Coffee with Collin: Coupon Organization Part 2
Today’s Coffee with Collin is all about my coupon binder. That’s right… today, you will get an exclusive look at my gigantic coupon binder! Plus, you’ll get lots of tips to make your very own binder!
On a side note, I had a great opportunity to visit with reader, Tambry, from Tennessee. Unfortunately, when I went back to edit the video, I discovered that it was really difficult to hear Tambry speaking. For this reason, I’ve decided to not include my conversation with Tambry in the video below. I’ve also decided to not continue with the reader conservations at this point. I am trying to think about another way to get you all involved, so stay tuned for some possible ideas.
Enjoy!
**If you can’t see the video, go here to watch it.
As you saw in the video above, my favorite coupon organization method is the three-ring binder with baseball card sleeves and clear plastic dividers. I prefer a standard three-ring binder versus the more expensive zippered binder. Although, I initially started out with a zippered binder, I was unable to zip the binder as my coupon stash expanded (which defeats the purpose). In addition, the binder was so bulky and very difficult to put in my purse. I arrange my coupons by category… you can also arrange them alphabetically.
Coupon Binder Supply List
* Heavy-Duty 3 Ring Binder
(keep in mind that Staples has all Avery Heavy-Duty View Binders at 50% Off with in-ad coupon this week)
* 4 sets of Plastic Dividers 8 count
(I highly encourage you to spend the extra money to get plastic instead of paper …it will be well worth it!)
* Baseball Card Sleeves to hold your coupons
(If you are a newbie couponer, you may only want to purchase 18-20 sleeves initially and then add more as your coupon supply grows)
* Scissors – Every couponer needs these! 😉
(Staples has the Westcott 8″ Recycled Scissors on sale for $2 with in-ad coupon this week)
Build Your Own Coupon Binder on Amazon.com:
(for those of you who would prefer to create a coupon binder from the comfort of your own home)
* Avery Durable View 3 Inch EZ-Turn Ring Binder $9.59 with FREE shipping with Amazon Prime
* Avery Style Edge Insertable Plastic Dividers 8-Tab Set $5.41 with FREE shipping with Amazon Prime
* 25 pack of baseball card sleeves $5.99 with FREE shipping with Amazon Prime
OR 100 pack of baseball card sleeves $13.75 with FREE shipping with Amazon Prime
Wondering what categories I use? Check out these FREE Hip2Save printables below to help you organize your own coupon binder…
* Hip2Save Coupon Binder Cover Sheet
* Avery Style Edge Plastic Dividers (item #11201): Page 1 and Page 2
* Avery Big Tab Insertable Plastic Dividers (item #11901 & 16282): Page 1 and Page 2
As I mentioned in this video, I highly encourage you to print off each store’s coupon policy and place it in your binder. Below are the direct links to the coupon policies of some of my favorite stores…
Rite Aid Coupon Policy
Target Coupon Policy
Walgreens Coupon Policy
Walmart Coupon Policy
* Please note that CVS does not have a coupon policy; however, check out my CVS Store Guide for lots of great tips!
If you are a newbie couponer, start small. Instead of jumping into a binder (which can be very overwhelming), consider filling up an envelope with coupons. As you become more familiar with couponing and are determined to continue for the long term, then you may want to advance to the binder method or another organizational method of your choice.
Did you miss my past Coffee with Collin episodes?! If so, head on over here to check them all out.
A special thanks to GiftCardRescue.com for providing Tambry with a $50 Starbucks gift card! If you are in the market to buy, sell or exchange unwanted gift cards, be sure to check out GiftCardRescue.com.
i tend to cut all the coupons except hair dye and pet products because quite often something i don’t normally use turns into a money maker to pay for things i do use. this leads to a ton of coupons! i’m bot sure they would all fit in a 3″ binder. ideas?
I use two methods. I clip every coupon too. Because somethings do turn into moneymakers. I place the coupons for the items I normally use in a binder that I take inside the stores with me. The other coupons that I clip, incase they become moneymakers, I place in a small filing box. I don’t take the filing box inside the store with me.
hmm. i like it. i think i might have to give this a try. i just hate when i see things on clearance and i have no idea if i have a coupon for it or not. the system i currently use is putting the insert in a page protector and then clipping what is on my list. it’s easy but i miss out on deals.
Collin, how do like that type of binder with your purse? Does it still open ok like the regular binders? I almost bought one a month ago, but thought it wouldn’t work well in my purse.
Hi Carie,
I LOVE it!! My binder fits perfectly in my purse… in fact, there is quite a bit of room left for my wallet and other items. I can also easily open my binder when it’s in my purse and get coupons out that way.
Love watching all of your videos Collin! You are so bubbly, you make me smile 🙂 Off to organize those coupons now, thanks for sharing any and all of your tips to us!
How much time do you spend per week cutting and sorting coupons? Fun to see someone else’s coupon binder and so many great tips in the comments section!
I spend about 2 hours on Sunday and/or Monday evenings getting my coupons clipped and organized… and going through my expired coupons. I also make it a family activity and let my kiddos pick out a coupon or two for any products they want to try. My almost 10 year old son helps me clip the coupons too which helps streamline the process.
I do the same exact thing. I get my family involved. We all make a game out of couponing. As I pull out the expired coupons my kids (4 and 1) like to pretend with them and then they throw them away when we are done. My husband helps me sort the coupons by catagory, then by brand, paper clip the same brand together with any Target coupons for that brand, and then file them in my small accordian file. I put any freebie item coupons in the front pocket of the file along with specialty coupons (ie..amazon.com diaper coupons, or toysrus coupons). I find the paper clipping the brand together with target coupons is very very helpful.
Thank you so much for all the work you do. I’m very tempted to try the binder.
For me, I don’t see the point in clipping a coupon you may not use. I keep all of my coupons but I file my inserts. I also have one of each insert in a small file folder in my car for the “just in case” deals, but other than that I think it would be a waste of my time. I actually started out by doing it the clipping and binder way, but changed to the filing sytem and I think it works much better. Not saying your way is the wrong way. No way is wrong or right. I’m just suggesting this to people who maybe don’t have time to clip all their coupons. My kids are 5 and 1. I won’t let people help me with my coupons. They do not get it. lol It would cause wayyyy too much confusion so I just do it. Also, if I’m at a store and see clearance I will use a coupon data base to see if there is one so I don’t need a binder and I rarely buy anything not on my list.
I actually have my binder organized by Publix grocery stores, since I shop there the most. I am able to fly through the grocery store and be out before my husband is calling me asking me where I have been for four hours….lol
are the baseball card holders – cheaply made from amazon, i have brought some from walmart and had to replace them because they tore.
i find that target has the most durable ones.
anyone help on the amazon ones?
I don’t know about the amazon ones. But I know from the years of my boys collecting trading cards, that you need to look at the mil of the plastic each sheet is made out of.
The higher the mil the thicker the plastic and the longer it will last without tearing. If the product doesn’t have a mil count it is likely very weak and thin.
I get mine at Staples…had mine over 2 years and still haven’t had to replace them!
I found mine at Kmart in my area. They carry two brands. I bought the Ultra Pro brand which is the #1 choice of collectors. They seemed durable. it was $4.99 for a package of 30. Our Office Max has a set of 10 for $3.50….yes 10! Kmart was a much better deal and higher quality.
Collin–I love your coffee with Collin episodes. You have totally changed my life (and the lives of several family members & friends!) with all of your tips, tricks, and coupon deals. Just to give you a little peek…I’m watching your episode today after just brewing a cup of Green Mountain coffee (full size free sample you posted about!) in my Gevalia coffee maker (needed a replacement coffee maker right when you posted that deal!) and drinking it out of my free Buxr coffee mug that I won on your site. Keep up the awesome job! You are SO APPRECIATED! 🙂
Love it! 😀
You have provided so much good information. The binder system is something I will try. I am currently using an envelope systems and don’t have as many categories. I like the way you broke down the categories and gave use the list to print and use. THANKS!
Do those of you that use binders find it difficult with little ones in tow? I ask because I can’t imagine carrying that, a diaper bag and a little one at the same time. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Well my son is almost two, so the need to carry the diaper bag into the store isn’t there so much for me anymore. I just make sure there is a small snack and a sippy in my purse. I use the binder, and what I do is just lay it down in the large part of the cart, since my son sits at the top. It is a little tough when you start filling the cart up with groceries, but you figure it out! Anything to save some $$! I think what I am going to get is a nice bag to put my coupon book in with enough room for my wallet and snacks if my son is with me, so that way there is only one bag Im carrying into the store. Hope this helps!! 🙂
I have a four month old, I put the binder in the diaper bag. Sometimes I put her in a sling to carry and put the binder in the kids seat to flip through.
I have a 9 month old and use the binder. I have to be so quick to get in and out with her or she’ll get antsy. Anyway, I bought a back pack when they went on sale. The kind that has two big pouches. That way i can put all of her stuff in one and my binder, ads, wallet, etc in the other pouch. It works great. Just make sure that you put the back pack in the cart when you get in the door. I’ve just worn it when I was places like CVS, with the world’s smallest carts. You wouldn’t believe how helpful people are when they think you’re putting stuff in a backpack. I just got to know the employees at the places that I go to a lot and now they don’t care that I’ve got a backpack on, they know I’d never steal anything….just get it for dirt cheap.
Thanks so much for the replies! I think I’m going to try the binder and leave the diaper bag in my car.
I have 2 boys (4.5 & 1.5) and a 3 year old daughter. I always make up my list at night our before I leave the house and put it with my coupons. I can easily do 2 stores with all 3 kids. Of course I don’t get a ton of things, just what’s on sale if I have coupons for it:)
I’m in a coupon transition – a coupsition. I have a small accordian coupon holder from the dollar store which has given birth to an additional envelope with drug store coupons only, both carried in my purse. My problem was that I was clipping so many coupons that my pile of expired coupons was at least a third of the total and I kept out-growing my storage. A few weeks ago I changed to clipping only what I’m sure I’ll use and leaving the remainder in-tact in the insert, filed by date – which doesn’t leave the house. I include a cover sheet of what’s in the insert and cross off any used. Basically, I’ve changed from “just in case” clipping to “just in time”. I’ve also started ordering coupons from a clipping service which has worked really well for me because I don’t want whole other inserts (when I use at most 20%) but need high volume of certain coupons. For example, my teens can drink a 4 pack of Starbucks drinks in a white hot second. Combining the sale at Rite-Aid this week and my coupon clipper service, that’s a home run! Thx.
I so want your purse Collin! Where did you get it. I would love to disguise the good old coupon binder….althought I LOVE IT!
Collin got her purse at Target on clearance. They have them again but they are full price like $25- $35 I don’t remember how much. Next time you are there go look in the purse isle. I got a black laptop bag on clearance about a year and a half ago for $4.77 and it works wonderful for my big binder.
Hi Holly,
I got my bag at Target a while back on clearance. I Love it! It’s big and fits my binder really well and it also has other compartments where I stick scissors, pens, calculator etc. You can check out what it looks like on this post:
https://hip2save.com/2010/12/my-target-clearance-finds-and-share-yours.html
I hope it helps! 🙂
Thanks so much!!! Your wonderful =)
Ah I love it! In my second month of coupon’s. We went straight to the binder method 4 Im an organized freak. lol But love the target tips! & the taps. I did happen to stumble apon some adhesive tab dividers that just stick to the baseball card holders. Working wonders & hopefully saving space. (really want to be able to keep my awesome zipper binder) Only downfall is its not printed so not as pretty. 🙁 purchased @ Kmart.
Yes, I have those too… no need for extra bulk in my binder 🙂
Have you ever lost your coupon binder? If the answer is yes, what did you do about it?
It is a good idea to put your address IN your binder, so that if you lost it and someone HONEST finds it… that it might be returned )
I have left my binder in the shopping cart 3 times!! Once at CVS, once at Rite Aid and once at BJ’s Wholesale (like Costco or Sam’s Club.) Amazingly, all three times, when I returned, it was behind the desk- I did not, and still don’t, have my name/ phone number/ address inside… (I should get on that!), but honest people found my binder and turned it in each time. (At BJ’s it was under the cart, outside, hundreds of people entering and exiting the store, and still, someone dug it out from under the cart and brought it in to the greater!!) The thing is, that I didn’t panic (and it was always HOURS later when I discovered that it was missing… in one case it was about 2 days.) My theory was that anyone who used coupons wouldn’t steal… And anyone who would steal wouldn’t bother to use coupons (why steal coupons when you could steal products??) Each time, I said a prayer to St. Anthony (I’m Catholic 🙂 ) returned to the store when I was able, and found my binder at the cashier’s desk.
I desperately need a purse like Colin’s so that I’m not leaving the binder in the cart!!
Colleen-
Tell me where you got your awesome bag! I LOVE it!!! I HATE lugging around my big old bulky binder and that bag would be perfect! And knowing how much you love to save…I am sure it was a good deal :-)))
I got my bag at Target a while back. I actually snatched it up when it was on clearance which was great! 🙂 I’ve also seen it recently at Target, so I know it’s still available… it just may not be on clearance anymore.
This is EXACTLY what I needed – a step by step guide to making a coupon binder! Thank you sooooo much. I am known for being very unorganized.
One question for anyone out there – do you have a system of going through and getting rid of expired coupons?
I go thru my binder every week, putting in new coupons and taking out expired ones… I’ve been couponing for about a year and still trying to figure out how it all works best for me.
Yes, I go through and pull out my expired coupons on Sunday or Monday. Also, like I said in the video, I try to make sure all the expiration dates are shown through the sleeves. That way it’s very easy to go through and quickly pull out the expired coupons.
I use the binder method / combined with the filing inserts method. I also have a super OCD coupon binder. I file my coupons by expiration month and within each month have categories. On the first day of a new month, I go through and take out the expired coupons (like most recently I just cleaned out my February “section”), and clean out the expired ones that way. It is super easy, I don’t have to look for expiration dates, I just know that all the coupons in that section are expired. I have found this to be the easiest way (and a HUGE time saver) for me. It is super quick too, to just flip to the different sections in each month for certain coupons and I know that any coupon found will not be expired one that I could have possibly missed cleaning out. It may sound confusing for some, but it makes complete sense in my head! ;o)
Collin, I love the tips, I also put in the front of the binders the ad inserts. I live on a military post so AAFES is a lot closer then some store that they price match. Also now AAFES has their coupons that they will stack with manufacture coupons. So, I have priced matched used AAFES and manufactures coupons all at once and saved lots of money.
We WANT TO SEE YOUR STOCKPILE COLLIN, PLEASE PLEASE. SHOW US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes!! I would LOVE to see your stockpile, Collin!! For some reason, I really enjoy looking at other’s stockpiles…is that weird??? 🙂
collin, i was just wondering about how many bassball card holder inserts do you have in your binder on a normall bassicks.
Hi Janet,
I currently have around 60 baseball card inserts inside my binder.
I have a CaseIt – double binder, I keep food and non-foods separate 🙂 I don’t even bother with dividers, but attached tabs to my baseball card sleeves 🙂
Thanks Collin – always interesting to see how you do things! Love your blog!
ok…I am on target…sorry to be such a worry whart….do you know what brand? I see a Bueno brand that is red and looks vry similar……
it’s Merona brand…I posted the link below a few comments down 😉
Yes, the purse is made by Merona. You can see a picture of what it looks like here:
https://hip2save.com/2010/12/my-target-clearance-finds-and-share-yours.html
I just moved to a binder method and instead of using the baseball card pages I use currency protectors that I bought on Amazon. To me they are easier to get into.
https://www.amazon.com/BCW-Pro-3-Pocket-Page-Currency/dp/B000IKB8TY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1299531914&sr=8-2
Thank you so much for your link….I loveee these. The baseball cards just seem harder for me to stick them in….thanks!
Your welcome.
Thank you–I have baseball card holders, but I think I’ll like these so much better!
I love this idea, I have trouble with the baseball card holders being too small, i was wondering though how many of them you have to use, with only three slots to a page do you have trouble with that? Or what’s your method?
Collin,
I have been following your site for a long time and DYING to see your binder. I have been couponing for about 2 years and always put the entire insert in an accordion file based on the date and then pulled the coupons when you match up deals…which leads to my question. How do you know the date and magazine (SS, RP, PG) when they are all clipped? I ask b/c I sometimes use coupons that I wouldn’t normally use if it’s a money maker. So do you only clip coupons you are SURE you will use or do you clip them all????? do you use coupontom.com to find the matchups???
I clip all the coupons, but only put the ones I would most likely use in my binder. The rest go in an envelope (I always use return envelopes from junk mail) marked with the insert and date, for instance: SS 3/6. Then those envelopes are just stuck in a shoe box in order of date. That way they’re ready to quickly grab whenever that odd deal comes along, or if I hear someone needs a pet food or hair color coupon. And it’s easy just to toss the entire envelope once everything inside is expired.
For all of you who were looking for the cool purse Collin got at Target for her coupon binder..this is it:
https://www.target.com/Merona-Exotic-Work-Tote-Red/dp/B001D7LBB6/ref=br_1_2?ie=UTF8&id=Merona%20Exotic%20Work%20Tote%20Red&node=51504011&searchSize=30&searchView=grid3&searchPage=2&sr=1-2&qid=1299532328&rh=&searchBinNameList=subjectbin,price,target_com_primary_color-bin,target_com_size-bin,target_com_brand-bin&searchRank=salesrank&frombrowse=1
I am just starting on putting all my coupons into a binder. I have had them in 2 sepearate huge accordian style folders- 1 with a category for each food, snack, personal care, etc and then the other one was store specific. I had a spot for all the coupons I was going to use at Target, Walmart, Hyvee, coupons to use now, etc. I am starting to change to binder, one of my tips for the printable coupons is to use the currency sleeves instead of baseball card sleeves! They are about the same size as a bill when cut, sometimes you have to fold them over a little, but this way they are all cut out and if I have a store coupon that matches up with a mgf coupon then I put that coupon in the sleeve as well. This way I have the match up coupons together in the same spot!
YOU ROCK!!!! BUYING IT NOW!!!!
I love the binder method! I also use a full sheet protector in my binder for rebate items. I have 1 sheet per rebate. That way the rebate form, and my receipts are all in one place until I meet the rebate requirements 🙂
Great idea, Ginny! I am going to start doing that! 🙂
I do the same thing!! I have all my rebates forms, rebate receipts, UPC codes (basically, everything I send in the mail) photocopied and in the plastic page protectors. Then, I mark on them when I sent them in (the date) so I know when to roughly expect them in the mail (8-10 weeks from that date). If they haven’t arrived by then, I know to contact the company. 🙂
I love this idea too! I am going to start doing this also. Thanks for the great tip!
Since I started following your site like 2 yrs ago, I’ve saved so much. I love the coupon binder method. I usually keep my binder home because I usually look through the weekly coupon scenerios for the various stores I go to and I just print and clip the coupons I’ll be using and store them in my small accordian file holder which I categorize by store name. I just bought a big black purse from Target $29.99 and used my 20% Merona coupon and was able to get it for $23.99 but Im using that bag for other reasons. I am waiting for those bags to go on clearence at Target so that I could use it specially for my binder, I dont think they’ve been on clearence at my store yet.
Great job Collin, you always know how to get us saving fast in a smart way. Way to go, your the best.
I wanted to share how I coupon, as I think I finally found a way that works for me and thought it may help someone else!
I use a binder, but try and get all my coupons together before I leave the house. I make my lists and pull the coupons I need for each store. On my lists make sure to note if I have coupons and what I need to be able to use them (example $1/2 16oz or larger so I know I need to buy 2 of the product 16 oz or larger) Then I don’t have to be flipping through my binder or searching through my coupons at the store to find out what I need to use the coupon. When I go to the store, I put my coupons with lists in a wallet that is large with a zipper, so I don’t have to worry about them falling all over the place.
I also make sure to keep my binder in the car, just in case I see something great on sale, I can run out to the car for my binder. Being a mom of a 2 year old I find I need to be prepared in case of a melt down mid store, and this seems to be working well for me. Plus, having a list keeps me for going crazy and buying things I don’t need at all, just because I have a coupon 🙂
Ellen, I pretty much do the same thing! I actually have a small notebook so I can keep an ongoing list for each store. And pull my coupons when I’m making my list with the matchups. I do take my binder in the store with me, because I often see things on sale that I have coupons for, that were not in the ad. I just keep my binder in the cart in a simple canvas bag. I usually have my 18 month old son with me, so running back out to the car is not as easy for me. And then it’s just easier to flip to it right then. 🙂
Thank you for putting this together-I have become a big couponer the past couple of years, and have used the traditional 50 envelopes in a large shoe box-which CAN drive me crazy at times-I have gone through so many shoeboxes. What’s kind of funny, to my surprise, my husband COMPLETELY ducktaped my falling apart shoebox-the multi purpose uses of ducktape!! It’s a little smelly, but boy o boy it can withstand rain, sleet and snow with this crazy Wisconsin weather!! My hubby was so proud of his creation, I may have to wait to create a coupon binder until my coupon box falls apart -if it ever does:)
I love it. I’m sitting here giggling to myself! I love everyone sharing their methods and what works best for them. After all, it is what is going to work the best to save the most for each of us. LOVE the shoe box story!
A bit off topic, but do y’all find yourself going to the store (Target/Publix/CVS/Walgreens/etc) a bunch of times/week…..perhaps just to grab a few bargains……more than you would have previously (pre-coupon days)? I go to a store almost every day, and while I am getting a ton of bargains, wonder if I am actually spending more (getting more of course) than I would have pre-coupon days. Perhaps I just need to be a bit more organized.
i feel the same way. luckily i have target, walgreens, kroger and walmart all within 1/4 mile of my house but still i have gotten to wear i hate gong to the store.
Yay! I thought I was the only one! My parents and husband think I am totally nuts too! My husband brags about my great deals but I wonder with gas prices soaring if going to all of these stores (Mine are: Meijer, Aldi, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart & Staples) if I am actually being counter-productive to the whole saving thing… lol
I try to limit my self to only 1 trip per week. I have a nice stock pile. I only buy what we need and then I might buy for whatever is coming up, Easter, Birthday, summer clothes. I was going to the store too much and not really doing the things I needed to do. I have 4 kids and need to keep my priorities but that is me! A person may need to go to the store frequently to stock up on things like I occassionally will make extra trips to get items, i.e. diaper, at a good price.
I just started couponing in January and I found myself going to the store everyday for a deal. I have been keeping track of how much I spend and save and I realized that I did spend a little more. So last month I limited myself to one trip unless I was going back because they were out of stock. And even then I stopped making a special trip to go get a deal. If I happened to pass the store on my way somewhere I would stop. I don’t know if it was this method or the fact that my stockpile is well started so I could pass on a lot of deals but I winded up spending a third of what I spent in January in February.
Yes, I agree that getting bargains has to be weighed against the time it takes away from doing other important things–I don’t go to the store just for one deal. I have a good stockpile now, so I don’t have to chase every bargain. I now have to include the cost of gas into my couponing trips, gas will soon reach $4/gallon where I am–maybe even as high as $5. Where are the coupons for gas?! 😉
i love that the first three reviews on those page protectors are from couponers and not collectors 🙂
Tip: Dollar Tree carries the plastic dividers. They cost less than the paper ones at Walmart =)
Collin!!! First off I want to thank you so much for all the hard work you do so we all can snag such Great Deals!! I got all the supplies to make my binder!! Put it all together and kinda fumbled after that.. I was wondering if you only put one coupon in a sleeve? What do you do with the others that you have clipped if you get 5 or 6 papers?? I have a friend that doesn’t clip her coupons out of the coupon papers..she just files them by date.. but.. I feel like i’m missing out on things on clearence when i go to different stores. Please help me out if you can..
Thanks so much!!
Tina
I put all the “like” coupons in the same sleeve… so if I have 5 $1/1 Tide coupons, they all go in the same sleeve. I also put them in order by expiration… so if I have 5 Tide coupons from one insert and 5 Tide coupons from another insert. I’ll put the ones that expire sooner up front.
I hope that makes sense!
Oh and if you like snagging clearance bargains and other unadvertised deals, the binder is definitely the way to go! 🙂
Collin!!
I want want to tell you how much i appreciate all your hard work with helping us with our Great Deals!! I have a question about the binder ?? Do you only put 1 coupon in a sleeve? and if so.. What do you do with the other liike coupons you have cut out ? Or should i maybe only cut one set out and keep the others as whole papers so i can tell the dates . Please help me out if you can.Just wondered what you do?.
Thanks so much
Tina G
What I do with multiple inserts (I get anywhere from 5-10/wk) is this – Take all SS and staple all the like pages together, so now I have 1 entire SS booklet, rather than 5-10 separate inserts. Do the same with RP & PG. Then I cut all the coupons from them that I think I might use. This way all the coupons are together and I don’t have a bunch of coupons I need to separate. All the cut coupons are then filed by their respective category, so if I have 6 coupons, they all get filed in one slot.
Then I take a post it flag and write the date of the insert and stick it to insert (so if I have SS, RP & PG, those are all filed together under 3/6) Next, I put the insert in a plastic storage container. Its deeper than shoe box size, but not to big, and fits my extras nicely. And I can shove it out the way as it fits underneath my dining room service buffet.
I always file the newest set of inserts on top. If a deal is mentioned and I didn’t clip, then I can pull the insert from my storage box. Having the post it flags help me locate the insert quicker, so I don;t have to pull each set out and look at the tiny date on the spine of the insert.
Check out my comment above. 🙂
I have a 13 month old and a five year old that go couponing with me sometimes. I put my binder in a reusable grocery bag that I got at Toys R Us. It is big enough to hold the binder and anything I need for the kids.
When I made my binder, I didn’t want to buy the sheet protectors so I used some sheet protectors that I already had used packaging tape to attach cut up index cards. The index card pieces are only about half an inch long and I write/type the name for that section. It saved me some money, but NOT time.
Friends have been asking how to start couponing so I’m glad your reviewing the basics. Besides scrolling back to catch your earlier videos do you have a list somewhere on the site with titles? If not is it possible to put one up? Not only does you site encourage me to coupon, but my 23 & 25 year old daughters are fans. Also, my mom, sister, brother, and a co-worker! You have a fan club in Appleton, Wisconsin!
Hi Mary,
You can see all my videos on my YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/hip2save?feature=mhum
Enjoy! 🙂
I use the binder system as well, but I do all of mine in page protectors by date, and then break them down into categories such as Smart Source, Red Plum, P&G. I’m going to add the FREE tab…thanks for that tip! Also I subscribe to ALL YOU Magazine, and tear out all the coupons from each month and label them in a separate section.
I have a question…where and how do you organize food coupons? Such as I have a FREE appetizer at Applebee’s, or free dessert at Dairy Queen? Any tips would be much appreciated! Thanks for all you do!!
Hi cayman,
That’s a great question. You could have a section in your binder for these. I, however, just have them in a desk drawer. When we want to go out to dinner, we just open the drawer, look through the coupons and pick the restaurant we want to go too. I also try to toss out the expired coupons on a regular basis.
For restaurants, I actually keep a small 4×6 accordian file in my purse with all the restaurant coupons. That way if I’m already out and want to pick up something on my way home I already have them with me. 🙂
My friend Michelle told me that you can get used baseball card sleeves at a hobby store for around .10 a piece. or a stack of them for 2.00! I have not tried this, but would worth a phone call!
Or to even find them at garage sales this summer! 😉
Can I just tell you how wonderful you are. Honestly, I had to start saving money and coupons are great, but starting is SO overwhelming. You have made this so much easier! I do have one question though – how do you end up with so many copies of your coupons? Do you “dumpster dive?”
If the coupons are really good one week, I will get upwards of 10 inserts. I also have been ordering my inserts from Capri’s coupons ( https://hip2save.com/2011/03/giveaway-10-readers-each-win-5-high-value-purex-and-5-high-value-gain-coupons.html ) since the local newspaper in my area never has all the coupons that are available in most inserts.
Hi Collin! I LOVE your videos! You have no idea how helpful they are. I was wondering if you actually carry your coupon binder with you every time you go shopping. There are times when I go into a store, find an item on clearance, and then realize that I have a coupon for it at home. Do you carry the binder with you in case you come across a clearance/great sale? How heavy is your purse? Thanks for all the awesome tips!
Yep… I sure do! I just can’t go anywhere without my trusty coupon binder! 😀 And I won’t lie, it is kinda heavy! 😉
Yes, I was wondering if you had any shoulder or back pain because individual coupons aren’t heavy, but put a lot of them together and you end up with a heavy load. Hmmm, maybe caffeine helps that, too? 😉 Love your new video series–always look forward to your next installment!
Where did you get a coupon for free Pam cooking spray??
I was sent that coupon for doing a giveaway a little while ago.
Now that Kroger has ecoupons, if I have a manufacturer coupon that matches up to it I put a small sticky note on the coupon that tells me the amount and when the ecoupon expires. That way I can watch for a sale on that product and take advantage of both coupons before they expire.
The big lots in my area had these binders for 5.00 I got a bright green one lol
Did any one get their FREE Flip Flops With Orbit Gum Purchase that Collin posted in Nov 2010?
Great video Collin! I have the same purse to carry my binders in. I didn’t get it on clearance, but in 2009 when I started couponing I asked for coupon things for Christmas and got that along with binders and a new printer. I read through all of the comments to see if anyone was as crazy as me…lol, but I didn’t see anyone. I use two binders. One for food and one for non-food. I just couldn’t fit it all in one binder. I used the post-it flags to make my categories and just put scotch tape over them to reinforce them. Works great for me as I don’t even have to pull a binder out at the store. For those of you worried if the purse Collin uses will have enough room, believe me it does. I carry around two binders in it and still don’t have to pull out my binders to see what I have. I also have one of those little bitty coupon organizers in my purse that I put free coupons in or coupons I want to be sure I use. I cut most of the coupons out, but I have a file for ones that I know I won’t use I just keep for MM scenarios with rr’s or whatever. I work from home and I work overnights so I do most of my coupon stuff while I am sitting there waiting for phone calls to come in. 🙂 Thanks again for all you do Collin!
I am debating on starting the binder method but not quite sure if it will be right for me. I currently purchase 10 papers per week, clip all coupons from one and file in a large accordion file and then I bind the remaining inserts with the date for any deals that I want to purchase more of. Thanks to your great website, I am able to refer to the date of the coupon when there is an awesome deal and then I just clip from there. My question is, how many coupons will fit into each baseball card holder slot? I will have atleast 10 of each one.
Yes, I can fit 10 “like” coupons in each insert… just make sure to get the higher quality baseball card inserts that are a little thicker. They will last a lot longer… especially if you are trying to fit in quite a few coupons.
Look how thick that binder is. I have much to learn!
Collin, I had some ideas for easily incorporating some “reader” input into Coffee with Collin…
1. in a post you could ask people to write how couponing has helped them (besides the obvious “saving money”) and read an occasional good one now and then.
2. you could do a post which asked people to vote on how they do a certain aspect of couponing (organization method for example: binder, etc) and then announce the results
3. readers could post their funniest coupon story for the humor factor!
Love these ideas, Joy! Thanks for passing them along! 🙂