{"id":257465,"date":"2019-04-24T00:07:16","date_gmt":"2019-04-24T07:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/?page_id=257465"},"modified":"2022-03-27T18:10:28","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T01:10:28","slug":"organizing-coupons","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/members-area\/organizing-coupons\/","title":{"rendered":"Organizing Coupons"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 100%;\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S18akZlFvFs\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t have a good way to organize your coupons, you\u2019ll probably give up on using them to save money. A good system is critical to success!<\/p>\n<p>There isn\u2019t only one way to set up a good coupon organization system. The bottom line is that you need a system that works for you. After trial and error over a couple decades, I am going to share what I\u2019ve settled on, with some options along the way, to tailor it to your needs.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">File Whole Coupon Inserts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Eventually, you will have to cut the coupons you want, but you won\u2019t cut them until you need them if you use only this method. You\u2019ll save time filing a bunch of extra coupons and cleaning out each expired coupon later.<\/p>\n<p>If you are able to leave your home with an organized plan, this method might be for you. The biggest drawback is that you won\u2019t have your extra coupons with you for those surprise deals you stumble on or the item you forgot to add to your list. You might prefer the cutting method or a little of both if that bothers you. (There\u2019s more on how I do it below.)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-257478 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/insert_date.png\" alt=\"insert with date marked\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/insert_date.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/insert_date-113x150.png 113w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/insert_date-225x300.png 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"bb_clear_none\">The method is simple. You write the date on the outside of each Sunday coupon insert, file the whole insert, and cut the coupons you want when you need them.<\/p>\n<p>The lists we provide tell you which date and insert to get each coupon from. (SS = Smart Source, RMN = Retail Me Not, P&amp;G = Proctor &amp; Gamble) The shopping list feature (click a green plus sign to start list) even allows you to organize your coupons by insert so you can cut everything you need out of it, all at one time.<\/p>\n<p>If you want something that\u2019s not on our lists, you can find your coupon by using our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/coupon-database\/\">coupon database<\/a>. (It\u2019s listed under \u201cCoupons\u201d on the menu bar, too.)<\/p>\n<p>If you get more than one set of coupons, I suggest creating a collated insert. I do that by preserving one outer cover and (front &amp; back page still attached) to hold the other sheets inside. I rip apart each page and stick identical sheets of coupons on top of each other. When you need a coupon, you can cut more than one at a time.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-257472\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/small_single_organizer.png\" alt=\"small single organizer\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/small_single_organizer.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/small_single_organizer-150x113.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>You may get lucky and find these in the dollar section or at a dollar store.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>They are large enough to fit whole inserts.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Or, an office supply store should have them.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>There is also a wide selection on Amazon <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2xJRqKF\">here<\/a>.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Make sure you get one with enough dividers.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>This cheap one, above, only has 6, but you could use two.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>I like 12 dividers.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>You can use a file box, plastic tote-type box, file drawer, larger divided envelope-style holder, or really any method of keeping your coupons organized. The exact way you do that is up to you. I prefer to have a rotating system and not waste a file folder for each date, though that is an option.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-257479 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/larger_coupon_organizer.png\" alt=\"larger coupon organizer\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/larger_coupon_organizer.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/larger_coupon_organizer-150x113.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"bb_clear_none\">I have a file box that I\u2019ve labeled with \u201cWeek 1\u201d through \u201cWeek 12.\u201d I have a sticky note on the inside of the box that tells me which date goes with which letter. Something like:<\/p>\n<p>Week 1 = 8\/14<br \/>\nWeek 2 = 8\/21<br \/>\nWeek 3 = 8\/29 etc.<\/p>\n<p>* If you get behind or get confused, the date is printed very small on the binding of each coupon insert.<\/p>\n<p>Twelve slots have worked well for me. When I\u2019m running out of slots, I flip through the oldest inserts and toss the expired ones, occasionally cutting one or two that haven\u2019t expired. Clearing out the old ones frees up the slots for the next sets that are coming. I either cross off, the previous date (when I\u2019m feeling lazy) or make a new sticky note for my key.<\/p>\n<p>Note: I still suggest you have an envelope or some other way to transport the coupons you end up taking to the store. You will also find that you will cut coupons you don\u2019t end up using (out of stock, change mind, etc.). You might want to put them in the same envelope you carry to the store. Or, just be diligent about putting them back with the proper insert, so you can locate them the next time you want them.<\/p>\n<p>If you find you\u2019re cutting a lot and need a separate coupon organization system (beyond just one envelope), see below. I cut a lot, but also keep the inserts filed, so I can go back and get anything I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d use, but end up discovering I want.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Cut &amp; File Coupons<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before I file my whole Sunday coupon inserts, (as described above) I cut out these coupons:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Coupons that are likely to be needed\/wanted<br \/>\n(Usual sales, products I often buy, high-value coupons, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Chilled food that I use like deli meat, yogurt, and cheese<br \/>\n(often marked down for quick sale and not a planned purchase)<\/li>\n<li>Cosmetics<br \/>\n(ads don\u2019t show inclusions very well; good to have them all)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I cut these and file them using the system below.<\/p>\n<p>Honestly, I rarely have to go back to my whole inserts to cut coupons. I cut more than I should, but that\u2019s okay. I have the extras available if a good deal comes up.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t cut many, you will miss out on some clearance or other impromptu purchases, but it\u2019s a small price to pay for all the time you save cutting, filing, and getting rid of coupons you don\u2019t end up using. You will have to decide which way works best for you.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-257467 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/multiple_organizers.png\" alt=\"multiple organizers\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/multiple_organizers.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/multiple_organizers-150x94.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Right now Amazon, has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DFEWwz\">this super cheap one<\/a>. (Keep reading, get at least 2-3, probably 4!)<\/p>\n<p>Or, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/333KtFO\">this one<\/a> (still pretty affordable).\u00a0 It will expand more and be easier to get coupons in &amp; out.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure you get one with 12 dividers (13 slots if you use the very back), not fewer. Many of the cheaper ones only have about 6 dividers.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-257473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/velcro_fasteners.png\" alt=\"velcro fasteners\" width=\"300\" height=\"385\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/velcro_fasteners.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/velcro_fasteners-117x150.png 117w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/velcro_fasteners-234x300.png 234w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The rubber closure or snaps will probably lose their elasticity or break. Instead of tossing it, you can attach a piece of <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2yJ5ciN\">Velcro\/fasteners<\/a> to each corner. Other holders also end up failing in some way, even more expensive ones. This is a cheap\/simple option if the holders are still in good shape.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-257470 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/organizer_marker.png\" alt=\"mark organizer\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/organizer_marker.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/organizer_marker-150x113.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"bb_clear_none\">I don\u2019t bother putting the provided stickers on the tabs. They don\u2019t stay attached for long. Use a permanent marker and write directly onto the plastic tabs. You may need to re-write them later, but it\u2019s easier than fighting labels that continually fall off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"bb_clear_none\">I\u2019ll warn you that it\u2019s a challenge to write neatly. If you\u2019re a perfectionist, breathe deeply and press on! Mine look like a first grader wrote the back row, but that\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n<p>Put your name and phone number on each holder. I used to tape a nicely written and cut paper on the inside, but it will probably fall off, eventually. I\u2019ve resorted to a permanent marker. It does the job. There is a good chance that you will leave them somewhere. Unfortunately, I am speaking from experience.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Here\u2019s how you can set up your coupons if you have four envelopes.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you want to use fewer, you can combine categories and just use this as a guideline.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-257476 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/dining_retail_fun_envelope.png\" alt=\"dining retail fun envelope\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/dining_retail_fun_envelope.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/dining_retail_fun_envelope-150x113.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"bb_clear_none\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Envelope #1 ~ Dining, Retail &amp; Fun<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I always have one organizer for coupons like restaurants, department stores, &amp; entertainment. I leave them in my car, so I always have them handy when I\u2019m out . . .\u00a0 unless I\u2019m in the wrong vehicle. Ughhh! Plan ahead, if you ever switch vehicles.<\/p>\n<p>Combine or expand categories, to tailor it to your needs. If you always eat at Culver\u2019s, have a separate category for those coupons. If you don\u2019t have many movie-related items, put them in with \u201cFun.\u201d If you have a bunch of Bed, Bath, &amp; Beyond coupons, make a category just for them.<\/p>\n<p>Below are some suggested slots, with room for you to add in something that works for you.<br \/>\nI put food first. I prefer it being separated from non-food vs having it all alphabetical.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Casual<\/strong> (Dining)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sweet<\/strong> (ice cream\/yogurt places, doughnuts\u2026)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fast<\/strong> (Food)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Formal<\/strong> (Dining)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fun<\/strong> (bowling, skating, zoo\u2026)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pizza<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Mall<\/strong> (can grab out coupons for all stores, if I am going)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Movies<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Retail<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Service<\/strong> (car wash, haircuts\u2026)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>() Parenthesis are for your clarification; bold\/shorter is used for writing on tabs<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-257468 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/non-chilled_organizer.png\" alt=\"non-chilled organizer\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/non-chilled_organizer.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/non-chilled_organizer-150x113.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"bb_clear_none\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Envelope #2 ~ Non-Chilled Food<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Bakery\/Bread<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Baking<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Beverages<\/strong> (non-chilled)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Breakfast<\/strong> (cereal, bars, syrup, pancake mix; fruit snacks \u2014 because they\u2019re stocked here, not because they\u2019re breakfast.\u00a0 Maybe add peanut butter if it&#8217;s stocked there in the store you shop at most frequently)\n<ul>\n<li>Can break also down into \u201cCereal\u201d if you have a bunch.\u00a0 Personally, I did \u201cCereal\u201d and \u201cBfast&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Candy\/Gum<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Canned &amp; Packaged<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Condiments\/Dressing<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Rice\/Pasta<\/strong> (includes sauce)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Snacks<\/strong> (chips, crackers, cookies, peanuts; not candy\/gum)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** For space issues, I only write the first listed on the tab, when two are listed above. It\u2019s not 100% descriptive, but I know what goes there.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-257475 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/cold_food_organizer.png\" alt=\"cold_food organizer\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/cold_food_organizer.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/cold_food_organizer-150x113.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"bb_clear_none\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Envelope #3 ~ Cold Food &amp; Store Slots<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dairy<\/strong> (+ misc. refrigerated)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dessert<\/strong> (frozen sweets; ice cream, novelties, pies)\n<ul>\n<li>I label this \u201cDessert\u201d so it fits better, but only frozen items go here, not candy or other sweets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Frozen<\/strong> (non-sweet)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Meat<\/strong> (bacon, lunch meat, hot dogs, seafood)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Produce<\/strong> (refrigerated dressing &amp; other items stocked in this dept)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Specific Store(s)<\/strong> (***see note below)\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Albertsons<\/strong>, <strong>Bashas\u2019<\/strong>, <strong>Fry\u2019s<\/strong>, <strong>Safeway<\/strong>, <strong>Sprouts<\/strong> (add, subtract or combine based on where you shop)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-257471\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/raincheck_reminder-1.png\" alt=\"raincheck reminder\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/raincheck_reminder-1.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/raincheck_reminder-1-150x85.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the very back of this envelope (with grocery stores in it), I have a reminder for myself. \u201cGet Raincheck!\u201d is written on a piece of cardstock. Before this, I can\u2019t tell you how many times I left a store without a raincheck. When I find the shelf bare, I pull that out and put it with my pile of other coupons. When I hand the stack to the cashier, I\u2019m reminded to ask for a raincheck.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-257469 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/non-food_organizer.png\" alt=\"non-food organizer\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/non-food_organizer.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/non-food_organizer-150x113.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"bb_clear_none\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Envelope #4 ~ Non-Food<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I can grab this one when I know I\u2019m going into a drugstore or somewhere else and won\u2019t be buying food.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Baby\/Pet<\/strong> (also include food, though this is in \u201cNon-Food\u201d; can put in misc. or skip, if not needed)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cleaning<\/strong> (laundry, dishwashing, bathroom, fresheners)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare<\/strong> (medicine, vitamins, Band-aids)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paper &amp; Plastics<\/strong> (tp, Kleenex, paper towels, food storage)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Personal Care<\/strong> (feminine products, make-up, lotion, razors, oral care)\n<ul>\n<li>If you leave out Baby\/Pet (or put those in Misc) &amp; don\u2019t use all specific stores, break down this category more and put remaining in \u201cPersonal Care\u201d (if don\u2019t use all listed).\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Body<\/strong> (lotion, deodorant, razors)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Face<\/strong> (make-up, facial cleanser\/moisturizer)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Feminine<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Hair<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Oral Care<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Misc.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Specific Store(s)<\/strong> (<strong>***<\/strong>see note below)\n<ul>\n<li>Target, CVS, Walgreens (if you shop these stores)<\/li>\n<li>One can be put in the very back, without a tab or left open for non-filed coupons or whatever\/nothing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I don\u2019t have a baby anymore, but i have a dog. Here\u2019s what I did (alphabetical, except the end):<br \/>\n<strong>Body<\/strong>, <strong>Cleaning<\/strong>, <strong>Face<\/strong>, <strong>Feminine<\/strong>, <strong>Hair<\/strong>, <strong>Health<\/strong>, <strong>Oral<\/strong>, <strong>Paper<\/strong> (plastics), <strong>Pet<\/strong>, <strong>Misc<\/strong>, <strong>CVS<\/strong>, <strong>Target<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>** \u201cSpecific Store\u201d is where I put rainchecks, store coupons, and coupons I know I\u2019ll want to use at that store and not forget. If I\u2019m pulling coupons to get ready to shop, I\u2019ll put them there so they\u2019re waiting when I get to that store. If I printed out a shopping list, I&#8217;d put it there.\u00a0 I don&#8217;t print anymore since I can access my Bargain Believer list from my mobile.<\/p>\n<p>I always look in the store section before I shop. I like having a slot for most stores, but you can conserve space. If you have a favorite store, make one for that and combine the rest, or put them all together. It\u2019s very flexible!<\/p>\n<p>** For space issues, I only write the first listed on the tab, when two are listed above. It\u2019s not 100% descriptive, but I know what goes there.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-257474\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/binder_with_sleeves_organizer.png\" alt=\"binder with sleeves organizer\" width=\"300\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/binder_with_sleeves_organizer.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/binder_with_sleeves_organizer-150x93.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Just to touch on other systems \u2026 some like a <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2yK4LGz\">binder with baseball card sleeves<\/a>. I had a similar pre-made (smaller) system that required me to slide things into plastic and I hated it. Getting the coupons in and out slowed me down too much. Some people love binders, but I don\u2019t like the large size or pain of stuffing coupons into the right slot. It\u2019s very flexible since you can take pages in and out, so there is an advantage to that. Minimally, you\u2019ll look pretty serious and official!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-257477 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/expensive_organizers.png\" alt=\"expensive organizers\" width=\"300\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/expensive_organizers.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/expensive_organizers-150x141.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"bb_clear_none\">There are also many more expensive coupon systems you can purchase, but I have never found one I thought was worth the money. Most of them have either too many or too few dividers\/pre-made tabs; are too big or too small; are too hard to get coupons in and out; not sturdy enough.<\/p>\n<p class=\"bb_clear_none\">Nothing has made me more happy than making my own. However, I\u2019m sure Google or <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2y50grw\">Amazon<\/a> can come to the rescue if you want to go one of those routes. You\u2019ll definitely look more stylish with some, and you\u2019ll save enough to pay for it soon, right?<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Maintaining Coupons<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>With all the methods for organizing your coupons, you\u2019ll probably still need a way to maintain an envelope, box, or binder that holds the coupons you cut. (I don\u2019t have an easy way to do a binder since I\u2019ve never used one and they\u2019re set up differently.) The method below is what I do with my envelope, but it would also work for a box.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have your coupon holder figured out, you\u2019ll need to maintain it to keep you from going insane! This is hard to explain in writing, but it\u2019s quite simple, so stick with me . . .<\/p>\n<p>I always file new coupons in the back of each section, not paying any attention to the expiration date. Every month I do something to clear old ones out. I alternate months, only because I don\u2019t want to invest the time it takes to do it well each month. One month is easy, the next one takes awhile.<\/p>\n<p>On the first month, I clean out each section by pulling out all expired ones. Next, I pull all the current month\u2019s coupons to the front and the next month\u2019s coupons behind it. I don\u2019t worry about specific dates, just the month. After those two months, I put everything else all scrambled up behind them. (Don\u2019t waste your time arranging them since by the time two months pass they will no longer be in order due to the new coupons you keep putting behind.)<\/p>\n<p>The next month it\u2019s easier. I just pull out all the coupons in the front of each section, that have expired. I don\u2019t get all the expired coupons since some have been filed in the back or get messed up along the way. I call it close enough and can close my envelope again. This helps reduce the number of coupons I have to sift through to find what I\u2019m looking through, with minimal effort.<\/p>\n<p>I rarely do this right at the perfect end of the month, though that would be ideal. I wait until I have \u201ccar time.\u201d (No, not while I\u2019m driving!) I wait until my husband is driving us somewhere. This is also the time I file most of my coupons unless I get behind. While you&#8217;re watching TV would be another great time to do it.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, if you have a system that makes more sense or if you want to invest more time each month to keep them more current \u2014 all the better!<\/p>\n<p>A good setup is crucial, so find one that you think you\u2019ll like and test it out!<\/p>\n<p>[accessally_course_navigation prev_button=&#8217;Previous&#8217; next_button=&#8217;Next&#8217;]<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; If you don\u2019t have a good way to organize your coupons, you\u2019ll probably give up on using them to save money. A good system is critical to success! There isn\u2019t only one way to set up a good coupon organization system. The bottom line is that you need a system that works for you.&hellip; <a class=\"bb_read_more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/members-area\/organizing-coupons\/\">Read More \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":256128,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.6.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Organizing Coupons | Bargain Believer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bargainbeliever.com\/blog\/members-area\/coupon-course-main-page__trashed\/organizing-coupons\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Organizing Coupons | Bargain Believer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"&nbsp; If you don\u2019t have a good way to organize your coupons, you\u2019ll probably give up on using them to save money. 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