How I Organize My Coupons

I haven’t used coupons as of yet.

Where did you get your box. Thanks.

Hi Crystal,

Questions for you…
1. How may newspapers do you buy per week? And of those how many do you actually keep cut and in your coupon box? (i.e. do you only cut some or do you cut and keep all the coupons in each insert?

The reason that I ask is because I have toyed with the idea of trying out the coupon box several times, but I worry that since I cut and keep all my insert coupons I will not have enough space in a coupon box. Currently I am using a binder, but it does get pretty heavy.

So 1st let me just say…Thanks! I love your free updates! I put all my coups in the order in which I get them at my Favorite grocery store. I now have it memorized in that order so it’s easy to find at other stores. Then I put my list on a piece of foamboard with a clip. I slide my list in and out of each section that I am shopping in so I don’t have to go rummaging. I made a fabric coupon holder that buttons on the cart, b/c I still have a little one in the front. The box was too enticing. I used to love to grocery shop, but now with 2 busy and bored kids, I am in and out in as little time as possible.

I love all the ideas! I use 2 accordion folders for my store coupons (one for food/cleaning items and 1 for only drug store items – shampoo, makeup, deodorant – since I buy most of those items at Walgreens) and have a smaller, separate one for my restaurant/department store coupons. I keep the restaurant/department store one in my purse at all times since I sometimes run unplanned errands at lunch or we decide to eat out at lunch unexpectedly and I hate going somewhere knowing I had a coupon and didn’t get to use it. I cut all the coupons in the sunday papers and only put what I use or think I might try in my organizers and then I put the rest in zip lock bags sorted by food and non food. If I see a product I remember seeing a coupon for I know where to look for it. At the end of the month I send what I haven’t used, plus any expired coupons, to groups that send them to our troops overseas. This way nothing is wasted.

I converted from the binder to the box as well. My box is similar to yours except I use larger letter size envelopes and place them horizontally in the box. To support the envelopes and keep them from falling, I use the box that the envelopes came in (I got the At the Office brand from Walmart 150ct envelopes) which fits nicely horizontally in the container. I place this towards the back. I have a 60 ct envelope box from Top Flight brand that I use in front where I place all my envelopes for coupons I’ll use at CVS, Walgreens, Target, etc. for that week. Finally, on the left side of the box there is room for my 100 ct envelope box which are for the smaller envelopes 6 3/4×3 5/8 x 6 1/2″. I keep my pen, calculator, scissors in this box. To label all the envelopes I use Post-it tabs and position them on the back of each envelope. The system has been working great for me!

I tried the envelope method and it didn’t work for me. I find it much easier to just put everything in alphabetical order then I can go straight to exactly what I need. I make my list before I go and match my coupons to it (after checking websites for the ones I don’t have). But I also take the ones that I would use if the item were on sale, but not advertised, & nearing expiration. When I print off my grocery list, I also add these coupons to the bottom that I plan on using. That way I don’t have to stand there and go through a bunch of coupons looking for one in particular. Has been working quite well as I have been saving in excess of 40% on each of my grocery orders lately. For me, that is INCREDIBLE!!! I thoroughly enjoy your blog and have learned a lot from your posts.

I’ve tried several methods over the years. Boxes worked for a while, but I accidentally dropped it a couple of times and let me tell you that was a huge mess and it had to be totally re organized.
I’m currently using the binder method. I know it takes a while to stuff but it really helps me visually to see the coupons and I use and find more that way.
In my box method I would skip over coupons sometimes because they were stuck to another one or something weird.
I also alphabetize my binder by product name not by category. Although I do have a separate section for Kraft, Pillsbury, mouth products, medicine and cereal. I also have a separate section for Kroger and Target since those are two store I frequent. Also another good idea is to put your phone # in your binder or box in case you get distracted and leave it at the store. I’ve done that too and gotten a phone call.

CAREFUL with that box — I have a few of them, and find that when carrying it, the top sometimes comes off, dropping the box and SPILLING the contents! You’d hate for that to happen and have to re-organize all the coupons.

Another tip: take a bag clip with you to the store and “clip” an envelope to the cart. When you’re using a coupon, put that coupon into the envelope and replace the clip.

I used to cut all the coupons I anticipated using and carried a small coupon organizer into the stores. But then I realized I was missing out on loads of other great deals by discarding the coupons I thought I would never use. Now I keep the entire insert intact and write the date on the front and file it into an accordian type filing system. I never do my weekly grocery shopping without referring to an online store ad/coupon matchup site first. I print out my list and matchup all my coupons to the store ad at home. The particular site I use makes it very easy by matching the item on sale to the all the available coupons for that particular item by giving the the coupon flier(Red Plum, Smart Source, etc.) and date the coupon flyer came out. I cut only the coupons I need, then file the flyer back into place. I then take the list, store ad and all my cut coupons to the store. I’ve found this to be the easiest way for me to really stock up and try out new products that I would have probably thought twice about at rock bottom prices. It has also allowed me pick up free items that I may not use, but can be donated to a charity.

Hmmm… first comment didn’t go through.

I’m from the save the whole insert camp, but I do cut out many as well.

Here’s what I do:
http://gbsavers.blogspot.com/2008/02/coupons.html

I’ve tried many methods, but what is working for me in this stage of life is Coupon (DIS)Organization! It is possible to be disorganized and still save A LOT of money each week on groceries (I spend an average of $55/week for my family of 6).
I posted about it here:
http://momforhim.blogspot.com/2010/02/coupon-disorganization.html

I am using a small binder. I used scrapbook paper and an old organizer I loved figuring if it made me happy I’d use it. Now I know coupons make me happy all by themselves. But I still love my pretty binder… Sometimes just wish it was a little bigger.
http://iamtotallythatmom.blogspot.com/2010/02/couponing.html

I love the binder method. Here is my post : http://christianclippers.com/2010/04/steps-to-make-a-coupon-binder.html

All you hard-core couponers are going to consider this anathema, but here’s what I do:

I pretty much only use coupons for when Harris Teeter triples or super-doubles, so except for a choice few items/brands that we always use and need, my coupons are organized by value. Now when it’s triples week, I don’t have to dig through all my coupons to find the ones that work (for some reason, my inserts almost never match up to those posted about online). I also separate out the coupons that are for a single item from those that are for multiple items as the single-item coupons are really worth more.

The ones that I keep up front are baby items, toothbrush/paste, sour cream, eggs, and a few others.

I also don’t bother sorting into expiration date order very often – usually just when we have a long trip in the car (or there’s a triples or super-doubles event). I’ve got my sorted coupons in an expandable organizer and the ones that have only been sorted by value in large manilla envelopes. The next time HT super-doubles, I just have to sort the $1-1.99 ones and go from there!

I also don’t clip items that we definitely will not use (like hair coloring or dog food/treats) unless it’s a free item (I’ve got a free can of dog food to pick up that I can donate to a food bank).

Do I miss out on lots of free/cheap stuff this way? Absolutely. But I was driving myself nutty trying to keep up with those.

Wow, I think my systems works really well for me. I purchased a make-up bag at Target a clear one ($8.99). Made tabs with Index tabs and Card Stock paper. It has a handle and zips up and has enough room for a pen and calculator. They have smaller sizes available for the begginer ( My friend just bought one of the smaller ones because her coupons just would not fit in the accordian anymore.) This works really well when you have a little helper carry your coupons. Here is a picture of one that looks like mine but I only bought the larger size not the set. Measurements are Length: 8.5 “; Width: 4.25 “; Depth: 6.0 ” http://www.target.com/Contents-Basic-Black-Train-Piece/dp/B002R08YDG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid3&qid=1273169760&frombrowse=0&fromGsearch=true&node=1038576%7C1287991011&keywords=basics%20case&searchSize=90&id=Contents%20Basic%20Black%20Train%20Piece&searchBinNameList=purchasing_channel%2Csubjectbin%2Ctarget_com_age%2Ctarget_com_gender-bin%2Ctarget_com_character-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchRank=price&sr=1-2&field_subjectbin=1042004&searchPage=1

Too funny, I just started a 3 part post on how I organize mine. I use to use a rubbermaid container like you do, but disaster struck one too many times of the lid falling off….so now a I use a mini toolbox..it has a hinged lid and a handle 🙂 YOu can see it in part one of my 3 part post here
http://helpfulhomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-to-organize-coupons-in-pinch-part-1.html

I would love to use the box method as you do Crystal. I did this before and if you have time to clip them it’s great. However, since I work part-time and homeschool all five children, I don’t have that time anymore. I nearly quit couponing because I was getting so far behind and having to dig through a lot of inserts each week just to find those coupons I needed.

So, I started filing them by date in file folders in banker’s boxes nearly a year ago. I got those folders and boxes free on one of those Office Max perks deals you posted! Now, I can get the coupon matchups listed by several kind bloggers for my stores easily and only clip the ones I use. I put online printables, blinkies, catalinas, etc. in a small envelope I keep for each store. I do miss those clearance deal finds, but can look up coupons on one of the data bases if I need a specific one. It’s what works for me!

I’m still trying to figure out my optimal method. For years until just recently, I used a little coupon wallet with dividers that I’d seen advertised in one of the many coupon inserts. It worked okay with the pre-printed category tabs for awhile, but then I found myself creating new tabs for the stores I frequent. That worked okay until I accidentally misfiled a coupon then forgot about it and missed a deal in a different store. And eventually, I pretty much destroyed the wallet and the tabs and accumulated enough coupons that I was overflowing into an envelope. That was really annoying 🙂

So now I’ve bitten the bullet and set up a coupon binder. I don’t dislike it because I’m not used to it enough yet to know how useful it’s going to be. So far, I don’t really like flipping through pages in the stores, even though I tried to set it up to be pretty aisle specific for the grocery where I shop most often. I also find that I still have an envelope that I use for CVS and Rite Aid, keeping what’s in the binder for the grocery store and Walmart. Again, not a perfect system at all. I have a feeling I’ll be tweaking for awhile 🙂

I have a fairly new method (well to me anyways) for filing coupons. My husband is such a sweetheart, look at what he bought me to file my coupons in. I am not sure what to call it, any ideas? http://tinyurl.com/2facsev

Excuse me for being nit-picky, but, is this another series? Or is this part of the 31 days to Cheaper Food Budget? And can we have the next installment of either that or Saving to Buy a Home, soon, please?

This is a reminder that you promised you’d try to tie up loose ends before starting another ball of yarn, that’s all. I think you forgot. It might have been the coffee 🙂

I bought two coupon organizers from Hannah Coupons. Not to advertise here…but I found that this system works best for me. My first organizer has food items / the second one all non-food items. This helps as I do all the grocery shopping at one store and most of my non-food items at CVS. I sort each section by expiration date. I know it takes some extra time but it makes it easier to see what coupons are expiring that month. I also put all the “good” coupons at the front of each organizer to make sure I use them before they expire. I would only recommend this system for couponers that do not get multiple inserts. If you have lots of coupons, Crystal’s method works best.

I used to use the binder system 100%, but it is far too time consuming to clip all the coupons & put them in the binder. Plus I was always frustrated with how many coupons I spent time clipping that I never used!

Now I have a combo method. I have a spreadsheet where I list all the coupons that come out each week- I get multiple copies of different papers, so they don’t always have the same coupons. This way it lets me know what paper the coupon came from, what insert, the product, amount, date it came out & date it expires.

I clip only the ones I KNOW I will use or a few other high value “would like to use” coupons each week. Those go in my binder. The inserts go into hanging folders in a file cabinet right next to my desk. Then over the weeks I match my spreadsheet with my weekly list.

Any “extra” coupons I get (printed, mail, peelies, blinkies, etc) also go in my binder.

Before I go shopping I have a very detailed list with product, price, store coupons, manf. coupons, final price, etc. (I usually write this list on the leftover 3rd or 2/3rd paper left from printing 1-2 coupons per page). This folds over nicely and I put the coupons inside and paperclip the whole thing. I stick all those “store lists” in an envelope that goes in my planner. My binder does go in the car and into stores that I usually find clearance items or unadvertised sales that I’ll need the coupons.

I’m still in the process of finding what works best for me, but eventually I’ll get there! 🙂

I use a box and envelopes, too. I find it very easy to find what I’m looking for and if I happen to find something on clearance I can quickly find it in my box (unless my toddler gets a hold of the box in the store and decides to organize it herself -that’s only happened once! LOL)

I have been through every single coupon organizational method known to man and truth be told there are positives and negatives to all of them.

I started with the binder but constantly found myself getting behind on clipping coupons to file in the baseball card slots. Plus, I never take all of my coupons in the store with me. I try to simplify my life as much as possible so 1)I’m never looking for unadvertised deals 2)Too stressful to lug things around with 3 small kids in tow 3)I like going in with my list and coupons and knowing exactly what I will be paying.

Then I switched to a box method a little different from Crystal’s. Instead of categories I labeled the sections A-Z and filed the coupons according to product name. Example: Cheerios would go in the C section, Eggo in the E’s, etc. Again, though, a lot of clipping didn’t get done when it should have.

So, I then switched to the whole insert method filing by insert name and date. I tore apart the inserts and stacked like pages together and stapled them so that when I needed to clip a coupon I could clip all of the copies I had at once. I would put each insert into its own file folder labeling it with SS 4/13. Then I’d staple a master list of the coupons in that insert to the front of the file folder. (I’d print the list from a site that has the regional newspaper variations and I’d print the one from my newspaper.) The list was helpful because then I could check very quickly (without having the thumb through the insert) to see if I even had that coupon. It also listed expiration dates, so when the last coupon to expire had passed it was easy to just get rid of the whole insert without having to look at individual coupons. Once I clipped the coupons from the insert I just crossed that coupon off the list so I’d know that it wasn’t in there any more. But, alas, I must get bored easily because I’ve switched back to the binder method except this time I ONLY CLIP what I know for a fact I’d buy. I don’t even save coupons for things I’d like to have if it happens to come on sale. I’ve learned that those things rarely do come on sale so it’s not worth my time or space to clip and save them. And when it does happen I just think to myself “too bad, so sad.” Or as my 6 yr. old daughter would say “you get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit.” (get is pronounced git in southern slang…so it rhymes then!) Plus, no matter what I never want to take all of my coupons in the store with me. With all 3 methods I always only took my list and stack of coupons. Hope this helps someone trying to figure out what to do.

Ugh…I’ve tried in all in the past year an a half! I did a post not to long ago about how and what I’ve used in my world of couponing. I ended up clipping out each week items I knew we would regularly purchase or could get for free (found that with experience you learn the sale cycles). I file everything else by week in a file folder bucket. It’s easy to go back in with the dates and insert info to pull anything I need.

I use a modified whole insert method and keep a small 3×5 size coupon envelope with me divided into the stores I shop and a few other categories. I describe my method here:
http://aspiritedmind.com/2009/09/new-coupon-strategy/

I find that the small cancelled check accordian file I got at Wal-mart works just fine for me. I have it set up by month so that I don’t let coupons expire before I use them. I have learned pretty quickly that it’s useless to use coupons just because I don’t want to let them expire if the items aren’t something we really need, I’ve learned over time what constitutes a “need” coupon for me and which ones are the “would likes”, this way I am sure to use the needs and if it’s not in the budget that week I’ll leave the would likes ( if they are about to expire) on the store shelf with the item for someone else to use. Each week when my sale flyers come in the mail I go through them carefully and mark all the sale items I want to take advantage of then spend time searching online coupon sites for any coupons that will match up with items I marked in the flyers. When I first started I printed tons of coupons that I didn’t use before expiration. With printer ink being so expensive I quickly decided that was not a good idea, I conserve the paper too, if I only print out one coupon I flip the printed page upside down so I can print another single coupon on the bottom below my previous printed one. Once I have all my flyers and general good deals figured out I make my menu for the week working around some of the sale items I plan to take advantage of if possible. Next I make a list for all the ingredients I need for the menus and then I go through my coupons again in order to take advantage of any items I need for cooking that don’t happen to be on sale. When the Sunday paper comes I cut out ALL the coupons keeping the ones I want in my organizer, the rest I take to church to be placed in small categorized boxes for other saving conscious moms like myself. I make at least two piles of coupons, one for Wal-mart and one for Publix and I bulldog clip them with my list in the front of my organizer, before I push my cart into the register line I make sure that I used all the coupons I intended to. My small coupon organizer goes everywhere with me in case I find a deal I missed or was not advertised.

I have used The Couponizer for about 4.5 years now. It worked well until about a year ago – that’s when I started buying multiple papers. It just doesn’t hold multiple papers’ worth of coupons, and I don’t want to clip them all. So, I clip the ones I know I’ll use (from every copy of the inserts) and I clip one copy of the coupons I think I’ll use. They go in The Couponizer. All the other inserts get marked with the date and filed into a bin like Crystal’s. Except, since I’m filing whole inserts, I have a letter-size hanging-holder bin. I have a hanging folder with each month, and inside that month there is one manilla letter-sized folder labeled with the Sunday date, and the inserts from that Sunday are in that folder.

When I go shopping, I pull my list and paperclip the coupons that match up with my list. Then I take The Couponizer along for any unadvertised deals.

I’m a closet couponer, hehe.

Basically, I have a desk drawer at work with file folders, so I use those to hold the inserts (I have one folder per month and write the date on my inserts. I usually buy a paper and my parents give me their coupons).

When I find deals I like, I make a list of what I need, clip those coupons, paper clip it together, and put it in this coupon wallet I got from Dollar Tree for $1. I have a section in that wallet for the stores I go to: Target, CVS, HT, and other sections and sections to keep whatever random coupons I might find and a section for CVS extra care bucks.

When I go inside the store, I never take all the coupons- just the paper clipped ones. And they’re usually stuffed into my hoodie pocket so I don’t look like a couponer, haha. But I’m only 24, no kids, and I guess maybe I’m a bit self conscious and still want to look ‘cool’ 🙂

I have done both the box (first) and the binder (second) and I ended up going back to the box. I pretty much do it as you do. As I cut, I put coupons in front of the envelope in which they belong. Then I file and pull out expired coupons. I leave the flaps so that if the box drops and the lid pops off, I’m less likely to lose my coupons. http://mindymcintx.blogspot.com/2009/10/before-i-start-let-me-say-that-there.html

I tried the binder but it took too much time and I never had it updated so I switched to an old check filer I had from when I first began freelancing. The check file is double the size (in length) of the coupon file I had before and works well for me. I can easily fit those coupons I get in the mail that are oversized without folding them and taking up more room than necessary.

I started out sorting my coupons my expiration date. That was a mess. I then went to the accordian file method, that worked until I found a paper that carries the coupon inserts. I have since switched to the binder method. I like it, for me it is very organized, it does take a bit to the coupons in the slots.
It goes in my car at the beginning of the week and unless I print out a bunch of coupons, it stays there (just in case I have to make a run to the store).
I have little notebook that I write down my list for the month (I try to go month to month). I will then go through my binder and pull the items that I have coupons for, highlight (I have differen colors for different stores) it and put it in the book.

****Heads up: Family Dollar has a new coupon book coming out next Wednesday****

I use the file folder method. It saves me from clipping each coupon and I can keep the inserts nice and neat. It is easy for me to use a coupon database to search for a specific coupon I am looking for. When I head into a store, I bring a single envelope with my “deals” in it and leave the rest in the car. If I see a fantastic clearance section, I simply return to my car, grab the coupon and I am set. I posted about it here

http://stylishsavinginthecapitaldistrict.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-to-coupons-series-post-2.html

I use the same method. I store post-it notes, pen and small scissors. I love it and it keeps me organized. I store each section of coupons by expiration date so filing and removal of old coupons is a snap.

I use a combo method. I clip all the coupons for products that I buy regularly or that I think will want to by because it will be a good deal and I file it in a small expandable file folder that was meant to file checks. I also keep any coupons that come in the mail, and any peelies or blinkies or otherwise “loose” coupons in there. This is what I bring with me to stores in addition to the coupons I have already pulled for my shopping trip. But I also file all of my inserts by date in a large expandable file, so that if I see a deal listed some where I can go back and clip the coupons I need. This is especially useful for deals on products I that I would not normally buy but might turn out to be a money maker because they are free after ECB or RR! And it saves me time because I do not have to clip everything.

I am a binder baby thru and thru! I LOVE my binder! I hated having to go thru it all any other way. I’d get so frustrated. I use a variety of sizes of pages so I don’t have to fold. I paperclip or staple them together and they stay put great!

I will say this — I bought a “Case-it” binder. It’s not even 3 months old and falling apart. It’s lost 2 zippers and is fraying on the trim.

I work at a hotel so I get many inserts of coupons. (And I have friends that come by at the end of the day on Sundays to get some too 😀 ) I started with the binder, but it got way to big to hold it all. So I switched to a shoe box with those plastic ABC index dividers. I sort all coupons alphabetically by product and keep a spreadsheet of what I have on the computer. It’s easy to update and add to, when I need to go shopping I print off an updated list and keep an eye on things on the list!

I couponed for years using a regular coupon organizer, but switched to the binder method about a year ago. (I spent about $25 to put my binder together.) I absolutely love it! When I get my coupon inserts, I cut out only what I think I will probably use and organize those coupons in my baseball card slots under my own categories. My inserts then go in a stack so that I can locate a coupon that I might need later. When I am getting ready for a shopping trip, I can easily find the coupons that I need in my binder. I put them together in a ziplock bag with my shopping list. I carry my binder with me and put it on the bottom of the cart just in case. If I find an unadvertised deal, I can quickly turn to that section in my binder and find what I need. The binder method only took me about 2 weeks to get used to, and now I am hooked! One thing that helps me to go faster is to place my coupons in the baseball card holders so that the top sticks out just a bit. I can then grab them quickly. I think some people have difficulties because they try to fold their coupons so neatly that they will fit completely in the slots. My goal is to be able to find a coupon and snatch it out quickly and efficiently. Time is money, too, especially with a large family and numerous responsibilities.

I used the box method for YEARS. After all the bloggin I read, I decided to try the binder method. I have been using that for about 4 months. HORRIBLE!!! Yes, it is easier to take into the store, but I feel so disorganized. With my box method, I actually used old Diaper wipes containers, which are the perfect size for the coupons, snapped shut, economical, etc. I had 2: groceries & drug stores. I need to find the time, but I’m switching back to the box method. It just isn’t for me.

I don’t have a set method yet, but I am trying this out: I usually get about 5 papers (usually pay for them with Register Rewards). I go through the inserts and cut the ones I know I will use or will likely use (I have a paper cutter, which works well) and file those in a little box, categorized like yours is, although not as detailed :). Then I date the inserts and file them by month and also separate the RP and SS. I will put printed coupons in the box as well. If I get to the store and find an unadvertised deal that I don’t have the coupons for, I get it anyway and as long as I get back to the store within a week or so, they will honor the coupon for me with the receipt (Meijer and Kroger — I have really nice ones :). It’s not ideal, so I am thinking of going to an entire box method like you described, but I just don’t enjoy clipping ALL the coupons when I know I won’t use a lot of them.