Email a copy of 'Simply Saving: Coupon Organization 101 (Part 1)' to a friend
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on January 24, 2011 ·
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[…] just wind up frustrated. There are two ways that I recommend for organizing your coupons. See How to Organize Your Coupons Part One HERE. Find How to Organize Your Coupons Part Two […]
I was going to try and do the clip as you go method, but so far after trying to use the coupon database about 20 times, I have only had success finding the correct coupon a couple times. If it links to an online coupon, I’ll search all 7-18 pages of the coupons on that site and never find the coupon needed. The last 2 weeks I have tried going into the date/insert from the sunday papers and I search through the RP or SS insert and don’t find the coupon from the appropriate date. Any idea why this would be happening so often? My friend has been having this issue as well.
Like you mentioned, I also have found so many more deals in store than mentioned in the ad or in your blog so I’m afraid of not clipping needed coupons and leaving them at home. I think I may resort to clipping everything even though it may take a bit more time at first.
Can’t figure out what is best!
Jordan, on Coupons.com be sure to input your zip code for more coupons. Also, note that coupons are regional, and the database lists ALL coupons, your region may just not receive more than most unfortunately! Sorry.
Is the database based on your region? I’m in spring hill so I think we’d have the same ones?
I do a combination of the methods. I first tried the clip as you go, then tried the clip & file and neither really worked. So, I combined them. I clip everything from one set of inserts and file them away. Most weeks it’s 2 inserts so it’s not a big deal. My husband and I will clip on Sunday afternoon while watching football (yep, he cuts coupons as his way to help!) We go through once a month and discard any expired ones…again, it’s not too bad because it’s only one of each insert. Because I clip one of each, I know what coupons I have. If I see a good deal at the store, I check out my small coupon file (envelope size accordion file) and see if I have a coupon. If I do, I know I also have more at home and make a note to come back for the deal if I want multiples. The extra inserts that I don’t cut, I just write the date on the front with a sharpie and put them in a basket that sits on the bookshelf. Easy method. Works for us because there are only two adults here and our stockpile doesn’t need to be as large as those with families 🙂 Plus, I drive by my stores as I go to and from work, so stopping in isn’t a problem.
Thanks for the new series, Kelly. It’ll be a good refresher!
I Clip ones I know I would use and file them in my coupon binder. I save all the coupons I didn’t clip and store them in an accordion file in case there is an awesome sale on an item I normally wouldn’t buy but have a coupon for.
I do a combined method. I clip my printable and any that I know I will use from the inserts and put them into a binder, but I don’t take the binder shopping anymore (its mostly a remnant from when i clipped everything, but i like being able to see everything so i still use it).
I keep an accordion file that is separated by stores that i shop at. When I get the ads I will pull out the coupons from y binder or look them up in a coupon database and find and print the ones that I need. Then I file them and my list under the store that it is for. That way when my husband gets home and I’ve had a long day I can run away to the stores, and I just have to take my small file.
We get paid towards the end of the month so just before pay day I go through and take out expired coupons, and i flip through all of my inserts and clip out the ones that are about to expire and I want to check on their prices and see if its a good deal since there hasn’t been a sale, and I will take all of these along with me and do a big trip one evening.
I clip and file. I only clip coupons for things I might be able to use. There are lots of coupons for products that I have absolutely no need for and/or no interest in buying/using, so I don’t see any need to hang onto the coupons…unless it’s something I think someone else in my family can use. I don’t find clipping them very time consuming since it’s just once a week. In fact, I enjoy sitting down on Sunday evening after the kids are in bed and looking through the sales papers and clipping coupons. It’s something I look forward to b/c I of my enjoyment of couponing. I feel like I’m making contribution to my family through it. So anyway, I clip only what I like and file it in my accordion file, then when the sales papers come, I match up the coupons to the sales. If there are items on sale that we really need or like but I don’t have a coupon for, I search an online database for online coupons for those specific products and print them to take along to the store. I take the sales paper with me along with a grocery list w/ notations of what I have coupons for. I also take along my accordion file in case I come across a surprise deal.
I clip and file anything I know I would use in a small, envelope size accordion file by type (food staples, food I would buy if it was a good deal, household supplies, personal supplies, gifts). I leave a few empty spots at the front and once I go through the sales add, I put any coupons I am planning to use at a particular store in the front with a list. After couponing for a while, I know the things that I never end up buying or that we don’t like so I just toss those. I don’t like having lots of paper around the house :).
I clip the coupons I know are going to be on sale that week or that I know I will use, then file them away. I have had a lot of luck this way. I tried the big binder, but they were sliding out all the time. Now, I put them in folders in a filing storage bin. I file the weekly circulars and the RP, SS, P & G.
Im so greatful for the coupon database. It helps me sooooo much. Thank you to all of these wonderful websites. You have helped me save so much money and also get some fun stuff for me that I wouldn’t normally buy! 🙂
I can’t stand to leave any of my coupons at home. I staple the coupons on the like pages of an insert together. That means I buy 6 papers and only cut once. I then put them in alphabetical order according to each insert. I then put them in my binder and lable the beginning of each new insert with what it is (ex SS 4/10/2011). I work a little harder 1 day so I can havef months of ease. I can easily search the coupon database as well as serch quickly at the store. I cut everything! You never know when that odd thing might become a money maker. I also check each week for expired or soon to be expired and send of the coupons to a military base. They can use the for 6 month after they expire. I do admit it takes time and I do get behind when I get super busy. I that case I just cut them out, throw then in a baggie and print a coupon insert list to tell me basically what is in there until I get them alphabetized and but in my binder. I am going to start putting my printed and odd coupons on an according style organizer. This allows be to maximixe my savings.
Ii use the whole insert method, its easy for me and less time consuming. The only problem i always had was when to toss. I now use http://www.couponcleanout.com to check what inserts to toss when i’m ready to do some clean up.
Hello!
first of all I’d like to thank you for all your hard work ! I absoulutley love your website and app.
I’m new to couponing and the first website i came across explained how to create a coupon binder bc that’s what works for her anyway I have serious OCD so organizing is my thing but I have defieitley become overwhelmed . It stopped being fun which sucks bc I love to save and I enjoyed it at first so I still keep my binder but don’t buy more than 2 of each newspaper and use envelopes for that week . On the outside I rite the name of the store and i load my coupons inside.A BIG plus is I don’t have to carry my huge coupon binder with me everywhere. with your help I’ve printed the grocery lists but haven;t mastered the meal planning yet. hopefully i’ll get there 🙂 i love your printable templates they are so pretty and helpful
thanks again
Nicole, stick to it. but, I might suggest taking a little “break” from couponing for a week or so. We all need a little vacation, it will rejuvenate you and help bring the excitement back. When I do this, I eat from the pantry for a week and just buy the absolute necessities at the store for that week. Not worrying about what I miss. God will provide. Remember, he calls us all to rest, he gave us that example on the 7th day and he didn’t need to rest!