Who doesn’t love saving money with coupons? I know I do. And today’s blog posting comes courtesy of Cheryl Maguire, who runs the Swap Savers website. Cheryl has some great ideas on making the most of your coupons–in fact, she has 8 tips, and here they are.
Nothing pains me more than to realize my coupon is expired or forgotten at home. If you forgot your coupon or have an expired coupon, here are some tips to prevent or correct this situation.
- Preventive Tips:
1. Mark your Calendar If you have a great coupon or rewards coupon (such as CVS Extra Bucks or Best Buy Rewards) mark the expiration date on your calendar. You can also make a notation to use the coupon at least a week or two before it expires.
2. Use the Coupon Immediately If you use the coupon as soon as possible you decrease your chance of forgetting or losing it. Also if you wait until the last minute to use the coupon you may be unable to make it to the store (if you get sick, etc.)
3. Get Thee a Coupon Organizer If you use a coupon organizer you can identify coupons which may expire soon by placing them in a certain location or using a sticky tab on the soon to expire coupons.
4. Create a Coupon Wallet Treat your coupons like dollar bills and bring them wherever you would bring your wallet. Using a coupon organizer makes it easier to transport your coupons in the car or store similar to a wallet holding your dollar bills. - Corrective Tips
5. Ask if Store Accepts Expired Coupons Some stores will accept expired coupons, especially if it is a store coupon such as Bed and Bath. If a manufactures coupon is only a day or two expired, some stores will also accept the coupon.
6. Ask about Coupon Reimbursement If you forget your coupons, ask if the store will reimburse you the next time you shop. Most stores will reimburse you the coupons amount if you bring the coupon and receipt to customer service the next time you shop.
7. Call Customer Service If you let a rewards coupon expire (such as CVS Extra Bucks or Best Buy Rewards) and the store will not accept the coupon trying calling customer service. One time my Best Buy Rewards coupon expired and the store would not accept it. After calling customer service, I was sent a “one time re-issue” of the rewards coupon. - Other Suggestions
8. Donate Expired Coupons U.S. military families stationed overseas are able to use expired coupons on base for up to six months after the manufacturer’s expiration date. You can adopt a base by clicking here
READ LEAH ON HOME GOES STRONG
My town library does a coupon swap, too. Bring in your unused coupons and sort them in a bin, then take what you want. All done on the honor system. Neat thing to have.
Do you actually use it? How do you keep it from becoming time consuming or something? I guess if you’re going to the library to borrow or return a book, you can do the coupon thing at the same time, too, right?
If you’re not the type to read, clip and organize coupons, but still like the savings you might want to try the website Zimini (www.zimini.com). Its a electronic version of the coupon organizer that finds coupons and promotions based our your unique interests. Its software that runs on your PC. We’ve fould some good deals this way. I think they are somewhat new, so you should see more coupons and promos as more business use them to distribute coupons.