Couponing 101: How To Make a Coupon Binder

Coupons are a quite simply the easiest way that you will be able to significantly cut your household spending. However, adhering to a frugal couponing budget can be jeopardized without a method of organization. While you will never be able to redeem every coupon you stumble upon, you need to clip/print each for items used by your household and have these coupons at hand each time you enter into a store; especially the grocery. Each household uses hundreds of items and modern couponing resources make it quite simple to ascertain a couple hundred coupons at a time. Bulk grocery purchases by sales cycles will triple this figure, at best. With this avid collection of coupons it is difficult to keep track of the coupons within your stash; this unknowing costs hundreds that you will deduct from your savings each year. While many organizational systems exist the best way to keep track of your coupons is through a couponing binder.

What You Need:
(1) Large three ring binder
(10-15) Durable baseball card holders
(5-10) Three ring paper dividers with pockets
(1) Storage pouch
(1) Pen/Pencil/Highlighter
(1) Paper scissors
(1) Calculator
Grocery lists/Spreadsheet/Information
Newspaper product inserts/flyers

Coupon Binder Construction:

1. Recycle or purchase a large three ring binder that you feel comfortable with the sizing of, especially for adding extras into. The cost will be deducted from the annual savings amount or monthly savings yield. If you do not have one you can recycle at home look to the stationary department of your local Dollar General store. Insure this binder is durable as you will be using it quite a bit.

2. Many frugalists, including myself, have discovered that plastic baseball card holders provide the best coupon storage separators. Insure that you purchase holders that are durable and can withstand sliding coupons into and out of quite a bit. It is my recommendation that cheap may not always be the best option, flimsy holders will tear quickly; reduce the cost spent by purchasing long lasting baseball card holders – this may cost you extra but save in the end. You will be able to purchase these at Wal-Mart or Target for a lowered cost, specity stores and hobby stores may produce a better selection for a higher price. If you choose to purchase from a hobby store you should have a coupon for cost justification.

3. Segment your coupons using an organizational method that is the easiest for you. I personally section my coupons by type based on store departments and also by alphabetical order; rotating the coupons that will expire first to the front of the holder. In addition I keep a spreadsheet updated with the coupons I have, based on coupon type. Section off the segments with paper pocket dividers. It is always recommended that you put your coupons in the baseball card holder pockets using alphabetical order. You should also be aware that it may not be practice to segment by store aisle due to the fact products are often moved around, which will cost you time to move around to the new location

4. In addition to the above system many avid couponers also keep a spreadsheet of the coupons they have with information in regards to quantity and expiration. Segment your spreadsheet to meet your binder segmentation and insert the printed list into the pockets of your dividers. This will provide a quick glance. I would be lost without this. Also you can include your notes in regards to cycles, bulk purchases, items you need/have, store coupon policies, stacking with other coupons, etc. Don't forget the stores sales inserts!

5. Add other items to assist your couponing such as pens/highlighters to adjust your lists, scissors to trim, and a calculator to tally your purchases. These items should be stored in a three ring storage pouch which can be frugally purchased at a Dollar Store or recycled from home.