Coupon Organization: Making it Work for YOU {part 5}
You’ve patiently waited to see what method of coupon organization I’m currently using… I intended to do this series in a period of 10 days. Of course, life is always busier than I expect, and it took me a little long {asking for forgiveness!}.
This method is a combination of the first two I tried {and featured}. Amber, one of our contributors, showed me this fabulous idea last summer, and I finally implemented it a few months ago. I must say – it is working for me!!
- It has the functionality and portability of the binder, with out spending hours clipping coupons you may or may not use.
- Incorporates the ease of the filing method, without the frustration of not being able to quickly see what coupons you have while roaming the isles of the store.
#3 – COMBO METHOD
So instead of using an expandable file folder that isn’t very portable, you can use your favorite binder! (I strongly suggest getting something that you can close shut thanks to velcro, snaps, or zippers!!).
Personally, I am using my super cute “Stylin Binder” bag. I love it because:
1 – ITS FABULOUSLY STYLIN!
2 – It’s fabulously portable!
3 – It velcros shut, so I don’t have to worry about dropping it and having all the contents fly all over the place!
{You can see all their super cute new fabrics and bags right here!}
NEXT – Purchase some sheet protectors. I remember seeing them advertised super cheap during the back to school sales (like less than $.20 for a pack of 12). Since I missed those sales, I purchased a huge box of 225 at Costco for around $13.00 (If I’m remembering correctly!?). Obviously you won’t need that many, so you could split it with several friends, or just buy a smaller pack on sale somewhere. (I bought a big one so I’d have extras to giveaway at our classes!). You’ll want enough to get you through about 13 weeks (one sheet protector per set of inserts – 30, give or take a few, should cover it!).
Here is the cool part, not only are you going to put your group of 4, 5, or 6 inserts inside the sheet protector, you are going to give each set a “Cover Page” that lists all the coupons (and their expiration dates) on the front.
It looks a little something like this:
I bold the coupons that I am excited about (you could also use a highlighter). This makes for quick and easy viewing! Now when I’m in the store roaming the isles, and I see something on a great sale, I can quickly scan my cover pages to see if there is a coupon to use! Each page has the coupons listed in alphabetical order and I put the newest ones in the front of my binder. Of course, you’ll have to get over the “I’ll look stupid standing in the isle clipping coupons” feeling.C’mon girl (or guy)! You’re walking out of the store paying 50%-90% less than the dude that’s lookin at you funny! Who cares if you’re clippin in the isle!
NOW – I know what you’re thinking. Who in the world has time to go through each insert, type the details of every coupon, AND alphabetize!?!?! Our fab reader Sophie, a spreadsheet freak, has kindly shared her lists with us! Here are the CURRENT Idaho Coupons Lists by Insert Date or you can always click up on the menu bar. Just mouse over “Learn to be a fruGAL”, then mouse over ”Get Organized” and find the link to the Idaho Insert Lists. Simply print it and stick it inside the sheet protector with that corresponding group of coupons!
PLUS – you can always quickly find a coupon by searching our Idaho Insert Database! All the current coupons are found here in alphabetical order. Want to print an entire list for your binder? You’ll find a current download available as well!
Do you want to give it a try?
ps – Not in Idaho? You could always go to sites like Sunday Coupon Preview and copy and paste from there. Remember that those coupons do vary a little bit too, so you may want to double check!
And yes, I still have one more installment in this series! Email me your current coupon organization system! I’ll post the pictures and what you’re loving/hating about it! I also took some pictures of Cathy B’s homemade coupon holders for you to see her great method!
Are you new to this couponing thing? We’ve got all the basics laid out for you in our Couponing 101 post! We’ll show you where to collect coupons, how to organize them, and how to use them effectively! Join in on all our fun and you can be a fab fruGAL too! You can subscribe to our FREE newsletter and join us on Facebook!
Every week we’re talking about how to save loads of money at
Live in the Northwest? Be sure to see all the hot deals at our favorite grocery stores!
I love the PYP list for reference to look things up but have been frustrated lately because it doesn't have A LOT of the things I am looking for that I know I have coupons for. Like all General Mills inserts! I was just looking up Yoplait coupons and Dreyers coupons and it doesn't have those listed at all and I've got both from the last month or two. Any ideas why? Which newspaper is the compiler using to do the lists from? Is there anyone that does the Idaho Statesman or Press Tribune (and even these two are different as you pointed out)?
Tricia –
The lists they have don't include the GM inserts, you're right! We are compiling weekly lists here, which include the GM and the Statesman got coupons that none of the other papers did on 3/7. That list is also on this post:
http://www.fabulesslyfrugal.com/2010/02/coupon-insert-lists.html
I do the exact same thing except I found a really cool accordion file at Target but I like this binder thing better I think…I wish I could figure out how to just put the fliers right in without sliding them down into something…I need to go back up and read, but how do you catalog the coupons? Do you type them up or is there a database somewhere that you can download…just curious. THANKS for posting.
PS! I too no longer clip until I need the coupon…which makes it so much easier.
HomeSpun –
We have a reader that types up the lists on an excel spreadsheet and we put them on his page: http://www.fabulesslyfrugal.com/2010/02/coupon-insert-lists.html
I know one person that, instead of a sheet protector, uses a sturdier version that is cut sort of diagonally, sort of like a pocket. I should have her take pictures and post it! It's easier to take the inserts in and out of and the page with the printed list is right up front, easy to cross things out with out having to take it in and out of a sheet protector.
ooo I have some of those pockets…I use them in school. That's a good idea too! Thanks!
I am new to couponing and have been trying to use this organization method, but I can’t find the Current Idaho Coupons Insert List for 4/11 and 4/18 (the only coupons I have). Could you tell me where those are, thank you so much.
Kristen
Here is a link http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/idaho-insert-lists
Next time to find it look in the navigation bar
Learn to be A Frugal
Organization
Idaho Insert lists
Enjoy
Hi Monica, thank you, I had tried the navigation bar, learn to be frugal, organization, idaho insert list route and still can’t see anything past Apr 4, I see Feb 7 thru Apr 4 but nothing after that, I only started couponing on Apr 11 so I don’t need the insert lists for anything prior to Sunday Apr 11. Are those somewhere else? Thanks.
Kristen
I am agreeing with kristendances. I have been waiting for a couple weeks for the coupon lists and they just aren’t there. I just started doing this system and I am loving it. So much easier. But I have been anxiously waiting for the last two lists. Am I missing a link somewhere? Thanks:)
Ok ladies you are right! Here is the updated list: http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/idaho-insert-lists
Still missing yesterday we have been too busy to get it up just yet, but it is coming today I promise.
Here is the quick link to the 4/11 inserts http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2010/04/411-idaho-insert-lists.html
We put up the new ones on Monday’s so it will be there soon!
Thanks for your patience.
It is up! Sorry for the delay. I don’t know what happened to the 4/11 links because I KNOW I had them up there before!
Thank you so much! I’m going to get my binder today, and I’m appreciating everyones efforts.
kristen
I like to take my inserts apart and match up the pages and then put them back together as on big red plum or smart source. Then I can easily clip all of a certain coupon at once instead of doing it 6 separate times. Make sense??
how do you fit in the “loose” coupons like printables or blinkies or from the mail? I have been putting them alphabetically in a small accordian file, but is there a better way??
I’ve been wondering about the printables too and where those fit in with this system.
Thanks for all the help.
Kristen
Have been using this method of organization for about 6 mos. LOVE IT! Thank you Sophie for sharing all of your hard with us. Your lists are a HUGE help. I look forward to them every week. ooooooo……….the sign of a true coupon junkie!
I just use a 3-whole punch and punch my inserts and then insert them into my binder in date order. I use the baseball card sheets to organize my loose coupons, etc. I have a label for each store ( target, Albertons, etc.) on a baseball card sheet so that I can organize my catalinas, loose coupons, etc. I also have one for Costco and Bath & Body, and Restaurants.
I just switched to this system and I like it much better than clipping them all. It leaves me more time for shopping.
I hope that made sense
I have had a little too much time on my hands lately so I have changed my organization a bit. It is not for everyone since it does take about an hour every Sunday, but I love it. So I still organize by date, but I am cutting all my coupons out now. (like I said, not for everyone). I have a tab divider that has the date, then I laminate and hole punch the insert list. Behind each list I have all the coupons from that insert list cut out and in the baseball card holders. And of course I print the master list and keep it in my binder as well. It does take time, but I love still having them organized by date and having them already cut out when I need them at the store.