Tips

[Blk_rose]

Each and everyday i awake is a rat race. I wake up then wake up baby to breast feed then the heard of 3 school aged kids and the big kid. I drive the youngest schoolaged child to school then the big kid to work in the far west end. By the time I get home is already 9:30. Then time to feed the baby cereal and more milk. Then bath and dress him for the day...finally time to get out of my jammies. YES i drive everyone in jammies daily lol. By this time its 10:30.

Now thats just to start the day. I have 3 cardboard boxes, 2 tupperware containers one organized ones not, 2 binders ..and not to mention the piles that always seems to stay on the floor and my desk in my room and envies of trades everywhere.

HOW do you keep up keeping it clean and organized? I dont know how many coupons i come across looking for something and find expired ones? I used to have severe ocd and its faded. 6 kids under 5 will do that to ya...but now I just cant get ahead. always forever losing things misplacing things..not to mention the constant mess of coupons everywhere lol

HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[Tweetybird999]

There's only so much one person can do. It's very hard to do other things when you have a baby on your boob. The school age kids & big kid can have their own "jobs", which can include keeping their own things organized & make their own lunches. My 3 year old has to pick up his own toys and he's good at it! Then kids can help with "family" jobs like putting away the laundry.

I find that my coupon accordion folders have exploded and I haven't had time lately to file all the new coupons. So maybe I just have too many coupons? Or not enough time to deal with them? My trading has slowed down significantly lately because I just don't have time. I've been prioritizing the coupons I need to get and once I have them, not worrying about trading. It's amazing the amount of time couponing takes and it really can be a job. So maybe slow down, cut down, and prioritize?

[rewogd]

I hear you!!! My house is always a mess and my coupons are a disaster... I just found an expired coupon for buy one get one case of coke!!! COKE!!!! MY FAVORITE drink and I let it expire.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread to see what kind of tips come in as I could use the help too.

[Blk_rose]

Hawtte I dont know what you have seen or heard but one thing I know 100% sure is I have yet to take one RAOK EVER especially for the hampers..I always insist in a trade. As well as my hampers are very much true as I have delivered them ..unless of course...oh my goodness is this all one big dream.

SOMEONE wake me up pelase! LOL

[RegulusLeonis]

Speechless! I've personally delivered hampers myself with her. You have an issue? Take it up in private first; you are just making yourself look really bad.

[Tweetybird999]

Hawtte, this is a wild accusation that is completely inappropriate. Are you sure you have the right person? Your comments are defamatory and not appreciated. Save your name calling for private. Your post has been reported and I hope it is taken down immediately. Don't ever ask me to trade.

[Cia]

Wow, where did that come from? A member was asking for organization tips, not offering herself to be publicly accused of fraud. I have reported the post and I hope others do as well.

[AmberLab]

Please refrain from attacking other members. This was not the time or place.

If you have a trade problem resolve it with the person via PM or ask Sally888 to mediate.

[EdmontonGal]

Wow!! Completely uncalled for and in total shock right now.
Take your negativity somewhere else. We don't do that here.

[lanand]

Well, I guess Blk_rose has a bad rep in Sherwood Park, good thing she has a steller one in Edmonton. I just completed a(nother) face-to-face trade with her yesterday where she offerred me ALL of her Dove coupons. She was relying on RegulusLeonis to complete the other half of the stacks that were being built. Regulusleonis is another couponer I have had nothing but positive experiences with. Do I know either of them well enough to call them friends - not yet, maybe someday. Would I deal with someone I felt less than honest? Not a chance, I'm a judgemental A**hole.

And to prove it - here is a direct quote from another thread by Hawtte - a thread where she is advocating a P&G boycott for their refusal to let her stack their coupons. Some people thought she was going a bit too far, and mildly chastised her (at least by my standards). Her reponse (in part) ".. thanks for the offers and as far as all those with their nasty comments about the people who do stack, My mother always said if you have nothing nice to say keep it to yourself." Obviously not someone who practices what they preach.

Hawtte - don't ever bother to approach me for a trade either.

If I've said something to offend you, please let me know in case I want to do it again.

Thanks

[lanand]

Blk_rose - hubby needs a bus pass - he has to realize your time is valuable as well. Our house work on the tota time spent premise. If it takes me 30 minutes to take a bus, it makes no sense for you to spend 15 minutes each way to come get me, we've just taken 45 minutes from the family instead of 30. (my 15 and your 30).

I agree with the kid friendly tasks too. It can result in less than stellar cleaning, and the odd broken dish etc..., but they will learn and get better. My boys are 8 and 9 and have been doing chores for several years. Right now they are responsible for one thing each day, 2 on weekends. Emptying the dishwasher, sweeping the floors, cleaning their room, putting away laundry, cleaning cat litter, feeding the animals and taking out the garbage are all on their list. They are also responsible for one meal a week for the family - we've had cereal for supper, but they were proud of it!

My other suggestion is a nanny - tell hubby to make more money!

[MckiernanKris]

Hmmm I could have sworn she was asking for organizational tips.....in any case yes I guess her GREAT reputation has reached the Park.

Blk_rose keep up the good work.

[Alevry78]

On topic....

I dont like the binder method. I have several small accordians (wider ones though). I have two for my regular coupons. One for my stacks. (I generally shop with those three in a separate but stylish purse or bag). Then I have one for clipped inserts which are also categorized and clipped. I have discovered lots of stacks I didnt even know I had through doing this process. I also have another accordian for tear pad coupons. I try to ensure there is at least one of each coupon in my regular use accordians because I have been caught far too many times without coupons on me which drives me nuts. I try to keep all of this organized on my desk which can prove difficult at times. I like this method the best thus far.

I will also say this. No matter what the accusations of for poor coupon use are, I am sure everyone has had a bad couponer moment or two. Come on. Are we all that innocent?

Its confession time. Time to cleanse the soul. Ready?

Remember when the Ziploc Evolves were out and the pandemonium that ensued from that?? I was new. Young and overzealous. I cleared the shelves excitedly. If someone asked me for a box or two I would have hissed at them with hair raised and began rubbing my boxes of Evolves Gollum style...mmmmmyyyyyyyyyy preeeeeccciiiouuuuussssssss......Myyyy precious...

I have grabbed a good sized chunk of tear pads before.

Coupons spawn something weird in people and I think we have ALLL been there. While it is important to be mindful of ones reputation, I am can verify and once again thank Blk_Rose for her incredible donation several months back of 50 of every product we needed (and even some bonus products!!) for our first round of Isabella's Umbrella Comfort Bags which are being delivered this Friday to the Stollery. There are no words of the incredible gratitute to you for your most gracious gesture. Sometimes I have a greedy little hole in my heart when I clear out my stock I have accumulated to prep it for donation to Isabella's Umbrella myself, but I know that at the end of the day, these gestures do not go unnoticed and it could be just the thing someone needs to brighten their day. Its the small things that we do for each other than mean the most and for many of us, the blessing that is couponing can become overwhelming....spawning greedy little monsters inside. Maybe everyone is innocent and I am crazy...but I am sure I am not alone in this.

Lets just all set every petty little thing aside and start from scratch. For everyone. Blk_Rose and Hawtte. Believe me, I am sure someone out there is cursing my name too. I try hard not to piss people off but at the end of the day...no one is perfect.

I hope my suggestions help you with your coupons! I went to Dollarama and got a ton and a half of paper clips too.

[Sally888]

Lets continue on this conversation positively.

Hawtte, if you have proof of your concerns pm me or Amber, otherwise be rude like that again and you will be banned.

[Blk_rose]

Just for those who are curious I have never done a train..trade..or even a pm with this person or no idea why this happened but one thing is for sure the mods and fellow Sc'ers are a bunch of amazing people. Thank you.

I will admit after this I wasn't sure if I wanted to be back as it personally hurt my feelings more then I played it up to. Anyone who doubts my hampers please feel free to come on a delivery. I do this barely paying bills every month just to help others in same situations because I can thanks to couponing. And as far as RAOKS I still like to think thats my job on here..not using hampers to get any coupons.Ps I dumpster dive constantly for coupons is why I have so many..I work hard to get clutter overrun lol

lanand be careful those were a bunch of hugging words!
Alvery78 loved your honesty the world can use alot more of it!
Regulusleonis or whatever your name is stop being so amazing always!