I received a question asking when you should discard old coupon inserts when you follow the “File By Insert” organization method. Well, I use the binder method. It works for me, but I know a lot of you find it easier to file the inserts and clip the coupons as needed.
This is my opinion:
-Most coupons expire within a couple months from issue date.
-It is likely that you will use a coupon with a longer expiration date within 4-5 months.
-Use the Sunday Coupon Preview or similar site to see the expiration dates of the coupons in each insert or use my new weekly addition, Insert Variations.
-You should be able to safely discard inserts before April 2010 with the following exceptions
Valid coupons is old inserts
-Reach coupons from 12/06/09, 01/03/10 and 03/07 RP insert (expiration varies)
-Listerine coupons from 01/03 RP insert (expires 01/31/11)
-Bic Pens from 08/09/09 SS insert (expires 09/30)
-Sudafed from 03/14 RP insert (expires 09/30)
-Midnite or Midnite PM from 03/14 SS insert (expires 09/30)
-Goody’s and BC from 03/21 RP insert (expires 09/30)
-Breathe Right from 04/11 RP insert (expires 10/31)
-Boudreaux’s from 04/11 SS insert (expires 12/31)
-Nexcare from 04/11 SS insert (expires 08/31)
-Zaditor from 04/11 SS insert (expires 08/31)
-Stouffer’s from 04/11 SS insert (expires 08/31)
-Zicam from 04/11 SS insert (expires 03/11/11)
-Margaritaville from 04/25 RP insert (expires 09/30 and 12/31)
—Let me know if I missed some
Do you file by insert? How do you know when to discard old inserts?
Keep the questions coming. I’ll post the actual question at the top of future Q&A’s
Disclaimer: Discard coupons at your own risk
I just recently learned a way to do this. If you go to Couponmom.com you can go the Grocery Coupon Database and select your state. Then click on the blue triangles next to "Published". The list will show up in order from first published to last. It is a little confusing now because there is a Bic Stationery Product coupon from 8/9. That is actually a coupon from last year, 8/9/09. You can scroll down and see which coupons are left in the inserts. Then you will know if you want to keep them. If there are just a couple left I want I may cut them out and recycle the insert. The database may be a little off, but it beats taking the time to go through every single coupon and check the date on inserts that are several months old. I hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have any questions.
I just switched from a "binder/file" method to a binder method only…..wish I had seen this post a week ago as I was going through my old inserts trying to decide what coupons to keep!
Just wanted to throw this out there! Istead of trashing expired coupons/inserts, consider donating them to military families overseas. They are able to use most manufacturer coupons up to 6 months past their printed expiration date. I have been doing this for a little over a year now, and it is a wonderful opportunity to give back!
I have more information on my blog!
http://www.mrsmamadrama.com/2010/08/expired-coupons-for-military-families.html
Thanks!
Erinn
Thanks Erinn!
I completely forgot to mention it!