Extreme Couponing Tip: Coupon for a Cause!
Extreme Couponing Tip: Coupon for a Cause!
This week’s Extreme Couponing Tip is a reminder to “Coupon for a Cause!” If some of you are new to the site, you might not be aware of our awesome Couponing for a Cause page, which is a list of food banks and shelters complied from reader submissions, where you can donate items you don’t need that you get for free or cheap with coupons!
With the holidays quickly approaching, there is no better time to start Couponing for a Cause. I can tell you that giving back to someone in need, as I’m sure you all already know, is such a rewarding experience. As we save so much money for ourselves and our families, we as couponers are able to provide for others with our ability to purchase products for free or near free. It’s easy to pass up on a deal because you think, “I don’t need that,” however I’m challenging you guys to try and pick up at least one freebie or super cheap item a week that you will be intentional about donating! This will be a challenge for me too. I have a closet full of HBA products I might never use, however I’m not good about getting it out of the house and in the hands of those less fortunate who can make great use of these name brand products we stock up on with coupons.
Here is another idea on how you can “give back” this holiday season. In addition to donating items to food banks in your area, consider really sitting down and helping a family member or friend learn how to coupon! If you’re an extreme couponer, I’m sure you get asked all of the time “how” you do it. Refer your family and friends to the LRWC Beginners section but also offer some added help to get them going. Why not invite them to go grocery shopping with you one night to give them a hands-on lesson? In addition to donating items to those in need, helping our family and friends “Live Rich with Coupons,” is so fulfilling!
So, will you be joining us here at LRWC in Couponing For a Cause?
If you have a food bank or shelter that you would like to see added to the list, you may email CFAC@livingrichwithcoupons.com with the information.
Do you have an idea for an Extreme Couponing tip you’d like to see addressed? Leave your ideas in the comments!
If you don’t want to drive far to donate your free items, a lot of churches collect food to bring to the larger food banks or have their own community food pantry. My church brings our donations to CFA (Center for Food Action…in Mahwah). Saves me a trip having to drive over there.
What a great post. I feel very fortunate (and secure) knowing I can maintain my families needs on a limited budget. It is such a comfort having a stock pile of basic items in the house. Over the last few months I have been helping a few families. Teaching and providing coupons as well as providing extra items. I recently found out the food stamps will not let people purchase cleaning supplies and toiletries, so I give what I can in that area. My Mom volunteers weekly with Veterans and razors, shaving supplies, treats and extras are so appreciated.
I feel blessed with what I can do with $5 after learning so much here is is even better to show another person how to save and spend wisely.
I found clearanced make up the other day, with our coupons it was FREE
I dont not wear make up at all. So I asked the food pantry if they could use anything like that. I have given tooth paste and razorz before, but I really had to wonder if they could use make up. The ladies there were so exited that I went back out the next day and got $40 worth of make up for free 
In total they ended up with $55-$60 in make up. I asked why they were so excited, they said there are so many women out there looking for jobs and going on interviews who just can not afford make up to doll themselves up. I kinda thought some of the colors were really ugly, but they told me that any color make up, if applied to the right skin tone, and used correctly, can look wonderful! Make up is one of those items people do not think to donate, so now I would like to get the word out that there is a need. Also, when the pantry does a food drive, they end up with SO MUCH PAST DATE FOODS!!! I know this because they give me the past date foods to inspect and feedto my pigs. So when you do donate, please watch the dates on the food items! Thanks!
Hi Jenn – You are so right about the make up! I’ve donated make up, hair color, nail polish, room freshener, plus cleaning products, they’ve all been a hit!
Please tell where you found the clearance and which type of make up it was. I’d like to get some for donation.
Totally agree with you about the expired food, after the post office drive 3/4 of the food people donated was expired and needed to be thrown away.
I found clearanced make up at Stop an Shop, eye shadow to be accurate. Also, with a rolling cat situation at Kmart I got $40 (in all) of make up for free. I dont use it so maybe you guys can tell me what the best thigs are to get! I got eye shadows, eye liners, eye brow pencils and lip gloss. I assume these things are enough for a lady to get started. Me buying make up was pretty much like sending a man out for it!! LOL
I wish this site had a “like” button — this is amazing! What a great idea (one that I intend to steal).
I always pick up tampons and pads (‘cuz let’s face it, girls, we all need ‘em and they are expensive!), but I love the makeup idea. Gonna watch for the clearance!!
Steal away! The more the better. Can you imagine trying to WOW at a job interview with out looking o feeling your best? I dont wear make up, but when my Dad was sick I had my friend teach me how to use a little bit. I wanted Dad to see me looking good so he did not have to worry about me…so he can focus in on making himself better. This was a life and death situation and well, I looked like the death end of it! My friend applied some make up and the way she made me look was amazing!!! It made me FEEL better about myself and about the family situation with Dad. So now I understand how important even a little bit of make can be!!!
My local library (Atlantic Highlands), real estate office, and bank all collect food and other items, as well as my son’s Catholic school…keep your eyes (as well as your hearts) open, fellow couponers!
I think when starting couponing for a cause it’s good to start small and be realistic. I don’t have a massive stockpile but I do try to set aside a few basics to donate. The other day I had a Colgate coupon for $1 that was going to expire and there was a kind that wasn’t one I use on clearance for 99 cents. So, I picked it up and put it aside for the next HABA drive at my son’s school or my church. I like to keep a handful of basics on hand so when these things pop up I can donate without feeling like I have to run out and buy something. I also buy baby food when I get it nearly free because that is something that I know I won’t use but someone else can. Practical is the way to go..
Last year my son brought home so many different notices for charitable contributions. I only needed to shove them in his backpack. At Christmas, they did a drive for card games to send to overseas military. Several of the school functions let you know in advance that there will be a drop box there at the SPCA or food pantry. I now keep a box in my stockpile specifically for FREE things, so he always has something to take in. Before LRWC, I almost felt put out by these request, but it was extra money that we couldn’t afford… Love coupons…
I collect stuff to mail to the deployed troops, if anyone care to donate goodies I would be very grateful for it. I clip coupons just to shop for that purpose