In the world of couponing, an expiration date is a hard deadline. Once that date passes, the piece of paper is worthless. However, the days leading up to that date are often a goldmine. Many high-value coupons go unused because shoppers don’t know where to look for them before the clock runs out. Finding these “last chance” deals requires a little detective work, but it can yield significant savings on products you need right now.
1. Scan the “Clearance” Sections for Peelies
The clearance rack is the first place you should look. Manufacturers often attach “peelie” coupons (stickers you peel off the package) to products that are nearing their expiration date. These coupons are designed to sell the product now. You will often find a clearance item marked down by 50% that also has a $1 or $2 peelie coupon attached to it. This combination can sometimes make the item free or even a moneymaker.
2. Check the “Expiring Soon” Tab in Apps
Digital coupon apps, such as Kroger’s or Target Circle, often feature a sorting option. You can filter your saved coupons by “Expiring Soon.” This is a crucial step before you shop. You may have clipped a high-value coupon weeks ago and forgotten about it. Checking this tab ensures you use those digital dollars before they vanish from your account.
3. Visit the Pharmacy Counter
Pharmacy counters often have booklets of coupons sitting near the register. These booklets contain manufacturer coupons for over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and personal care items. Because these booklets sit out for weeks, the coupons inside are often approaching their expiration dates. A glance might reveal a high-value coupon for a product you need that expires in just a few days.
4. Look for “Blinkie” Machines in Aisles
“Blinkie” machines are the small red boxes with flashing lights attached to store shelves. They dispense manufacturer coupons. Shoppers often pull these coupons and then leave them sitting on the shelf or in a pile nearby. Check the dates on these discarded coupons. You might find a stack of valid, high-value coupons that expire next week, which someone else left behind.
5. Join Local Coupon Trading Groups
Social media is a powerful tool for finding coupons. Local “Buy Nothing” or coupon trading groups on Facebook are full of people who have coupons they won’t use before they expire. A neighbor might have a stack of formula or diaper coupons that expire on Sunday. They are often happy to give them away to someone who can use them immediately, rather than letting them go to waste.
The “Use It or Lose It” Mindset
Coupons are a perishable currency. Treating them with a sense of urgency can help you extract every last cent of value from them. By actively hunting for these expiring opportunities, you can score deals that other shoppers miss simply because they weren’t paying attention to the calendar.
Do you have a system for organizing your coupons by date? Have you ever scored a deal with a coupon on the day it expired? Let us know your wins!
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The post 5 Ways to Find Expiring-Soon Grocery Coupons That Still Work appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
