Expired Coupons: What to do With Them Once They’re Dead

Expired coupons simply come with the territory as a coupon, which can be frustrating. Not only do we miss out on potential savings, but we are also faced with the task of weeding them out of our binders and getting rid of them.

It may seem simple enough to just toss them in the trash, but there may be a couple other things you can do with them.

Some Stores Accept Expired Coupons

Some stores will accept expired coupons. However, most of the stores that accept expired coupons have rules and stipulations that go along with the policy. For instance, the coupons may need to be only expired for no more than a week to a couple of months.

The first thing you should do to see if a store accepts expired coupons is to check their coupon policy. Look for anything relating to coupon expiration dates. Walmart’s coupon policy, for instance, specifically states that coupons must be “redeemed prior to expiration”. Target and CVS have similar policies, however, and I’ve heard of some people having luck using expired coupons at these stores.

If you’re still unsure as to whether or not a store accepts expired coupons, you could ask. After all, what’s the harm in asking? Speak with a customer service representative or a manager regarding their policy on expired coupons. Some stores will allow customers to use expired coupons frequently, but others may only allow customers to use expired coupons “just this one time”.

Expired Coupons as Learning Tools

I’ve heard of parents giving their expired coupons to their children to “play” with. They can be used as play money or play coupons. This also helps children build math skills and helps them understand the value of money and saving.

Donate Expired Coupons

Some people may not know that expired coupons can be donated for a good cause. Overseas troops and their families can use coupons that are up to six months expired at the commissaries on their military bases.

There are a couple different ways that you can donate expired coupons to military families. The first – and most direct – way is by mailing the coupons directly to the families. They can take what they need and pass the rest of the coupons to other military families in need.

Another popular way to donate expired coupons to military families is by sending them to programs like Troopons.org. To do this, you’ll first need to clip the coupons and sort them into two main types – not expired and expired and expired up to two months. You’ll then need to sort those two piles into four different piles each – food, non-food, baby, and pets. Each of the small piles should then be sealed in a plastic bag with the type (expired, not expired) and the category written on them. (You can read the full instructions here.)

All of your baggies of expired coupons can then be mailed to the following address to help overseas military families.