A few weeks ago, I tallied up coupons for shipping to an Air Force base in Okinawa on the train down to visit my mother. She voiced the same concern I had when I first started: how many of these coupons are actually useable for the recipients? I tried asking the folks who run the Overseas Coupon Program, but they didn't know the answer. She said I should stop wasting my time on clipping and my money on postage, and I was hard-pressed to disagree.
However, I've found a more effective way to help people with my unwanted coupons. I've joined a coupon forum, where I can offer up an envelope of coupons as a Random Act of Kindness. I could also trade them, which I may do after I move to a new apartment and find myself with less access to free Sunday circulars. So I continue to help budget-conscious Americans, just not necessarily of the military persuasion.
About Me
- Katie
- I'm a home-based massage therapist in Manhattan, and the only times I'm not living like an accidental hermit are when I'm off globetrotting. Lately my trips have been fairly exotic and the destinations anywhere from mildly to moderately "developing", and I've found myself repeatedly struck by what I call First World Guilt. Life in Manhattan isn't cheap, but I get by okay - enough that I want to do something about the imbalances I've seen, but I'm no Bill Gates. I started this blog for those who want to give up their morning coffee treats for a week each month (or something along those lines) and do something effective with what many consider pocket change.
1 comment:
I thought about doing the coupon thing, too. But was really apprehensive because I was also curious about how many of them get used. I guess that sort of thing would be hard to track.
Glad you found coupon forum. I will have to give them a peek.
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