Coupon Organization

Coupon organization is always a challenge. I have my stash of coupons, now what do I do with them? When I started collecting, I simply cut out the ones I thought I would use and placed them in envelopes. They were in general categories such as food, paper products, toiletries… This simple method worked for a while. I would plan my shopping trip, pull out the coupons needed the night before (placing them in a separate envelope), and I was ready to go.

As my coupon collection grew, however, this system no longer worked efficiently. I did not know what coupons I had. More than once, my envelopes spilled onto the floor while I was shopping! Yes, as you might imagine, it was embarrassing!  Something had to change. I researched other oraganizational methods.

Some people find that coupon pouches or coupon boxes work well. Others do not clip, but rather, file the Sunday coupon inserts according to the date. They then only clip the coupons they are going to actually use. I tried this method also. For me, clipping the night before shopping was too time consuming and resulted in a late night.

I chose to start a coupon binder. Here she is–my pink beauty! Case-it Large Capacity Fuchsia Zipper Binder (D-145)
I chose the Case-It because of the heavy duty zippered cover, its strong handle (a coupon stash can get heavy!) and the detachable shoulder strap. Any type of 3 ring binder will work, as long as it is large enough. But, I do recommend one with a zipper enclosure. This keeps coupons from spilling onto the floor!

I use baseball card insert pages to hold the coupons. I place one coupon (or multiples thereof) per slot. If it must be folded, fold so that the expiration date is visible on the back of the sleeve. This makes it quick and easy to remove the expired coupons.

For my main categories, I use the three ring binder divider pages. For the subcategories, I use the Post-It Durable Tabs. These I attatched directly to the baseball insert pages. I wrote on the divider pages and the Post-It tabs with a fine tip Sharpie.

My main categories with their subcategories are as follows:

• Razors
• Deodorant
• Hair
• Body Wash/Lotion
• Make-up
• Oral
• Femine Products

Includes pain relievers, medicine, vitamins, bandage products

Baby

Cleaning

• Bath
• Dish
• Laundry
• Air
• Floor/Upholstery
• Window

Pet

Paper/Plastic

Miscellaneous

Food

• Condiment
• Juice/Drinks
• Baking
• Freezer
• Refrigerator
• Canned
• Snack/Candy
• Cereal

My goal was to organize, so as to simplify finding coupons. Having the coupons readily visible in the baseball card insert pages does this for me. It allows me to go quickly to the category in question and look through the available coupons. The binder allows me to carry the coupons just about where ever and whenever I go to town. (Yes, I am a real country mouse now .)

The girls and I spend time each a week, clipping, cutting and organizing coupons. Then, whether I am preparing for a shopping trip or stumble upon a wonderful sale, the appropriate coupon is easy to find.