A lot of people use Coupon Binders while doing serious couponing. At first, I didn’t like this method at all. I was only getting one coupon insert – I didn’t see the need to clip one coupon per product; sort it in a huge binder; then lug this binder around. Now, I completely changed my mind. On average, I get four inserts per set of coupons. Luckily, we get the RP (redplum) and P&G (proctor & gamble) coupon inserts in our mailbox instead of the Sunday paper (although, we still get Smart Source there.)
Now that I get so many coupons, I feel as though its necessary to have started a coupon binder. I used a regular three-ring black generic binder at first. I learned that everyone uses nine-pocket baseball card page protectors for their coupons. I started with this but learned I needed to upgrade, this is what I currently have:

Case-it Binder Dual-100 Dual binder 2-in1 Zipper Binder

LOTS of nine pocket baseball card page protector inserts

Some 4×6″ Photo Protector inserts – unknown where to buy online – I find at Office Depot

I also have a few pages of regular page protectors

I love my binder. I’ve learned that it keeps me far more organized. I’ll explain in detail exactly what you’re seeing above. Each side has a certain things. I have them broken down in several categories, which I’ll list below. Each category has (2-4) nine pocket inserts and (1-2) 4×6″ pocket inserts. It varies as to what I usually have more of as to how many inserts I have per category. For instance: Deodorant always has tons of different coupons, so I have more pages for that then say, bread. With trial and error, you’ll figure out what coupons you’ll use more than others; which ones are more available; which you seem to collect more.

Left Size: Health and Beauty +Household + Rebates

The left side of the binder holds all of my health, beauty, cleaning, household, paper product categories. The categories that you can find in this section are as followed:

1. Baby
2. Deodoran
3. Body Wash & Lotion
4. Razors & Shaving Cream
5. Hair Products – Styling, Shampoo & Conditioner, Dyes
6. Make-Up & Facial Cleaners
7. Dish Soap
8. Cleaning Supplies
9. Laundry Soap
10. Paper Products – Toilet Paper, Paper Towel, Napkins
11. Storage Bags, Tin Foil, etc
12. Medicine
13. First Aid
14. Oral Hygiene
15. Stationary/Misc

At the absolute last page I have my rebate forms. A lot of time in coupon inserts they include forms in which you can receive more money back from buying the product with the coupons provided.

Right Side: Store Policies & Coupons + Food Products

I believe that no matter what store you’re shopping at you should have specified spot with your coupons with a store policy printed out. It’s important to have, especially when you make that shopping trip and the cashier/manager argue with you regarding the coupon you’re using.

On the right hand side, I have my store information. Each and every store I shop at  has these items in this order:

1. Coupon Policy, Notes, Trial Size List, Corporate Phone Numbers, useful information
2. Place for receipts; Save them in you need to return something, rebates, and for your records
3. In-store Coupons – which can only be used at the specific store

After that, I have my food products. I could categorize these in much further depth than I do but my system works for me. I usually tend to organize it in the order in which my store is set up. For instance, when I walk in the first thing I see is the bread and deli department.

1. Bread
2. Condiments
3. Boxed Meals (macaroni and cheese, rice a roni, etc.)
4. Pasta & Sauce
5. Canned Goods – Sorted into: Vegetables, Fruit, Soups, Meals
6. Cereal, Granola Bars, Oatmeal
7. Coffee
8. Beverages – Soda, Juice
9. Baking Goods – cake mixes, seasonings, etc.
10. Refrigerated Foods/Dairy
11. Meats
12. Frozen Food

It is important that you keep up with your binder! Organization and Dedication are key to having and using a successful coupon binder!!!

My coupons come on Sunday’s in the newspaper, then again on Wednesday in the mail. I usually sort, clip, organize, and file at least twice a week. I try to do this the night of receiving the coupons. That way I know its done and taken care of, plus it gives me a lot more time to browse deals and coupon-match.

If you don’t keep up with your binder two things are going to happen: 1.) You’re going to become extremely overwhelmed with coupon inserts that need to be clipped, sorted, and filed. Once I had over 30 inserts that needed to be put in. I will never allow that to happen again. 2.) You’ll go shopping thinking that you have all your deals set up, until you realize you have no idea where half your coupons are. Worse – they’re expired!

Like I said before, the coupon binder isn’t for everyone. It works well for me. I love it. If you have any questions; please feel free to leave a comment. I will do my absolute best to help you and give you the answers you need.

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