Ideas for Organizing Coupons

sarahlynn · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 01:41 PM

I am new to the whole coupon thing, but I am loving it so far. I am having a little trouble with keeping all my coupons organized. So if anyone could give me some suggestions I would really appreciate it! Thanks

Lfwh · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 01:59 PM

What do you keep your coupons on in, an accordian file holder or binder or index card holder? Or do you just keep the inserts and clip them as you need them?

There's lots of ways to organize them as far as storage. I started with a paper accordian file holder , then moved on to a plactic accordian file holder but for the last 3 weeks I've been using a binder. I've divided it in the same catagories as my accordian file holder like beverages, canned goods/frozen foods, cereals/breakfast items, cleaning products, drug items, flour and baking products, prepared foods/pasta/rice/helpers, paper products, snacks and misc.

That is what works for me, but I'm still getting used to the binder stystem. I can eventually sub catagorize my coupns to make them even more organized.

Hope this helps.

lovestosavemoneymom · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 02:03 PM

I know alot of people are using binders (read in forum the ideas alot of people use) also another way to keep your coupons organized is by keeping them in a 4x6 index box holder. You can divide sections by different catorgories such as bread, beverages, pet food, medicine, etc. The bigger catorgories can also be divided. EX. (beverages: juice, tea, soft drinks, milk products, etc.) I have a box I made for coupons years ago (when my kids were little and I was a stay at home mom) and color coded it and alphabetized the catagories. This box is not too big to bring into the store with you. If you are want to cut all you coupons every week I would suggest this, because then you would have all your coupons in one place. Before becoming a couponmom junkie (or a serious couponer) I had pretty much stop couponing because I didn't cut my coupons up because I felt I was too busy. Now that I am back on track I had been using the method with keeping my coupon packets in the accordian file and then cutting out what I needed for the deals listed on couponmom but I have outgrowed that method because I have so many coupons I keep with me to check for deals, I needed another method to keep me organized. I just recently put together a binder with the baseball card inserts and I don't think I like it. I wish I had read what others had to say about this before I spent the time and money to put this together. I like the binder idea but I don't like the baseball card inserts because it is hard to fit some coupons into them. I wish I had just spent the time to cut my coupons and went back to my 4x6 index box.

TLC · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 02:16 PM

I am using the baseball folder now... and I love it...
Yes some of the Q's are big for the baseball slots, but you can get photo ones too and mix them in where you need them...

I have posted a couple of photos of my binder... they are really hard to get good photos

sarahlynn · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 02:21 PM

Thanks. Is the binder system posted somewhere (just so I can see how to set it up)?

Lfwh · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 02:24 PM

Try this link:
Pictures of Your Coupon System Here!

And this one:

http://forum.couponmom.com/groups/learn-share.html

They have photos of people's coupon systems. Also pics of all the cool stuff people have bought at low, low prices. They are neat pictures.

daisydoescoupons · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 02:44 PM

Thanks so much for the link.

Next question: is there a way to go back to the links you have posted on?

Lfwh · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 02:50 PM

I think if you go to your profile you can see your statistics and it will take you to every post you have posted on.

Cathe · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 03:09 PM

The binders sound interesting, but I find that coupons expire so quickly that I seldom have that many. My accordian file has been adequate. Maybe if I start getting more, I will try a binder.

CherryPicker · #10 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 09:00 PM

I too use a binder. My layout is arranged as the same layout of my favorite store. Produce, HBA, Grocery, Frozen, etc......

In addition to that, I also have an accordion organizer for my purse. When I pull coupons from my binder for 'quick trips', they will go in here. The accordion organizer is labeled this way....Instead of "A" "B" "C", Or "Month" I use...

Publix
CVS
Rite Aid
Walgreens...
and so forth...

and as I receive new inserts, I write the dates on the front, and file these in Manilla Folders (labeled by "Month", "Store", Etc), and these are filed in a banker's box.

Hope That Helps