organization tips please!

[nancyrose]

I'm new to SC - - could you more experienced SCers please share your best organization tips? Right now, my organization is every coupon shoved into a recycled envelope

I'm very excited about my New Year's resolution to use $1000 in coupons this year. I'm already close to $60, and it's only the 12th of January

[SimplifiedMommyTips]

I put mine in a hanging folders ,alphabetical arranged (Brandnames like Activia - Welche'sJuice not by product ) and stacked them in a box, its easier for me to find what I need..

[kt_9333]

zippered binder with baseball card holder/dividers and organized by food , health and beauty, cleaning ect, baby and pets ... then with it food it is organized by breads, meats, yogurts ect ect ect... so each baseball card holder sheet has 9 pockets and in each pocket it has multiples of each coupon, expiring fisrt at the front of the pocket and expiring last at the back... works well for me...

[ahazaras]

I have the same system as kt 9333. It has been the best way for me so far.
I don't miss coupons anymore.

[carlyincanada]

zippered binder with baseball card holder/dividers and organized by food , health and beauty, cleaning ect, baby and pets ... then with it food it is organized by breads, meats, yogurts ect ect ect... so each baseball card holder sheet has 9 pockets and in each pocket it has multiples of each coupon, expiring fisrt at the front of the pocket and expiring last at the back... works well for me...

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This is what I use too! My binder goes with me everywhere! Its easy to use & you can see what coupons you have & easier to find them!

I also use Dollarama boxes with recipe cards to divide/label coupons for extras to trade. One is for food...bread, milk, cereal etc & one for cleaning, tp, personal care etc...

Good luck & welcome to SC!

[esbee]

I've got two accordion folders (a little bigger than wallet size) that I bought from wal-mart for $3.50 each. One is green and I put all of my "Food" items in there, and the other is "blue" for all the rest. My food folder is organized by, "Meat/Fish, Dairy, Canned & Jarred, Grains & Pasta, Breads & Cereals, etc" and my second one is "Baby, Tissues, Cleaning Products, Smellies, Pharmacy, Skincare, Soaps & Shampoos, Oral Care, & Misc"

This works for me b/c I have a new baby and a three year old who tag along with me on my shopping trips - I don't have room for a binder! (Plus I can easily throw these things in my diaper bag)

It was very hard to figure out the right system for me at first too - but this really works out great for us.

[daisybear]

I have a small folder from Walmart that I put any coupons for product that I know I will use and take it everywhere with me. I have 3 larger folders from Dollarama that I file coupons that I will trade or for product that I won't not use.
I have found that by not bringing all of my coupons with me I often miss great deals when I see a clearance item that I know I have a coupon for at home...but on the other hand it helps me not buy thing just cause they are cheap or free just because I have a coupon.

[nv_jenn]

you can go to my profile and see a pic of my red box which is how I organize my coupons, the red box is mine and the flowers is trading coupons

[Goddess in this Household]

Wow, you bunch are impressive! And nv_jenn, your coupon boxes look fantastic.

I'm new to this too, and not nearly as organized as the others. I have a coupon wallet that has dividers for various categories. It's main benefit is that it's small enough to throw into my purse for impromptu shopping trips (yes, I have way too many of those!). However, it's getting a bit crowded in there!

[Goddess in this Household]

...but on the other hand it helps me not buy thing just cause they are cheap or free just because I have a coupon.

THIS is something I desparately need help with!

[kden]

thanks for the ideas. I'm new to this too and I've been keeping them in small ziplock bags in a larger bag and knew that there had to be a better way. Keep the good ideas coming!!

[wimbly11]

I keep mine in the accordion folders as well, organized my food, household, etc. But then I keep a database with all my coupons in it. I add or subtract when I get new coupons or use ones. Then I print that out and always have it with me. Quick reference when I'm shopping to see if I have a certain product. Works really well for me. Took a while to get the database started, but once I initially entered everything, keeping it going is easy.

[esbee]

thanks for the ideas. I'm new to this too and I've been keeping them in small ziplock bags in a larger bag and knew that there had to be a better way. Keep the good ideas coming!!

my mom does this - it frustrates me. i have no idea how she remembers what coupons she has by using this method! i even gave her an adorable little accordion folder (much smaller than my own) but she doesn't use it

I keep mine in the accordion folders as well, organized my food, household, etc. But then I keep a database with all my coupons in it. I add or subtract when I get new coupons or use ones. Then I print that out and always have it with me. Quick reference when I'm shopping to see if I have a certain product. Works really well for me. Took a while to get the database started, but once I initially entered everything, keeping it going is easy.

i wish i could do this.. i joined in May 09 and just got up my full trade list last friday i'd love to be able to record all of the coupons i have in my folder... i basically go on memory and it's not always the most reliable lol

[nani]

I use a 12-pocket CD wallet for the coupons that I use to take with me and the rest in a clear plastic shoe box at home.

[babysquirrel]

I use three Small photo albums from the dollar store ( Food, Health & Beauty, Cleaning products ) for the coupons that I plan on using. I keep extra coupons that I don't use and coupon train coupons in an accordian file organized by month.