It’s been some time since I’ve talked in regards to the finest option to arrange your coupons, and on this tremendous wet Western Washington day, I assumed it might be simply the subject!
Over the previous few years, I’ve tinkered with my very own strategies for organizing coupons together with submitting complete inserts and utilizing the binder methodology.
To be sincere, there was a interval of some months earlier this yr I simply couldn’t sustain and the binder system was like a binder of guilt – filled with expired coupons and work to be finished. I’ve additionally simply filed complete inserts, however I discovered it usually took me extra time to return repeatedly to fish out coupons I wanted.
I additionally missed many alternatives for offers as a result of this methodology was simply not transportable. I’m now utilizing a easy coupon field methodology I’d wish to share with you immediately.
It would shock you to study that I don’t minimize all my coupons! I used to do that, however discovered quickly on that it was an enormous waste of time as a result of I don’t use even half of the coupons that come out within the Sunday inserts!
What has made my life a lot easier is to chop solely the coupons I feel I’ll be more than likely to make use of.
Listed below are some suggestions for a way I resolve which coupons to chop:
- I minimize coupons for merchandise and meals my household truly makes use of. As an illustration, immediately I clipped coupons for Brawny paper towels, Softsoap hand cleaning soap, Rosarita refried beans, and All Laundry. I skipped the pet and baby-related coupons.
- I minimize high-value coupons and/or coupons I’m positive there’s to be a deal on. In case you’re new to the world of couponing, it could be exhausting to know what a high-value coupon is or the place there could be offers for a number of the coupons you’re seeing. This can include time! As we speak I clipped a $2.50 Tresemme coupon figuring out I can get that product for FREE at Ceremony Help this week. I additionally clipped the Golden Grains pasta coupon as a result of it finally ends up being FREE at Safeway via tomorrow. {Please be aware that these offers had been good again in September 2013.}
- I solely minimize the variety of like coupons I can use. Take time to look over the tremendous print when you’re slicing the coupons – it might prevent time! I seen the Tresemme coupon I clipped immediately had a restrict of two like coupons per person- so I solely bothered slicing it out of two inserts, regardless that I obtain 4 papers every Sunday.
- I usually don’t trouble slicing the P&G insert coupons. The P&G coupons you’ll discover within the month-to-month insert usually all expire on the finish of that month. I’m additionally very conversant in the P&G household of manufacturers (Crest, Olay, Swiffer, Pampers, and many others.) which might be prone to be included in these inserts. Provided that, I’m extra apt to only return and clip what I want from these inserts after I want it. The one exceptions could be any tremendous excessive worth coupons I need to be sure that I hold within the forefront of my thoughts or their quarterly insert, the place you’ve got greater than a month to redeem the coupons.
I attempt to not labor too lengthy about whether or not or to not minimize a specific coupon. The thought right here is to make a fast determination!
Now that I’ve outlined which coupons I minimize, I assumed I’d share my total coupon clipping routine.
Step #1: Kind and group the coupon inserts. As I discussed, I get 4 copies of the paper delivered to my door each Sunday (extra on that in a minute!). I take away all of the inserts from the papers after which I group the like inserts collectively.
Step #2: Minimize the coupons I’m thinking about. I often take a bit extra time after I’m slicing the primary insert – ensuring I’ve not missed any nice coupons. I then lay out every coupon on my counter.
As I transfer via the opposite like inserts, I simply stack on high. Now one other time saving methodology in the event you get multiple insert could be to put the like insert pages on high of one another so you narrow as soon as – and out pops 2, 3, or 4 of the identical coupon. This isn’t a foul concept, however simply be sure that these coupons are lined up completely earlier than doing so!
Step #3: File your coupons in your binder or field. That is the little field I’m at the moment utilizing to arrange my coupons. And it’s…little! I made a decision for the quantity of coupons I truly clip I would favor taking one thing to the shop that’s much less obtrusive to haul. I additionally discover it’s a snap to file the coupons within the field as a result of I’m not having to shove them out and in of plastic dividers.
By the best way – I acquired a fantastic deal on my organizer! It’s made by Snapware and was priced at $2.49 at Fred Meyer. I used a $2 off coupon I had, so I paid simply $0.49 for it. The alphabetical dividers are simply index playing cards – buy through the again to highschool gross sales for about $0.19.
Not dangerous, huh? (PS – In case you’re on the lookout for an identical organizer, this one on Amazon is fairly near what I bought.)
Whether or not or not that is the precise manner you file your coupons, I hope I’ve inspired you with some new concepts immediately or a minimum of to take a look at your present system if it’s changing into too cumbersome or not jiving together with your fashion.
In case you favored this publish, you may additionally need to try this publish on How you can Arrange Your Coupons. You may also have an interest on this publish for organizing your coupons whereas buying:
