You will get it figured out – it just takes some time, but it is WELL worth it! As far as organizing your coupons….

Everyone has their own way that works for them. I tried several different ideas that I found online before I settled with my current system. What I use for Printable coupons is a binder that has baseball card inserts. I have tabbed dividers that outline what will be in that section – like, Dairy, Paper products, etc. I print my coupons, cut them, fold them in 1/2 where I can see the brand and stick them in the holders behind the corresponding tabbed section.

For the inserts (since I get multiple copies of the paper), as soon as I get the inserts, I write the date on the front so I don’t get them mixed up. Then, I keep a separate folder in a hanging file for each type and date. For example – RP 8/26 means Redplum 8/26. Then when I go to get my coupons together, I can easily just pull out the insert, cut what I need, and put it back.

This system works for me – but I also do not carry my binder with me every time I go into a store as I found it cumbersome. I have separate envelopes for each store, make my list, cut my coupons, stick them in the envelopes and go. Having said that, I’m sure I would get much better “last minute” deals, lets say on clearance items, if I was to carry the binder – but I do not.

If you want to check out different types of coupon organizing systems, I would suggest going to Youtube and search for coupon binder OR coupon organizing. You will find TONS of videos where people show you exactly how their system is set up. This is actually what I did, tried several, and like I said, decided on the one I’m using now.

Hope this helps you!

Thanks,
Cindy

Guiding stars are Food Lion Coupons, commonly called FLIPS (stands for Food Lion Internet Printables). This http://couponkim.com/2009/07/food-lion-brands-what-do-they-mean/will tell you what most of the FLIPS mean, but Guiding Stars is not on there. Guiding Stars encompass a lot of items ranging from cereal, to bread, to vegetables. On the grocery shelf tags, it will show the guiding star emblem and that means you can use the coupon for that item.

I hope that helps!!