How to Make a Coupon Binder | Why Collect Coupons?

resource: theexaminer.com

How to make your own coupon binder to get more organized.

Supplies:

• 3-ring binder
• pencil pouch for binder
• plastic baseball card pages
• folders
• divider sheet with write-on tabs
• empty envelopes

Instructions:

1. Create three sections for your binder using the write-on tabs: Food, Health and Beauty, and Household Goods. Place baseball card protector sheets in each section for coupons.

2. Sort coupons into each of the categories and file them in alphabetical order by product name or manufacturer.

3. Place one baseball card protector sheet at the very front of your binder. Here you can place your store membership cards, store rewards, and special coupons.

4. Use large folders in the binder to hold sales brochures and fliers, as well as receipts.

5. Use business-sized envelopes, tucked into folders, to keep rebate forms and qualifying receipts together.

6. Fill the pencil pouch with any accessories you might need, i.e pens, pencils, calculators, scissors, and highlighters.

• Remember that organizing your coupons in the beginning is a timely ordeal, but this will save you tons of time in the future.
• A zip-up binder may be more helpful if you want to make sure that nothing will fall out of the binder.
• Be sure to clean out your coupon binder, at the minimum, monthly.

Why Collect Coupons?

My favorite section of the newspaper is the stash of coupons: especially for the Sunday delivery. Not only can these little gems save you money, their savings could offset your expense of the newspaper. All one needs to do is take the time to go through them. Every little bit can help.

There are all kinds of coupons. For instance, Proctor & Gamble is very consistent in providing good coupons. But there are other methods for obtaining coupons. You can get them via the internet. One source for internet coupons is via Eversave. Just do a search on the internet and who knows what you will find. If you shop at Kroger’s and use the Kroger Plus Shoppers Card you can get additional savings. I am a big fan of shopping at Kroger’s. One of the things I like about Kroger’s is that they will double the value of coupons that are 50 cents or less. In other words, a 50 cent coupon becomes a dollar in savings. One other thing I like about Kroger’s is that your purchases add up to points to discounts on gasoline. Every $100 spent during the month adds up to 10 cents savings per gallon. Not all Kroger’s have filling stations, but if you look hard enough they are out there. Even those of you who are not using a physical piece of paper for the discount, it is essentially a virtual coupon for savings.

As you continue to buy using your shoppers card, Kroger’s collects data on your purchasing habits. Every so often I will receive in the mail a booklet of coupons from Kroger’s, which can only be used at their franchises. This is a slight side effect, limiting me to where I can shop. However, in most cases, it has been very beneficial. Even though I enjoy this benefit, it still feels like big brother is watching.

A word of caution … having a coupon does not mean that you need to go and buy the item. First, anything you buy should be part of your budget, not to mention on you shopping list. Coupons are great, if they are used for things you need and like. Let’s not get into impulse buying. However, one thing you might consider is joining or creating a coupon club. You might find that the coupons you do not use could be used in trade with other people for ones you like. This could be a win / win for both parties.

Now for those of you who say “why bother and waste my time”. Well, I actually recorded my use of coupons over a six week period. During that time I used 30 different coupons totaling $25.75. What would that potential average out over a year? It could be a savings of $223.17, if I am consistent in my spending and coupon habits. $223.17 is nothing to cough about. What could you do with this extra savings? Yes, there is power in those little pieces of paper you cut out of the news.

So, let’s get down to cutting out expenses, by cutting out coupons from the newspaper. It might be the best thing you will read in the newspaper. One thing for sure … they have value. You just need to know where to look to find the savings. Don’t underestimate coupons. There savings will add up over time.