Whether you decide to go with the file folder or binder organization method, it is a lot cheaper to make your organizer yourself. The price will vary based on the materials you select, but it will easily be half the price of buying a pre-made organizer.

The instructions are very simple, but you can get as crafty and decorative as you would like.

I’m linking you to items to give you an idea of what they look like, but you can probably find them cheaper in stores or waiting for sales. With some of the materials, it is a lot cheaper to buy in bulk and split with a friend.

File Organizer

For the file folder, you can buy one at most local stores. This is a large folder that can hold whole inserts.  There are typically two sizes, a 7 and 13 pocket size.  Go for the 13 pocket.  This will let you hold 12 weeks of inserts before needing to clean any out.  I use the last pocket to hold flyers and booklets I found in the store.

To go along with the file folder, you will need a canceled check file.

You will use the canceled check file for loose coupons. This will include in-store dispenser coupons, printable coupons, previously clipped coupons, and more.  As couponing has gotten common place many of these are now called coupon folders.  You’ll see these everywhere, I have even seen them in the $1 section at Target.

You want to organize it by large locations in the store. For labeling categories I use:

Baby, Canned/Boxed Goods, Cereals, Desserts/Baking, Snacks/Drinks, Other food, Toiletries, Drugs, Paper goods, Cleaning products, Refrigerated, and lastly Frozen foods.

Large Box Method

This is where you want to keep all the coupons with you.  The basic coupon folder won’t work because you’ll have way to many coupons in each category.  So now you want to go with something larger that has many more pockets.  Here is where we get crafty!

The best box I’ve had was really a bag lunchbox turned coupon bag.  It’s super easy.

Materials Needed:

–Rectangular Lunchbox
–Get three coupon files that will fit inside one bag.
(the products linked will work together though these will be cheaper bought locally)

Set It Up:

1. Cut the top closure flap off your coupon files so that they stay permanently open.
2. Label your dividers with different categories, the coupon file should come with labels in it.
3. Put all three files into the bag.
4. Fill with coupons!

Binder Method

Along with being the most complicated method, this is also the most expensive method to make.

Materials Needed:

–Zipper 3 Ring Binder
–Baseball Card Sleeves or Business Card Sleeves
–Dividers

Set It Up:

1. Label Dividers
2. Inserts Dividers and Baseball or Business Card Sleeves
3. Separate Sleeves By Dividers
4. Clip Coupons
5. Insert Coupons Into Individual Slots

Check back tomorrow as we talk about things that keep us from saving the most.