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Organizing Your Coupons- My New Binder!

7 May 2009 681 views Comments

binderI have always used the envelope system.  I had a cute basket full of carefully  labeled envelopes organized in alphabetical order.  Maybe it was the onset of Spring, the complete mess the basket was or that it gave me a splinter last week- I had to change systems. I could not rest until I had my coupons organized in a binder. I bought a three ring binder and  picture album inserts with three pockets, all I needed was some time.

Monday THE HUSBAND had a late meeting and the boys were in bed, my chance had come.  I spent hours sorting, organizing and clipping coupons. I am glad THE HUSBAND was not  around to take a picture of me and our living room, it was not pretty. Every surface was covered with piles of coupons and I was had beads of sweat on my forehead.  I could not risk the ceiling fan blowing my piles away!

After a lot of work I am pleased to report my coupons are current, organized and happily settled in their new binder. Advantages- my coupons are now easy to flip through and easy to take with me on trips just in case I run into a great sale. In fact, I took it to Kroger with me this morning! Disadvantage- I now really look like one of those crazy coupon ladies.  I am okay with that.

So, what is your coupon organization system? Any suggestions for a new binder user?  Any ideas for the next time I get restless and have a few hours to spend?

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  • Kathy
    I organized my coupons like you have and find it much easier to find what I need. I use picture inserts. I thought the baseball card ones are too small for me. I was in Kroger on Saturday and several people stopped and asked me about my coupons and how I do it, etc. I took a friend to Kroger several weeks ago to do our weekly shopping and she was embarrased about my notebook, etc. That is until I showed her that I saved $95.00.
  • Leah G.
    Where did you buy the picture album inserts? I would like to tray a binder system. It seems easier to take with you on shopping trips! Thanks!
  • I LOVE my binder system. I hate tons of pages so, for example, pet food might be a whole page, not just one pocket. I like that because I don't have to pull them out to see what I have. Everything is displayed. All I have to do is pull out ones I know I'll use, then refresh my memory of all the others I have by simply looking through the binder. Of course I love looking through my coupons at any given time! lol

    I also use a variety of page styles for different types of coupons. Some pages have up to 5 pockets, and some are "one pocket" sheet protectors.

    I think you'll be happy with your new setup.

    Oh, and I just keep a box with all my extras. I don't lug those around. If I see a deal in a flyer on something I wouldn't normally buy, I'll then dig through, but putting them all in the binder would be too much.
  • Rachel Parton
    I have been organizing my coupons this way for about 6 months. Like Amy M. said I also use baseball card holders ( I bought a box of 100 on amazon.com for $14 shipped). I will never do it any other way. I save so much more money this way because I am not always losing my coupons or passing them by when I am searching for one. I don't do mine in catagories, I put mine in alphabetical order. It works better for me that way. It is a lot easier for me to find a product on sale like BallPark hotdogs and go to the B's and right there it is.

    I don't mind being "a crazy coupon lady" I just think about how much more money I am saving than other people.

    BTW, love your site.
  • Crystal
    Great job Katie! We're proud of you. Now how about coming over and organizing mine. LOL!
  • Mrssmith
    I still do the box. I have made more subheadings which makes things go quicker when you're looking for something in a category that tends to have lots of coupons.
    I had flirted with the idea of going to a binder, but with the added expense of buying a binder and inserts, I changed my mind for now. I did go and get my cards laminated (very cheaply at School Box) so that my headings last longer (although the other one did last 9-10 months without being laminated. And my envelopes have held up for a year. Glad to hear you're all organized now!
  • Tiffany
    Right now I am using a 4X6 photo album but I am a beginner.
  • Jenny
    I tried the binder system and I didn't like how I had to fold all the bigger coupons and how I couldn't see all of them in each pocket. What I have now is an index card box with tons of little tabs, so I can keep adding as I need!
  • amy m.
    I am using a 3 ring binder like yours but with baseball card plastic holders (w/ 9 slots per page) instead of the photo holders like yours. I love it now that they're in there, but MAN did it take a long time to put together. I would recommend to anyone who is new to couponing to do that from the beginning if it appeals to you. Doing it when you already have so many coupons is just ridiculous!!!! But it's great, now, because it only takes me seconds to flip through a section and look for a coupon since they're all individually displayed. And I just weed out expireds as I'm putting new ones in. I glance at a page for expired dates, take them out and replace the blank spots with my new coupons. I, too, am okay with being one of the "crazies." he-he
  • jna
    I am doing the envelope thing now and need an idea for monitoring expirations quickly. I HAVE NO TIME!! (New coupon Mom)
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