[sincerely4me1o0]

I'm doing the binder method, which I love, but my question is the non-insert q's and those just gotta use q's that are so awsome that you want to use even if there is no deal attached. How do you organize them, and know what and where they are? TIA

[majkmom4]

My daughter has a binder and it just seemed so bulky to me, so here's what I did:

1. File box for inserts with a pair of scissors inside. Comes with me in the car on shopping trips in case I need something that I didn't clip.

2. Small accordion coupon organizer. I put my non-inserts in it plus I clip the coupons out of the inserts that I know for sure I will use and put them in it. I have one section in it for free coupons I get from writing to companies, and one for coupons that will expire in the next 2 weeks.

3. When I'm ready to go shopping, I write my shopping list on an envelope and put my coupons inside for each store.

So far this organizational system is working well. The only problem I see is when I get more inserts than will fit in my file box. Only 2 months of inserts in there now.

[atrader12]

That seems like a great idea! However, I can totally see myself leaving to go shopping & for whatever reason I take my husbands truck & I would completely forget the folder in my car. LOL! But, I tried something new & I think it'll work much better for me. I also have a couponizer so after writing my list out, I put all the coupons I was definitely going to use in one of the front pockets. Then I took any coupons that are going to expire in the next 2 weeks and put them into the corresponding sections of the couponizer based off of what type of product it was for. I also grabbed a few coupons from my binder that I thought I might use if I saw a really good deal. Doing it this way helped me stick to my list and also helped me to look for deals for my Q's that will expire soon. I hope this continues to work for me but we shall see

[tiff120686]

I currently use a binder and use full-size page protectors, and I separate the pages of the insert, placing each similar page together - I started using the baseball card holders, but found it to be much more time consuming - this way I can find everything (organized by insert date) when at the store by simply pulling up a coupon database on my phone, and going straight to that insert and clipping the coupons as I need them, or as I plan my trip.

I am currently in the process of creating a system for the shopping trip. I am using a planner organizer, and sewing custom sizes for the coupons - some the size for CRTs, some the size for CVS EBs, some the size for coupons, etc.

I also have a spreadsheet that I made, and am working on it transferring to a page that prints the size of the planner page protectors (it is 5.5 x 8 ish) so I have everything divided by store and organized - before now I was using folders, and coupons would be lost, everything was piled together, I'd pull out the stack for that trip and flip through them, etc. This way I don't touch it until it is needed. I have also made dry-erase pages with a form so I can write down my shopping plans as I find them - I would always write down something I find, and not find it when I created my shopping plans - again all divided by store.

I have a few other ideas for it, but again it is currently a work in process.

[Gemini2]

Hey Simba123, thanks for info about how you organize. I'm a noob & am trying to get my mind/life wrapped around everything. Your explanation helped a lot!
Gemini2

[LinemansWife2003]

I've used a lot of different ways to organize, mostly use a binder now. Thanks!

[donutqueen247]

thanks for the info... will helps me out.

[jenmarie84]

Thank you this was very informative!

[ms_courtney]

Thank you for this! My method has evolved over the years. It's fun to see all the possible methods in one place though.

One thing - the small accordian file is what I use now and I think it works best for my small household. I dont clip everything either...but I've been couponing for a few years, and love it. So I guess I'm not a casual couponer, just a small scale one.

[crazydoglady4life]

Great info for getting started!