When to Toss Old Coupon Inserts

For those of you who use the bin method to organize your coupons, you don't always know when to toss old coupon inserts (i.e. when there are no more valid coupons).

Pinching Your Pennies has compiled a list of which inserts you should toss.

The list is based out of Utah, but matches pretty closely with the AZ inserts.

Binder Method for Coupon Organization

Coupon Binder:

I use a binder with baseball card holders to organize my coupons. They can be found at Target and Wal-Mart near the baseball cards for about $5/pack. It is a easy visual way to see all of my coupons quickly.

Here are the categories I use for my binder:

Baking
Beverages
Boxed Foods
Breads and Grains
Candy
Canned
Cereal
Condiments/Spices
Deli and Meat
Diet and Nutrition
Frozen
Refigerated
Snacks

Cleaning
Feminine Care
Hair Care
Make-Up
Miscellaneous
Oral Care
Paper
Razors
Restaurants
Rx
Skin Care
Soap and Deoderant
Store Coupons

Baby

Pet Care

The first half is food items. The second half is non food items. I used printer labels and placed them on the actual card holder pages. Some like to use dividers, but I think they take up too much space in my already large binder.

I have a small coupon organizer labeled by store that I put my coupons in when I go shopping. I got it for $1 at the Dollar Spot in Target. I believe they still have them there with the back to school supplies. I also have a small one simply devoted to CVS. I have each transaction separted in that organizer and keep all of my CVS CRTs and ECBs in that one.

More on Organizing:

I don't clip all of my coupons. I only clip the ones that I know I will more than likely use. I ask myself if it is something we get a great price on, would I buy it? I will also clip coupons I know I can give to others, or use for charitable donations.

I don't throw away the coupons I did not clip. I have a hanging file folder bin that I got at Wal-Mart for around $8 and I have about 25 file folders. Each week I label a folder with the date of the inserts and place those unclipped coupons in the bin. That way if there is something I want to use that I didn't clip I can easily find it. Pinchingyourpennies.com has a great sortable coupon list (this one originates here in AZ). Click here to get to the list. I can easily see if I have a coupon and which week and insert it came out in. Here are the abbreviations for the inserts:

SS=Smartsource

V=Valassis

RP=RedPlum

P&G=Proctor&Gamble

Money Saving Mom has a great way that she organizes her coupons. Click here to see her method.

Click here to see how another couponer uses a binder. (

You have to do what works for you. Some people don't like the binder because they think it takes too much time. I don't think it takes much time, mainly because I don't clip every single coupon from the paper. I usually file them while I am watching TV.

Happy Clipping!

Organizing Coupons with Little Time

I have had to take a step back from my binder. I simply don't have time to clip each and every coupon I use. Here is the method to my coupon madness:

1. Get a file folder bin.
2. Put in some hanging file folders.
3. Disperse about 26-30 file folders throughout the hanging ones.
4. Don't label anything just yet...
5. When you get your coupons on Sunday, take the inserts out.
6. Collate the inserts.
7. Place the inserts in the first available file folder.
8. Label the folder with the date (i.e. 8/24)
9. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

Walla! Your coupons are all organized.

Now, how do you find them, you ask? Click here to view the best deals brought to you by the amazing people at Pinching Your Pennies and contributors. If the coupon says 8/24 SS, go to the file you have labeled 8/24. Find the Smart Source insert and clip the coupon.

Less clipping, more organization...

Now, if you want to search for a coupon, simply go to the PYP Sortable Coupon Link.

Here is how to find your coupons by label (thanks, PYP!):

The date in parentheses is the expiration date.

The information at the end is where the coupon can be found, and the date it was issued:

SS=Smartsource

V=Valassis/RedPlum

P&G=Proctor&Gamble

K=Kraft

LV= La Voz

PH= Presna Hispana

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions! If I don't use a coupon that I clipped, I keep it in a small purse sized coupon organizer (which I got at the Target Dollar Spot). I also do CLIP coupons that I KNOW I will use (i.e. the FREE Sara Lee Bread).