[healthysaver]

Thanks for sharing. Finally found some information about someone who is using a photobook like me. Question, how do you put categories and do you change the locations of the coupons often when you see a need to sub divide? I've thought about using index tab but I don't want to put index tabs on every page (all 50 pages in a album).
One thing I noticed with this system is that I still need to take out the whole coupons out of the pocket to see if I have the coupon I'm looking for when I find sales or unadv. deals which takes time in the aisle.
Currently my photo books doesn't have any tabs so I need to flip the pages whenever I need to find coupons. I don't know how many empty slots I should leave open for possible future sub divide per category.

Originally Posted by coffeencoupons

I LOVE the idea of printing out the list of coupons for that specific week... I never even knew this existed could you possibly message me or link me to where I can find this?


I organize it pretty much exactly how it looks... The tabs indicate sections. This is all Non-Food Products:
Baby - Sub categorized as: Soaps, LUVs, Huggies, Pampers, Wipes, PullUps, MISC, and an empty slot incase I need to add more later..
Feminine Products - Pads, Panty Liners, Tampons, (2)Empty
Make Up & Chapstick - Rimmel, Covergirl, Mabeline, Chapstick, empty,
(You can see, some of the subcategories are also broken down in brand...)
Deodorant - Dove, Secret, Degree, Men's, Misc, Empty
Razors and Shavers - BIC, Schick, Venus, Mens, Shaving Cream, Empty
Body Wash, Soap, Lotions - Olay, Suave, Dove, Dial, Lotions, Lever, Gillette, Facial Cleaning Products, (3)Empty
Hair Products - Pantene, Dove, Herbal Essences, Misc, Gillette, Suave, Hair Dye, (3)Empty
Medicine, Cold+Cough, Eye Care, Vitamins - Excedrin, Tylenol, Vicks, Cold (Cough Drops, Meds), Anti-acids, Vitamins, First Aid, Eye Care, Sanitizer, Diet Products, (2)Empty
Oral Products Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Toothbrushes, Whitening, (2)Empty -- Might end up converting this one to Brand...

Paper Products Charmin, Cottonelle, Tissue, Wipes/Misc, Paper Plates, Paper Towel, Napkins, (2) Empty
Cleaning Dish soap, Swiffer Cleaners, ALL other cleaners (I'm going to have to break this one down into more categories), Tools (scrubbing brushes, sponges, erasers)
Storage Containers, Misc(oven bag, steam bags, cupcake holders, etc), Bags, Wraps, Tin Foil
Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener, Misc (lint roller, Tide Pen, etc)
"Smelly Stuffs" Glade Air Fresheners, Glade Candles, Febreeze Air Fresheners, Febreeze Candles (3)Empty
--- Then on the "flip" side I have my favorite stores.

I figure I can just throw the photo album into my purse and go... (I usually have larger purses) So far, this system seems to be the one that will work. I'm going to give the binder system more test runs w/ all my food products and go from there.

Thank you all for the wonderful tips you've given me with your binder system; I'm going to test them all out!

[kobbermannfarms]

[quote=healthysaver;2393924]

I tried to set up a coupon binders using Case IT double binder early this year but didn't work out. I want to try it again and wanted to ask you some questions.
1. Where do you store printables? They are wider than the baseball card slots. I fold them in half so i can still see the date and picture. I have found thats super important for quick glances.

2. When you browse your coupons, can you see index tab (with mine, it was not wide enough so I had to move the baseball card pages to see the category of the items). Same with mine, but i do have the tabs on. I have mine categorized by the store map....produce, then meat, then dairy, then other refridge items, then frozen. After a while of using it consistantly you will remember about the right area to open up to.

3. Each slot, how many cpns do you put in there? One coupon or different but same category coupons such as all body wash coupons? I was putting 1 coupon per slot and the binder became very heavy and bulky (barely able to close). I put all the same Qs in one spot that are identicle. I also try to put similar ones nex to each other for easy date or dennomination comparison to see whats the best deal. If you have to fold them....always fold so you can see the date and picture all at once from a glance. If i have over 10 of a q, I paperclip the extra over 10 and put it in a basket at home. I put a little smiley sticker in the bottom corner of the spot and this lets me know I have more of that Q. I only use one side and have several pages in each section. TOOO confusing when you use both sides and are putting in and pulling out qs.

4. Where do you store store coupons, rainchecks, or flyers? Do you have different storage for those or in the binder? My case it has a file accordian thing in the front. I usually shop the same 2-3 stores so i have found that so i don't forget about the raincheck I put it in a coupon spot in the correct category with the corresponding q paperclipped to it. I will also sometimes make myself a post-it if its a really good raincheck i don't want to forget and put it up front. My case it also has 2 pockets in back and thats where i keep any adds, etc. I also keep any store coupon books, ie: target or wags in their own section (i used to throw them in the accordian area.....now i give them their own page(s) or i found i was forgetting about them. If i have a matching q i put it behind it so they are together right away. I only keep these store qs that i would actually use if it was a good deal, i don't just keep any and every one.

I also do not keep any coupons that i plan to raok in my binder.....it takes up to much space. I have 2 baskets on my computer shelf for this, as soon as i recieve them from another raok or from my inserts i do a quick sort and put all the ones expiring the current month in 1 basket and all the others in the next. This way i can utilize all the close expiring first. I only put qs in my binder for products my family uses on a regular basis, or qs for an item i would buy if it was a good price with that coupon (ie: clearance or store special).

I also have some of those zipper pouches (i got the completely clear ones from target for 50 cents) and I put them in my wags section (for my rr's) and one in each of my other major sections (fozen, pantry, hygiene, etc). I also sometimes throw my qs for each section in these if i don't have time to put my qs in their "slots" before i hit the stores and will file them later.

I usually pull my qs before going into a store and leave my binder in the car....always seem to have a few kids in tow.

Good luck, just remember that everyone shops differently and no one way is the right way.