For those who use binders . . .

[flatstanley72]

I am just starting out and am currently doing a combination of a binder and dating and filing away circulars. I haven't really decided which system I like best. For those of you who use a binder, do you clip & file ALL of the coupons from the Sunday circulars or just those for things you regularly buy. I find if I clip only the stuff I buy regularly, then I miss out on freebies & overages, but it seems overwhelming to clip everything, which is why I have been clipping what I know I will use, then filing away the rest of the circulars. Just trying to get an idea of what systems work for others!

Thanks,
Kim

[Sharkie1995]

I try to keep anything and everything do use and might use in my binder so when i am at the store I can take advantage of special sales, clearance items
or unadvertised items. I have gone without and seen things that I wish i had brought with me. Now they all go. It is a lot of work to keep the binder filled
but well worth it.

[IndianaMom]

I usually clip 6 sets of inserts each week, then I file the rest of my inserts just in case. I typically file anything I may use in my binder. I have a trade box for coupons I clip I will never use, like hair color, cat food, fabric softener, air fresheners. If there is a Money Making deal those coupons are already clipped otherwise I can just mail them out to someone who can use them.

[brianswife2009]

I go back and forth....sometimes there will be a week where I cut out most of the coupons and put them in my binder then other weeks I cut only a few and keep the circulars for a few months and then go thru them when I see a good deal in the sale papers or when I am at the store or when I hear people talk about deals on here. I guess I need to find a way and stick to it, I find myself forgetting about coupons that I have not cut from the inserts...

[missmbb]

I use a method very similar to Monica. I clip what I know I will use and file the rest of the inserts. I go to my files when I need a q for a sale, but I don't go through mine as often as she does. I probably only go through the old ones about once a month to check for expired ones and make space for my new inserts.

[meangreenie]

I think this is everyones personal opinion. have the time to clip and sort every single coupon there is. I never missa deal that way. I feel I forget what I have if I don't sort them. I have lots of catagories, so I can find a coupon quickly!

[shallen3]

I collate the pages of each insert then clip what I use to file in my binder. I place a ruler along the edge of the coupon and rip all at the same time. I have another cheap binder that has page protectors. Each set of pages goes in a page protector and I tab the front page with the date and insert. When I need a coupon from this binder, I just pull all the pages and rip out the coupon.

[Chaz]

I clip almost everything except items that are just never going to be bought even if free. I then put what I always buy and may buy in the binder sorted. All the others go into a maybe envelope and go in the back of the binder. I don't do much browsing when shopping but every now and then I go through it for something that may catch my eye.

Chaz

[dp38587]

I clip everything.....just in case. I lay out like sheets, staple the Q so they don't slide when I'm trying to cut them. This was learned the hard way when I cut the exp date off a stack. Scissors are hard for us lefties.

Deb

[Desert Debbi]

I have been clipping everything because I plan to donate my unused coupons tomy class next week. I have actually coallated the unused ones into envelopes with the item type inside and plan to pass them out for an excercise in coupon trading. I hope it works well, and that pandemonium doesnt break out!

That being said.. my normal habit is the hybrid method. Clip and file what I will use, what I definately do not plan to use save.. but do not clip unless/until someone needs them.