Ok. So you`ve found some coupons. Now what? Here`s where the fun part begins, especially if you like to organize things. Here we go.

First of all, there are a variety of coupon organizers out there. You will have to decide which one is going to work best for you. Here are a couple of ideas:

• An envelope.  (Keep it simple.)
• A small accordion type coupon organizer.  (Found in dollar stores)
• A recipe box with dividers.
• A coupon binder

So once you`ve decided what you`re going to use, let`s start getting those coupons filed away, so you can find them easily.  That is the key.  Because if you can`t find it, you can`t use it.

If you have a photographic memory, and don`t mind filing through your coupons time and time again, an envelope would be the simplest method. However, if you have a mind like mine, and easily forget where you put something, an organizer with a filing system may work best.

So now that you`ve chosen your organizer, start sorting your coupons into specific categories. For example:  Beverages, Dairy, Laundry, Paper Products, Snacks, Baby items, Frozen, etc. Some of you may only need a few categories, and some of you may have a lot of categories, depending on how you group your coupons. Once you`re done sorting your coupons, you`re ready to start labeling your organizer.

Are you still with me?  Ok, good. If you have chosen an organizer with tabs, or dividers, start by labeling them, using the categories you sorted your coupons into. How many categories do you have? Does your organizer allow you to have that many categories?  Remember, the more specific you are, the easier it will be to find what you`re looking for.  (My coupon binder has 25 categories. Really!

So now you should have coupon organizer labeled and ready to be filled.  If you are using an accordion organizer or a recipe box, just place your coupons in your organizer, and you`re all set. Well, for now, anyway.

If you have decided to use a coupon binder, there are few extra things you will need to get started. First off, you need a binder. I highly recommend getting a binder that zips closed around the edges.  I used a regular binder before, and some coupons would fall out from time to time and it drove me nuts.  But hey, a regular binder will do to start out with, if it`s all you have.  I found my new, zipped binder at Goodwill for .99!  You gotta love that place!

Ok. So if you have a zipper closure binder, you will also need to get tab dividers (get as many dividers as you have coupon categories, after you`ve sorted your coupons), and then you will need something to put your coupons into.  I highly recommend baseball card holders. They usually have about 9 sleeves on one page, and you can also use the back side, so essentially 18 slots per page. Yeay!  You can find baseball card holders at Staples, Walmart, and even some dollar stores carry them.

Once you have your binder, divider tabs, and baseball card holders, it`s time to start assembling your coupon binder. This is exciting, isn`t it?!  I am excited for you!  Ok, now start by opening up that binder and placing your labeled divider tabs inside. Then place 1 or 2 baseball card sleeves behind each divider tab.  (The more you use your coupon binder, you will find out how many sleeves you will need in each category.)

Now it`s time to insert your coupons. You will probably have to fold the coupons to fit inside the baseball sleeves. I usually try to fold the coupon so I can see the expiration date. There`s nothing worse than getting to the cash register and discovering you have an expired coupon.  (The cashiers are really looking at coupons these days, so you`ve got to stay on top of that.)

Alright, now you should have an organized coupon organizer.  Congratulations, you did it!  You are one step closer to being the Coupon Queen (or King) that I know you can be!  Be sure to read the next Couponing Segment, Part 3: Doing Your Homework for tips on how to save the most money by using coupons.