Organizing Your "Carry To Store" Coupons

[pcook67]

I use a small photo box with index card divider labels for the various categories. I never divide up by stores cause there aren't very many close to me.

[kurlisola]

But I spent last night & this morning fine tuning my system. As many of you know, for the last couple of years I do this: Get inserts, record on spreadsheet, break down inserts & put like pages together, file in large 9x11 envelope & date it (4-22V for example). Then file away in a big file box.

One one hand, it has served me well. I don't have mounds of coupons all over the place & dh is very happy.

But it did have a downside. First, the file box was getting too heavy to carry from the house to the van. I figured I could lighten the load by about 75% if I cut out the coupons & discarded all the paper filling around them. Also, I'm a perfectionist. So, as much as I tried not to let it bother me, it was driving me crazy...when I'd cut out a set of coupons & the insert page would be a mess with little bits hanging all over.

Of course, binders were out because I've used them & found them labor intensive & wasted alot of time.

I also didn't like the idea of clipping all the coupons & filing them alpha or by product type; because I'd tried this as well & it was a pita to find something...especially in the "p" s. Plus I'd need a pretty big container to do that.

So, the last few days I've been going over it in my mind & I figured what I needed to do was do what I was doing, except, after getting like pages together; clip the coupons (while watching tv) & staple & file in an envie for that insert & date. Then file the envies in some sort of box. Really just the same as I was doing it before, except clipping the coupons. So I was envisoning a box; about 6" high; about 18-24 wide & about the same depth....with a folding lid (I've seen these before when dh unpacks computers & such...usually the separate box would contain cords & owners manuals & a keyboard). Anyway, as I was shopping at Micheals last night, I was pondering this & what before my eyes should appear?

http://www.cropperhopper.com/index.a...PROD&ProdID=90

So, I figured that was a sign (along with the 40% off coupon I had in my hand:-) & got it. There is a permenant divider down the middle; then there are 8 smaller insertable plastic dividers. I used 2 of those at the back & put my envies, with coupons in sideways (I'll take pictures).

So, I spent last night clipping coupons & making new envies & filing them. The end result? A streamlined carrying container. Its about 70% lighter than the old one (since I clipped the coupons). So I can easily take this to & from my van.

I still have my small accordian, labeled by store, where I put coupons that I need for trips. But I'm hoping this backup storage is my final tweak:-)

[cowcow65]

I just mentioned to DH that I was running out of room for all my filed inserts, and maybe I should cut and file the coupons in an evelope by insert date. This way I could still use the database as a reference. I just cant file by item name. But this I could keep up with.
This file would work out well.

[skyesmom]

Nice job setting it up!

I bought one of the Cropper Hoppers a couple of years ago and it was nice until it didn't get latched properly one day. Picked it up and EVERYTHING fell out. To make it worse, I was in the middle of Albertsons during triples. CH is now a nice paperweight in the closet.

[tracysbeans]

I use 2 things to store my coupons.

1. For the majority of my coupons I use 4.1 U.S GAl Rubbermaid Snap Case. I can normally fit all my unexpired coupons in it. (Shoot I can't find a pick of it online)

2. To take into the store I use a Dollar General material coupon holder I got from an refund offer I did. I love it since it's made out of material and very light weight.

I ALWAYS at all times bring my BIG coupon box with me just in case I come across a good clearance deal.

[kurlisola]

Nice job setting it up!

I bought one of the Cropper Hoppers a couple of years ago and it was nice until it didn't get latched properly one day. Picked it up and EVERYTHING fell out. To make it worse, I was in the middle of Albertsons during triples. CH is now a nice paperweight in the closet.

Ouch! Thanks for the warning. I'm probably not going to bring it into stores with me. I don't like that much attention. But I will be careful carrying it to & from the van. Maybe even get a bungie hook, just to be safe?

[Jusk]

Ouch! Thanks for the warning. I'm probably not going to bring it into stores with me. I don't like that much attention. But I will be careful carrying it to & from the van. Maybe even get a bungie hook, just to be safe?

When I saw the picture I wondered if the bottom would ever open on you. Personally....I would use duct tape and tape the bottom shut. Won't be as pretty but I wouldnt want to chance it. I was also using the keep the insert intact in the manilla envie technique and have recently decided that it was too hard for me to remember while I was in the store if I actually had coupons in the car for something so I have started clipping and filing and carrying all with me. I use a snap case with 3x5 index cards as dividers. I found a great basket that I love that I put the case in and it fits perfectly in the seat of the cart (even at CVS).....It holds my click case, ads, calculator and purse or wallet. As I shop I can throw blinkies in it...I can easily reach in and get to anything and everything I shop with is contained. I will try to take pics tommorrow and post them...........

[backyrat]

I use a 3 ring binder that I already had and got some baseball card plastic storage sheets at wal-mart for a little less than $2 for 10 sheets. I have a section for everything just like I did with my accordian file. I take it in with me to the grocery store, but when I go go CVS, I leave it in the car. I can always grab it if I need to. For going in CVS, I use a cheapo photo album. I have 3 cards, so I put all the coupons together in a page. One page for each card. I also keep a page in the front of the binder where I put all the coupons for that weeks deals at the grocery store.

[naless]

I'm just starting with a system so bear with me as this needs to be tweeked. If you have any suggestions please feel free to share. Okay my system is two part because I can also use expireds and I have a lot of clipped coupons from before I started this system.

I have an expanding file folder that I keep the inserts from the Sunday paper in in date order seperated by months. I keep a print out of a list of coupons in the front so when I am in the store if I see something not on my list I can do a quick scan of the list and pull out the insert and clip the coupon on site.

I have a baby wipe box that I use for expired coupons. I have it seperated by the aisles in the grocery store (because they are the only store that takes expireds) I like it because it is small and easy to carry but big enough to carry plenty of coupons and the lid holds the coupons I am using this visit.

[MillerMommaSHE]

Excellent thread....as a total newbie I have the tiny little accordian thingie. Although last night I purchased a binder and a set of photo pocket protectors and I'll use some of these tips to better organize my filing system!