[Mickow]

For those of you who stockpile, how do you organize your stacks of the same coupon. I am trying to put together a binder, but if I put a stack (about 10 of each coupon) in its own pocket in the baseball sheet, I am going to need a lot of sheets, which I am willing to do if it will make it easier, but I just feel like I have a lot of different coupons per category.

Help!

EDIT: Thanks to everyone for all the great ideas, check out my finished product!:

http://www.afullcup.com/forums/coupo...ml#post2292046

[rebeccalynne15]

i just got a real coupon binder a couple of weeks ago(i was using a cd binder ) and i have it in 2 sections 1st for food 2nd for everything else . i put all of the same coupons(like 10 herbal essence coupons go in one slot, then 10 dove shamppoo goes in another i don't put only 1 coupon in each slot or i would never fit all my coupons in the binder) in one slot an i do it in groups , all razors shave gel etc, then all cleaning supplies, all shampoo cond. , all makeup, etc.

[Ms Coo P'on]

My binder has over 50 sleeves, I use both sides and it's pretty organized. I try to keep my binder updated with the brands that I know I will use, not every single coupon. I keep a lot of coupons in a filing system my husband created at home {he's a bigger coupon shopper that I am}. Like rebeccalynne15 I have several categories.

[michaelsgirl1210]

I've grown to a 4 inch binder (oh they grow so quickly!), and now I have a box with my extras. The box has envelopes lined up in the same order as the pages in my binder so I know right where to look for extras since it's hard to get more than 15 of a kind in a pocket (a lot of people at my job give me their coupons). I leave the box in my car, so if I run out in the binder, I can run out to the car and grab more.

[Lynda1811]

Finding the best way to organize your coupons is going to be by trial and error.

I started with one binder and am now using 2. However I do file by insert, when I have a large quanity. Like ordering 40 extra inserts is a pain to cut sort and insert in the binder.

Mostly I try to put the hot couopns in the binder and coupons that I know that I use on a regular basis, in the front so they are easier to find.

Then when I plan my shopping trips, I write a list of what is needed, go through my ads, and check afc for all the stores that I shop, just in case I miss something.

If I see someone found a good deal on something, I pull the coupons and put in an envelope, so that way I can be on the look out for it as well.

I check the coupon data base and look for coupons, current and expired (I can use them up to three months expired) and printables to match up with my list.

I try to get as much as I can for free or really cheap to stock up on. I think right now I have deoderant for 2 years and shampoo also. So thoes coupons are not that important to me to clip and sort.

Using the binder is wonderful, especially if you come across clearance items, or unadvertised sales. But can be a pain in the up keep. Try to plan on cleaning it out once a month.

I put coupons for the same product in one slot, if the coupons won't fit, I fold it, or if it's the card board ones from a package and will not fit, then I put it in the pocket of the tab divider.

I don't know how many pages I have in my binders. But, be carefull not to over fill the pockets as they can split.

Good luck,
Lynda

[shop2much]

I love my coupon binder but I am having issues where to put the IP coupons, they are so much bigger. Right now I have the baseball card protectors and that is working for the multiples from the newspapers.

[Jeannemc]

you can also mix in some photo holders. I picked up a pack at walmart and had to trim the side and put new holes in but it holds IP's great.

[Lynda1811]

Originally Posted by shop2much

I love my coupon binder but I am having issues where to put the IP coupons, they are so much bigger. Right now I have the baseball card protectors and that is working for the multiples from the newspapers.

Some will use photo holders or cd holders.

I personally fold it in threes, to where the important info is viewable through the plastic.

HTH
Lynda

[Mickow]

I've decided to clip 4x of each coupon for my binder, but keep an archive of the duplicates so I can refer to them for good deals.

I have a 2" case it, and it is already full, I'll just wait and see if it is big enough

Thanks for all the great tips!

[DonnaA]

I am always a work in progress.

I have a binder that is a work in progress and a small rubbermaide tote with a handle that has envelopes in it. I also have 2 hanging file bins that hold all the inserts. I put in a manila file folder to label each week so its easier to find the week I need.

The bin with the envelopes I have detailed out by more than just the dairy, frozen, heath and beauty, grocery departments. I divide out to by yogourts, cheese, or whatever I have a lot of for that area.

I try to make a list and cut the ones I NEED or Free and put in a pencil case type holder that I cary into each individual store. I am now doing envelopes in the pencil case, and right on the envelopes with a pencil (so i can erease and reuse them), to divide out the coupons more to the section of the store to find the products I want.

This works for me right now especially with two little kids.

[VintageTink]

I use more slots ill put some in a few different ones unless i just have an insane amount of one coupon then they go in a envie in the front tabbed section

[BeckyScott]

I am having the same problem, pretty much.

I have a binder and I like the way it's set up.

But lately I have come into many uncut inserts and I'm not sure what to do about it. Originally I had clipped 3-4 of the stuff I knew I'd use. But like today (and I knew this was going to happen) I was at the store and they had clearanced some Celestial Seasonings, which of course I had $1 q's for. I had 5 with me, by fluke. But I had many more q's at home and would have cleared it out if I would have had them with me. Realistically, I can't run home and back to the store quickly, maybe the next day but by then it'll be gone, it's not that it's far away but I'm just over-scheduled.

I am tempted to take my box of inserts and stick them in the car trunk when I head out to go shopping, just in case, in a pinch I could run out there and leave DH with the cart. Is that the best solution, really? How do the heavy-hitters do it? I don't really want a 4-inch binder, mine is a 2" I think... gosh... more inserts? One binder for my already-cut regular q's and also carry a second one of uncut just in case?

I would cut all of what I wanted and stick them all in there, but seriously. A couple weeks ago I ended up with over 80 matching inserts. Even if I did cut them, I don't think I'd need to carry 80 q's of the things I wanted. How do you even decide how many to stick in the binder?

[fredysmama]

For the IP's I rip the dividers on the baseball card holders so one fits through a whole row...I like seeing the whole thing or else I might forget about it...I only rip the dividers in the middle or bottom row, because if I do it on the top the q's fall out...also in my case it binder I carry a small accordian file with the q's that I probably wont use and don't want them cluttering my binder...when I go out I shove it in a pocket in the binder just in case...but thats just non-food items...I have a basket of just food q's at home, and I have no idea what to do with these

[Jaime]

I hole punch the complete insert and sort by date. I find it easier to me than cutting all of the Q's and I search the coupon database for any that I need. This does mean that I don' carry them around anymore though b/c I have so many inserts and 3 binders so it's way too heavy.

[Barbara34]

Originally Posted by shop2much

I love my coupon binder but I am having issues where to put the IP coupons, they are so much bigger. Right now I have the baseball card protectors and that is working for the multiples from the newspapers.

I use baseball card protectors also. When I put the IPs in, I put the printing side in the bottom or middle slot. When I get a smaller size coupon, I then put it in the same slot, covering up the printing. That leaves the picture side sticking out so I can recognize the coupon.

For instance, I have some Bayer IPs and they're in the pocket printing first, head out. I also have smaller insert sized coupons for the same product sticking on top of the printing. Saves space.

This takes up two holders, but also holds two coupons. Don't like to fold my coupons. Sometimes those magazine ones are so big they take up all three slots - grrr!

[Lynda1811]

Originally Posted by JaimeDae

I hole punch the complete insert and sort by date. I find it easier to me than cutting all of the Q's and I search the coupon database for any that I need. This does mean that I don' carry them around anymore though b/c I have so many inserts and 3 binders so it's way too heavy.

How do you hole punch the whole insert with out punching through the info on the coupon? Like the date or bar code? Some of the coupons are so close together that I have to cut each one individual, instead of stacking them and cutting 5 together.

Lynda

[puterperfect814]

I have a photo album that I organized them into. It works out ok for me . I put each group of 1 item together lik hba and try 2 keep the like items in the same section of the album. hth

[puterperfect814]

I have a basket of food coupons too. I have since put them into a mini plastic file carrier its the size of a paper back book so if Im heading to grocery store it comes with me. hth

[jenjenholley]

i have a bunch of johnson johnson first aid trial size ( you know the little white plastic containers) and i use the empty ones to keep qs on hand

i have them labled for food and hb i clip for a specific store run or the q's i know i'll need and if i'm going out to the store i just grab the box i need and go their nice and small but sturdy so they wont pop open or scrunch my qs up

i still have a binder and also file my qs but i like these for quick dashes out the door