There are so many options for organizing your coupons for easy use, but I have found 2 that I prefer, and I will be trying them each for a month or so to see which I prefer. The first option can actually work in two seperate ways as well, so you can take whatever information I can provide for you and tailor it to your own needs and preferences.
The first I will explain is a smaller version of the couponing binder. I know that you've probably all seen some version of a couponing binder, they are a full size binder often complete with folder sections and a built in calculater. My version of it is a little smaller and easier to carry. I took an old daytimer organizer and turned it into my own coupon binder.
In order to store the actual coupons I used the business card holders, these can be purchased at some dollar stores and various stationary stores. I simply folded the couons to fit into the card slots and can add tabs to the sides so they are easy to find. I usually label my coupons as my daughter, or kids, grocery, cleaning, pet, fast food, personal, and can add labels as needed. Everyone has different needs, so feel free to start with some of what others use as labels, then change them or add to them as you see fit.
I then added my store cards to the front of the cover, in the business card slots there.
I also chose to use the contact and note areas of the organizer to track coupon websites, store rules, any other notes I need, shopping lists, etc.
The first I will explain is a smaller version of the couponing binder. I know that you've probably all seen some version of a couponing binder, they are a full size binder often complete with folder sections and a built in calculater. My version of it is a little smaller and easier to carry. I took an old daytimer organizer and turned it into my own coupon binder.
In order to store the actual coupons I used the business card holders, these can be purchased at some dollar stores and various stationary stores. I simply folded the couons to fit into the card slots and can add tabs to the sides so they are easy to find. I usually label my coupons as my daughter, or kids, grocery, cleaning, pet, fast food, personal, and can add labels as needed. Everyone has different needs, so feel free to start with some of what others use as labels, then change them or add to them as you see fit.
I then added my store cards to the front of the cover, in the business card slots there.
I also chose to use the contact and note areas of the organizer to track coupon websites, store rules, any other notes I need, shopping lists, etc.
The other way to use this idea but to work it even more into daily life and make it even less visible is to add these pages or information into your own planner that you currently use. Then you have them with you everytime you leave the house, but if you start to gather a large quantity then this will become cumbersome to carry all the time, and you may not have room for your own personal needs in your planner. At this point you may need to seperate coupons and use multiple organizational tools to keep them all in appropriate places.
A simple solution to that is to only take with you the ones that match your list, in that case you can use your own planner or the one you made just for couponing, and leave the rest at home. You can use a small recipe box, file folder, or shoe box with added dividers or labels to store the majority of your coupons at home and simply remove the ones you need to take with you. While this may add another minute or two of preperation time, it will be less to carry. I also recomend keeping the ones you plan to use for coupon swaps or trading seperate from the ones you plan on using. You don't need to carry your tradeables everywhere, unless you want to spontaniously trade with other shoppers...
A simple solution to that is to only take with you the ones that match your list, in that case you can use your own planner or the one you made just for couponing, and leave the rest at home. You can use a small recipe box, file folder, or shoe box with added dividers or labels to store the majority of your coupons at home and simply remove the ones you need to take with you. While this may add another minute or two of preperation time, it will be less to carry. I also recomend keeping the ones you plan to use for coupon swaps or trading seperate from the ones you plan on using. You don't need to carry your tradeables everywhere, unless you want to spontaniously trade with other shoppers...
Another option is to use a small file folder. This is one I found at WalMart but is now available at some dollar stores as well, and likely in stationary stores as well.
I labeled the dividers to suit my needs, added coupons, folded up a small printed couponing book with information into the back division, and added my coupons. This is easy to throw into a purse so it's available all the time, or can even be left in the car if you prefer. It is easily updated and makes it simple to find each coupon as you need it. Larger ones can be used as well, I just prefer the portability of the smaller. I am not as serious about couponing as perhaps I should be, and I will be increasing my efforts to gain more rewards as I go.
I hope that you saw an idea or here that you like, and that will be helpful. You don't need to be an "extreme" couponer to save money, and every little amount helps! Good luck on your own adventures :)
I labeled the dividers to suit my needs, added coupons, folded up a small printed couponing book with information into the back division, and added my coupons. This is easy to throw into a purse so it's available all the time, or can even be left in the car if you prefer. It is easily updated and makes it simple to find each coupon as you need it. Larger ones can be used as well, I just prefer the portability of the smaller. I am not as serious about couponing as perhaps I should be, and I will be increasing my efforts to gain more rewards as I go.
I hope that you saw an idea or here that you like, and that will be helpful. You don't need to be an "extreme" couponer to save money, and every little amount helps! Good luck on your own adventures :)