How I Organize My Coupon Binder

HOW I ORGANIZE MY COUPON BINDER

*I have a Case-It Zip Up Binder (this is considered an advanced binder). I would suggest starting with something smaller if you are new to couponing.*

-I have all the newest Store Coupon Policies printed and kept in clear page protectors at the front of my binder. You can find all the newest policies to print under the Store Coupon Policies Tab on my website.

-Next you would want your table of contents (I do not have a Table of Contents or Tabbed sections in my binder anymore because I have been doing this for over 4 years and know where all of my sections are. If you are newer to couponing I would recommend using a table of contents & tabbed sections)

-Here is what my Table Of Contents would look like…

*FREE STUFF (I would put coupons for free items or coupons that I know will make items free, i.e. travel size items etc.)

*STORE COUPONS: I would put any Store coupons, catalinas, or rain checks I have in this section. (i.e. Albertson’s, Fred Meyer’s, K-Mart, Rite Aid (including +UPR, Video Value Coupons), Smith’s, Target, or Walgreens (including RR). I would put them in Alphabetical Order to make it easier to find but you don’t have to do that.

*DRINKS & DAIRY: I would put anything that falls under this category in this section. I organize the products in the sections to make it easier to find. For exmaple, in the drink category I put them in order like this; water, juice, dairy beverages, & hot beverages. In the dairy category I put them in order like this; Yogurt, cheese, butter, other (like sour cream & eggs).

*PRODUCE & BREAD: I put any produce or bread item coupons in this section. Coupons for salad, fresh fruits & veggies, salad toppers found in produce section, guacamole, bread, rolls, etc.

*PILLSBURY: Since there are a lot of coupons for Pillsbury items I put all of my Pillsbury item coupons in their own section. Just makes it easier for me to find.

*MEAT: I put any meat item coupons (except frozen meat/chicken items) in this section. I put mine in order by product type i.e. lunch meat, hot dogs, breakfast meats (sausage, bacon, etc.), chicken, pork, steak, canned meat (spam, tuna, etc.), seafood, pepperoni, etc.

*FROZEN FOODS: I put any coupon items that can be found in the frozen food section of the store in this category. Since I have the meat category right before this category I put all my frozen meat products first in this section. Then I put them in this order; pizza, dinners, side items, breads, juice/smoothies, & dessert.

*CANNED FOODS/CONDIMENTS: This is a big section since it’s kind of a broad category. (I do not put my canned meat or tuna in this section, I put it under my Meat section, but you can if you want to.) Here is how I put mine in order starting with the canned foods; Soup, broth, pasta, veggies, fruit,canned cooking items (evaporated milk, pie filling, etc.), canned chilis, etc. Next I would put the condiment items; Salad Dressings, Mayo, Mustard, Ketchup, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Pickles, Olives, Sauces (i.e. soy sauce, hot sauce, etc) Pasta Sauces, Salsa, Apple Sauce, etc.

*BAKING/DESSERTS: This is where I put any baking or dessert type items. I would put them in order like this; Cooking Oil/Spray, Sugar, Spices/Extracts, Flour, Baking Powder/Soda, yeast, Karo Syrup, Frosting, Cake Mixes, Muffin Mixes, Cookie Mixes, Chocolate Chips, & Nuts

*PASTA: This is where I put any type of pasta, noodle, rice, etc.

*SNACKS & CANDY: This is where I put any type of snack or candy item. I would put them in order like this; Fruit Snacks, Granola Bars, Chips, Popcorn, Crackers, Cookies, Chocolate, Gum, etc.

*BREAKFAST ITEMS: This where I put any type of breakfast food. I would put them in order like this; Cereal, Oatmeal, Pancake Mix, Syrup, Pop-Tarts, etc.

*PAPER/STORAGE PRODUCTS: This where I put any type of paper product. I would put them in order like this; Ziploc Bags, Ziploc Containers, Aluminum Foil Wax Paper, Saran Wrap, Trash Bags, Paper Plates, Napkins, Paper Towels, Kleenex, Toilet Paper, etc.

*CLEANING ITEMS: This is where I put any type of cleaning products. I would put them in order like this; Laundry Care, Dish Care, Bathroom Cleaners, Kitchen Cleaners, Dusting Products, Carpet Cleaners, Swiffer Products, Air Freshner/Candles (Glade, Air Wick, etc.).

*PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS: This is where I put any type of personal hygiene items. I would put them in order like this; Dental Care (toothpaste, toothbrush, rinse, floss, etc.), Lotion, Face Wash, Body Wash, Hand Soap, deodorant, Hair Care, Shaving Care, Feminine Products, Make-Up, Nail Polish, Tweezers, etc.

*BABY PRODUCTS: This I where I put any baby type products.I would put them in order like this; Diapers, Pull-UPs, Wipes, Creams, Lotion, Baby Wash, Baby Food, Formula, bottles, clothing, Infant/Toddler Medicine, etc.

*MISC. ITEMS: This is where I’d put any items that don’t fit under any of the categories i.e. batteries, flashlights, bug spray, etc.

*MEDICINE/HEALTH CARE: This is where I’d put any type of medicine coupon. I’d put them in order like this; Cold & Flu, Sinus/Allergy, Pain Relief, Muscle/Joint Products, Upset Stomache, First Aid, Vitamins & Supplements, Eye Care, Diabetes, Diet Products, Protein Bars/Shakes, etc.

*PET SUPPLIES: This is where I’d put any type of pet product coupons. For example, cat food, dog food, bird food, cat litter, pet toys, pet hair remover, etc. (If you DON’T have pets skip this section.)

*GAMES/TOYS: This I where I’d put any tpe of game or toy coupon.

*ENTERTAINMENT: This is where I’d put any type of entertainment coupon. I would put coupons for DVD’s, Restaruants, or any other coupon you may have for entertainment in this section including any Groupon type deals you may get or free Red Box Rental Codes.

*RECEIPTS/MIR: If you have an extra tab you may want to use it to file any reciepts or rebate forms you need to mail in rebates or if you do Rite Aid’s SCR program. If you file them your less likely to lose them. 

OTHER ITEMS I KEEP IN MY BINDER:

*In the front of my binder I have a couple different pouches. I keep any Store Coupon Books (i.e. Walgreens, Fred Meyer’s, etc.) and any store ads that I may need for that week/month. If you have taken my class you will want to keep a copy of my class book in the back of your binder so you have it to refer to if you have any questions.

-In my pencil pouch I keep a pen, highlighter, calculator, scissors, dark permanent marker, paper clips, & sticky tabs (to tab the coupons I want to double when doublers come out)

-I keep any Store Shoppers Cards (Rite Aid, Albertson’s, Smith’s, Fred Meyer’s, etc.) that I may need in the front zip up pocket in my binder. I also keep the key chain tags on my key ring.

HOW I CUT MY COUPONS:

Each week I get a total of 12 newspapers (I do shopping for other family members). I cut every coupon each week and file them away in my binder. Here is how I cut my coupons…

1) I pull all the inserts out of the paper

2) I lay all the pages out on the floor and stack the like pages in the same stack

3) Since I get a total of 12 papers I usually leave 1 complete set so I have it to refer back to, then I cut the rest of my inserts (which is 11). It is a lot easier to cut all 11 at the same time instead of one by one. I made this mistake as a newbie and it took me a lot longer when I cut them out one by one.

4) I lay them according to categories as I cut them, that way it’s easier & faster to file them in my binder

5) After they are all cut out I file them away in my binder under the appropriate categories.

*I find it faster and easier using this method of cutting every coupon. Obviously if you don’t have pets you wouldn’t need to cut out the pet coupons and so forth. I put the coupons I know I won’t use in the Coupon Exchange basket at Wal-Mart. It’s nice to be able to have all of my coupons organized & cut out so if I find a product on sale I can just flip to that section to see if I have a coupon. If I do I’m able to get it right then because I have all my coupons already cut. It’s worth it to spend that 1-2 hours a week having every coupon cut then to try to go through all the inserts each week to find the coupons I want and cut them out. You will find yourself spending more time flipping through your inserts each week and only cutting a few coupons, then if you had just cut your coupons & kept them in your binder. If you are still new to couponing and find it overwhelming to cut your coupons each week, then continue to date your inserts and use that system. This is just what works best for me, but everyone is different so please do what is easiest for you.