Organizing Your "Carry To Store" Coupons

[temroy2]

I put my binder together this evening. I don't have enough coupons to warrant using my zippered Case It binder (currenlty it's housing my story-writing supplies), but I'm not sure I like how the tabs are sticking out from the binder. Unfortunately, the only way to have tabs that aren't shorter than the photo pages is to have them sticking out. My categories are rather basic right now and may or may not branch out if I get more Qs. We shall see. But I'm going to the store tomorrow and I wanted to have my stuff ready to find. I may not stick with this method. Someone posted a really cool-looking index card file I may switch to. It's a bit pricey, but it's cool-looking (which, of course, is the most important <wink>), sturdy (it's metal on the outside) and less conspicuous than the binder. We'll see.

[bowenmomx2]

I use a 3" zippered 3-ring notebook. I have index dividers for Baking, Beverage, Bread, Canned, Cereal, etc. I also use sheet protectors for baseball cards. This has worked very good for me so far. Inside my notebook (trapper keeper) is a place to keep my grocery list, and pen handy. I love this method.

[AmyK]

Does anyone use a CD case? I saw some at Walmart that had spaces for four CDs per page, eight including front and back. I thought it'd be better than using the photo album I have been using, since that only holds four front and back. But it's also bigger than my album. I thought about getting it, but saw the price and backed away, not sure if it would be worth it.

[Tomekayf]

I second the photo sharing thing. Please!! My envelopes in a large ziploc is not conducive to what I am trying to achieve. It is quite time consuming and counter productive. I look forward to seeing your ideas that I might incorporate them into my life.
:hectic1:

[Bestbirths]

Can someone point me to a thread that has the headings for the dividers for the coupons, like produce, meat, shavers, batteries, etc? I am making a file system in a shoe box and going to get dividers today.

Thank you.

[purplefdu]

Most people make their own based on how they feel comfortable dividing things.Some people have alot, some only have a few. Some do it by the aisles of their favorite store. You might have to try a couple times before you find what works for you.

[bowenmomx2]

Bestbirths: I have my organizer labeled with Baking, Beverage, Canned, Cereal, Cleaning, Condiments, Dairy, Deodorant, Feminine, Frozen, Hair, Laundry, Meat, Over the Counter, Paper & Plastic, Pasta & Rice, Salad Dressing, Soap, Snacks, Store Coupons

I think that is all. But just add in anything you like.

[ErinKerbs]

Since I am very new to couponing, I am using the coupon organizer from Financial Peace University. It included these labels: Breads/Cereals, Pasta/Rice, Meat/Fish, Canned Foods, Beverages, Desserts, Paper Products, Personal Products, Toiletries, Pet Products, Dry Cleaning, Music, Breakfast Foods, Dairy, Frozen Foods, Baking, Snacks, Cleaning Supplies, Food Storage, Cosmetics, Health Care, Baby Products, Auto, Restaurants, Gift Certificates, and Miscellaneous. I think some of these labels are silly, such as the music one, and have made up a few of my own instead of miscellaneous, but this system is working okay for now.

[ajmccranie]

I'm just starting. I found a plastic binder at Wal Mart. It is 8 1/2 X 11 size. Half of each page has a pocket while behind the pocket is a place for full sheet. It's perfect for putting the clipped coupons in the small pocket and unclipped coupons in the space behing. It wouldn't work for some of you that are using 5 inch binders but for me just starting out it has been a great organizational tool without feeling overwhelmed.

[jjbovee]

I too just started couponing and have a great teacher (my SIL who I blame my obsession for now..LOL) Anyway, we both use 3 ring binders and baseball card pages. She has a big zipper binder, but i found a plastic binder at a local super market for $1 and 10pgs for $1 (yay) at first i didn't have many coupons, but now after 4 weeks they have really added up (which still amazes me b/c i have used sooooo many already) I ended up getting another binder so now i have 2, one for food and one for all other products. They are organized alphabetically by brand (ie. general mills, huggies, pampers, yopliat, ect.) It makes it really easy to find a coupon quickly and i can see all of them at a glance. it seems genius to me!

jenn