[apopkin]

Hi, I'm really new to couponing. I really want to be able to do it. I just read a post on how to start. I'm now on the step of organizing your coupons. Could you guys share your different ways that you organize your coupons. I wanna get an idea, and then try for myself to see what works for me. I've tried to do coupons in the past, but I don't think I really stuck with it because just to save 50 cents, it seemed a lot of work to clip, and store and then remember to use them. But perhaps if I can come across a simple method of collecting coupons, I'll use them more, and get addicted like many of you. Thank you for sharing.

[bjhuds]

First of all, Welcome to AFC! I am fairly new to this myself. The best advice I can give you is to read as much as you can on this site. There is so much information on the Getting Started and AFC 101 threads, you will learn a lot from that. Ask any questions you have, no matter what, and someone will be glad to answer them for you. Also, there are scheduled chats for newbies all through the week, check these out, they are fun and very informative. There are also threads that suggest ways to organize your coupons, everyone is different so one way may not be the best for you so just check out all these threads. I will answer any questions I can, although I may have to ask someone else, . You will really enjoy it here and meet some great people and most of all if you just read, read, read you will learn more than any other way. Sorry this is so long, just trying to help if I can. Again Welcome to AFC, we're so happy to have you here.

[stefani1]

Welcome to AFC. I'm sure everyone will have some advise for you. There are soooooo many different ways of organizing and it's really just a matter of finding what works for you. Many people do the binder method - but I personally hate it. It's a great tool so that you have all your coupons right in front of you and won't miss anything, but the set up and upkeep for that is just too much for me. I keep my inserts in tact for the most part and just write the date on the front so it's easy for me to see it. When there is a great deal - I use the coupon database to see where the coupon came from and then I'll cut it. I have 3 little photo books that I use to hold my "key" coupons. I keep 1 -3 of them in my bag all the time with everyday things that I use or would like to get if I saw a great sale on them. The other one is usually for specific deals that I know are coming up and don't want to miss. It works for me - I'm not bringing in a HUGE binder to every store, I don't have to cut every coupon out and try and fit it in little baseball card holders every week, and I can easily look up and find the coupon and it's not a big mess. I keep the inserts in a large accordian file thing that closes and is neat. Now, there are people that get hundreds of inserts a week (I'm not one of them) and they obviously couldn't do this.

Just remember, I thought the same way you did - what's $.50 when you have to clip them and all that stuff ----- but - you will be AMAZED at all the stuff you can get for free or cheap with these things. If you hit a deal right with the right coupon, you'll get it free and then become like most of us that won't pay anything for that product again. For example - I won't EVER pay for toothpaste again!!!!! I have shampoo, conditioner, deoderant, and so many other daily items that I won't pay for anymore.

Read up and ask whatever questions you may have. People here are REALLY nice and helpful!!!

[butterflybeck1980]

Hello & welcome!! I just started couponing & joined this site a month ago. And I love this site, it gives me so much advice. I use to hate grocery shopping but now I am always pumped to go. The main reason I started couponing, is because I saw & heard how other people were doing it & saving money. Now I'm working on my stockpile. But anyways, I use the binder method. It is much easier for me. I have the baseball card pages & dividers. I file them by category (dairy, meats, snacks, beverages, hair etc,,)
When I get the inserts out of the sunday paper, I cut all of the coupons out. I put the ones I will use in the binder. For the ones I dont want I put in a big envelope, so I can trade them between the 2 coupon trains I am on.
Like they said above, the best advice, is to read, read & read everything on this site.
GOOD LUCK!!

[Cadnil]

The binder works for me, although it is time consuming. I do the work while I watch TV. Often there's a cat in my lap, but she doesn't mind if I sort q's on her back.

My basic plan is:
1) cut out coupons
2) sort into "keep" and "trade" piles
3) "trade" goes in a big envelope
4) sort "keep" into "food" and "nonfood"
5) further sort and file the q's

Step 5 is where I get stuck. I just keep at it, though, because it is saving me $$$ to do this.

[apopkin]

Thank you for all your welcomes and ideas. I think I will try one method first and then the other, and see what works. I really hope I can keep it up this time. It's so wonderful hearing other people saving so much money, and I want in, I guess it's just going to take some time for me to get right. Wish me luck.