Coupon Organization
I am a very visual learner and thought it would be best to do a video on coupon organization, instead of trying to explain it all in writing! In the videos below I discuss and show in detail exactly how I organize my coupons. Please keep in mind that the video is very long and will be quite boring if you already know how to organize your coupons, but for those of you that don’t, well, I hope it’s helpful. Also, if you have any other coupon organization tips, I’d love to hear about them in the comment section.
Oh and I just want to quickly tell you why I don’t use a zippered binder (this part accidentally got cut out of the video). I first started out with a zippered binder, but I built up a nice coupon stash quite fast and was no longer able to zip it. To me the whole point of a zippered binder is to zip it, so your coupons don’t fall out. Plus, it was so bulky and very difficult to put in my purse. I finally realized that for me anyway, it made way more sense to just buy a normal binder. It fits in my purse nicely–which I show in the video and I’m able to pull out coupons without having to actually take the binder out of my purse. It works great!
Part 1
Part 2
**If you aren’t able to see the videos, then go here to watch them.
I use the binder method as well. I started the method back in 1998 on mycoupons.com
I have pics of mine (well the old binder now as I bought a Case-It with 4″ rings recently) along with my how-to, etc. on my blog.
https://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/07/lauras-couponing-and-refunding-hints.html
and
https://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2008/09/comment-from-reader-coupon-binder-and.html
can you tell me what your sections are labeled as food, misc etc
Michelle,
I will be doing a detailed post about coupon organization in the coming weeks. I’ll go over what my labels are too!
I cannot find the pocket page protectors ANYWHERE! After last night’s run to Walgreens (which thank you so much for your page,I have saved SOO much money, and I only have been doing this for 2 weeks!), I wanted to scream I was so un-organized. So all night my husband and I were at Wal-mart looking for them, with no luck! Can you tell me what section I could find them in??? (No one who worked there could help me, either!) 🙁 I just want to be organized!!! lol.
-Brianne
Go to any sports card store or look for the sport card section at your local store. I have bought them for my son so I know that either place is a good resource. You can also buy them on ebay or on line in general.
they are located up by the checkout…I had a hard time finding them as well.
They are found at the front of wal-mart with the baseball cards
I just bought a 100 pack of the baseball card holders on Ebay for $16. Much cheaper than buying them in packs of 10 at an office supply store.
I had the same problem when I was first looking for mine. I finally found them in the front of the store by the trading cards. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the recommendation for this method. I had been using the little accordion type coupon wallet & was so frustrated. It took some doing, but I have created my own binder now.
Oh, and btw, I found the page protectors at my Walmart up close to the book section, where all the little gaming/trading cards are set up. It was 5.97 for like 35 sheets.
I use my old little accordion style one to keep in my purse with each store have a spot. This way when I do my deals for the week, I can fold up my list and put the coupons I need in the stores spot! I also stash coupons in there that I know make for a good ongoing deal at a certain store (i.e. the Kotex coupons for Walmart). I have a spot for all of my FREE coupons to so I have them when I go out and don’t forget them. It’s also a nice spot to keep store loyalty cards, store coupons and mall coupons so that you always have them. It’s a lot nicer than the envelopes that I used to use and it’s a good way to recycle the accordion one that we all seem to have started with.
Where did you purchase your zip-up binder and how much should I expect to pay for one?
After I watched this video I went out and bought a binder. Its my new best friend!
p.s. I love this new site because when i comment I dont have to click on the link that opens another page also it keeps my info stored 🙂
Where do you store your larger online coupons with the small baseball trading slots?
You can buy the protectors with 9, 6, or 4 slots I like the 4 slot ones for rebates too.. I found them at a sports card store they are like $1/4 Hope this helps
I now what you are talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found the baseball card inserts at Target in the toy section where the pokemon cards are sold. It was about $10 for a pack of 65 so I have plenty for future coupons too. I also got a zippered mead binder for about $10 there.
I lucked out and found my zippered binder on clearance at a local store similar to the target/walmart/kmart setup. I got my card protector pages at target. . . at my store the trading cards are up by the registers and the card holders were on a bottom shelf wedge way back. . . had to dig for em! Paid $5 for it and there are tons of sheets, not sure how many offhand.
I have a question.
I’ve been storing the coupon booklets in a file box at home and clip them as I need them, which allows me to carry a miminum amount with me however I don’t know what’s in them as there are too many.
Do you keep the booklets too, or just clip them and bind them?
THank you,
I am new to Hip to Save and I LOVE IT! Thank you for all of the time you put in so that we can all be more frugal shoppers. I have been shopping with coupons with about 20 years and have never found a great system that works. I would see women walking around with the binders, etc but never really new where to start or whether to change the system I had. Thank you for the video. I am going to the store this weekend to get started. Thanks again!
Laura Brandt
Thanks so much Collin for all you do!! I LOVE your website and all the great deals you faithfully post. I just got back from Walmart where they had 2 inch zippered binders on clearance. 🙂 I have plenty of dividers already at home so I just bought the binder and baseball card holders. I have only been couponing seriously for a couple months and I have quickly outgrown my accordian coupon file. I am off to make my binder!!
I should have bought two packs of baseball card holders. I am out and still have most of my non food categories to file. I guess its back to WM for me today. 🙂
So, before you go to the store, do you go through the ads, make a list, compare your list to your coupons, and then set those coupons aside? Or do you just take your binder to the store and go through your coupons when you get there? I was at Target today (which is TOTALLY my weakness- I overspend all the time there), and in order to stick to my list, I only took the coupons I wanted to use so I would only buy those items. Of course, when I got there, I found things on clearance and on temporary price cut that I KNOW I had coupons for, but I left them at home because I didn’t think I would need them. I think my plan from now on will be to make a list, sit out the coupons I plan to use (and maybe put them in that front pocket that you have on your bag), but still take my binder with me in case I find an unexpected deal. Is that what you do, too?
I keep the coupons i’m going to use in a small plastic binder – and carry my binder in a bag just in case I run into the unexpected…
Hello Collin,
I have a file box which weighs a ton, I cant imagine carrying all those around.
Do you clip and carry ALL of your Q’s with you?
I HATE being at a store, seeing a great deal and not having my Q’s with me ….help!
Collin,
Your video was extremely helpful and inspiring. I am DEFINITELY a visual learner – and your video was perfect! I even made my husband peek at it and he agreed it was a great idea – and that he’d help me get organized and with coupon clipping! (I think he just thought you were cute:)). But seriously — thanks for all the time and effort in helping others save … you’ve really inspired this mom to make an effort – and I know now I’ll enjoy doing it!
Collin! You inspired me to make my own video for my family at home that are doing this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCl9A-gYyCA
Thanks so much for all you do! You help us so much!
Thanks so much for posting this! I am just getting started in the world of couponing and I love it. I was just thinking tonight on how I am going to keep all these organized. I am so glad I stumbled upon your post!
GIRL…I just need to say thank you. I just started couponing this week and I love it. It’s a great feeling to get a good deal…almost a high and maybe it is one! Thank you for all of your posts and your videos too. Your binder details were great. I bought mine yesterday and I’m setting it up now. Thanks again.
Collin, Where did you get your leather tote that you put your binder in?
I love to know where you got your tote too! It’s so cute and looks so much better than carrying in a binder and getting “the look”.lol
I do not know how to do it.
teach my dareter how to do it!!!
Thank you so much for putting this together!! Your videos are so helpful, now I can’t wait to run out to Wal-Mart and put together my coupon binder. I love your site, you’ve really inspired me to get into couponing and I’ve already saved a ton of money. Thanks!! =)
i love your style colin the things you explain are very easy and i convienced my husband with your publix post that you made money out buying $285 he was shock and now not telling me anything if i read blogs. I too wish the same why don’t publix come to utah. Am excited thankyou. And thanks for explaining about binders and baseball card inserts am searching for these from past 6months now i can find easily i think because i don’t know what to ask about am searching for. thankyou.
I found the baseball card holder pages on amazon.com for $8.11 and then redeemed my Swagbucks amazon gift cards to pay for it. I’m excited to try out this coupon organization method for almost FREE. Today was double coupon day at our grocery store and I had a great shopping trip — even left with $2 off my next order and $5 mail-in rebate for gas money. Thanks for showing the ropes, Collin!
I wished I could actually watch the video but it kept breaking up.
I want to know where you got your cool tote bag that will hold that big of a binder. And did you have a coupon for it?
I just bought this same bag today at Target, they have a bunch! It’s called a work tote, it is fairly big, but I’m excited to find it, great for us with binders!
Do you put your store specific coupons in with your manufacurer coupons? I am struggling with getting organized. Thanks!
Walgreens has a store coupon in this weeks flyer (page 8) for Binders (.5-1.5 in.) and 5 tab dividers for 1.99 each!
I too have bought the tote. I love it! I have also switched to a regular binder. Mine was not working right.
Love the site..
I now have put my binder together, but am wondering….do you alphabetize the coupons within your categories? I haven’t done that yet, but think it may be more efficient.
I don’t think that would be more efficient b/c then every week/time you get more Q’s you have to scoot them all back a spot to fit the new ones in. 🙂
Love the video. What do you do with the coupons that are printed that don’t fit in baseball size pockets like the long coupons??
I know you posted this a while ago but thought I would respond. I fold them in half length wise and then in half short wise but still showing what it is and the amount off. They still scan fine and if they don’t the clerk will enter it in, but I usually don’t have a problem with this. Hope that helps! 🙂
I want to know how people decide where to use their MC? I am brand new to couponing like 5 days in 🙂 and i went and bought the binder and baseball card holders and i have tons of coupons (i bought old sunday papers from the dollar store)
Anyway my question to everyone is… For example. When you have a 1$ off crest toothpaste MC how do you decide which store to go to to use it? Target? CVS? Walgreens? Where will you get the best deal? Or do you have to go to all 3 stores to figure that out? I as prob most people on this site have a child, a crazy rambunctious 2 year old boy who hates to sit still so for me going to all three stores and looking at prices is out of the question.
Thanks for any input or ideas!
Marissa
So far I am new here too, I have been waiting for Late Saturday night or Sundays and Collin will post all the deals at the main stores, I always go for the deal that will get me the item free or under a dollar. One of her videos she stated that she never pays for toothpaste and wont pay more than a dollar for a box of cereal so I have been trying to follow those rules. I have been couponing however not to this extreme it is fun, I have to retrain myself because I have always been one for buying the biggest box of cereal because per oz. it is cheaper with her method it is about spending the least amount of money. So I could get 5 boxes for a dollar each and end up with more cereal then buying the biggest one box for $4 or $5. So glad I found this site!
Hey – could you list the catagories for quick reference?
Thanks
I basically used the same categories as Collin, here is what is in my binder:
Produce/Bread
Condiments/Sauces/Spices
Beverages
Packaged/Canned Goods
Baking/Candy
Cereal/Breakfast
Snacks
Dairy
Meats
Frozen
Cosmetics
Oral Care
Personal Care – this category has gotten REALLY big, I’m considering sub-categories as follows: body/face, deodorant, feminine hygiene, razors/shaving, hair care
Paper Goods
Cleaning/Laundry
Medicine
Baby/Kids
Free
Store Coupons
Misc. coupons/Rebates/Policies
I don’t have pets, like Collin, so I didnt need that section but of course you could add it wherever! This was ALOT of work to get the binder but it’s SOO much easier now that it’s done. I hope that helps and THANKS COLLIN for everything!!!
First of all, I love that there are people out there that do this besides me…I always get strange looks at my store when I’m shopping. People stop me and tell me how “clever” I am, while rolling their eyes. They tell me they wish they could get organized, but that they just can’t. I just want to scream at people, “Do you know what you could have saved??”. So, yeah..I’m glad I’m not alone. I actually organized my book by the aisles at the Walmart where I work, so I can just turn a page at each aisle and find the next things. Unfortunately we are due for a remodel, and might be switching things about. I always tell people that an hour a week could save them a ton of money, and it’s true!! I find that it’s easier to memorize the placement of certain coupons, like the ones I use the most will go on the first page of their category, so I don’t have to hunt around. I like the binder so much more than the old envelopes. There are some great ideas that I cannot wait to try out!!!
hi love coupon
Collin—-
Thank you thank you thank you for this!!!!!
Ive been couponing for about a year now, and ive missed out on so many awesome deals b/c of my coupon mess. I use to use an expanding folder and would dump my coupons into whichever category they fell into. UGH it was a nightmare. Yesterday i read this, and bought all the supplies. I just went to walgreens and had one of my best shopping trips b/c of this organization.
Thank you. Your the sh%#!!!!!!
I also use paperclips, due to me using the acordian pocket coupon organizer thing.. lol.. it makes it easier to keep the coupons seperated when you have more than one of the same one.
I use a binder to store my coupons, but i use picture holders instead of baseball card holders. I have a lot of sub catagories. I pull out the coupons i am going to use for the week and place them in a small file folder along with my list. i store my rr and ecb in my small file folder. i do take my binder with me to the grocery store in case i find a deal not published.
Thanks George@just1.com for telling me about this site.
Hello Collin!
I have my coupon binder and LOVE IT…but I find I’m spending A LOT of time cutting/sorting/filing all my coupons, especially when using multiple copies of coupon circulars from the paper, and I am very behind in organizing them. Do you have any tips that would help me get this done more quickly??? How many hours a week do you spend organizing your coupons? Thanks! :0)
Thank you so much for all your hints and tips. I saw coupon binders for sale online, But they were quite expensive. Granted they came with everything you need for your binder but I found it cheaper to put my own together. Right now all the supplies are on sale for back to school so I was able to put the whole thing together for right around $10. I am quite happy with it 🙂
Colin, just in case any one else has a dollar tree I went to the dollar tree and got packages of 6 dividers for $1 I bought 3 because I have 16 sections to my binder and BEST OF ALL the divders were a tinted polyvinyl and I found a zipper binder at Dollar general in an plain gray color that was 2 inch for only $4 Yea!!! and I had some great pocket pages from my sticker collecting days. TOTAL cost of my 16 section, 2 inch, zipper binder $7 and tax
I can not wait to make my binder or even buy one already made that looks like a tote bag. i am so excited about it.
Not sure if this one has been mentioned yet! gaming stores, comic book stores, hobby shops have these baseball pocket pages. some of them are used and resold. I know they sell for a dime a sheet. at the gaming store in jax,nc( downtown by the courthouse)
How do you organize your coupons in the sections? Alphabetically and then exp date?