How to Organize Organic Food Coupons

The best ways to organize coupons- Setting up a coupon organizer.

by Allison Ray

Allison Ray

Coupons are a great way to save money when buying organic food, however it can be frustrating to shop using your coupons if they are not organized. Nothing worse then getting home to see that you had a coupon that you could have used had you been able to find it. The best way to organize coupons will be in a way that is logical to you. Depending on how you think and shop "logical" can be very different for different people. We have some suggestions below, adapt them to what works for you and your family.

Step 1- Choose a coupon holder- What to look for in a good coupon holder.

Qualities of a good coupon holder.

Medium sized to hold lots of coupons but no so big that it is a pain to lug around when you shop.
Plastic or fabric if possible. I find the paper ones just do not last and hold up to the wear and tear of use.
Coupon holder should have a way to keep it closed. It may be a lid or plastic band that goes around the holder to keep all of your coupons from falling out and getting disorganized.
Built in plastic or paper dividers and if they dividers have tabs on top, even better.
Inexpensive. You do not need to purchase a "coupon holder", think outside of the box a little and look in the office supply isle for an acordian style index card organizer or box index card holder/recipe box with paper dividers. I bought an inexpensive plastic index card organizer and have used it forever. It has a place in the front to put circulars, small zipper pouch for money if I do not want to take my wallet too, and plastic dividers. Depending on what you already have- you can adapt, recycle or reuse a container or wallet to make it work. If you sew, you can make one from most basic wallet patterns, just make it a little larger and add a few more long compartments and less credit card compartments.

Step 2-Organize your coupon holder

Depending on what works best for you there are a few ways you can organize a coupon holder. You can organize it by categories or by matching the aisles of your local store. If you only ever shop at one store then it may be faster for you to go this way, but if you shop at several stores then you will probably want to organize by category.

Coupon Categories- Write one category on top of each divider's tab. If your dividers do not have tabs, you can make some and tape it on.

Organic Produce
Organic Meat
Organic Dairy
Organic Frozen
Organic Dry Goods
Organic Grains
Organic Can Foods
Organic Snacks and Beverages
Organic Baked Goods
Organic Baking
Organic Household Cleaning
Organic Household Other
Organic Pet Food
Organic Condiments
Organic Breakfast Cereals
Organic Baby Food

Step 3- Organize the coupons for efficient use

Cut or print the organic coupon.

With a highlighter (color of your choice, be sure to use something that stands out), highlight the expiration date on each coupon.

Place your coupon into correct category inside the holder. If you have more than one coupon for the same organic product, check the expiration dates and place the coupon that expires first in front of the other coupons.

Examples of coupons that would be filed under each category:

Organic Produce- Coupons for fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices and nuts
Organic Meat-Coupons for meat, fish and poultry
Organic Dairy- Coupons for milk, cream, cheese, sour cream, butter, yogurt
Organic Frozen- Coupons for frozen meals, vegetables, fruit, ice cream
Organic Grains- Coupons for pasta, rice, macaroni, oats
Organic Can Foods- Coupons for soup, canned fruit and vegetables, beans
Organic Snacks and Beverages-Coupons for Juice, snacks, crackers, cookies
Organic Baked Goods- Coupons for fresh baked breads, tortillas, cakes, cookies
Organic Baking- Coupons for flour, spices, baking soda, baking chips, vanilla
Organic Household Cleaning-Coupons for laundry soap, dish soap, general cleaning products
Organic Household Other- Coupons for toilet tissue, paper towels
Organic Pet Food- Coupons for dog food, cat food, bird food
Organic Condiments- Coupons for mayo, mustard, ketchup, dressings, sauces
Organic Breakfast Cereals- Coupons for cold cereal, hot cereal, granola, breakfast toasters
Organic Baby Food- Coupons for jar baby food, boxed cereal, formula

Step 4 Product Rebates and Free Offers

Keep an envelope inside the front part of your coupon organizer for rebates and free product offers. Sometimes when you purchase a product you receive a coupon/rebate from the cashier to mail it for cash or prize. And/or some coupons also have offers that if you buy two of an item you receive a free prize like cook book or bowl once you mail in the cash register receipt and upc codes. Keep track of your mail in order form and cash register receipt in the envelope so you can mail it into the company.

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