Organizing Your "Carry To Store" Coupons

[KenyaMK]

That looks promising!

I need to look at the site better....but does it have room for a calculator, notepad, sissors?????

How is the latch? It is sturdy?

How is it for holding upright, do the coupons fall out of their sections?????

Thank you!,

Dawn

Originally Posted by PrincessCoupon Dawn - I tried the 4x6 size box. Not big enough for me. Do you know anyone with babies? Try a baby wipe box (I think the Huggies brand is the easiest to use -- the whole top flips open vs Pampers that only has the center flip open. I think I have that right... it has been awhile since I've had to buy wipes.) I used a wipe box for awhile -- it was a good size when I was getting 3-4 extra inserts a week. When I started getting 30+ inserts a week, it became too small. I tried the binder method (for 2 wks) - I didn't like it for the same exact reason you did not like it. At that point, I moved to the Deluxe Coupon File that RefundMakesCents sells. Subscriptions -- scroll down the page to Deluxe Coupon File. I still use that coupon file -- actually I use 2. I have one for "food coupons" and one for "non-food coupons". I usually cut 10-15 of my inserts each week and put the other 15 aside (uncut) for trading. Hope that helps!

[erica007jr]

Originally Posted by Moochiecaw Sorry, this is the one I got. I've been up since 2:30 this morning, and not had alot of caffeine. Anyway, I got it direct from the seller so it wasn't as much as Amazon is listing it for. There is a side section big enough for a small calculator, scissors, and - the manufacturer says - your wallet. Believe me, the sections isn't that big. Amazon.com: Pro Deluxe Coupon Organizer IV: Kitchen & Dining

Wow, that would be like taking the kitchen drawer with you...Lol! I do like the design of this...but may go with a smaller design. As for the complaints of an extra space....hmmm....my husband is handy at fixing things?

[latte]

i started with one of those itty bitty dollar store coupon holders--obviously NOT big enough
used a bunch of ziploc bags----i hated having to go threw 15 ziplocs to find ONE coupon i know i had
used little photo books----qs kept falling out of the top
used a 1 inch binder with page dividers and a hole punched threw the coupon------ evenutally upgraded to baseball card pages, when i was carrying 4 of these it was too much

NOW i have a double sided zippered binder that has 3 inch rings on BOTH sides, zips all the way around both sides, has a handle to carry it by hand, and a shoulder strap----has a couple of mesh pockets on BOTH sides (3 of them)1 a little bigger then a checkbook, one about the size of a credit card, and one right behind the credit card slot that is twice as tall -same width, and a "half pocket" for lack of better word behind the mesh pockets ---big enough to easily hold a 2 pocket folder that is over an inch thick from inserts, has an elastic stretchy thing to hold a pen, AND on the outside is just a 1/2 pocket of sorts---all this is on BOTH sides......this works for me, as even when its fully stuffed it still fits into my backpack (my awesome spiderman backpack )

i wasnt liking the binder method UNTIL i found the one im using now----i use one side for all food items (except baby foods/formulas because in EVERY store that ive ever been in, baby foods/formulas are with diapers and what not) and the other side for non-food items-----i dont experiance qs falling out unless i have a bunch of clipped ones in one of the half pockets on the inside, they never fall out of my baseball card pages

[KenyaMK]

I am trying to visualize this. Do you have any pictures?

Thanks,

Dawn

Originally Posted by latte i started with one of those itty bitty dollar store coupon holders--obviously NOT big enough used a bunch of ziploc bags----i hated having to go threw 15 ziplocs to find ONE coupon i know i had used little photo books----qs kept falling out of the top used a 1 inch binder with page dividers and a hole punched threw the coupon------ evenutally upgraded to baseball card pages, when i was carrying 4 of these it was too much NOW i have a double sided zippered binder that has 3 inch rings on BOTH sides, zips all the way around both sides, has a handle to carry it by hand, and a shoulder strap----has a couple of mesh pockets on BOTH sides (3 of them)1 a little bigger then a checkbook, one about the size of a credit card, and one right behind the credit card slot that is twice as tall -same width, and a "half pocket" for lack of better word behind the mesh pockets ---big enough to easily hold a 2 pocket folder that is over an inch thick from inserts, has an elastic stretchy thing to hold a pen, AND on the outside is just a 1/2 pocket of sorts---all this is on BOTH sides......this works for me, as even when its fully stuffed it still fits into my backpack (my awesome spiderman backpack ) i wasnt liking the binder method UNTIL i found the one im using now----i use one side for all food items (except baby foods/formulas because in EVERY store that ive ever been in, baby foods/formulas are with diapers and what not) and the other side for non-food items-----i dont experiance qs falling out unless i have a bunch of clipped ones in one of the half pockets on the inside, they never fall out of my baseball card pages

[latte]

Originally Posted by KenyaMK I am trying to visualize this. Do you have any pictures? Thanks, Dawn

i wish!!!!! my camera broke on me yesterday:( the ONLY pic i have of it, is where its already open to the pages, with my stupid cat sitting on it

[uummm]

I too have the Coupon Organizer II Limited Edition Case Box - eBay (item 200427609678 end time Jan-19-10 15:01:25 PST) I ordered mine 2 years ago when they were A LOT Cheaper, though they didn't have them advertised as coupon holders mine was 'Best Arts and Crafts organizer' and he no longer sells those (I paid less than $25).
I LOVE IT. When I first started I used 2 of those plastic 12 slot holders. Then I did the baseball card pages along with the photo pages, HATED IT. I gave it a good try too. I hated filing them and I had WAY too many coupons for it too....
I then went to a shoe box with envelopes. I liked the system but the box wasn't the right size. I then went on a quest to find the right sized box....wasted money, then I found someone had taken a picture of the organizer that I have now and I went to his site and looked around and found the craft one that was the same as the "coupon" one it didn't have the spreadsheet or file tabs. I knew I could make my own tabs so I went with the cheaper. It is big to carry and can get heavy but I like how it fits in MOST carts (NOT CVS!!!) I put it on top of my purse and flip the top open and violia good to go.

Only lately have I had the coupons slipping out on one side in the front. And yesterday I fixed it somewhat, I had too many on the other side and it was pushing the entire piece back a bit. I think if I moved one more file into that slot on the side that is slipping that will totally fix the problem.

My friend has the "Couponizer" and she loves it! BUT I don't think she is a hardcore couponer like we tend to be here. She will only get ONE insert (the one delivered to her house) so she doesn't have a ton of coupons. I have seen her thing and it would not work for me but it works for her and her one copy of coupons a week.

[uummm]

Originally Posted by latte i wish!!!!! my camera broke on me yesterday:( the ONLY pic i have of it, is where its already open to the pages, with my stupid cat sitting on it

Just another reason to show it! I like cats!!!!

[Supergirl9801]

I think which ever method you choose depends on how much time you want to invest into organizing your q's. For me...so far anyway, I've found the BEST way is to find a big 3+" thick binder that zips shut (preferrably with a strap, but not totally necessary). MEAD makes a nice one...it's a "five-star". It has a seperate section with a couple pockets that you can even put whole inserts or ads into, and some small zippered sections for pens, calculators, scissors, etc. Use baseball card holders b/c although you might have to fold your q's (i always fold my ip's a little on each end so I can still see the exp. date on one end and the gist of everything else on the other end)...everything fits better without the risk of falling out. I have found this method to be the BEST method for me. It keeps everything totally organized and I can fit 20+inserts worth of q's in it at a time. It's portable, so you're q's are always with you and I filed mine alphabetically so it was always a sinch to find whatever q I was looking for. HOWEVER, this is the MOST time consuming method. Everything must be clipped and filed and sorted and it can take a lot of time. I would do it while watching tv in the evenings. But, when the complaints came in from the family that I was always "couponing" I have recently started looking for another method. That and the fact that I plan to start homeschooling and need some of that extra time to devote to planning lessons, I know am switching methods.

I'm attempting the whole insert method. So far I have a box that is large enough to hold hanging folders and about 12" deep. Definately not something I'd want to cart around the store with me...but I could actually if I had to...it does close shut and has a handle. I'm then putting in 12 hanging folders, one for each month. In each folder will be manilla folders labeled with each week's inserts. As I flip thru the insert when I first get it, I'll keep my eye out for the latest dated coupon and write that on the front. Then I'll know when to chuck what's left of the insert b/c everything will be expired. I'll probablly also start keeping a list somewhere (i am subscribed to a newsletter that gives me an idea of what q's should be in the weekly inserts ahead of time) of the q's in the insert...obviously adjusting the list to my regional differences. So, I'll know at a glance which q's are in that insert..probablly crossing them off if I use them. I probablly will also make the time to at least sort the inserts if I have multiples and put the like pages together to make it easier to clip when I do need them. Hopefully I'll grow used to and like this method too...but it is much different from the other method and I'll have to rely more on the database to find which inserts q's are in and also on hoping people list which inserts to find the q's in when they post scenarios. Of course all of us HCW's are so awesome about that!!

[XUfan]

I've never tried the binder. I just don't think it's something that would work for me. I bought a Sterilite box at the Dollar Tree (the med. sized one in this picture) Sterilite - Storage# Then, I made dividers, with categories of things that I normally buy. This is my "take to the store" box. When I clip the inserts, I put anything I normally buy in this one. It fits in the seat of the cart, and is easy to keep organized...at least for me it is.

As for the other coupons...the ones I trade, and the ones I think I might use, but probably won't...I have a photo storage box, with dividers in it. This box stays at home. I don't get a ton of inserts...maybe 5 to 10, depending on how good they are. It takes me about 2-3 hours to take them apart, clip them, and sort them into the boxes. I can do this while my husband is watching a movie that I'm not interested in...or while I'm watching a football or baseball game.

You just have to find what works for you. It might be a combination of different posts here...but it has to work for you, no matter if you're the only one who does it that way.

[CW&M Mom]

I have 3 different 4x6 picture albums that are thin. One does food, one does a little bit of food and paper products/cleaning products. And the smaller one does just shampoo/hairspray/medication stuff. One is the smaller kind...2 are the bigger so when I open it up I see 4 different sets of coupons at once. The hard part is too find them..since they need to be thin. For me if it's not in my purse...I will forget about it.

I only take by in large what I tend to purchase...the exception will be things I think I might get free or nearly free at Walgreens. I also carry around 3 blue zipper things...typically what you see business store petty cash in or cash/checks that need to be deposited. I then divide those up by stores. So Target/walmart/grocery goes in one. Wags in another and Family Dollar/dollar general in another. they may be full, they may be empty...depending on the week...but if I know I'm going to use a certain coupon at WAGS that week...it gets pulled out, and put in that envelope. I also have a few paper envelopes in there that occasionally have things. For WAGS I keep an envie full of my makeup coupons and another for the smelly stuff (glade, airwick coupons)...so I can pull it out and flip through it quick but not have to seperate it into the coupon holders.

In my coupon holders they typically get divided by individual products or by brand (for instance crest coupons all get lumped together) but the cereal coupons I separate.

Then for my trading I have 2 accordian style folders that are separated by specific products (dairy, bread, baby ect..)...to trade. My sister does this part all for me. She cuts each coupon after putting it in here in the system...and then they get thrown in the accordian folders. Fairly easy for me to find coupons for trades or wishlists. We also have a shoe box that we throw the coupons that we find...or that need to be inputed here...there until we get a chance too.