Yesterday I showed you my system for organizing coupons, my binder. Today I am going to show you another popular way to organize coupons. A friend of mine kindly let me take pictures of her couponing box. This method is sometimes referred to as the Insert Collecting Method. This is an easy and time saving system for organizing your coupons.
Getting Started:
1. Collect your inserts from the Sunday paper. There are usually 2, Smart Source (SS) and Red Plum (RP). Occasionally we get lucky and there is a third insert from a manufacturer like General Mills (GM) or Proctor and Gamble (PG).
2. Date the inserts with date of the Sunday paper you got them from.
3. File them together. You can use a file folder like shown here or some prefer to put them in a sheet protector in a notebook.
4. You’re done!
How to Make This Method Work for You:
You may have noticed in my store coupon match-ups that I list the name of the insert the coupon came from and day the coupon came out.
Here’s an example from a recent post:
Knorr Pasta or Rice Sides, 4-6.4 oz., at $1.35
-.60/2 Knorr Sides RP 11/15
The RP means the coupon was from Red Plum and the 11/15 means it came the November 15th Sunday newspaper.
Now that you have all your coupons dated, you can just go to your Red Plum insert from 11/15 and clip out the coupon you need for that sale!
Tips:
1. I would recommend that you keep at least three folders:
• One folder for your coupon inserts
• One folder to store all your printable coupons
• One folder to store all your coupon booklets
2. Find a container to keep all your folders in. My friend is using a recycled box.
3. Keep an envelope to keep any loose coupons you have from blinkies, tear pads, etc…
Pros:
This system is way less time consuming than keeping your coupons in a binder since there is no clipping or sorting.
You coupons are also very easy to find since they are kept together and are dated.
Cons:
You can not bring your coupons with you to the store for a spontaneous trip. You need to plan ahead so you have time to clip out the coupons for the items you will be purchasing.
You won’t be able to price match your coupons to any unadvertised sales or clearance items you find while shopping.
So our “Tale of Two Systems” is complete. I hope you find that one of these systems will work for you. There are many other ways to organize your coupons. Please feel free to share what is working for you or what you would like to try!
One reader suggested I link the The Couponizer: Save More Than Money
PDF 
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, I was wondering how many sunday papers you recommend buying each week?
Laura, that is such a great question. I have answered it in a post here:
http://theprudentpatron.blogspot.com/2010/02/reader-question-how-many-sunday-papers.html
This is what system I use, except my inserts are not in a box but a binder with slots in it. I put the whole binder in a cute red tote bag and can carry it around in the store with me for spontaneous deals. The only downfall (other than the massiveness of it) is that if I do find an unexpected deal, I have to have my husbands cell phone with me (with internet access) to find out if there is a coupon for the item (usually I can remember whether or not I've seen one) and where a coupon for the item would be in the inserts. Most annoying thing about finding a spontaneous deal and looking it up like that: fining there's a printable coupon lol.
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