Whenever people find out that I use coupons–either from reading this blog, or just seeing me in action at the grocery store, there is one comment I hear more than anything else:
I would LOVE to use coupons, but I just don’t have time for all that clipping and sorting.”
But today I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Okay, well, maybe it’s not a secret, per se. In fact, I’ve talked about it multiple times before. Whether you are just getting started or have been using coupons for years, there is a very simple method of coupon organization that can literally save you hours of time every week. But rather than write about it once again, I decided I would show you what I’m talking about.
I know you’ll be very excited to hear that I made a little video.
Don’t worry, it is pretty short.
This file method of coupon organization is so fast & easy to keep organized that I still can’t believe not everyone uses it. (You can find this portable file box similar to the one I use HERE.)
That said, please don’t misunderstand me and think that this is the ONLY way to organize your coupons. It’s not. Everyone’s brain works a little differently, and everyone needs to find the system that works best for them.
There are a lot of couponers who use a binder system. I have nothing against binders, and there are lots of great options available. (Like this Keep Calm and Coupon On one–so cute!) Even so, I don’t normally use a coupon binder because I find it to be a lot more time-consuming than the filing system. That said, I would be remiss not to acknowledge that experienced couponers who use the binder system probably end up getting some better deals, especially on unadvertised specials and clearance items.
But I still prefer the filing system, and here is why:
- I like to save money, but I also don’t have unlimited time. The filing method of organization allows me to still see significant savings but takes a very minimal amount of time and effort to keep organized.
- I get enough great deals on almost everything that missing out on a few unadvertised specials or clearance items won’t make a huge difference to my bottom line.
- I don’t have extra time to spend looking for unadvertised or clearance items anyway. When I go to the store, I like to get in, grab what’s on my list (and only what’s on my list) and get out. I bring only the coupons I need for that specific trip.
For printing coupons, I strongly recommend investing in a black & white laser printer (if you currently are using an ink jet printer.) It will pay for itself within just a few months. I use an older version of the Brother HL-L2300D Black & White Printer, which I purchased for less than $100 and have been very happy with it so far.
If you are just starting out, you should be prepared for your organization system to change along the way in order to suit your own needs. In fact, you might even find that it is possible to cut your grocery bill in half without using coupons at all! That’s okay. Ultimately you just need to find what works for you & your family.
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Ruth, I have searched the internet for help on this also and am so glad I found your site today. My husband and I are seniors on pension and social security. Additionally I have a son who is starting over after a divorce and job loss. I want to coupon to help us both out. I’m not concerned with huge bunkers of grocery items as shown on TV but things like paper goods, hygiene items and essentials that store well would really help us. I’m going out today to get the organizational items you refer to and get started. Thanks for helping this “old lady” learn to live well and spend less.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! Your time and effort is so helpfull in this very sometimes confusing process. I to am just getting started and you have made this system so easy to understand. Keep up the great work and I look foward to seeing more ideas and postings on your site.
hi i have been watching the show of extreme couponing and been wanting to do it. Just the thought of it over whelmed me. So today i did alot of searching online and writing down ideas and how tos. I have come across yours and its the only one thats doing step by step… like down to the T! 🙂 I thank you for that! I was just trying to better understand your way of the filing and such. I tried to listen to your video but I am hearing impaired and its very hard for me to understand what you are saying. It isn’t coming in clear for me. Would you, when you have time, write the steps for me so I know what i am doing? 🙂 So while I am waiting, i will continue to read and do the steps. thanks so much and looking forword to saving money for our new family and not have to struggle from paycheck to paycheck. 🙂
Hi there! I am LOVING your website!!!! I have JUST begun to research extreme couponing and my biggest hurdle is how to organize. I am OCD when it comes to organization! Because I haven’t really started yet, I’m a bit lost, so forgive me my ignorance.
So here’s what I gathered from your video, and please correct me if I’m wrong.
Today is Sunday, May 29th. So if I do the filing system, my first folder would be 5/29. I will put the inserts from today’s paper(s) in this folder. Then I WON’T do anything with them. Next week, I’ll put the paper inserts in the folder labeled 6/5, and so on. After doing this for 8 weeks (and not using any of the coupons I’ve been filing?) I come back to 5/29 and see if any haven’t expired already and use them. I guess my confusion is when to go through the folder of inserts. Should I go through the week’s before when I’m putting in the new week’s inserts? I guess that’s personal preference?
I’m sorry for the novel! I just want to get it down right off the bat!
Again, WONDERFUL blog!!! Keep it up!
Winter
Well, first of all, don’t buy any papers this week because there are no coupon inserts on holiday weekends. But next week you can go ahead and start your first week. You WILL use the coupons–some possibly even right away–as you need them, but only after making your shopping list (which you can do over at http://www.savingwellspendingless.com, my sister coupon matchup site.) The coupon matchups will tell you what date the coupon came out so you will know where to find it. For more detailed information, check out weeks 1 & 2 of the LWSL Beginner’s Guide to Coupons (find it above under Coupons 101).
Thanks for taking the time to reply! And thank you for your additional help! Can’t wait to get started!
Love the videos…where did you buy the brother HL-2140 laser priner and the toner cartidge?