Finding Coupons: Always Check Product Packages

One of the common questions I have gotten when polling various coupon newbies is, "Where do you find those coupons?" Once you start couponing, you will notice that coupons can literally be found everywhere and anywhere! You just have to know where to look for them, so the Finding Coupons segments will be devoted to telling you specific places that are tried and true coupon homes.

Always Check Your Packages!

I came home from work to find this box sticking out of our trash can:

I was not too happy! I quickly pulled it out to clip the coupon before returning it to the can. This incident has inspired me to write about a great source for finding coupons - packaging. 

Many companies put coupons for your next purchase on the packages of ones you already have, especially if the item is fairly new on the market. They do not always mention the inclusion of coupons on the outside of the box either. This one, for example, was a pleasant surprise:

This was inside of my roll of Reynold's brand parchment paper :) It's for $1 off 2 rolls.

One of the greatest things about coupons on packages is the expiration date. The companies don't want to have to constantly change the box design every month, so they usually don't expire until at least December 31st. Many of them don't expire until sometime next year - ex. That Crunchy Nut Cereal coupon up there expires April 30th, 2012! 

So, if these weren't good enough reasons to get you to give your package a once over before putting it in the trash, maybe a list of some of the coupons I've gotten in the last few months will :)

• $1 off Any Jell-O Temptations (ex 6/30/2011)
• $1.50 off Any 2 Emerald Nuts Breakfast Pouches (ex 12/31/2011)
• $1 off 2 Reynold's Parchment Paper (ex 12/31/2012)
• $1 off 2 Kellogg's Crunchy Nut Cereal (ex 2012)
• $3 off Any Wellness Dog Food 
• $1 off Fresh Fruit wyb 2 Kellogg's Cereals (ex 2013)
• $1 off 2 Poptarts  (ex 2013)
• $1 off 2 Nutrigrain Bars  (ex 2013)
• $1 off Soymilk  (ex 2013)

• 50¢ off Finish Quantum (ex 7/31/12)

• $1 off Dryel Refill (ex 12/31/11)
• 75¢ off Dryel On the Go (ex 12/31/11)
• $1 off Dryel 3-in-1 Spray (ex 12/31/11)

So, next time you are going to throw out a box, a bag, or even a sample MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE PACKAGE FOR COUPONS! If your package has coupons, this is often to only place you can find that specific one :)

*What coupons have you found on packages? Post a comment telling us other coupons you have found and on what so we can grab one for ourselves!