[healthysaver]

Hi,
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.
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).
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).
4. Where do you store store coupons, rainchecks, or flyers? Do you have different storage for those or in the binder?

I think I may have more questions but can't think right now. Thank you for any advice.

[kobbermannfarms]

[quote=healthysaver;2393924]Hi,
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.

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.


QUOTE]

[CountryFan]

I store print-ables in the same slots as insert Q's. If they are too wide I hold them in half longways.
I don't use a index. Sort and file alphabetical works great for me.
Store Q's, ECB's, RR's are filed in divider sleeves with pockets by store. I also keep a copy of each stores Q policy in the respective area.

[mbchic2004]

I don't use baseball card holders at all, to small and hard to get into. I prefer CD binders

[roseminxe]

I bought the photo inserts at Office depot and they work great there are different shaped sleeves... the baseball sleeves are just too small for me.

[tratra]

I don't use a Case-It binder, but do use large 3-ring binders.

Originally Posted by healthysaver

Hi,
1. Where do you store printables? They are wider than the baseball card slots.

My printer program will let me adjust the size of print. When I'm printing a lot at once, I change my settings and scale my IPs down to 80-85%. This makes them small enough that they can be folded over and slipped right into the baseball card sleeve.

Originally Posted by healthysaver

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 of the same item/amount for one product in one sleeve. If I have different amounts for the same product, I'll put it in the back of that sleeve.
I hear you on the bulky and heavy! I've separated mine out into 3 binders. They don't all go into the store with me; I pull what I need and put those into an envelope with the store on it and those go into a small accordian file that goes into the store with me.

Originally Posted by healthysaver

4. Where do you store store coupons, rainchecks, or flyers? Do you have different storage for those or in the binder?

Store coupons get their own tab by store and all those sleeves are put at the front of one of the binders. Rebates get filed into a small binder. I don't get rainchecks very often. When I do, they get put into the store envelope so that I'll remember to use them.

HTH

[purplerain]

1. Where do you store printables? They are wider than the baseball card slots.
I fold mine in half enough for me to see the expiration date in the baseball slot.
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).
My tabs are color coded by store aisle, but sometimes I have to flip to the table of contents to remind me.
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 used to group my coupons in each aisle by the expiration date first and brand name last, but I like your idea of category coupons
4. Where do you store store coupons, rainchecks, or flyers? Do you have different storage for those or in the binder?
Any large store coupons I plan to use stay in a slot in my binder. They are grouped by the expiration date (especially the CVS printable coupons). My ECB from CVS are located in my plastic pencil carrier paper clipped by expiration date. When I'm ready to use smaller store coupons, such as Target coupons, I fold the store coupon and manufacturer coupon together to cut down hunting each one. For flyers, I usually group those in the order I'm driving (Target, CVS, Publix, etc). I have never received a rain check, but I imagine I would mine in my pencil carrier.

[bennyrn12]

1. Where do you store printables? They are wider than the baseball card slots.
I fold them in half or thirds, usually so the picture is facing out so i dont have to take the coupon out to read what it is
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). I dont have my tabbed yet (its on my massive to do list) but they are all in alphabetical order so that makes it easy enough to figure out where to look for things.
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 as many of one kind as i can in a slot without them all falling out. If i have too many i just put the rest into the slot next door.
4. Where do you store store coupons, rainchecks, or flyers? Do you have different storage for those or in the binder? I have a seperate sheet each for rainchecks, meal coupons, cvs and wags coupons. I keep my target coupons with the manu coupons they match with so I can easily stack them.

Hope that helps!!! It took me forever toget my binder going and its still a challenge to keep up!

[timmsa]

i use a 3 ring binder and the baseball card sleeves. When it comes to the printables, i just fold them over to where the picture of the item is showing.

[Veerahhh]

I found the baseball card holders too small for most of my coupons, so I bought a pack of photo sheets. They are 4 x 6 phots size and a pack of 10 sheets was 2.00 at Wal-Mart. Much more room. I'm new to the coupon saving so wish me luck! Veerahhh

[smhammons]

I fold coupons to fit into the slots. If I can't see the exp date, I write it in an area where I can see it.
If I have multiples of the same coupon, I put them in the same slot with the experation date to expire firstI made my own indexes. I used a post it and tapes to make the tabs so they stick out enough where I can see them. I have my coupons arranged by the store layout.
I got my binder at Office Max. I like it because it has slots for my customer care cards, two slots for pens, a calculator a file folder pocket, and a utility pocket. I keep extra coupons in files folders in the file folder picket and rain checks and retail store coupons in the utility pocket. It even has a pocket for my sizzers.
I like this binder because it has handles making it easy to carry and it is stiffer than a regular binder which makes it set steady when opened on a grocery cart baby seat.
Hope this helps.

[EVR]

My system is very simiar to the other posters. I found photos album pages at Walmart for $2. It is set up for 4x6 photos (3 slots per page). I put an index card in each slot so that I can put a Q in front and one in back. Each page then has 6 slots. The slots are 1 horizontal at top and two vertical on the bottom. The two on the bottom allow for some of the longer Qs to have more space, but I also fold some. HTH