SAVING YOU MONEY

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Online Coupon Class – Day #3 Coupon Organization!

Topic:  Coupon
Organization – How to organize your coupons?
    There
are a number of ways to organize your coupons. 
   Consider some of the
methods below:

  Coupon
binder – The coupon binder method is very
popular and I even sell an organizing system here at SSFAM.  Go here to view this great system. Having your coupons cut and
in one entire location can be very helpful when you are in the store and see a
sale or clearance item and do not have to worry about going home to get the
coupon and come back to the store.  You have all of your coupons right
with you and when you are planning your shopping trips, you can pull the
coupons you do want to use and place them in the front area of the coupon
binder for easier access.  In addition, you can store other items in your
coupon binder.  For example, store coupon policies, scissors, calculator,
pens, sticky notes, ipad, etc.  A con to having a coupon binder is that
sometimes it can get heavy depending on how many coupons you have in it. When I
go on major shopping trips, I carry mine.  You can see a picture of my red
beauty below. It is filled with all kinds of coupons that I need including my
business cards. It is a Case-It binder and has a very neat handle and shoulder strap

  

* Storage bins/Clip Free method ~
These are great for storing your coupon inserts if you prefer to not clip your
coupons {get your inserts, write the date on the front and then file in an
accordion folder or hanging file folders and arrange by date or month}.  I use this method mostly.  If you are
considering a monthly filing method that I follow of monthly inserts for Red Plum,
Smart Source, P&G, General Mills, Kroger Mailers, Restaurants, this may be
a great method for you.  A Con to this method is not having all of your
coupons with you during a shopping trip but you can keep your case in the trunk
of your car if you need it or just plan to have your coupons on your next
shopping trip.
 

* Coupon
Hand clutch {fits in one
hand}-this is a great method to use for quick trips to the grocery store or
pharmacy and you have a special time limit but want your coupons
organized.  It is also nice that it can fit inside your purse or you can
just hold it in your hand.  These are also for sale here at SSFAM.

 

Note- find the method that works best for you. 
If you have one method now that is not working, consider what your needs are
and maybe try something different.  Whatever method you choose, make sure
it is one that gives you easy access to your coupons and can help keep you
organized during your shopping trips.
Class Question:  What organization method for your
coupons have you chosen or already utilizing?
Happy Couponing,
Quida

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Comments

  1. Tammy S says

    I use a binder. I have it broken down into sections for different types of items. For quick trips I use a coupon clutch. So far both have worked well for me.

  2. Remus says

    I use a coupon binder to organize my coupons, but since I am no longer able to shop, I still send my daughter with an envelope full of the coupons she will need. I don't want to overwhelm her with my big binder 🙂
    Sherri L

  3. Dawn Cates says

    I do the binder meathod to organize all of my coupons, but only take it on big trips. I also use a coupon clutch which I have labled for the different stores I shop at. As I find deals I want to get I write the deal on a index card for that week and store then put the coupons in the clutch under the store its for. I have found that while Im out doing other things if Im near a store where theres a good deal I can just stop in real fast. Saves me on gas and I still get the good deals.

  4. jkf11 says

    I am still trying to figure this out…I tried a binder but it was too big and bulky for me…I tried a small coupon folder that fit in my purse but it was too small. Now I am trying to use an accordian folder and pull what I need before shopping and putting those coupons in an envelope. THis is a lot of work too…I need help.

  5. Kim Reid says

    I tried using a binder – just too bulky and cumbersome for me, I know using a binder is easier once you get to the store, but keeping it updated was a big job for me! I went back to my accordion check file that I got at one of the office stores. It has sections for my different categories and also space for my small calculator, pen and grocery pad. I cut all the coupons that I might use and each month, I go through and pull the expired coupons.

    • ATLanta Saving Moms says

      As long as you have the best method in place for you Kim and I am all down with it! {smiles} It is best to have a method that will get you those savings when you need them. Great job!

  6. Karen B says

    I used to use envelopes and then switched to a binder. Before i started using a binder I missed coupons constantly. I cut the coupons I know I will most likely use, save the inserts and then I cut others out and file them as the weekly sale papers come out.
    My only complaint in using the binder is the looks I get from fellow shoppers, many times I have had people pass me and say oh your one of those, not really knowing what to say I just smile and say yes.

    • ATLanta Saving Moms says

      Hi Karen, I have seen people pass by and smile plus I have met other couponers in the grocery store because of my use of coupons. I love it! I don't care what anyone thinks because I am saving for myself, family, friends and being able to share with others is a big deal to me. When I get someone who stops by, I hand them my business card {smiles}. They say, wow! I will check you out. I have met some wonderful fans this way also. So I say, stick to the method that you are most comfortable with and remember your goals. ~ Quida

  8. Lisa Kascak says

    I like the binder. With the binder I can see everything clearly and I do not have to fumble through a bunch of coupons and paperwork looking for the ones I want. Thank you for all the great information. I have drifted away from couponing and I really think I want to start doing it again- your classes are helping me get that itch again….lol

  9. Sylvia says

    I'm new to this, but here's my method so far. I remove all the store ads and coupon inserts from the papers. I flip through the ads and clip anything that looks useful for the upcoming week, but I also write the date on the insert and place it in a hanging file.

    I place all the store ads in labeled page protectors in a binder. I also have page protectors in another section labeled with categories for the coupons. As I clip or bring home coupons, I put them in the category sleeves. Each week as I look at the various store ads, I pull the coupons out of the category sleeves and match them with the various ads. It is a good way to quickly flip through each category and toss any that have expired, and it reminds me of the coupons I have.

    When I shop I can just pull the coupons for the deals from each store, and place them in a little clutch I carry in my purse. I have labeled each section with a store, so any coupons I may use can be found in that section.

    So far it is working well. The hanging folders wouldn't be necessary if I would just clip all the coupons at once, but sometimes I don't want to take that much time in one sitting, so I keep them so I can go back and clip more whenever I have a few minutes. I store the binder behind the hanging folders in the basket, along with scissors. It just keeps it all together, because otherwise this project could easily overtake my kitchen or dining room table.

    Thanks for these couponing classes and all the other wonderful information you share. I love your website!

    • ATLanta Saving Moms says

      Hi Sylvia, you have a great method I see that is working for you and this is just wonderful. As long as you have what works best for you and will keep you grabbing the deals you need this is perfect! Thanks for the beautiful comments. 🙂

  10. Val J says

    I am in the process of trying to find what works best for me. I have been saving my sunday paper inserts, but what to do with them next? Also, I have been reading about match ups so I need to find a way that organizes the weekly match ups with the coupons for the best savings. So much to consider when organizing!

    • ATLanta Saving Moms says

      Great questions Val! 1st – decide upon the method that is going to work for you (Coupon binder, crate method or organizing folder, small coupon holder). Once you have decided this Val, then you can begin to store your coupons. If you choose the coupon binder method, you will get your inserts on Sundays and begin to cut/clip your coupons. You will place your coupons in different categories (frozen items, baby products, etc.). You will do this each time you have inserts and after a couple of months, you will go through your coupons in your binder and remove the expired ones. If you choose the crate/file folder system, you will get your inserts marked the date on the front and file according to the month or date. For example, if you have a 3/14 Red plum insert, you will write on the front of the insert 3/14 RP and file under March or the date so when you get your matchups, you can go directly to the date and coupon insert. If you are using an envelope clutch, you will cut the coupons you want and file be the category tab. I hope this is helpful for you and just let me know if you have another question. I accept all questions. ~ Quida

  11. Amanda Hawthorne says

    I use the filing system for when they are first cut and then the binder once I have them organized. I find I get lazy about putting them into my binder. I also use the clutch to store the ones I am using for the day and also store and resturant coupons.

  13. kaysmile05 says

    I used to use something similar to the clutch but I had too many coupons and switched to the binder. I am still trying to find ways to become more organized with my coupons.

  14. AndreaC says

    I used to use a clutch, but switched to a binder this past year. I feel a lot more organized now and I'm able to find what I'm looking for much easier.