Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

With the start of a new month, I spent an afternoon this week purging, cutting, and filing my coupons while my children bounced and played at a local Jump Zone.

I just lugged all my stuff in and worked among solving disputes, kissing boo boos, dislodging stuck balls, and watching the tricks performed by my kiddos.

The way you organize may change as you develop your style. I shared last week how I started couponing by using a box.

Some successful coupon users continue to use this method. One such saver is Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom.

Another way to organize coupons involves a binder with full inserts. When I use the term insert, I am referring to the packet of coupons found within the newspaper labeled Smart Source, Red Plum, or P&G.

Part 2b: Binder with full inserts

Honestly, someone else should write this post as this method is my least favorite. When I got really behind on cutting coupons, I had stacks of inserts. So, I decided to try this binder with full inserts method.

My Experience

I wrote on the top of each insert the date of the newspaper where I found it and kept the inserts in a stack. As I followed the coupon matchups, I went to the inserts to find my coupons. I sorted through the papers to find the right insert, leafed through the pages to find the coupon, and then cut it out.

In getting 8 to 10 inserts per week, I had many to sort through and cut. Besides requiring lots of shuffling and finding, I found myself spending more time searching for each coupon than my preferred way of cutting every coupon (which I will tackle in more depth next week).

Another downside was a surprise sale. I felt I had no way to find out if I had a coupon for that item. Though I could use some website’s coupon database, I have found that not all of them are updated daily. Also, I could search for someone who posts the regional coupons per insert, but again I found this system more time consuming.

Others’ Experience

Now, some of you love this coupon method. I do understand why you like it as you do not need to cut every coupon. Another master saver who loves this binder with full inserts is Heather Wheeler of the Krazy Coupon Lady.

In her How to Organize your Coupons with a Binder post, Heather includes a 10-minute video explaining both the binder with full inserts filed by date method as well as the cut every coupon and file by category method (which I will cover next week).

Though Heather recommends using sheet protectors and a large binder for all the inserts, I tried this method by using file folders. You could use hanging file folders if you house your inserts in a filing cabinet or just stack them in a safe place. Personally, I would not invest in supplies until you find the method or combination of methods that work for you.

Tracy’s Tip: In using your resources wisely, work with what you have. If you find that the method works, but some additional supplies would help you in using time wisely, then invest in the supplies. Binders are very expensive, but they are worth their price tag when using them weekly.

As you consider your coupon organization options, remember to enter the coupon binder giveaway which is open through March 27. The supplies in the giveaway will prove useful for your existing system or creating a new coupon binder.

In coupon-ology, exploring the different methods helps to see ways to organize your coupons. No method is right or wrong. They are just different and work for different individuals.

Though there may be other methods, I am focusing on three main types. Having covered the first two, I will share the third, my favorite method for organizing coupons, next week. Until then . . . happy experimenting!

Question:  What do you think of the binder with full inserts organizational method?