The short version of the story – I recently moved my coupons from my binder to a box. I’m in love with my new organization!
The long version of the story – For the last couple years I have been a coupon binder girl. I promoted it in all my coupon classes, I carried it with me every time I left the house (see my coupon binder tutorial here). But the last few months I just wasn’t excited about the binder. I wasn’t enjoying the process of putting my coupons into the binder and I let it get more and more empty.
I started using an envelope in my purse – bursting at the seams with my coupons for my shopping trip. It worked for a while but I wasn’t saving as much as I wanted. Then while at Office Depot a couple weeks ago I spotted this box. . . angels sang and I had a vision! This will fit perfectly in the baby seat of the grocery cart. At $9.99 it wasn’t super cheap and it wasn’t on sale (gasp!) but when you figure the cost of setting up a binder (baseball card pages, dividers, etc) – this was a steal. It took me a good two days to put it together and get caught up on my clipping – but I am so pleased with it.
Get the whole scoop about my switch, and watch my video about it over on my Coupon Box Organization page. . ..
(which for future reference can be found under the Bee-ginners menu —> Organization)
And just as a side note – I still think the coupon binder can be an awesome way to organize your coupons (it’s the preferred I think among couponers), but I just was looking for a little change.
I’d love to hear your thoughts? How do you organize your coupons? Have you switched from a binder or box lately?
Dorea says
I was wondering what is the measurement of the box? I love this idea and I’m going back to the box. I tried the binder coupon and it’s just to heavy and to much up keep for me. I love you video on Youtube it’s very informative.
Thanks
Dorea
Rebecca says
I had not made the jump to the binder yet. I was not finding what I wanted for slots. Now that I’ve seen your box, I’m sure I would rather stick to my box and envelope, and make improvements.
Just one cheap trick tip though. I used envelopes from junk mail to store my coupons in. They are free and plenty. lol
Jessi says
Thanks for sharing this. I have given up on my binder, newspaper subscription, and couponing altogether for the last few months as I have had way too much stress and this became an overwhelming hobby at a stressful time… I ended up wtih a pile of a months unclipped newspapers and a binder full of expired coupons and it seemed like almost as much work to pull the coupons out of the baseball pages as it was to put them in. I would like to get back into it so maybe a new approach will renew the fun and give me a little pick me up
Mary says
I’m liking the alphabetical thing. I use envelopes and they are in a canvas bag I got on a cruise. Not perfect but I can throw it over my shoulder. But I keep coming up with new categories and adding envelopes. This could be just the answer. And I probably have a box in my scrapbooking stuff I can repurpose.
Angelina says
I bought a very colorful accordian style plastic divider from Joann’s. It has 13 dividers, so I made catagories and sub catagories. I have the master list of catagories and subcatagories… I would love to share if anyone would like! I also have pics but don’t know how to post them here?
Angelina says
It fits in my purse and it sits very well in the child seat of the cart …. facing you!
Joan says
So glad to know I wasn’t the only one flunking binder-upkeep class. I may stick with the binder; I don’t know yet. This is great to see however. I have found myself using several envelopes I keep in my purse, with each one carrying a category of coupons. I am thinking I do still like the visibility of the binder tho. Hmmmm, as another poster said, adapt to one’s own needs and style.
Heather says
Haha – Flunking Binder-upkeep class – that made me laugh.
Jennifer says
I found that I just don’t have time for a binder. My approach has been to cut the coupons for products I always use and keep those in a envelope. Then I file the inserts and clip if there are some great deals. I probably don’t save as much this way, but I’m saving my sanity and time which is worth something too.
jenny says
I’m kinda lost. So you cut ALL your coupons and place them into the envelopes?? How do you organize it so well? It’s so compact, too!!
I currently use a filing tote. All the inserts are filed by dates. I would then take the entire tote into the stores with me and clip as I use/need the coupons.
Melissa says
Thank you thank you thank you.
I really enjoy couponing but the binder was SOO much work for me. I have a 10 month old and the last thing I have time for is binder. I ended up putting coupons in envelopes and leaving the binder at home which would cause me to miss out on deals.
I think I need to remember that no matter what a coupon website suggests or recommends, I need to do what works for me and my brain.
I think I am going to go back to a small box that I can easily organize during morning nap time on Sunday and it easily fits into the diaper bag. No more baby in cart with a large binder and the two things fighting for my attention! =)
Again, thank you. I feel re-energized about the clipping process. I needed this today! =)
Heather says
Melissa – Binders are a lot of work up front but then can be easier in the store. Because I had less time in the stores these days (juggling a 12-mo old and 4-yr-old) I wasn’t really enjoying the benefits fo being able to flip thru the pages and easily find my coupons. I was usually clipping coupons I needed before going to the store and then bringing my binder along, just in case. I am so GLAD you are feeling re-energized. Couponing should be a fun hobby and we just need to find systems that work for us so we can keep them up.
Sarah B says
I did the binder and hated it! Found a box similar to this one: http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=644&view=0&picture=1&tab=Specifications&ProductCategory=254§ion=1
at Lowe’s. I love it because it’s wide enough for me to put the store circulars and coupon policies in the box. I have it categorized by type, but I may switch to alphabetical. I use #6 envelopes and I put the #6 envelope box in the front with my clipped coupons and scissors and paperclips. Perfect! It has a handle on the top so not ackward to carry. I labeled and use index cards vertically and tape them to the envelope.
Heather says
Sarah – I love that your box has a handle on top. That would be a nice feature on mine. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah B says
I went and checked the box…this is the one I have:
http://www.snapware.com/products/smart-store-storage-container-1098603
Happy to send a photo. I like your cardstock idea…I don’t really like the envelopes. Not sure how it would work since I like to keep stuff on either side of the envelopes.
Corina says
I use a box too. I bought a square plastic box with a snapping lid and handle from Walmart, but I like yours much better, as mine is too small. I just used envelopes, cut the top off, and stuff an index card in each long ways with the letter at the top. It’s working for me!!
Suzi D says
I forgot to ask, does yours have a lid? I am clumsy so I think that would have to be a must!
Heather says
Oh yes! It has a lid that snaps on top. I couldn’t do it without a lid. . .that would be too scary! 😉
Karla says
I needed a post like this! I have become tired of the hours I spent with a binder and I honestly have my dining room table covered in cut coupons and I won’t tell you how long they’ve been there!!! I’m very worried about the spilling factor as well. I think I may try a paperclip in the side of each “file folder”. I know it will take a little longer each Sunday to put in coupons but I can’t imagine picking up all my coupons from the grocery store floor!
Thanks!
Suzi D says
YES! That will be my next project! I got all excited about the binder, spent a long weekend putting it together and have only used it twice. I have been looking for the perfect box to get this started. I was hoping for something that I could fit in the child seat that would face me when I was pushing the cart rather than have it sideways, but I think I will just settle for sideways! How exciting! Thanks for the inspiration!
Michaela says
I like to use the $1.00 photo Albumns from Walmart that way you can divde them by Departments. I put the coupons infront of the sleeves and have use colored tabs on the pages to show what is in it. then put the Albums in the box.
Heather says
That’s a great idea! I have used the $1 photo albums before – I like them especially for retail and mall coupons. It fits easily in your purse and is easy to flip through.
Dayla Culp says
I love it. I also tried the binder but it just wasn’t for me and the cost of setting it up was a bit more than I wanted to do. I currently use an expandable envelope (with the dividers) but it is a time consuming process while in the store. With that being said….I am loving this idea. Easy to work with, portable, and not to expensive.
Thanks for the great idea!!!
Michele says
Hello Queen bee,
I had a binder, too. Spend 3 days on it to set it up, but when I actually tried it at Target the other day, I was so overwhelmed and frustrated, that I left the binder in the car again, and just took the coupons I needed for the shopping trips. (That’s how you miss out, on Clearance items and in store deals)… so I made a box as well. I used inexpensive envelopes – and sorted them by aisles from my favorite store. It makes it so much easier. =)