Organizing Coupons

• 1). Find the coupons in the Sunday newspaper and cut out the coupons for products you use regularly. Print manufacturer's coupons from online coupon sites and from manufacturer's websites. Gather coupons from other sources such as store-shelf tear pads and the inside product packaging.
  
  
• 2). Buy a coupon organizer with several pockets for coupon storage. You may need more than one to have enough pockets for each category of coupon.
  
  
• 3). Label each pocket of the organizer with the type of coupon it will hold. Be as specific as possible in your categories to make the right coupon easier to find.
  
  
• 4). Organize your coupons according to the type of product they are for, placing coupons with later expiration dates toward the back of the organizer. Put multiple coupons for the same item together. You can use one manufacturer's coupon per item and stock up on that product.
  
  
• 5). Go through the coupons regularly to remove those that have expired.
  
  

Using Coupons

• 1). Look through your local grocery store flier and note any items you buy regularly that are on sale. Check online lists of weekly deals for nationwide chains for more deals and unadvertised specials. Look for coupons in your organizer to match these products and ensure the coupon is for the correct size and variety of the item listed.
  
  
• 2). Write down your shopping list and gather the coupons you will use on that shopping trip.
  
  
• 3). Bring your store flier, coupons and shopping list to the store with you for easy reference. Confirm that the prices on the shelf match the advertised price.
  
  
• 4). Carry your coupon organizer with you when you shop. If you see an unadvertised sale on a product you have a coupon for, you will be able to pull it out and use it.
  
  
• 5). Present your coupons at checkout before the final bill calculation.