"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.
Sorry that post was so long.
I also wanted to say I am spending as much as I was before couponing(started in june) but we have so much food and household items stored now it is great!!
Also thanks to you I went to cvs and wags sunday and got $225(not including tax) for $45. I am at the store waiting for it to open at 7:50 so I am sure to get the deals I want!!
Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.
How do you know after you have clipped your coupons and placed them in your binder which date and coupon section they were in. (example RP 8/23, ect)
When you tell us which date and coupons section you always know where the coupon was found. Do you date you coupons or have some sort of list???
Great job with your video. Can you share where you got your orange coupon binder?
hehe he.. i love these videos.
funny thing though..
bought the same purse @ Target, but mine fell apart about 9 months later and now i can’t find the purse anymore! I am so bummed b/c it was the best thing ever!
I used to clip all the week’s coupons and organize them by insert and put the date on a sticky.
I’ve now switched to categories just like Collin’s except i stole the categories from thecouponclippers.com (they also give you a good base to start out with).
Anyway, I’ve found both ways to be effective. Especially if you rely on where the coupon was found and such. You just have to keep up with it and it’ll get so much easier as time goes on!
I love the videos, too! I check your blog several times a day ( like so many others) and it’s cool to see the “real deal”. =)
I had 2 bill sized organizers ;ne was for groceries, cleaning products and restaurants and the other for all personal care items.The personal care organizer finally “busted” and I splurged and bought a $12 Mead zippered binder at Walgreens ( not on sale OMG… but I had a lot of RRs that were about to expire– oops!).
I didn’t see how the baseball card sheets would work not realizing that you only put a few coupons in each pocket so I bought some of the photo sheets for $2/pk at Wal-mart. Each sheet has 3 larger pockets. They are great if you have several coupons for each pocket but not too many ( they’ll fall out!).
After watching your videos, I think I will use the tabs instead of subdividing things so much ( easy to find, but hard to sort and weed out expired!) and go to using mostly the baseball card holders.
I am going to hang onto my “pricey” binder for awhile– I do like that it has the expandable folders in it and a place for calculator, etc. I have a tab on the files for each store that I frequent and each week I put all of the coupons from the matchups in the respective sections.
I also do a copy and paste like someone else mentioned, but I do it in MS word because you can hold down CTRL and click the coupon links to print the coupons. I usually try to have everything in the computer by the prior Thurs. and then I can go through and print coupons and have everything lined up for shopping. I have a 1 year old and it’s worked great for me! I also keep my EBs and RRs in the respective store categories.
As for storage, my husband converted one of our walk-in closets into an extra pantry and it’s been great for food items and also toiletries. I have hanging shoe organizers with pockets in almost all of my closets with pet treats, razors and food items.
The big thing that has helped my family is investing in about 12 under the bed Rubbermaid style storage tubs. I have labelled each with “hair products” , “body wash/deodorant”, etc. and I fill those to capacity before using precious pantry space!
Sorry to be so long-winded!( I get worked up and out of breath, too BTW!)
HTH!
I hope you post a trip to Walgreens so I can see how its done! I’ve never stepped foot into a Walgreens (yet) and need a little run through!
Thanks for all you do Collin!
You must be some kind of mind reader because this morning I was just thinking that I had out-grown my system of categorized envelopes!
I have the same binder but in pink. It’s a Staples Brand 3″ binder that sells for $13.99 in Atlanta. Would love to know where you found the purse w/pockets, I could definately use that!
A thought on TROWING AWAY EXP COUPONS, see if you can donate them to groups that will send them oversees to our troups. There was just an article in our local paper about how the troups can use them for 6 months past there expiration date. I figure we have them clipped & sorted already anyway, why not try to help our & show support? I imagine you can google it in your area. Thanks 🙂
thank you!! That was awesome. I spend more time sorting through my coupons in the store than I do actually buying. Frustrating…especially when I have a kid with me.
About the PURSE: I found it at Target for $29.99. 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to do this, it helped me a great deal!!!! I am so excited about my current saving and now after watching your video I look fwd to saving even more!!! so thanks again, Trish
Thank you so much. I’ve been wanting to learn how to stack and use coupons and I needed to start with the basics. Huge help. Thanks again. Please, Please keep it up!
You are adorable! Great job girlfriend! and I LOVE your shirt!
Maybe this has been asked and I overlooked it in the comments, but for all who use the binder method – if you have multiple (but different) coupons for the same item do you put them in separate slots or together?
ex.) 3 french’s mustard coupons, 2 for $0.75 off and 1 for $0.55 all expiring at different times….
Thanks!
Okay…I did it. I watched BOTH videos. I didn’t see this mentioned yet, but…you have some awesome friends or spouse who will be patient and videotape you so you can help SO MANY STRANGERS!!! LOL!
I’m debating about the binder of this magnitude. Right now, I have a couple of the expandables, and it’s working for me.
I’m curious to know how to separate your ‘grocery store’ coupons and your ‘drug store’ coupons if you separate them at all. AND…do you take the binder with you to both stores???
I know I won’t do a binder this size. I’m taking into consideration the size, back issues, and how heavy that may be! Whew…
All in all – I AM THRILLED to have found your site! Keep up the GREAT work!
I also use a binder for my coupons but I don’t bother with dividers. I find that they just bulk up my binder. I use Post-it plastic tabs and just apply them directly onto my baseball card pages.
Now is also a great time to find a binder on the back to school clearance sales. GoodWill also usually has binders at around 99 cents.
I was excited that I use the same method you use (almost) and our categories are almost the same, too! Another tip…besides baseball card inserts get a small pack of the full-size sheet protectors for bigger coupons like bed, bath & beyond coupons, and also the clear photo holders have 3-4 pockets. I actually use that now, but I just bought some baseball card inserts today, too. I organize my grocery coupons by actual aisle…like I have aisle 1 is cereal, peanut butter, etc….and I have all the categories on that page. Then all my other ones in the back I have sorted alphabetically (baby, dental, makeup, paper products,…etc.)
Love the videos!
I love all your tips and your site. Your videos are great! I do have a question. Does store security ever stop you? That purse is big. Does anyone ever think you are shoplifting? I’m wondering because I work in retail myself.
You are just too cute! Love your Blog and the videos helped sooo much. Going to get my supplies today!
Dearest Collin,
I just finished watching your video. You really crack me up because you and I are a lot alike. I’m also a dork (just ask my friends and family,) and I talk as fast as you do (most of the time I have to repeat myself.)Anyway I wanted to let you know that your Hip2Save blog and videos are helping thousands of people to save money and time. Your videos show us that you are the “REAL” deal and that you are just like the rest of us. The information you provide is very valueable and I thank you for all that you do for your readers and followers.
I just wanted to add that Walgreen’s carries a set of plastic dividers that have a pocket on them! What is nice is that the tabs are large and stick out past the card holder pages enough to read easily. I use the pocket to put the coupons that are going to expire in a day or two or if I do not have time for newly printed coupons.
Gotta love Collin she is just a sweetheart and gives very good info for couponing, thanks for everything you do for us!
I thought you were nuts to have a binder for coupons. Then I went shopping with my little organizer and fumbled through the coupons, frustrated as ever. I ran out and bought the stuff to organize and LOVE it. I added a few zipper pockets to the binder for pen/scissors, emails of store coupon policies and store receipts. I am hooked on this! Thanks for the idea.
luv the videos!!! i have learned at ton and the trip to wal-mart one is hilarious, the checkout guy looked scared!! and i’m glad i’m not the only one who can’t pronounce half those names!!! thanks for all you do!!!
If you are looking for a purse to hold coupon’s email me and I will send you a picture…they are super cute!
shortinthebay@gmail.com
https://stylinbinders.blogspot.com/
here is my blog for the binder purse.
Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for us. I really like your video. I have one question. As you show us your coupon binder, I don’t see any internet printed coupons. Could you please also show us how do you organize your IP coupons? Do you fold them and put in baseball card sheet as well? maybe in a different binder? I always have a problem finding my IP coupons when I need it. Thank you.
Here is a great way to collate and clip a large amount of coupons! This saves so much time for me!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrLcbwBKNP0
fyi hobby lobby has a really nice VERY durable 3 inch binder with 100 – 9 pocket pages for baseball cards for $19.99! what a great deal! it is in the section with all the easels and coin/baseball card collector items.
Hi. I am interested about the Olay deal at Rite Aid in this week of oct 11-17. if I follow your deal scenario, can I get the $9 moneymaking deal?shimla
You are so cute. Thanks so much. I am new to couponing and get frustrated using just the envelope! Thanks for the great tutorial!!
On the chance that Anon. that posted about the Case It binder w/strap that she got on amazon.com is still following this post….
The reviews were good and bad. I am tending to think that the ones that said that the binders fell apart were from parents of school kids who abused them. However, I do lug my binder in and out quite a bit and don’t want something flimsy, so anyone who has a positive or negative review for this binder…I would appreciate feedback.
I want to purchase one with my gift cards from Swagbucks!
Hi, I found 3 inch D ring zippered binders at walmart yesterday w/ the leftover back to school items that were on markdown…they were 7.00! They also had 2 inch for 7.00 and 1 1/2 inch for 3.00…all zippered binders. There were plastic dividers on sale for 1.50. Not bad!
Ok. I just love the organizer you have. I use the accordian style. I currently have 2 of those that I carry in my store. 1 for food items and one for nonfood. It can be a hassle. I even made he attempt to switch to your binder method felt completely overwhelmed since I realized that I would have to fold a LOT of my coupons to make them fit. Since seeing your video, I think I will give it a shot again. From time to time I have to take a break from couponing. So during this next break period, I will begin the switch. Thanks for the demo…
Hey there! Ok so you are awesome!!! I have been doing the couponing for about 6 months now and I am so addicted. I went from the envelope…to the file box….to a filing cabinet(no clipping but sorted by date) and then to the well known…zipper binder. I just watched a few of your videos and learned a few tricks. Thank you!!!! ~Amiah
P.S. When they see me coming with the binder… They Cringe!!! LOL
I absolutely LOVE your blog. I am totally hooked and check it several times a day. You are the best! THANKS!
Thank you SO much for the awesome videos! I watch them every week! My husband was a skeptic when I started and now he is bringing my receipts out to the neighbors and bragging!! I just started couponing a little over a month ago and I LOVE it! I was just starting to put my categories on my binder when I saw your video! I love your purse too I turned up the video and told hubby I need a new purse LOL!
I went to Walmart today in So cal and they do not sell baseball card holders 🙁 I am going to have to try and find them somewhere else
I totally found your purse today, or at least it looks the same. My mom is visiting for Florida and we were at Target and I said I need a purse like the Hip2Save girl and she looked up and said would this one work and I was shocked, it was the same bag. I am so loving it!
I don’t normally carry a purse and my coupon organizer looking like one makes it hard for me to just toss it in the car without worrying about my car getting broken into when I don’t want to carry it around. I found a lunchbox (the kind that holds a six-pack) for $1.50 at the Goodwill. I found a pack of 10 photo holders for $.99 at Walmart and bout about 8 of them. They stand up perfectly inside the lunchbox and I can see what is in each one like your baseball card holders. The lunchbox also sits in the grocery cart seat nicely so I can get in/out easily. Mine has a pocket on the front so I can put the coupons I am using in it. Just thought I would pass along my method!
I just spent hours reading and watching blogs and videos on the coupon binder and I just wanted to say that yours was definately the best! I learned so much from watching your video that I am now considering switching over to the binder method! Thank you so much for your videos–being able to see the “real” you behind all your posts is what has made me fall in love with your blog!
Hi,
I just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE your site. I’m only 21 and I just started the whole couponing thing. I’m sooo glad you made these videos to show how to make a book for my coupons. I was using one of those small files, but I hate that I can see the front of the coupons, so I love the baseball card holder idea! Thanks again for sharing all your information on this. It’s really making a difference with my finances!!!
WOW! I thought I was doing great as a beginner with my couponing.. LOL But that video just opened my eyes a little more.. I just went grocery shopping and was so exhausted at the end because of having to search through my coupons while shopping.. I have one of those pocket file organizers.. not very good if you ask me because I spent more time searching for coupons then I did actually purchasing stuff! I do have a question.. Do you count your coupons and how much you’ll get taken off before you hand it to the cashier? I was at the commissary doing my grocery shopping and the cashier became so frustrated with all my “buy one get one free” coupons that I think she overlooked some.. Should I count my coupons before I hand them to her and how can I make it an easier process so I don’t loose track while I am loading the belt for her to scan my items? Also.. what sites to you subscribe to in order to build your coupon base? I am printing off of the sites you mention but I see in your video that you have more sites you subscribe to.. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! 🙂
I just came across your site a few days ago and just had a question, do you not shop at the commissary or PX? The binder materials would be cheaper at the PX and the commissary offers us overage on our coupons. I just wanted to ask since you are a military wife. I dont see any mention of the commissary or PX. Thanks for all your tips!
I was just in Target yesterday and they have Collin’s coupon purse there. I’m in Indiana so not sure if they all have them but it was on an endcap..
walmart no longer has the trading card sleeves. The target near me sells them for $10 for i think 65 sheets i was looking for something cheaper then that amazon has 25 sheets for $6
My walmart has the baseball card holders. you might just need to ask a manager where they are.
I did ask, I asked several people in the store and they said that they no longer carry it. I’m in Arizona, but I even look at Walmart.com and they don’t come up there. I just bought them from Target though.
I went to walmart yesterday and they do not have them. 🙁
Does anyone know where I can find the info to print out the categories Collin has for the coupon binder? I would like them to re-do my notebook and I have been looking everywhere. 🙁
TIA!!
Mayra
https://hip2save.hiphappeningsllc.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/H2S-Coupon-Binder-Cover-Sheet.pdf
or Go to the top right where you can click all categories, click on videos, about 40% of the way down, she is listing all of the supplies for a binder. It is titled Coupon Binder Cover Sheet.