If you binder coupon......

[DawnM]

How do you organize.

I met a gal who has a binder and about 30 different categories. I asked her if she organizes each category into alphabetical listings and she said that she actually organizes by expiration date, so that she can clean it out of expired coupons easier. She said she pretty much knows what is in there so it isn't an issue when trying to find a coupon.

I didn't think that would work for me, but I am curious as to how you all organize your coupon binders if you do it that way.

Dawn

 

[sydneysmom]

I thought about the binder, but I honestly have more fear of drawing attention carrying that into a store. I know, I shouldn't care.

I've got 2 coupon accordian envelopes for mine. They are plastic (got them at WalMart) so they won't tear. I think each has 12-14 slots, so I have one for toiletry items and paper products ( it is with me for every CVS trip!) and one for grocery items. But I do have it all categorized.

I find them to be easy, not bulky and VERY organized. and they don't take up a ton of space.

 

[jacksmomma]

I am interested in starting a coupon binder. I had the accordian files, but they did not work for me. Do you use a regular binder? What holds the coupons? Please share your wisdom!

 

[java]

I use a binder.

I have about 16 sections divided by pocket dividers. I take the coupons that match my circular and put those into the pockets so I won't be shuffling around for any in the store. Then I have the binder for the surprise in store sales.

My categories are things like Breakfast, Dairy, Meat, Frozen. basically the aisles in my grocery store. The biggest section is clearly health and beauty. Cleaning is another big section.

I don't organize by expiration dates. If I have a particularly high value coupon (like the free hair dye one) I'll keep it up front so I know to use it. That's as far as I get for avoiding expiration dates.

As I add in new coupons every week I look to see if anything has expired and I remove it.

I have found the binder works great for me. I have been able to easily see if I have a coupon for something.
Let me try to take a picture

not the greatest shot but here's one

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I have a binder, and I have it divided into 16 sections - 1 for each aisle of the store. Sometimes it gets goofed up (something in the aisle from pasta/sauce, but it's really in the organic aisle), but generally it works.

I'll admit, I'm OCD organized with this, but I also have an Excel spreadsheet with a list of all the coupons I have in there so it's alphabetical. Every week when I add the new coupons, I add them to the list. When I pull out the old ones, I take them off the list. Then when I see something on sale, but I'm not sure if I have the coupon, it saves having to flip through the binder to find it. It was a PITA to set up, but I was home sick, and had nothing better to do

 

[maggiew]

I have a binder but keep everything as whole inserts. I only cut what I need for the week before I go shopping. Most of the coupon sites list the coupon matchups for the week by insert. I find this way works best for me. Plus I don't spend a lot of time cutting and organizing.

Maggie

 

[budafam]

I have 2 binders. One is for food and one is for toiletries/dog food/medicine/etc.

I found that I get the same, if not more coupons for toiletries than food. I separate into categories like hygiene and cleaning supplies but then I break those down even more like dental, hair care, deodorant, shaving & sprays, dish washing, laundry, glade, febreze, swiffer, etc.

It would be way too difficult to organize according to expiration date so I don't even bother. I just make sure you can see the date when I put them in the slots that way I can clean it out pretty easily.

 

[Local_Girl]

I've just transitioned over from a small accordian file to a binder. I liked that the file was small/compact, but as the amount of coupons grew it became too difficult to work with. I used to file by category and then by exp. date, but found myself constantly having to rifle through a stack of coupons in each category to find what I wanted.

Now I have them in a binder using the 9-pocket baseball card holder pages to keep them separated and displayed. They are organized by category, not by exp. date so I do have to check the dates carefully when I pull them to use. I also display them so the date is visible or I'll write the date on them if necessary (due to the way you have to fold large coupons sometimes to fit in the smaller pockets). I try to keep like coupons near each other (like all salad dressings in one area) but each item has it's own slot. I will put the coupons for the same item in the same pocket, with the earliest exp. date coupons on top.

I keep store-specific coupons/catalinas, CVS ECBs etc. separately in another envelope.

 

[jacksmomma]

So you use baseall card holders for the coupons. What do you use for whole inserts?

 

[java]

So you use baseall card holders for the coupons. What do you use for whole inserts?

My binder has an accordian folder in the front- that's where I put my inserts.
I use the folders in my dividers sometimes too. I have a Target section- to hold target specific coupons- the flyer will go in that pocket. I will also match up manufacturer coupons with target coupons in one baseball card slot. (actually for target I use a larger photo slotted sheet.

 

[Local_Girl]

So you use baseall card holders for the coupons. What do you use for whole inserts?

Right now I just keep them separately in a stack, LOL. Not the best organization technique, I know. I've been clipping the ones I'll likely or even possibly use, and then I keep the rest of the insert in a stack so I can go back to it if need be. I do like the idea of the accordian file in the binder, but I'm worried that would make my binder too bulky.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

I have 2 binders. One is for food and one is for toiletries/dog food/medicine/etc.

I found that I get the same, if not more coupons for toiletries than food. I separate into categories like hygiene and cleaning supplies but then I break those down even more like dental, hair care, deodorant, shaving & sprays, dish washing, laundry, glade, febreze, swiffer, etc.

It would be way too difficult to organize according to expiration date so I don't even bother. I just make sure you can see the date when I put them in the slots that way I can clean it out pretty easily.

Can you post a picture?

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

I have a binder but keep everything as whole inserts. I only cut what I need for the week before I go shopping. Most of the coupon sites list the coupon matchups for the week by insert. I find this way works best for me. Plus I don't spend a lot of time cutting and organizing.

Maggie

How does this work when taking in the store to shop? Do you flip through the pages or do you write a list of the coupons you have?

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

I use a binder & I section it by -Diary/meat,Frozen Foods,Health/Beauty,Boxed Meals,Breakfast,etc. When I get ready to shop,I've already pulled my coupons out,I take my binder with me just in case I happen across a deal that was not in the flyer,or it happens to be on clearance.And I am always scanning other people's cart's,because I have ALOT of coupon's that are extra's &ready to expire,so why not share! I live in FL,they don't double coupon's here,so I have to be prepared with my binder!

 

[maggiew]

How does this work when taking in the store to shop? Do you flip through the pages or do you write a list of the coupons you have?

I have my shopping list made and my coupons already cut before I get to the store.

Maggie

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

If you bring your binder into the store,you flip through the pages.But,it's not a difficult process,because it's divided into "sections" ieiary/Meat,Snacks,FrozenFoods, ETC.,So you just flip to that section & scan your coupons. But, you should already have your list w/your coupons already cut out.

 

[Mouseless2Long]

I too use a binder that zips shut and sort it by sections in the grocery store (Dairy, Cleaning, Paper Products, etc.). I started out using baseball card inserts, but they were too small to hold larger coupons. I switched to using photo inserts. I also color coded each store section in the binder. Makes it easier to find that section in the binder. It really works great for me.

 

[java]

How does this work when taking in the store to shop? Do you flip through the pages or do you write a list of the coupons you have?

On my shopping list I write a red c next to the items so iknow I have a coupon for that item. And i'm like everyone else I just flip to the section of the aisle as I shop to see if I have a coupon for in store items. It is really easy. I prefer a zipped binder(got it in the clearance section of walmart)

 

[chepic]

I have a box that came from work that was going to get thrown away. It is bigger than an accordian but still fits in the front of the carriage. It had file dividers already and I labled them according to cattegory. It was used for 4 x 6 index cards.

When I do my list, I pull out all the coupons I know I am going to use. I still bring it to the store with me in case I missed something from the flier.

I have had comments on my box from people at the store....but I chalk it up to jealousy especially when I save $100.00 at the check out!!

Cheryl

 

[Frannie115]

I also find the photo inserts (4X6) fit coupons better. I have the sheets with 3 inserts on each. I put a blank white index card in each so I can use the front and back which makes it easier to see the coupons.

The sheets are 10 in a pack for $2 at Walmart. The sheets do stick out of the side of binder a bit and tab dividers are actually smaller so can't see them. So I kind of rigged it myself by taping colored tabs to the end of sheet . Hey, it's my first attempt at couponing