Psst- Today’s our leaving-Portland travel day (sad face) so we’ll probably be spotty and slow on comments/etc after 1pm EST. We’re sorry for the interruption, but so happy to have gotten the chance to explore Portland. We owe you guys a big post about all the stuff we did/bought/ate! We purchased some local art, crashed an amaaaaazing house, ate bacon on a donut, and John scored not one but two new t-shirts (neither of which are soda related, but both of which are food-related).
Lately I’ve been asked a bunch of times about how I organize/store our non-food coupons (since the grocery store ones are just stuck into one of those clear envelopes and stashed in my purse on store runs – more on that here). You know, like the ones from Michael’s, JoAnn, Old Navy and Bed Bath & Beyond and restaurants all the other not-grocery-store related places? And every time I was asked I sort of admitted that I didn’t have the best system but that I tried to slip them into the compartment on the passenger side door of our car so at least they were with us all the time (since we only have one car and are rarely at a store without the car since nothing is really that walkable from our house). The real issue was that I would forget what was in there (things would expire all the time, and it was sort of one giant mess o’ papers) and the other annoying thing was that I was always having to run back out to the car while in places like Bed Bath & Beyond and Michael’s (because I always forgot to grab the coupon before going in). The kicker? Sometimes I would run all the way back out with Beansie in tow, only to find that my coupon was expired already. Boo.
So I needed a system. And then while trolling the notebook section of Target, one found me.
It was this cute thing that I thought was a notebook and then I opened it and a light bulb went off. And it might be my best organizational coup in the last five years. Yes, it’s kinda life-changing if you’re an organizational wannabe like me (I never have my ish together, but I have dreams of conquering that one day…).
First of all it’s slim and light. Like a small notebook without all the pages (it just has a thin notepad on one side and an accordion fold-out pocket system on the other side). So I thought to myself: “self- you could put all your non-grocery coupons into the accordion side and use the pad to write down exactly what’s in there, crossing off things as they expire (so you can see all the valid coupons that you have at a glance) – and you can keep it in your purse since that’s always with you and then you won’t have to run to the car.” Yesssss. And then I high fived myself in the notebook aisle and Clara thought we were clapping so she clapped along.
So I bought it and I did all the things I told myself I would do in my head (labeled the tabs on each accordion section and used the notebook to write down what I have) and I’ve used this method for about a month (gotta trouble-shoot things before exclaiming to the internet at large that they’re life-changing) and I’m telling you it’s the bee’s knees. I can even circle things that are about to expire to remind myself to use them or lose them.
I think it was like $6 or something, and I’m still on the first sheet of paper on the pad (I had visions of running out of paper since coupons rotate in and out, but it’s amazing how one JoAnn coupon expires or gets used just as I slip a new one in there so it hasn’t been too bad with the whole crossing out thing. Of course when the page gets all crazy and scratched out over time I’ll just tear it off and start over on page two, but it seems like this pad could easily last me a year or two and then I could just replace it without replacing the whole shebang – so that’s nice. Oh and it’s recycled paper and made by a company called Greenroom if that helps anyone track it down at Tar-jay.
As for what I labeled each section, what made sense for me was: craft, food, clothes, Bed Bath & Beyond, and misc (just because I usually have a fair amount of coupons in each of those categories). And for food I don’t mean grocery coupons, I mean restaurant coupons like printed out Groupons and little fliers that I get in those Valpack mailers for places like a nearby Mexican restaurant or a local BBQ joint. As for my grocery store coupons, you can read more on those here, but they slip into a clear envelope that stays at home unless we’re going grocery shopping (we don’t usually do that at the spur of the moment like dropping in on other stores or eating out, so I just shove that envelope in my purse when we know we’re headed to Kroger).
So that’s my system to answer all of you inquisitive-coupon-loving folks out there. I hope it’s helpful to anyone else who is wrestling with non-grocery-store coupons that tend to pile up everywhere. It’s amazing how having a place for something (and not shoving them all into the side door of the car) can make them a lot easier to actually use. I think I’m better at remembering that I have them, so I’m even saving money on top of feeling like the Queen Of Organization (not in all categories, haha, but in non-grocery-coupons I’ve got it down… for now). Oh and I figured other folks out there might have other methods or tricks that they have changed their organization strategy – so spill it. I need to know how else to up my organizational ante. Seriously, help a scatterbrained momma out.
Jamie @ The Treehouse says
I AM SO GETTING ONE OF THOSE!!! I love that it has a notebook for grocery lists or even to keep a running inventory on the coupons! Genius!
Did you know that BB&B will take expired coupons? They will also accept multiple coupons even for one order even though the coupons says they won’t.
They’re coupon sluts. (pardon the vulgarity)!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that about them!
xo,
s
Melissa says
I can’t wait to look for (and try) this solution on my next trip to Target. I’m such an organizational junkie! As for shopping lists, my husband and I have an app for our phones (OurGroceries) that syncs our lists and has really helped streamline things when one of us goes to the store, plus we can add things gradually rather than waiting to sit down and make one big list (which is really handy with two little ones at home).
Heather says
I use a photo book that I got for $1 at goodwill for my grocery coupons (its the 4×6 100 page kind) I love it because I can see all the coupons at the flip of a page! I used sticker labels (from target) to customize each section. Have a safe trip home!
Nikki P says
HA! I have the exact same one for the exact same reason. The “BABY” section gets the most use. Ok, so the elastic holding mine together is getting kind of loose. Anyone have a suggestion for tightening things back up?
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh good question! Anyone?
xo,
s
KJ says
I cut off the elastic and replaced mine with a cute ribbon (which cheers me up every time I use it – silly, but cuter than plain old elastic) – tied in a knot or bow with just enough give to allow it to stretch as needed. That way when the book is really full, I can relax the ribbon, or tighten it down when my coupon stash is running low. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Cute idea!
xo,
s
Sarah says
I have a similar system. I purchased an accordian organizer from the dollar target bins. It has 12 dividers that I’ve split up by store and/or generic titles like “restaurants”. I keep ALL of my coupons in this and on me at all times.
I actually have you to thank! I originally started my coupon quest after your snip snip post and have been saving tons of money ever since!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw so glad! Hooray for coupons!
xo,
s
James Olsen says
Thats a great idea for organizing stuff on the go, something else to check when it comes to cuponing, more and more places like Michaels, Office Depot, Staples etc. do honor their competitors cupons so its worth asking, you never know unless you do!
Amber Smith says
I have that in the coral color! I use it for Coupons too but I use the note pad for listing things I want to buy. I think I will start writing down what coupons I have too though because mine usually expire before I remember that they are in there–good idea!
Megan Desroches says
Great system! Btw, have you been to Brooklyn Limestone today? She has rounded-up some spray-painted (and not) animals.
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Can’t wait to check it out!
xo,
s
Lauryn says
Hi Sherry,
Love this! I too am constantly trying to be one of those super organized people…hasn’t happened yet, but I still have high hopes. I found your file/notebook thing on Target’s website and thought I would post the link for those who are interested!! It isn’t sold online, but you can search for it at your local store.
http://www.target.com/p/Greenroom-Expanding-File-with-8-5X11-Notepad/-/A-13421702
Would also be great for receipts!
LinnOrganized says
Brilliant I say, I love this idea! All my best ideas (my own or those that I’ve found) get put on my organization blog above. It is a little pathetic how much I love organization and how many posts I have planned in my head and scheduled to go up already. In fact, one of them is a post in the next few days to share your site. Because it. is. awesome.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks!
xo,
s
Carrie @DreamGreenDIY says
Up until now, I have been using the same type of clear plastic folder that you use for groceries for EVERYTHING – groceries, restaurants, fabric stores, etc. But I am constantly forgetting what I have and things expire. I am definitely going to hunt down a similar notebook/filing system to the one you got. I like the idea of notating what’s actually IN the file – Plus it’s way cuter then my plastic folder =) Thanks for the tips and inspiration!
Amber says
That is too funny! I have the exact same one that I use for the same thing! Same color and everything. Love it.
YoungHouseLove says
Too funny!
xo,
s
Ashley says
I love my iphone for being able to have a Michaels and Jo-Anns app on the phone which gives you e-coupons they scan at the register.
Never leave home without my crafty coupons…check!
Emily says
I have something like that I bought from Hobby Lobby – 40% off coupon, baby! :) It was over with the paper goods/party supplies.
Erin @ GGTs says
I use a 3-ring binder with baseball card sleeves. I even used sticker labels for each slot. It is the most organized method I’ve ever used!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for sharing all the tips guys!
xo,
s
Nina says
I have been using this same thing for my non grocery coupons. Only I found it at Barnes and Noble, it’s a moleskin (in case you ever need a replacement). Hoping they still sell it all these years later since it’s falling apart. I have a pocket one and an actual notebook one.
I use the notebook one for my ‘household’ stuff. I keep a list of all the types of lightbulbs for each room, filter size, room measurement in case I see my flooring go on sale, measurements of prints I need to frame in case I come across random frames on sale or at a thrift store, running christmas gift lists that I add to all year, etc. That one is now almost out of pages after 5+ years!
Nina says
Forgot to add that the size of the moleskin (in case anyone is interested) is about an index card size!!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh nice and small!
xo,
s
Kathy Wrobel says
Great idea! Thank you
Cookie says
Kroger will automatically add coupons to your receipt at checkout if you visit their coupon site first and pin them to your account. Not in lieu of clipping, but in addition. Virtual coupons?
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips everyone!
xo,
s
Katie Honkanen says
I am so excited. I am Canadian (that is not why i am excited) but i am actually crossing the border (washington state) next weekend! I am going get to see some of the stores you talk about, and the great prices you have down their won’t hurt either. I will definitely need to pick up one of these coupon books! Love it.
Nikki Kelly says
This is fantastico! I guess I need to make a run to Target (I use the Target Lady voice in my head) and get that cutie patootie folder thing. We usually just throw ours on the fridge and die there, so thanks for the tip!
Nikki @ the ambitious procrastinator
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, picturing the Target Lady saying that made me laugh out loud at the airport.
xo,
s
Lauren says
Oh man, I just saw this at Target and wondered if it would work out – so glad it worked for you. I think I’ll have to pick it up when I go back. :)
Lindsay @ Me, Ed and Pea says
I’m the person that buys these awesome organization tools and then never uses them :) Good for you!
Jennifer says
I downloaded an app on my iPad called My Coupons and it’s been really helpful in keeping a running list of what coupons/gift cards I have and when items expire. They alert you before your coupons expire and delete them off your list when they do. The initial input of what coupons you have & their expiration dates has to be done by hand and is time consuming (especially if you have a stack of them like I did) but it’s easy to keep up with it after that. Hopefully they’ll update the program to include a bar code scan. I keep all my coupons in one single clear binder and it slips easily in my purse. Hope this helps!
YoungHouseLove says
Yay, tips! Thanks for sharing everyone!
xo,
s
Nancy S says
I will be heading to Target soon to check out this notebook! I carry a small purse during the week so I’m not sure it would fit, but it will most certainly replace the zipper CD case I use now that I keep in my car door slot :)
Hil says
Hey Sherry and John,
I just wanted to suggest a topic that you could cover if you want (and if you think others would be interested too). Do you have any advice for saving money with good care/maintenance of your tools and supplies?
One tip I heard recently was to put one or two of those little desiccant packs (that come with shoes) in your toolbox to help keep them rust-free.
And how long should things last? I’m specifically thinking about paint brushes which I try to take good care of, but they do seem to ‘age’.
Safe travels!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip! That would be a fun post. Wish we had more secrets like that! Haha.
xo,
s
Melissa says
Hi Guys,
LOVE the notebook. Can I ask what the brand is? I’d like to see if I can find one!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s made by a company called Greenroom from Target. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Whitney says
Just a helpful FYI – I use expired coupons at Bed Bath & Beyond all the time! They have never turned me down, even when they have been expired for months! I’ve done it in multiple locations in the multiple states i’ve lived in :-).
Seriously Sassy Mama says
Ummmm I must have this. What a great idea! I think I will go to Target today!
Brittney P. says
Brilliant…I am buying one!
Christine at Casa-de-Christine says
Not sure if this has been said already but I recently discovered the Michael’s Smart phone app. It’s a free app and has many great uses. My favourite though is that it automatically updates the weekly coupon to your phone so you don’t have to remember it or clip it or anything- the cashier just scans your phone. It’s great as I was always forgetting my coupon for there!
Zoya says
Did you know there is an app called GeoQpons on the iPhone and it has lots of the store coupons for example for Michaels, Joann, Hobby Lobby although I just checked and it doesn’t have the 20% off coupon for bed bath and beyond. You just show the cashier the coupon on your phone and you get the discount! Definitely easier than having to carry all of them around!
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips everyone! Thanks so much for sharing!
xo,
s
Gillian says
This post is making me so jealous that we in NI don’t really get much in the way of coupons :-( Some of the grocery stores will give you some for very small discounts, but other stores don’t do coupons at all.
Hopefully this will be something that will filter over from America in the future.
Have a lovely wkd
Gillian xx
Carly says
I love this idea! I don’t know if anyone has already shared, but I put google to work and found the link – http://www.target.com/p/Greenroom-Expanding-File-with-8-5X11-Notepad/-/A-13421702
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
What a great system! I have all of my grocery coupons shoved in a small accordion folder but since I don’t go grocery shopping that often, 9 times out of 10 they’ve expired by the time I get around to using them.
Also, do you ever feel weird using the coupons that come in the ValPak? I always throw mine out because I think I’d feel awkward using a coupon at a restaurant even though some of them offer really good deals at local places.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, no way! We’re cheap enough to use them all the time! Maybe growing up with coupon using parents helps us feel normal-ish about it?
xo,
s
Linda says
I try to remember the restaurants actually paid for that coupon/advertising, so I don’t feel quite so ‘odd’, but I know what you mean. Although I try to remember to tip on the actual amount of the meal, not the discounted amount. I admit, I feel for the folks who work in restaurants – I tend to tip more than might be necessary.
Alecia says
This might have already been mentioned, but I didn’t have time to read through all the comments.
Don’t know if you guys have smartphones or not, but if you do, there are apps you can download for stores like Michaels, Target, etc. that put the coupons directly on your phone. I use my Michaels one all the time (because I always forget to bring actual physical coupons with me) and I just hold up my phone and they scan the coupon off of it.
Gotta love technology!
Laura says
I use southernsavers.com for my grocery coupons. And here’s the kicker…I don’t clip ANYTHING until I’ve made my list and I’m just about to go to the store. When the paper comes on Sunday, I pull out the inserts from the paper, DATE them with a sharpie, and put them in an accordion file folder, which conveniently has twelve slots. So, each slot has a file folder that I slip in there for that month. So, when I see that Jenny references a coupon for “SS 2/19”, I pull out the Feb file folder, find that SS insert (that has been dated with a sharpie) and THEN I clip it. It’s life changing for me b/c everything stays in that nice little insert instead of a bunch of clipped coupons floating all over the place.
Jenn says
Eeeeeeeeep, things like this make me cringe. I hate coupons and I hate using them… the savings can be great, sure, but I have “I’ve worked in retail” scars behind making anyone in a service-type job want to slit their wrists. I have vowed to never be anywhere CLOSE to the granny whipping out a 3″ stack of coupons at the grocery store. I load digital coupons onto the membership card for my local supermarket… the system automatically deducts the savings if I’ve purchases an eligible item. I can’t wait until all stores should do this. Everybody wins.
Just a word of warning… don’t be the granny with the 3″ stack! Be kind to your cashiers!
Alecia says
Aha, see? The commenter above me already mentioned it. :)
On a completely sort-of-related-note… I just wanted to thank you guys for always being so gracious and polite about your comments. I know you guys get some snarky ones from time to time, and probably lots of suggestions that you’ll never use, but you have such a great attitude about it and seem to really understand that your readership is everything. I recently left a very polite, trying-to-be helpful comment on a blog I had been reading. I was not only met with a rude reply from the blogger, but also from her husband. Completely blew my mind (and made me cry, I’ll admit). I vowed never again to read a blog that treats their readers that way. It made me so grateful for how you guys treat the situation of commenters and it definitely speaks to how successful you guys are too. Anyway, thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh I’m so sorry Alecia!
xo,
s
Shelly says
I’m always peaking a look into what new home projects you have going on (love your home btw!) but THIS post made me comment for the first time. I’ve been looking for a way to organize all those coupons–eureka! <3
Andrea says
this is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I went on Target.com, but can’t seem to find it. Would you mind sharing what brand it is at Target?
YoungHouseLove says
Some folks have shared links here in the comments. It’s by Greenroom. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
taysha riggs says
Aha!! I love this idea BUT I’m going to use for my food items :) I always travel with my coupons because I tend to do spur-of-the-moment trips when my hubby texts picture of things we need… like salt, yes we have a running chain of texts with just pictures of grocery items.
THANKS!
Sheela says
I forgot to mention this in my previous comment – Target has coupons on their website that you can print and use in the store. Some of the coupons are quite good, and if it’s marked as a “Target Coupon”, then you can use it in conjunction with a manufacturer’s coupon for the same item and save even more money!
I know this isn’t related to coupon organization, but I thought everyone would enjoy knowing about another way to save some cash!
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips everyone! Thanks again for sharing!
xo,
s
heather says
same with wholefoods. It’s actually really easy to get things cheap there. Also – if you go to Shaws and use your card everytime, and you buy produce, eventually you start getting free tickets for produce. I.E. “Spend 10 dollars and get a bag of free carrots”.
BOO YAH.
Carol S says
I haven’t read through all the comments but in case anyone wants to buy one online you can find it here:
http://www.target.com/p/Greenroom-Expanding-File-with-8-5X11-Notepad/-/A-13421702
-Carol S
Karen F says
awesome find…and, it’s grellow! :)
ruthy taylor says
i’m still trying to get into couponing…I know when the baby comes and I quit my job I’m going to need to really learn the art of it. In the meantime they’re stacking in my junk drawer, mostly expired. Thanks for the tips!!
Andy says
I follow flylady.net and I use cozi.com
heather says
Mine are kept (or were, I need to get back on couponing) in a small similar folder from staples, minus the notepad. Sooo just a basic small (slightly larger than index card sized) 12 space accordion folder. Each tab is a month, and behind each month I place when the coupons will expire for the current year.
THEN
Before I go shopping, I look at them all and use the ones that will expire first, and once I have everything pulled I need I slip it to the very front of the folder (in front of the first month) so when I get to check out it’s all set to go and there’s no digging involved I just hand over the stack of coupons.
heather says
(it sounds far more complicated than it is. It’s actually super easy and super fast)
Jillian says
Favorite part of this whole post? “So I high fived myself in the notebook aisle and Clara thought we were clapping so she clapped along too.” Now, if you would excuse me, I need to go see a store about a notebook…
Arlee says
You probably already know this (or maybe someone already said it in a comment), but if you register your Kroger card online, you can load digital coupons onto it via their website. Then, when you scan your card at checkout, it just subtracts the amount from your total. Granted, you don’t get doubling, but it’s a nice addition to the physical coupons. They also sometime email you digital coupons to get things for free! We love Kroger, I tell ya!
Jeanne Wagner says
This is a product I have been looking for, and ended up settling on a simple long and skinny book I could fit in my purse, but it’s not really what I need. I will definitely be going to Target to see if they have one. I have a small business and this would be perfect for keeping track of receipts throughout the year. Thanks for posting this great topic!