The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." ~Lamentations 3:22-24

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Coupon Sorting Mat



One other thing I made to go with my new Binder coupon organizer is a coupon sorting mat--It is just a big piece of newsprint paper that I divided into the categories I use. I fold it up and keep it in the back pocket of my binder. When I am cutting coupons I sort them on this mat before inserting them into my binder. It makes for a quicker easier process. This is something I've done before, I used to file alphabetically with my old coupon wallet, now I do it by store aisle. I've seen a name brand coupon organizer that uses a similar sorting mat, I didn't copy this idea however I think its just a common sense thing. Mine of course is not so fancy, but its a great homemade 'semi frugal tool'.

8 comments:

Laurel said...

brilliant! thanks for the great idea!

Mary T said...

Hi Laurel, thanks! I do think it speeds things up immensely and stores simply and was pretty close to free to make it. :) A 'semi frugal' gem. Mary

winoceros said...

I was just thinking you could use a nice, large rectangle of plain light-colored fabric and a Sharpie to mark the rectangles; any scrap will do. Folds easily to put in my coupon binder. I cut them on the bus and sort them when I get home.

Mary T said...

that's an excellant idea! Cloth would hold up very well. I only use my paper mat on the kitchen table probably once every couple weeks--as I don't get them all cut and sorted every week- so its still pretty much like new. I fold it up and keep in a pocket in my coupon organizer. cloth would be great though--if you were a sewer you could even make your lines on your sewing machine-maybe zizzag them or something. Or even a patchwork mat. :) I never really gave that all much thought--but I like it. Mary

Anonymous said...

The mat is a wonderful idea. I have a couple of older placemats I could use. Won't be able to fold as small but I wouldn't have to buy anything.
Pam

Pokeberry Mary said...

Yes it is a great help. Even now when I don't sort my coupons as much as I used to I still use a sorting mat. Lately I have done coupons different--I save inserts and cut them when I need them--using Grocery Game or Coupon Mom to tell me which ones I need. I then sort them and use Couponizer to take them to the store. Couponizer comes with a sorting mat too--its not the same as my handmade one--its organized with different categories than I used but works great with their product.

Anonymous said...

I am a true beginner just bewildered at starting to organize! I love the mat and I am wondering ...
Can you then insert them into coupon dividers, if so how do I set these dividers up for the most success?

I think maybe it would be helpful to me to create pockets for my mat thus filing and orgaizing in one step. You could fold and go ... any thoughts???

Pokeberry Mary said...

Actually--yes you would want to store the coupons in some sort of organizer after you sort them-- your idea is interesting.

I've changed my coupon methods alot since I wrote that post. I generally don't even cut mine anymore unless I plan to use them that day. I keep the entire little booklet of coupons--called an 'insert' in the Sunday paper--in a file box by date. Then I just pull out the insert I need after I find out from Grocerygame.com or Couponmom.com which coupons I need and which inserts they are in. I do still use a mat sometimes--for sorting loose coupons, but not much.