At first this step seems like a no-brainer. Clearly, you may think, it would be easiest to not clip any coupons unless you'll actually need them, and to just file the inserts and be done. Many people swear by this method of coupon organization, and call it the "no-clip system" or similar words to that effect. They've used it successfully for years, and you may like it too.
On the other hand, there are many coupon gurus who dislike this method, and will tell you in no uncertain terms not to do it this way, but instead to clip everything up front. With such differing opinions it can be confusing which method to choose, so I'll discuss some of the pros and cons of the coupon insert filing method below, so you can decide what's right for you.
Honestly, I think it has more to do with your goals for couponing and your personality which way you like to organize coupons, and that's why there's so much disagreement of whether to clip coupons, or not. If you choose to organize your coupons with the no clip method it's pretty simple to do.
You merely file the insert by date received or issued , and then use a coupon database see more in Step 4 below to help you know what deals will work with those coupons, and pull them when needed. Once you've chosen to clip, or not clip, only part of the work is done. Now you've got to finish the details of choosing a method to organize coupons that works for you, and set up your system. As I mentioned above, if you've decided to file inserts you really need to use a coupon database to help you match deals to coupons, and alert you to what coupons should be used in what weeks.
This will help you know which coupons to pull, since you can easily forget what's in there without assistance. Frankly, even if you clip your coupons these companies which help you match coupons and sales can be a big help and time saver for you, so you may want to look into one. Get free printable here. If you decide to clip coupons, no matter which option you choose below, they both require you to categorize your coupons.
The reason is that once you clip all those little pieces of paper you're just left with big stacks that you can't find anything easily. I've created a list of coupon categories you can reference, with both main categories and subcategories, to help you get an idea of how you should categorize your own coupon collection.
In addition, I've created a two page printable version of the categories and subcategories you can use as a table of contents in your binder, for example, if you choose that method. I've given a little more instruction on categories in the coupon categories article itself, so be sure to read it and familiarize yourself with the suggested categories when setting up your organizational system as part of this Challenge.
Here's where I lay out the two main organizational methods for clipped coupons, so you can choose which one will work best for you. They are the coupon binder ad the coupon box or wallet.
Many people use a coupon binder to organize coupons. To make one, create tabs for each of your main coupon categories see above and dividers for your subcategories if needed , and place them in a large, sturdy three ring binder. Place the coupons in special divider plastic sleeves, such as for baseball cards, or those shown below designed for coupons. Then, carry your binder with you on all your shopping trips and flip to the right page to retrieve coupons as needed. The other option for organizing clipped coupons is to place them in a coupon wallet or coupon box.
Basically, all of these types of coupon organizer systems are portable filing cabinets for your coupons where, instead of retrieving coupons by flipping pages in a binder you thumb through the tabs and fing the coupons where you filed them. Here's one of the best explanations of how to organize coupons using a coupon box or wallet I've found.
I've embedded the video of Carrie Isaac's explanation below because sometimes "seeing" how someone does it makes a lot more sense than me explaining it in writing. Although Carrie uses a box for her organizational system, unless you do a lot of couponing a simpler wallet will most likely work for you, if you choose this method. To the right is a small expandable file coupon wallet, which is perfect for someone who does not clip many coupons, and therefore does not need to have lots of categories.
It is small and light weight, so it is easily portable and not too unwieldy. You've got to regularly add new coupons and cull old expired coupons from your organizational system, or it will quickly become useless and outdated. Therefore, the fifth step in the Organize Coupons Challenge is to get in the habit of adding new coupons to your organizational system about once a week. In addition, since many coupons expire at the end of the month get in the habit around the beginning of the month of combing through your coupons to remove all the expired ones.
I also recommend a good quality binder, preferably one that zips up like the one pictured here Amazon link. With the binder method, you are doing all the work of clipping and organizing first. However, this is not always the case. I use the binder method and do not take it with me. When I make my list I have it nearby to pull my coupons out easily. I am very much a visual person. If there are coupons that are high value or I know I will use, I carry them with me in my handy dandy pocket filer pictured in the hybrid method.
With the Binder Method, your coupons are available during shopping to take advantage of any unadvertised sales that were not in your original shopping plan. The best stores to shop for unadvertised deals are Target and Walmart love those end caps deals.
This is the quickest filing method. However, beware with this method that even though you are filing your coupons at lightning speed you are saving all the work until you make your list. You will file your inserts by date weekly or monthly and cut coupons only when needed. This is my least favorite method of filing. The likelihood of pulling a coupon that is no longer valid is much higher. Nothing stinks more than heading to the register and being denied use of a coupon due expiration.
The idea with the File-by-Insert Method is that you file your inserts without cutting them. You will only touch the coupons when you will actually need them for that specific shopping trip.
Meaning they will expire the same month they are issued. When those coupons expire just replace with the most current insert. The others will need multiple files. Simply write the insert date across the front and file it away. You can then access the coupon database to find the coupons you need to clip before you shop or follow allow any one of my coupon match ups.
Each store match up will list all the details you need to find your organized coupons. Cutting some coupons and filing others. Cutting all coupons that pertain to the brands that you purchase on a regular basis, that are higher value or will expire quickly usually within a 2-week time frame all stay in the coupon portfolio. It was a pain to go through 15 pages of coupons that were able to be broken down to pages.
I use my store sections a lot too as I shop at different places too. The link to how I set that up in the front is in this post. I am serious about couponing, but where and how do I get enough coupons to make a difference in my total at check-out. The only ones readily available to me are the ones that come with the weekly newspapers and they seem to have the same products over and over.
Helps but not a lot. I just did that to my coupon binder last weekend and it took two days. The only is I got the paper tabs because I didnt have enoung money for the others but I will have to keep my eye out for a deal to up grade them. I tried to set up a binder similar to this, but found the biggest problem was the expiration dates. How do you keep ahead of that? By the time I find the coupon I need I discover the date has expired.
I used to put them in envelopes by dates, but then had to go thru a huge pile to find the one I needed. My folder is by categories as I flowed through the grocery store starting with produce into canned goods to cereals to meet department to Dairy department to bakery……… It works well for me. Subscribe to MomSpotted. Share Tweet Pin shares. Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: categories , coupon binder , orgainize coupons , tabs.
Comments Heather M says. Nicole Hatch says. Heather Speaks says. Amy Marvelous Mommy says. Joliene D says. Jennifer says. I did because Pillsbury can end up with 30 coupons valid at once on their own.
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