Couponing: Your 1st Step

I want to be perfectly honest with you.  In some ways I feel like a fraudulent couponer.  No.  I do not use coupons unethically, but I do not use that many coupons.  I can get very lazy when it comes to coupons. There are some weeks I use no coupons.  Zip. Zero. Zilch.  There are other weeks I use a slew of them.  It depends on the week.  It depends on my mood. Really, everything goes back to the “mood” doesn’t it?

Though, I don’t have the love affair with my coupons that I once did, I still believe in debunking the myths about coupons.

Ok.  Now that we have that cleared up, let’s get started.

I believe the 1st step in beginning to coupon is not knowing where to find them or how to use them.  Instead, it is deciding how to organize them.  If you don’t have a system, you will be a mess.  You won’t easily find your coupons nor use your coupons.

Yes.  This is one area of my life that I have completely organized.  Silence as the angels rejoice.  The good news is that there is not a one size fits all system.  There are many different methods.  Over the past 10 years, I have used all of these methods.  Now, I am using a hybrid method that I created. Yes. I am to system rebellious to stick with just one. 

This week I simply want to share with you the basic methods.  Then over the next few weeks, I will share with you the specifics, including the pros and cons of each one.

Here are the 4 main couponing organizational methods:

1. Clip and file in a box method.  Most of you are familiar with this method.  You simply cut the coupons you want and file them in a box that is organized by divided by categories.  Simple.  Painless.

2. The no clip method.  What?  You don’t have to clip coupons?  No.  Not initially.  This method allows you to wait until you want to use a coupon and then you find and clip the coupon.  I personally think this is a great method for those on the couponing fence. 

3. The binder.  Hands down this is the most organized method.  It can be time consuming but if you have any OCD tendencies you will adore your beautiful binder.

4. The hybrid.  Ok. I have no idea if this is done by anyone else, but me.

I calculated that to share the specifics of each method in one post would be way too much information to digest.  Over the next several posts I will share with you details, specifics and the nitty gritty of organizing your coupons.

Which organizational method intrigues you the most?

Excited to learn about couponing?  I would love for you to follow along via email, Facebook, Twitter, or RSS. 

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If you missed other posts in my How to Coupon and Live to Tell About It series, feel free to check them out here:

• Debunking Coupon Myths