Wednesday, November 19, 2008

WFMW: My Coupon Organizer!

I have had several people stop me in the store recently to ask to see my coupon binder for ideas, so I thought I would share. First, let me tell you, I have tried every kind of organizer. I have used envelopes (fall apart), file folders (too bulky), boxes (too ugly), CD cases (actually worked pretty good but too small now), trading card page pockets (utterly annoying to me), and even just paper clips (lost in purse). I have been on a quest to find something that works for me. My goals were to have something that did not make me look like some crazed couponer in the store, did not let stuff fall out, easy to put coupons in, easy to take expired out, big enough and easy to carry.

Let me also explain that even though I would take my coupons in the store on occasion, generally I already have my trip planned out and the correct coupons extracted from my binder before going in the store. I have very limited shopping time so I have to be exact (which really saves me money). This means that having the trading card page pockets was overkill for me (and I could not stand the time it took to stuff each individual pocket). It is great for someone who wants it all laid out visually for a more leisurely shopping trip. I can have my sections as a stack of coupons that I sort through and it works for me.

So I waited for one of those great coupons for Office Max - $15 off of $50. This is what I purchased:


It is a Case-It binder (about $8 on sale) with shoulder strap and velcro closing. When carrying it into the store, at just a glance it looks like a purse (avoiding the crazed couponer image).


This is what it looks like from the side. It fits easily into a shopping cart child's seat. It slims down at the beginning of the month.


For the pockets, I used those pencil pockets (.59 each - I bought 40) that zip up (nothing falls out). I also write the section topic on the upper right hand corner in permanent marker so that I can easily go to the right section (in alphbetical order). The great thing about these pencil pockets is that they open on the right side which makes it really easy to take your coupons out in the store if you found that amazing sale while your binder is resting on its side in the shopping cart.

In the back I have pockets for my major shopping stores and their specialized coupons:


There is even a folder area that I can put inserts or coupon policies:


In the front I have a pocket made of material to keep my scissors and paper clips ($1 on sale):


Here are my sections that have evolved over time:

Baby
Bake
Batteries, Etc.
Bread/Salad
Box
Can
Candy
Cereal
Clean House
Clean Laundry
Dairy
Drinks
Frozen Salty
Frozen Sweet
Health Vit (Vitamins)
Health Med
Hy-Body (Hy is Hygiene - I wanted to keep all these sections together as they are in the store.)
Hy-Deo
Hy-Feminine
Hy-Hair
Hy-Make-up
Hy-Shaving
Hy-Teeth
Meat
Plastic & Paper
Pet
Sauces
Snack - Salty
Snack - Sweet
Snack - Wet

Then Store Sections:
CVS
Rite Aid
Walgreens
Kroger
Publix
Harris Teeter
Other

Finally, with my $50 purchase, I also bought a an X-Acto Paper Cutter which really saves me a ton of time. Thus, I paid about $35 for my system and it works great for me. For more WFMW tips, head over to Rocks in My Dryer!

13 comments:

MediMonsters said...

Wonderful idea!!

Lisa said...

This looks like a very workable system! I might have to try it out. I have alread gone through envelopes, paperclips, and a shoebox.. whis is very ugly and immediately screams "Coupon Lady" coming!

Jennifer said...

Thats pretty cool! Mine is similar, but I use the trading card inserts. My word verification says "beafe" funny!!

JusFrugal said...

I LOVE your binder! I can't find the same one anywhere though ;(

Julie said...

I love the idea! I have tried a organizer but with trading cards I didn't like it. It took to long to put all the coupons in the slots and all. Do you have a pouch for each catagory? I was thinking of ordering a big coupon box off of ebay I don't know I may try this instead. Thanks Julie @ CouponSavingFamily

Dr. Mom said...

Yes, there is a pouch for each category listed. I know that using trading card pages works for some quite well, but I began to dread putting the coupons into it (all the tucking and folding), and eventually realized that I was nearly a month behind in refreshing the coupons. That is when I changed to this method. I no longer dread doing it, and it is much easier for me to clean out.

Birminghambizguide said...

What model number is this case it?

Dr. Mom said...

It is style number S-915. The UPC on the tag is 022293104821. It is made by "Case it"

JusFrugal said...

you think this is it? (fingers crossed)

Case-it S-915

Dr. Mom said...

I think that is it. It certainly describes what I have!

JusFrugal said...

YAY!

Joy said...

I have never thought about using pencil pockets! What a neat idea...except it makes your binder so fat! :) I am looking for a new coupon system...this is a nice idea!
www.frugalmenumamas.com

Animesh Singh said...

i really save lots of money from OfficeDepot Coupon, i feel really glad to use coupon codes.

Great Deal on Pork Roasts at Food Saver This Week!

With the food prices about to rise dramatically due to the draught out West, you may want to stock up on this great deal.  Food Saver has po...