I know a good amount of us use coupons to maintain our frugal lifestyle. I also know that most of us are aware that military families overseas are able to use expired coupons, up to 6 months, at the base exchange. There are so many programs out there that offer to take your coupons for you and send them to bases all around the world to help out these families. I have to admit, as much as I love the idea of sending my expireds to my fellow military brethren, I get leery that they will have enough time to use the coupons once they are mailed, sorted and picked through by the sorting offices. That’s why I was so glad that Lesley from CouponsToTroops contacted me. Here is some information on their program:
It is our goal to spread awareness about overseas military families being able to use coupons that are expired, up to 6 months past the expiration. But it is also our goal to get coupons right into the hands of those military families as quickly as possible. We have a growing list of military families on our contact list who are interested in receiving coupons and we will match up anyone requesting a military family to send their coupons to. To request a family, all anyone has to do is send an email to us at admin@couponstotroops.com and we will put them in touch with a military family.
I was also leery like you when sending overseas, wondering if the people ever got it and what not, and if they are even able to use it.
At least this way, being paired up with someone, we can see if they like our coupons, or if they can use more of a certain one, or less of a certain one, etc. I know each month, I get rid of a lot of expired coupons, eventhough I use a lot of them during their non-expired time frame. But I would LOVE to help out a military family!
Thanks for the idea! Can’t wait to see who I get too!
I hope this isn’t a repeat comment, I just lost one. I just wanted to say thank you, from an overseas family. A friend of mine started receiving coupons from the states, and she began a coupon group to share them! That’s how I made it over to Coupons to Troops. I have “met” some wonderful people who are willing to send me their extra coupons. I am very grateful for the money saving, but also feel honored to know they care 🙂 Thank you!!!
July 2015 update:
The CouponsToTroops website was taken offline by its owners last year, but Lesley has restarted the program, under a new name and new website in 2015. http://www.CouponsForMilitaryFamilies.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CouponsForMilitaryFamilies
We are continuously having new military families signing up with us to receive coupons from back here in the USA, and I can assure you that they are VERY appreciative of the coupons that they are finding in their mailboxes, thanks to the generosity of people like you!!!
Such a simple thing really, putting your extra or expired coupons into an envelope and mailing over, but it really is a great way to show your support to our military families and it makes a huge impact on their spending at the commissary!