Poll: do you bring your entire coupon stash or drive back later for a deal?

[TaraF]

I have a coupon case and only carry the coupons that I intend to use on that trip and also coupons that I like to have on me at all times. I go through the store ads and make a shopping list and take what I need. The way I look at it is, if I come across a sale or something that I do have a coupon for at home but it obviously isn't with me it isn't something that I intended to purchase anyways so I'm not missing out on anything.

[Sporeo]

I have literally run back home a few times though. LOL Once when I found the Purex 3in1 for $3 at WM. I called DH and said start cutting up the flyers ($2 coupon) I'm coming home to get them. HURRY!!!!! Ended up with 12 of them for $1 each.

That cracked me up

I'm still deciding whether I want to drag them all with me. I probably will, but I'll set aside the ones I plan to use beforehand. I've got one of those dollar store organizers as well, but so far, I've just put my coupons in envelopes, then put them in the organizer. Not even sure how to organize them yet.. Aah! Letters seems kind of inconvenient? So far, it's by type of item.

[FallenPixels]

Mine is by type and then by brand in alphabetical in the accordian file

So I have the front part of coupons I know from flyers I am using today
Grocery A-M
Grocery N-Z
Beauty & Health
Household
Pet
then at the back, all my FPCs

[barginshopper]

I drag almost all of my coupons to the store with me. Sometimes I left the extras in the car so I know if I need them they are close by. But I will drive back home if it is really good sale/clearence item.

I have four coupon file folders from the dollar store.... my coupons are organize by type of products such, as bread, rice & pasta, crackers & cookies, cheese, other diary, etc...

[avoncallingu]

I feel so disorganized compared to most but I do bring all my coups with me in a photo album organized by "type" and carried in a reusable bag - then I usually leave my purse in the car and just bring my wallet when I go in the store. I'd like to start a train, but I just can't seem to get to that point.

[FallenPixels]

I jinxed myself by posting in this thread and accidentally threw my trade folder into my purse instead of my personal stash!

[Rylkat]

If I'm shopping, then I bring the whole stash (nicely organized in a binder). If my BF is shopping for us, then I check the flyers and give him a list and the specific coupons in an envelope (because he doesn't want to bring the binder).

[MercyEhm]

I have a 4 mo so when I go shopping it's 'In-n-out' as fast as I can. I plan my shopping by store and carry a small accordian folder with me everywhere I go. I take my Thursday evening and "plot" my shopping. Monday I go to one store, Tuesday another etc... My small accordian folder is divided by category, first pocket having the little piles paperclipped and identified per store. The second is th estash that expires that month then it goes FOOD, HOUSEHOLD, PHARMACY, BABY, PET and "may use if it's a drop dead deal". At home I have a large acordian file divided alphabetically for the coupons I trade of have a lot of and won't possibly use all of them. I can dig into it if there happens to be a great deal out there without spending too much time looking for stuff.

It's the planning that's a little more time consuming but I find this works well for me being that I have a baby in one arm and the coupon stash in the other haha.

[Patty Smyth]

I just bought a bigger purse. Enough said.

[honker]

Thank you for the tips. I am the proud new owner of a coupon organizer. It was < $5 at Walmart and is about the size of a wallet. It has 12 sections. I'm so excited, now I can bring my coupons with me to catch the deals! I was surprised how roomy it is, even though it is only the size of a wallet. Today dh said, we don't need any more mustard. I replied, we have only one in the cupboard, they are on sale for $2 and I have a B2S $1.50 coupon. Why wouldn't we buy two more now at $1.25 instead of paying $3 in a month or two?!? No reply lol.

[msattitudeca]

I got this great coupon organizer from gooseberry a couple of years ago that I carry everywhere I go with all the coupons that I use for things I always buy. I have a huge file folder that I keep 'trading' coupons and not 'all the time products' coupons that I usually leave at home. If I see an item on sale when I go through the flyers and there's a coupon in that folder I take a few with me just in case. I've also given coupons to people that have items in their buggies that I know I'll never use

[sweetmomma]

I usually have an envie with coupons I know I will be using(from looking at flyer sales)and I also bring my coupon folder just in case I see something else I can use a coupon for. It would be way too heavy for me to carry all my coupons probably over 7lbs!