RE-Couponing????
It seems each year I find myself making a new start to my
couponing efforts.
I've come to the conclusion that I don't
"organize" the way that I've read other couponers organize.
:::shrugs::: Why should couponing be any different?
Anyway, I really liked the Couponizer, when I tried it. But
I have this tendency of separating "Grocery" items from things I
usually purchase in a drugstore.
Add to that, I like my "Restaurants" separated
from the "department & specialty stores", and I end up with four
"coupon& shopping" organizers. Add to that, I can't stand the
idea of not doing things with my usual "stylish flair" and before you
know it, soon, I've got a very expensive couponing system, with which that I am
(usually) frustrated.
The truth be known, I've been pouting ever since my favorite
pumpkin tote containing my Magellan GPS, and three of my favorite (and personalized) coupon organizers, was
stolen from my car, while it was parked in my churches parking lot . I was
there to do volunteer work for the office.
(sighs)
This year, I decided "Why fight it?".
So last year, I replaced my Magellan. (step one
completed-bought it from a Pawn shop, got a great deal).
I've had a coupon organizing binder which "turns into
it's own tote" called a CouponClutch.
http://couponclutch.com/
Mostly, what I've used this for, in the past, was to
demonstrate to my couponing students the many methods for organizing one's
coupons.
I had ordered this in a "dollar bill" print to
help to remind me that I'm saving money.
Another of the items taken was a Coupon Wallet (http://www.thecouponwallet.com/)
also, in the same dollar bill fabric. It happens I had
ordered two of those. One for me to use, and
one to have for my couponing class as demo.
The Coupon Wallet taken, had contained all of my gift cards
(ok so there won't so many of those left)
and my loyalty cards.
So this week, I set to the task of calling company's and
replacing my loyalty cards.
Because the "binder method" is something I like
but (as I said before) I tend to "segment", I was looking for
something to contain my grocery coupons.
On the internet, I found this interesting coupon pouch
created by a company called "Glowgirl Fibers".
www.glowgirlfibers.com.
Not only did this system house 500 coupons (and that's the
"small one") but it came in---guess what? YES that dollar print
fabric. It's machine washable, and you can choose your own lining color (I
chose purple).
So determined to make a fresh start, I set to creating new
labels for my organizers.
One of the things I really liked about the Couponizer is
that it comes with a coupon organizing "mat".
Although, true to form, I ended up using two couponizers and
creating some of my own organizing mats for
my own system.
I found a youtube video from a lovely woman in Canada, who
used to be a librarian. She created her own sorter based on the organizing she
used to do with the cards that books used to have in the back
(I think some still
do here in the states).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C4rjQgeqWA
Soon I found I had made two such coupon sorters (one for
grocery, one for NON-FOOD organizer).
What delighted me is that it actually works, and I don't
have to worry about one of my beloved feline friends jumping in the midst of a
mat and thwarting my sorting efforts.
So there are some innovations in coupon organizing.
Replacing loyalty cards --check!
Instituting a new couponing organizational system for the
year----Check!
Actually cutting out coupons and sorting them and putting
them into my couponing system---Check!
Doing all of this in a "stylish way" ---check.
However...(sighs)
The tote that was taken came with a Halloween shirt, from a
company called "Quacker Factory" , which is sold (mostly) through
QVC. I remember the event when I bought it.
My mom (now passed) bought it for me. Said I would get so
much use out of it.
I baulked at the price, but she insisted.
She was right.
Each fall I would break out the shirt, denim blue which
(somehow) matched anything I put on (usually jeans). Later, when my husband and
I got heavily into couponing, it carried our couponizer, our binder, my
restaurant wallet, my store wallet...and one day when I was in a rush, I stuck
my Magellan into it.
It didn't matter to me that it wasn't fall, when I carried
it. the denim fabric with the orange pumpkins made me happy. It made me happy
to carry a memory with me (nearly) every day, and think of mom insisting that I
would love it.
The company does not make the set any more.
I miss it so desperately.
Yes, I do have other totes, and yes, I will (regrettably)
replace it.
I can't "replace" the happy and comfortable feelings
I had using my tote.
Certainly, I can't replace my memories with my mom, that
using the tote gave me.
It just seems to drive home the fact that once a loved one
is gone,
they are gone forever.
Being a medium, I used to try to comfort people by telling them
"they are still with us" (speaking of
lost loved ones).
"They still love us and watch over us".
I think that is true.
But I can't seem to shake the feeling that it's one string
cut in the connection.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
May your new year bring you joy, health and prosperity.
Until next time,
Eat something wonderful
and live a life worth loving.
-Kim
