How to Organize your Coupons

Once you decide to start couponing, it doesn’t take long to amass a giant pile of coupons. Any pile of paper in any shape size or form demands some sort of containment and some sort of organization within that containment.

The most popular means of containing coupons are: in a coupon file, in a binder, in envelopes, or in an accordion file. Currently, I am using a binder system.

Once you decide on how to contain your coupons, you must decide how to organize your coupon collection within that system. Several popular ways to organize your coupons, and the major pro for each, are:

1.      Alphabetical order: It is easy to flip to any coupon

2.      Expiration date: Easier to toss coupons when they expire

3.      Insert Date: quickly able to find coupons when using a couponing blog to find deals

My method of organizing coupons is by the layout of the store I visit most often. The entrance to the store is at the produce section, so I place my coupons for everything I find in the produce area first. Then when I am done shopping in the produce section I go to the dairy section, flip a page and have all of my dairy related coupons easy to see.

I also have a section in the front where I keep all of my coupons that I plan on using during that shopping trip. Towards the back of my binder I have store specific sections for store coupons that I print off online or clip from the circulars. I also have a section for restaurant coupons, department store coupons, and entertainment coupons.

— Use Today –

Place all coupons you plan on using today here

— Produce –

Fruits, Veggies, Chilled Salad Dressings, Salad Toppings

— Dairy –

Milk, Butter, Cheese, Yogurt, Coffee Creamer, Cream Cheese, and Other Dairy

— Meats –

Deli Cuts, Bacon, Lunchables, Hot Dogs, Sausage, Other Chilled Meats

— Refrigerated –

Juices, Cookie Dough, Bread Dough, Dips and Spreads, Pickles

— Breads –

Sliced Bread, Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns, Tortillas, Bagels, and Other Breads

— Vegetables –

Canned and Jarred Vegetables of all kinds

— Fruits –

Canned and Jarred Fruits, Fruit Cups, Applesauce

— Hot Drinks –

Coffee, Tea, Cocoa

— PB & J –

Peanut Butter, Jelly, Honey

— Cereals –

Dry Breakfast Cereal and Hot Cereals

— Granola Bars, etc… –

Granola Bars, Fruit Snack, Energy Bars

— Pasta & Rice –

Pasta and Sauce, Rice, Prepared Sides, Couscous, Hamburger Helper

— International –

Mexican, Asian, Other International Items

— Drinks –

Non-Refrigerated Juices, Juice Boxes, Powdered Drink Mixes

— Soups –

Canned Soups, Dry Soup Mixes, Broth, Boullion

— Canned Protein –

Beans, Chili, Tuna

— Condiments –

Mustard, Mayo, Ketchup, Relish, BBQ Sauce, Hot Sauce

— Salad Dressings –

— Pickles & Peppers –

Pickles, Peppers, Olives, Other Antipasto Items

— Cookies & Crackers –

Cookies, Crackers, Other Snack Items

— Baking Mixes –

Mixes for Cakes, Cookies, Brownies, Pancakes, Muffins, Gelatin, Pudding

— Baking Staples –

Flour, Sugar, Chocolate Chips, Oils, Other Baking Staples

— Spices & Seasonings –

Salt, Pepper, Seasonings, Seasoning Packets

— Frozen Appetizers –

Pizza Rolls, Taquitos, Fries, Chicken Strips, Other Frozen Appetizers

— Frozen Entrees –

Main Course Frozen Items

— Frozen Staples –

Frozen Fruits, Veggies, Dough, Other Items for Cooking or Baking

— Frozen Breakfast –

Waffles, Breakfast Sandwiches, Hash Browns, Other Breakfast Items

— Frozen Desserts –

Ice Cream, Popsicles, Pies, Other Sweet Treats

— Salty Snacks –

Popcorn, Chips, Nuts, Pretzels

— Candy and Gum –

— Bottled Beverages –

Water, Soda, Tea, Sports Drinks

— Frozen Entrees –

Main Course Frozen Items

— Alcohol –

Drink Mixes, Beer, Wine, Hard Liquor

— Food Storage & Service –

Plastic Wrap, Aluminum Foil, Baggies, Trash Bags

Disposable Plates, Cups, and Silverware

— Paper Goods –

Paper Towels, Napkins, Toilet Paper

— Baby –

Baby Food, Diapers, Formula, Wipes

— First Aid –

Medicine and Bandages

— Vitamins –

Vitamins and Health Supplements

— Hair Care –

Shampoo, Conditioner, and Styling Products

— Oral Care –

Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Mouthwash, Floss

— Shaving –

Razors, Refills, Shaving Cream

— Deodorant –

— Beauty –

Make-Up, Nail Polish, Beauty Tools

— Feminine Care–

Tampons, Pads, Yeast Medications

— Lotions –

Lotions and Sunscreen

— Facial Care –

Cleansers, Moisturizers, Face Scrub

— Soaps –

Bar Soap, Soft Soap, Body Washes

— Laundry –

Laundry Detergent, Stain Remover, Fabric Softener

— Dishes –

Dishwashing and Dishwasher Soap

— Cleaners –

All-Purpose, Kitchen, Bathroom, and Floor Cleaners

— Pet Care –

Pet Food, Treats, Pet Care Items

— Miscellaneous –

— Target –

Place all Target only coupons here

— Costco –

Place all Costco store coupons here

— Rite Aid –

Place all +Up Rewards and store coupons here

— CVS –

Place all Extra Care Bucks and store coupons here

— Walgreens –

Place all Register Rewards and store coupons here

— Department Stores –

— Safeway –

— Save Mart –

— Raleys –

— Other Stores –

— Restaurants –

— Entertainment –