...make a life by what you give

"A person makes a living by what they do, but they make a life by what they give." ~Winston Churchill

One of the greatest things you can do in life is to give back to others... Here are a few ways you can use coupons to help you stretch your dollar further to donate more:

• Every year millions of dollars in grocery coupons go unused. Most people don't realize they can donate expired coupons to military families through the Overseas Coupon Program. Last year, participating U.S. military bases received over $11 million dollars worth of coupons. Imagine how many families that helped to feed! Before you throw out your old coupons, consider taking a few minutes to mail them in. They can be accepted up to six months after their expiration date.

• Another easy way to donate through couponing is to check your local paper on a weekly basis for sales ads and/or use www.couponmom.com's grocery store database. Watch for items such as cereal, pasta, peanut butter and canned goods (items with a long shelf life) to go on sale and then find coupons to use on top of the sale to get the items for FREE or purchase them for next to nothing. If you create a free account and use CouponMom, it will even tell you what circular or website has the coupon you need to get the best price (left column). Below is an illustration of their database. Online you can find a description of how to understand the circular codes. See the link above for more information. To donate items, simply contact a local food bank, women's shelter or church near you. My church, for example, is currently running a food drive through Feb. 6th. If you already have items collected for immediate donation feel free to contribute!

 

 

 

• And finally... have you already clipped your coupons? Instead of putting the rest of the paper in the trash or recycling bin, consider collecting the remaining pages of newsprint for donation. Once you have a few weeks worth, take them to an animal shelter, where they will be used to comfort animals under their care. Without donated newspapers, the stray, homeless and often frightened animals must sit directly on the cold, stainless steel cages. Live in Kansas City? Consider giving your papers to the Greater Kansas City Humane Shelter. Their facilities and staff are wonderful!

 "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:24-25)