CREATING A COUPON BINDER + A DOWNLOAD
My favorite coupon organizational method is the coupon binder. I have wavered back and forth between all of the couponing methods but this one has afforded me the convenience that I need whether I’m going grocery shopping by myself or with my children in tow.
There are many different ways to organize your coupon binder.
Some systems are simple and some are very detailed oriented. Three of the most common ways to organize the coupons in your binder are:
- Alphabetically: A common way to organize the coupons in your binder is in alphabetical order by product type. If you are going to sort your coupons using this method, the easiest way to do this is to label your tabs from A-Z.
- By Product Type: The most common way to organize your coupons is by product type. For example, you would group all of the health and beauty product coupons together or you would group all of the frozen food coupons together. If you choose to use this method the way you decide to group your coupons will vary from the next person.
- By Grocery Store Aisles: Another great way to organize your coupon binder is by grocery store aisles. A lot of couponers who use this organizational method hails it’s graces because it allows them to walk up and down their local grocery store aisles and peruse each individual section for great coupon scenarios.
Each filing system has its pros and cons.
You would have to decide which one would benefit your money saving, and time management, method the best. The one that you choose will depend on how you conduct your grocery shopping.
The organizational method that I use is number two, “By Product Type” method. I divide my coupon binder up into 21 different sections. I have a section divider that list what types of coupons go into each section.
My main categories are:
Baby- Baking
- Beverages
- Bread
- Breakfast
- Canned Goods
- Cleaning Supplies
- Condiments
- Dairy/Refrigerated
- Fresh Foods
- Frozen Foods
- Health & Beauty: Feminine Hygiene
- Health & Beauty: Oral Care/Make-Up
- Health & Beauty: Personal Care
- Health & Beauty: Soap & Hair Care
- Laundry
- Medicine/First Aid
- Misc. Groceries
- Paper Products
- Pets
- Snacks
I find it easier to organize my coupons this way, because as I’m cutting them I automatically know where each coupon needs to go.
I have created a nifty download that allows you to organize your coupons “By Product Type” as well. It includes 22 pages: 1 table of contents page and 22 category pages. Download it as you please and stay tuned throughout the week as I help you with posts, pictures and videos on creating your own coupon binder system at home.
Download Penny Pinching Diva Coupon Dividers.
Health & Beauty:
Cassandra (7)
Liz (6)
Dawn (Painter Mommy) (5)
Heather (4)
K.O. (4)
I SO need to do this. My coupon wallet is a total wreck. One shopping trip I accidentally handed the cashier a wad of coupons for things I didn’t even buy. I spend a lot of time parked in the aisles thumbing through piles of coupons.
Dear Jennifer,
I use to use a coupon wallet and I had more trouble using it and saving money, not to mention the time it dropped and my coupons went EVERYWHERE. The coupon binder takes a little more time, but it is really worth it.
Take care,
Shynea
I am really looking forward to this…I don’t have a good system, I stay so unorganized! Thanks!
Dear Jodi,
This is a great way to organize your coupons. It takes a little more time then the other couponing methods, but it is really worth it. And so much more portable and store friendly.
Take care,
Shynea
I am looking foward to this! I have seen people in the stores with the coupon binders & have been meaning to sit down and create one myself, just haven’t gotten around to it. One day I was in the store and asked my son to hold my coupon wallet and he was playing while holding it and all of my coupons fell out on the floor!!!! So this will definetely help! Thanks so much.
Dear Kim,
This EXACT thing has happened to me before as well. My coupons went everywhere and I was so frustrated. With the coupon binder, I can drop it and not worry about my coupons and fliers spreading across a store aisle.
Take care,
Shynea
I do this too and OMG it helps sooooo much when Im in the store. I have about 12 categories and combine based on how items are grouped in the stores. The baseball card sleeves have worked well but like you said every system has it pros/cons. One of the cons for this system is cleaning out all the expired coupons, I wish they would just vanish upon expiration.
Dear Chrissy,
That is the worse part about the binder, cleaning out the expired coupons. I only do this once a month on the last day of the month. I throw away all of the expired coupons and the ones that will expire in five days or less that I know I won’t use.
Take care,
Shynea
Thanks so much for sharing your binder method. I’m looking forward to using this. My coupon wallet is completely out of control and I think this method will work much better.
Dear TGrayson,
I use to use the coupon wallet method, but after one fluke in the middle of a store aisle, I decided to change to the binder method. If you make the switch, please let me know how it works for you.
Take care,
Shynea
Many thanks for sharing your coupon binder. I have been searching on-line for something similar. I am pretty organized with my coupons, but I think this will only make me more organized. Thanks again!
Dear Tabitha,
You are more than welcome. I hope that this helps. If you make the switch, please let me know how you like it.
Take care,
Shynea
I also use this method and I find it very useful and helpful. I get the kids involved in helping sorting and cutting, its fun for all of us.I have also started puttig the coupons that I know Im gonna use in the front section, so I wont be searching through it at the checkout. I have a three year old that helps me find the smart source coupon machine foud on the aisle. She says mom there is a coupon, we need that. It is so cute and also fun( it helps keep her occupied in the store,she keeps count as we go). I try to make every experience a learining experience.
Dear Rona,
I have never thought about getting the kids involved. This is a really good tip. Thank you so much for sharing it. I would love to make couponing and shopping a learning experience. Even if I do have all boys. I think it’s important for me to teach them frugalness just as much as if they were my daughters.
Take care,
Shynea
What a great idea! I’ve never thought of using a coupon binder. Right now, I’m working with a coupon wallet and like Jennifer, I’m often parked in the aisles trying to find the coupon I’m looking for. I think I’m going to work on my coupon binder this weekend. Thanks for the tips and download! I love your blog and always recommend it. This is my first comment here but not my last.
Thanks so much for the download. Now my binder is cute!
Shynea,
I just read this thread and see that you throw your coupons away…please, please, please consider sending them to military families overseas. They can use the coupons up to six months after the expiration day! It’s a great way to show our appreciation for their service overseas…surely wish someone would have sent my family coupons when we were stationed overseas!
If you or any of your readers are interested please let me know!