Organizing Your "Carry To Store" Coupons

[bikerbabymama]

Woo Hoo!

[saladbar]

My WM had them in the clearance aisle. Far from the stationery aisle.

[pneeb]

Ours had to have clearanced them earlier and I missed it. I used to buy the lesser expensive ones you are able to pick up on clearance. Last batch I had to pay the $5.77.

[firemama]

Hi Stinkyrose I am new to couponing and I was wondering where you got the pages for your binder? I love the way you have it organized and I think it is something that could work for me!
Show us your binders and boxes! (Pics only, please)

[rachcrosby]

I use the binder method too. However, that picture of the briefcase on the first page is hilarious... and awe-inspiring all at the same time.

[CoveredinGrace]

file your FREES, TMF's, and WYB coupons?

I'm having a tough time deciding on what makes the most sense. For now, I've been keeping my FREES and TMF's/MIR's seperate from all the others so I don't miss an expiration on them.
But then I get into a confused mess when I try to file WYB coupons. For example a Free X when you buy A, B, and C or $1 off wyb X and Y.
I don't know whether to put them in the file for the item that is free or discounted or whether to put them in the file for the products you have to buy so I'm reminded when I'm already going to be buying that product that I can get a discount or free with it.

And to top it off, I'm totally confused about WT's and how to file. The way I'm filing currently is I have folders in Alphabetical order, and within each folder are all the brands that start with that letter. So I have an "G" file, and in it would be envies for things like "Gillette" and "General Mills". Then within that envie each 'like' coupon is paperclipped together to make for easy searching for a specific coupon. But then I come across a WT for $3 off beef wyb Fiesta seasonings. So should I make an envie for "Beef" or should it go into a "Fiesta" envie in the "F" folder?

Someone please help me make sense out of this so that I can be an awesome couponer like y'all?

Oh, and how do you keep up with expireds so you don't miss them? (I know a few coupons here and there are going to expire and that's okay, but if it's getting close to expiration, how do you know that so you can list it in case someone else could use it w/out going through 500 envies and checking EACH stack of coupons every week?

[nrpeace17]

Originally Posted by CoveredinGrace file your FREES, TMF's, and WYB coupons? I'm having a tough time deciding on what makes the most sense. For now, I've been keeping my FREES and TMF's/MIR's seperate from all the others so I don't miss an expiration on them. But then I get into a confused mess when I try to file WYB coupons. For example a Free X when you buy A, B, and C or $1 off wyb X and Y. I don't know whether to put them in the file for the item that is free or discounted or whether to put them in the file for the products you have to buy so I'm reminded when I'm already going to be buying that product that I can get a discount or free with it. And to top it off, I'm totally confused about WT's and how to file. The way I'm filing currently is I have folders in Alphabetical order, and within each folder are all the brands that start with that letter. So I have an "G" file, and in it would be envies for things like "Gillette" and "General Mills". Then within that envie each 'like' coupon is paperclipped together to make for easy searching for a specific coupon. But then I come across a WT for $3 off beef wyb Fiesta seasonings. So should I make an envie for "Beef" or should it go into a "Fiesta" envie in the "F" folder? Someone please help me make sense out of this so that I can be an awesome couponer like y'all? Oh, and how do you keep up with expireds so you don't miss them? (I know a few coupons here and there are going to expire and that's okay, but if it's getting close to expiration, how do you know that so you can list it in case someone else could use it w/out going through 500 envies and checking EACH stack of coupons every week?

Hi, it is all a matter of preference and finding what works best for you through trial and error. Here's how I do it. I have a section in the back of my coupon tote
(a variation on a coupon file system) where I keep my Frees and WT's seperate form all other coupons. I have a section for each, which I arrange by expiration date.
I have the ones that expire first in the front. The same goes for the WT's. My motto is never let a good WT go to waste!!
As far as the Free wyb's, I keep those in the file with the regular coupons, evewn if they are WT's. My filing system is done by category, with soonest expiring at the front.
My categories go like this... baking, bread, cereal, canned goods, cleaning products, clothes detergent, condiments, dairy products, etc...
What works for me is to file them under the product that must be purchased in order to get the Free item, or $'s off a second item.
So, if I were filing your Fiesta Seasonings WT, it would be filed by date in my condiments category.
I hope this helps.

[CouponSAHM]

Originally Posted by firemama Hi Stinkyrose I am new to couponing and I was wondering where you got the pages for your binder? I love the way you have it organized and I think it is something that could work for me! Show us your binders and boxes! (Pics only, please)

Wonderful question!! I love her pages also, but I don't think she's an active member anymore. I looked up the last time she posted anything and it was mid 07. So I don't think we'll get the answer from her!! LOL Maybe someone else knows where to find these cool pocket pages???

Edit.... I found it!! The stock # is AVE13407 it is by Avery and called Horizontal Photo Pages. I just googled the stock #. The cheapest place on line is rockbottomprices. I am going to check Wal-mart in the morning to see if they carry it.

[Abbybob]

Right now I have a manilla envelope with the coupons organized by the lay out of the store and the drugstore coupons (stuff that's cheaper at the drugstore- like makeup and hair dye) is paperclipped together. I just ordered a coupon organizer. I can't wait!

[cindycun]

Hi...I have full inserts in a binder...I place each insert in a full page sleeve and then place a sticker on the front, ex. 6/1, then when I'm doing my coupon matches I can return to my binder and pull that coupon....I do not clip unless I have to....I check the ads and create coupon matches....I take only the q's that i have to have for the deals...and I do not buy extra items....I place all my printables in a basket in half cut envelopes that were donated to me by my neighbor who works at walmart...(she gets them from the card dept., they're going to throw them away)...then any mailer q's that I recieve I will file them or leave them intact and place in a sleeve by themselves....rebates go in another folder that way I can keep track as they come in...thanks for listening...