How should I organize my coupons? This is a big question that I get, and a lot of people are surprised to hear that I don’t keep my coupons in a binder with baseball card dividers!

There are some really simple ways to organize them and some more complicated ways. Obviously the more complicated, the more time it will take.

You can try different methods to see what works best for you.

How To Organize Coupons

File Folder Method – Keeping Your Insert Whole

This is the method I use because it’s easy and fast. When you get your weekly inserts write the date bigger on the front page of the insert.  Then, get a large 13 pocket accordion file system or use a filing system in your desk and put all the inserts from this week together in one pocket.  Next week put those inserts in the next pocket of the folder.

As the weeks go on you have all the inserts from each week together organized back by the date that they came out.  If you buy more than one paper, just put all the inserts no matter how many into the same pocket.  Now when you come to Southern Savers you will use the SS dates that are next to coupons on the weekly deal posts to find each coupon and cut it out before going to the store. (Example: PG 04/30)

I do not recommend this system to anyone that hates to miss a clearance or closeout deal in the store.  The upside to this system is that the only time spent on it, is the time you spend getting ready for your trip.  Usually takes me about 15 minutes to cut any coupons needed for a trip.

You will also need to have a smaller accordion file folder to store any coupons that you cut and don’t use or any printable coupons.

Some Additional Tips:

–Print the Regional Insert Coupon Variation list for your paper to quickly know what coupons you do and do not have.

-You will keep inserts for about 12 weeks. After that, you can clip the one or two coupons that haven’t expired and throw away the rest (or send them overseas to troops).  See a quick tip to see when things are expired and ready to be cleaned out.

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