Coupon Organization 101

There are a ton of different ways to organize your coupons and it really all depends on what works for you.  I will list several different ways and that I have read about with what I think are the pros and cons and then I know you will be thrilled to hear how I organize mine!

The first is the easiest and most painless way.  When you get your Sunday papers, pull out the inserts and write the date on them and then toss em in a file folder for the month.  Also, when you print your coupons on the first business day of the month (from coupons.com, etc) you can toss them in the front of the file folder.  Most of your match up sites will list which insert and the date so you can just grab your inserts and cut out the appropriate one and go.

PROS:  This is the least time consuming method, very simple and saves on time clipping.  Match ups are super easy because they give you the date and tell you what the coupon is.

CONS:  Overseas military can use expired coupons for up to 6 months beyond expiration which means that eventually you will have to clip them anyway (Here is a link to the website for more information http://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons-for-military/).  This also limits your ability to "shop of the fly" and take advantage of any good sales you might run across in the store that were not advertised because your coupons will be at home.  

The next is a variation that requires some serious arm strength!  Take your inserts and split them into individual sheets then write the date on each sheet (not on top of your coupons!) then put them in a sheet protector and toss em in a binder.  Clip your coupons before you go for you match ups and then heft the massive binder and take it to the store with you to take advantage of anything you run across that was not advertised.

PROS:  Time saving method all that is required up front is to separate your inserts, write the date and then file them.

CONS:  Carrying a huge binder with a ton of paper in it is not high on the list of things I want to do.  This will also require you to carry scissors to clip coupons in the store.  There is no way to look for a specific coupon you just have to flip through every page.

Next is the category method.  Clip your coupons and then put them into inserts (baseball card inserts available  at Target, Walmart, etc.) by category.  You can decide what categories work for you or lay it out based on the aisles of the store that you shop in the most.  Whatever works for you.  Here is a recommendation on categories http://thekrazycouponlady.com/2010/09/24/how-to-start-your-coupon-binder-this-ones-for-you-kathie-lee/

PROS: This can be laid out based on the way your store is so it can be really easy to look while you are shopping.

CONS:  Trying to decide what items go into what category can be obnoxious and can change based on your mood.  Sort and file carefully!

Finally there is the alphabetical method.  Clip and sort your coupons by alphabet, put them into inserts and then file them in your binder.  When you run into a sale in the store then you can just look it up by the product name!  There are a couple of things that can be sorted into a main name, for example all Kellogg's cereals can go into on sleeve....save a little space ;-)

PROS:  Alphabetical, Wooooooo!  Product searching is easy because when you see anything on sale...look it up by alphabet!  OK, we all know I live for this.

CONS:  It is a lot of work up front.  If you are not an alphabetical person, it can get really obnoxious.

So now for my binder.  I actually just picked up a new binder yesterday, it is a double binder (One on each side) with a handle and a shoulder strap (Ha!).  On the right side I have tabs for each of the stores I shop in that has a regular sheet protector in the front with a couple of baseball card inserts behind it so I can put the coupons I know I am using that day in them, then a copy of the store coupon policy (you can get these online or ask at customer service in the store).  On the other side I have my alphabet tabs (I have one for 2 letters so I only have to have a dozen tabs) with baseball sleeves for all my coupons sorted in alphabetical order.  I have a feeling that the complete alphabetical will break down and I will just have them in A, B, C.....but I can live with that.

Anyway, I figured that I would post this today in case anyone was waiting on the edge of their seat with their coupon inserts waiting until someone gave them a good way to file them ;-)

Happy couponing and share your binder layouts with me, would love to hear about em!