Getting Started - STEP #2

STEP #2 - Organize the Coupons you collect

This is completely up to you and your time limitations.  If you only want to cut the coupons you will use you can do that.  If you want to be an "extreme couponer" and cut all 10 newspaper inserts you buy once a week you can do that as well.  Don't get overwhelmed, do what's right for you and what's worth your time. 

Here are the most common ways to organize:    

1.       Coupon Binder Method - Most tedious but most beneficial 

You cut all your inserts and organize each coupon in the appropriate category within your binder.  I follow "The Krazy Coupon Lady's" method and labeling system.  There are 36 different categories with space for personalized labels as well to add.  However, you can label and organize to your liking but in this case she has done all the work for you and has cute printable pages for this.  You can buy baseball card holders to hold your coupons in their categories.  I usually get mine from Target - $5 for 30 sheets.  You need 1-4 of these depending on how many coupons you have.  This method takes a while but you get the most use our of your coupons.   I also have a pencil bag with a calculator, scissors, pens, and notepad.  I also keep store coupon policies, stock pile price sheets, my seasonal sale calendars, rebates, and my price book. 

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/kclcouponbinder.pdf 

   

2.       Whole Insert Method - Much less time consuming but still organized

You keep all your Inserts together without cutting anything...Before I used the binder method above I used this method for saving time.  Each insert has a small date on the front page, but I would label the date with the insert name in large font on the front page.  Easy to see, easy to use.  You will cut out your coupons as you need them and as they are referred to by date on the coupon blogs.  You can organize the inserts with an accordion file, manila folders, or keep them in plastic page protectors in a binder.  This method is easy, but you may loose out on a few deals here and there since you can't really take this system into a store and be ready to use it if needed. 

     3.  Small Coupon Holder/Envelope System  -  I use this when I plan a shopping trip

I have labeled my small coupon holder by stores.  However, you could label yours by products as well.   But since I usually shop at multiple stores in my area when couponing, this works best for me.  I will organize my coupons and transfer them to my big binder into these smaller categories before leaving my house to shop.  It also helps to keep your coupons together in paper clips within these store categories if you will be doing multiple transactions at a store.  These coupon holders are inexpensive and you can find them at the dollar store or in the $ section at Target.  You could also do this by envelopes as well.