Coupons are like money to me. When I find an expired coupon in my binder I always kick myself for not using it fast enough. Same goes for the times I throw a bunch of coupons I know I won’t be using in the trash. I’m not wasteful but I am a little lazy so I came up with easy ways to distribute my unused coupons to people who really need them.
If you’re just getting started using coupons the easiest ways to find them is in your Sunday newspaper or online. I also find them in the weekly ads that get thrown onto my front steps. You can clip all the coupons or you can just clip the ones your family needs. I clip all the coupons out of the inserts because I find it relaxing and it makes it easier to stuff them all in a ziplock bag to distribute.
Five Easy Ways to Get Rid of Unused Coupons Without Being Wasteful
1. Donate unused coupons to the military overseas. This is such a great way to give back to our service members, but it will require you to spend money on postage. The great thing about sending your coupons overseas is that military families can use coupons up to six months past its expiration date. Living overseas can be so expensive on these families who are already sacrificing so much. Check out the links below to get more information about sending coupons overseas. You can send coupons directly overseas by adopting your own base or reaching out to organizations here in the States that will take care of that for you.
I currently send coupons to
Support Our Troops®
P.O. Box 70
Daytona Beach, FL 32115-0070
Adopt Your Own Base with the Overseas Coupon Program
Help U.S. Troops with the Coupon Cabin
2. Know someone with a baby? Another great option to share coupons is to give your diaper and other baby related inserts to families with young kids. I clip so many diaper coupons that would otherwise go in the trash if I didn’t give them to a friend of mine.
3. If you don’t know someone with a baby, a great option would be to donate your baby related inserts to a Planned Parenthood or a women’s health center. I haven’t tried this method but it’s a great way to get coupons in the hands of people who really need them. Call beforehand to make sure they will accept your coupons, and ask them if you can leave them in the lobby or near the front desk.
4. If you live in an apartment complex ask your landlord if you can leave a shoebox with coupons in the lobby or hallway. That way your neighbors can take the coupons they need and leave behind the ones they don’t want. If all goes well people will give as much as they take.
5. Start a coupon train with a group of your friends. Assign each of your friends a person they have to hand off the coupons to and have it circle around back to you. Let them know they can take a few, but they have to add some to the pile each time.
6. Donate inserts to food pantries or churches that sponsor food drives. It will help them save money and people in need. Check out FoodPantries.org to find locations near you.
What do you do to give back and lessen your coupon load? Comment below!
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