
So you would like to know how I organize my coupons. I have tried several methods but this it the method that works for me. I prefer the plastic check organizers you can get at Wal Mart for about $4.00 each. I have four of them that I use. I find that four of them is what I needed to make sense for me to have the categories that I use. So I am going to break it down to you on what I do. Also what works for me might not work for you. I will also mention the others method here as well.
So with my four holders I have them broken out to three main categories for coupons and one that is for refund forms. So the pink holders is for food coupons such as cereals, snacks, drinks, frozen food, canned foods, boxed foods, condiments, baking, bread and rolls, dairy, meat items, and produce. The blue is non-food items, first aid, medicine, make up, cleaners, plastic and paper, feminine products, soaps and shampoos, dental, shaving and deodorant, electronics, clothing and miscellaneous. One of the purple holders holds all of my store specific coupons and restaurant coupons as well as pet food coupons. The other purple holder has my refund forms by expiration date. I also have a plastic shoe box that I put the coupons in that I will not use and those are organized by circular and date. I do not have baby coupons since my youngest child is 7 years old so I do not need them.
Another method that people use is a coupon binder method. I have tried this method and did not work for me but it could work for you. This method involves you getting a zipper binder about 4" wide. You would use baseball card holder pages and index dividers. You will trim your coupons to find into the slots. A lot of coupons will fit in with no problem but some you do have to fold some. The plus side with this method you can see what you have in one glance at the store with the binder and not have to look through a bunch of coupons to find just one.
Another method is using a coupon box. You would set up sections in it for your different categories like I do with my plastic organizers. You can get a nice one at Refund Cents, the link for the site is on the side of my blog.
Another method is not clipping at all until you need the coupons. You would clip the coupon only when you need it when you look at your ads for that week. But that defeats the purpose when should always carry your coupons with you when you go anywhere. You never know when you are going to come across a good deal.
I hope some of the ideas help you out. You do not have to use my method or anyone that I listed use what works for you. Also if you use another method that is not listed leave me a comment about the one that you use.