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Therefore, this challenge also helps you think about these issues, so you can choose a manageable system for organizing and maintaining coupons that you can stick with. After all, what good are coupons if you can't find them and use them before they expire? Are you new here? Click the link to learn how to join us for free for future and past challenges if you aren't already a regular reader.
People vary in the degree of intensity in which they coupon, and your job in step 1 of this Challenge is to honestly figure out what kind of couponer you are from the extreme, to the sparing. For example, I think we've all seen at least a few minutes of the TV show "Extreme Couponing" by now, right? Well, these ladies and a couple of guys too spend a lot of time couponing, from finding deals, matching coupons and sales, and organizing those coupons.
That's fine, but you don't have to spend that much time if you don't actually want to use a lot of these slips of paper. To a certain extent when you use coupons you're exchanging time for money. That's because it takes time to find the right coupon at the right time, and use it to save some cash. The goal of any organization system is to reduce the amount of time it takes you to find your coupons, thereby maximizing your money savings and time savings. However, certain organizing systems will quickly make work for you that will just waste your time, since they're too complex for the way you actually use coupons.
A good rule of thumb is that the fewer coupons you actually use, the simpler your system should be for organizing them. Don't spend more time on this Challenge than it's worth to you. You should always see your time spent on organizing coupons as an investment, and never spend more time on it than you're getting in return in savings. Click to get printable grocery price list template.
Now that you've got the basic mindset down to best benefit you, please remember that couponing is not the only strategy for saving money on household essentials and food.
There are different ways to organize coupons with a coupon binder or clipless organizing systems you can try, so you can use the one that works best for you. 5 Ways to Make Coupon Organizing Easier via stuntmomfilm.com Store, Costco Membership, Saving Ideas, Money Saving Tips, Money Savers, Store Hacks.
For example, meal planning , which we'll discuss more in next week's challenge, can be a big money saver. In addition, when you compare grocery prices with a grocery price book you can save money just by getting things when they're at their rock bottom low sales price, even without coupons.
Therefore, I've created a free printable grocery price list you can use to help you track this information see links above. The first two steps in this Challenge were pretty easy, but step 3 is where you've got to make a big decision. What I'm referring to here is whether you'll take the time, up front, to cut out all the coupons and file them in some organization system, or you'll not clip any coupon until you plan to actually use it, and instead will just file the coupon inserts. At first this step seems like a no-brainer.
Clearly, you may think, it would be easiest to not clip any coupons unless you'll actually need them, and to just file the inserts and be done. Many people swear by this method of coupon organization, and call it the "no-clip system" or similar words to that effect. They've used it successfully for years, and you may like it too. On the other hand, there are many coupon gurus who dislike this method, and will tell you in no uncertain terms not to do it this way, but instead to clip everything up front.
With such differing opinions it can be confusing which method to choose, so I'll discuss some of the pros and cons of the coupon insert filing method below, so you can decide what's right for you. Honestly, I think it has more to do with your goals for couponing and your personality which way you like to organize coupons, and that's why there's so much disagreement of whether to clip coupons, or not.
If you choose to organize your coupons with the no clip method it's pretty simple to do. You merely file the insert by date received or issued , and then use a coupon database see more in Step 4 below to help you know what deals will work with those coupons, and pull them when needed. Once you've chosen to clip, or not clip, only part of the work is done.
Now you've got to finish the details of choosing a method to organize coupons that works for you, and set up your system. As I mentioned above, if you've decided to file inserts you really need to use a coupon database to help you match deals to coupons, and alert you to what coupons should be used in what weeks. This will help you know which coupons to pull, since you can easily forget what's in there without assistance. Frankly, even if you clip your coupons these companies which help you match coupons and sales can be a big help and time saver for you, so you may want to look into one.
Get free printable here. If you decide to clip coupons, no matter which option you choose below, they both require you to categorize your coupons. The reason is that once you clip all those little pieces of paper you're just left with big stacks that you can't find anything easily. I've created a list of coupon categories you can reference, with both main categories and subcategories, to help you get an idea of how you should categorize your own coupon collection.
In addition, I've created a two page printable version of the categories and subcategories you can use as a table of contents in your binder, for example, if you choose that method.
I've given a little more instruction on categories in the coupon categories article itself, so be sure to read it and familiarize yourself with the suggested categories when setting up your organizational system as part of this Challenge. Here's where I lay out the two main organizational methods for clipped coupons, so you can choose which one will work best for you. They are the coupon binder ad the coupon box or wallet.
Many people use a coupon binder to organize coupons. To make one, create tabs for each of your main coupon categories see above and dividers for your subcategories if needed , and place them in a large, sturdy three ring binder.
Place the coupons in special divider plastic sleeves, such as for baseball cards, or those shown below designed for coupons. Then, carry your binder with you on all your shopping trips and flip to the right page to retrieve coupons as needed. The other option for organizing clipped coupons is to place them in a coupon wallet or coupon box. Basically, all of these types of coupon organizer systems are portable filing cabinets for your coupons where, instead of retrieving coupons by flipping pages in a binder you thumb through the tabs and fing the coupons where you filed them.
Here's one of the best explanations of how to organize coupons using a coupon box or wallet I've found. I've embedded the video of Carrie Isaac's explanation below because sometimes "seeing" how someone does it makes a lot more sense than me explaining it in writing. Although Carrie uses a box for her organizational system, unless you do a lot of couponing a simpler wallet will most likely work for you, if you choose this method. You can then access the coupon database to find the coupons you need to clip before you shop. There are usually anywhere from 6 — 10 sections within the case, so you can organize your coupons.
There are also tabs where you can add labels to help you find the ones you need. This system is the best one for someone who is new at using coupons or even a casual couponer.
There are no labels on the tabs, so you will want to add your own. Here are some sample categories you may want to consider. Add in any additional sections, or remove those that you do not need. The idea is to ensure you can find the coupons you need when you are ready to use them. Once you get more into couponing, you may have too many coupons to fit into a small folio.
You might also want to see every coupon you have available, without clipping only when you need to use them. If this is you, then it is time to upgrade to the coupon binder. This is what I affectionately call the Grand Daddy of coupon organizing. You will need to find a binder. Make sure it has both a handle and strap so you can easily carry it in and out of the store. In addition, you will want to ensure that it zips shut that way, if it opens while you are shopping, you can close it and keep your coupons from falling out.
When you are ready to clip, you will have everything right at your fingertips. You can find binders on Amazon , at Target or even Walmart. This is the binder I use, and you can see the features I mentioned.
Add baseball card sleeves and divider tabs. The sleeves are where you will place the coupons once they are clipped. Once your book is set up, next comes adding the sections! I recommend that you do not use the tabs that slide into the divider tabs as they can easily fall out. Instead, pay a bit more and get those that you can either write on or place a sticker on. You can find this list in a printable format here. One find thing you will want to add is a plastic sleeve or pocket. That way, if you have coupons you need to file, those you want to use or other items, you have a place to put them.
Now that you have a method to store the coupons, you want to organize them quickly each week. This method will help you do so in no time at all. To start, you need a coupon guide. You can make one out of poster board or cardboard by drawing lines and adding headings that relate to each section in your coupon binder. Alternatively, make one out of fabric.