Organizing Your "Carry To Store" Coupons

[jessicamom#3]

then i have 36 catagories:

rain checks
air freshners
baby
baking
batteries
beauty
beverages
boxed food
can food
cereal
cleaners (fixing to have sub catagories--see *)
*dusting
*floors
*bathroom
*misc
cold food
diary
deoderant
dish detergents
feminine
frozen food
hair (has sub categories-see *)
*shampoo & conditioner
*other hair care products
jar food
laundry
meats
medicine
misc.
Oral care
paper products
plastic products
photo
resturants
shaving
sauces & ect
snacks
soaps & lotions
storage
stores
toothpaste
toothbrushes

I add to mine as needed and create sub catagories as needed. It's easy for me to have so many categories because when I get to a section of the store for say toothpaste, I only have 1 page to look at. Also them being alphabatized helps me. I have an index page so I can do a quick glance to see where to go. I'm OCD...can't help it...LOL!! Other people may HATE this many catagories but I can't imagine any other way.

You will find your knitch...don't worry!!

[isis]

I use the binder method too and I have 20 main catagories, which will be in bold and then a page for each sub-catagory:
Its loosely based on the grocery store layout

BABY CARE: Bath/Body, Diapers, Wipes, Misc Items

BAKERY: Bread/Bagels

BAKING SUPPLIES: CakeMix/Icing, Brownie/Muffin Mix, Biscuit/Pancake Mix/Syrup, Baking Ingredients, Cooking Oils, Sprays, Flour/Sugar

BEVERAGES:Chocolate Mixes, Coffee, Juice, Soda, Sports Drinks, Tea, Water

CANNED GOODS:Microwave Meals, Beans/Chilie, Soups/Gravies, Meat/Seafood, Fruit, Vegetables

CLEANING SUPPLIES: Kitchen, Bathroom, Laundry, Floor Care, General Cleaning
(I did this catagory this way so all like items would be together. This cat I have 2 pages per item)

CONDIMENTS & SPICES:BBQ SAUCE, Ketchup/Mayo/Mustard, Marinades, Peanut Butter/Jelly, Pickles, Salad Dressings, Spices/Extracts, Steak/Worcestershire Sauces

DAIRY: Butter, Cheese1, Cheese2, Coffee Creamer, Dips, Eggs, Sour Cream, Yogurt
(I have 2 pages for cheese, one is for parm, ricotta and other soft cheeses, the other page is for block, sliced, shredded)

DRY GOODS: Boxed Meals, Rice, Pasta, Potatoes, Breakfast Cereals, Oatmeal/Grits, Fish Fry, Packet Mixes

ETHNIC: Asian, Italian, Mexican

FROZEN FOODS: Bread, Ice Cream/Pies, Entrees, Meat/Seafood, Pizza, Fruit/Vegetables, Waffles/Toaster Strudels

GENERAL MERCHANDISE: Air Freshners, Candles, Alum Foil/Plastic Wrap, Food Storage, Paper Towels/Napkins, Tissue, Toiled Paper, Trash Bags, Batteries, Tape/Light Bulbs, Bug Sprays, Picnic/Party Supplies

MEAT & SEAFOOD: Deli Meat, Hot Dogs/Sausages, Other Meat Products (like hormel pork roats, curel ham)

PERSONAL CARE: Body Wash, Deodorant, Face Care, Feminine Hygiene, First Aid, Foot Care, Hair Care, Lotion, Makeup, OTC Meds1 (pain relivers), OTC Meds2 (Cough&Cold), Oral Hygiene, shaving

PRODUCE: Salad Mixes, Salad Toppings

REFRIDGERATED, Other: Biscuits/Sweet Rolls, Cookie Dough, Juice/Milk, Pudding/Jello

SEASONAL: Holiday Items, Ice Cream Cones/Toppings, Sun Protection

SNACKS: Candy/Gum, Chips/Pretzels, Cookies, Granola Bars, Fruit Snacks, Nuts/Popcorn

VITAMINS & NUTRITION: Protein Bars, Shakes, Vitamins

ORGANIC & VEGETARIAN

[Maura]

I use a plastic bin with mailing envelopes in it. In the beginning I had one envelope for each aisle of the store, organized in the order I go when I shop. That's the key for me, since I really only shop one grocery store. But I quickly outgrew it. Whenever an envelope gets too full, I just subdivide it by varous types of items in that aisle, but still keep it ordered to match when I will walk by the items (so, I have one envelope for juice/ethnic/tuperware, but I have 8 envelopes for the various types of HBA stuff in that one aisle).

I do also keep separate envelopes up front that include my pre-planned purchases for that store on that week (eg, 7/20 cvs, 7/27 cvs, 7/20 publix), but I still bring the whole bin with me in case I spot an additional deal I didn't plan for.

[I'mASaver]

LOL! I just re-did my categories today and am getting ready to re-do my organizers tonight. I may take the cake here with, almost embarassed to say, 110 categories. I have two small CD carrying cases with handles that I got at Office Depot. Each one has 72 pockets. When I first labelled them I used low-tack blue painters tape in the hope that I could peel the label off easily and place it somewhere else if I ever had to re-do my categories. They peel off great but won't restick. Now I'm laying out my waxpaper and rows and rows of tape. Then I'll use my rotary cutter to slice through for the perfect size and start labelling.

J's ECB
J's CVS coupons
D's ECB
D's CVS coupons
Misc. CVS
Walgreens/competitor q's
Gift Cards
Frees
WYB
Produce
Cheese
Yogurt
Sour Cream/Cottage Cheese
Butter
Milk
Eggs
Other Dairy
Refrig. Products
Processed/lunch meat
Fresh meat/seafood
Frozen entree's
Frozen Pizza
Frozen Veggies
Ice Cream
Frozen Other
Bread
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Tissues
Food Storage
Foil/Wraps
Trash bags
Plates/Cups
Household cleaners
*Dusting
*maybe something else as this one is FULL of q's
Dish soap
Laundry detergent
Softeners/Dryer sheets
Stain Removers
Air fresheners/Sprays
Air fresheners/plug-ins (another HUGE one)
Condiments/Marinades
Salad Dressing
Oil/Vinegar
Pickles/Olives
Spices/Rubs
Baking Supplies
Mixes/frostings
Packaged/Convenience foods
Canned/dry goods
Canned/packaged meats
Pasta
Spaghetti Sauce
Mexican
Pnut butter/jelly
Cereal
Breakfast bars
Breakfast drinks
Chips
Dips/Salsa
Crackers
Cookies
Popcorn
Nuts
Dried Fruits
Candy
Gum/other
Fruit Cups/Jello
OJ/Fruit Juice
Vegetable Juice
Coffe/Tea
Water
Soda
Other beverages/powdered mixes
Hand/body lotion
Sunscreen
Body wash/soap
Facial Care
Razors/Shaving
Deodorant
Hair Care
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Rinse/floss
Whiteners
Cosmetics
Hair Color
Other Beauty
Aspirin
Head and Body Ache
Other Pain Relief
Allergy
Cold/Flu
Antacid
Sleep Aid
Eye/Ear
Throat
Vitamins/Supplements
Fiber/Laxative/Diet
Feminine
Baby
Dog
Cat
Pest Control
Misc. Household
Restaurant
Senior Misc.
Rebate forms
Rebates Pending

Whew!! Sure hope that helps somebody!!

[imnotsupermom]

I keep a binder with too many categories. I can remember them, though, so it's a great method. As for keeping my "today" coupons straight, I've always put the into separate envelopes by store. I am going to be switching that to a small file folder. I will still take my binder, though, and just leave it in the van. I can't count how many times I've not taken my binder with me, then found a great deal and wished I'd had it.

[teston]

I am new here. I have been using coupons for years and thought I was pretty successful at it until I saw this site. I am very impressed and like the way people are so helpful. I want to take my couponing to a new level, but I am concerned about how much time it will take. I work full time and my life is pretty full, not with small children, but with aging parents and a sick husband.

I've always used the index card box method, but I am trying to look through this site to see if there is a better method. Especially now that I will be clipping coupons that I never thought I might use before.

With the binder method and the baseball card inserts, do you insert only one coupon in each slot?

Thanks for all your help !

Patti

[DamianMom]

In the baseball card holders I put two different coupons, but back to back. So that you can see one on each side. I keep any of the same q's together as well in the same holder. But basically, you just see the front one. Some q's I may have to fold them, but I make sure that they don't fold on the part they need to scan. I also stick q's like tearoffs that are too big in page protectors, but trying to arrange them so I can see them all. The only thing I hate about that is that they easily move around in the page protectors. Well, I HTH! I'm still new myself, but enjoy having the binder to visually see and find q's quickly. I don't cut all my inserts though, so I keep some page protectors with extra inserts in the back (probably will need a seperate binder for that really soon). For each page protector there is one of the on the SS, RP, or P&G with the date written on top of the front cover. Then just put in order so they are easier to find, and extra inserts just go with the matching ones. Again, hope that makes sense and helps!

[us5morts]

Thanks, everyone! You all are a great help!

[latte]

wow! i wish i was as organized as you all are!!! can i hide in someones brain an suck some of the organizational skills out???please!

i have an "odd" method...but it kinda works for me
i have 2 binders......one for food items, one for non food items
food binder
dairy (includes cheese, yogurt and butter)
meats
lunch stuff (peanut butter, lunch meat, jelly, bread and "south beach diet type foods---these are what we eat for lunch so i count them in my lunch catagory)
breakfast (includes cereals, granola bars and fruit snacks)
chips (i put my nut qs in there too)
cookies
meats
candy
sides (such as rice pouches, mac an cheese, pasta)
prepared dinners (hamburger helper, easy prepare dinner things where you only have to add one thing)
desserts
baking stuff
fruits and veggies
condaments (pasta sauce, dips, salsas)
frozen stuff
beverages
*this is a work in progress so its not perfect, but it works
i use a small flip photo album for pets
cat food
cat treats
dog food
dog treats
either cat OR dog
kitty litter
and my non food binder isnt fully set up yet
hair stuff
deodorant
oral care
paper stuffs
makeup
face cleaners
house cleaners
meds


it isnt even remotely close to being well organized, but its organized enough to know where my coupons are!

[osumoose]

Thought I'd share my new coupon organizing method. I've only been couponing for about two months now.

Pics first:






I was looking and looking for 3pocket sleeves, couldn't find any, so I made my own, per my SIL's advice. I took normal sleeves and used my Foodsaver :lol: to make divisions, then slit open the top of each! Works pretty good! I do need to get some better quality sleeves, as mine are mostly $ tree and are flimsy. I found the binder for 50cents at the thrift store, and love it.
I have rebate flyers (Rite-aid and walgreen's) in the front left pocket, weekly store ads in the front right pocket, and my pens, scissors & chapstick :lol: in the zipper.
Front zipper pouch has coupons I'm going to use that day (different envelopes for each store inside)
Second pouch has Redbox codes and paperclips in the front, store envelopes with slots for receipts, etc in each.
Now to my categories (I know, I'm totally anal here)

refrigerated and frozen:
Produce
cheese
yogurt
sour cream/cottage cheese
butter
milk
lunch meat
refrigerated products (creamer, tofu etc)
eggs/other
fresh/frozen meat
frozen entrees
frozen pizza
frozen veggies
ice cream/treats
other frozen

health & beauty:
deodorant
shampoo/conditioner
styling products & color
hand/body lotion
shaving
soap/bodywash
toothbrushes
toothpaste
other teeth
facial care/lotion
feminine
cosmetics
vitamins/supplements
pain relief
first aid
allergy
cold relief
eyes/ears
antacid
fiber/laxative/diet
other

Household:
dishes
laundry detergent
softeners/dryer sheets
stain removal
air freshener-spray
air freshener-plugins
bathroom cleaners
all-purpose cleaners
misc. household (need to add an extra category for floors here)
food storage
foil/wrap
trash bags
paper towels
t.p.
other paper
plates/cups/utensils
dusting

Grocery:
bread
condiments/marinades
dressing
oil/vinegar
pickles/olive
spices/rubs
baking supplies
mixes/frostings
boxed meals
canned goods
pasta/rice
pasta sauce
mexican
cereal
peanut butter/jam
other breakfast
fruit juice
coffee & tea
water
soda
other drinks

Snacks:
chips
crackers
cookies
popcorn/pretzels
nuts/dried fruit
candy
dips/salsa
fruit cups/jello
other snacks

Baby/Kids:(save these for SIL)
diapers
pullups/swim
wipes
baby food
baby body care
baby gear and pic coups

Pets:
cat
dog
both

Misc:
walgreen's q's
rite-aid q's
albertson's q's
fred meyer q's
safeway q's
other store q's
freebies (for free products)
brand coupons (like $1/off any amy's, etc)
gift cards
rebate forms
rain checks (really important! I've gotten a lot of good stuff that was out of stock by doing rain checks!)


In the back there are the "extra" coupon flyers from the paper (I get multiples but only clip one, will clip more as needed)