing system so they don’t end up expiring before you use them. There are many different ways to organize coupons, but you may have to try out a couple of systems before you find one that works best for you.
In this post, I’ll be listing several different ways on how to organize coupons. You’re sure to find a system that will work for you!
Coupon Organizing Method #1 – The Wallet Size Expanding Folder
This was my first method of coupon organization. I picked up a wallet sized coupon folder from a local dollar store. You can also find them on Amazon. The folder from the dollar store already included pre-categorized sections like, baking goods, beverages, cleaning products and condiments. Feel free to personalize each section to how you like it. Maybe you want to organize your coupons by expiry date. Or label each section with store names so you could place all the coupons you intend on using at a particular store in the appropriate section!
Organize all your coupons using envelopes. Make an envelope for each category. (such as Meat, Dairy Products, Cleaning Products, Paper Products, etc.) Accumulate all the coupons you plan on using and store them in the corresponding envelopes so they can be easily found.
Coupon Organizing Method #3 – The Coupon Box
Use index cards to create all the categories you’ll need. With this method, your coupons will be really easy to find, but you may find it a bit bulky if you want to bring it into the stores you shop at. Here’s an example from Monica Wilkinson using a cute recipe box, including the categories she uses.
Coupon Organization Method #4 – The Coupon Binder
The coupon binder is a hugely popular coupon organization method and is the one I’m currently using. It’s fairly simple to create your own using a three-ring binder, page dividers, trading card holders, and perhaps a zippered pocket to hold scissors, random coupons, or a calculator. I’ve also heard of people using photo albums instead of a binder! Here are a couple of tutorials to help you get idea on how to create a coupon binder system that may work for you:
Now that you have some ideas on what to put your coupons in, you may want some ideas on how to sort your coupons.
Organize by product: Rather than create categories, you could group all your similar product coupons together. For example, all shampoo coupons together and all makeup coupons together.
Organize by expiry month: Create a section for each month of the year and place the coupons according to the month they expire.
Organize alphabetically: Put your Irish Spring coupons in the “I” section and your Crest coupons in the “C” section.
Organize by category: Probably the most popular way of sorting coupons. Place all coupons in broad categories such as Meat, Paper products, and Snacks.
I hope this post gave you some ideas on how to organize coupons with a system that will work for you!
If you’re a coupon user with a system already in place, how do you organize your coupons?
Here are the other posts in the How to Coupon in Canada Series:
Are you constantly trying to save more and spend less?
If so, you're not alone. Saving more and spending less is always one of the top battles we face every day.
One of the best ways to save money is to adopt a frugal lifestyle. Frugal does not have to equal boring. You just have to be get a little more creative with your thinking. Thankfully, I've made that a little easier for you! Below, are 12 almost effortless ways that you can be more frugal today!
If a friend invites you to a movie, suggest watching one at home. If a relative wants to spend the day at an amusement park with the kids, suggest a free or low cost museum. If a co-worker thinks a trip to the book store would be fun, suggest the library.
Cheaper entertainment alternatives can still be fun!
Switch to homemade coffee
Did you know, you only need to spend $27.40 a day to blow $10,000 in a year?
There are many great coffee beans on the market (Kicking Horse, Melitta, even Starbucks and Tim Hortons sell their coffee in grocery stores) that taste just as good, if not better, than the kind you will pay 10x the price for at your local coffee shop.
Many small local coffee shops sell more locally roasted coffee beans that you can take home to brew yourself.
There are also so many fancy coffee creamers and flavorings available at grocery stores, soon you'll be enjoying your homemade cup even more than store bought!
Flip and rotate your mattresses
A mattress can be a big investment. Take care of your investment by flipping and rotating it every three months to extend its life span. This is a great way to be more frugal.
Keep in mind that foam mattresses, like our Endy mattress can only be rotated. Most of the new foam mattresses can't be flipped. But rotating it will still keep it in tip top shape!
Stockpile groceries
I'm a big fan of stockpiling. I believe that in addition to using coupons, stockpiling is one of the best ways that you can save money on your grocery bill each month.
Set aside a bit of money each month for stocking up on great deals that you know you will use. When those sales come around, pick up as many as you need and can afford, and add them to your stockpile so you can make it until the next great sale.
Use Less
It really can be as easy as simply using less. Use less hand soap, less laundry detergent, less dish soap and even using half a dryer sheet. You probably won't notice a difference in how products like these perform!
Invest in energy efficient products
There are some things you should spend your money on, such as energy efficient products.
If you're in the market for a new dishwasher, refrigerator, washer and/or dryer or chest freezer - take a look at the energy efficient models available. They may cost a bit more, but considering all the money they will be saving you in the future, they are well worth the investment.
Don't forget about smaller energy efficient products, such as LED light bulbs. These do cost more than traditional incandescent light bulbs, but they last much longer.
Shop the Sales
Perhaps a no brainer, but there's really no need to pay full price for most things. Sales always come along on groceries, electronics, cars, clothing, furniture and more. If you are planning a purchase anyways, make sure to purchase when it's on sale. There's no easier way to be more frugal!
Don't use the Dryer
If you can, don't use your dryer to dry clothes. Use a clothes line or drying rack instead. Not only will this save money on your utilities bill, but it will keep your clothes looking and feeling newer, longer!
Cook in Bulk
I love doing this! If I'm already cooking something that freezes well, I'll make a big batch so I can freeze half or more. This not only creates an easy meal for a busy night, it helps me avoid the temptation of expensive take out. I like to do this with taco meat, spaghetti sauce, meatballs, shepherd's pie, Chicken Pesto Pasta Shells and chili.
Cut off the ends of 'Empty' Tubes
When you think your hand cream is empty or your makeup is definitely gone, cut off the ends of the tubes or plastic bottles. You will be amazed to see how much is actually left!
Sign up for Rewards Programs
No matter where you live, most retailers offer some kind of rewards program. Some offer points that you can redeem for free products, some offer discounts and some offer cash-back. This can save you big bucks without really trying!
In Canada, my personal favourite rewards programs are:
One way to save a ton of money this year, is to buy used for everything you possibly can. Do you need new clothes for your kids? Check out thrift stores in your area. Need a new couch? Facebook marketplace is great for that!
Being frugal does not mean you live a life of deprivation. You are simply being smart about the resources that you have and learning to love the simple pleasures in life.
What is one thing you are going to start doing today to be more frugal? Or what are some things you already do without thinking, that are frugal?
The forever increasing grocery costs can really destroy a grocery budget. Am I right? Before you start to get stressed with increasing prices, know that there are many ways to reduce the amount you spend at the grocery store. Things like signing up for grocery store reward programs and making a meal plan and corresponding shopping list are fantastic ways to see savings.
Another great way to save money on groceries is by couponing! Couponing is a fun way to see even more savings on your grocery bill.
If you have been wondering about how to coupon in Canada, then I hope to help answer your questions by providing a complete guide to couponing in Canada!
Keeping your pantry stocked with necessities is a great way to avoid the take-out trap. But how exactly do you build a frugal pantry so it can perform its duties best and not cost an arm and a leg?
Take a look below at some helpful tips on how to build a frugal pantry, so you can be sure you always have everything you need right at your fingertips. Building a frugal pantry is simple, and as you will see, it doesn’t require you breaking the bank to get started. Now, let’s get building!
1. Evaluate your eating habits.
To begin, take a look at the meals your family eats each week. Do you love casseroles? Slow Cooker meals? Veggie side dishes? Snacks? Knowing what your family enjoys regularly can help you best plan out your pantry. Write down 10-12 dishes your family loves so you can start to deconstruct the meals by the ingredients used.
2. Deconstruct the meals by ingredients.
Once you know what you are eating, it’s time to deconstruct the meals by the ingredients used. For example, if you love spaghetti dinners, you will want to make sure you have pasta noodles, pasta sauce, and ground beef on hand at all times.
Another example would be ingredients in the premade meals and snacks you buy, like instant oatmeal or muffins. It’s definitely cheaper to create these convenience items at home and they can often taste much better.
3. Create your list.
Once you know what you need, you can create your shopping list. The idea is to stock up on canned and dry goods that can be used in a variety of ways. All of these items can be purchased in bulk and last a long time, so you will have a stocked pantry that is easily accessible. Here is what your shopping list may look like:
Assorted seasonings and dried herbs for sauces, marinades, and coatings.
Dried cereals, granolas, and oatmeal
Crackers and bread mixes (for use as intended or to create coatings)
Oils and vinegars for cooking or seasoning
Dried beans, lentils, nuts, seeds
You could also check out my Basic Pantry List that includes a helpful printable!
4. Buy on Sale
Try to purchase all of your pantry staples while they’re on sale. This will give you the most bang for your buck and allow you to purchase more than what you normally would have if they weren’t on sale. If you’re into using coupons, be sure to use any that you may have!
5. Organize your pantry.
Once you have your items, you want to organize the pantry so the ingredients are easy to find. Group them as described above. This will help you see what you have, see what you want to use, and see what you may need to buy.
Use your frugal pantry ingredients to create all of your favorite meals. In most cases, all you need to add is fresh meat, dairy, or a few fresh vegetables or fruits to finish off the recipe. Having these pantry staples on hand will cover the bulk of the recipe while saving you time and cash.
So are you ready to eat great while saving some money? It’s easy to build a frugal pantry when you give these tips a try!
These look so cozy! Get a pair of Vresdi Winter Boots for women for just $27.59 from Amazon.ca (reg. $45.99). To get the deal price, be sure to use the coupon code BP2TIX7V at the checkout. Here are some details:
Shaft measures approximately low-top from arch
Platform measures approximately .84"
Breathable air mesh upper, soft fabric lining and padded collar, lightweight and flexible
Soft Memory Foam Return Energy Insole + High Rebound Shock-absorbing Phylon Midsole
Air Cushioned Lightweight dual-density Ultra Go outsole with comfort pillar technology
BPA-Free Healthy Material – Shopwithgreen salad container made from premium food grade material. The bowl, spoon are food grade PP, the cover are made with premium BPA free silicone. Phthalates free, BPA free
Large Capacity – 52 OZ bowl, 2 OZ dressing container, 3 divided removable tray. Perfect capacity for your daily work, camping, outdoor, kids and adult. A great choice for your family, husband, wife, children
Keep Salad Fresh - Top lid features a rubberized sealing ring and locking clips to keep food fresh on the go - Reusable spoon stores conveniently in the top lid
Keep Food Separately – Don’t worry about food in a mess when take it to work. the removable compartment tray stores 3 or more toppings and/or snacks separately. The 2 OZ dressing sauce container keeps dressing mess-free during transport
Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator Save – Microwave temperature do not reach 120℃, Top dishwasher recommend, Easy storage, easy wash, save your precious time
This is a great offer from Yves Rocher that ships free too! Here are the steps to take to get three full sized freebies and three free samples:
Step 1: Shop through Rakuten first to receive 7.5% cash back on your purchase from Yves Rocher.
Step 2: Add something to your cart that is $10 or more. (I chose the Delectable Blackberry 4-Product Gift Set)
Step 3: Use the coupon code WELCOME50 for 50% off your order and a free mascara. (Even after the 50% discount, your cart total has to be $10 or more for free shipping and free mascara.)
Step 4: Pick 1 Full sized freebie (I chose the body milk) and then pick 3 free samples after that!
CartersOshKosh.ca has started some Boxing week sales with savings up to 60% off! So I took a look and found some PJ bottoms that are actually 79% off!
The Plaid Fleece PJ bottoms pictured above are only $3.74! Still available in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8!
Your order will ship for free if you spend $50 or more. Or if your local store offers curbside pickup, you can pick it up at the store yourself if they have the size you need!
Dried rice, pasta noodles, quinoa, couscous
