Teaching Your Children About Money

I had a nice visit with a younger mom yesterday and one of the things we discussed was how to teach your children, younger and older, to be responsible with their money.  Here's what we have done in our family...

Teaching Kids About Money

We gave small allowances when the children were very young, say ages 5-12.  Small means $5-$10 a month.   They were still required to help with household chores appropriate for their age for which they were not paid.  Everyone in the family needs to help around the house i.e. make your beds every day, laundry (including putting it away), start dinner occasionally, etc.  Once they hit age 12 (no real magical number here, just what I chose) they no longer got an allowance and we opted for them to get paid for harder outdoor chores such as yardwork, weeding, mowing the lawn.  This is what we have continued to do even now.

Along the way, as they started driving we had them pay a portion of their part of the car insurance... $50 each month.  This was not so much  of a stretch for them since they both had saved their $$ well and spent wisely, shopping for bargains like I do.  By age 16-17 each had a part-time job (my older started at age 15) and began saving for a car.  No, we do not buy cars for our children.  Our older one bought a used Honda for $4,400, the exact limit of pricing that we had prayed for once you add in tag and title.  Our younger is currently saving for his car now. In the meantime we share my car.

They both pay for special activities and if they want a designer shirt, I tell them we'll cover $___  and they can pay for the rest. They buy their own movie tickets and meals out (unless it's a family outing), Christmas gifts, outings with friends, etc.    We provide all food, gas (reasonable use) and clothing as long as they live at home.   I always told them when clothes shopping, "be reasonable and careful in your purchases".  They know that means that extravagance will come out of their own pockets.  

I also taught them how to sell on Ebay and Amazon so they could also make a little extra $$ from home as well.  Our older son moved out when he was a junior in college and now has graduated college debt-free with money in the bank and is now working full-time. Believe me, he knows how to handle his money.  We did NOT pay for his food, rent or gas while living away from home since he could live at home for free.  Moving out before being a junior was not an option either.  That way, he/they have time to save their $$ and work out their budgets well in advance of the big move.  He has told me numerous times that he is one of few of his friends who ever had any extra $$ for fun while in college.

I highly recommend  teaching your children good stewardship while they are at home, drawing from real life situations and helping them be responsible for paying for things that they want to do.  They are not so quick to spend $$ when they recognize how much things cost and equate it to what they earn [1 movie ticket = one mowed lawn]  I am thankful that both of our sons are responsible and careful with their money, yet still generous.  What parent could ask for more than this?

Family Finances & Budgeting: Using Mint.com

I've been using mint.com for years to keep track of our spending.  It was very easy to set up an account and I like it for the most part, even better than Quicken online.  You must input your passwords and user names for the various accounts you own (bank, credit cards, loans, investments, etc.) but I've been told by a financial planner that it is as safe as your bank codes.  Everything is then in one place.   I've customized the categories for our family with my husband's regular job, a rental house and  three home businesses.  Did I mention that this online program is FREE?  And that it is Mac compatible?

I love the colorful graphs.  You can tell at a glance where the largest expenditures have been for a week, a month or a year or more.  Sometimes you just don't realize how much you are wasting.

Once a week when I do our finance paperwork, I double-check the transactions for the week to make sure they are in the correct categories.  If this is done properly, tax preparation is a breeze.

Every homemaker should know how to prepare and maintain a budget and keep track of the family's  expenditures.  Even if your husband prefers to take care of the finances for your household, you need to be able to do it as well.  it goes without saying for singles, too.  I have known and heard of too many wives whose husbands passed away  or became sick and/or disabled and they had no idea where they stood financially. In today's economy, this is really a necessity, for you and for your children. Teach your children how to maintain a budget from the time they get their first allowance, mow their first yard for $$ or babysit for pay.  They'll appreciate it more when they are older and out on their own. Mine already do.  :)

Proverbs 31:27 

She looks well to the ways of her household, 

And does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Credit Cards : Rewards Cards

As you know,  I am a huge proponent for staying out of debt.   We use our one family credit card for most purchases and pay it off at the end of each month.  My husband mainly uses it for gas so there are no surprises at the end of each month.  Thank You, Lord.  We allow our sons to use it for specific items that we cover for them while they are in school.   I use a credit card like a debit card and subtract my purchases from the checkbook when they are made.    If I'm not certain of a charge, I double-check the amount using mint.com.

We keep a certain amount of $$ on hand at home. The envelope is filled each week  to use to eat out, grab a coffee, buy a magazine, etc.  When the cash is gone, it's gone until the same time the following week.  If not all of it was used (which is sometimes the case), I just add to it  to meet the cap allowed.  This has saved us SO MUCH money in excessive impulse spending.  It really is harder to spend cash than use a credit card.

The subject for today is Rewards Cards.  The rewards on our regular card is Disney rewards.  Eating out at Disney can really break your budget and since we go out there fairly often, this has been a treat to eat at a fun place while there often with friends.  At Christmas time we do a fair amount of shopping there as well so it saves us in that regard, too.

I have a second credit card which I use to pay for shipping for my Ebay business.  This one rewards me with points/dollars from Coldwater Creek (my favorite clothing store).  They are very generous with their rewards. I often do not spend what they require to earn rewards $ but receive them anyway.  They even send you $20 on  your birthday!  :)  Recently I opened the mail to find this:

$40 in rewards which I used to purchase this black and white skirt from their online outlet which was marked down from $70.   I shop carefully even when the money is "free".   This pretty skirt cost me $2.69 and it fits perfectly.

Wore it to a wedding last weekend with a black top that I normally wear with a long black skirt and it looked great.  Black and white goes with so much that I already have in my closet. A great buy for me.  Sorry the photo is a bit blurry... someone else took it and I should have had the flash on.   :(

Love those rewards!!  Only regularly use a credit card IF YOU CAN PAY IT OFF EACH MONTH to avoid the excessive interest rates that are charged.  I understand that sometimes there are unforeseen expenses and you may need one for emergencies .  If you use one, take advantage of those that offer you some kind of reward.  Search bankrate.com for the best offers out there.   Your personal bank may not offer the best options for you.   Be  certain there is no annual fee and rack up rewards for airline miles, clothing stores, cash back, gas or whatever benefits your family the most.

UPDATE 9.1.12:  Just used another $20 Coldwater Creek rewards coupon for this cute top.  Originally $69.95, on sale for $34.99 + 40% off + free shipping [I never buy anything at CC online unless it's free shipping] = $2.36!!  AND it goes with so many items I already own including the black and white skirt above.  :)

Aldi Cereal Price Comparison

I use coupons but lately due to time constraints have slacked off  bit. Instead, I have been doing most of my food shopping at Aldi which is close to us and using coupons for items that Aldi does not carry at either Winn Dixie or Publix.  It has been surprising to me how much $$ I am saving for our regular grocery purchases by this simple change.

Two examples of items we regularly purchase are Cheerios and UNfrosted Shredded Wheat. I was so glad to see today that the Aldi Shredded wheat is now in stock at  $1.79 a box. They have had the frosted for quite awhile but just got the Unfrosted.  Grocery store price is  $2.99-$3.29 for a 16.4 oz box although I did see it this week at Winn Dixie BOGO $4.19 ($2.09 each). Still cheaper at Aldi. Tastes just the same as the Post brand.

 The Aldi version of Cheerios tastes exactly like General Mills Cheerios (my have cereal, so I know!). $1.59 for a 14 oz. box.   Grocery store price:  $ 3.99+.










I'll keep posting every now and then about products that we like at Aldi.  We are trying many of them systematically each time I shop there.  [We don't care for the yogurt.]   I just discovered the free Blogger app and how easy it is to use!    :)

BOOK REVIEW: Clark Howard's Living Large in Lean Times

Living Large in Lean Times is Clark Howard's latest book.  I love  listening to this man.  You've probably heard him on the radio.  His information is really practical and he's fun to listen to on the radio or on podcast.  I was on a wait list at our local library and got this book about a week ago.  Unfortunately, it's a limited 2-week checkout since so many want to read it right now, so I  "crammed" over the weekend so I can return it  tomorrow (and avoid a late fee).

I was familiar with a lot of the information in this edition, but here are some tips that I had never heard before:

• Did you know you can get FREE antibiotics (with a Rx, of course) at Publix?  More info HERE

• Have you ever heard of the website  Volition for freebies and money-making opportunities?

• Amazon sells lots of things but did you know they sell FRESH flowers?  He talks about buying groceries there and I found this while searching.

• I've heard of Pandora radio, but have you heard of Grooveshark? or the app?

• Did you know that Coke owns Dasani bottled water? or that Pepsi owns Aquafina? and that they are both actually tap water?

• Are you aware of the dangers of wearing "toning" shoes?    I know this is true myself because I bought some several months ago, wore them for awhile and ended up with my back/hip out of joint.  I couldn't return them since they were worn, but thankfully, I sold them on Ebay for what I paid for them.

• We disagree on the matter of home warranties.  Clark discourages them.  We have had ours with American Home Shield for 13 years and just about every year it more than pays for itself.  It covers all major appliances, our pool pump, the electrical system, ductwork, A/C and plumbing.  We have had a few expenses that covered the cost of the warranty for several years!  I highly recommend them when purchasing older homes likes ours.

• If you are a veteran, use USAA insurance.  It does not matter how long you served.  I have family members who are eligible for this and they have alway raved about it.  On that subject, if you are a spouse of a veteran of Medicare age as my now-deceased mother-in-law was, you are eligible for the military's  Tri-Care for Life.  My MIL did not know she was eligible for this medical coverage and had been paying her Medicare gap amounts herself.  She was actually eligible for 30+ years before I found out  about it and she came to live with us.  It could have saved her thousands  of $$ over the years.

Check out this excellent book.  You won't be disappointed and/or listen to his radio program or podcast or catch his TV program.  He's also on Facebook.

Have You Started Your Christmas Saving and Shopping Yet?

I don't know about you but all of a sudden, everywhere I shop I am seeing Christmas decorations and red and green packaging, colored lights... it's here. The Christmas shopping season has actually begun.  Today is November 4.  I saw the first decorated  Christmas tree in our city on Oct. 28.

I hope you have been saving $$ for your shopping spree and aren't planning to just use your credit card without having the money in the bank.  You have been doing this, right?  I posted previously on how saving  a even a small amount each week or month really adds up and you aren't shocked with your credit card bill in January.  After the October birthdays have passed, I usually set aside all of my music lesson income and some of my Ebay income for this.  My husband and I love giving generously at Christmas to our family, some friends and charities at Christmas.  When you plan for it, you can give freely and not be concerned about the $$.  As kids get older, you might consider a family trip with maybe one gift to be given there.  Be creative with your money.

Are you making your gifts?  If so,  have you started stocking up on the materials / ingredients needed?  Some gifts can be made way ahead of Christmas and you have probably already begun.  I like to bake loaves of bread for all of our neighbors so I usually do that the week of Christmas and each day that week, deliver a hot loaf right before dinner.    I've been seeing lots of Michael's and JoAnn's coupons in the paper just about each weekend to stock up on fabric and notions if you like to sew your gifts.  If you make cards or write Christmas letters, now is the time to begin to lessen the stress in December so you can celebrate Christ's birth well and not be anxious about how much there is to do.

Have you started your shopping?   I have a few ideas for giving but have not really gotten in the full swing of it yet.  I prefer shopping online rather than hitting the malls and I avoid Black Friday like the plague!  If malls are your favorite places to shop, plan carefully, watch for sales and compare prices online.  Try to not be spontaneous (OK, some spontaneity really is fun, like for stocking stuffers) but think carefully before purchasing and try to shop with a list.  Just like in buying groceries, a printed or written list and a budget help reign me in from overspending.  We are a visual people and love what we see around this time of year. Everything is so colorful and nicely packaged.  Don't be suckered into it.  Keep a level head and have a plan, or at least an outline.  :)  And don't get caught in January with a bill that you cannot afford to pay.

Have fun out there!

Proverbs 31: 27

She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, 

Which, having no chief, officer or ruler, 

Prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest. 

Saving Money: Buying Dishwashing Liquid in Bulk / AppBox Pro App

I posted earlier in the year when I purchased one gallon of dishwashing liquid from Sam's Club--ProForce Pink Lotion Dish Detergent.  I opened it on July 25, 2010.  Here is the update --I finished it on September 21, 2011.  It lasted more than one year!  Even I was surprised that it had lasted quite this long.  That $4.18 purchase was certainly worth the money.  It is $10.18 if you have it shipped.

I  fill a Bath & Body Works pump bottle that I keep by the kitchen sink.   I have a dishwasher which I use every day or two but I also wash a fair amount of items by hand as well.   If you do not have a dishwasher, of course, it would last less time.

Just to compare the two most popular dishwashing liquids and their cost (from Coupon Mom)...

1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces

Dawn Plus, 19 oz.                   $2.08                 = 7 bottles = $14.56
Dawn, 38 oz.                                 3.74                 = 4 bottles =   11.22
Dawn, 19-24 oz.                           2.24                =  7 bottles =   15.68
Palmolive Ultra, 25 oz.            2.39                  = 5 bottles =    11.95
Palmolive, 10 oz.                          .89                  = 13 bottles =  11.57
Palmolive 20-25 oz.                  2.25                  = 7 bottles =    15.75


Definitely a great buy.

I don't calculate / compare everything I purchase like this...I mainly eyeball the ounces and cost.  For items that are regular frequent purchases, comparing the price closely can save you a bundle, especially if you have a large family.   Price books are recommended by many savers but I honestly have never done that.  However, I do have an app called APPBOX PRO that has about 40 apps within it.  It's referred to as the Swiss Army Knife for your digital life.  :)  One of these apps is PRICE GRAB which lets you do an apples to apples   comparison between products and I do use this app at Sam's Club periodically to compare to grocery store prices.   I  highly recommend this app.

UPDATE 9.5.12: Just checked the bottle of dish liquid that I purchased on 9.21.11.  Still about 1/4 full and it's been almost one year!

Supplemental Income : Market Research Panels Studies

As most of you know, I add to our family income by working from home teaching piano as well as selling on Ebay and Amazon.   If you are looking for a way to make additional income for your family, one fun way is to register to be a participant in market research studies.  There are lots of companies out there, probably in your area, that do these.   I like to stay closer to home so I ilke working with these two companies-- Schlesinger Associates and Orlando Market Research.

To register for one of these market research companies, click on one of the links below.

• SCHLESINGER ASSOCIATES

• ORLANDO MARKET RESEARCH

I really don't like to waste time during surveys online since it takes time away from my internet selling. I prefer to get paid ($75+ for giving your opinion for two hours) doing something a bit different.   The studies I have done include hot dogs, the Orlando Sentinel, evidence in a court case and most recently, illegal immigration.

I was a mystery shopper a few years ago but honestly, I can't remember the name of the company.  With that one, I ate at Cheesecake Factory several times and was even able to take a guest with me while I "shopped".  You might enjoy that, so check it out.

These companies are always looking for people of various demographics.  Don't get discouraged if you don't get accepted after a few contacts, but keep your name on their lists to be contacted for future ones.  Have fun!


TIP:  When researching companies to be on a research panel or mystery shop, you should NEVER have to pay a fee.  If they are asking for one, it may be a scam.

Netflix Rate Changes Effective Tomorrow September 1, 2011

Just a reminder, that Netflix is changing its rates TOMORROW, September 1, 2011.  If you are a subscriber and are thinking of changing, be sure to adjust your plan today.  We chose to eliminate streaming for now and go with the "1 DVD out at a time" plan at $7.99 a month.

There are several rate plans, so check their website to determine the one that you want.  DVDs and Streaming features are now priced separately.

Prices range from $4.99 to $29.98 a month.  Don't be caught off guard and paying for more than you really need.

Outline from Titus 2 Moms Talk on YOUR Family Budget 4.6.11

Here are the slides from my PowerPoint presentation at our Titus 2 Moms group last night.  Email or call me if you have any questions as this is such a broad outline and most of the information was from me speaking...

THE 3 BASICS

Tithe  (10% of GROSS, start with 5%, or $___ amt. and gradually work up to 10%); Give $$, services, products...

Save (10% of GROSS, start with 5%, or $___ amt. and gradually work up to 10%) 

Steward / Spend (80% of NET to be conservative)

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BILL PAYING AT OUR HOUSE

One day a week, Wednesday or Thursday, at our house, gather everything you need in one place; allow one hour to carefully work on this

Tithe to the Lord

Save i.e. pay yourself

Pay bills; Tonya’s “painless” accrual method of paying larger bills; index card system

When bills are due, pay online rather than mailing 

Use as many bank accounts are needed to keep things separate. We have 11 accts. at 2 banks (4 in our family, two of us have home businesses), checking and savings for specific people/uses, with NO BANK  FEES

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MINT.COM

       FREE online service
Passwords for all accounts needed 
Easy to do taxes
Graphs to show trends
Easy to monitor transactions and see where you are spending too much

       No input of data needed; it's done automaticallyOR buy Quicken / Intuit program and keep everything totally separate and off the internet

==========================================

STEWARDSHIP

TITHE and GIVE-- trust God to provide for your needs; it is not presuming on Him if you are managing your $$ wisely; give to Him and others generously

SAVE-- a % or $ amt. each week!  Christmas $$, special purchases, emergency fund, extra cash; envelopes

STEWARD-- you can have fun and not be extravagant; “where is the $$ to pay for this?” 

Avoid  temptation--Wal-Mart, Target, internet, “sales”

Use Coupons, shop on sale, buy in bulk

Another source of income?

==========================================

ACTION STEPS

Are you giving to the Lord’s work?

What needs to change in the way your family spends the $$ that God has provided to you?

Work on ONE new good $$ habit at a time and ask the Lord to help you.  Do you have a spending addiction?

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Parable of the Talents (it's not as little as you think)

Talent 

= 3,000 shekels

= 60 minas

= 34.3 kilograms 

= 75 U.S. pounds

Used as a measure of weight and money.  If in today’s money an ounce of gold = $1,200, (actually, it's closer to $1,400 an ounce) one talent is worth about $1,440,000 (each of us has at least that much money pass through our hands over our lifetime, even with low-moderate income)

http://www.biblestudy.org/beginner/bible-weights-and-measures.html

Sources:  Easton's Bible Dictionary, Wikipedia

==========================================

What we all want to hear from the Lord one day...

Matt. 25:21 

... ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. 

You were faithful with a few things, 

I will put you in charge of many things; 

enter into the joy of your master.’

Manage your $$ well over your lifetime. It's a journey with ups and downs but the Lord is there with you all the way.

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HELPFUL RESOURCES

Me (private help)

Crown Financial Ministries 

Mint.com

Dave Ramsey

Ellie Kay   (She's kind of like the Beth Moore of finances)

Giving Thanks 2010 Revisiting 2009 and Continuing / Thanksgiving

What I wrote in 2009 is at THIS LINK.

5. I am thankful that my husband is able to provide for our family through his job and his decision to keep a rental house.

Updated November 5, 2012:

My husband has worked for the same company for the last 13 years.  God protected his job during the massive layoffs that they had earlier in the year.  He did not even need to take a cut in pay as many of our friends have had to do.  His income is the primary source for our family.  I manage it well and stretch it to the max each month.  I have not worked out of the home since our sons were born  23+ years ago.   My home businesses provide the "extras" for our family.    Thank you, Lord.

As you may know, we own a rental house in Orlando.  It was my husband's childhood home which we renovated in 2004.   There is no mortgage  on it so that is provision #1 and we have been so blessed in that way.  I wanted to sell it a few years ago for maximum profits but my husband wanted to keep it.  [We go back and forth over this issue ever year.]  It took a year to clean it out  and renovate and has been leased ever since by excellent tenants each time.

Even though there is no mortgage we have come to depend on the rental income as a buffer for maintenance expenses here and there, property taxes for it as well as unforeseen expenses--3 hurricanes, 2 tropical storms (with fallen trees during each), and car repairs to name a few.    The extra income also allows me to work  part-time at  home  rather than working outside the home.  It has also kept us out of consumer debt except for our home mortgage which is always a blessing in my estimation.  It seems that my husband's decision was a wise one.  

When the most recent tenants informed us that they were moving out at the first of October we were shocked and I was a bit dismayed.  I knew it would be tight without the rental income for the rest of this year so I was cutting WAY back on all expenses, which I generally do anyway as a rule.   There was some damage and more $$ spent on repairs.   Fear started creeping in on me...my biggest one being leaving my kids at home to go back to work.

My husband trusts me completely with our finances and I handle it all--paying bills, saving, giving...  When it would come time to pay our bills which I do every Wednesday or Thursday (you know how I do my accrual method for large bills), I would grimace, but faithfully write our church tithe check each week.  As I would write it, I could almost hear the Evil One say  this will cover the gap that you need if you just hold it back and don't give this week. You'll have enough if you hold on to it for the rest of the month.   I would literally have to just write the check, put it in our usual place for giving and get back to other things.  After two weeks of this, I got  better about it but was still anxious at times.    I went ahead and wrote our additional giving to missionaries and charitable organizations which I do at the end of each month, thinking OK, Lord, I trust you to provide for us.   I won't be afraid.

Long story short, we spent four weeks getting the house ready to re-rent and the afternoon after the final detailed cleaning, we put the For Rent sign up.  Before we even got home our son called and said someone had already called about the house.  We had 10 callers within two days and it was rented that second day to a man who was leasing it for his mother.  PLUS we had three people contact us that they were interested in buying it...maybe next year.

For me, this was another lesson in God providing for us miraculously as well as showing me that even things don't look like they have a purpose or that things might not go as I planned, He has a much better plan--not the least of which is to teach me to trust Him more.   Like a good Father, He comforted my fears as well.  It was also a lesson in faithfulness--God is always faithful and wants us to be like Him in that way, too.   

When Bob and I were on our honeymoon, some 25 years ago, a wise man who owned one of the B & B's where we stayed told us a long story about tithing  throughout his marriage and encouraged us to always do so, even when it hurts.  Not the thing you usually hear from someone during your honeymoon, is it?  Well, we took it to heart and just hearing it from him, in such an odd place and time in our lives, we have always done so--10% off the gross income as well as an additional amount each month to a different ministry.   Now, it's as much a part of life as anything else could be.  If it is not a part of yours, step out in faith and watch and see what God will do.    We have always had enough...

Swap Party / Bartering / For Trade

I love to barter rather than outlay the cash for something--a product, a service, food items, whatever.  Several years ago I had a high school piano student who was a delight to teach.  She bartered her ironing, sewing and baking for THREE YEARS for me teaching her piano.  Boy, was I sad when she stopped taking lessons.  Amanda, you'll always be one of my faves. :)  Just this week, I bartered some whole-grain bread dough that I made in exchange for a friend sewing napkins from a tablecloth that I could no longer use.  (More on that, hopefully, tomorrow.)

Last night I attended a PANTRY Swap Party.  Everyone who attended brought at least 10 items (most brought way more) to trade.  There were toiletries, food items, books, baked goods, farm-fresh eggs, utensils, hand-sewn items, coupons galore...  Everything had to be new and unused.   After sorting everything around the host's dining room, we then took turns walking through the room and choosing one item.  We did this about  10  times, then had a free-for-all where everyone went altogether and took what they wanted. I think everyone was pleased with what they ended up with.  What fun, too!    The items that were not chosen will be donated to a local food pantry.

It was such a success and relatively easy to do.  The hostess and one or two others had made snacks to share. We visited for about 30 minutes, then spent about 45 minutes swapping, then visited some more. The entire event was about 2 hours on a weeknight.  I was so glad that I went.

The young moms in our church hope to do a children's clothing / toy swap before Christmas.   I would eventually like to do a clothes swapping party but that can be a little tricky with so many sizes to choose from.   It would probably best be done by age group.  In early December I am planning an ACCESSORY Swap Party since one size generally fits all.  We will swap belts, scarves, jewelry, handbags, socks,  shoes, etc.  I know it will be fun, too!

Try this in your neighborhood, ladies group, church, etc.  It's a great way to show hospitality, get to know and help others, save $$  and have fun all at the same time.

Romans 12:13 

...contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 

Sorting Coupons / Couponizer

I recently saw a Couponizer for the first time.  A friend had it in her purse.  After seeing it "in person"    I knew it would be the perfect gift for someone who loves organization (like me).    I like the size, the colorful-ness of it and all of its features.

I heard about the Couponizer initially on Crown Ministries' Money Matters  radio broadcast which I listen to regularly.   They're quite handy in taking your coupons to the store.  Not just grocery coupons. There are sections for customer cards, and other types of coupons like Bed, Bath & Beyond, restaurants, etc.

I'm a clipper of coupons rather than one who uses the binder method.  Here is my 3" x 5" index card file which separates coupons into about 30 categories.  I usually take this to the grocery store along with an envelope into which I've pulled out the coupons I expect to use.   It snaps closed and fits neatly into the front part of the shopping cart.

I heard that the Couponizer comes with a sorting mat and I thought that was a GREAT idea so I made my own.

After clipping coupons, I sort them in the various categories which match my index card file.  After I sort them, it makes filing them a breeze and a real timesaver.

If you're serious about couponing, you have to be organized in whatever way works best for you.  For me, files, grids, charts and lots of COLOR help me to stay organized and enjoy it.  I'd still love to have a Couponizer but for now, I'll make do with this method.  What's your favorite way of staying organized?