If that’s what you want to call it. I basically just took a folder, some plastic sheets, paper, and tape to create this one. I figure it will be my temp to get by until I truly learn the world of couponing!
And to keep with the true spirit of the term frugal, I only used supplies I had around my house. I didn’t go and buy anything new which is why it’s so basic and extremely simplified.
I picked a purple folder out of the millions we have and found some sheet protectors. I actually keep these on hand to keep our registered horse papers in. I cut strips of paper and made little “tabs” using scotch tape to attach them to the sheet protectors. Then I made my categories. This was the hard part to me because I didn’t want too many at first but I need enough to be able to find that certain coupon. So I ended up using the following:
- Dry Goods
- Canned Goods
- Cold Stuff
- Healthy & Beauty
- Household
- Snacks/Drinks/Seasonal
This may all change when I decide to go more advanced and create a real coupon binder but for now, it will organize the few coupons I do have.
I kept one sheet protector for rebate forms and I put certain ads in the pockets. Then I cut coupons and put them where the go!
The Folder
Sheet Protectors with Tabs
Some people that I read to learn from are:
Check them out! and I would LOVE To hear your tips and ideas in building a coupon binder!! And don’t forget, every Friday I’m putting a frugal idea post and you can link your coupon, post, or deal you found!
About A Cowboy's Wife
Great job, Lori! Couponing is easy when you’re organized. I am in dire need of some organization right now.
I’ve only been couponing and bargain shopping for 5-6 months. I don’t get mulitples of the newspaper like some do unless it’s a banner coupon week, and even then I may buy one extra paper; but even so, those coupons combined with internet printables, watching sales, and doing rebates, it’s unreal to me the bargains I’e gotten and the stockpile I’ve built in that short amount of time.
You’ll get such a rush when you get your first “free” after coupon items!
This is so funny…My husband is the coupon freak in our houshold. We actually just did basically the same thing but instead of using the sheet protectors we went and bought business card holders (300 pockets for $4.99 at Staples – not sure how many sheets) so that each individual coupn was visible and we didn’t have to route through the pile. We tried it last night at CVS and RITE AID and it worked like a charm. Still have some organizing to do as far as expiration date and so on.
Cool! FOr a long time I was keeping my coupons in my datebook. Not very useful! But recently I “won” a coupon organizer on the Dollar General website. It even has a little snap to attach it to the cart. Woohoo
With hubby looking for work I recently started paying much more attention to coupons. I got a cheap coupon wallet and we’ll see how that goes. I’m always surprised at how many people say they’re using binders to manage their coupons but I never see any in my area.
Great job! I’m still working on perfecting a system! I can’t seem to find exactly what I need! I may have to create my own!
Not to toot my own horn but I actually started the coupon binder method in the 90′s and shared it on a couple of message boards at the time under the username of LWMSAVON. I went on to be featured in Woman’s Day as well as had my binder method featured in a refunding magazine.
You can learn more here on how to set up a binder, get a supply list, and more. http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/07/lauras-couponing-and-refunding-hints.html
Just want to share I’m an old chick
and when Mead first came out with binders that zipped and had velcro!! closures – the majority of my frugal friends had them set up as perfect for couponing- especially those of us with sons that collected baseball cards and stamps. That was way before the 90s, my parents grew up in the Depression and my mother used coupons with a binder ringed accordian coupon thing she got from the FFA & it had tiny strawberrys on it. Laura was not the first to use a binder to organize, not me either – just to set the facts stright.