Many people ask me how I organize my coupons.
Before I share my method with you, let me just say;
THERE'S NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY
TO ORGANIZE COUPONS!
I am giving a coupon class next week.
I have invited two other "COUPON QUEENS"
to explain their method
(different from each other’s and mine)
to the class
WHATEVER SYSTEM WORKS FOR YOU IS THE BEST!
I have tried MANY systems for organizing my coupons.
They have ALL failed me in one way or another.
The one I use has failed me the least…so, that is why I use it.
It is the BINDER/BASEBALL CARD HOLDERS System.
The “down side” to this system is time consuming to set up,
however, once it is set up, it doesn’t take long to maintain.
* I get 2 papers delivered. (More about this on another post)
I buy more if there’s going to be lots of coupons.
(Sometimes, I have up to 7 or 8 of each page)
* I match the pages together so I can clip them at the same time.
* I keep a shoebox with index cards for dividers
(in case I don’t have time to put the coupons in the binder)
* I lay the index cards out on the dining room table and
as I clip each coupon, I separate them by categories.
* I put the coupons into their proper place in the binder
and I’m ready to shop!
I HAVE THREE MAIN CATAGORIES--
FOOD, NON-FOOD and OTHER
UNDER FOOD:
1. CANS/JARS
2. FRIG.
3. FREEZER
4. PACKAGED
5. PRODUCE
UNDER NON FOOD:
1. CLEANING
2. HYGIENE/BEAUTY
3. MEDICINE/HEALTH
4. PAPER/PLASTIC
5. SCHOOL/OFFICE/ETC
UNDER OTHER:
1. BABY
2. PETS
3. RESTURAUNTS/STORES
3. RESTURAUNTS/STORES
4. MISCELANIOUS
5. GIVE AWAY
I have “sub-categories” under each category
(I know… it sounds obsessive)
Then they are alphabetized by brand.
(I know…. it sounds REALLY obsessive)
I have learned (the hard way) that when you use this system,
it’s better if you don’t “pull” the coupons.
You just make a note next to the items on your list
of which coupons you are going to use
and how many you have.
Then, as you put the item in your cart,
you get the coupon(s) from the binder
and put it in an envelope or pocket of your binder.
When you are ready to check out…there’s all your coupons.
The best part is if you don’t use a coupon,
you don’t have to re-file it!
BOTTOM LINE-
When I am in the store and
something I use all the time is on an
“Unadvertised Special”,
And I quickly flip through the binder
and find that coupon that makes it
“FREE or NEARLY FREE”,
IT IS WORTH EVERY MINUTE I SPEND ORGANIZING!!!!
How do you organize your coupons?
I would love to hear from you about your method.
Just leave me a comment!
LOVE,
GRAMMY <><>
