Comments on: All About Couponing: Coupon Organzation 101

By: Kelly Casto

Kelly Casto — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:43:28 +0000

I also tried the binder with Baseball dividers. But i too found out that I had to fold all of my coupons and still didn’t have enough for them all(coupons). Well then I found another solution that works great for me and leaves room for my purse and calculator in the Grocery buggy basket. For orginizing my coupons I use a Plastic Rubbermaid Box for index cards aprox. 4 X 8. Then i use index cards and fold the bottom 1 centimeter to create a shelf for the envelope that will go behind it. Example Index Card standing UP on its side with the coupon category listed on the top, the matching envelope also had the same category name such as Frozen Foods. I find that the Envelopes hold many many coupons, and is handy to take to the store. And leaves room for Envelopes for particular stores like walmart, CVC, etc. I also use a Index Card label and Envelope in the Front That says USE @ Register……that way as I shop and place items in my cart I also place the coupons in that Envelope. That way I have EXACTLY the coupons that I need always with me and ready when I get to checkout. When you have a busy life and impatient family members TIME management is mandatory. This box is also small enough that it goes with me in my car or purse anywhere…Hope this helps someone.

By: iheartdeals

iheartdeals — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:09:05 +0000

I just subscribed to your blog.

By: iheartdeals

iheartdeals — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:08:03 +0000

I use the binder system also. I have a folder that I keep store specific coupons and unfiled coupons in.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:05:30 +0000

I subscribe to your email.benz1171@hotmail.com

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:05:24 +0000

I subscribe to your email.benz1171@hotmail.com

By: Mary Moss

Mary Moss — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:56:40 +0000

YAY! This is a wonderful, wonderful resource! I've recently been accepted as the Richmond Frugal Family columnsit for examiner.com.

My first post included a link to Stretching a Buck! Looks like I'll be including LOTS of link backs1

I am a consummate couponer, but your blog is helping me take things to the next level. I know I've already save quite a bit of money using you as a resource!

Thanks a million.

By: mommy308

mommy308 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:50:34 +0000

I have the exact same binder you do right down to the color. The only difference is I use photo pages instead of the baseball card holders. Each page has 5 big slots and I hardly ever have to fold them and I am certain I wouldn’t be as organized if I had to fold every coupon. The best part is for a pack of 10 or 15 it’s not even $3.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:15:44 +0000

I used to just use a small accordian file that I bought at Target in the $1 section. It held up, but didn’t have enough space to hold all my restaurant, and extra store, coupons so I moved up and purchased the Couponizer. I REALLY like it. I know it’s $25 spent on organizing coupons but to me it was worth it. I like that it’s large enough to hold all my coupons but small enough that I can still bring it with me to the store. I like having ALL my coupons with me just in case I DO find that unexpected bargin. I live about 20 minutes away from my grocery store so I only go once and week and make it count. :)

By: Jill

Jill — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:29:56 +0000

I don’t use a binder. I have a small oval plastic basket (fits nicely in the top of shopping cart with plenty of room for purse too) that has a well-made old fashioned accordion type organizer that I printed labels for and use just for personal items — shampoo, shaving stuff etc. that divides everything out to 13 sub-categories. Then I have another cloth coupon organizer that I bought on Etsy and it has 20 sections & long enough that almost all my coupons do not need to fold — I use the cloth organizer for grocery store items. I also have small scissors, reusable shopping bags that fold up very small, post-its, pen & colorful metal binder clips in the basket. I usually pull together all coupons for a particular store and clip it with any notes for that store. In my purse I have a leather envelope (photo wallet) and I stick all the restaurant.com certificates, restaurant coupons and non-grocery & non-drug store coupons such as: Victoria’s secret, Aveda, Dick’s sporting Goods, free car wash, 7-11 etc. I have a bright yellow card listing all the coupons in expiration date order in the envelope too. The leather wallet has all the things I might do unexpectedly or really wouldn’t want to let expire.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:26:14 +0000

Love the discussion on what works. I use something like what Crystal uses (from your post) – works well enough so far, but I’m not good at knowing what I have available and doing matchups. Wondering if I should move to the binder method where I can see each one better. Looks like more work ;-) Now, the other issue is – when you all go to the store: do you take your entire systems with you? I know I don’t! I take an envelope of “planned out” coupons to use. Problem is – no room for last-minute sales!

By: Marcy

Marcy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:21:40 +0000

Jenn - thanks so much for the Hobby Lobby suggestion...wish I had thought to check there!

Jennifer - great point about the fact that clipping and handling your coupons helps you remember what you have. When I fell behind on clipping, it pained me to see what I had let expire!

Angela - I tend to do things the way you do as well. Except I have been filing more than clipping/putting in my binder these days!

Jenae - there are no lame methods! Find what works for you and go for it. :-)

Summer - Your store rocks for manager markdowns...I am jealous! And the "you are crazy" looks are no different right? Just for a new reason! LOL I am only saying that b/c we both used to get them long before our couponing days. :-)

By: Summer

Summer — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:07:59 +0000

As you know I also use a binder and take it with me everywhere!!! ( Yes, I get the "you are crazy" looks from people :) ) I often find manager mark downs that makes many items free so its worth it for me.

One tip that I use is that I arrange my coupons in the binder by isles in the grocery store I visit the most. I almost always shop at Kroger so I start with produce, followed by meats,baby items etc. That way I don't have to flip back and forth and its all laid out!

By: Jenae

Jenae — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:56:02 +0000

I just use plain old envelopes (because I didn’t want to spend money on organizing my coupons). I have 5 envelopes…food, cleaning products & household goods, personal products, diapers & baby care items, and restaurant coupons. I have just started taking them with me whenever I think I might be stopping at a store. And of course, I make a list whenever I go for my “big” shopping trip of the week. Lame system, I know…but it works for me (or until I cough up enough money to purchase a binder & some baseball card holders). :)

By: Angela (from Coupon Makeover)

Angela (from Coupon Makeover) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:47:57 +0000

I use a combination of methods - clipping the coupons I KNOW I will use and putting the rest in a file by date in an accordion folder.

It is always good to keep ALL of your coupons b/c you never know when a GREAT sale is going to sneak up (and you can always give away products you don't use!)

I am going to have to check out SuperJenn's idea on Hobby Lobby!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:42:20 +0000

I have the exact same coupon binder that you do, except mine is pink. I figured no one would bother it if it's hot pink!

I clip my coupons and store them in the baseball card holders. I do take mine with me when I shop, and I usually only pull out coupons on the fly when they make an item free or very close to free. Clipping them also helps me remember which coupons I have because I've handled them and looked at each one.

By: SuperJenn

SuperJenn — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:38:10 +0000

Great description of the different styles! I use the binder too…have a vid on my site…BUT.. I used to use the baseball card holders…but I found the same thing at Hobby Lobby in the scrapping section…they are “wallet sized photo holders” …a package of 8 (or 10?) for $4 (roughly)… and if you buy them when they put out their 40-50% off one item they become quite reasonable!