Organizing Coupons

[APCullip22]

I know that there are so many creative ladies here and I was just wondering how everyone else stores/seperates/organizes their coupons. I am really getting into cutting and using and sharing coupons, but need a way to organize them so they aren't just stacked in piles! Help!!

Thanks in Advance :)

[calliope_muses]

Funny that you posted this - I just made myself a new coupon organizer today! It's pretty simple, but it works for me. I took 11 regular sized envelopes (one for each of the categories I sort coupons into - produce, refrigerated, frozen, dry/canned goods, paper products/household goods, cleaning, hygiene/beauty, pharmacy, pet, misc, restaurants) and tucked the flap into each one. I printed labels on the computer for each of my categories and stuck one to each flap. Then I attached the envelopes together in 'accordion' style with a glue stick. Glued the back of one envelope to the front of another - but only put the glue at the bottom of the envelope. This way they're all together and sorted the way I like them. I also attached an empty, unlabled envelope at the back of my 'accordion' to use while I'm shopping - when I determine that I have a coupon for an item I move that coupon to the empty envelope instead of waiting until I'm done shopping to sort through them. I make sure not to miss a coupon that way and it also forces me to compare prices and item sizes.

Visual of my system, since I don't think I described it very well!

The back of envelope 'A' - this would be the front of your accordion:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/roltid01/LJ%20user%20pics/pict0001.jpg

The front of envelope 'A' - you glue it to the back of the next envelope...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/roltid01/LJ%20user%20pics/PICT0035.jpg

The back of envelope 'B' - glue envelope 'A' to it. Envelope 'B' is the second pocket in your accordion...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/roltid01/LJ%20user%20pics/PICT0036.jpg

Keep gluing them together until you have as many pockets as you need. The end result will look something like this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/roltid01/LJ%20user%20pics/pict0002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/roltid01/LJ%20user%20pics/pict0003.jpg

After you glue all the envelopes together you may want to clamp them with a binder clip until the glue is good and dry. Also, don't glue too far up the side of the envelope - the accordion won't work right and it will be hard to get coupons in and out of the individual pockets. I'm sure if you wanted to you could get cuter envelopes and make something a little nicer looking.

Sorry this was so long!

[APCullip22]

Thank you so much for the wonderful idea!!!! That will be my project for the day!!! Thanks again! Loved the visuals :)

[MrsSmith]

I got a card file from office max and labeled the stickes accordingly. It only cost about $3.

[jimmysgirl424]

Ebay has lots of different types of coupon organizers for fairly cheap as well! :)

[Kellijo14]

Thanks for the idea, calliope_muses. That will be perfect. My problem with premade items is that there are either too many slots, or not enough. Plus, I can't pull out what I need really quickly. I'm going to give it a shot.

Thanks!

[shopaholic]

I bought an accordian style organizer (fits in my purse) and labeled each tab with their categories (jarred foods, boxed foods, frozen, meat, diary, breakfast, desserts, etc).

I also have a separate organizer for non-food items (deodorant/razors, feminine, hair care, oral care, cleaning, laundry, etc).

They were about $2 each from walgreens.

Not this one but something similar:
http://www.hannahhansen.com/images/redorganizer.jpg

[calliope_muses]

My problem with premade items is that there are either too many slots, or not enough.

That was my exact problem too. They either didn't have enough pockets for me or the labels they put on them just didn't fit what I needed.

You're welcome!

[mrstim]

I personally wanted something so that I didn't have to search through the pile even though it was categorized. Here's mine:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da26b3127cce914b678bf85900000016108AbtGzJk4Ytf
I bought trading card holders from Wal-Mart (.88 for 10 pages of 9 slots) and a cheapo binder and created my coupon binder! Between each section I put a page divider so that each section is separate.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da26b3127cce914b632e79ce00000016108AbtGzJk4Ytf
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da26b3127cce914b632df8fd00000016108AbtGzJk4Ytf

In the front, I have a zippered pouch with a small pair of scissors, pen, and calculator. I also have a empty page protector so that as I shop, those coupons that I am using that trip go into the protector so that at the counter I can whip out all those coupons! In the left hand side I keep current sales ads for my 2 stores that I shop at!

That's my system! (I must admit it's not an original idea - they're selling these things on ebay for $20 and i made mine for about $5.00!) It ain't perfect, but it sure helps me out!

[APCullip22]

Thanks ladies for the wonderful ideas!!!