I hate to throw away coupons. It feels like I am throwing away dollar bills. I’d much rather recycle those coupons by sending them overseas to U.S. Military Bases. They can use coupons up to 6 months past the expiration date.
It’s very easy to get started sending your expired coupons….
- Sort your coupons into boxes or envelopes by food and non food (make sure they are properly labeled). Please make sure that they expired within the past 2 months. Military can use coupons expired up to 6 months, but they will need time to process, distribute and use those coupons
- Visit the Overseas Coupon Program Base List and pick which base you would like to adopt (make sure you pick one that says Please Adopt Us!)
- Read through the Adoption Page’s frequently asked questions
- Fill out the form to adopt the base. It is instant and you will not be contacted to confirm your adoption.
- Mail your coupons to the base.
You can also send your coupons to individuals if you happen to know someone who is stationed overseas.
If you are new to Couponing, you might want to take a moment to read more in my Getting Started Couponing series.
Laura N says
Hey Kristen, this has become my 3rd favorite part of couponing, sending the coupons for products we don’t use to those military families who might. (1st is the savings & free items, 2nd is rushing home to check your site!). I wouldn’t have known this had it not been for this article. Thank you and keep on Couponing to Disney!!!
Danielle myers says
We are an airforce family stationed at Langley afb and we use expired coupons at our commissary all the time! So if u are at Langley afb it works there! Only base I’ve tried. My stepdad is army at ft hood (were I’m from) and my mom is gonna see if they accept expired coupons too.
Lesley says
http://www.CouponstoTroops.com is another website with information on sending coupons overseas to military families.
The main difference between them and the site you linked is that CouponsToTroops suggests sending directly to a military family and not just a generic address on base. Lots of times the bases don’t have enough volunteers to distribute the coupons and they end up in a stack in a back room somewhere until way past that 6 month window. When you send to a family, you KNOW there are getting right in the hands of someone who will use them or share them with others on base.
I have a list of families who are overseas and looking for coupons so if anyone needs help in finding someone to send to I’ll be glad to help. Just email me at sbp at hotcouponworld dot com.
Lisa says
Thanks so much for posting this article! We are a military family, and I love the idea I can pass unused savings to other families!
Angie says
Awesome idea! As an Army spouse, I definitely benefitted from the coupons sent to our post when we were in Korea. We’re moving in a couple weeks, but I’d love to get a group together at our next duty station to adopt a base. Thanks for sharing the link.
Holly says
Thanks for posting this! I have been wanting to do this for a while and have a pile aside for just this. I will seperate like they ask and get a package ready to go! I adopted one as well. :)
crystal says
in the U.S each deca is different ours in NM every other month there are SS and PG coupons and then there are always deca coupons but they are usually not very high vaule compared to other manf. coupons. and no State side commmisary will allow expired coupons.
MJ says
What a great idea, love this program and will definitely join.
Laurie says
Does this also apply to those living on base in the U.S., if they present military i.d.?
Lisa says
We are a military family and in our experience, our commissary is very careful with coupon expiration dates. I couldn’t speak for all base policies, but in the three main-side Navy/Marine bases to which we have been attached, we have not been able to use coupons past their expiration dates.