How many times have you had to forego returning merchandise to a store because you couldn’t locate the sales receipt? Or how many times haven’t you been able to take advantage of a manufacturer’s warranty because you couldn’t find the sales receipt showing proof of purchase?

Now is the perfect time to end your sales receipt clutter and your hunt for lost ones by placing your sales receipts in a 4 x 6 box with a lid. Add an A to Z alphabetical file card index inside the box so you can organize your receipts by store name. If you have a Target receipt, place it behind the letter “T.” If you have a Bed Bath & Beyond receipt, place it behind the letter “B.” If you have no reason to keep the receipt toss it.

I recommend using a box that is decorative or stylish so it looks like it is part of your décor. If your box is tucked away in a cabinet or drawer, it may take too much effort to use it consistently. One of my favorite lines of storage boxes is the Cargo line (pictured) as they are sleek and stylish and available in six colors.

If your receipt is for an item with a warranty, photocopy the sales receipt and attach it to the item’s manual and warranty. If you don’t photocopy the receipt, you may find that in just a few months your receipt is so faded it appears blank. Most sales receipts these days are on thermal paper. Thermal paper images will fade eventually making your sales receipt blank.
Don’t wait any longer to organize your receipts. Perhaps you can use items you already have on hand. Find a small box and cover it with fabric or paper to match your décor. Label blank index cards with the letters A through Z and place them inside.

I recommended purging your sales receipt storage box every 6 months. You can to it effortlessly while watching a television show.

Happy receipt organizing!

If you have ever shopped for a major appliance like a refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, washer or dryer, you know how daunting the task can be. It is exhausting and confusing going from store to store.

To simplify your shopping experience, take along a digital camera. When you see an appliance that interests you, take two pictures - one of the entire appliance and a second close up picture of the sign with model number, features, and price. Follow these same steps as you continue to take pictures of other models you are interested in within the store. Before leaving the store snap a picture of the store’s name. When you visit the next store, repeat the same procedure.

Now you might be wondering why I said to take a picture of the store’s name before leaving it instead of when entering it. Allow me to explain. When you go to preview the pictures on your digital camera, the preview typically starts with the last picture taken. So as you scroll back through your photos you will see the name of the store, the sign with the model and name, and then a picture of the appliance.

Keep in mind you can zoom in on the photos with model numbers, features, and prices. This way when you are at the next appliance store, you can pull out your camera, preview the pictures of appliances you already looked at, and immediately compare prices.

Don’t limit this tip just to appliance shopping. You can do it for cars, prom dresses, cameras, and other electronic items. You can even email your friends to help you select your prom dress – be sure to take a picture of the dress with you in it!

Happy shopping!

Over the past few years more and more retail stores and restaurants are offering coupons. This is great for the consumer but it can be a daunting task keeping these coupons organized.

First of all, don’t mix grocery store coupons with non-grocery store coupons. Grocery store coupons should have their very own organizer and a totally different type of organization that isn’t being covered here.

Now for your retail store and restaurant coupons (like Bed, Bath, & Beyond and TGI Friday’s), keep them together in an organizer that allows you to have dividers with alphabetical separations. You’ll want to organize your coupons alphabetically by the name of the retail store or restaurant. A coupon for Chico’s would fall behind the letter “C” while a coupon for Macy’s would fall behind the letter “M” and a coupon for TGI’s Friday would fall behind the letter “T.” You can group 2 or 3 alphabetical letters together, i.e., AB, CD, EFG.

If the store begins with the word “The” don’t file it under the letter “T”, instead use the next main word. You will find that some coupons are so large that they need to be trimmed on the sides. Use an organizer similar to the one pictured above. You can find this particular organizer at Office Depot. There are 13 divided compartments and 13 small paper tabs that group alphabetical letters together.

Now that you have taking the time to organize your coupons, you’ll want to make sure that you use them. To increase your chance of using the coupons, I highly recommend keeping your coupon organizer in your car at all times.

Please note, if you use the type of organizer pictured above, place a tiny piece of Scotch™ tape on each side of the clear tab to hold the white paper tab inside. If not, when the organizer is tipped, the paper tabs may fall out.

Happy coupon cutting,

One of the hottest items on the market for this spring and summer is SwitchFlops by Lindsay Phillips. These flip-flops and heels allow you to change the strap on your shoe. You’ll no longer need to spend tons of money stocking your summer wardrobe full of sandals and flip-flops to match your outfits. By purchasing one pair of SwitchFlops and additional straps with varying colors and designs, you’ll have others convinced you have a closet full of shoes.

Just how does it work? The design strap simply adheres to the Velcro strap that is attached to the shoe making for quick and easy style changes. And with a flat and wedge style flip-flop, cork heel, black heel and children’s flip-flops to choose from, not to mention over 60 different strap designs, the fashion possibilities are endless!

So stop in to All Bright Ideas and step into a pair of SwitchFlops (adult and kid sizes available). All Bright Ideas is located on Main Street in Emmaus, Pennsylvania (just three blocks from Allentown).

Who doesn’t like to save a little money? We know some honest ways to saving money that the companies just don’t tell you about upfront. 

Did you know that Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons don’t expire (even though they have an expiration date on them) and you can use up to 5 per visit as long as you are purchasing 5 items? (Don’t worry, it’s true. During a lunch meeting, a corporate representative from BB&B personally shared this information with Diane.) So sign up to start receiving your Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons.

When you buy a large pizza at Pizza Hut, dine in or carry-out, you can get a second one-topping medium pizza for a penny, yes that’s right a penny! The only catch is that your server won’t tell you that it is one of Pizza Hut’s specials. You have to mention the promotion on your own. If you don’t believe it’s true, check out Pizza Hut’s website.

Please help us gather even more money saving secrets! Once we have compiled a list we will share it with our subscribers. Email us your favorite coupon clipping website, favorite deal or hidden discount. But please refrain from sending ones that are only available in your local area.  Don’t wait any longer, email us today at organize@dianealbright.com or post it on our blog.