Hi everyone,

I've been organizing my coupons in a file cabinet. Every week I just take the coupons, put a sticky with the date and file them. This works for me because when I read my Publix blog, she links coupons, so if I need to buy the noodles that are on sale and she says it's in the RP on 1/9, I can just go pull it. The only thing, and this got me thinking, is I wanted to share the coupons that I don't use, won't use or that are expired. But if I cut them all out, I won't be able to pull them when she links them for me. So then I thought I could use a binder and cut all the coupons out and file them and just mark each page with a sticky on what date they came from....make sense? So, I'll have a page marked 1/9 and all coupons filed in my categories, next page would be 1/2 filed in my categories, and so on so the oldest is at the back. When they get close to expiring or are expiring, I could give them to those that can use them. Would this work? I've never done this before and before I go and cut out every single coupon I wanted feedback from others that may have tried it this way (or similar) and what did or didn't work for them. My main thing is keeping them sorted by date so I can just go pull what I need. I just hate seeing all these coupons that I don't use go to waste when I could give them to some of you on here.

Sorry so long!! And thank you in advance!

The most important thing you can do when organizing coupons is to use what works best for you.


While a binder may work for someone else it may not work for you.


Find the system that helps you use / find your coupons more easily.

By not having your coupons with you, you are going to miss out of a lot of freebies, I have gone into a store and they have ALL Laundry detergent on clearance for $1, I never buy ALL, but I clip the coupons for reasons like this, I had 17 coupons I never buy Viva Papre towells either, but I went itno CVS and they had them on clearance for $2.79 for the 6 Roll pack, I had a $1 coupon and stocked up, I run into these deals almost daily !

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I also, do not use the binder method, but instead do what you do, file the inserts until I need them. This prevents me from having to cut EVERY coupon, sorting, filing etc. It also keeps me from throwing out coupons that could be a MM later. I have quickly learned that just because you may not use a product, the coupon may still be used get back more than you paid on a product. In this case it is worth it to buy the product and donate. I know my way takes more time when I go to set up my deals, but at least I know where my coupons are. I also keep a coupon envelope in my purse with loose coupons grouped and clipped together for shopping on the run. Everybody needs to find something that works for them. I also don't think I would like the attention of carrying around a binder. My kids bring me plenty of attention with their antics at rite aid!

I'm another one that can't use the binder. I put it all together, got all the dividers and pockets set up, then I can't find what I need or my binder is in the other car, the baby knocks it off and they all pour out and thinks it's funny, etc. I just go through my coupons when I'm making my list and put them in my checkbook paper clipped to my list.

Do what works for you. Good luck!!

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I have been thinking the same thing (not being able to use a binder as I have gotten used to the filing system) but I have found and I get frustrated when a site says "Simply Orange juice coupon in SS 1/2/11" and I go and paw through the two SS inserts that they put out that week to find it, to only find I don't have it because it is a regional thing. Has happened more than once. I think I am better off putting it all into categories and if I see that I have a coupon for Simply Orange, and it is on sale somewhere, then I won't be so discouraged.

Hmmmm.... getting me a'thinkin'.

Meredith, the Knitting Professor
Mom of and Wife to My College

Thanks for the replies so far. One other question...is there somewhere I can go to print off what coupons are in each Sunday insert? I'm thinking I could just keep my inserts and every week print off the list of what's in there so if I get to the store and see that Herbal Essence is marked down on clearance, I can fish through my list to see if there even is a coupon. Actually, another idea I thought of that I don't see out yet is a coupon database application for a cell phone. Then I could just go to my app, search for Herbal Essence and then see if there is even a coupon for it. Sorry, I'm just thinking out loud. Trying to think of a way to keep my inserts filed by date but still know what's in the insert without having to fish through every.single.page.

I tried recently using just what I cut but same problem for me, I wasted many and also to many sales I had to make extra trips for. I just make my list get those ready and bring mine with for unadvertised ones.

You have to do what works for you. I would like a little guy to follow me around personally and have all my coupons for me LOL (yeah right that going to happen) like a fairy coupon godmother but somewhat handsome LOL

I ended up figuring something out that will hopefully work for me. I'm giving it a try. I got sheet protectors and put them in a binder and divided them up by date. Then I bought some 6 pocket sheet protectors and made a section for any loose coupons that I don't use that week, internet coupons I print off or ones I find in magazines, the mail, etc. I also made a section for restaurant coupons and pet coupons. So far so good, we'll see how it goes. Thanks for all the replies and feedback!