"Follow Me Monday" Coupon Organization!
It’s Monday and that means my second edition of “Follow Me Monday”! Today I’m going to discuss coupon organization! I had so many questions regarding this last week, so I thought I’d put your confusion to rest and describe in detail 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.
This is a 2 part video. The first part will be all about my favorite coupon organization method–the binder. The second part will be showing how I clip my coupons to save time. Plus, I’ll take you into Walmart and give you an idea of how much it will cost to make your own coupon binder.
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.
Save you more than $20,000… hee hee hee…so cute!
I know, I’m a dork–I just can’t help it!:)
GREAT video!! Where did you get your purse? I have been looking for something similar and can’t find anything that isn’t super expensive that actually fits my binder.
I’m with Courtney. Love the video and purse. Thanks for all your hard work. You are so adorable. Tosha
That was awesome! Short and easy to understand. Thanks for the great tips!
tmongaraz@yahoo.com
Thank you….I always start out the week very organized but by the end of the week everything is all over the place and it takes me a few hours to get it all back together. The way you clip your Q’s is really going to help. I’m a smart girl why didnt I think of that…I do that with my printables.
LOL-was just coming on to ask about the purse too! Inquiring minds want to know!! And the price would be good too 😉
You are so awesome, Collin! I just wish I would have seen your videos about 4 months ago when I got started :). You rock and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for next week’s installment!
If you have a 1.5″ binder, you can just use a tote. I use my VS Pink canvas ones (that I got for free thanks to Collin!), and there is enough room in there to open the binder enough to get the coupons out. Not all of them have pockets, but if you don’t want to invest in a purse and have a smaller binder, it’s a pretty decent option.
That was great! I am clipping this afternoon and will be sorting my coupons by like pages first! Thanks!
Love the organizational tips. Off topic…I would like to know how you organize all your personal care items. I get so many lotions, shampoos etc free items my cabinets are bursting. I can barely close them and everytime I try to take something out everything tips over.
Just to let everyone know the Cast it DUAL ring binders are clearanced at 75% off at Target right now. My store had about 10 left but I have one of these that I have been using for a couple years and so I nabbed a second one last night. These work great!
Thanks so much for the great information. I don’t think you are a dork…does that mean I’m a dork???? Sooooo glad to finally know where to find the baseball card organizers. I have been searching and everywhere I ask I get a blank stare. I’m going to go by some this afternoon!
THE PILLOWS! I love the pillows! hehe
The videos are awesome and are perfect for those who learn visually. It is nice to see what is out there and what someone else does.
I generally do the same categories as you do, since I bought a binder again last night I am actually going to seperate my Personal Care items and food. Yes, I know I will carry around two binders. LOL I need a really big purse!
But you inspired me to get into my binder and do a little reorganizing.
THANKS!
Whoops, I mean to put Case It Binders above…
Also, Collin where do you get the larger expandable pocket folder thing with the extra tabs to put more store categories on?
I have one that I bought at Target in the dollar spot but it only has 6 categories.
Your videos are great! I do consider myself an extreme couponer and use the 3 ring binder method. I shop a lot at Publix. They are great at accepting competitor coupons. What I came up with (my friend Holly and I use this) is a simple way to keep track of coupons we can stack. I took some extra file folers, cut them down to 2.5 x 4″ tabs and place these “tabs”, along with my match ups in the top row. I will try to send a pic but I’m not quite sure how to do that. Does this make sense? It makes it very easy when I’m either organizing my list, or at the store, to easily find my match ups/stackables!
Thank yo so much for showing how you organize. I have been using an accordian style folder to keep all my inserts in tact, but it takes me forever to find a coupon. I am heading out to the store to buy everything I need! THANK YOU!!!
love the video….I do basically the samething….and yes since I have found your site I have saved alot. Thank you…..
Very helpful video!!! I’m a newbie couponer and still using the expandable file organizer (coupon size). But after watching your video, I might switch to binders and baseball card pockets (coz now I know where they are). Thanks Collin!
They do also sell 10 packs of the baseball card holders at Dollar Tree. They are in the toy section. 🙂
i’m glad you weren’t my math teacher 😉 , but if you were my home ec teacher i would have passed the class sooner! i couldn’t even sew that pillow!
My point is, i think anyone can learn from you because of your clear, amiable style! These three videos have been excellent! Siskel & Ebert say, two thumbs up!
Re Melissa A: I found the baseball card sheets at WalMart at the checkout lane that has all of the baseball, Pokemon cards etc. They were on the bottom shelf. HTH 🙂
Thank you so much for the information. I really appreciate it !
What a great video! I use the 3 ring binder method. I use a binder I got at Staples. Pricey but heavy duty (everything else would fall apart quickly). I actually use business card holders to store the Qs. They are smaller so you have to fold your Qs down a little BUT you get 10 on each page vs. 6. I fold them so I can see the exp. date on the back and the item on the front. You can buy packs of these pretty cheap at an office store. Can also buy in bulk pretty cheap.
i have the same question as others-where did you find that purse?! and if you remember the price range that would help to! thank you again for all your work!
Oh, I also would like to know where you got your purse. I have a bag that my binder fits in perfectly but it has short little handles which makes it really hard to carry when baby is in tow too! Thanks for all of your hard work!
You are way to cute! I LOVE the video blogs!! You are helping me out so much!! I loved that you actually went to Walmart to show us!! lol !! Great job and thank you so much! I’ve been going back and forth about “upgrading” to a binder….I think I might after you showing me all the info! Although, I may need to buy a purse like yours now! hee, hee! Ohh and do you clip ALL coupons…or do you keep some at home and clip just what you know you’ll use? Thanks again!!
Ok so dumb question maybe but you post the dates related to the q do you put that on the pages so you know where they came from? I am trying the write the date on the front but that is hard to track I am finding. Just wondering how to put all the info together. I have a place I can get the baseball sleeves for $3 a pack so I will have to remember to pick them up when I am there next.
I use the expandable file method. I have one for allof my coupons, and one by store for the coupons I am going to use that week (after I make my list from this site!).
Whatanangel:
I can sort of answer your question. There are a couple of sites out there that actually have a coupon database and will tell you which insert each coupon is in. I search the database when I am trying to find a coupon.
There are also people out there that actually do NOT cut the coupons out of the inserts and they have them filed by date in which the insert came out, that way it makes it much easier for them to find the coupon they are looking for.
HTH’s a little 🙂
Thank you so much for this! I’m working my way up to the binder. I’ve been collecting bits and pieces as I see them on sale. Right now I’m using the same purple accordion thing you showed in the video. It’s bursting at the seams and my husband said it’s time to move up now that I’ve “gone pro”. I showed him the video and your binder and showed him what “going pro” really is LOL!
Love these videos!
Also just wanted to add that I don’t think everyone needs to clip every single coupon. I personally don’t use every coupon, so I just use the “Monster Insert” method like Erica at iheartcvs.com shows. It’s pretty much just doing what Collin did, but stapling and re-assembling, and leaving it at that. Then you can find your coupons only when needed for a deal. I put them in a file folders by date. That’s why we refer to coupons by codes like “9/27 SS” anyway!
Thanks I guess I didn’t explain. I have been doing the no cut method and write the date on the front. However it is a pain when I run into good clearance deals. Don’t know where anything is. I am liking this method but I wondered if she is putting the date on a sticker or something on the baseball sheet so she knows when they were in the paper or does she not worry about that since they are all sorted in category. I just want a system that I can live with and isn’t time consuming. Right now I am being taken over by Q’s and missing lots of deals I feel.
Collin,
I totally love your videos! I’m trying to be a pro couponer lol but have not branched out to anything but Walmart yet. I need to but so afraid of all the rules and such each store has.
Your system is pretty much like mine! I use the smaller binder since I’m new..and wow! You have coupons!! I’m a bit short right now :(.
I have an idea if your interested. I see you said you put your coupons your going to be using in your purses side pouch? I bought one of those larger 3 ring pen/pencil etc zipper pouches with the clear plastic window and placed it in the front of my binder to place coupons I will be using in. Makes it easy to get to and see..as well as being with the rest of my Q’s! Also..I “borrowed” lol my husbands calculater that has the 3 ring binder holes on the side especially made to put into 3 ring binders so I can find out what kind of savings, or whatever else I need to calculate.
Thanks to you, I saved $45 last week at Walmart! Love it! Love it!
Thanks a bunch Collin!
If you use the baseball card holder, you can see the expiration date. If I have to fold my coupon, I fold it so that it shows what it is and the date. I have found that scanning the binder or whatever you use once a week or month, you can see what is going to expire or pull out expired coupons. I do it every Sunday before putting in new coupons. It also puts a mental note when I am shopping of what coupons I have. I am just weird like that..I can tell you what I have a coupon for, but I can’t remember where I put my keys!
How do you stay on top of expiration dates in the binder? Or do you not care? Right now my coupons are a mess and I’m hoping to upgrade to the binder method. I’ve been using an accordion folder and I file based on expiration date, but then if I want more than one of a product and have two coupons with different expiration dates, I have to go hunting. I’d like to file them by specific product in a binder, but what if a coupon is about to expire? Or do you just figure that deal was not meant to be?
Along those lines, how do you then weed out your coupons after they have expired. I find that with my accordion it is very easy because I just go to the front every week and throw away coupons that I did not use that have expired, with the binder, I’m going to be plucking out more and having to look through them to see if they are going to expire soon! Just really confused on this….Would love to hear how others are doing it.
This was so helpful! I try to stay organized but with all the coupons it can be difficult. Thanks for all your help…love your blog!
I was able to find the hard plastic dividers at the 99cents only store. There were 8 in each packet. I had seen baseball card holders there also, but when I went back they had no more 🙁
Thank You for your video of Tips!!
thank you for the video . when i send people to your site. it will help the newbies get started .
thanks 🙂
Thanks and it is very helpful to know where to get those items to start my new 1st coupon binder soon! Love your video and keep up good work!!
Just to let you know, Rite Aid has their Back to School stuff 75% off. I purchased a 2 inch Five Star binder for $2!
I have started buying my baseball card holders at Target. Not only are they cheaper-they are a better quality plastic so it seems easier to get the coupons in and out.
Your the BOMB!!
You do such a great job!
I use my old small accordian organizer to help me by sorting my coupons per store. That way I can organize my whole shopping trip to every store ahead of time. then when I get to say Target I go to that catagory and pull out the coupons I plan to use there. If I don’t get to all my stores I still have them ready to go and can easily find them.
your so stylish and pretty and i love your furniture! do you pay full price on clothes and stuff for your house?
Amandaspam,
I do end up throwing away coupons I didn’t use and they expired. But it just might be me? I’m on a tight budget, so I look for them to go on sale if the coupon isn’t exactly high value. I separate my Q’s in my binder just like Collin, and scan that section of the store as I come to it and see if an item I have a Q for is on sale.
I too go through my binder once a week..and usually by the end of the month I have thrown away quite a few coupons. But I know they will be back again and hopefully be a greater deal. But I do like to try and make use of my high value coupons before they expire.
I just converted to the binder method and it’s much easier to find your coupons. However, to get started, it takes FOREVER to set up/organize your binder and super-clip the coupons so they’ll fit in the baseball card holders (about 10 hours!). But it’s worth it! I got a 2″ zippered binder – high quality- with pockets at Target for $9 or so. Pretty expensive, but it’s holding my coupons well. Plus I started off with 2 packages of baseball card holders from Walmart and barely had enough! I need to find out how to get my tabs to stick out more so I can read them and they’re not covered by the baseball cards. Anyways, great video!
I just bought the plastic tab inserts at Target for $.48 a piece. They were in the back of the store in the back to school clearance section.
Instead of throwing expired coupons away, you can donate them to military families. Visit : http://www.ocpnet.org for more information. 5 friends and I go in together and send a big batch once a month. It feels great to help our military families!
Same thing! Where did you get that amazing purse? You probably don’t want to tell us because we’re all going to be walking around with that awesome purse!!LOL