How to Make a Coupon Binder that Snaps to Your Cart

I have been a couponer for years. I have tried every form of keeping my coupons organized from using a coupon wallet, using a box, envelopes and then a coupon binder. For me the easiest way to keep my coupons organized is by using a coupon binder. Not only can I see what coupons I have using clear pages but I can categorize them so they are easier to find. I use baseball card sheets, album pages, and tabbed dividers in my big coupon binder.

One of the problems I had with couponing is I really didn't like having to carry a bulky heavy coupon binder with me to the stores. I also didn't like having to pull them all out which seemed to take forever because of the size of the binder and the coupons I had. I felt myself fumbling to use my coupons.

I am a scrapbooker at heart. I love all types of crafts. So one day I sat and thought about how could I make couponing easier for myself. This is when I created the snap and flip coupon organizer (binder)

Supplies Needed: (Walmart or craft stores)

2 sheets of coordinating scrapbook paper 12x12 (the heavier stock)
2 sheets of thermal laminating pouches 4x6
Scotch Thermal Laminating Machine (or have them laminated at office supply store)
Alphabet Scrapbooking Stickers (2 sheets)
hole puncher
scissors
2 loose leaf binder rings 1 1/2 inches (stationary department)
Sticky tabs
4x6 photo album that the pages can be torn out and removed from the binding (check dollar stores)

Instructions

1) Take the 4x6 laminating pouches and cut two pieces from scrapbooking paper for the front and back cover. The covers will be smaller then 4x6 to fit inside the pouches. Set aside. If you want to decorate the cover by putting scrapbook stickers on it writing your name or coupons do it now before you laminate them.

2) Carefully tear out the photo album pages from the 4x6 album. I pulled the binding away from the album, it makes it easier. You want the opening for the album pages to be to the right. All of them. Cut the edges so they are all the same. Punch two holes with the hole puncher in all the sheets. Line them up one after another so they are all the same. Take one album page and line up over the front and back cover and punch the holes.
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3) Place the front cover and back cover in the two laminating pouches

4) Place one of the album pages over the laminating pouch and punch the two holes through the laminating sheet. Press just enough to make indentations in the laminate, remove the album page and then hole punch through the laminate. Be careful doing this for this is the hardest part of the project. My hands hurt after. I usually have my husband do it.

5) Be sure that the holes are lined up and laminate the front and back cover in your laminating machine. The holes should be open after or take the hole punched front and back covers to a office supply store to have them laminated.

6) Open the two binder rings place the back cover face down first, then the photo album pages with the openings to the right, then the cover facing up. Snap the rings closed

7) Add the sticky tabs to the bottom of the organizer. I used a label maker to print my categories on them. I like to organize mine alphabetically by brand but this is your personal choice.

8) Put your coupons in your new organizer

The most important thing about your new snap and flip coupon organizer is that you remember to take it with you when you go to the store and leave with it. It will fit in your purse or even snap to the outside of it through the rungs on your purse. Generally when I am paying I immediately remove my organizer from my cart and shove it in my purse so I don't forget about it.

Even though the idea is a simple one, this coupon binder will make your life easier. It is sturdy laminated covers protect your coupons from bending. My favorite thing about the organizer it is hands free and all you have to do is flip through the pages so for example you can't remember what size you need to buy of a product to use for a particular coupon you just flip to the page and see. No hassles.

You snap the coupon organizer to the cart as shown in the photo above. The pages easily flip.

The coupons come out easily from the right so when you are ready to checkout at the cash register all you have to do is flip through the page, pull the coupons out and hand them to the cashier.

You can add alot of pages or as little as you want. I have carried hundreds of coupons with mine. I generally leave my big coupon organizer at home, plan my shopping trip and take what coupons I plan to use at the store, but you can take them all with you if you want to. You will be surprised on how light weight it is even with alot of coupons in it.

I have had alot of compliments on my organizer. They are great for craft fairs, and fundraisers. I even change my covers with the Holidays by buying scrapbook paper with Easter, Halloween, Christmas designs on them. I make them for gifts for my couponing friends.

To you it may look like a cheap organizer but it does the job and will make your experience couponing in stores a breeze.