Organization is one of the most important steps to your success of a great coupon plan. If you don't have your system in order than you will take to much time trying to plan and then eventually you might just burn out all together. There are different ways to keep your coupons organized whether its by clipping now and binding them to there own category or saving the inserts and only clipping as you go amongst the weekly sales. But if you decide to keep inserts in a binder whole you have to remember that inserts aren't the only way to receive coupons. They come in booklets, magazines, through the internet, and from the store ads. If you decide on a binder system then keeping whole inserts could get a tad big. You can also organize by keeping the inserts categorized in bundles and then only clipping what you need before the shopping trip and only taking those coupons.
The Pros of clipping now and keeping them in a single unit such as a binder or accordion file that is categorized are as follows:
- Easy access.
- All coupons with you at one time which could lead to extra savings when it comes to clearance items.
- Makes planning simpler since your organizing took care of it self on the day inserts arrived.
- No need to store and move boxes or files
- No digging boxes out later to find inserts
I currently use this system to organize my coupons and I guess you can tell that I'm quite bias to it. The reason I clip now and don't save the inserts is because as you go along over time your inserts become ragged and clipping makes them have lose pages and things that could get quite messy.
Another thing to keep in mind while you organize your coupons whether it be clipped or whole inserts, is that when you check online for the deals the coupons are sorted by the actual insert they come in. For example If Gatorade is on sale and below they list a coupon for $1/1 (dollar off of one) then they will let you know where to get the coupon such as a link to print or an insert reference such as SS 4/17. This means that particular coupon came in the Smart Source insert on the Sunday of April the 17th.
Everyone has a different way of filing and for me the best way to file it to have a Food File that is broken down by the insert date. Then a Non Food File also broken down by the insert date. I will also break it down by booklet or magazine due to it being listed that way on the coupon blogs I check.
Here is the Break Down of my Personal Binder:
3 Pencil pouches of different colors up front (.97 at Walmart)
- Food Coupons For Current Trip
- Non Food Coupons For Current Trip
- Tools Needed Such As Pen, Pencil, Small Scissors, Paperclips, & Etc.
6 Separate categories for binder (Each Section holds coupons with card holder sheets)
- Food Coupons - by inserts or booklet
- Non Food Coupons - by inserts or booklet
- Catalinas
- Internet Coupons
- Store Specific Coupons (includes Subway, Bath & Body Works, & Etc.)
- List - Consists of Grocery List, Drug Store List, Coupon Policies (This section has regular sheet protectors)
Below is a list of organization links that I have found during my coupon research. Some are also videos and I will include beside link if it is a video.
Southern Savers - 3 Different Links
- Learn To Coupon
- Organize Part One (Video)
- Organize Part Two (Video)
The Krazy Coupon Lady
- Binder w/ 36 Categories
Raining Hot Coupons
- Baggy System (includes Video)
Saving With Shellie
- Folder & Accordion Filing
Ok now that you have the Binder Section out of the way we can talk about another Organizational part. Your Lists! Some list that you will create as you go along and some that you will print out right away and keep with you. Below is a list of the list you may want to keep.
Coupon Policies - Have it handy in case you have to explain to cashier or manager
Grocery List - This is also a coupon list so that you only shop for items that have coupons
Drug Store List - Same concept as the grocery list
Price List - A break down of items that you normally purchase and the price you are willing to pay for it. Such as bananas: 39 cents a pound or Ground Beef: 1.39 a pound. These prices are normally your stock up prices.
Ecoupon List - If you use this coupon feature then you will want to know what is on your card.
I almost forgot to add this last part and if you mainly do a lot of digital coupon then this might be essential to your organization. I have a Mac which lets me add bookmarks right up front on my tool bar. I'm sure PC's will allow that too but I haven't worked with a PC in so long that I'm just not quite sure. I have four bookmark folders that hang on the toolbar for my coupon sections and they nicely hang down with its info when I slide my mouse over them. The first folders has all the Coupon Blogs I keep up with, then I have the eCoupon sites I use. The third folder holds all the printable coupon sites that I know keep coupons on a regular basis. Last I keep in a folder the store websites I shop at so I can see weekly ads, reward programs, and more.
