How to organize and store coupons

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How to organize and store coupons



Organizational Methods



There are several methods to store your coupons when they are in your home before you go to shop, and there are several more methods for storage when you are out shopping.

 

Here are just a few examples of organizational methods:

 

Whole insert: Leave the inserts whole, and file them by date.  You may wish to put each insert in a manila envelope on in a tabbed folder and write the date along with the type insert such as SS (Smart Source), P&G (Proctor & Gamble), or RP (Red Plum). Example: 6/6/10 SS

 

Clipped by dated: Filed in a similar fashion as above, but all coupons from each weeks inserts are clipped, put into an envelope, dated, and filed either in an accordion folder or filing/bank box. This can be a time saver when you need to pull coupons from a specific date.  You may choose to have all coupons from the same date filed together, or you may wish to file each insert (Red Plum, Smart Source, Proctor & Gamble) separately. Example: Clipped 6/6/10 All or  Clipped 6/6/10 SS

 

Clipped by category: Coupons are clipped and then filed by category.

 

Clipped Alphabetically: Simply file the coupons alphabetically, either by product name, product type, or manufacturer.

 

 

Storage Methods

 

There are several methods for storage of coupons.

 

If you file whole inserts, you may wish to file inserts in an accordion folder or filing/bank box by date.

 

If you clip your coupons here are just a few examples of storage methods:

 

Coupon Wallets are commercially available at office supply stores or mass merchandisers.  Coupon wallets  are small, reinforced accordion file with tabs. They can fit inside most purses. Organize the coupons by category or alphabetically.

 

Use a 3-ring binder with baseball card sheets or photo sheets (for a large photo album, 4x6 inch size works well) and use tabbed dividers for the category dividers. In the front, you can put a pad of paper inside for your shopping list, a zipper pouch for pens, pencils, scissors and a calculator.  3-ring binders that zip shut are great too!

 

An index card filing box can be useful.  You can use the alphabetic tabs that are included and store coupons alphabetically, or you can re-purpose the tabs and store coupons in categories.  A category list in on the next page.

 

Individual envelopes- I did this once upon a time, and I recommend it only for the most organized.  Start with envelopes (I use #10 envelopes) and write the name of each category on the front in large, easy to read letters.  File coupons by category in the corresponding envelopes, Once you have all the coupons sorted and filed, store the envelopes in a plastic tub, shoe box, whatever is easiest for you.

 

If you are extremely organized, an Excel spreadsheet with a list of coupons, value, expiration date and any exclusions might be helpful.  Print it out and place it in a plastic page protector in the front of your filing system, or carry it with you in your “take to store” couponing system.

 

There are commercially available coupon organizers available, including organizers that Velcro over the handles of a grocery-shopping cart. When shopping for a coupon organizational system, look for one that will meet your needs.  If you require a system that has a lot of information in once place, or can multi-task, consider a Couponizer- http://www.couponizer.com/ (accessed 6/29/10).

 

If you would like to put your own together, there are small accordion files that can be purchased at Wal*mart, Target or Sears Essentials in the office organizational section with the day planners and file folders, or you can use a three ring binder with tabs and add lined paper, a pencil zipper pouch and calculator.  It’s about what you need and how much time and effort you are willing to invest.

 

When you clip coupons and file them you can go one step further and arrange them by expiration date, amount of coupon, or alphabetically. It’s up to you.  If you have multiples of the same coupon, consider paper clipping them together.



For photos of examples try Google image searching "Coupon Storage".  You'll find a lot of great examples.