Best Ways to Organize & Store Your Coupons

Did you know that the coupon was introduced in the early twentieth century? For over a hundred years, consumers have looked for ways to save money. So, it should come as no surprise that 88 percent of people in the United States use coupons for shopping.

The secret to success is knowing how to organize your coupons. It is the number one thing to learn if you are ready to jump in and become an effective couponer.  You’ll save loads more money if your coupons are easy to get to when you need them.

How to Organize Coupons
There are countless ways to organize your coupons.  The most important thing is that you find the method that works for you so that it becomes a fun task and not a chore that you want to avoid.

Here are four tried and true options for coupon storage to make it easy to save money on every shopping trip.

1. Filing Method
This simple way of organizing printable coupons is a great place to start and is perfect for teaching how to organize coupons for beginners. It takes less time and effort than many other methods to organize coupons for shopping, and a very good place to start.

To begin, find a container to hold your coupons. Just about anything will do; a shoebox, a storage container, basket, or even a recipe box.  You can even use a coupon wallet that already comes with pockets and dividers. It really doesn’t matter what you choose.  The most important thing is to have a landing spot for all of your coupons. 

The next step is to decide how you want to organize the coupons. They can be sectioned into categories (dairy, frozen foods, deli, etc.) or by expiration date, or by aisle in the store, or whatever is easiest for your style. Through trial and error, you will find the sorting system that works for you.

Long-term coupon shoppers say it is important to file coupons the same day to avoid losing them or having them pile up.  And always remember to purge regularly so expired coupons won’t take up space.

2. How to Organize Coupons in a Binder
It is pretty simple to learn how to organize coupons with a notebook.

First, purchase a good sturdy binder and fill it with clear compartmentalized baseball card protectors. The binder method is the best system if you are looking to take your coupons with you when you go shopping since it keeps all the different sizes of paper very organized inside every pocket.

When using a notebook, you will need to decide how to organize coupons into categories. The more specific the category, the easier it will be to use. 

For example, instead of labeling a category as “dairy products,” be more detailed and have a separate pocket for “cheese,” “butter,” and “milk.” And instead of a “kid” section create more defined sections like “baby food,” “diapers,” children’s medicine.” It’s the ideal way to save time inside the store.

It may also be beneficial to set up your coupon binder in the same way your favorite store is laid out so it is easier to navigate through the book.

Once you decide, create sections with index tabs to identify each section.

As you clip your coupons, put them into the proper area. This process may take a little longer each week because you are cutting out multiple coupons. However, you will always have easy access to your savings and you won’t miss out on deals. Plus, it is a great way to see what coupons you have at a glance at any given time. 

Don’t be overwhelmed by the task. Yes, at first, you will be busy with organizing, but once you get the hang of it, this routine will truly make couponing easier.

3. Clipless Coupon Method
There are other ways to organize coupons without a binder.

One option is to purchase an accordion file and place the entire weekly inserts into it, grouped by date. Although this is a popular method because it does not require you to cut out your coupons until you need them, it does require preparation time before each shopping trip. This technique is most popular with the casual coupon consumer.

As you make your grocery list, check the inserts and clip the coupons you need to save money on the things you need the most.

4. DIY Solutions
Some couponers prefer to set up their own way to organize coupon storage.  It can be as simple as envelopes with category names, or as complex as a file drawer in your home that has multiple and very specific sections such as “pretzels,” “chips,” “crackers” etc., instead of just “snacks.”

One of the more clever coupon organization methods you may want to explore is using a mini photo album. It has small, premade pockets and it is small enough to fit in most purses if you prefer not to haul a big binder into the store.

Making Coupon Storage Work
Regardless of which method you choose, coupons are a valuable resource for keeping more money in your pocket.

It’s easy to get started and keep the savings coming. Each week, gather your coupons from the Sunday newspapers, magazines, and any printable coupons. Then file them in the coupon storage process you have chosen.

If the way you organize your coupons isn’t working for you, it will not be fun and will be more stressful than it is worth.  So, if something isn’t working for you, try a different way of organizing. Most of all, don’t be afraid to try your own thing when it comes to coupon storage.