[founder]

I'm still a newbie at q-ing. I was having a thought about the best way to keep q's in order...I carry (everywhere) a binder w/ qs that I know is on sale somewhere...I print alot and cut from about 8 papers aweek. I noticed on the store match up lists on AFC that they tell you where to retrieve the coupons from RP, SS and so on...my question is, instead of cutting all the q's from the paper on the weekend...should I use my computer to log in what coupons are in the RP and SS inserts.and then just file the whole insert away by date? Do you professionals do it that way??!! that way when I see the sale coming and look for the match ups, I can just go to my folder and then cut what I need? And what about printing from all the .coms? Ive just been going through the pages and printing what I "think" I want....would it be better for me to "select all" and print the whole page? (as many times as I can!!??) then file them away too? I'm sure there is a way to be totally orginized at this ...just not sure of the best way. I know I cant carry every q w/ me at all times so...whats the right way?

[bellasmama]

I keep all of my "discards", cut and in a large filing box organized by product family (frozen, medicine, baby, ect...) that way I have them ready if needed or to trade. JMHO

[ikeranya]

Originally Posted by founder

I noticed on the store match up lists on AFC that they tell you where to retrieve the coupons from RP, SS and so on...my question is, instead of cutting all the q's from the paper on the weekend...should I use my computer to log in what coupons are in the RP and SS inserts.and then just file the whole insert away by date? Do you professionals do it that way??!! that way when I see the sale coming and look for the match ups, I can just go to my folder and then cut what I need? And what about printing from all the .coms? Ive just been going through the pages and printing what I "think" I want....would it be better for me to "select all" and print the whole page? (as many times as I can!!??) then file them away too?

I had the same question tonight. Thanks for posting it. I have the clipped qs organized in envelopes, for now, but I was unable to properly share a deal bc I didn't have the reference for the date.

How do you know, after a couple of weeks, where a q came from?

Thanks.

[roadrunner_12348166]

keep coupons together get them out by date , thats the way i do it. i buy 10 papers get the coupons out then go page by page and match up the coupons, so instead of having 10 different sets i only have one. 1 thick one.that way i can cut all ten together instead of one by one

[stefani1]

You'll probably get tons of answers on this. I think it's really just what works for you. I find the binder method with the baseball card holders just too time consuming for me. I don't have time to cut them all. It all depends if you want to carry around EVERY coupon with you ALL the time or not. I don't really care if I miss a deal here and there. If it's something AMAZING, I'll just go home and get the coupon and go back the same day..... I'm babbling... anyway - I have a LARGE accordian that I keep uncut inserts in. I go through them when I first get them and cut things out the I know I use on a regular basis. I then have 3 little photo books that I use (they are small enough that they all fit in my purse). I have one for food - one for health and beaty and one for baby stuff. If I know of a crazy sale at my grocery store I find all the coupons in the inserts or on the sites online and get them all ready and into my photo binder for that deal. It works for me. I have a 2 year old and a 3 month old. I can't sit around with a big ol binder because it just wouldn't work. I need something small that I can just get to what I need quick. I can just put the inserts into the month that they come in in the accordian folder and I'm done!

Now some people just can't miss a deal AT ALL!!! They must have ALL their coupons with them at all times. Then my system wouldn't work for them. I have also heard of people just ripping the pages of the inserts so they are individual sheets and putting them in a binder by date and when you need a coupon you have it right there and just cut it! (hope that made sense). It seems to save time as your not cutting everything!! You could maybe rip 1 set so you could see all the fronts and backs and then put the other 7 sets in a sheet protector after it so you'll be able to locate what you need??

I'm not down with the listing of the coupons because again I think it takes too much time. Taylortown has previews of what's in the inserts and if yours matches the preview than maybe you could just print it. Mine never does, so it wouldn't work for me. Hope I gave you something that helped!!

Oh and some people use boxes too - I'm not sure about that one because you still have to clip everything. You'll find something that works for you and It may be a little of everyone's suggestions! Good luck and happy savings!!!

[founder]

thanks much for your ideas. i can see where storing the whole insert(minus what I really know I will get) and refer back to them when I "see" a deal would be easier than trying to carry every q printed! I like your way of small holders for each catagory...i might think about doing that too. Thanks again.

[edgymama]

I have a binder but it's a thin one with built in clear pages....anyway i put dividers for the product families...I only cut and keep coupons of things I would actually want since lots of coupons I just have no interest in! I toss the rest (I should prob start swapping as I am sure others would appreciate the ones I toss but it just seems they all expire so dang quick these days!).