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Organizing Your Refunding
by Mary Emma Allen - me.allen@juno.com

Description: Tips for organizing refunding.

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When it comes to organizing your refunding and couponing materials, there are many methods. Each refunder/couponer will set up a method that is best for him/her. However, organization of some type, any type, will help you be more effective and realize more for your efforts.

More and more nowadays, refunders are using the computer for organizing their proofs of purchase and coupons. If you don't have a computer, don't worry. You still can set up organizational methods in shoe boxes or file folders.

KEEPING TRACK OF PROOFS

For this system, it's suggested that you organize your proofs in plastic baggies, keeping like ones in one bag. Mark on the outside what they are. Perhaps you'll give them a code number or name.

For instance, if you have a POP, perhaps a Doughboy proof from a box of Pillsbury cake mix, you'll put it into the baggie, mark the baggie, D-Boy #1. This means the Doughboy proofs are in the baggie marked #1.

Then enter this in your computer program, D-Boy #1 with the number of proofs in the baggie. With this program, you can use simply a word processing program. There are various types of programs for categorizing items.

CATEGORIZING PROOFS & COUPONS

For ease in locating the proofs and coupons when you need them, arrange them in categories (both in your box or file drawer and on the computer). These categories can be Health and Beauty, Desserts, Pet Food, Paper Products, etc.

With this system you simply look within the category on your computer, on a print-out, or in a shoe box and see what you have for proofs when you find a form for an offer you want to send in or coupons when you're heading out to the grocery.

OTHER SYSTEMS

The system of organizing proofs and coupons is as diversified as there are refunders. You may have a different system that works very well for you. Stay with it. Or take some ideas from above and integrate them with your system.

If you don't have a system at all and have been bewildered by all your proofs and coupons, try using some of the ideas I've described.

Reprinted with permission. Mary Emma Allen is a children's author, cooking columnist, travel writer, book author, and writing teacher.