I use the "binder" method, which I think is totally awesome. I tried a few other ways, and this is just the easiest for me to find things and keep myself organized better at the store. There is an awesome post written about it over here at Utah Deal Diva. You really should take the time to read it. I agree with pretty much everything she says, and since she says it so well, why should I repeat it? LOL!
This is my binder. It zips, which is a MUST. Previously I used a regular one, and if for some reason it falls over, everything slides out. A NIGHTMARE! Trust me!
In the front pocket there, I keep my reuseable produce bags. I know! Cool, huh! But don't worry, I'm not that on the ball. I forget they're there like 95% of the time. Oh well...
So there are a couple of things I do a little differently than the Utah Deal Diva (I'm just loving that name!). First, let me say the binder is big and bulky to carry into a store, not to mention all the funny looks I get, so I have a cute tote bag I carry mine in, that makes it much easier to deal with, and I don't look so funny carrying a huge binder of coupons!
This is the inside of my binder. There are like file type pockets for me to stick my inserts in, which I love. I always have them with me. And with it is a flat zippered pocket. I usually use that for coupons I need to file, or when it's empty, I stick my receipts in it until I can get home. If I put them in my purse, they fall into some weird deep dark hole. Go figure!
I also have a zippered pencil pouch which comes first. I keep a pair of small scissors in there, b/c really, I've so needed them while shopping before! My pouch has 2 pockets. The front mesh one is where I place my coupons I expect I might use while out shopping. When I put the item into the cart, I move the coupon from the front pouch pocket to the main one, so when I get to the checkout they're all there and they're all RIGHT!!!
Also, instead of tabbed dividers, I use the sticky post it tabs, which have been awesome. They have held up and I can move them around as I need to. Awesome. I do have 3 plastic dividers with a folder pocket on it that I use. One sits in the front of the binder, one sits between the non food and food sections, and one sits behind all the coupons to give me another section I call "Other." It makes it very easy to flip around and find what I need. Under other, I hold other store/restaurant coupons, rainchecks, store coupons policies, mail in rebate form, printed lists of my e-coupons, etc.
As for the baseball card holders, I haven't really had much of a problem with folding my coupons. Printables I just fold in half like this, so on the back side of it, at the top is the expiration date. It's very easy to just slide it up an inch, check the back and push it back down. And when I first started using the baseball card holders, it was a pain to remember to trim down my coupons to fit. Now that I've used it for awhile, I know which size coupon needs to be cut which way, and it's really not a big deal at all!
Anyway, there you have it. My coupon binder in a nutshell. Sadly, this only answers a small handful of the questions I get, but don't worry, I do plan on getting around to the rest...eventually...;)
Anyway, there you have it. My coupon binder in a nutshell. Sadly, this only answers a small handful of the questions I get, but don't worry, I do plan on getting around to the rest...eventually...;)
So, I'm curious. What do you use, what do you like, what are your thoughts?
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