Organize

So now, you have some coupons. What is the next step? Organization is the key. There are several ways of organizing your coupons. Please check our links section for some commercial coupon organizers.

The following are some great ways of organizing coupons too.

• Baseball card sleeves
• Recipe Boxes
• Caboodle boxes (plastic make up carrying case)
• Index card file box (metal or plastic)
• Envelopes
• Check files
• Baby wipes containers with index cards or cardboard separators
• Shoe box
• Binder

Here's a great way to organize your coupons too:

A special thanks to Chelle for the pictures. You can visit her eboard here for more information on the coupon caddy.
3lilmens eboard

You need to decide on a filing system that works best for you. It really depends on what is most efficient for you, and also depends on how many coupons you are trying to organize too.

Here are some different ways to file your coupons.

1. By category.
2. By store aisle.
3. By brand
4. Alphabetical order
5. By expiration date

Please see our section under organization for some great shareware software programs to help you organize on your computer.

The object is to get in a habit of being organized. Always make a shopping list and try your best to stick to it. Your list should consist of as many sales items as possible to use in combination with your coupons. Please see our organization section for shopping checklists too.

Try not to be brand loyal. Although you and your family may have certain brands they want, try your best to be creative in offering generic alternatives whenever possible.

Check your stores sales flyers and price compare. Look in your sales fliers for items that are free with a minimum purchase.

Keeping an ongoing price book is a great idea. See our organization section for a printable form to make your own price book at home. My suggestion is to be as discreet as possible when writing your prices in your price book while in the store. Many stores may consider it spying and will not appreciate you doing it. A great way of doing it is to wait until you get home and write prices from your cash register receipts. 

Be sure to bring your coupons with you to the store. There are many in store sales/specials that are not in their fliers.

Next Stocking up!