Couponing 301: Organizing Your Coupons

Okay, now that you know about coupons and where to find coupons, what are you supposed to do with them?

Being organized with your coupons is probably the most difficult and time consuming part of couponing.  It is also where once very motivated people jump off the couponing cliff into full-price shopping again (L. Eleana?  Mom?).  Don’t fret, once you get the hang of  it it will take you no time at all.

There are a lot of different ways people choose to keep their coupons organized.  Some have a binder, some have a file folder, some have an index card box and some use envelopes.  I…… have a hybrid version, but I’ll tell you  more about that in a few minutes.

This post revolves around grocery coupons mainly.  For all other coupons, it’s easy.  When I find a coupon for a restaurant, or car wash, or haircuts I have a file folder that I stick those in.  That file folder isn’t terribly organized, it’s a catch-all.   Easy-peasy.  When I need an “all other” coupon I know right where to go.  I clean it out about once a month too to remove the expirees.

First things first:  To clip or not to clip?  Some couponers clip every coupon that comes their way.  Some clip the ones they know they will use, and toss the rest.  Some clip the ones they know they will use and the ones they will use if a good deal comes along.   The answer really depends on how you decide to organize your coupons so let me tell you about my method of couponing madness…

I clip the coupons that I know I am going to use no matter what.  I also clip the coupons that I could potentially use if the  price is right.  This is efficient because I don’t have to spend a ton of time on clipping coupons that will never be used!  On printables: I print the coupons I will use and might use because sometimes they go away fast and then I’m left without a coupon.    And then… I file away my newspaper inserts.

I keep the newspaper inserts for about 3 months and recycle them.  Why do I keep them you ask?  Well, young grasshoppa every now and then a deal comes around that makes toothpaste, deodorant, shave gel, pasta… free.  So when that deal comes around for a brand that I didn’t clip previously, I will refer back to my newspaper inserts and clip those so I can get in on the free stuff.  If it’s for a brand that I don’t use, I still do the deal so I can get some items for donation.  Important note here, I am a couponer however, I do not stand by emptying the shelves on a killer deal.  See the  long-term effects of extreme couponing here.

Just for reference, each newspaper insert has it’s name and date on the fold (spine).  For instance, RedPlum 12/25/10  or SmartSource 12/25/10.  This enables you to find the insert in the stack of inserts easily.

After all the clipping and printing I file them away.  I use an expandable sorter like the one below although not nearly as sexy.  I file my coupons under 10 different headings such as Baking, Bread, Beverages, Health and Beauty, Cleaning and Paper Goods, Snacks, Meat, Dairy and so on…

In the front of my coupon holder I have three envelopes.  One for each of the stores that I frequent.  When I am making my list, I pull the coupon for that item and place it in the envelope per store.  If I happen to be shopping and find an item that wasn’t on my list, I pull that coupon and stick it in the envelope.  Another thing, I’m kind of anal so I actually have a floating envelope for the “I-have-an-awesome-coupon-but-don’t-see-this-item-in-the-ad” case. Those items are also on my list with a * noting that it’s a maybe – IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT!  If the price is right I put that coupon in the store envelope. If not, I file it away under the correct heading.

This system works awesome for me because at checkout I just  pull out my handy-dandy envelope and pass over the coupons.  I know that every couponer probably has their own way.  For the seasoned couponers, I would love to hear your system and method of organizing.

Up tomorrow:  How to use coupons.