Tips: Organizing / Storing Your At Home Coupons / Inserts, Etc.

[bexx09]

It was so easy in the beginning, when I was only dealing with 1 or 2 inserts and some blinkies. Now it's just out of control. But I really like all your suggestions!

I think I need to get myself a file where I can keep everything. That's definitely something I can do today.

Then I'll just start working backwards and clip what I know I'll use and not worry about the rest. Luckily, I only have three week's worth, but I have multiples of each... plus I have been grabbing peelies right and left from a local store that suddenly went coupon-happy.

If I can get to a point where I at least know where everything is, I think I'll be happy with that. :)

[pennywatcher]

I tried leaving my inserts all unclipped, but that didn't work for me. Once I started getting multiple inserts, clipping them all didn't work either from both a time and space consideration. So now I have a hybrid system.

I have the big index card box that goes into the store with me, and I have a portable file box that generally stays home. I buy 2-4 papers on Sunday. Those coupons get clipped and filed in the index card box. It's extremely rare that I ever need more than 1-4 coupons for an unexpected purchase.

Any other inserts I get after that get filed (without clipping) in the file box (e.g. under "01-07 V1"). If a great sale comes up, and I need multiple coupons, I'll pull them out of the file box and clip them.

I'm moving from the index card box to a binder once the page inserts I ordered arrive. Once I do that, I think the index card box will be used as a temporary sorting area. I'll make up dividers that correspond to each binder page. I'll sort my pile of clipped coupons into the index card box. It's quick and easy to slide coupons in behind the dividers of the index card box (one handed, even). Once the big pile is presorted into the index card box, I will take each little pile out of the index card box and sort it into the pockets on the appropriate page of the binder. It is an extra step, but I think I'll be happier doing it that way than flipping back and forth in the binder to file things.

I agree with BzyBee. Get "caught up" with this week's inserts and move on from there.

[kurlisola]

Originally Posted by Tiffany I agree and I don't clip all my coupons at once like I used to. If I do clip them I will sort each page into a separate stack and then cut.

Good point Tiff. Although I do not clip, I DO break down the inserts and put like pages together (and then file away in a dated manilla envelope). That way, when I do have to clip multiples, I have them at my fingertips & only have to make a couple cuts. I break them down while watching tv:-)

Don't forget your scissors if you are bringing the coupons to the store with you...I had a special pair, just for the van, but the kids lost it.

[kurlisola]

Did anyone save "my system rocks" thread from dagg? I thought someone saved it & asked if I wanted it put here...But I don't think it ever happened.

Quickly, here's what I do:
1) Keep notebook by computer. Jot deals as I find them & necessary coupons

2) Go through ad's, make a list of deals in my notebook.

3) Go through inserts & enter coupon info in my spreadsheet. Don't bother entering coupons I'll never use...like dog food coupons or serenity or denture coupons...or even really lousy coupons. If a deal comes up, I can always check the database here.

4) Break down inserts & put like pages together. File in my black box. Quick note on this. Most coupons are unused...so if I get, say 20 inserts, I'll break them down & put like pages together...BUT, I'll only keep 20 of the pages with the coupons I know I'll use...the rest, I only keep 4 pages of each. I file the extras in a plastic bin (again, by date). This way, my primary coupon holder doesn't get to the point of overflowing.

5) Go through deal notebook & shopping list & pull out & clip coupons.

6) File clipped coupons in a pocket according, arranged by STORE. This way all coupons are already sorted.

7) Have a small rubbermaid shoe box that I file clipped coupons that weren't used, or traded coupons or blinkies & catalinas & such.

[bexx09]

Wow kurlisola! That is some system! I'm impressed. :) I've attempted to be as organized, but so far it isn't working for me. Lol... I'm going to keep trying though!

So for those of you who staple your coupons -- Is it easier to keep track of coupons this way? I've received some trades where the coupons came stapled together, but then do you carry a staple remover with you or just ruin your manicure? ;)

I may just have to start stapling. At least the little bundles would stay together that way.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Whatever system you use you just have to make some time for it.

Back away from Hot Coupon World (did I just say that?), put the kids down for a nap or send them outside to play...turn on Dr. Phill and get to work.

I did 2 hours worth of organizing and clipping myself this afternoon. Still have more to do tonight or tomarow. But really that is my method, to just make the time to work at it.

[kurlisola]

bexx, I have to tell you, that before I started doing it this way, I was pulling my hair out & getting very overwhelmed and depressed. I had never ending piles of coupons on the table, desk, coffee table, van ect... Your post could have been mine back then. If you want to start doing it this way, then here is what I did. Set up a spreadsheet (if you pm me your email addy, I'll send you my template). Get some large manilla folders, sharpie, carrying box (on sale at Home Depot this week, B2G1 free..you'll need 2, one for your main coupons, the other for extras), small according (arranged by store...I got mine at Walmart a couple years ago) & a shoe box style box with index cards for your loose coupons (trades, blinkies, catalinas, rainchecks ect...).

Don't worry about adding your already clipped coupons to the spreadsheet...just weed out the expired every month & in about 2-3 months it will be mostly empty anyway.

Don't record every coupon on your spreadsheet. The purpose of this method is to streamline and be as efficient as possible. So, if you are probably never going to use the .25/1 Sure deoderant, don't waste your time recording it. There is always the data base to fall back upon). Think of it this way, you might have to look up a coupon on the database & then check your folder...but that is alot less time than entering 50 coupons that you will never use (plus it saves paper & ink when you print out your list).

Within a day of setting up this system, the piles were gone. It was like a weight off of my shoulders. With the exception of the last few months when I was unable to dd, this system has worked wonderfully & I don't think I'll ever need another. This system does not work well if you only get a couple multiples. Also, if you do alot of trades, then you might have to record more coupons in the spreadsheet.

Good luck.

[bexx09]

Woo-hoo! I just finished putting my coupon file together!! All my inserts are now filed and a bunch of coupons are clipped, stapled and sorted. They're not in my binder yet, but I really feel like I made progress and I got rid of all the paper mess that had been littering my desk for weeks now. Tomorrow I will tackle filing last week's stuff into my binder and just continue from there. Thank you for all your suggestions! :yourock:

[IsaveUsave]

I have limited space also to seperate my coupon inserts. I usually get 20-35 each week, but I only completely cut and file 10 of each coupon at the beginning. I start by seperating all the pages first (hoping a cut down the center gets all the pages) then I use the box below to seperate them into piles of matching pages. After I seperate 10 of each one I staple and cut each page and set aside to file. I have 1 box for food and 1 for everything else that is in alphabetical order. I then seperate the remaining into piles of 10-15 each depending on how many inserts I have and just staple them. I leave them together by insert so that when I use all 10 of one or know I will need more of a particular coupon, I can just grab the stack and cut what I need. This works well for me. I think I am going to get 1 more of these modulars so that I can store my uncut but stapled inserts by week.

[sbp]

Some weeks (ok I admit most weeks) I just get the previous weeks dealt with fully and then it's time to start over. My problem is that I don't get my inserts until Monday afternoon and then some more on Tuesday mornings and I'm dealing with 3 small local papers and usually 4 bigger city papers and each one has different inserts.

I'm also a clipper and clip every single coupon that is in each of those inserts, so I know that it slows me down but I'd rather have them ready to go out in an instant for a trade than be scrambling around cutting them to send them out. I also send out all my expireds overseas so at the end of the month, I just yank them and box them up and they are out of here.

I also always have a stack of misc. inserts and pages from varying weeks that I get from dd'ing. Unfortunately that stack isnt high enough on my priority list so by the time I get around to sorting them out by week and dealing with the oldest first, a lot have expired and I can't use them so they end up in the overseas box. I often tear up when I find a golden oldy buried amongst the pages that I would have killed for before it expired, but it happens so I just suck it up and move on, hopeful that it'll make someone happy as they go through the boxes of expireds.

I'm weird in that I get a thrill on the no-insert weekends because that buys me more time to get everything more caught up.

I also will send shivers down several spines by admitting this, but at least once or twice a year I just take the huge stack and just take a deep breath and dump it all in the box to take to the recycle bin. When I do this I do it on a rainy day so that the papers get all soggy very quickly and I can resist the temptation to go dig them back out!! It's a very refreshing feeling to be completely and utterly caught up!!!