Ok...i am new to the serious couponing thing. I went from a cheap accordian organizer to a binder with baseball card holders. So far I really like it but it is taking me some time to get it organized like I want it. How do you all do it? Any suggestions?

I use a recipe box, then divide it into different catagories, for example, Cleaning Products, Dairy Products, etc.

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so how does that work for you...do you look through there before you go shopping and take out what you need or do you actually take it to the store with you?
I used to do that but the binder allows me to see what all i have, I organize it by lay out of the store and i actually use them more.

So is taking a binder to the store with you worth it? I have seriously considered this but didn't know if it was worth the hassle.

I organize mine by dept. Since I go to several stores the layout method doesn't work. I have a section for individual stores, eg. target coupns. The initial set up does takr time and then comes the tinkering to get it perfect for you. I keep small scissors,calc, pen,paper. I also have a spot for rebates. Ihave a pocket in the front with my list and coupons that i plan to use that day.

allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

I have a binder that is organized alphabetically by category. It really saves time when I'm searching for a coupon. My advice is to get a zippered binder (like 5star). It has extra pockets for coupons that you find in the stores and nothing will fall out if you drop it.

I think that the Binder method is probably the best if you have the time to organize it and you dont mind the looks people can give you. Some people are SUPER impressed though.

I put my coupons in a portable coupon organizer so i can take them with me.

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Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle: "Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children."
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I do something similiar. I use a clear box with a handle on top. One side of the box has a cup (I use it to store calculator, pen & coupons I plan to use). The other side has space for coupons.

I bought small index cards with tabs and labeled them with different food categories...bread, cereal, cheese, pizza, etc. The categories are in alphabetical order. I only shop for groceries at Kroger since they double up to 50 cents. I check Kroger's sales ad and then go thru my coupon box and pick out the coupons I plan to use. When I make out my grocery list, I put a "C" beside an item if I have a coupon. That way I don't have to look thru my coupon box for every item. I take my coupon box with me to the grocery store in case there are other items I want to use a coupon on.