Coupon Binder Organization

Remember last week when I posted a picture of my coupon binder? I couldn't even close it!
(Sorry for the bad pictures. Our camera is going out and we are looking for a new one).

I was in need of a coupon organization makeover! I did some research and found a HUGE binder that would work to hold all my coupons. I get 6 copies of the Sunday paper so it accumulates quickly. Here she is folks....whalla! My new HUGE coupon binder!

Isn't she beautiful! This is the Case-It Dual 500 dual binder 2-in-1 zipper binder. What a name, huh! I have been in love ever since the Fed Ex man came with her. As you can see, she expands up to 5 inches...which gives me plenty of room to store all those coupons. I can zip it closed with ease.

In the front are pockets where I keep the current weekly ads. I don't like going to the store without them. I also keep my weekly coupon list here for easy reference.

The front opens up to reveal lots of compartments for storage. Pens, calculators, highlighters, etc. The possibilities are endless!

Now to the coupons. See my post below on how I organize my coupons. That is a separate post in and of itself. This binder is perfect for lots of coupons as it has two sets of binder rings. One large and one small.

The larger ring on the left is where I keep my Smart Source and Red Plum inserts. The right side is where I keep my Proctor and Gamble and General Mills inserts.

In the very back I have a pouch where I keep printable coupon, catalinas, and other items I will be using soon. Behind that I am putting clear holders to put the rest of my printable coupons, store coupons, and catalinas. I will have a separate page for each store, ie Target, Albertsons...so I can keep everything together.

In the very back is another storage compartment for whatever you need. Right now this is where I have my calculator, pens, highlighters and such. I might move them though. I haven't decided if I like them there.

The binder is pretty heavy, but it also has a shoulder strap too! Awesome.

If you are liking this idea, get your binder on Amazon. I checked around and Amazon is the cheapest place to buy these bad babies. Order a 'filler item' to get your price up to $25 and you will get free shipping. I just googled 'filler item' and found something for .20 cents. Here is a link for easy ordering.
Caseit Dual500 Dual Ring Zipper Binder, Extra Large, Purple (Dual 500 PUR)

Here is the LINK to the Case-It website for more info on the binder. But Amazon has the best price.

Let me know what you think! Go here to see how I organize my coupons.

Coupon Binder Organization

How I 'clip' my coupons

In the past couple of months I have changed how I organize my coupons. Since I get so many Sunday newspapers (6), I thought I would share how I now organize my coupons. I no longer clip my coupons and store them in a file. It would take me forever and they would not fit! Here is what I do.

When I get my inserts I rip them apart at the spine so each page is separate. Then I lay them out in piles of the same page. Sometimes when the inserts are thick I have 15 pages, other times I have less. It just depends on how thick the inserts are. Then I staple each set together.

My baby loves watching me do this, lol!

Then after I have stapled each set I label it on the front, like so. The date and what insert it is (SS=Smart Source). There are also Red Plum inserts, General Mills inserts, and Proctor and Gamble inserts.

Then I stick them in sheet protectors by date. I also organize them by insert. So all my Smart Source inserts are together, Red Plum are together, etc. When I need a coupon I just take out the stapled set and cut out what I need at the store.

So far I really like organizing my coupons this way because it cuts down on wasted cutting time. Many, many times I would spend time planning out my trip, clipping the coupons I needed then when I got to the store they were out of what I wanted and I was left with a mess of coupons to refile. Now I cut only what I need when I need it. I love it! And as the coupons expire I just take out the whole insert. So easy.

And I know you are wondering how in the world I find the coupon I need, right? SUPER EASY. PinchingYourPennies has a updated weekly list of available coupons in alphabetical order. So I print out that list, keep it in my binder and I am good to go. Takes me 2 minutes tops to find what I need.

I do have some folders in the back of the binder where I keep printable coupons, store coupons, and catalinas. I still have lots of clipped coupons so I will be carrying around my accordion file for a little longer.

My next post is on my coupon binder, so stay tuned!

Oh, and I only pay $12 a month for the daily paper PLUS 5 Sunday papers. Then a friend gives me her Sunday paper too. It is so cheap to buy it that way instead of separately. I make up the $12 cost EASILY every month. Many times I triple or quadruple the savings. If you live in my area I can tell you how to get that deal. If you don't, call your local paper to see if they offer a deal on multiple Sunday subscriptions.

Why do I get multiple Sunday papers? Because it gives me more coupons so when there are great deals I can stock up! Its a great way to build up your food storage without breaking the bank.

How I 'clip' my coupons

My Coupon Binder

I have been needing another coupon binder. I can't even close mine! With 6 Sunday papers every week the bulk adds up quick. I ordered a new coupon binder and I have it!!!! I am so excited....in a few days I will show you my new binder and how I organize my coupons.

Stay tuned!

My Coupon Binder

Evernote

Have you heard about Evernote? I. LOVE. IT.

I read about Evernote online a few months ago and I have been using it ever since. It is the perfect organizing tool! Here are just some of the things it can do:

• Keep recipes organized
• Save web searches
• Clip complete articles, including photos
• Ability to click to the original web address from your note
• Record audio clips & memos for later
• Write handwritten notes in digital ink....to do lists, notes, and reminders

There is a free portion of Evernote, which I use, and there is an upgradeable version for a monthly fee. But the free edition works for me just fine.

What do I use Evernote for?

You know how you run across blogs, websites, and all sorts of ideas online? Ideas you want to remember for later. So what do you do? You bookmark the site, only to have a HUGE favorites list or it gets lost in the shuffle. I love Evernote for this every reason! I can immediately save what I am looking at in Evernote, put it in the proper category and done!

I have made all sorts of notebooks in my program....birthday party ideas, home decor ideas, projects, inspiration, recipes, etc.

Plus, when I put in the photo or post, Evernote automatically copies the direct link. So I always know where it originated from!

Here is what I love about Evernote:

• Clean layout and simple design
• Easy to figure out and understand how to use
• Organizes everything!
• Keeps all your different notes in ONE SPOT
• Eliminates clutter
• Is hooked up with IE 6 so I can add a note in seconds (right click on your mouse and you will see the option if you have IE 6)
  
• I can always find the original source for things!

Try Evernote today! It's free! You will love it.

Evernote

Organizing Results

**Please know that I have spent the last 6 years couponing to keep up my supply. I use up and re-stock my supply as needed. I do not hoard. I know many others have much more than this. I only keep on hand what will do our family for 8 months to one year. Once I have enough I don't have to buy for awhile. That's the beauty of stocking up!**

Remember the post I made last week? I really needed to organize underneath my kids bathroom sink, which was where I stashed a lot of my hygiene items I get for free or nearly free.


I don't have extra closet space to store these, so I got an extra tote I had to put them in. I lined the bottom with all my shampoos, conditioners, and a few hair products. I kept out one extra for me, my husband and the kids for when we run out.


I still had quite a bit of space to use up, but I didn't want the tote to become a mess like under the sink was by just throwing stuff in there. So I cut up an empty cardboard box and put half of it on top of the shampoo bottles.

Nice and neat!



Now it was the perfect place to store toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss. Anything oral hygiene. Gotta keep it all together.

Yay! I love being organized. I get just fuzzy thinking about it. I labeled my tote and will store it in my closet for easy access. I also found a smaller plastic tote I wasn't using to keep all my bandaids and ointments in. I wanted those out from under the cupboard anyway because my kids thought they had free reign on the bandaids and were using them up nonstop.

So, want to know what under the sink looks like now? In case you forgot, here is the before shot:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Much, MUCH better! Now we have room for necessary items under the sink plus growing room. Did I mention that I LOVE being organized?

Do you have an organizing project right now?

Organizing Results

Just a little organizing

Guess what I am doing today?

How do you organize over 40 boxes of bandaids, 25 bottles of body wash, 30+ bottles of shampoo/conditioner, and over 20 boxes of toothpaste? Amongst lots other things thrown in there....

to be continued.....

Just a little organizing

Organizing Coupons

Using coupons is becoming much more popular now as the economy is so bad. A cashier told me that not too long ago. She said it used to be just a few people here and there using coupons, but now many more customers are coming through the checkout line with coupons in hand.

How do you organize your coupons? There are countless ways to do it. But one thing is for sure: if you want to coupon you HAVE to have an organizational system or it won't work! Avid couponing can become frustrating very quickly if you don't have your coupons in order.

Today I will feature a few ideas and then on Friday I will talk more in depth about couponing....organization, how to do it, and how it can benefit you.

You can organize by expiration date, by manufacturer, or by product. There is no right or wrong way to organize your coupons. Do what is best for you and what works for your shopping system. I like to organize my coupons by expiration date in a large accordion file. I take it with my wherever I go. At home I keep all my inserts filed by date so if there is an extra coupon I can find it easily when shopping lists come out. I clip all the coupons I know I will use, think I might use, and will use if it may be free. All the others I don't clip...which isn't very many!

If you are going to be an avid couponer and use multiple sets of coupons, I recommend doing the binder method because you can carry more coupons with you. But here are some ideas if you are just getting started.

The accordion file is one option. This one attaches nicely to your shopping cart.

Here is your basic accordion file you can find anywhere, even the dollar store. You can organize by category or alphabetically.

Organizing in envelopes is a cheap option but not very efficient.

This is personally my favorite! The binder system. My friend Faye has lots of great info on her site about this.

And for all you die-hards out there....using a briefcase is always an option too!

How do you organize your coupons? What has not worked for you?

Organizing Coupons

Brother Labeler, only $14 shipped!

Here is a great deal if you are an organizing freak like me (or a wanna be organizing freak, anyway). This is a awesome price....great for a Christmas gift! I ordered one for my husband to give to me. Nice hint, huh.
Brother PT-1880 Deluxe Home & Office Labeler
Buy.com Sku: 203870542
List Price: $79.95
You Save: $65.96
Our Price: $13.99
Shipping: FREE
Buy.com Total Price: $13.99

Buy.com Link

The PT-1880 is a sleek, contemporary mid-size handheld/desktop labeler. This advanced model features 2 fonts, with a clear 15 character x 1-line LCD display for easy viewing. With it's built-in memory, you are able to save up to 5 labels. The Preview key allows you to check your text - reducing mistakes and wasted tape. The PT-1880 will print up to 3/4 wide laminated indoor/outdoor tape on 2 lines, 6 type sizes, 9 type styles. Over 70 different symbols and 10 frame styles are available to jazz up your labels.

Thanks PYP for originally posting this deal!

Brother Labeler, only $14 shipped!

Simply Brilliant

Laurie has shown us that we don't need to spend a fortune on large baskets to organize our closets or home. Look at what she did....fantastic idea! She just took large boxes & then covered them with fabric that matched her decor! What a money saver! She mentions that these gave her more storage room than the large baskets from the store anyway. READ the rest of her closet organizing story.

Simply Brilliant

Custom-made storage containers

I have realized over the past few weeks that I love online tutorials! Here is a fabulous one that I found for making your own custom storage containers. Storage containers can be expensive, & this is not only saving money it is also recycling, so good for the environment. So fun! I am liking this one for sure. HERE is the link.

Custom-made storage containers