31 Days to a Better Grocery Budget: Finding a Coupon Organizational System Which Works for You

I cut every coupon I can get my hands on! I don’t have any babies anymore, but if you can get something for free – why not? I have friends with babies and grandchildren. I love being able to give them something that they can use! I do the same for pets. I only have one dog, but if cat food is free with a coupon, I pick it up and give it to my neighbor for her cat. Denture cleaner? Sure! I have all of my real teeth, but denture cleansing tablets are great for cleaning out vases, coffee pots, or any other glass containers with “hard to reach” bottoms. Mineral deposits – gone! Free = good, I don’t care what the product is!

I also use the box method. It looks very similiar to the one in your picture. I use 3X5 index cards to separate the categories with stick-on labels at the top. I belong to “The Grocery Game”, so when I print my list each Tuesday, all I have to do is go through and pull out the coupons that I will use at the store. I transfer them into one envelope. I put a 3×5 index card behind the coupons inside the envelope. When I find the item and place it in my cart, I then move the coupon behind the index card so that it is separated from the “to be used”. By the time I reach the checkout counter, all of my coupons are behind the index card and stacked for the cashier. This keeps me from having to bring the entire box of coupons to the store and risking a catestrophic drop. And, if an item is sold out the coupon remains in front and ultimately gets filed back in the box in the same place I originally pulled it from.

I tried the method of keeping the entire insert in a file and then only cutting the coupons on the day I shopped. The problem is that I would cut coupons when it was time to use them, but if the store was out of or did not have the item on the coupon, I would get back home and forget which date I cut it from. I ended up with a huge pile of “misc” dates to be checked every single time I made my list.

I am just getting started couponing and am having great success so far (though not as good as those of you with experience!). I’m usually able to come out of the store having paid half or less than half of the total amount my groceries are worth. I’m trying to decide what method to use. I LOVE the box idea with all its super broken down, detailed categories. However, I also like to take my Price Book sheets (thanks Crystal and Joy!), my list, sometimes my menu with me to the store, so the binder sounds like a great way to keep it all together, even at home for planning. I was also thinking the inserts could be kept in the binder and a pair of sewing scissors brought along for those unexpected deals. Or do you all just tear the coupons out when you find something unexpected? On the other hand I don’t usually have much time in the store to browse for those deals; I usually just get what I came for and that’s it. So is the insert method worth it? Just musing here, I guess.

I use the binder method, but buy the medium quality page protectors from Office Max and sew them myself. I put 6 slots per page, but I make half of them tall enough to hold the size of the internet printable coupons and then the other half will hold the smaller coupons. However after seeing the Coupon Magic Organizer I think I am also going to sew some 3 slot horizontal sheets as well. The system works great, but I just need to find the time to sew some more page….it is a little tedious!

I usually only clip coupons I know I will use and put them in a small photo album I found at a thrift store that fits easily in my purse. I’ve found this works best for me since I don’t have a lot of coupons yet, I can easily see and find the coupon I want to use, and I can keep it out of my 14 month old daughter’s little hands! : ) She loves to hold the circular and babble while we shop…I love my little helper.

I’ve been doing a combo of the whole insert method and coupon “box” method for over a year. I take each insert and glean it for coupons I already know are good or are for things likely to be on sale and also clip out all that are for perishables. Clipping the perishable coupons has been the key to this method for me. Yogurt, meat, juice, etc. If I’ve ever seen it on manager markdown then I’m likely to again and this way I have the coupon with me. Then I file all my coupons in a small coupon binder with about 10 sections that fits in my purse.

Before I go to the store I check coupon matchups and go through my filed inserts by date and clip the ones I plan on using. Then I add these to the last section of my coupon binder in the order in which I will encounter the item in the store. If I run into that great deal I had a hunch about, I also have those coupons I clipped earlier.

The other part of my system that gives me a little edge is that my mother mails me her coupons already clipped and I just file them. This way I have at least one copy of every coupon from the Sunday inserts with me. If I find a great deal but can’t find a coupon for it in my binder, I know that the coupon doesn’t exist and I don’t wrack my brain trying to remember if I have a copy of it at home. If she stopped sending me coupons this way then I would probably take the time to cut out one copy of each coupon from each insert and file them. If I do find a fantastic coupon to match with a deal, then I know I can go home and clip 6 or 7 more from the whole inserts I have filed at home.

I only clip the ones that I think I will use, but I love the idea of keeping the inserts. There were a couple of times in the last few months that I had thrown them out and then a “smokin’ hot deal” showed up and I missed out. 🙁 I recently went to the coupon box method and I love it. Lots of room and a lot more organization than my original, throw everything in a ziploc bag and then search through it right before shopping technique.

I used to save the inserts and file them away according to date (filed by Red Plum,etc…and then date), but I ended up missing out on so many deals so I quit doing that method and went back to my old method. I cut all of the coupons and it does take forever (especially when I get behind) and I file according to date and category. I file in a large accordian file. I have a category for food, restaurants, pets, heath/beauty, household and retail. I also have a small accordian file that I put all coupons that will expire that month (eg. I put all May’s in the file). I put all later date coupons in the bigger accordian file. If I see a deal, I usually go through my coupons to find it. If I see a store coupon, competitor coupon and manufacture coupon, I staple them together when filing. If I have more than one of a coupon (which I usually do b/c I always buy 2 papers each Sunday), I staple them together. I know my method sounds crazy, but it mostly works for me. I just need to get it to where it’s not quite so time consuming!

I used to keep my coupons in a small scrapbook, organized by category. But it did get to be tedious to flip through all of my cereal coupons in search of that one Rice Krispies coupon.

I’ve now opted for the binder/baseball card sleeves. I wasn’t sure I would like it, because I’m a little OCD about folding my coupons. 🙂 But now I fold like a pro, and it is SO much easier to find coupons when I’m in the store. I carry my binder up on its end like a file, and just flip through it to find exactly what I’m looking for. It’s saved me time, frustration, and money!

Here’s a picture of my (oh-so-hot-pink) binder: http://www.savingandgiving.net/works-for-me-wednesday/my-new-coupon-binder/

IF THE COMOANY WHO MAKES THE COUPON CLUTCH COULD RUNA SPECIAL I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE. CUTTING COUPONS FOR EVERYTHING ELSE, THEN SPENDING $30 ON THE HOLDER DOESNT SEEM RIGHT. THEY LOOK NICE AND FUNCTIONABLE THOUGH.

I’ve experimented with a variety of different coupon organization tools and methods. I’ve finally settled on what works best for me. I have a coupon box, (I found this really pretty “scrapbooking” carryall that fits my coupons perfectly, closes up securely and has pockets for scissors and such – it was clearanced down to just a few dollars) I also have one of the traditional 13 pocket small organizers. I keep all my coupons in the coupon box – but I don’t carry my coupon box everytime. My small 13 pocket one – I used the tabs to create a different tab for different stores that I frequent and a couple of pouches for “free” items or “look for trial size” coupons, which I might use in any store. When I plan my shopping trip, I will usually pull coupons from the big coupon box and transfer them to the smaller one that can go in my purse – it’s basically the same thing as carrying an individual envelope, but it’s a little more durable. When I have more time for shopping, I carry the full coupon box in, so I can look for clearances and unadvertised deals.

Whether or not I clip just what I need or the whole insert usually depends on how hectic things are. When I get coupons – I flip through them and clip the ones that I know I really want to use. If I have time, I’ll go ahead and clip most of the coupons, but if I don’t have time, I just tuck those inserts in the bottom of my coupon box. That way, I can either go back to them at a later time or pull the insert if someone mentions a good deal… and sometimes, when life is really hectic, I forgo extra clipping and just clip what I know I’ll use – then pass on the rest. I’ve found that flexibility is key… otherwise, I just get frustrated and chuck the whole process.

For the most part, I only clip the coupons when I am going to use them (right before my grocery trip, or even in the store sometimes!). However, I don’t use the whole insert method. I go through the inserts and clip what I think I might end up using, then ditch the rest. I print off the internet coupons I think I might use, but I don’t clip them right away. All my coupons are just in a manila folder, which I keep in my coupon bag (which holds my reusable bags, calculator, scissors, etc). You can see more here:
http://momforhim.blogspot.com/2010/02/coupon-disorganization.html

Just a thought: I’ve tried all 3 ways and here is one thing I noticed about the binder/box methods. When I did the box method I spent extra time going through the envelopes to pull out the coupons I needed or finding expired coupons. When I did the binder I spent the extra time to fold and put into a baseball card holder. These are really the only differences between the two. Both have that extra time…you just have to figure out which one you’d rather do. And for those that use the whole insert method: One thing I found that I did not like was that if I was looking for a coupon, I’d have to search through all 3 copies of the insert to clip all 3 coupons. So I started separating the inserts and stapling like pages together. Then when I needed that coupon I could clip all 3 at once. However, I’m back to the binder method now. Although, it’s definitely my version and not like any others I’ve read about or seen.

I have a coupon binder and an accordian file folder for inserts. I only clip coupons I think I’m going to use, and file the rest. That way, if someone I know buys a certain item, I can cut it out later, or if there is a great deal on an item I don’t normally use, I can find it in the file. Also, if I’m pressed for time, I can simply file the Sunday inserts and work on them later.

I too am a whole-insert girl. 🙂 I used to clip each and every coupon and file it in my little self-made coupon box, but ever since baby #3 arrived I find it difficult to keep up with all of the clipping! I found myself just tossing all of the coupons from the paper into a big basket in the bottom shelf of my pantry … and that was pure madness. An hour of searching for a particular coupon (because i KNEW I’d seen it in there somewhere!) got old really fast, so now I file the whole inserts, with the date marked on the front, in my portable file cabinet. Love it. I have a redplum, smartsource, p&g, printables, and store coupon file folder. I also have a file for the current store weekly adds. I find it so much easier to just look up my store’s current deals, and then go directly to the insert and cut coupons as needed.
Yes – I, too, have missed out on deals because of my new couponing organization method, but find that it doesn’t bother me in the least. If the deal is really THAT good, I’ll make another special trip out for it…. and if it’s not, no big deal. I’m still saving a ton of money and also saving precious time to work on other things and spend time with my babies.

I use a coupon box method but I use a baby wipe box. It’s a little smaller, so I can put it in my diaper bag (my diaper bag is big). It also has a hinged lid so when I have dropped it, the lid shut and *most* of the coupons stayed in the box.

A baby wipe box is an easy way to start. It’s cheap and easy to come by. If it doesn’t work for you, no big loss!

I recently did a post on this too! Mine I call The Simple System. It’s a variation on the Insert System, only I’ve organized it much more so I can find what I’m looking for! I’d love it you’d check it out at: http://www.couponomicstimuluspackage.com/2010/04/simple-coupon-system-in-5-easy-steps.html

This must be the ‘in’ topic to discuss recently. I just read on Sharpen Your Scissors about her coupon method. Up to this point, I’ve clipped everything & use a box AND binder. But I really hate the binder & prefer the box, but there are too many coupons to fit in the box (and I haven’t found a big enough box that also fits in the top of a shopping cart) so… I’m leaning towards clipping some (stuff we definitely use & I think we might use) & keeping whole inserts for the products that I might only use if paired with a great sale. Does that make sense? I tried it for the 1st time this week and I’ve already cut down on cutting & filing time. So far so good.

I made a coupon binder by cutting down some baseball card inserts and using a small binder (I thinks it 8in x 6in) and the inserts are 2 x 2 per page. It fits in a big purse which is handy because I like to bring it in every store! I use a photo page insert in the front for each store to store the coupons I plan on using at that store. I do clip and file what I think I will use and store the inserts in a large zipper binder organized by date.

I too use both the clipping system (I use a diaper wipe box) and the filing system. I clip the coupons that I assume I’ll be using and then I file the inserts by date I also have separate files for Red Plum, Smart Source and P&G. For me this is the most time efficient way to coupon but I’m sure it’s not for everyone. By the way, I’ve couponed for 20 years and got serious about it two years ago. I never realized those inserts might come in handy two months down the road. I just clipped what I saw on sale, saved a few choice coupons and I tossed the rest! Now it is a challenge to me to see how much money I can save my family with savvy shopping.

I use a coupon box (about the same size as Crystal’s). It is fun to have people gasp and/or do a double-take on the amount of coupons I have. The FAQ? “Where do you get all your coupons?” 🙂 Which q’s do I cut? Most of them. If it is a product I would never ever use or give as a present, I don’t cut it. If it is a product I might use, but I NEVER see it go on sale, I don’t cut it. If it is for a product my area does not carry, I don’t cut it. There aren’t many I don’t cut out. I give the pet product coupons to friends with pets and baby item coupons to friends with small children.

I just clip what I think we’ll use, but I save the rest to send to a military base (because they can use expired coupons) – so I generally have them all at home, just not well organized, but if a great deal appears then I can go back & look through the old inserts.

I use a combo-coupon-clipping method. When I get my inserts, I write the date on the front (this is important, especially if I don’t have time to clip them yet). Next, I cut out the coupons for items that I often find on sale (like yogurt or cereal) and for items that I regularly need to buy even when the sales aren’t great (like milk or toilet paper). These get filed in my coupon binder. Since I’ve clipped the coupons for the products I purchase most, I’m ready if I come across an unexpected sale or suddenly remember that I need plastic wrap when I’m standing in the grocery store.

The rest of the insert gets placed in page protectors, one for each week, in a separate binder. Then, when I read on Moneysavingmom about a good deal, I can go right to the flyer to cut out the coupon. About once a month I sort my clipped coupons and toss any outdated inserts from the front of the notebook. For me, it’s the best of both worlds!

I use the whole insert method, and carry a phone everywhere! My poor mom gets all the calls from me asking her to look up a coupon in the database! This method is perfect for me, though. I don’t have to clip, and I don’t miss out on unadvertised deals either! Not sure how crazy my mom is about this method, but she cooperates with me. 🙂

I use the coupon box system, and I clip almost every coupon. I only file coupons for products that I know we could use. Any products that I know we won’t use (ie, cat food coupons, since we have a dog; formula coupons, since I breastfeed; etc) I give to friends who I know can use them. For example, a friend of mine is a fellow couponer and has two cats. She also supplements with formula for her baby. So, I give her my cat food and formula coupons, and she gives me her diaper coupons, since she uses cloth diapers for her baby, and her dog food coupons. It’s a nice set-up!

I also have dividers in my coupon box for each grocery store that I shop at–I can keep store coupons in these dividers, and after I make my list each week, I drop all of the coupons that I know I will be using at that particular store into its divider for quick access. I also have a divider for department store coupons such as “take 20% off your entire order at Kohl’s” etc. And lastly, I have a A-M and N-Z divider for restaurant coupons. I never leave the house without my coupon box, so it’s nice to never forget a restaurant coupon on the fridge or counter anymore because those coupons are always in my box, with me!

And all of that fits in a Rubbermaid box about 6x8x6 inches, without crowding!:)

I do a combo of both. I clip the ones from my local paper I know I will use or coupons that I know usually have a sale attached and file those in my coupon binder. I also order inserts and when those come in, I place the inserts into a white mailing enevelope (8.5×11). On the outside, I print out a list of every coupon in alphabetical order (from where I get the inserts from) and tape it to the front of the envelope. If there is a smokin’ hot deal, I can quickly scan the outside of my enevelopes and grab those coupons. THe list has the coupon, for how much its worth and the exp date. It’s a great system. Con is that a unadvertised deal means I have to hurry up and turn around to go back home and grab the coupons 🙂

I use Money Saving Mom’s coupon box method (Thanks Crystal) because I out grew all the other ways I was trying to organize.

It did feel a little odd at first lugging a box into the store; however, I just kept telling myself that I would rather save the money than not! I’ve gotten used to it and don’t think twice now.

The other down side to it is that it does take up a lot of space in my cart, leaving less space for all the groceries!

However, clipping and organizing coupons is more my style than the “insert” method. Plus, I like to donate my unused and expired ones at the end of the month anyway so I would have clipped them just the same.

I also use a combination method. I have a huge coupon bunder, but found that each month I was tossing a lot of the coupons I clipped. So, now, I clip and sort the coupons that I will likely use (which is a lot of them). The dividers I have in my coupon binder have pockets on both sides. I place the insert sheets that have coupons I’m not likely to use in those pockets. That way, they are still sorted by catergory and I still have them with me at the store. But, I don’t waste time clipping and putting them into the baseball card holders.

I cut out what I know I will use and file the whole insert by week at home. I use a 3″ coupon and love it!!!

I also wanted to comment on a quick way to cut out coupons from multiple inserts. I get 4 sets of inserts a week. When I get ready to cut them out I lay them all out and open them to the first page. I then stack like pages together and staple through the picture on the coupon. Then I cut out the coupons. I only have to cut once instead of cutting 4 times. It saves me a lot of time and makes my binder a lot neater.

I am also leaning toward a combination whole insert/coupon box method, because I’m finding that lately I’ve fallen behind on clipping. I generally attempt to clip and file every coupon, because it never fails that if I don’t clip something, it’s a moneymaker soon.

I use the coupon box, which works sooooo much better for me than the binder, for the same reasons that you mentioned. The difference with my coupon box is that I file alphabetically, by brand name. It’s so much easier because the filing process is brain-work free, as I don’t have to think at all about what category something fits into. Also, since I pretty much just shop sales, I’m looking for specific brands that are on sale. For example, I rarely say “I need bacon.” Instead, I buy bacon when a specific brand is on sale, and then I go to the first letter of that brand to see if I have a coupon.

I clip most coupons (just what I think I will actually use or items that I’m sure I can get for free with a sale) and put them in a photo album–the kind that holds two 4×6, about 10″ square. I’ve found cute albums in Target clearance for $3 or less. The album falls apart in 8 to 10 months so I’m forced to organize and purge.

I also use a combination of methods. I’ve found that i’m much more organized if I ONLY clip the coupons I am sure I will use. I write the date really big on front of the inserts with a sharpie, then file them away. When you guys come up with a great deal, I can just pull that insert out and find the coupon. I keep the coupons I will use in the envelopes with labels similar to the coupon box, but they are in a very stiff-sided purse that my sister gave me (made from weaved juice box labels.) That way, I can drop my wallet, phone and keys in my super secret coupon bag!

I do something similar to the above person. I clip the coupons I know I use on a monthly basis and ones that I would be really upset if I missed out on a great clearance deal. I have two accordion file folders (one for health and beauty and one for everything else). I always have those coupons with me.

Everything else I save in the insert method. I have a small folder organizer that has 7 pockets. The last three weeks get their own individual pockets, then I start grouping them by month. It works well for me. Saves me time. I get disappointed if I don’t have the perfect coupon to pair with clearance finds, but most of the time those aren’t essential items anyway, so not much of a loss. With an infant, I really cannot carry a whole box with me to every store.

I only clip the coupons I think I’ll use. I have no need of savings on diapers or cheap pet food or things we don’t eat or whatever.

My filing system is pretty primitive. I have 5 envelopes that I’ve taped together. One is for cold item coupons, one is for dry/canned goods, one is for health and beauty, one is for cleaning, and one is for store-specific coupons. It fits easily in my purse, which is the only way I can be assured that I’ll have coupons with me. I’ve tried something bigger before that didn’t fit in my purse, and usually I forgot to bring it with me. A system is no good if I can’t remember to bring it.

I use the binder method, but I don’t use baseball card sleeves! Instead, I used 3×5 photo pages. This method would be very similar to the Coupon Box method, but instead of filing in envelopes or behind a tab, you file them in the pockets. The pockets are large enough that you don’t have to fold coupons to make them fit like you do w/ the baseball card sleeves.

I didn’t read the article yet just had a horrible vision of what would happen if I used the coupon box method. My toddler sits in the front of the cart and drops my coupon holders all the time (so I have to shut them every time I put them down). I could just see him dropping the box and spilling my coupons everywhere and then me crying like a baby in the middle of the store. LOL not for me but maybe when I no longer have a cart rider it would work.