[erinstrickland]

I just set up my binder and have to say while it was time consuming it was well worth it. The hardest part was trying to figure out what would work for me. I'm sure it will be a work in progress but for now I have a Case it Z style binder. Its like 2 1.5 inch binders in one. One side holds my food in alphabetical order by brand the other is non food organized by category. It's working well so far. I had a bunch of envelopes for food organized by category and found I wouldn't remember what category I put certain items in.

BTW Great post to help newbies start with their binder!

[nvjend]

Thank you this was very helpful!

[linnatu]

were you in my house? I set up the same notebook. LOL

[motherofcoupons]

I have 2 binders. One for Food Coupons, one for non-food coupons. Together they weigh in at 11.4lbs. I choose to organize them alphabetically by manufacturer as listed on the coupon. I have ocd and have found this way works best for me. I can see the drawbacks and the pluses to all plans though, so way to go all!

[OnyxRDragon]

Thank you for the information! Whoever posted about putting the coupon policy and the store coupons in the binder, also thank you! Never even thought about that!

[motherofcoupons]

Originally Posted by OnyxRDragon

Thank you for the information! Whoever posted about putting the coupon policy and the store coupons in the binder, also thank you! Never even thought about that!

It definitely comes in handy for when you get a cashier that doesn't know, or a CSM that doesn't know, just remember to always be polite and gentle when making your corrections. It's not what you say but how you say it and they are more willing to work with you on future deals/discounts if you don't treat them like crap today.

[OnyxRDragon]

I quite dislike treating people poorly, so I always try to be as courteous as possible, or at least I hope I am. I worked as a cashier for awhile and would feel bad if I suddenly treated one poorly. I actually usually feel bad for making the cashiers have to scan my coupons sometimes

[2save4us]

I have been using my binder for 3 years. While it is time consuming, it is well worth it! Organization for me is key!

[brieclark]

Great breakdown!

[motherofcoupons]

It is very well worth it. For example, when I went to the store with my mom the other day, I saved $52.50. For a minimum wage job, take-home pay is about that much per day, so a few hours of work translated to a day's pay, not bad at all.

And I don't like treating people poorly either as I dont want my kids to think that it's acceptable in any way. One of my biggest pet peeves (having been a cashier at Walmart on front lines and in the Pharmacy) are those customers that refuse to get off their cell phones while checking out, so as a shopper I strive to never let that happen unless it's an absolute emergency like a phone call from a doctor. I just dont see what is so important that it can't afford you a few minutes to be courteous to people.

I love my binders and I've only been couponing since April! I view them as a source of pride that I'm helping my husband (the job holder) stretch every single dollar that comes into this house as far as it can go.

[vanklema]

I actually have two binders, one I take into the store with Q's I'm going to use in it (or might use in the future) and the other binder stays at my computer and is my FSOT (for sale or trade) binder. It is organized categorically, while the one I take into the store is alphabetical. I find that having a FSOT binder eliminates the need for a coupon tracking spreadsheet.

[motherofcoupons]

I actually don't feel the need for a spreadsheet myself, and I'm pretty good on the FSOT front, and have sent several AFC envies off this week and am joining a train. I think all that matters is that you adopt an interesting plan/strategy and then adapt it to what your personal needs/wants are and then go from there. The possibilities are endless really!

[Anna_guitreau]

Originally Posted by OnyxRDragon

Thank you for the information! Whoever posted about putting the coupon policy and the store coupons in the binder, also thank you! Never even thought about that!

Where would you find the policy for each store online?

[snarry83]

Thank you so much for the grommet idea, I have a 1 year old that I have to carry and this will make it so much easier to carry my binder and purse.

[joyful224]

Like so many others, I'm new to couponing, as well as in a financially difficult place. I'm reading everything I can find on beginning before I attempt shopping. Does anyone know of another couponer in my area? My sister and I would love getting together and sharing info. We live north of Phila. in Doylestown and Chalfont, Pa.

Thanks for the help

[thriftysb]

thanks for the binder tips! right now, I just use a small accordian file. I don't have enough space to break up the categories, so it takes me forever to sift through to find something when I see an unexpected sale at the store. definitely will be working on my binder!

[motherofcoupons]

Originally Posted by thriftysb

thanks for the binder tips! right now, I just use a small accordian file. I don't have enough space to break up the categories, so it takes me forever to sift through to find something when I see an unexpected sale at the store. definitely will be working on my binder!

A great tip if you are on a tight budget and can't afford the average $10 pricetage for a zipup binder (I recommend this especially if you have kids so you don't end up with Jr. accidentally dropping all your Q's out of the binder), try to stretch what you have for a little bit longer until the back to school sales kick in when you'll probably be able to get them on sale for a cheap amount!

[thriftysb]

Great idea! I can hold out for another month or so

[mzinkan]

Originally Posted by motherofcoupons

I have 2 binders. One for Food Coupons, one for non-food coupons. Together they weigh in at 11.4lbs. I choose to organize them alphabetically by manufacturer as listed on the coupon. I have ocd and have found this way works best for me. I can see the drawbacks and the pluses to all plans though, so way to go all!

Great idea! I'll have to try this!

[joyful224]

What a bunch of good ideas. Thanks, I can't wait tp begin.

[happydorkgirl]

I'm wrapping up my second week of couponing and, thus far, a small accordion filer is all I've needed. I don't seem to need the amount of coupons everyone else does, though; I have so many allergies and need to be brand-specific on most things, while my parents are VERY brand specific and won't buy any item in a different brand regardless of coupon!

Maybe I'll need to upgrade as I get further into couponing. I'm doing a lot of trades now; I may need to organize those! I never thought of keeping the coupon guidelines with me. I should probably do that too.

[motherofcoupons]

Originally Posted by happydorkgirl

I'm wrapping up my second week of couponing and, thus far, a small accordion filer is all I've needed. I don't seem to need the amount of coupons everyone else does, though; I have so many allergies and need to be brand-specific on most things, while my parents are VERY brand specific and won't buy any item in a different brand regardless of coupon!

Maybe I'll need to upgrade as I get further into couponing. I'm doing a lot of trades now; I may need to organize those! I never thought of keeping the coupon guidelines with me. I should probably do that too.

At first all I needed was a small accordion file. Then I got too many coupons and started keeping them unclipped and filed that way. As I got too many again I finally graduated to the binder method. If you have a lot of allergies and are determined to stay brand specific, then you might or might not evolve into a binder. For others, it's the only way to go as if I saw a sale in a store and wanted to check for a specific coupon, I could beat an accordion filer hands down in most cases, I say in most because as you start to get a lot, it's easier to lose track of them in an accordion file. Whichever you choose, just have fun with it and gl!

[joyful224]

iT'S amazing how many of us are in the same boat. Relatively new to such a level of
couponing. I'm having such a great time. Thanks to everyone for for their generosity & help.
Joyce

[motherofcoupons]

I'm only 2months old in the ways of the couponer...but it's so fun that I can't help it. I actually was interested before the show came out and made it explode.

[jlugo1125]

I found your info very useful!! Thanks so much