Organizing Your "Carry To Store" Coupons

[jamking75]

I use a binder that HAD nice 3 1/2x5 Avery inserts with a space for labeling. Unfortunately, the plastic was getting old and started to tear so I took them out. I could not find those inserts ANYWHERE, so I switched to baseball card-size inserts. Hate, hate, hate them! They are way too small. Well, I just found the Avery inserts on an auction site and bought them--yippie! So happy! The time it will take to relabel and refill my binder will be worth it! I am very happy with the binder version rather than the filing system....tx for reading, let me put this soapbox away!

[clippyclippy]

I don't see the point of using the filing system AND a binder/box, though. IDK-maybe that's just me!
I'm not sure what you mean about using both. For me, it's just one box. No other filing.

I would be worried about trying to stuff sleeves for a binder but I'd be more worried I would tip a box over & have a mess on my hands!
That's why I write the date/insert on each coupon. Although as long as I've been doing it, I've never come close to dropping it. Even if it did drop, the lid is very secure. And even if the lid was off and it fell, I don't think it would be too bad of a mess...the coupons would probably not mix up too much, or fall far from their pocket
I'm still tossed up! LOL And I think I need to learn more about gang cutting-THAT may be what makes my mind up for me!
I don't think you need to worry about gang-cutting. That's mostly related to fraud on the part of stores seeking reimbursement for product they never sold. It usually involved more coupons than the typical shopper would be using. If you are worried about it, and at some point you have more than 5-10 coupons in a single transaction, as you are waiting in line, just rip the corner off of a few, wrinkle them a bit and make sure they aren't stacked neatly or show identical cut markings.
It's not something I ever think about since most of my stores limit like coupons from 2-4 per transaction.

...

[kimandkathess]

I have switched my method back and forth many times. I loved the binder method, but i just don't have the time. I would find myself stapling like pages, cutting and then sorting into categories and then i had to get the coupons to fit pefectly into the little baseball card holders. I just don't have the time for that so I file into a shoe box according to categories. I can't do by date. If i am in the store and i find a deal on hairdye, i want to be able to pull out the hairdye envelope. That is just easier for me. I also see so many people with binders now a days, wasnt like that before. I would rather slip my box into a bag ( i also have a thirty-one bag), so much simpler and more hidden. I will take pictures later.

[RescueMom]

I organize my Qs numerically. That is, each Q gets a number (identical Qs are stapled together), which I write on the Q with a sharpie pen. I then keep track of what number corresponds to what Q using using a spreadsheet. With the spreadsheet, I can sort by Q#, product name, or expiration date. I print out a list to carry with me, sorted alphabetically by product name. So, for example, let's say I need a Colgate Q. I look at my list and see that #s 52, 86, and 108 are all Colgate Qs. I just keep numbering my Qs as I get 'em. By the time I get to 1000, most of the first couple hundred are either used or expired, so I start over at number 1.

I was flipping through this really LONG thread and happened to land on PAGE 151!! I'm so glad I did because I would have never thought of doing this, but Allison, your method makes so much sense to me. I already have all of my coupons entered into an excel spreadsheet (that I bring with me to the store), this is just the next obvious step in filing them (as opposed to alphabetical). Thanks! Exciting that a post can still help someone 4 years later!!!

[QponCutie]

I was flipping through this really LONG thread and happened to land on PAGE 151!! I'm so glad I did because I would have never thought of doing this, but Allison, your method makes so much sense to me. I already have all of my coupons entered into an excel spreadsheet (that I bring with me to the store), this is just the next obvious step in filing them (as opposed to alphabetical). Thanks! Exciting that a post can still help someone 4 years later!!!

Sounds just like the old Ca$h-In program! It's pretty cool to organize them that way, you don't have to flip through them in the store!

[angiefaith]

I am new(er) to couponing . I am getting the hang of it and have been saving a lot of money bulking up on some items . I hit a really good stride ... however now I am in a down slump.

Few quick questions

~ cheapest place to buy binders and any orginizational items in regards to couponing.

~ What do you recommend ? I know everyone has their own style of storing , but my systems are not working currently.
I have tried clipping ALL , and also tried stacking inserts. I find there are advantages to both. I like the thought of always having coupons with me if I find a great sale. I have been getting tired of running back and forth.
The problem is I have SOOO many inserts . I can't imagine clipping and filing them all.

What do you recommend for a large amount of inserts?

Thanks ... hope that made sense!

[shopaddiction666]

Hello , WELCOME :) Couponing can be lots of fun but stressful with some cashiers so make sure you are strong and will not back down to them lol

1) binders can be very expensive , I bought mine from a thrift store and than bought the inserts from Amazon.

2) If you are against Thrift stores , I recommend looking at back to school time that may be the only time they are really on sale.

3) for lg amounts of coupons My binder is a zip up and even has a handle its not bad carrying it around in my car. Remember back before the coupon show coupons were good for so much longer now I notice some expire in a week or 2. Which is totally crazy so you will be switching them out often

Again WELCOME and I hope you enjoy couponing I even do happy dances when I get great deals lol

[Raysha]

My sister started with a box and envelopes, which neither of us liked and she hates the baseball cards sheets it took to long to get them out for her. Now we drag along a 1 1/2 in binder w/ baseball card sheets (I know how to use those so it works ok for me) and two smaller binders that have what look like single photo sheets and dividers with pockets for larger coupons. I'm starting to dislike the smaller binders because they remind me of the envelopes and we have to take the whole stack out just to find one coupon. Unlike the bigger binder that I reorganized to fit me and my sister seems to understand my method of maddness. My mother thinks I'm disorganized only because I willingly do it like that. My sister is learning otherwise. :)
I like to section it off by either store or month (some times both) then sort them by exp date and type (baking, dairy, etc.) and then place them in the binder from beging of the month to the end of it. It makes it easier to know what has expired and what hasn't so that I'm not constantly finding out of date coupons while we are shopping. That has become more of a hassle than when we had just the envelopes.

But the system is still a work in progress and I think I will hit our local Hobby Lobby to see what I can get in their scrapebooking department.

[mississippi_mom]

Wow, I never knew anyone went so far for coupons. Not sure whether to be impressed or scared, lol! I don't think I have the time or organizational skills to manage a complete briefcase, (not to mention five very small children who would impede my efforts!). But I now have some ideas, thanks!!!

Monica S

[Kathyotz62]

I love the briefcase one *Smiles*
Mine is a card file from Staples ; I covered with Duct tape to make it hold up against rain, and helps reinforce edges.

Inside is a thingy you can move front to back to keep your coupons held tight. So if you have just weeded out a ton of expireds you can still move it forward and nothing flops around.

I then got the stuff for the handle at hancock fabrics...Glued it to the bottom so it doesn't get lost. Then I also glued a strap with a buckle around the middle. I can drop that puppy a ton of times and nothing falls out. It also fits perfect in a grocery cart. On the front is a metal lip that rides right on the front...and the back sits right on the edge.

I have been known to have 2 of these running at one time when I have a bunch of coupons.

( Hoping to get better at maneauvering around this site so I can do some trades )