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Extreme Couponing Almost Drove Me Crazy

For the first eight or so years Jay and I were married, I didn’t use coupons. None.  (I know, what was I thinking?)  The Sunday paper would come, I would leaf through the sale fliers, and toss the coupons aside.  I thought they were all for processed foods we never used and that I didn’t have the time to cut them out.

Then I went to a blogging conference and was seated at a table with a couple of deal bloggers.  I sat there with my mouth hanging open as they told me all about how they managed to buy several carts of groceries for less than what I was spending on one bag.  One blogger even told me that she hadn’t paid for shampoo or conditioner for over two years.  The kicker was that she used the exact same brand as me!
I was sold.  I jumped into couponing whole hog.  I put together a coupon binder – basically a trapper keeper with baseball card holder sheets inside – and started grabbing extra copies of the paper every weekend. (Local folks – the West Bend Daily News has both Red Plum AND Smart Source and only costs $1.)  I started saving money.  Not “Extreme Couponing” kind of money – we buy way too many fresh fruits, veggies, and organic items to walk out with a zero balance – but good money.  I also started stocking up on the health and beauty items we use regularly when they had special deals that made them free or almost free.
And then the whole thing got away from me.  As work got busier and my business got more successful, I began not having as much free time to clip and file.  The papers started stocking up and coupons went unclipped until they were already expired.  I started staying up way too late, trying to get control of the pile.  I put off grocery shopping until I got caught up, which never happened.  I started feeling guilty for taking time to myself when I had this huge stack of coupons that needed to be clipped and organized.
I got discouraged.

But really, I just needed to come up with a system to organize my coupons!

Whether you have been couponing for years or you are just getting started knowing how to organize your coupons is a must. If your coupons are unorganized you chance missing out on free or deeply discounted products and we sure don’t want to do that! There are many different ways to organize your coupons that will fit any personality or shopping style.

There is one very important tip I want to go over with you before we begin organizing your coupons. There are expiration dates on coupons and it is very important to make it easier to find them because you are going to be dealing with a large amount of coupons. It is much easier if you take the time to color code your expiration dates with a different colored highlighter for each month. For instance if you use blue for January then when February first rolls around you can grab all the coupons that have the expiration date highlighted in blue because you know all these have expired.

How to Organize Your Coupons

Coupon Binder Method– Having a coupon binder is a great way to organize your coupons. There are a few things that you need to get to make a coupon binder.

What you will need (I’ve linked to the ones that I’ve purchased and loved)

  • 3- Ring binder (I have had better luck when they are at least 2-3 inches thick)
  • Scissors
  • Baseball card holders (approximately 15-20, this varies greatly on the amount of coupons you have)
  • Calculator
  • Pens, pencils and notebook (use the notebook for taking notes or tracking prices)
  • Zippered Pencil Pouch
  • A copy of each stores coupon policy that you frequent
  • Folder (for holding coupon policies)
  • Highlighters (for highlighting expiration dates)
  • Dividers (to place in the binder to make categories)

How To

  1. Place the 3-ring binder in the front of your folder for the pens, pencils, calculator and notebook (if it will fit)
  2. Place the baseball card holders with the openings facing up toward the ceiling when you’re holding it. This is pretty important because when you are in the store they will fall all over the floor if they are not in there right.
  3. Highlight the expiration date before placing them in the coupon organizer. Place the dividers in the 3 ring binder to separate categories of coupons. I have listed the categories below that I use in my binder.
    • Baking
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Canned/Jar/Boxed Food
    • Beauty
    • Personal Care
    • Cleaning
    • Household
    • Pets
    • Snacks

These are some great binder options for keeping you coupons organized.

&

Case-it Open Tab Velcro Closure 2-Inch Binder with Tab File, Purple, S-816-PURCase-it Open Tab Velcro Closure 2-Inch Binder with Tab File, Purple, S-816-PURCase-it Mighty Zip Tab 3-Inch Zipper Binder, Black, D-146-BLKCase-it Mighty Zip Tab 3-Inch Zipper Binder, Black, D-146-BLKCase-it Universal 2-Inch 3-Ring Zipper Binder, Holds 13 Inch Laptop, Purple, LT-007-PURCase-it Universal 2-Inch 3-Ring Zipper Binder, Holds 13 Inch Laptop, Purple, LT-007-PUR

Other tools you need for the binder system:

&

AmazonBasics Chisel Tip Highlighters - Pack of 12AmazonBasics Chisel Tip Highlighters – Pack of 121 Red Zippered Pencil Case by School Smarts - 3 Ring Red Pencil Pouch for Binder with Mesh and plastic window. For Use in and Out of the Classroom.1 Red Zippered Pencil Case by School Smarts – 3 Ring Red Pencil Pouch for Binder with Mesh and plastic window. For Use in and Out of the Classroom.Avery Write & Erase Durable Plastic Dividers with Pockets, 8 Multicolor Tabs, 1 Set (16177)Avery Write & Erase Durable Plastic Dividers with Pockets, 8 Multicolor Tabs, 1 Set (16177)

The Mini Organizer

You can find many different sizes of mini accordion style coupon organizers pretty much anywhere. They are much lighter than the coupon organizer and much easier to lug around. They usually have around 8-10 slots which work well in keeping them in separate categories. If you plan on keeping each and every coupon that you come across you may find that you outgrow the mini organizer very quickly but it works really well for some and is much easier on the back!

There are some really cute options for accordion style organizers:

&

Expandable Coupon Organizer - BlackExpandable Coupon Organizer – BlackCoupon Organizer for Grocery Shopping Holder for Coupons, Canvas Chevron Pattern, Grey ColorCoupon Organizer for Grocery Shopping Holder for Coupons, Canvas Chevron Pattern, Grey ColorModern Grocery Coupon Organizer Wallet & Extreme Coupon Holder. Set Includes 24 Plastic Coupon Cards Dividers and Stickers. Material Canvas.Modern Grocery Coupon Organizer Wallet & Extreme Coupon Holder. Set Includes 24 Plastic Coupon Cards Dividers and Stickers. Material Canvas.Evelots 4025 Expandable Grocery Coupon Organizer Binder & Coupon Holder, Floral Coupon OrganizerEvelots 4025 Expandable Grocery Coupon Organizer Binder & Coupon Holder, Floral Coupon OrganizerKitchenka Purse Coupon Organizer RKitchenka Purse Coupon Organizer RC-Line 13-Pocket Poly Expanding File, 10 x 5 Inches, Junior Size for Receipts and Checks, Includes Tabs, 1 File, Color May Vary (58710)C-Line 13-Pocket Poly Expanding File, 10 x 5 Inches, Junior Size for Receipts and Checks, Includes Tabs, 1 File, Color May Vary (58710)

Keeping Whole Inserts

Keeping whole inserts is a great time saver because instead of cutting each and every coupon you actually keep the inserts whole and file them in a box. It’s much easier if you take a permanent marker and write on the front of each insert the date the paper came out and the name of the insert.

When you search on a coupon database to find the coupons that you are looking for they will advise you of the name of the insert (redplum, smart source or P&G) and the date it was printed. Keeping them filed by date and name will help you quickly find the coupon and cut it out when needed. This method saves you tons of time by not clipping the coupons you don’t use. The downfall is carrying a big box of inserts with you may be quite heavy and leaving them at home may cause you to miss a good deal. My advice would be to take it with you and leave it in the car. That way if you find an unadvertised deal you won’t have to go far for the coupon.

Comments | 23 comments

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Comments

  1. Lolo @ Crazy About My Baybah says

    April 4, 2012 at 6:22 am

    No, I always forget them!

    Reply
  2. Debra Pearlstein says

    April 4, 2012 at 8:14 am

    I think I would use more coupons if I only had time but that is scarce lately! I do use the occasional coupon!

    Reply
  3. Simply Being Mommy says

    April 4, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    I used to be really good at using coupons but with kids and life I just don’t have the time anymore.

    Reply
  4. That Bald Chick says

    April 4, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    I do use coupons, but not nearly as much as I did last year.

    Reply
  5. Jennifer (Double Duty Mommy) says

    April 4, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    I love using coupons but I could never be an Extreme Couponer

    Reply
  6. Donna says

    April 4, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    I want to, but then I either forget, or just get too busy. I do use coupons regularly at restaurants. And I do load electronic coupons to my Kroger card. It’s so much easier that way. I don’t have to clip or print. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Canadian Mom Blogger says

    April 4, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    We don’t seem to have as many coupon opportunities in Canada, but I need to try and do it more.

    Reply
  8. Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says

    April 4, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    I hardly EVER coupon (same reasons — I don’t purchase processed foods so I rarely find good coupons) but I am going to check out the online sites. We don’t take the paper (Another reason I don’t coupon) so maybe this will be a good option for me from time to time!

    Reply
  9. Toni Patton says

    April 4, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    I never print coupons. I wish I could save bucoos of bucks with couponing.

    Reply
  10. Tammy says

    April 4, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    I use both, but I’m just a beginner with coupons.

    Reply
  11. ♥ Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins ♥ says

    April 4, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    I’ve always wanted to get into couponing, but after standing in line when someone practically gets everything free looks discouraging. I don’t know where to start OR better yet how do they get 100’s of dollar worth of products for less than $10.00. I’d probably mess up and get escorted out of the store lol.

    Reply
  12. Megan says

    April 4, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    I use both as well. I only clip coupons I will use and don’t do the binder anymore.

    Reply
  13. Marcie W. says

    April 4, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    I think a happy medium is important. Extreme couponing, like the way they do it on tv, is an obsession in itself and not healthy either. Everything in moderation.

    Reply
  14. Tricia Nightowlmama says

    April 5, 2012 at 4:01 am

    sounds like you wrote a story about me. Now I need to check out that site.

    Reply
  15. Anne - Mommy Has to Work says

    April 5, 2012 at 1:02 am

    I use them when I can, but never seem to get anything for free!

    Reply
  16. Theresa says

    April 7, 2012 at 1:14 am

    I am just starting to get back into coupons, but it can drive you crazy!

    Reply
  17. Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says

    April 12, 2012 at 6:51 am

    Wow!! I am just not organized enough to do this – but the store I mostly shop at has coupons each week for $6 of $30 or $10 off $50, and you can use 3 of the first if you spend $90, so that is $18 saved.

    Reply
  18. Courtney says

    April 12, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    I need to start couponing again. I just don’t want processed food.

    Reply
  19. Kathleen says

    April 16, 2012 at 2:18 am

    So glad you found a balance, it almost drove me nuts in the beginning too. I have had to give it up lately since I have no time for it anymore, but it is definitely best to find that balance and enjoy the rewards.

    Reply
  20. Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    I forget to use them when shopping in stores, but online, I always remember to at least TRY to find one for the store I want to shop at.

    Reply
  21. Lin says

    November 2, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    I have used coupons in the past, but not to the point of paying a fraction in the total. I have tried to do it, but it really drove me crazy. What stores would you suggest going to?

    Reply
    • Maureen Fitzgerald says

      November 2, 2020 at 9:15 pm

      I’ve been having good luck with CVS and Walgreens mostly. Target and Walmart can be good some weeks and a bust others.

      Reply

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Maureen Fitzgerald of Wisconsin Mommy

Maureen Fitzgerald is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin influencer, brand enthusiast and strategist. She helps brands reach more potential customers through targeted consultation sessions, press coverage, product reviews and campaigns both at WisconsinMommy.com and by leveraging her blogger network. You can also see Maureen hamming it up on her YouTube channel at WisconsinMommy.tv. READ MORE...
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