I’ve seen a lot of bloggers post ideas for coupon organization. I’ve personally tried a purse-sized organizer (when I started out), envelopes, a small scrapbook, and a Trapper Keeper-style binder. There were things I liked and things I disliked about each organizing method.
I have opted to clip my coupons each week. I do this for several reasons:
-
I swap coupons with someone else. I send the ones I know I won’t use to her, and I get hers in return.
-
I like to see exactly what’s in each week’s inserts. For some reason, clipping, sorting, and filing them makes me more aware of the products and values. I seem to remember them better if I’ve handled them a couple of times.
-
If I am at the grocery store, I want a quick way to scan through my coupons to see if I can match them with unadvertised sales or manager’s specials. With the binder, I can flip to the appropriate coupon category and quickly scan through my coupons. When I used the envelopes, I had to pull out a whole category and thumb through them all in the aisle. The binder is much quicker for me.
While I enjoyed my coupon binder, I found it awkward. I had to juggle the binder, my purse, and usually my daughter. It was a little rough to try to fish car keys out of my purse with my hands full!
I recently splurged a little and ordered myself a Coupon Clutch. I thought the idea was great…. a tote bag made for my coupon binder. I get to keep my binder-style organization, but I also get to carry my coupons over my shoulder. I’ve been using my Coupon Clutch for about a month, and I love it! Not only are my hands free, but I’m not mistaken for a drug rep when I walk into CVS. (Yes, when I used my binder someone commented on me being a drug rep.) My coupons are just slung over my shoulder, disguised as a cute little tote.
I took a few pictures of my Coupon Clutch so that you could get a better idea of how it works.
On the outside, it looks like any other tote.
But it opens up to reveal my coupon binder!
I can sling it over my arm and head off to shop!
It’s taken me a long time to find a system that works for me, but I’ve found it. (And my husband’s thankful that my coupon binder isn’t hot pink any more. He wouldn’t even touch the old one!)
If you’re interested in the Coupon Clutch, you can find out more about it HERE. If you’re good with your sewing machine, you can even buy the pattern and make your own!
So how do you organize your coupons?
Amanda says
Vance and I bought one for Patti for her birthday!
Jennifer says
OOOHHHH!!!!! Now that’s a gift! Perfect for the grandma who coupons!