Mom's Build-It-Yourself Coupon Organizer

Mom's Build-It-Yourself Coupon Organizer is simple to make.

Start with a standard 3-ring binder. I started with a 1 1/2" binder with a hard cover. You probably have one laying around the house. Mine was left over from my son's high school days. Later I moved my pages into a nice new zippered version. It was FREE on sale with a rebate from Walgreens drugstore during their back to school sale.
The next thing you need is coupon holder pages designed to fit in the 3-ring binder. If you read the story of how I discovered this great coupon organization system you know I'm talking about clear vinyl pages with pockets to hold the coupons. (To read the whole story start HERE and follow the links until you get back to this page.) I started with the 9-pocket pages used to hold collectible trading cards. Now I've converted to a more user-friendly version with various sizes for different types of coupons.
9-pocket
clear vinyl trading-card pages Good for small coupons - but a little hard to get your fingers into
3 Pocket Photo Style

I use a couple of these in the front of each coupon binder. As soon as I place a product in my cart I put the coupon in one of these pockets. Then when I get ready to check out it's easy to pull out the coupons I want to use. All three pockets open at the top.
3 Pocket Horizontal
This coupon page is great for those long, narrow coupons like Maybelline and the Catalina coupons you get at checkout.

I also use them for rebate forms. The pocket will hold the form and my receipt until I'm ready to mail it in. Each of the three pockets open from the top.
4 Pocket
This page works for oversize coupons and larger quantities.

Some people use these like the envelope system. Each pocket holds a category - All of your Baby coupons in one pocket, Baking in another, Bread in the next one, etc. It's a good way to go if you only get one or two sets of coupons each week and don't want a large binder.
6 Pocket
These pockets are great for all those skinny little coupons that you have to fold to fit into the 8 or 9 pocket type pages.

8 Pocket
If I could only have one size page - this would be it. I like these pages so much better than the 9 pocket because the opening is larger (top opening). And, since there are 8 pockets on a page you can see 8 (or more) coupons at once. If you like to see each coupon individually you will LOVE these!


NOW AVAILABLE

Mom's Beginner Coupon Binder Kit

Includes helpful information
on how to get started saving money with coupons
and a selection of coupon pages
to build your own personal coupon binder

Details Here

One of the big advantages of this system is that you can arrange the coupon pages in a way that works for you. My friend Cindy uses ABC tabs to divide the pages of her organizer and files her coupons by brand name. My daughter has hers sorted by the layout of the store where she shops.

I use insertable tab dividers and sort by coupon categories. To make it easier to locate products I then put the categories in alphabetical order in the binder.

If you need help choosing categories I would be happy to share the list of coupon categories I use. Just email me mom@momsaves.com and I'll send it to you.

If you don't want to use tab or ABC dividers you can simply write the category or product name on papers you cut to fit the coupon pockets like on the right.

I did these on my computer and printed them out at home. You can also use stick-on address labels to help identify the type of coupons on each page.


Headings on the
3 pocket
horizontal pages

Put it all together

add coupons

and
start saving $$$!

Local Restaurant, Store and Service Coupons
I also have a separate binder for restaurant/entertainment/service coupons. That binder usually stays at home. If the sink backs up I look in it for a plumber coupon. If we want to order pizza - all the current coupons are right there. If the grandkids are coming over there's usually a coupon in there for bonus tokens at Chuckee Cheese. I constantly save on food, entertainment and services by having the coupons where I can find them when needed.
So what are you waiting for?
Get started on your Build-It-Yourself Coupon Organizer NOW!
**If you can't find the vinyl coupon pages
in your local stores you can order them in Mom's Shoppe
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$$ SHOP & SAVE $$

Shop like a track star...
Think of the grocery store like a running track. The most important areas are along the perimeter of the store. Go there first to pick up your high priority items - produce, bread, dairy, meat. Keep track of how much you're spending on those items so you know how much of your grocery budget you have left to spend on other items.
Check unit pricing...
Most major grocery stores have tags below each item on the shelf showing the unit pricing cost. For instance - if a 16 oz. can of chili is $1.60 the unit pricing tag will show it's $0.10 per ounce. The unit price is a great way to see if you're getting the best deal. Watch these tags carefully - larger sizes are not always the best deal.
Shop alone...
I know it's not always possible to leave the kids or spouse at home but it will definitely save you frustration and money. You wouldn't beg yourself to buy 10 pounds of hot wings or that package of matchbox cars would you?
Look up - Look down
Ever wonder why you have to reach so high for that "not so well known brand" of pickles? Or why the store brand green beans are on the bottom shelf? It's because manufacturers actually pay for product placement. They know shoppers can be in a hurry and will grab the product that is the easiest to reach - or the one they see first. If you want to find better prices you have to look up or down.
Check the date...
Most products have an expiration date printed on the packaging. Always look for the longest expiration date so you don't end up throwing away 1/2 your pantry items before you use them. This is REALLY important if you are buying large quantities of an item while it's on sale (that's called "stockpiling").
Brand loyalty ...
You might be surprised at how much you could save by trying an alternative to your favorite brand of laundry detergent or spaghetti sauce. I know, your mother used Tide and your clothes just wouldn't smell right if you did laundry with anything else. But maybe you could save a little to help pay for your Tide by trying that spaghetti sauce that's on sale this week.
Sneaky tricks ...
Have you noticed the new tactic manufacturers are using to keep us from freaking out over how much prices are increasing? They're bringing out "new and improved" products and packaging to disguise the fact that there is less product for more money. This is another reason to watch those unit pricing tags carefully.
Chill out...
We all know we shouldn't shop when we're hungry. But there are other times that are just as important NOT to shop.

Do you think you're going to get the best deals if you go shopping right after a fight with your spouse or your kids? Don't think so.

How about shopping on the way home after a stressful day at work? You're likely to come home with 4 flavors of ice cream and some double stuff oreos for dinner. Try to find a less stressful time to shop - even if it's at midnight when everyone else is asleep.
??? Questions ???
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