How To Coupon: Outwit Those Expiration Dates

No Comments | Written on July 6, 2012 at 9:00 am, by Rachel Achmad

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This week marked the first of the month, and once again, I missed my opportunity to use some good coupons that just expired. Try as I might, each month I discover — too late! — some high-value coupon has expired when I finally dig it out to stack it on a sale. I’ve even written about remembering to check the dates on clipped coupons and admonished readers to regularly flip through old inserts, but some of my own coupons still always slip through the cracks.

Happily, I’ve just discovered that several bloggers regularly post lists of the coupons expiring each week.

Fabulessly Frugal and Penny Pinchin’ Mom are just two savings blogs that frequently post updated, handy reference lists. By using these expiration lists, you don’t have to dig through your own stash squinting at dates in tiny print. You can just compare the lists to your sales flyers, and then if there’s anything you want to take advantage of, you can go through your stash, knowing precisely what you’re looking for.

In addition to consulting these lists, remember that most coupons will expire either halfway through the month or at month’s end, so those are good times for you to go through your coupons and check expiration dates. And as a good reminder for the Fourth of July week, if you do end up with expired coupons, you can always donate them to military families.