- Grocery Shopping with Coupons Will Save Money - K. L. Watts
Organizing grocery coupons can be an overwhelming task. Many shoppers fail to reap substantial savings because they are uncomfortable managing the paperwork involved. However, frugal shoppers know that free groceries are worth the effort.
The key is finding a filing system that works for each user. The right solution can drastically decrease food spending and put more cash back into the budget. To maximize efficiency, a coupon organizer can be very helpful. With a few supplies and a subscription to the Sunday newspaper, this once time-consuming task can be completed in no time flat.
Create a Coupon Organizer
Experts recommend numerous methods of managing coupons. One popular solution is to use clear photo album pages, so shoppers can easily flip to the page that they need. This visible approach makes the cents-off idea seem more reasonable. It's easy to use, and easier to redeem.
In the article, How to Organize Coupons, Rebecca Livermore suggests several other methods. All of these ideas are worthwhile, and it's best to find a solution that works for each person.
Supplies for Sorting Coupons
Instead of clunky flip-top wallets, this organizational style relies on easy access. A three-ring binder makes it easy to flip through pages. Clear photo album pages keep papers clean and legible. Creating this tool is inexpensive, and all of the supplies can be purchased at a local discount center.
- One 2-inch three-ring binder
- Stick on tabs, 4 packs (binder tabs don't fit correctly)
- Permanent markers
- Clear photo pages with holes for a three-ring binder*
*The photo pages must have openings where photos can slide in. Clear pages designed for 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 photos are perfect. Buyers should ensure that the photo pages fit into the binder.
Make the Filing System
Once the supplies are available, making the filing system is a snap. The trick is to customize the binder to suit the needs of the shopper. People who rely on refrigerated and frozen foods may wish to add additional categories such as "cheese," "frozen pizza," and "frozen dinners." The technique is simple:
- Place photo pages in the binder
- Write one category name on each tab
- Stick tabs on photo pages
- Insert coupons
Categories to Make
Different households have different needs, so categories may need to be customized for each household. In her article, Tips for Organizing Coupons, Karri Weathers shows how shoppers can organize by product type, store, or expiration date. Households that choose to sort by product type may consider some of the following categories:
- Baking
- Beverages
- Boxed / Canned Food
- Breakfast
- Cleaning
- Cosmetics
- Dairy (anything in the refrigerator case)
- Dental
- Frozen
- Hair Care / Facial Care
- Medicine / Personal Hygiene
- Laundry
- Paper and Plastic
- Pets
- Snacks
- Other
Organize the Paperwork
The final step is to arrange the coupons according to the category. Each one should be completely visible, so extra photo pages are useful. When shopping, coupons should be easy to read and easy to redeem. For more information on saving money on groceries, visit Coupon Mom.
Donna Wallace - Donna Wallace is a freelance writer in Raleigh, NC. Wallace received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the ...
