To Clip Or Not To Clip, That Is The Question!

A good couponer needs to be well organized in order to take advantage of the deals. There seems to be a few schools of thought on when to clip and when to file.

1. Clip and File - For this method, you would clip each and every coupon (regardless of whether or not you think you will use it) and organize it by coupon in a container that is easily transportable and can be taken on each of your shopping trips. There are some pros and cons to this method. Clipping and organizing each coupon allows you to take advantage of clearanced items and unadvertised sales. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have seen an item on clearance and known that I had a coupon in my filing system that would make that item free after coupon. It happens almost each and every time that I shop. This method, however, can be a bit time consuming. Not only do you clip and organize the coupons to begin with, but you also have to periodically go through and throw out coupons that have expired. For some like me, the savings are worth a little bit of extra time.

2. Clip Some and File Most - With this method, you clip the coupons you know you will use and organize them by coupon in a binder or expandable mini-filer so that you can take those with you on your shopping trips. Then, you would file all of the rest of the unclipped coupons (usually for items that you don't think you will use) by insert/date. Doing it this way insures that you have the coupons that you intend to use easily accesible and still have the coupons you may not use available for clipping just in case an incredible deal comes up. The idea behind this method is that clipping and organizing all of the coupons takes too much time. If you only clip what you know you will use, you save time. Again, there are some pros and cons for this one too. While it may save you a little bit of time, you may miss out on deals that are unadvertised. In addition, you would need to have a system of knowing what coupons are in each insert. To keep track of inserts, some people will print a list of all the coupons (available each week on the internet) and keep a master list for themselves. Others rely on coupon databases on internet communities like A Full Cup or Hot Coupon World. In these communities, you and other couponers match up the sales in each store with the available coupons and the date/insert from which they came. So, if you see a deal in the upcoming week on an item that you may not usually buy but are willing to try, you would go to your files and pull out the appropriate insert and clip it at that time.

3. File It Baby! - For this method you would file the whole inserts and not clip a thing initially. You would only clip coupons for items you want to buy as you plan out your shopping trip. Again, the idea is that this method saves you time. While you may not have to clip and organize each and every coupon, you would still need to have some way to organize your internet coupons, peelies, blinkies, hangtags, rebates, Catalinas, and store coupons. You could also miss out on unadvertised deals. In addition, you would need to stay organized with your filing system and matchups as previously explained.

Whichever clipping and filing method you choose, just make sure to have a system of organization that keeps coupons, rebate forms, Catalinas, shopping lists, and weekly/monthly advertisements easily accessible. I don't think it really matters if you organize those coupons in an expandable file folder, a binder, or a shoe box. Use something that works for you, is easy to transport and won't be ruined if it falls. Some couponers organize their coupons alphabetically - Huggies diapers are filed under "H" and Pampers filed under "P." Some do it by type of product. For instance, all Baby products would be together regardless of whether or not they are Pampers or Huggies. Still others organize the coupons by grocery store aisle. So, if aisle 10 has all cleaning products and paper products then your 10th section in your coupon file would have those types of coupons. Find something that works for you. I personally utilize the "clip and file" method. All of the coupons that I get are organized into a 2" Five Star binder filled with baseball card protectors. As you can see at the top of the post, my binder has a handy pocket on the front where I keep my RRs and ECBs, a calculator, pen, and scissors. These tools are handy to have with me at all times. On the inside left flap, there are some expandable files where I file my weekly and monthly advertisements and a zippered pocket where I keep my rebate forms and receipts. In addition, I have three dividers with attached envelopes where I place the coupons I will be using on upcoming shopping trips. Each envelope is for a different store. My coupons are organized generally by the following headings: Health and Beauty Household Food OTC (over the counter) Medications Within these sections, I organize them further into smaller headings like Feminine Care Products, Cosmetics, and Body Lotions. As an exception, however, I have found that organizing the OTC Medication section alphabetically works a bit better for me. So my headings in that section are "A-D", "E-H", "I-L" etc. You may also find it helpful to keep printed copies of coupon policies for the stores you like to shop. As you can see, organization is the key to effective coupon shopping. It is important to remember that what works for one may not work for another. I am certainly not the authority on all coupon things, so try different approaches and find one that works with your schedule and personality. Happy Organizing and Shopping!!!