It all started with a little index card filing box. Soon, little coupon box was overflowing with coupons! When little coupon box could hold coupons no more, it was time to move on to bigger and better things!
So, after reading and researching various coupon organization methods I decided to go with the binder method. Last summer, I found this wonderful 3 inch, 3-ring Case It binder @ CVS for around $20 (of course, I used my extra bucks to pay for it)! :)
I LOVE this binder! I must say, I've been pleasantly surprised by how well this binder has held up through all my shopping trips over the last year. What I love about this binder is that it has a shoulder strap for easy carrying and it zips closed (two things I highly recommend when selecting a couponing binder!)
I like having my coupons clipped and being able to see each coupon without having to fumble through a folder or envelope. I keep my binder in my car and 95% of the time the binder goes with me into the store (I can’t risk missing a free- after-coupon clearance item, right?).
No fancy tabs or dividers here! :) I currently use post-it flags (freebies from ’08) to divide and organize my binder into categories.
My binder is divided into two major sections. The front half houses all my non-food coupons & the second half houses all my food related coupons. These are the categories into which I divide my food & non-food coupons.
FREE- all free product coupons
Baby- wipes, Johnson buddies, J&J products, huggies, etc.
Air Fresheners
Cleaning
Dishes
Laundry
Household- includes Ziploc bags, garbage bags, Reynolds wrap, etc.
Medicine
Paper Products-toilet paper, paper towels, kleenex
Toiletries
Toothpaste
Food Coupons
Bread
Baking
Breakfast
Condiments
Chocolate
Dairy
Frozen
Soup/pasta
Refrigerated
Snacks
I keep this smaller envelope- sized holder in my purse. If I’m doing a quick shopping trip or I already have planned what I’m going to get (and don’t want to lug my binder in) I will pull coupons from my binder and place them in here. I also carry my CVS extra bucks & CRT coupons in here, as well as, my weekly receipts. If you look closely you can see all my paperclips for keeping my coupons organized during my shopping trips.
Right now you can find a holder like this one @ Target for $1.00 (warning, the button closure breaks very easily-hence the rubber band keeping mine together). :)
So, now I’m curious…
How do you organize your coupons? The Binder Method? The Filing Method? A Method You Created Yourself??
If you have pictures I would love to see those too!
9 comments:
Please help, I can't seem to find someone to hold my coupons in my notebook. I have looked at Walmart, Target, CVS with nothing. What do you suggest. I am using a notebook, but they are pages that have holders and the coupons fall out if I don't hold the notebook right.
http://couponmommyof2.blogspot.com/
I do the exact same thing you do :) But my binder is a piece of junk - I've been through 2 already and both have come apart.
I got them both at Walmart (so it's no surprise they didn't hold up!)
I need to look around for one like yours. I agree that it NEEDS to have a zipper and needs to have a handle.
Thanks for sharing!
Shannon - I use baseball-card holder thingies. I got them at Target in the aisle w/ the baseball cards. I think they cost about $10 for 70 sheets (don't quote me on that!).
I had some that I got at Walmart but they were junk (imagine!) so I've heard it's best to spend a bit extra on some hardier ones :) HTH!
I use a Case-It binder as well. However, I tried the baseball cards, but I found that it was to annoying (for me) to spend all the extra time inserting coupons into their own slots. I use pencil pockets instead. They have zippers for each section so coupons never fall out. You can see how I do it at:
http://frugaldrmom.blogspot.com/2008/11/wfmw-my-coupon-organizer.html
I wrote a blog post about my coupon binder and my grocery shopping procedure. Please click over and see it!
http://motherhen68.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/my-coupon-organization/
Hey, I use the binder method too! I love it! Click here to check out my pictures and post about it...
http://carolinaclipper.blogspot.com/2009/02/organizing-coupons.html
Shannon-
I have spotted Case-It binders @ Staples & Meijers. You might want to check those stores or an office supply store. They can be a bit pricey... but so far this thing has been worth every penny!
Annie-
Thanks for sharing! This binder has been through a lot and I've been waiting for it fall apart anyday or for the zipper to bust open from being too full, but luckily it hasn't! I'm going to have to check out Target's baseball card holders.. I have the ones from Walmart and just had to replace lots of them b/c they were tearing!
Dr. Mom-
Awesome! Thanks for sharing.. I love seeing how people use different methods. I don't know how your coat rack is standing up with all those coupons hanging on it! :)
motherhen-
I love it! Thanks for sharing! I also try to organize my trips as best as possible before going to the store, makes things go much more smoothly!
Carolinaclipper-
I just checked out your post and left you a comment! :) Thanks for sharing your binder with us!
Love the binder method..that's my choice:)
Thanks for sharing your tips!
I also use a binder. I got mine at Walmart during "Back to School" shopping time. Mine is zippered and has held up really well so far.
I DO wish it had a handle. I looked for one with a handle, but couldn't find one. I even checked online :(
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