[MrsSmith04]

I finally had time to take pics of the binder I put together last weekend. The pic with the purple page protector is what holds all of the list of items that I would use while price matching at Wal-mart (each seperated by store and items). The pockets hold pens, calculator, scissors, and small sticky notes (I stick these on the items that I am price matching so I know what price with what store when I get to the check out). I also have a tablet in one of the pocket to jot down any notes or info I might need. You can see how I organized by product. I used basic baseball card holders from Wal-mart. The divider tabs on the sides are just post it flags. The pink pocket holds oversized Q's, rebates and my order forms from coupon clippers/Ebay so that I know if I see a product but know that I have a Q on order for it, then I will wait to buy the product until next trip. I think as I start trading on here I will also compile a list and keep that in there as well. The back binder pocket pic is where I will keep all of the weekly ads so that I can show proof when price matching. Let me know how I did and please feel free to add any suggestion or comments since I am just a newbie learning all I can along the way!! TIA for your help and for admiring my new "baby" - .

Stacy

[twodogmom]

Very nice job!!! You and I were both doing the same thing last weekend. I put my binder together also. No pics. though. I love the handle idea.

Happy q'n
twodogmom

[MrsSmith04]

Glad you like it!! Can't wait to take it out this weekend!!

[arlenes]

Where did you find your binder? I really like the handle and the extra pockets.

[MrsSmith04]

In all honesty (you'll laugh at this) my DH gave it to me. It was a gift from his college when he graduated with his bachelor's degree- he he. Last weekend my kiddos were sick and he was going to do a Wal-mart run to get the items that I needed for the binder. I was telling him a few girls on here had gotten ones that I "think" are similar to this one at Wal-mart and although I hadn't seen a pic I tried to describe it as they did. Well he got all excited and said "wait a minute I think I have something for ya!!". Since it was just in a drawer upstairs in his desk I was happy to give it a new life. You might wanna check out a couple of the binder threads though because I think the similar ones are at Wal-mart for $20 if I'm not mistaken. Good luck and sorry I couldn't more of a help. If you can find one similar it really is nice to have the handles and pockets. In the mean time I will keep an eye out for you and if I find one I will shoot you a PM letting you know where and how much. Hope your having a great day and thanks for your response!!

Stacy

[bargainshopper]

Try the Case its. They usually have handled ones and are big! I like the look of your binder as well very sophisticated! If I ever go back to a binder I will def get one with a handle or strap of some sort. Thanks for the pics! Nicely done!

[tryingtosave23]

they do have a binder like this at walmart. I have admired it for a while now, I just haven't broken down and gotten it. Lucky you for having one!!!

A friend got me a Case It at Target for 2.00. I will stick with it for a while. Love it!!

[lovable_chick_21]

great job!!! looks awesome, I just dug out my stuff a couple of days ago so I could get mine going too, hope mine comes out as good as yours....let me ask you, I didn't read all the other posts, so sorry if it got asked, but how did you categorize them? did you put all the ones you WOULD use in a separate section, and all the extras in another, or did you just put all your coupons in???

[WishfulThinking]

Very nice!!!! I don't know if I could do a binder but after looking at yours it does look appealing. Heheehe... Thanks for sharing!

PS-I use an alphabetized box and have been doing it this way for about a year now. So far I love it and it's convenient for me. I have pix in my profile, but I have a new box that is pretty and has a handle. I need to get pix done.

[evrythingisababy]

Wow!!!! What an organized gal!!! Mad props!!! I want one!!! Great job!!

[MrsSmith04]

I only put the ones in the binder that I will use myself. For the extras or the ones that I won't need and will RAOK or trade I just keep a seperate envie for these. I also organized them so that the ones that expire soonest are on top. Here are my catergories as well. HTH!

I categorized them like this....
Beverages
Baby Items
Frozen
Canned Goods
Breakfast
Cleaners
Refrigerated Items
Hair Care
Cosmetics
Drug Items (medication, toothpaste, deod., soap, razors, tampons, pads, etc.)
Snacks
Paper products
Baking Needs
Rice, Pasta, Potatoes
Condiments, sauces, and Oils
Pet Needs
Misc. - store coupons, bread etc.

[MrsSmith04]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinking

Very nice!!!! I don't know if I could do a binder but after looking at yours it does look appealing. Heheehe... Thanks for sharing!

PS-I use an alphabetized box and have been doing it this way for about a year now. So far I love it and it's convenient for me. I have pix in my profile, but I have a new box that is pretty and has a handle. I need to get pix done.

That is what I was doing but somehow I was not AT ALL organized this way and it took me forever at the store. I said the same thing about the binder (I'd never do it/ didn't think I'd like it), but I have to admit I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about after coming on here and WOWZA am I glad I did!! I just LOVE mine!! Yes please post pics, as I still might want to get something that holds my trading and train Q's!! Thanks again for your response!!

Stacy

[stefani1]

ok - so here is another question. I've seen tons of posts about the binders, but I have hundreds of coupons. Did you have them organized somehow before with the same categories?? I'm just not sure how to tackle mine. Should I spread all my Q's all over the floor and put them in piles of categories and then cut them better to fit the baseball insert pages?? Just a little overwhelmed with all my Q's and not sure where to START. I have the binder and the inserts and the coupons and all of that stuff, just need to figure out a way to not use up a whole day doing this - well, actually I don't HAVE a whole day to do it with DS running around all the time. I can only do this during his naptime or at night when he goes to sleep. Thanks and the pictures look great!

[southerngal108]

Can you come organize mine for me?

[Doodlebug]

That is really neat! Thanks for sharing the pics too!!

[Raccyn]

Awesome binder! You did a great job! By a show of hands, how many people here get the strangest looks from people at stores when you are digging through your binder? LOL

[MrsSmith04]

Originally Posted by stefani1

ok - so here is another question. I've seen tons of posts about the binders, but I have hundreds of coupons. Did you have them organized somehow before with the same categories?? I'm just not sure how to tackle mine. Should I spread all my Q's all over the floor and put them in piles of categories and then cut them better to fit the baseball insert pages?? Just a little overwhelmed with all my Q's and not sure where to START. I have the binder and the inserts and the coupons and all of that stuff, just need to figure out a way to not use up a whole day doing this - well, actually I don't HAVE a whole day to do it with DS running around all the time. I can only do this during his naptime or at night when he goes to sleep. Thanks and the pictures look great!

I had them somewhat organized but not broken down into specific catergories like I do now. So yep, like you I had to spread them out all over my whole table and kitchen counters to organize them. Also like you I had to do it when little ones weren't around. It seems that toddlers like coupons as much as we all do!! I think I started at like 8 pm and finished around 1 am. Yeah, trimming them was the biggest pain in the rear but oh so worth it in the end!! It is work but trust me in the end when you can flip through so quick on your way out the door just for a few items, it is well worth it!! Hope this helps. Good luck with yours and be sure to post pics when you are finished!!

[MrsSmith04]

Originally Posted by southerngal108

Can you come organize mine for me?

Hey if you can convince my DH to watch the kids while I come for an organizing get-a-way I'd be happy to do it for ya!! LOL

[pamomof3]

Your binder is amazing! I just got the "knack" of my little file pockets down and I've outgrown it in no time.

Best investment I've made in a long time is my tabletop paper cutter - makes cutting/trimming soooooo much quicker! Now if someone could just invent a little machine that does all the filing, .

[MrsSmith04]

Originally Posted by pamomof3

Your binder is amazing! I just got the "knack" of my little file pockets down and I've outgrown it in no time.

Best investment I've made in a long time is my tabletop paper cutter - makes cutting/trimming soooooo much quicker! Now if someone could just invent a little machine that does all the filing, .

LOL you are too kind with all of the compliments!!! I was wondering where you got the tabletop paper cutter? I think it would make the process so much quicker!! Maybe I could convince DH to pick one up on the way home from work!! Thanks for your post!!

[pamomof3]

Originally Posted by MrsSmith04

LOL you are too kind with all of the compliments!!! I was wondering where you got the tabletop paper cutter? I think it would make the process so much quicker!! Maybe I could convince DH to pick one up on the way home from work!! Thanks for your post!!

In all honesty, I bought it from myself - I'm a Stampin' Up! demo. But I think I've used it more for coupons than for scrapping/cardmaking!

It's pricey, but there are 3 things I love about it:

-it's "footprint" is only about 6 1/2" x 16", so it doesn't take up the whole table
-the blade is self sharpening, so it never dulls
-the blades actually act like scissors, so there are no razor sharp edges

It's not for everyone, but I love it.

[mcdlady1]

I did buy a binder at walmart like this for under 20 dollars and I love it
I do have trouble finding time to organize all my coupons and stuff them in the holes
I keep a little accoridan one in it that is sorted into food and non food and then file as i get time, but it is so nice just to zip it all up and go

[chazangelo]

it's lika a photoalbum.

[mom2brooke]

What an awesome binder!!! I have to make one for myself. Looks much more organized than me right now. I have a little baggie with them all in. Looks like a good project for me to do on my next day off from work.

[MrsSmith04]

I was not so organized myself before the binder but now I am!! I does take some time though when you get a pile of new ones to put them away. I usually save up a few days before I put them in. It is a fun project though and you can't stop staring at it once it is done because it looks so neat and tidy!! Good luck and I can't wait to see pics of yours!!