Coupon Class 101

Coupon Guide

Part 1-GET ORGANIZED

So you want to start saving money and have decided that you're going to start couponing. First thing to do is get organized! You are beginning a journey that will be a huge money saver if done correctly, but in the beginning you will have to invest some time and a minimal amount of money to get yourself organized. Here I will list some different ways to do this. Note that I've tried them all and advise you to do the same. There is NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY. It's all about what's best for you. 


Methods:


Binder method-This style of couponing incorporates taking all your inserts and cutting all the coupons and inserting them into baseball card style holders by category. You will need to buy one oversized binder with rings, card holder inserts (plastic) Dividers with tabs, Sharpie pen or labels.  This is a very popular method. I personally don’t use it, but have tried it and found it too time consuming. I’m a career mom with children so time is of the essence for me. Please keep in mind the time you consume when couponing. If you’re like me you will want to make this an easy process. So go ahead, give it a try to see if it works for you. 

Plastic container with lid or Heavy Shoebox Method-I personally love this method. Buy a large plastic shoebox size carrying case with a lid & handle. (Handle makes for easy transport) Buy some manilla file folders with tabs & some labels. Measure the file folders to fit perfectly inside your carrying case. Label the tabs by store isle category. 
Next step:
Buy one Accordion style file keeper- Date each file by month. Mark your coupon inserts from you Sunday paper by date with a sharpie and file them here.  When you see a sale  match up for a certain date, check out the date, go to the file, pull the dated circular and cut the coupon. Add to your box by category.  This saves me time because I hate all that cutting process. That way I only have the sale coupons that I need…and no wasted time in the store searching for that ONE SPECIAL COUPON! I do however cut and keep with me all the coupons that I know I will use, & I keep all my "Free coupons" separately filed.  I found these nice boxes pretty cheap at the Container Store. $3.99 is a great price! Container store site link. 

Envelope Method: This is how I began. I use to file my inserts by month and date them. I would search the internet deal match-up sites. (Info on this coming next chapter) After I find the best deals, I would mark the deals I wanted and print the list. Once I had my list I would go to my inserts by the date & insert name,  search for the coupon, cut it out and put in my envelope. I then would fold up my list and put it in my envelope and head out. This worked for me for a while, but I hated the long amounts of time I was wasting sorting through the envelope in the store. 


Like I said earlier, "There is no right or wrong method with couponing. It’s just all about what is easiest  and most efficient for YOU! "
If you have any suggestions to offer, I am always willing to post your ideas. Please feel free to email me a description & or pictures of your style of doing it. I will give credit to you here on this page. Email me to tholt@gmail.com 


Part 2 & 3 Here