This coupon project is not exempt to my organizationally scattered approach to life. (And yes, I realize scattered might be the word for the month.) This method isn’t something I’m proud of, but I am learning that I tend to over organize. I have four calendars (at least) that I update, and I like to keep lists on top of lists.

So how am I organizing my coupons? This blue folder lives in a drawer and is dedicated to holding coupons. It’s holds the Smart Sources and Red Plums from the Sunday newspaper all dated and ordered. There’s space inside for store coupons and restaurant coupons and random newspaper inserts. But this is where my organization ends. There are several piles on my kitchen counter of coupons that have been printed from the Internet or clipped from products that kind of float from printer to counter to buffet and back again. (Strangely, these are mostly for cereal.) And there are coupons pinned to what has become my grocery store clipboard just waiting to be used. This hangs behind one of my calendars, the family calendar, and above my dinner plan lists. (I told you.)

How do you keep all the different coupons organized so you know what you have and use what you want and save all you can?

I’ve read some on this subject this month, and it has just lead me to believe that the real, hard-core couponers rely on monster-sized binders and Tupperware boxes that they lug to store after store. (Really?) Sometimes they put their coupon collections in the cart like extra babies. This is not an option for me; I have enough baby to take store to store.

There just has to be an easier way, right?