Most hard-core couponers opt for the binder organizational method for these reasons:
- Allows for LOTS of coupons
- Easy to see, and flip through, your coupons
- Easy-to-find materials
- Portable
You can start with a smaller binder and work your way up. As a full-time, crazy couponer I have a 3-inch binder.
Use baseball card pages ($9.99 for 65 at Target, or $3.99 for 35 at Walmart) to store your coupons.
Using strong plastic dividers I have separated my coupon book into categories, based on the layout of the store. You can break it into whatever categories work best for you.
These are the categories I use:
- Free – for all those FREE coupons that you want to use before they expire!
- Produce – Fruits, veggies and things found in the produce section (croutons, refrigerated salad dressings, tofu, etc.)
- Condiments & Sauces – Pickles, mustard, peanut butter etc.
- Beverages – Anything you can drink!
- Packaged and Canned Goods – Most of the stuff that is in the center aisles of a grocery store. Soups, dry pastas, tuna, canned veggies, crackers, rice, bread products, etc.
- Baking – Anything found in the baking aisle, including spices, parchment paper, brownie/cake mixes, etc.
- Cereal & Breakfast – Cereals, oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup,
- Snacks & Candy – Snack foods such as pretzels, popcorn, chips, gum, candy, etc.
- Dairy – All things found in the dairy section – cheese, milk, sour cream, yogurt, and things like eggs, refrigerated cookie dough, etc.
- Meats – All meat products
- Frozen – All products in the frozen food aisle, including frozen entrees, desserts, etc.
- Cosmetics – Make-up and cosmetics products
- Oral Care – Toothbrushes, mouth wash, dental floss, etc.
- Personal Care – This is a big category for coupons – hygiene products, eye drops, deodorant, face wash, body wash, lotions, shampoo/conditioner, hair stylers, etc.
- Cleaning – All cleaning products and fragrance products (such as Glade candles, etc.)
- Paper Goods – Napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, ziploc bags, tin foil, plastic wrap, etc.
- Medicine – All medicines, first aid items, vitamins, etc.
- Baby & Kids – Diapers, wipes, kid’s foods, etc.
- Pets – All things pets
- Office & Misc. – Office supply coupons and other items that you don’t have categories for.
Pick the categories for the products you use and set it up in a way that works for you. There is no right way, just your way. The easiest it is for you to maintain and use, the more likely you will be to use it and save money!
I like this method because I have it in a bag and flip through it without taking it out of the bag. I carry this bag and my purse into the store.