[vramondenc]

I started couponing about a month ago. First week I only got one Sunday Paper, then I started getting two... the first three weeks I was silly enough to clip ALL the coupons, thinking "oh, well, if I don't really use product XYZ but it becomes FREE or nearly FREE due to a sale, I can always get it and donate it"...

SUMMARY... I have a TON of coupons and cannot find a way to organize them properly!! I need HELP!!

I was using a small accordion-type coupon holder and placing labeled envelopes inside (food/HBA/Baby, etc) but now I have WAY too many.

This week I decided NOT to clip my two SS and RP and just clip the coupons I would need immediately, keeping the rest of the inserts unclipped and filed per date. This works for deals that I plan in advance since AFC shopping lists always include a reference to the proper SS or RP, but I just fear not knowing which coupons I actually have and missing a "surprise sale" when I'm let's say at Target and I spot a clearance deal.

HOW DO YOU GUYS DO IT???

[nattsgirl]

Well, I only get about 2 papers each sunday, so that helps narrow it down, I DO cut all them, and try to file them RIGHT away (sometimes I get behind) I file them in a binder... So its bigger than your accordion file. I would say if you want to stick with the file, to do as you are, and only clip the necessary ones, until you need a certain coupon. That way you don't get over stressed or behind.

Remember to pace yourself... Couponing can be overwhelming.

Good luck!

[hotmama111]

This is my filing system. I know it looks crazy but I have multiple inserts and I know where everything is. Course I do need to go thru my expireds LOL. But it is so much less time consuming to just get them by insert date than to have them all clipped--but that is just my deal.

You could just make a mental note of what you have already clipped or type them up somewhere in alphabetical order, or even put them in baseball card type plastic binder holders until they expire. That is prob the best way to do it for now. Also remember that there are tons of people on here who trade for expireds.

HTH.

[beckybac]

I use a binder method.i have all my Qs organized in alphabetical order according to manufacturer.Its so easy to find the Qs when i see a deal for lets say Dove shampoo,i just look under D for dove and i will be able to see if i have any Qs for the shampoo or not!!

[vramondenc]

Thanks to everyone for the replies!

Originally Posted by beckybac

I use a binder method.i have all my Qs organized in alphabetical order according to manufacturer.Its so easy to find the Qs when i see a deal for lets say Dove shampoo,i just look under D for dove and i will be able to see if i have any Qs for the shampoo or not!!

Do you have a single binder or do you use one for food and one for non-food items?? Do you use the baseball card holders??

I think I may mix the binder and the accordion methods... keep the binder for things I would buy only if FREE/VERY CHEAP (to keep in the car) and the accordion for items I'm always ISO or have a "plan" (to take with me in the store). Gotta figure out if I want to keep clipping everything or just make a list of what is in each insert and file them without clipping... so many decisions!! LOL

[nattsgirl]

I have a binder, and the baseball cards as well. Makes it much more easier.

[beckybac]

Originally Posted by vramondenc

Thanks to everyone for the replies!



Do you have a single binder or do you use one for food and one for non-food items?? Do you use the baseball card holders??

I think I may mix the binder and the accordion methods... keep the binder for things I would buy only if FREE/VERY CHEAP (to keep in the car) and the accordion for items I'm always ISO or have a "plan" (to take with me in the store). Gotta figure out if I want to keep clipping everything or just make a list of what is in each insert and file them without clipping... so many decisions!! LOL

I have 1 binder with the baseball card holders for it all!!

Here is the method that works for me:

I store all my Qs in a binder........ i do cut all the Qs, you can never tell when something you don't usually use will be free or almost free, like you said you can donate or enjoy for yourself something you would not be able to get a full price.

When i make my list to go to the store i pull the Qs i need from my binder and place them in my accordion file ,so thats all i take into the store with me.

The hardest part for me is cleaning out all the expired Qs,which i try to do every 1-2 months.

[mlb1985]

Yep I have tried it ALL, I was Afraid OF the Binder at first BUT its Soooo much easier For ME because I have to SEE what I have at a Glance.
Also YOu can Get Photo album Refils As well as Baseball card Inserts So you dont have to Fold Many q's.
I need to Get a 2nd Binder up and Going Now, My Caseit Is FULL .

I also Use the ABC method, Tried categories BUT it was harder to sort Q's Because Some items Went into 2 Categories. So I plan on Making One Binder For Food Only and the other is gonna be For Non food Stuff.

But really it is whatever works For you!
HTH

[jessl]

I get lots of inserts but now I only clip a couple sets each week. For the ones I clip I cut them all. I divide into two piles - those I might use and those I definately wont.

The ones I know I wont use go in my train box. I have a box with index card dividers by category. When doing train envelopes I start with those. (Sometimes I can do a whole wishlist envie from them but if not I at least start there so I don't have to part with as many of the ones I might use)

For the ones I clip but am keeping I just switched from 4 binders to 2 boxes. One is for food and one is non-food. I got the boxes like these: 4 Best Bargains Home Page My binders were just taking up way too much time.

To organize a big pile of coupons I start by sorting into major categories - food, pet, houshold, etc. Then I break down each pile further until it is in the categories to match my box. This helps break the task up a bit.

The inserts I don't clip are either in boxes or envelopes depending on how many I have. If I need something I use the database here on AFC to figure out what insert it is in. I also use these inserts for trading. Any trades or trains I get in get filed in my boxes as described above.

I don't bring my coupon boxes to the store with me. I have a small checkbook file in my purse. As I plan a shopping trip I put them in there, or if there are some I know I will use (like frees or coupons that make something free or very cheap even when not on sale) I keep them in there too.

[LinzluvsGJ]

Okay, so I'm not the most organized, and I'm switching soon to a binder for the things I absolutely would use if the price was right while shopping so I can see them faster.

I currently clip ALL the coupons and seperate them by category. The ones I pretty much am likely to not ever use (pet food unless it is free w/o purchase in which I'd pick it up and donate, medication we don't take, adult diapers and such) I seperate into a ziploc bag that I set aside. Then I sort and file the remaining coupons into two different accordians. One binder is my "master" accordian that includes the coupons I would use if the right sale came up, the other is the one that I am for sure going to use during a particular shopping trip to make it easier to get them out w/o digging through the others. I take the "master" with me in case I see something I might have a coupon for to make it the right price, but I don't have to dig through all of those unless I do, I can just get the ones I am for sure using out of the trip accordian.

[beckybac]

I forgot to add:

When i clip my Qs i sort them alphabetically at the same time.........usually taking up the dining room table
Then its much easier to insert into the binder.

Good luck with whichever method you use!!

[vramondenc]

Thanks so much

I think I'll empty one of my old college binders I (still!) have taking room in my storage closet don't think I'll be needing those notes anyway!! (they are from grad-school, I'm not THAT bad), and see how it goes with the binder method...

Jessl -- Those boxes look awesome!! I may invest in one if I see the binder is not for me

I REALLY need to organize my clutter... seeing all those envies with coupons all over my dining table is making me itchy!!

[kategriffin18]

I completely clip one of each insert, then assign each insert a letter (ex. this week's red plum was A) and then on each red plum coupon I put an A. I put those Q's into my binder...that way I have a visual of every coupon I have without clipping them all. SO, if I see in my binder that I have a soft soap Q from insert C, I go to my C insert and clip out all the soft soap Q's.

[Aniyah]

Go to You Tube...if you are a visual person and type in coupon organizer and you will get several that are really helpful...hope that is a help to you!
Blessings,
Aniyah

[vramondenc]

Thanks to all for your help

I got the Target baseball card holders and recycled an old binder I had at home. My Q's look SO much organized now I'm doing the alphabetic method and so far so good

I decided to put in an envie those Q's that there is NO WAY I'll be using, to keep them for the trains or FSOT, and in my small coupon holder I'm keeping store-specific coupons and match-ups for store coupons (like Target). I have slots for Target, Kroger, CVS and Walgreens since those are the stores where I shop more often.

I guess at some point I'll get more card holders for some of the brands I really like and would like to have better organized!

The only "con" I see on the card holders is that I have to fold the Q's and that takes a bit of time... but oh well, you cannot have everything! LOL

[southrngirlygrl]

Originally Posted by Aniyah

Go to You Tube...if you are a visual person and type in coupon organizer and you will get several that are really helpful...hope that is a help to you!
Blessings,
Aniyah

I did this yesterday. My desk is a MESS right now and I'm not liking it. I hate putting my arm down and finding a Q stuck to it when I go to move. LOL It's driving me insane. Hopefully I'll have it fixed by the end of the weekend.

[Grad_Student_Mommy]

Where do you get all of your inserts!?!?! Do you buy that many papers each week? I can only manage to get a hold of two or three of each insert!

[jsokol3]

I am in the same situation right now. I usually throw away the coupons I don't want, but now I am standing in a pile of papers all over the floor and have no Idea what to do with time

[Pepsilady405]

Originally Posted by mlb1985

Yep I have tried it ALL, I was Afraid OF the Binder at first BUT its Soooo much easier For ME because I have to SEE what I have at a Glance.
Also YOu can Get Photo album Refils As well as Baseball card Inserts So you dont have to Fold Many q's.
I need to Get a 2nd Binder up and Going Now, My Caseit Is FULL .

I also Use the ABC method, Tried categories BUT it was harder to sort Q's Because Some items Went into 2 Categories. So I plan on Making One Binder For Food Only and the other is gonna be For Non food Stuff.

But really it is whatever works For you!
HTH

Part of this is totally off subject, but mlb I am so voting for you for best signature next month! LOVEEEEEE that siggie!! hilarious!!!


On to the coupon topic, I use a binder and a two pocket folder in the back.. I try to clip all coupons in case there is a deal and I get something I wouldn't normally get. However, I keep three full inserts in the back in case I come across a deal and in my zippered thingy in my binder I keep a small pair of scissors.

HTH

[Adrienne1010]

To those who use binders in alphabetical order...do you use one page per letter? What happens when you have to shift everything? Or do you just add a page?

[Minta]

When I started using coupons again I was using a small accodian folder but quickly out grew that. I like several others use a 3 ring binder with dividers and use the baseball card sleeves to hold my coupons. It makes it a lot easier and I am saving even more money now as I am able to quickly flip through my coupons and clearly see what I have. No more lost coupons.

[fredysmama]

I do a mix-I use my binder for all the coupons I will use, or even think I will use, and I use the small accordian file to file away all the ones I will use for trains or trades or give away, I take both to the store(my binder has pockets to put it in) because sometimes I will find something free that I could give away (DH calls it just being greedy ) with a q that I thought I wouldnt use =)