How do you coupon?

So you want to use coupons?  How do you get yourself organized to actually be an efficient couponer?  We will share with you the way that we organize our coupons. I (Amber) have come to the conclusion that there are two types of coupon organizers, type A and type B. 

Type A couponers are those that cut out each coupon and sort them by category.  They know where each and every item coupon is located. 

Type B couponers are those that are minimalistic in their approach to couponing.  They sort the inserts by type and date.  They only cut out the coupons they need as they use them.

There are a lot of resources out there as to how to organize and what works for different people.  The key is to determine how much time you have to dedicate to couponing and what works best for you.  Here is how we organize our coupons...

Amber:  I am definitely a type B couponer.  I cannot stand having to sit and cut out EVERY coupon from EVERY insert, especially when I buy multiple inserts.  I have my binder organized with 8 index dividers.  I have 5 dedicated to insert types (SS, RP, PG, RP, GM), 1 for Internet printed coupons, 1 for store policies, and 1 for expired coupons to mail overseas.  This organizing system is highly functional for me because I print a list of each coupon in each insert and place it in the front of that page protector.  I cut my coupons either before I shop or as I am at the store using a ceramic blade cutter from Pampered Chef.

Jennifer:  I prefer to clip individual coupons and organize them by category.  This makes it so much easier for me when I am shopping and find a deal.  I simply flip to that section in my coupon binder and look for a matching coupon.  I keep all of my coupons in clear sheet protectors.  I find that the sheet protectors are roomier than baseball card holders.  Preclipping all of my coupons does take a bit more time up front; however, I don't have to carry a pair of scissors in my binder with me.  Which is good for me, since I don't run/shop well with scissors.

Carrie:  Very simple I don’t organize them they are a mess in a folder still. J Ok, ok, I organize my coupons my categories. I currently have a list of 29 categories and I cut out all of my coupons and put them in baseball card protectors. In the back of my binder I have dividers for stores I shop at to put there store coupons in as well as there coupon policies.  

So what type of couponer are you or do you want to be?