First, get coupons together and then organize them. It is a process to learn how to use grocery coupons effectively. Below are some popular ways to organize coupons. Many people have their individual preferences. Experiment and use one or more coupon systems that work best.
Coupon Organizers
- Accordion file. Organizing coupons in a small plastic accordion file works best for most beginners. It’s a compact way to store and carry coupons, sorted conveniently. Add more accordion files or upgrade to a larger one if needed.
- File box. Organize coupons by filing whole coupon inserts by date in file folders for easy and fast lookups. Instead of sorting through lots of clipped coupons, many couponers prefer this system. Just use a black marker to write the date on the insert’s cover. Then label the file folder by date so it’s easy to find the right insert and coupon quickly.
- Binder. Organizing coupons by binder takes time to set up and maintain. But it may work best for some. A coupon binder allows shoppers to easily see many coupons at once. It’s also less likely to fall and send coupons flying everywhere in the store. Many people use plastic sleeves like baseball card holders and photo album sleeves to separate and hold coupons. Use labeled dividers to organize coupons by what is most convenient. For example, sections can be divided by product type, food category, brand, coupon date, store, and/or coupon type.
Coupon Categories
Depending on how one shops, certain coupon organizers may make more sense than others. For example, some couponers prefer to have expiring coupons in the front of their organizer so they can quickly find and use these coupons before they expire. However, many shoppers would rather look up a coupon based on its product category. For instance, when buying cheese, it would be easier to look in the “Dairy” section of the coupon organizer to quickly find all available cheese coupons.
Organize Coupons – Categories
Many couponers organize coupons according to the product category, brand, store layout, or coupon expiration date.
It is best to organize coupons by what is most intuitive or convenient for the shopper. The most common way is sorting by product categories. For example, some common coupon categories include:
- Dairy
- Rice/pasta
- Canned goods
- Meats
- Health and Beauty
- Paper Goods
- Breads
- Miscellaneous
Organize Coupons – Choose a Personal Preference
When organizing coupons, there are many coupon organization systems available to buy or make. The best coupon organizer is one that is easy to use, transport, and store for the shopper. For instance, for grocery stockpiling, it is easier to use the filing box method to access coupons quickly. Some experimentation may be needed to find the most convenient coupon organization system; however, getting coupons organized is key to realizing big savings on groceries every week.
