If you clip coupons you know that organizing them is half the battle, as GI Joe would say. How do you file them? Where do you keep them? How do you remember to bring them to the store?

I asked Erin Gifford, the coupon whiz behind CouponCravings, for her secrets on how she organizers her coupons in one minute, how long she keeps coupons around, and where you can use expired coupons.

I began clipping everything, but I quickly realized that is insane. It is better to file each insert by week. How do you organize your coupons?

You can't clip every coupon. i could tell you didn't have kids because if you have kids you don't have time to clip all the coupons.

There are two methods for clipping coupons. One is clipping them all out and filing them all right away. The second one is putting the inserts into that folder.

I kind of do a mix of both. I have my file folders but I'll try to cut out the ones I'm 95 percent sure I'm going to use, like for Danon yogurt because my husband takes those to work. But I always have the inserts, because as I'm sure you found...there will be really great deals but you have to have the coupon from two weeks ago or a month ago.

Coaster ornament. All you need to make this ornament is a pair of 5-inch cloth embroidered coasters, a small amount of batting, a length of wide ribbon and a ready-made tie on bow. The coasters cost $1 for the set of two. Put the coasters together with the patterns facing out and stitch around the gold trim near the edges, leaving a small opening in the top to add the batting and ribbon hanger. Then stitch the opening closed and attach the bow near the base of the hanger. Total cost: less than $3.

Rockin' around the Christmas tree is easier and cheaper this season with the advent of online music Web sites that encourage users to create free customized holiday music playlists.

From the First Noel to the final strains of Auld Lang Syne, Web sites such as Pandora, Jango, and Grooveshark want to be the commercial-free soundtrack of your life as you deck the halls or head home for the holidays. Stash the CDs, ditch downloading and avoid pesky carolers.

• Costco cash cards, which any member can buy and give to any non-member to use without buying a membership.
• Massive rotisserie chickens for $5 each.
• Gas prices usually 5 cents to 10 cents less per gallon.
• Discounted gift cards to spas, movie theaters, Jamba Juice, and lots more.