Tricky to file Q's

[Coupon_Addict]

i don't have a binder yet, but i'm considering it

i only divide my coupons into 5 categories: food, personal hygiene, household (like paper towels, paper plates), pets & meds.

[cschunk]

My system is fairly different: I have six small coupon organizers each has 13 slots plus the front which I use for coupons that expire that week.

-Stores ( each store I frequent has a pocket, after I look at the ads for the week and pull the coupons they go in here, also things like store specific coupons.)
-Packaged Foods
-Perishables (meats, dairy, frozen, cold, bread... )
-HBA
-Meds
-GM

If I am on a quick in and out trip I can grab just the stores file which is nice. I carry them around in a reusable shopping bag, I also have scissors in there and my wallet, and other couponing things...

And guacamole.... I never know where to file that!

[Lisa45]

Thanks for this Post I am in the Process now of converting to Binder and I'm on foods now! Talk about OCD, I have 31 pgs of just foods. Is that too many? I have yet to tab them in categories. that is what I am doing today so will be referencing this thread alot!! Thanks Ladies oh yea and Gents

[mnm'z]

^^ Lisa, it's your binder... separate your categories the way you'll find everything. If it takes 31 categories, so be it... I think someone counted 50ish in my binder, but it works well for me and that's what counts. I need to break down my baking section, I have box mixes, baking chocolate, oils and such all mixed in with each other and I want to break it down. Maybe I'll work on that tomorrow... AFTER I work on the stack of q's I just received from my mom and her friends and my papers from today...

[Lisa45]

^^ Lisa, it's your binder... separate your categories the way you'll find everything. If it takes 31 categories, so be it... I think someone counted 50ish in my binder, but it works well for me and that's what counts. I need to break down my baking section, I have box mixes, baking chocolate, oils and such all mixed in with each other and I want to break it down. Maybe I'll work on that tomorrow... AFTER I work on the stack of q's I just received from my mom and her friends and my papers from today...

Thanks mnm'z- I don't feel too OCD Now! LOL my biggest mistake is waiting too long to convert to binder!! I have sooooo many Q's to still cut & file! I know I will REAP the rewards though when I'm done!! TOO Many of you "PROS" use this systems, So it has to be the most efficient way, in my opinion! Thanks a bunch for your help.

[mnm'z]

I also do not cut my q's... I use a metal ruler and place said ruler on dotted line and RIP... so much quicker and not as hard on your hands...

[Anneah]

I have mine set up like:

Frozen
Fridge meats
Candy
Cookies
Cereal
Condiments
Chips and Soda
Pasta
Baking
Canned
Dairy
HBA
Meds
Chemicals (cleaning products)
Paper
Odds (everything like batteries, sandwich baggies, petfood, candles and Sprays...etc)
Restaurants
Kroger (yes...Kroger has its own place...lol)

[Shelli]

Am I the only one who files alphabetically? I have a file with 26 expandable pockets and I just put them in there in alpha order based on the brand name of the product. So Hunts Pasta Sauce would go under H. The sprinkles mentioned in the OP would get filed under - ummm, I think Jimmy makes sprinkles, right? That way when I see the sales, I go alpha order to see if I have that Q. Makes it easy for me, anyway.

[Coupon_Addict]

i have to admit, i haven't tried it, but i don't file alphabetically because it seems like it would take way too long. organizing the coupons by expiration date sometimes seems like it's taking forever, i can't imagine still sorting them alphabetically!

[Bear]

Am I the only one who files alphabetically? I have a file with 26 expandable pockets and I just put them in there in alpha order based on the brand name of the product. So Hunts Pasta Sauce would go under H. The sprinkles mentioned in the OP would get filed under - ummm, I think Jimmy makes sprinkles, right? That way when I see the sales, I go alpha order to see if I have that Q. Makes it easy for me, anyway.

I file aphabetically, same way. You are not alone.

i have to admit, i haven't tried it, but i don't file alphabetically because it seems like it would take way too long. organizing the coupons by expiration date sometimes seems like it's taking forever, i can't imagine still sorting them alphabetically!

I file alpahbetically only, not by catagories and then alphabetically. That would take a long time. Spend way too much time already.