Organizing Your "Carry To Store" Coupons

[lynn4840]

There are two stickies in this forum that give great tips and ideas on how others organize their coupons. I think most people use the "binder" method either keeping the whole insert and writing the date on it, or clipping all coupons and categorizing them using baseball card holders.

HTH

Can u link me to this? I'm new and trying to start my set up. I was shopping in PUblix yesterday and the lady in front of me saved like $130 dollars, she paid only $12 for her items.

I was in awe! I asked her where in the world do you get all those coupons and how do you keep them organized? She said she doesn't, her son does it for her. I looked over to him, he looked about 16ish and he smiled very proudly and showed me his binder. I was so very impressed and commended him on this in helping his mom out. She works two jobs.

That really motivated me into trying to do this. There are 6 of us in out household.

Thanks,
Lynn

[Kulis]

I found several varieties of Case-It binders on clearance at Target this morning. Prices varied, but all were under $5. They were located in the seasonal school supply section that's being replaced by the seasonal Halloween section.

[bugweena]

I also found the case it dual binder on clearance at Kroger for $5 (was 19.99)

[joelster87]

Thanks for all the pictures.

[everprincess]

I'm having a problem and I need some advice. I'm currently working out of 5" binder. It is full and the center ring doesn't want to close properly. Should I go to two binders? I just have so many coupons and I want to carry everything with me so I'm ready to buy clearance stuff and such. I'm going to have to work on this tonight so any advice you can give will be appreciated.

[djblack07]

i am VERY new at all of this and it is quickly becoming frustrating so any and all help will be greatly appreciated! -

i attended a 'coupon class' so i understand it and i know it can work but where i am getting stuck is in organizing my coupons in a way that i can manage... i have looked at the threads with pics and i thought i found one i liked but not so sure it is gonna work or maybe i didn't understand completely.

could some of you list your categories of how you have your coupons organized?

thanks a bunch! i am determined to figure this out so any tips/advice is very welcome.

[PurrMinn]

Hello and welcome to HCW!

I use a 3-ring binder with the clear baseball card holder inserts in it to organize my coupons. I somewhat have categories, but I mostly organize them by the way the grocery stores I shop at are set up. For example, I usually enter the store through the door near the produce section, so that is first. Then I have all the other food coupons in the order they are generally in the store, then next I have the cleaning supplies/paper products/etc, then HBA, then pet supplies, then miscellaneous & store specific coupons. Here is a list of the basic "categories" I have (some coupons don't really fit any category, so I put them with other products they are near in the stores):

Produce/condiments/cooking supplies
Soup/pasta/boxed/canned foods
Beverages
Snack foods/gum/mints
Cereal/breakfast foods
Dairy/refrigerated
Meat/frozen
Paper products/food storage
Air fresheners/cleaning supplies
Laundry/dishwashing
Face products
Hair products
Body wash/lotion
Shaving/deodorant
Eye care
Toothbrushes/paste/floss/etc
Baby products
Sunscreen/bug spray
First aid products
OTC/supplements/vitamins/pain relievers
Feminine care
Pet supplies
Misc/store specific/restaurant

Really, the best way to organize your Qs is whatever way you're the most comfortable with and as you go along, you'll figure out what works for you and what doesn't. I know it can be overwhelming at first, but the frustration is definitely worth it in the long run. Hope this helps a little!

[maryannehoben]

Hi -
I'm new at this as well, but I thought that organizing my coupons like the database on this site might be a good way to go - here are their categories:

air freshener
alcohol
arts & crafts
automotive
baby/children
baked goods
beverages
books & magazines
breakfast
butcher
candy
canned/jarred/pouch items
cleaning supplies
clothing
condiments
cooking & baking
dairy
deli
diet & nutrition
dining
DVDs & video games
feminine hygiene
frozen
grains/pasta/side dishes
health & beauty
household
office supplies
organic/natural
other
pet care
pharmacy
produce
refridgerated
seasonal
snacks
tobacco

I think these categories cover just about everything and you may not use some of them at all - I know I won't - but it gives you a good starting point.

[gngcrzy4u2]

I actually have 3 binders- not all that I always take to the store- depends where i go as to which binder i take. I JUST started doing it this way bc I also had a HUGE 4 inch binder with my toddler & newborn- i just couldnt carry all of it all the time and find everything by dates. my one binder is stricly STORE COUPONS (I have MASSIVE amounts of publix coupons!). This usually doesnt go with me- if i'm going to the store to use a store coupon i usually pre-pull it. My second binder is MEDS, PERSONAL CARE (toothpaste, tp, etc)- this mainly goes to walgreens/cvs. The other is PETS/BABY/KID/BEVERAGES/FROZEN/REFRIDG/MISC FOOD/SNACKS & cANDY. that goes with my almost everywhere- except wags/cvs LOL. dont usually buy food there. if i'm going there specifically for food i pre-pull the q's.

[penegar4]

Old fashion I guess, LOL. I still use the old coupon plastic 13 pocket organizer. The reason I choose this is, I bought the clear ones with different colors on top. It took a little time but started with cutting the top off evelopes & placed in each pocket. Then small pink one for female products, body care, etc. Large pink one for dry foods, snack, drinks, etc. Large blue for frozen & cold items. Small blue one resturant deals, oil changes, clothing store coupons, etc. (take this one only when needed lol) Small green for paper products, cleaning supplies, misc., etc. Large green one for meds, bandages, all medical items. One of my patients made me a beautiful bag that carries all these and every store hates see me come in LOL!