Why Create a Coupon Binder?
Creating a coupon binder is the quickest, most efficient way to keep track of your coupons. I bring mine with me to the super-market. I sit my binder down in the front of the cart so it’s in arm’s reach when I need something.
If you have questions, feel free to e-mail me via the contact me page with the subject line “Coupon Binder.”
Getting Started:
What you’ll need for a successful coupon binder:
- 1 Binder
- I suggest 2″ view binder, but a 1″ will work as well
- 1-2 Packs of binder dividers
- Try to get the extra wide (9.5 x11) ones! (The regular ones will be hard to see.)
- 30-50 baseball card sheets
- I found some cheap ones at my local Target store but here’s a “best selling” pack on Amazon.
- You also may want to consider “currency sleeves” – these are good for printable coupons if you do not wish to fold them.
Not ready for a binder? Try a small accordion binder first. (Look for them at the dollar store!)
Creating a Binder:
Creating a couponing binder is no different than when you had to create a multi-subject binder for school. Instead of filling your binder with loose-leaf paper, you fill it with baseball card sheets. (Also, feel free to put a few sheets of loose-leaf paper in the front of your binder for shopping lists and notes.)Categories and sub-categories:
Feel free to get creative but below is how I have my categories set up. NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE TABS FOR SUBCATEGORIES, JUST GIVE SUB-CATEGORIES THEIR OWN SHEET(S). (And feel free to use post-its if they will help you.)- Store Coupons and Rain-Checks
- Remember: Store coupons can be STACKED with MFR coupons that's why I keep them separate. For information on how to stack coupons, please see The Savings Sandwich page.
- Produce/Veggies (think: bagged salad - Note: Items like canned fruit and veggies can go either here or in the pantry section.)
- Dairy/Frozen
- Medicine
- Cereal (There are SO many cereal coupons every month, that's why it gets it's own section!)
- Optional subcategories: General Mills Cereals, Kellogg's Cereals, Other Brands of Cereal
- Pantry (pasta, rice, jarred and canned products)
- Snacks (chips, pretzels, snack bars and candy)
- Beverages (for non-perishable drinks, something like O.J would be in the dairy section)
- Cooking/Baking (olive oil, cooking spray, sugar, flour, etc)
- Bath and Body (Toiletries)
- Subcategories (most important in this section!) - Give each of these their own sheet: Razors, Lotion, Shampoo/Conditioner/Styling Products, Soap, Body Wash, Deodorant, Toothpaste/Toothbrushes, Feminine Care
- (Laundry) Detergent
- Cleaning
- Paper Goods (paper and plastic/disposable products)
- Optional subcategories: Tissues/Toilet Paper/Paper Towels, Other disposables (paper plates/bowls, baking cups, etc), Trash Bags
- Makeup
- Baby/Pet
- Misc (for the things that just don't fit elsewhere like batteries, brita water filters and hand sanitizer)
Maintenance:
- Once a week, make time to print/clip coupons and file them.
- Once a month (usually the first of the month), flip through and go through each section. Get rid of expired coupons.
- See the "Couponing Calendar" page for more information.