how to organize?
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lisalee
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« on: May 19, 2008, 07:04:09 PM »
I'm new at this and am probably missing something...I keep trying to find an answer to my question on this website and can't. So will some of you experienced shoppers out there help me please? How on earth do you keep your coupons organized? I've only been doing this a few weeks and already have so many and they are a mess. There has got to be some kind of organizer I can use. What do you guys use?
Thanks in advance!
Lisa
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nelljepp
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« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2008, 07:24:21 PM »

Amy's binder is one of the best methods I have seen.  I'm still looking for a binder on a good sale, but I've started the organized part inside.

Link:  http://www.savvyshopperdeals.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,2/topic,48.0
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MomTo4Girls
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« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2008, 08:28:16 PM »
Here are two posts from Amy on the binder method....




 
Quote from: Amy on April 13, 2006, 06:50:13 PM
Coupon Organizing:

I know most of you organize your coupons by three hole punching the entire packet or using a plastic box method.  However, I have found what I believe is a simpler way to organize coupons.
 
You will need a zippered 3 ring binder, some clear baseball card holders (you can find these at dollar stores, Target, Walmart etc...) and one clear 3 pocket Photo Holder page per grocery store (found at the craft store.)  At the front of my binder I label a clear photo page holder with each grocery store name.  These pockets can be used for rainchecks, in store coupons and shopping lists.  I then label the baseball card pages by category. 

My categories are:

Baby
Bread and cereal
Cleaners
Dairy
Dessert
Meat
Medicine
Paper Goods
Personal Hygiene
Miscellaneous.

You can use any categories you want and even sub categorize (ie.. I have 6 card pages for my Bread and Cereal catergory: Cereal, breakfast foods, bread, pasta, rice, crackers/chips).  I then insert cut coupons in each baseball card slot in its' specific category (You can separate all coupons individually or, for example, put all women's deodorants in one slot).

It is so easy to read each coupon and its' expiration date.  Instead of shuffling through pages or piles of coupons you turn to the catergory you are looking for and immediately you can find the coupon.  No more exhaustive hunting.  It is also easier to purge expired coupons once a month because the expiration date is clearly visable.  This method does take time initially because you have to cut each coupon, but finding them when you need them saves time overall. 

Another tip is to insert one baseball card holder page after each grocery store labeled photo page.  You then insert all the coupons you will be using for each store.  You can then flip your binder open in the cart seat and have everything at your fingertips.  And if you see a good deal while shopping you can find a needed coupon in seconds. Also, use the slot at the back of your binder to store sale ads.  I have done this for about 11 years and love it.


Quote from: SavvyShopper on November 17, 2006, 08:21:16 AM

For those of you who need it, here is my binder recipe:
 

2" Zippered Binder w/Strap!!!

STORE SECTION: Your Favorite Stores (3-pocket Photo holders for rainchecks, Shopping List & Store coupons with a Sticker Tab Attached and Store name inserted followed by one 9-slot Basball card page so you can organize the coupons for the store for the week.

CATEGORY SECTION: 10 Categories (Tab dividers labeled on both sides & 9-slot Baseball card holders-sometimes called trading card pages!)

Baby - 2 baseball card pages (Diapers/Shampoos, Baby Food)
Bread & Cereal - 5 baseball card pages (Cereal, Breakfast Foods, Breads, Rice/Pasta, Chips & Crackers)
Cleaners - 8 Baseball card pages (Floor Cleaners, Dish Cleaners, 2 Fabrics, Standard Cleaners, Bathroom Cleaners, 2 Air Fresheners)
Dairy - 4 Basball Card Pages (Cheese, Butter/Oil, Yogurt, Misc Dairy)
Dessert - 8 Baseball card pages (Cookies, Frozen Desserts, Cake/Brownie Mixes, Fruits/Jello/Pudding, 2 Drinks, Candy, Baking Goods)
Meat - 6 Baseball  card pages (Fresh/Frozen Poultry, Lunchmeat, Breakfast Meats, Misc. Meats, Seasonings, Sauces)
Medicine - 8 baseball card pages (2 Cold/Allergy, Pain Relievers, First Aid, 2 Stomach Aids, Vitamins, 1-2 Misc. Medicines)
Paper Goods - 4 baseball  card pages (Facial Tissues/Garbage Bags, Foils/Wraps/Containers, Plates/Paper Towels, Toilet Tissue)
Personal Hygiene - 14 Baseball  card pages (Facial Cleansers, Body wash, Lotion, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Misc. Tooth products, Deodorant, Shaving Needs, Makeup, 2 Shampoo/Stylers, Hair Color, Personal Items, Misc. Hygiene)
Misc. - 9-10 Baseball card pages (Sauces/Salsa/Ketchup, 2 Canned Goods, 2 Frozen goods, Salads/Dressings, Misc. Foods, Pets, 1-2 Misc. Household Items)

You don't necessarily need the same # of pages I do!  Customize to fit your needs!
Remember, I have to keep one of every current coupon - you don't!

TIPS:

90% of coupons will already fit the baseball card pages, If they don't slightly fold them w/expiration date showing if possible!

Insert Coupons with the product facing up - it is easier to find them!
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« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2008, 09:16:59 PM »
The binder method is awesome!!  One thing that I have found - make sure that you have a binder with a zipper!  If you are anything like me (or if you have kids like mine) it saves a lot of head ache when your binder is dropped - nothing falls out. Cheesy
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tlc
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« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2008, 11:11:27 AM »
So I've just began my own coupon binder and had a hard time finding the 9-slot page protectors to use, but I finally found a store that sells them!
It's Mr. E's Sports Cards and Collectibles in Orem. It's on State Street and about 800 south, right by Rite- Aid and Walgreens.

They sell them 5 pages for $1 (20 cents each), or a box of 100 pages for $15 (15 cents each). I recommend getting a box because you'll definitely need a good 40-50 of these, at least. My sister and I just got a box to share and split the cost.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2008, 12:05:11 PM by tlc » Logged
delight
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« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2008, 12:57:11 PM »
I also found mine at Wal-mart
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MomTo4Girls
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« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2008, 01:53:14 PM »
Quote from: delight on September 24, 2008, 12:57:11 PM
I also found mine at Wal-mart

I'm pretty sure they're cheaper at Wal-mart, also.
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« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2008, 02:26:45 PM »
I got mine at Roberts with a 40% off coupon.
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lisamiut
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« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2008, 05:21:04 PM »
I have purchased the holders from all over and the Walmart ones are thinner and tend to rip easier.  The best quality ones are made by Ultra Pro.  They are heavy duty and if you are using your binder a lot (which you should be or what is the point) then you need heavier duty card holders.  Just my 2 cents after doing this for many many years.
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« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2008, 11:02:22 AM »
And where do you buy that brand?  Ultra Pro?   Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy  And what is the price on them?   Cheesy Cheesy
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tlc
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« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2008, 12:03:26 PM »
"Mr E's" Store on State street sells the Ultra-Pro brand. I checked Walmart and found nothing, i checked Target, every dollar store around, and whatever other stores I've happened to be in for the past few weeks and the only place I could find them in the Orem/Provo area was this store.

I just thought I'd make a note of it for others who are just starting a binder, since all the other previous reply's (before my first comment) to this thread were old and none of those stores had any now.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2008, 12:07:05 PM by tlc » Logged
SavvyShopper
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« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2008, 12:12:42 PM »
I buy the Ultra Pro as well - as I use my binder a lot.  I found them up front by the baseball cards at Target not too long ago.  Try by the registers.
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nikki
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« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2008, 12:47:04 PM »
Quote from: lisalee on May 19, 2008, 07:04:09 PM
I'm new at this and am probably missing something...I keep trying to find an answer to my question on this website and can't. So will some of you experienced shoppers out there help me please? How on earth do you keep your coupons organized? I've only been doing this a few weeks and already have so many and they are a mess. There has got to be some kind of organizer I can use. What do you guys use?
Thanks in advance!
Lisa
I bought my binder from Big Lots about a year ago. It has a zipper and a strap and it was only $6.99. I never go to Big Lots but I would suggest going there to see if they still have them. I love mine.
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