[erp0620]

I *finally* bought a binder, 10 tab dividers and 30 base ball sheets. I'm very excited!!! My question to you pro's is...how should I label them? I've got 10 dividers, but I can get more. I'm starting to wonder if I should get more baseball sleeves too, LOL. I actually got the binder that CM_ANGEL has in her starter kit she's selling! It's great so far, but I have yet to take it for a spin. It's going to take a while to get the Q's all up in it! So again, tell me your categories, please!!!

[mcdlady1]

i just bought a binder and baseball cards, picture holders and index cards to day with a calculator and little scissors to go in it. Thats my project for tonight.

[tryingtosave23]

I have household, toiletries, cleaning supplies, baby, paper products, frozen, baking supplies, meds, canned, breakfast, grains, snacks... a lot of these could be combined; I just haven't taken the time to do that. HTH

[Sally]

Hi,
I use the binder also. I cut out little blue pieces of paper to slide in each sleeve of the baseball holders, this allows you to use both sides of the sleeve. I have one big page in front of my binders numbered 1 through 22 On that sheet I list what is behind each number such as page # 1 Refund Forms #2 Baby Items #3 Baking items 4. Beverages 6. canned goods etc.
This lets me know behind what number certain coupons are placed. I use index tabs to number the pages. I have LARGE numbers written on each index tab so I can quickly glance at the number on the main sheet then turn to that page with the index tab.

I have used all methods you can think of as I have been a refunder for years and years, the binder method is by far the best I have used to date.

Hope this helps someone.

[mothermayi]

Right now I only use the binder for non-food products.

My catagories:

**dish/laundry-I don't know why, but I like this stuff seperate from the other cleaning stuff
**other cleaning
**hygiene-which is for shaving, deoderant, womens *stuff*, sex *stuff*
**oral care
**skin care-soaps, lotions, makeup...
**hair care
**baby
**med/first aide
**paper/plastic
**misc household

I would like to make a binder for food stuff, but for now I have those in a little accordian thing, and they are all alphabetized.

[ccnt80]

I just recently got my binder organized. Instead of the divider tabs, I used the sticky tabs that you can label at each section. I can take a picture later if I think of it.
I have my categories divided:
Fridge/Freezer
Dry Goods
Beverages
Household
Health/Beauty
Frees or B1G1
Mail in Rebates is a pouch

And I also have a page for stores I shop at often in the front:
Target
CVS
Walmart


I don't know if you have a Target by you, but I printed out the Target Mark Down schedule that is a stickey and put it in there too!

Good luck and do what works for you

[dfed913]

I only have:

Breakfast
Frozen
Bath/Body
Shaving/Dental
Snacks
Sides/Condiments
Beverages
Meds

CVS
Target
Walgreens
Baby

And and envelope for the FREEEEEEES!!!

[triscut]

Thanks everyone- I am getting my binder organized also and these categories are very helpful

[cpnlover]

So many great ideas!

[Anissa]

I am an organization freak and I am always changing things around, but this is how I have my tabs divided:

Walmart Special, Target Specials, Walgreens Specials, Commissary Specials

Cleaning
Beauty
Hygiene
Health
Pet
Household

Groceries:
Dairy
Freezer
Beverages
Snacks
Condiments
Sides
Cans/Jars/Sauces
Baking
Breakfast
Breads
Produce

I try to keep my Grocery section divided by aisle of my grocery store so I can just flip the page when I walk down the aisles.

[dfed913]

Originally Posted by Anissa

I try to keep my Grocery section divided by aisle of my grocery store so I can just flip the page when I walk down the aisles.

One of these days I will remember to write down the order of my aisles while I'm there.

All I remember now is: Produce first - Milk last LOL Everything in between - fuzzy.

this is a great tip...thank you!

[Anissa]

HAHA I do it backwards.. Milk first, produce last. My meats/breads are by the produce and I dont want everything piled onto my breads/produce squishing them.

[dfed913]

Originally Posted by Anissa

HAHA I do it backwards.. Milk first, produce last. My meats/breads are by the produce and I dont want everything piled onto my breads/produce squishing them.

Oh no I do my milk first and bread & produce last too....I was explaining how my store is set up when you walk in - backasswards

AND it annoys me that the eggs are with the milk and juice......they should be by the bread in my opinion...LOL

Because I get the eggs first and same here...always worried they'll be scrambled by the time i get to checkout..LOL

[kirs10a]

My categories are alphabetical:
Baby
Baking
Batteries
Breakfast
Candy
Canned
Cleaning
Dairy
Drinks
Frozen
Laundry
Meat
Medicine
Paper Products
Pasta/Sauce
Produce
Seasonings
Snacks
Toiletries

At the back, I have sections for each store we frequent and receive store coupons for:
CVS
Walgreens
Dick's Sporting Goods
Bergner's
Best Buy
Circuit City
Restaurants

Hope this helps!

[rowie]

Originally Posted by dfed913

One of these days I will remember to write down the order of my aisles while I'm there.

All I remember now is: Produce first - Milk last LOL Everything in between - fuzzy.

this is a great tip...thank you!

some stores might give u a list. (aisles)

[ChelleMorty]

Thanks for all the great tips about the binders. I used to just use an accordian (index card sized) thingy...but they wear out so quickly and I found it difficult to find the coupons I needed in it.
I also got the baseball card sheets. My only question now is....how in the world do you fit your printables in those slots? I am going to have to go through and cut some of mine down a little smaller to even get them into the slots and then...do you fold them or what?
Thanks for any help you can provide in helping me get organized.

[erp0620]

ChelleMorty - I've just started putting Q's in the binder (going back to get more baseball card sheets tomorrow) and the few IP's that I have (from a trade) I had to trim down as thin as I could get w/o losing any of the print. You can fold it or put it on either the middle or bottom row so that you just have to fold it down a little to see what Q is in the slot above it.

[2thbrat]

Where do i get one of these binders and the sheets for inside?

[ChelleMorty]

I got my binder and sheets at Walmart. I just got a Mead binder (on clearance for $5.00) in the isle where the school supplies are. The baseball card sheets were right beside the checkout (cashier). I can't wait to get it all organized!!

Thanks, erp0620!

[chunkymonkeesmommy]

I keep a page in the front of my binder for my soon-to-expire qs that way I can remember to use them before they expire. I also keep a section just for my 'steals & deals' qs that I can use to get things for free (like trial sizes & J&J Buddies bars) They also have the pages at Target, it's $4.99 for 30.

[applerama]

I think I may have to try doing this

[ncgirl2be]

I too use the same dividers and baseball inserts as everyone mentioned. I also have some 4 x 6 photo inserts for larger q's but I am not pleased with how few q's they hold. I also purchased a set of 5 dividers that were folders as well and I use those for recipes I find throughout the store, one is for restaurant menus (we never had them in one place), one is for wishlists and names and addresses of folks I am doing swaps and trains with, etc. Best of luck on your new adventure. Everyone has shared such great advice.