Around here, couponing is a way of life. Whether we’re shopping for groceries, clothes, or tires, we’re always on the lookout for the best possible deal. But in the midst of all this searching, we occasionally stumble upon a coupon that’s getting ready to expire. And this leads us to a very important question.
Can you use a coupon the day it expires? Yes, you can use a coupon the day it expires. In-store coupons are valid through the end of the business day on their expiration date, while online coupons typically expire at the end of the calendar day. In other words, the day after a coupon’s expiration date is when it becomes invalid.
Now, obviously we’re not recommending you go out and buy something just because you have a coupon that’s about to expire. Rather, if you think a coupon might help you squeeze a little extra juice out of your budget, then keep it around until the day after it expires.
Want to know more about couponing?
In the rest of this article, we will cover our favorite places to find coupons (online and in person), as well as a couple great tips to make the most out of your couponing. And, if you really want the good stuff, skip down to the bottom of this article for our #1 tip to save money with couponing. (Hint: This tip cut our grocery bill in half the first month we tried it.)
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5 Places To Find Coupons
With so many different online and in-store retailers, you might think it would be hard to stay organized when couponing. But truthfully, couponing has never been easier.
I mean, you used to only find coupons in the Sunday paper and magazines. Now, there are a plethora of online opportunities to find coupons and deals. And honestly, they do a great job of making your couponing lifestyle as easy as possible. In fact, here are five of our favorites.
#1 – Rakuten
Ok, so this might not be a couponing website, but Rakuten still tops the list as my absolute favorite way to get deals online. Additionally, you can typically pair it with a coupon, so often times it’s a double win. Rakuten has a network of thousands of retailers, so when you shop online — at least in our experience — it’s rare that Rakuten won’t get you at least a little cash back.
Pro Tip: Be sure to download the Chrome extension for Rakuten after you sign up. That way, whenever you go to buy something online, you will get a little alert to activate cash back. Rakuten is super easy, and a great way to get deals online.
#2 – Coupons.com
Umm, could they have picked a better name for this website? I mean seriously, if you want to really get into couponing, you can’t pass-up on coupons.com. They have printable coupons, digital coupons, grocery cash back offers, and an extensive collection of coupon codes you can use for a vast number of retailers. Oh, and on top of all that, they offer a huge number of holiday deals that can be incredibly useful.
If you are a couponer, and you haven’t tried Coupons.com, you have been missing out, big time.
#3 – Savings.com
Similar to coupons.com, savings.com has a vast number of online and in-store deals you can take advantage of. Though, my favorite thing about savings.com is the local search feature that’s right in the header when you arrive on their homepage.
With this feature, you can plug in your zip code and find deals close-to-home. It’s easy, quick, and organized. Plus, you can view the circulars for a bunch of different stores, all without messing up your kitchen table on a Sunday morning.
What Is Coupon Stacking?
When you really get into couponing, you will find opportunities for stacking. But, if you’ve never heard of this, you might be a little confused. So, let me answer an obvious question.
What is coupon stacking?
Coupon stacking is the process of using multiple coupons on a single item. This is accomplished by pairing manufacturer coupons with store coupons. For example, if both a retailer and the manufacturer of a particular item offer a coupon at the same time, you can often combine (i.e. stack) the deals.
And while this isn’t something you can do all the time, you should try to take advantage of it whenever possible. Also, you can only combine one manufacturer coupon with one store coupon. In other words, you can’t use two manufacturer coupons on the same item. Retailers won’t let you do that.
Tip: Manufacturer coupons will say “manufacturer coupon” on the coupon, whereas a store coupon will usually say the name of the retailer. Remember, manufacturer coupons can be used at any retailer that sells their products. Store coupons are only valid at a single retailer, or retailer location.
Pair Couponing With Cash Back Apps
In addition to coupon stacking, we really like to stack coupons with cash back apps. For example, often times we will use Rakuten to get cash back on an item we used a coupon to buy online.
On top of that, we will often take a photo of the receipt with Fetch Rewards, so that we earn points to receive gift cards in the future. I know it might seem like a lot of work, but in reality, it only adds a few extra seconds to every purchase. And over time, that all adds up to some nice savings.
What To Do If Your Coupon Is Expired
If you spend time couponing, there will inevitably come a moment when you present a coupon, only to discover it is expired. And if you find yourself in that situation, don’t just slink down with
An embarrassed look on your face. Be bold, and say this: “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that was expired. Do you have any other deals running on that particular item?”
You will be surprised how often the cashier will apply a non-expired coupon to your bill. And, sometimes, they even find one that’s better than your original coupon.
Can You Use A Groupon The Day It Expires?
Many couponers will look to Groupon to save a little money on the things they buy as well. And if that’s you, you’ve probably noticed that Groupons also come with an expiration date. And similar to the original question, you should know that they are still valid on the day they expire as well.
I know that a Groupon is not quite the same thing as a coupon, but it is similar enough that I thought it would be germane to the conversation. Ok, back to couponing!
Our #1 Tip For Couponing
Couponers tend to be the same kind of people that plan and cook their meals. So, if you are a seasoned couponing veteran, I don’t suspect this tip will come as a big surprise to you. However, if you’re just getting into the couponing game, listen closely.
Most people look for coupons after they have determined their weekly meal plan, and know what they need to buy. But, if you really want to up your game, try reversing that process. In other words, take a look at the best coupons running at your local grocery stores, and plan your meals based on the best deals of the week.
I’m telling you, when my wife and I started doing this, we were able to cut our grocery bill in half.
Final Thoughts
You can use a coupon the day it expires, plain and simple. Additionally, if you find yourself looking at a stack of expired coupons, there’s no need to fear. With so many different online couponing and cash back sites these days, you can find a deal on just about any purchase you make.
Are you a couponer? Do you have any tips and tricks to share that might benefit others?
Be sure to comment below!
