[amcess721]

What works for you and why to you prefer one type of organization over another?

I went to Staples today and got a 2 inch case it binder to try out... didn't want to go TOO big in case it's too much for me ... so I'll start small I guess.

I've got my sleeves ready to fill and I'm just curious what way people prefer to organize and why?

Thanks!

[karenvallone]

I actually use both. I have a binder for my FSOT that I alphabatize and the ones that are for my personal use are by categories. That just seems to work for me.

[ice queen]

I'm still really new to this. But for me categories are working so far...

[couponmama62]

I have mine in categories and alphabetized as well.

[coupons4cancer]

categories work well if you take to the store - Then you have all Qs for one category in one area - then alphabetize within that category -

I hardly use coupons at the store - Just get donated by local newspapers and send to people in return for donation to AMER CANCER SOC so I keep in the original insert till people ask for them then use an ALPHABETICAL LIST that tells me what insert the coupons are in - As I clip apart an insert I DO have envelopes in purely alphabetical order for the remaining coupons. Right now they are in three showboxes. Use old no 10 envelopes that are from old mail for this so no cost - Jusst the marker for labelling the env. I do that on the flap that stands up (where the env glue is. Business reply envs that have not been sent back work WELL if you pay bills online. I then match up ALSO each week when I see the upcoming sales and notify some people who get coupons on a regular basis about the coupons in advance. (Most of them are NOT in trade groups so I do the legwork re sales and matchups for them).

I see that you just joined in MARCH - GOOD LUCK if you are a new couponer. Hope that you save a lot.

Linda

[amcess721]

Originally Posted by coupons4cancer

I see that you just joined in MARCH - GOOD LUCK if you are a new couponer. Hope that you save a lot.

Linda

Thanks for the warm welcome I am new to coupons and boy, it started out like another full time job, but I'm getting the hang of it now I think and am able to pick out what we'll use and I am seeing some great savings!

[mom-armywife4life]

Welcome to AFC!

I used to catergorize, but now that I'm on the binder system, I alphabetize and it works great for me. It goes a lot faster for me because I flip right to that letter and only have maybe a few pages to scan through to find the Q...before I A-Z cat. my HBA sec. was soooo huge that it took me forever in the store to find what I needed even though I broke it down in to sub. cat. within the HBA. I also have sections in the back that have special cats. for stores (Target, CVS, Wags), Restaurants, etc. and that helps keep things a little more organized and less chaotic. HTH!

[Couponclipper003]

I use the binder and I categorize... I am still relatively new to 'the binder' so I may change down the road but for now this is working great! I just upgraded from a 2' Case-It to a 3' Case-it. Seems to zip a little easier

[dmyersquin]

I started out as a random couponer with a little file box with categories in it. But I got tired of flipping through the whole category looking for a certain coupon. Then I heard about the binder method and tried it out with a binder (not zippered) I already had. Then I got a zippered binder and love it. I have some categories in the front for health and beauty, but the food items are all alphabetical by brand. That's just how my brain thinks. I know some people say they couldn't do an alphabetical one, their mind thinks in categories. But now I have another binder. It's a small plastic one with a stretchy band around it. It's legal envelope size. I have each slot labeled with a store I shop at. When I look at the flyer or read about the deals on here, I pull those coupons and put them in the right store slot. Then I just grab that small binder and take in to the store. If I see a good deal I didn't know about, I run out to the car and get it.
I also have the same type for restaurant coupons. I have them by alphabetical order.

[jackie1097]

Originally Posted by amcess721

Thanks for the warm welcome I am new to coupons and boy, it started out like another full time job, but I'm getting the hang of it now I think and am able to pick out what we'll use and I am seeing some great savings!

I can second that about this being like a full time job. I started couponing a month and a half ago and I'm finally getting the hang of it as well. I started with one accordion file and now, I've got two (one for coupons I use and one for my trades). I tell you, I'm going to have to upgrade soon. I'm not sure how I would organize a binder or even if I want a binder. But, I do file alphabetically and by expiration date. I cannot do categories AND I keep an excel spreadsheet so I can just glance without going through the actual coupons. A lot of work though. But, it keeps me busy.

[Alexdur85]

I was debating this same thing earlier.. Some days I need it in catigories..some days I need it alphabetized..

[linz152]

My coupons are organized in my binder by category. Within each category they are sorted according to expiration date. So those expiring soonest are on top and they go back like that. My categories are pretty broken down (deodorant, feminine, hair, make-up, etc are all their own categories for instance). So if I'm standing in front of the deodorant in a store I pull all the coupons out of that category pocket and flip through them.

It works for me. I think you have to do what makes the most sense to you though. I've been at this for awhile and have tried lots of different methods. This is just what makes the most sense to my mind.

[mysweetiepie]

i use categories but then have sub categories for different areas