Forgotten or Expired Coupons: Prevention, Correction and Beyond

The following is a guest post from Cheryl at Swap Savers.

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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

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.

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.).

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.

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

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 manufacturer’s coupon is only a day or two expired, some stores will also accept the coupon.

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.

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, try 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 reissue” of the rewards coupon.

:: Other Suggestions

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. Here is a link https://www.ocpnet.org/base_list.htm.

These are great suggestions. It definitely pays to know the policies on expired coupons for the stores that you frequent! Do you have any additional creative uses for expired coupons?