Keeping Those Coupons Organized

By Tracie @ Penny Pinchin’ Mama

“I am sure you have all been working on compiling your coupon collection and reading them to know what you can and can’t use them for, right? Well, now you need to be able to keep them all organized so that you know what you have and don’t find it when you get home AFTER you have already made your purchase.

Here is where you must have at least some organization in your life. That doesn’t mean you have to alphabetize your coupons (even I don’t do that), but at least have some semblance of order. You can actually keep your coupons organized in a few ways. We’ll start small and work up the to grand daddy organizer.

SMALL AND HANDY:You can find small organizers at places such as Dollar General, the Dollar Store or even Walmart and Target. These normally have about 8 – 12 slots for you to put your coupons in.

Most of the time they do not have labels on the sections, which allows you complete customization. If you have 8 sections, great sections to start with include:

Health/Beauty
Refrigerated/Frozen
Meat/Produce
Paper Goods
Household
Pets
Snacks
Retail

Just find sections that work for your life and your couponing needs.

TRENDY BUT SIMPLE: When your small organizer begins to bust at the seams, you will need to upgrade to something bigger. I personally recommend The Couponizer. You can go here for more information and to order.

This is the system I have used myself. The cost is about $25.00 (which will include shipping/handling). This is an INCREDIBLE organizer. It has sections for you to put the coupons you intend to use, those you need at checkout and has ways to help you quickly sort and organize your collection of coupons. If you have a birthday coming up, saving the link for your spouse or significant other may not be a bad idea! WINK! WINK!

THE BEAST: That is what I sometimes affectionately call my binder. This is the grand daddy of coupon collecting.

The first thing I purchased was my binder. I wanted one that had a handle and strap so that it would be easier to get in and out of the store. Plus, I can put it over my shoulder and NOT leave it behind ever again (I pray).

It also has a smaller zipper where I have placed my scissors (to cut out coupons as needed) and a calculator (which I carry to find the best deal based upon package sizing).

I did spend a little more to get what I wanted and even purchased a very inexpensive warranty. Now, I normally would not recommend one, but in this case it was worth it. If anything breaks including the binder not closing shut, or the zipper or anything, within one year, I get a new one for free. As most couponers know, your binder is your bible and gets MUCH wear and tear and can easily break, so this could definitely pay off.

The other feature I liked about the binder was the outside pocket. It is removable, but also has built in file dividers. This is great to use to hold my inserts before I have a chance to cut and place them into my binder.

I then purchased plastic baseball card holders to hold the coupons and other items. I paid a little more and got some that have more weight to them. My hopes is that these will hold up longer than their cheaper, lighter weight counterparts.

I have tabs to divide my sections. I did not get the ones with insertable tabs as those can easily fall out. Rather, I paid a tad more and got some that are re-writable. However, I have a label maker, so I typed up my labels and can easily pull them off and change the section if I need to.

The sections I have in my binder include:

Baby
Bakery (I put all breads, rolls, etc here)
Baking
Canned/Boxed Items
Beverages
Condiments
Breakfast
Meat/Produce
Dairy
Refrigerated
Frozen
Household (things such as batteries, bug spray)
Laundry
Cleaning Products (anything but laundry or dishwashing)
Dishwashing
Medicine
Paper/Plastic (includes disposable dinnerware to toilet tissue)
Hair Care
Oral Care
Soap/Body Wash
Shaving/Deodorant
Beauty/Feminine Care
Snacks
Retailer (includes coupons and catalinas)

The last thing I placed in my binder was a plastic zipper pocket. I have this so that I have a place to put coupons that I may have clipped, but just didn’t have a chance to file. I can also use it to put any coupons that are about to expire so that I don’t forget to use them.

COUPON FILE:  Another option is to purchase an accordian file (similar to the one below) and place your weekly inserts into it, grouped by date.  Then, before you shop, you find the coupon you need and clip it only then and use it.  That way, you save lots of time trying to clip, sort and organize on a weekly basis.  The only downside to this is that you need a list of all of the coupons and the insert that they were in.  But, read on – because I can help!

COUPON DATABASE. One thing that I have added to help everyone who follows this site, is the insert, All You magazine and Target printable  database. You can access it through the sidebar image or right here.  This lists all of the coupons that are currently available in our region, including when they were in the paper and even the expiration date.  To make it even more convenient, each week I move those that are about to expire to a separate tab so you can be sure to use them before you are unable to.

Hopefully you can get now get your coupons organized so as you walk into a store, you will feel empowered to start saving money.”