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

[onehotbev]

Inserts: Since you don't seem to have the time to clip them out I would suggest that you leave your inserts whole. When you get your inserts each week divide the pages into like pages and staple together. Then go and buy some filing boxes or a filing cabinate (thrift stores usually have them) and some hanging filing folders. Give each file folder a lable with the insert date. And file each insert by insert date Like:

11-19-06 SS
11-19-06 V
11-12-06 SS
11-12-06 V
and so on.

Then all you have to do is look up your coupons in hotcouponworlds coupon database (or others, but I like to plug our database cause I think its cool LOL) and then go to that file for that insert, find your coupons and clip and shop.

As far as non ss coupons or coupons clipped. I would think you could do a binder for them or file box.

If you have a little more time to spare you could create an excel file of what you have (you can copy and paste from the database into excel to save some typing) for all your coupons incuding qty of each that you have to facilitate trading if you do much trading. That way you can easily pull up your excel file and see if you have something from someones have list. And you can also sort your excel file by exp date and delete out the exired coupons (unless you can use expireds) that way you are only looking for your current coupons. Once an insert no longer has any current coupons you can toss them all.

This is a FABULOUS idea!! I had a total "EUREKA" moment after reading it! In fact, I must have had a premonition that this was what I wanted to do because just the other day I repurposed a portable file thingy with blank manilla folders already stocked in a box-bottom hanging file designated exclusively for couponing! Now I know what to do with it! Hooray! Thanks!

[SupersavingMomma]

I've tried just about every system & imho, the best (if you get multiples) is to not clip the coupons. The fact is, most coupons go unused...even by couponers. So its a tremendous waste to clip them, file them, and then eventually find and discard them.

As for bringing the coupons with you. I bring mine with me. They go in the back of my van in a tote. If I find a deal while in the store, I can go to the back of my van, clip what I need & make another trip. To be honest, this rarely happens though because I usually know the deals & what I'm buying before I leave the house. And if it does happen, 5-10 extra minutes once in awhile is alot better than 1-2 extra hours a week, every single week.

If your system overwhelms you...its time to try a new one.

How do you know what you have if you don't clip them out and they are still in the flyer? I am new to this and I clip everything. I have to go through them all when I make out my list. ICK It takes a little time, but worth it for now.

[lenchie]

Sorry....newbie here....forgive me if I'm in asking this in the wrong forum. I was just trying to learn this coupon thing so I'm reading as much as possible and have a question as I'm reading these replies.

What is the purpose of dividing the SS, V, PG coupons? I can understand by date but why by manufacturer?

[billig]

Sorry....newbie here....forgive me if I'm in asking this in the wrong forum. I was just trying to learn this coupon thing so I'm reading as much as possible and have a question as I'm reading these replies.

What is the purpose of dividing the SS, V, PG coupons? I can understand by date but why by manufacturer?

I don't. I only sort them by week.

ETA: I just thought of a reason tho'...if you really get a lot of inserts, like 30 or 50, then it might be easier to sort them not only by week, but then also by coupon company.

[billig]

How do you know what you have if you don't clip them out and they are still in the flyer? I am new to this and I clip everything. I have to go through them all when I make out my list. ICK It takes a little time, but worth it for now.

I clip all the ones I know I'm gonna use for sure. Then the rest are filed in 11 x 13 envelopes by the Sunday date the insert came out.
Then if you're looking for a coupon you can click on the database and search for the item you want. The coupon comes up with the week the insert came out and then you can go look in that weeks envelope and find that coupon.

That way you're not cutting out every single coupon that you don't need, and you're not 'wasting' any time recataloging it in any other fashion.

If you only get one insert, then it's probably not an issue for you. But when you have 5 or 10 inserts every week then that's a different kind of organizing that's needed.

[billig]

I've forgotten where it is, but can someone post that link to whats-hiz-names youtube video about sorting masses of inserts? YMMV Radio.
Oh man, I can't believe I forgot his name.

[ILv2Shop]

riffparker...and he also has the cute puppet that interviews Julie and various other members.
Here's the link.
YouTube - How to clip coupons

[jessicamom#3]

How do you know what you have if you don't clip them out and they are still in the flyer? I am new to this and I clip everything. I have to go through them all when I make out my list. ICK It takes a little time, but worth it for now.

I'm with you. I cut all my q's. Maybe I'm not smart enough to file some away. I very visual and NEED to see everything...LOL!!

[sehrwunderbar]

If i get more than 5 inserts or so, I do the Riff Parker method- separate, staple, cut, and then put them in a binder. I fell this is the most efficient and easy way to keep all your coupons together and be able to use them at last minute. I have a binder with a pocket in the front I put my scenario lists, and then there are four file-type pockets in the inside that I dedicate to stores, and then the three ring part of the binder where i keep all the coupons in baseball card like plastics, and also a plastic 8x11 three ring folder type thing to put coupons I don't use or find in that trip.
It works GREAT!

[Kyrthira]

For folks who get multiple inserts each week, do you usually cut out each coupon to store or leave the inserts intact?

I usually get about three inserts, and my coupon index box thingy is getting REALLY FULL. It would make it harder to find a coupon someone wanted from an insert, but at the rate I'm going I'll outgrow this silly thing FAST.

Any advice?