How I Organize My Coupons: Simple Box Method

Note: Nearly a year ago, I wrote a post on how I organize my coupons.  At the time that I wrote it, I was unsure of the direction I would be heading on my blog in terms of the content I would provide, so I published this post because I love couponing and getting groceries at reduced prices.

But then, I made the decision that this would be a fitness blog only, and since couponing doesn’t really have anything to do with losing weight, I deleted the post.  Prior to deleting it, I had shared the link to this post on the Internet, and people started clicking on it only to find that it was a broken link.  After discovering that the link was still attracting traffic, I decided to bring this post back.

If you are reading this, it is likely that you got here by clicking on this link from another website.  This post has been republished just for you.  Once you are done reading it, I invite you to look around and see my posts on all things fitness.  Thanks for stopping by.

Until I attended a coupon class, I had never heard that you could actually save money with coupons.  Sure, I had seen coupons before in the Sunday paper.  But I considered them to be a waste of time because I did not understand how using them could reduce my grocery bill.  Out of curiosity, I attended a coupon class that was being offered in my area.  I sat there stunned.  Here was this lady who claimed to save an average of 70% or more off of her grocery bill, often getting many things for free.  And she had her receipts to prove it.  That day, I launched myself into the world of couponing, determined to learn as much as I could on the subject.

I read books like Shop, Save, and Share by Ellie Kay and Shop Smart, Save More: Learn The Grocery Game and Save Hundreds of Dollars a Month by Teri Gault.  The lady who taught the class I attended organized her coupons using the binder method, so that is what I initially went with.  (You can see an example of what the binder method looks like here or watch a video on how to make one).  I tried this for six months – giving it an honest effort – but I just found it to be so cumbersome.  The binder got very large and very heavy.  Having to insert and take out coupons from their little inserts each time I wanted to look at them was so time consuming that I just wasted valuable time in the store.  I eventually kissed my coupon binder goodbye and moved on to the box method.

Organizing my coupons has been easier ever since.  Now I’ll walk you through how I organize my coupons.  The first thing you’ll notice is that I am not a perfectionist when it comes to clipping coupons.  Cutting around each dotted line of a coupon takes way too much time, and cashiers do not care how pretty your coupons look.  So just use your scissors to your advantage, and try to minimize how many swipes you are making with them.

My coupon bin comes in handy for a couple of reasons.  When I get coupons, I don’t always have the time to clip them right away.  So I just toss them into my coupon bin so that they are there when I’m ready for them.  Similarly, when I clip my coupons, I may not have time to organize them, so I can simply put them back in the coupon bin.  This way, my coupons never get lost.

As you can see, this coupon bin works out nicely when I have hundreds of coupons clipped!  Believe it or not, there are over seven hundred coupons in there.  At this point, I had gone two or three weeks without clipping coupons.

Organizing hundreds of coupons can go by fairly quickly if you have a system that helps you sort your coupons.  I use an Elmer’s 20 x 30 x 3/16 inch foam board that I purchased at Walmart for around $2.  Then I counted the number of categories I have and made the same number of boxes on my board.  For 24 categories, each box measures 5 x 5 inches.

Now to sort the coupons, just put them in their respective category.

From there, I organize the coupons into their respective subcategory, which is where the envelopes come in.  I use small envelopes to fit in the box: size 3 5/8 inches x 6 1/2 inches.  With so many subcategories, you will probably need to get two boxes of envelopes.  The subcategories really help to break down what you’ll be using the coupon for, so when you are in the store, finding it is that much quicker.

To make your envelopes, simply cut off the flap and write the name of the subheading at the top corner.  Once you have your coupons placed on their respective envelope, you are ready to place the envelopes in your box.

To make the tabs for my coupon box, I used manila file folders and cut them out to fit the box.  Then I used a label maker to label all of my files.  I figured some of you might want to see what my specific categories and subcategories are, so I have all of them listed right here.  Inside my coupon box I have a calculator, pens, post-it notes, and sales ads.

The coupon box that I use is a Smart Store Storage Box by Snapware – 6x11x8.  I purchased mine at Dillons (Kroger) for $5.  I love, love, love it!  It snaps shut and has a handle, making it easy to carry and keeping me free from worry.  If I drop my box, I don’t have to panic because everything will be right where it’s supposed to be.  This box also fits perfectly in the front of the grocery cart.

Well, there you have it.  Now that I’ve showed you how I organize my coupons, here are some other ways that people have organized their boxes: you can watch this video or read this post.

One more thing: It is important that you put your contact information somewhere inside your box.  If it ever gets lost or left behind in a store, you want it returned to you.  I took an index card and wrote my name, email address, and phone number on it and then taped it to the bottom of the lid with packaging tape.

Recommended Reading:

The Cost of Fruit: Making it Work For Your Budget – Including fruit in your diet doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.  I’ll show you how you can start eating in a way that promotes a dream body without going over your budget.