Switching to binder soon, any tips? RAOK

[tylianna]

I have read the tips thread on storing and organizing coupons, but there are some more questions I have.

I used to use a butt wipes container with coupons sorted by envelopes. I had grown into two containers and it was a pita to carry. I just bought a tackle box, and while it is nice, it just does not open well in a cart. I reinforced my envies with packing tape to get extra life, but I am looking for something better.

I was looking at pics of binders here, and have decided to go for it again. I tried once, and it didnt work for me. I think it was because I was using baseball card inserts. I like dividing by category, but the baseball made me divide by coupon as well. I will be using 4x6 picture inserts instead. Three to a page with a side to label them. I will have some baseball card inserts for the good coupons or coupons I want to keep separate for some reason.

I want a flap in the front of the binder for my ads, a zipper pocket for scissors and whatever. Also maybe even a section for store card and coupons like ecb, rr... Of course the binder has to be large enough to hood all these, and have a zipper so I don't drop everything. A strap would be nice, too.

I am going to shop when my rewards come in from office depot! I have $58 for trading in ink cartridges when ey were $5 each, and from spending...

My RAOK will go to the person who gives me the best idea, tip or even a link to what I should buy from office depot. (certain binder, etc)

The RAOK will consist of wish list items, requested ip's, or a potluck with as many non inserts as I can spare. I will then add some insert coupons to get the weight up to a stamps worth weight.

If this needs to be moved to another place, plmk and I will repost, thanks!

I am looking forward to great ideas!

[OneHotMomma]

I have a Case It Dual-100 Dual binder 2-in1 Zipper Binder that I bought at Walmart during back to school. I have a link (not sure if I'm allowed to post it), send me a PM if you want it. It has

-zippered pocket on the front - so if I find coupons I have a place to put them until I can file them.
-two sets of rings - I use one for grocery and one for HBA/Paper goods/Chemicals
- a removable pouch - for scissors, a pen, and a calculator - The 3 inch binder I had before kept popping open when I didn't want it to so I thought that two sets might hold my pages better - and they did
- a shoulder strap
- zippered - so I don't spill them all while trying to get my 3 children into the store

I also like currency pages along with my baseball card sheets. They come with three pockets to a page so I don't have to fold tearpads for them to fit (search amazon for 3 pocket currency binder pages).

I suggest plastic dividers because paper ones tear very easily and my tabs kept falling off the sides when I zipped my binder.

[tylianna]

Thanks for the tip on the plastic dividers! I am looking at getting a binder like the one you mentioned, I'm not sure if they have those at office depot. I hope they do since I have the rewards coming in!

I was looking at getting the three pocket and nine pocket.

Thanks for the advice!


Anyone else?

[libertybelle]

I found a case it binder at the salvation army so I scored pretty good on that one, mine only has the 5in ring though and a plastic filing accordion in the front. I believe office depot does carry case it binders. I also love to use the currency pages. I got mine on ebay 100 for about $16. I just used colored paper to create a divider in all my pages so I can put in 6 different coupons per page.

[butterfly4nature]

I know it is not at Office Depot, but I got my binder from Amazon.com. It is a CASE-IT D-185 XLarge Capacity Zipper Binder with 5-Tab File Folder. It has a 4in D-ring and built in file folder. Also has a shoulder strap which is soooo nice. I paid about 31.00 including shipping. The customer reviews on it are mixed b/c of people using it for middle and high school students, however, I have been using mine for over a year (my mom has 1 too and has used over a year) and I have had no problems. I absolutely love it and it holds EVERYTHING!! Hope this helps some!!!

Have a blessed day and good luck!!
Heather

[bugweena]

I use the same dual case-it binder as PP mentioned. I found it at Kroger on an after school closeout for a pretty cheap price. I tried the categories, but switched to alphabetical since I often missed coupons because I couldn't remember which category I had placed them in. With alpha, it's pretty straightforward. Some people use one of the sections for non-food and other larger one for food but I find it easiest just to do alpha. I have A-G in the first section, H-Z in the back section.

My pages are a combo of 9 slot baseball card holders, 3 slot currency holders (GREAT for catalinas!), and 4 slot 4x6 picture holders. I have these mixed throughout my binder and move them around as needed.

I also have a couple of full size page protectors for holding ads, etc. In the front are MUST USE OR LOSE pages where I have all my frees, wine tags, and other great coupons that I don't want to miss out on using.

The one thing I have discovered when using a binder that is most helpful is to use what works for you. I started out with categories and only baseball card holders and have totally changed that over the two years I have been using the system. Keep playing around and use what works for YOU! Good luck, I am sure you will love having all your coupons organized and in one place.

[ari'smom]

I wish I could help. I got my binder a few years ago at a dollar store, and it is great as it has a clear front cover with 7 multi sized pockets on the inside, my guess is to insert photos to decorate the front. I use them either for important coupons or clippings from ad papers so I can remember the particulars of the item on sale without having to carry the circular with me.

I also use the photo sheets as they seem to hold the coupons better; the baseball card sheets seem small to me and all that folding it seems would make things more confusing than it already is lol. I also had some single clear sheet protectors which I cut in half on the front. Then I taped the bottom on the top to make two large pockets. I have these interspersed throughout my photo sheets for certain items. I would like to get more of these as they are easy to get into and put the Q's back in while I am in the store.

[kendra228]

First of all, can I just tell you how I smiled when you wrote "butt wipe" - I know, I'm really childish, but it made me <grin>! And secondly, I know I'm not going to tell you anything different that all the previousl posters, so I will sum up by saying I think a) find the least expensive zipper binder you can, which can b) holder baseball card holders that you can c) get at Staples or Office Max with your rewards and d) put it together either alphabetically or by category, but that's your decision. Huh - did I sum all the posts up pretty well??? lol

Good luck!!

[ari'smom]

I love the idea of a zippered binder - one thing about all those little pockets is that the coupons do seem to fall out of them pretty easily. But $31?? Eek. That is way too rich for my blood lol. Not only did mine come from the dollar store, it was one that I had originally bought for dd a few years ago that she was no longer using.

[terrortoys]

I would recommend zippered and a carring strap or handle. I have the same one as Onehotmomma, I got mine at Staples for $14.99.