In order to be successful in couponing, you must stay organized. Knowing where to find one specific coupon out of 25 can be tricky, but it does not have to be.
Locate your coupons without putting in the unnecessary effort of rummaging through your bag. You will only grow tired of searching and realize that you’re taking too much time for a coupon that is not worth that much. There is little point in gathering coupons if you are not even using them to save you money. Keeping your coupons organized will save you both time and money. There are a variety of different methods and tips that you can use to organize your coupons. Find the one that works for you below.
Clipping coupons is the process of cutting out coupons from a publication or flyer. Sometimes you end up clipping coupons you will not use. Other times will throw away coupons that you do not think you will need now but you might need later. There are individuals who carry around the entire flyer or insert with them, which contain a variety of coupons on one sheet of paper. While some may prefer this method, clipping coupons makes specific coupons easier to find without having to hold onto coupons you do not intend on using. Clipping allows you to better organize your coupons into specific categories. The practice also allows you to get rid of expired coupons faster. While many believe clipping takes up too much time, individuals who clip their coupons ahead of time actually save time later. These shoppers don’t have to scramble to find coupons or cut them out right before purchasing an item.
You may feel overwhelmed after you have gathered all your coupons. Do not let this stop you from acquiring as many coupon deals as you can. Eliminate clutter and the anxiety that comes with it by finding the best organization method suited for you.
Every organizational method has its advantages and disadvantages. Weigh out the pros and cons with the following ways to organize your coupons.
There is nothing worse than knowing you have a coupon for a specific product or store and not being able to find it. This is why sorting out coupons is important in making sure you utilize every deal. Consider the type of coupons you have. Are more of them store-specific or manufacturer-specific? If they are more store specific, like grocery coupons, then you may want to sort your coupons by store. Once you’ve sorted them by store, you may want to include subcategories within each store. You can be as extensive as you want to ensure a convenient shopping experience.
There are various ways you can sort coupons and how you choose to sort them is solely based on your preference. Choose from the following methods:
If you are making a quick trip to Target to buy only kitchen supplies, you may not want to bring an entire coupon binder with you. However, there are other ways to store just a few coupons without carrying them in your purse or pocket. Invest in a portable zippered pouch and place index card dividers to separate your coupons by category. Buy a coupon organizer wallet that can be attached to your shopping cart handle and includes 24 tabbed paper dividers. Get creative and make your own portable coupon organizer by using a small photo brag book with post-it tabs and a label maker. If you are looking to shop in style, search for coupon organizer purses online.
Having multiple coupon apps or just one with an array of coupons for different products and stores can be hard to keep track of. It can take up a lot of time looking for that one coupon you know you saved on your phone. If you use digital coupons, keep a paper or excel sheet that you can access by phone to keep records of your coupons. Record useful information like the coupon offer, expiration date, store or manufacturer and product type. This way, you can turn to the reference sheet and check if you have any useful digital coupons when shopping. In addition, you can take screenshots of your coupon offers and store them into digital folders. Simply create labeled folders on your smartphone’s photo album application. Label your folders by store, manufacturer or product type and reference these folders when you’re out shopping.