Using coupons - YouLookFab Forum

I'm being held captive in the house today, because my DD-nearly-16 is entertaining a young gentleman.... they are supposedly "studying chemistry" but I haven't seen any studying going on....

Anyway, while trying to stay out of their hair (with occasional walks through where they are camped, so they know I'm around), I have gone through my mail and all my purses and compiled all my store coupons that haven't expired into a pile.

I am really bad at remembering to use coupons before they expire. I figured I need a system. So here is the system I just developed (with way too much time on my hands):

I set up an excel spreadsheet and listed each coupon, with a column for start date and expiration date, a column to note whether it can be used online or in-store only!

Now I'm going to go do some shopping online... hee hee...

What does everyone else do to keep track of their coupons???

P.s. while off-topic, any advice about handling this new teenager phase is also welcome; I'm a bit freaked out... this is the first time a boy has ever called or visited...

17 years ago

Debbie

Active Member

remove all blankets from the room. someone gave me that advice and I think it is good! LOL! I too have a 16 y/o daughter!

shiny

Veteran

They are camped in the kitchen!! I suggested they camp in the den, which I even cleaned up for them before he arrived. But instead they have their laptops set up on the kitchen counter and have been *standing* in there the whole time. They could've set their laptops up in the den, or on the dining room table, or on the kitchen table but noooo.... they chose the kitchen counter!!!

So I can't even get in there to start dinner.... well, guess I will have to at some point, but I'm really trying not to hover and be a pain.

Kyle

I put coupons in a folder that I keep in the car -- gift cards go in the wallet. So if I happen to end up at a store unexpectedly I can pull any relevant coupons before I go in (as opposed to finding them at home after I've already bought something).

Also...I have a 16-year-old boy. He's had a girl friend (as opposed to girlfriend) to the house and I allowed them to "hang out" in his room with the door open and me around the corner so I could hear what was going on and pop my head in every so often. I think you are doing the right thing, Shiny. Be glad they are at your house -- even if they are in the kitchen, I guess -- this way you can catch bits and pieces of what they are talking about, and you can learn a lot that way, as I'm sure you know. Perhaps daughters talk more than sons, but, often times getting relevant information out of him is like pulling teeth.

My son got his license today. He left a few hours ago driving alone to a friend's house for the first time. Yet another milestone that is hard on us moms.

julijuli

Shiny, I have a 15 year old boy and I too have heard the 'no blankets' in the den rule! I think it's a good one. YOu are definitely doing the right thing and it's great that they are at your house. My goal is to be the house where the kids hang out because it's good to be able to keep an eye or ear on them. The soda and chip cost alone is a high price to pay, but it's worth it!

I've been putting the coupons in my wallet but my credit card, but it's getting way too packed with stuff so I know I need to find a new system. Great thread.

Tanya

Shiny, you are so cute about the whole DD situation. I can offer no good advice, in this situation I would feel more like your daughter than you. being close by is a good strategy, but I wouldn't pick on more than twice, it might become a bit too obvious. When I was in similar situation (seems like yesterday, although it was 14 years ago), I remember my younger brother kicking the closed door cowboy style with a camera to document whatever was happening. And we were indeed studying, so he got nothing Sorry about the kitchen access, maybe you should very discreetly mention to her that next time any other space might be more appropriate.

I do not have any good coupon system. Paper ones I get go onto the pile, and I sort of check the retailer site whenever I get an online one to see if they have anything I am interested in. But most often I google them when i am actually about to buy something.

Ana

(website)

Aah, studying with boys. I remember the days when it was fun. Now it's just a pain keeping them on task.

I like Kyle's system of keeping them in the car. It seems like I'm always out and then I happen to pop into a store thinking I wouldn't buy anything, and find something I want/need, and then I don't have my coupon. I will try the envelope thing and see how it goes.

Nicole

Oh I like that tip about no blankets. I'm not there yet (Mia is only 11)--but I'll file that away for future reference. I remembering the things that went on under blankets at my boyfriend's house.

As far as coupons, I keep them in my wallet. So when I am shopping, I have them with me. If I shop online, I have to get my wallet to access my credit card and see the coupons as a reminder. I am almost embarrassed to admit this, but I used to know my CC # by heart. Then there was a security breach, so the bank reissued new numbers. When I shop at Gap/BR etc...they have my Gap card stored in their system, so I may forget to use a coupon there, but I usually remember to check for them.

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