[MamasLooking4aDeal]

I thought since this board was deathly slow to ask how everyone stores their coupons?
I use a binder. Ive been using once since last year cause I was mising out on coupons that I couldnt see unless I went through every single coupon everyday. Wasnt happening. I do like the binder concept. I think its harder for me to get my coupons organized cause it does take time.
I usually cut and put everything in envies by category then i take each envie and put them in the binder that way I'm not going back and forth etc

[jessl]

I have a pretty complicated system

First I sort through my coupons into "keepers" and "train/trade" coupons. Not that I won't use a keeper on a train if its on someones wishlist, more that the train trade ones are ones I definately won't use no matter what.

I have a plastic box - sterilite I think. My husband got it for me at CVS recently I'm using for my train/trade coupons. It has index card dividers for the same categories I have in my binder, plus a special non-insert section and an unsorted section.

I sort them and put them behind the right index card.

Next my keepers. I use the binder method but I've outgrown one binder. I have four
Two for food, one for Health and Beauty, one for pets/baby/household.

So that I don't have a big stack of unfiled coupons, I have another box, similar to my train one that I temporarily put my keeper coupons in. Depending on how caught up I am there could be quite a few in there, or not that many. If there aren't that many I stick some crumpled newspaper behind them to hold them up.

For going to the store I have cancelled check file I keep in my purse with a section for each store.

[sueh]

I need to get more organized. I usually put my coupons in a big box. LOL and then sift them. I also put some coupons in envelopes.
These are not working for me.
Maybe I will try the binder method but for some reason it looks very confusing.

[MamasLooking4aDeal]

Originally Posted by jessl

I have a pretty complicated system

First I sort through my coupons into "keepers" and "train/trade" coupons. Not that I won't use a keeper on a train if its on someones wishlist, more that the train trade ones are ones I definately won't use no matter what.

I have a plastic box - sterilite I think. My husband got it for me at CVS recently I'm using for my train/trade coupons. It has index card dividers for the same categories I have in my binder, plus a special non-insert section and an unsorted section.

I sort them and put them behind the right index card.

Next my keepers. I use the binder method but I've outgrown one binder. I have four
Two for food, one for Health and Beauty, one for pets/baby/household.

So that I don't have a big stack of unfiled coupons, I have another box, similar to my train one that I temporarily put my keeper coupons in. Depending on how caught up I am there could be quite a few in there, or not that many. If there aren't that many I stick some crumpled newspaper behind them to hold them up.

For going to the store I have cancelled check file I keep in my purse with a section for each store.

FOUR! I love it! Now what kind of binder do you use? I need a bigger one but I love all my pockets and sleeves with this one plus it has an accordian file in it

I need a bigger one myself. I dont store cleaning, or H&B cause I dont use those too often as others. I'm kinda burnt out from CVS so I'm living off my HB stockpile

[MamasLooking4aDeal]

Originally Posted by sueh

I need to get more organized. I usually put my coupons in a big box. LOL and then sift them. I also put some coupons in envelopes.
These are not working for me.
Maybe I will try the binder method but for some reason it looks very confusing.

big box would not work with me I found going to the binder was harder.If your just starting out I think it would be easier but when your starting with a stash of coupons,my God its been a project since

[MamasLooking4aDeal]

ya know at first I was thinking about seperating my coupons for trades but its so hard when your behind on your own, I cant get on a train to save my life so I wonder if its worth it, besides we get crapy coupons from the globe who will want them?

[Lfwh]

Originally Posted by MamasLooking4aDeal

ya know at first I was thinking about seperating my coupons for trades but its so hard when your behind on your own, I cant get on a train to save my life so I wonder if its worth it, besides we get crapy coupons from the globe who will want them?

I have a binder. I'm on my third and I only started using a binder last Sept. LOL. I kept outgrowing my other ones. I finally got a Case-it with the handles and strap. Awesome. So much easier to carry than my other binders.

Before that I used to use a plastic accordian file thingie. It worked well for me but I soon out-grew it.

As for organizing, I usualy clip by the insert (2-4 at a time if they're the same) then I spread the clipped ones out on my bed (the biggest surface we have besides the floor LOL) and put them in the binder. It usually takes me a couple of days to get them clipped but for me it relaxes me.

I have found that I like the Globe coupons because believe it or not, they're better than NH inserts. You get more from the Globe. With NH papers you never, never, never, never get coupons like Juicy Juice, Suave, Listerine, Stouffers, to name a few.

[jessl]

Originally Posted by MamasLooking4aDeal

FOUR! I love it! Now what kind of binder do you use? I need a bigger one but I love all my pockets and sleeves with this one plus it has an accordian file in it

I need a bigger one myself. I dont store cleaning, or H&B cause I dont use those too often as others. I'm kinda burnt out from CVS so I'm living off my HB stockpile

I actually tried a case-it binder and hated it. Too bulky. I stand them up on my beurough and the case it just doesn't look neat and I am too lazy to zipper it. I use 3" D-ring binders. One of mine is smaller maybe 1 1/2 or 2 inches. They all have pockets in the front and back.

My husband just bought a couple of them for me at Building 19 for I think $4 each which is really cheap for that size binder. I used them to replace the Case-it and an old baseball card one that the cat had chewed on

[stefani1]

LOL - I Hate the binder method!!! Yet, I don't really have a good one to replace it. I got a binder when I started and was all excited and that died pretty fast!! I don't have time to cut all the coupons exactly to size and put them in the right spot!! I can't be bothered honestly. My system isn't really organized right now, but I need to do something.

I've actually had 2 HUGE auctions auctioning off 90% of my coupons each time in the hopes that I could "start new" and organize better - hasn't happened yet. I don't really have much time to myself with my DS always getting into everything.

I use 2-3 small photo books that fit in my bag. I have one for H&B and 2 for food. When there is a great deal like the Kraft deal - I put Every coupon I have for Kraft stuff in one of the photo books and the other has my every day stuff that I look for. I know I miss stuff, but I'm ok with that for now. I can't get every deal every time - nor does my house need anymore "crap" in it!

I've also stopped buying the paper on Sunday's. I will sometimes get leftover coupons from my mom or I trade for what I need. The paper is too expensive now to get every Sunday and not sure most of them. We don't get good coupons up here so I'd rather trade for the ones I want or even "buy" the ones I really need!
Totally didn't answer your question and went off on a tangent, but Shaws is slow this week and I don't know what to do with myself.

[BrendaS104]

I have a non-zippered binder and I do use the baseball card inserts. Divided into 10 categories. I want to start another one for just HBA and keep the food in one.

[Katlady]

I have a zippered bag with my clipped coupons organized by expiration date that I carry with me. I originally had a box with all kinds of categories, but found it to be too bulky so I never took it to the store. I can't clip all my inserts because I have too many so I have them organized by date in my file cabinet. When I go to the store, I clip what I need for each store and put them in separate envelopes. I've thought about doing the binder, but that would require more time and effort than I want at the moment.

[kristiina418]

I do the same as a lot of you, a zip binder with baseball card holders divided into sections. It works good for me, it is time consuming to organize but I like it. I lock myself in my room with a big glass of wine and turn on adult tv...NO cartoons.

[sueh]

Originally Posted by MamasLooking4aDeal

besides we get crapy coupons from the globe who will want them?

Ain't this the truth. Why can't we get some good coupons.

[Katlady]

I used to think our coupons were crappy (and still hate the $1/3 or $1/12), but lately ours have been pretty good. We got the Marcal frees and $2 (which doubled for free paper towels at Kmart this week), the free Wrigley's gum, etc. So I can't complain too much-Although, we didn't get the $4 Schick this week.

[roygbiv]

Originally Posted by kristiina418

I lock myself in my room with a big glass of wine and turn on adult tv...NO cartoons.

That sounds like a great idea!

I use the case-it with the double rings... food on one side and everything else on the other side. I've had it about a month now (got it free by getting 2 GC using the Rx transfer coupon). I'm not used to how bulky it is yet, but I'll get there. I need to start carrying it with the strap and not in my tote bag... I think that will help.

I organize by category and keep all my frees in the front so I don't miss them and have them expire on me.

[llhomm1065]

I only buy the Sunday Boston Globe for the "good" coupons. They have better savings than the ones that I get in the Cape Cod Times.

I use two of the small coupon accordian type holders which I carry in a separate small tote bag. One is for H&B and the other for food. They really aren't that small when I have all my coupons stored in them but it works for me. I would like a better system. Does anybody use the bigger box that I think is made for coupon storage? I saw it on another site but just wondered if it would be too big.

[Katlady]

I had a coupon caddy box and it was too big for me. Is that what you're talking about?

[daised]

Right now, I'm using two massive check files...30+ categories each, one for Food, one for non-food...though the non-food one has been overflowing lately. I've been looking for something similar but a little more heavy duty. No luck yet. I tried the binder method...I tried using a photo album, but it was too flimsy. Then I tried using some really nice CD holder books, but I made too many categories and couldn't keep up with the filing. That's when I found these really big check files at Ocean State Job Lot for $2.99 each. They're wide enough that I can fit the entire length of an insert if I get lazy while cutting. I match up mutiple inserts and cut several of the same coupons at once too.

I have a smaller check file that I carry with me for weekly shopping. I have the dividers labeled by store and if I have multiple scenarios for a store, I supplement with reused envelopes (I pay bills online, so I save the payment envelopes and such).

As for getting multiple inserts? I do subscribe to the paper Sun-Sat, but I go out on Saturday and buy the "Early Sunday Edition" of my state paper. It's the Saturday paper but it has a portion of the Sunday inserts in it, including the coupons! It's only .75, so definitely cheaper than the Sunday. I usually use them as filler items at Walgreens and CVS so I can use up some RRs, ECBs, etc. There is also a more local paper in my area that has a weekend edition for $1. I sometimes pick that up if there's no other paper available. It has all coupon inserts except for P&G, so it usually works out.

I also started a coupon swap at work, so some co-workers just bring me their uncut inserts because they don't use them.

I was thinking about making up something to help sort while cutting coupons....maybe a large piece of cardboard with all the categories I have so I can pile them up on the board as I cut? Ah well, it's a work in progress.

[Raccyn]

I use 3 different systems. First, I don't cut out any coupons out of the Sunday supplements. I just date the whole insert(s) and file them in hanging folder in a file cabinet. The hanging folder tab is dated as well and all are inserted in the folder on the left. This way, I don't have to mess with tabbing 1/5 cut or 1/3 cut filing tabs. I also can easily find any coupon I want by searching the coupon database or coupon matchups and going right to the coupons in the dated folder I need. Then I just cut out what I need for the current week's shopping list and return them to their file.

Next, I put the clipped coupons in a small coupon file that fits in my purse along with my shopping list and off I go to the store. I also may cut out extra coupons that I use regularly and keep them with me in my purse just in case I have to run to the store in a pinch.

Third, I use the binder method for not only my loose coupons such as blinkies but also for when I am planning a big trip such as Kmart doubles or I am going to a store that I'm unfamiliar with. I also use the binder for clearance deals at WAGS or whatnot when I find a sale like that going on. The binder contains things that I may or maynot ever buy but the coupons are to good to forget about. In my binder I have two zippered pen/pencil bags. I put all of my store cards, ecb's and whatnot in one and in the other I put all the coupons that I pull out of my binder during my trip that I am going to use at the register. I file my coupons in my binder in 3x5 photo sleeves. (Much easier for me than baseball card sleeves) There are four pockets in each one. I put 3 x 5 index cards in them so I can use both sides. I have A-Z dividers that divide my sleeves into catagories. I typed up the catagories such as A=Beverages, B=Snacks and so forth. The list or index of catagories is in the front of my binder in a sheet protector. I also keep store policies and my shopping lists in sheet protectors as well. The back of my binder has several pockets that I use to put blinkies and any other coupons I find while shopping so that I can file them later. In the front of the binder there are pockets where I will keep store flyers. And last but not least, it contains a pen and a calculator just in case I need it. :-)

[mom1198]

I start by filing my inserts by date, and put each month in manilla folders in my file cabinet. I will clip out any must have coupons asap for things like dog food, milk, yogurt, things on my need list. If I have time I pull out ones I will not ever use to put n my giveaway folder.

Then after 3 mos I start going through to toss expireds and clip the rest to file in my binder or put in my giveaway folder.

I use a Case-it binder with the zipper, shoulder strap & handle, it is great because I can carry it anywhere easily.
I use bball & photo inserts and sort by the layout in Shaw's. (i have dividers for each section)
In the front I have a 3 section photo page: 1-pulled coupons to use that trip, 2- while shopping I put coupons here as I select items 3- any I do not end up using & need to be refiled. I use a full page clear holder for my list, and then I tally up my $$ with a dry erase marker, check off items etc.

I also use some of the full page clear holders in the back of the binder to put in older inserts and date them. Like the P&G I put there.

[ctsunshine]

I used to use a little accordian file, quickly outgrew it and went to a binder last summer. I started with a 2" or so 3 ring binder and then at start-of-school clearance got a great blue zippered 3 ring binder with the velcro flap on the front with several plastic pockets underneath. I also like the zippered pouch inside--I put my Big Y coins in there (for you Big Y shoppers!). I really really love my binder and try monthly to make sure everything is filed and expireds removed. I also put near expireds that I don't want to forget about at the front in their own sleeve. I often just shove the P&G inserts in one of the pockets in the velcro part rather than clipping and filing, since I use those sporadically.

I ONLY clip q's from the paper that I really know I'll use. Then I keep the inserts organized chronologically.

HTH!

[MamasLooking4aDeal]

Thanks everyone! I have been inspired and picked up some new ideas!

[MamasLooking4aDeal]

Originally Posted by ctsunshine

I used to use a little accordian file, quickly outgrew it and went to a binder last summer. I started with a 2" or so 3 ring binder and then at start-of-school clearance got a great blue zippered 3 ring binder with the velcro flap on the front with several plastic pockets underneath. I also like the zippered pouch inside--I put my Big Y coins in there (for you Big Y shoppers!). I really really love my binder and try monthly to make sure everything is filed and expireds removed. I also put near expireds that I don't want to forget about at the front in their own sleeve. I often just shove the P&G inserts in one of the pockets in the velcro part rather than clipping and filing, since I use those sporadically.

I ONLY clip q's from the paper that I really know I'll use. Then I keep the inserts organized chronologically.

HTH!

I had a friend when I worked in worcester that talks about these coins, i mean this was pre-coupon days for me and I never understood them!

[Couponclipper003]

Thanks for posting... I can't add much to this since I am still trying to find out how to organize my own...but I did enjoy reading everyone's responses.... Thanks for a great question!

[mommymentality]

I use one of the 2 ring Case it binders as well.. with the shoulder strap... it comes in VERY handy... I keep unclipped inserts and store fliers in the pocket on the left, I don't have any coupons on that side right now, on the left side I have dividers with baseball card sheets that I keep my coupons in (Ive discovered almost all of my coupons so far will fit in there if trimmed carefully - gives me something to do when my daughter is napping)... I'm still getting started so right now I only use 2 of the dividers, one for food and one for other stuff, using one sheet per type of product... though I'm starting to outgrow this so will be moving to using a divider for each type of product very soon.

I try to check the fliers before I go shopping... Especially Shaw's since thats where I do most of my shopping... I check out what rewards deals there are listed for things we use, and write out my shopping list around that... then I check my coupon binder and mark down a star next to any that I have coupons for (along with how many of that product I will need to buy to satisfy my coupons) I keep the coupons I pick at that time, attached to my shopping list with a paper clip and keep it stored in the little zipper pouch on the front of my binder... when we go shopping I take the Binder and my daughter holds it in the cart in case we come across anything we remember last minute or didn't see advertised that we know we need and have a coupon for, so we can grab that and make it available for the checkout..

Seems to be working for us so far I started out with a cancelled check folder with 13 tabs and that worked for a little while but I outgrew it within a month LOL