The other day, a friend in California posted on Facebook that she was looking to start a coupon train and I had no idea what she was talking about! But, being a green blogger, I figured I had better investigate this, especially since I did my blog on extreme couponers.
Ever go through the paper and see a good coupon, but you just have no use for it? That is the purpose of a coupon train. The way I’ve found it to be, the person that decides to start the coupon train comes up with about $100 worth of coupons she doesn’t need. Since my friend is a military wife and the commissaries are usually loaded with coupons (some military only, but some good in all stores), this probably wasn’t a problem for her.
The coupon train leader then posts on a forum or Facebook that she is starting a train and needs “riders.” I mean, after all, what is a train without riders? All the people who wish to join send her their name, address, and their personal coupon wish list.
Much like a chain letter, the coupon train leader then types up a sheet with all the train information and coupons and mails it to the first person. That person takes out the coupons she wants and adds some she doesn’t want (based on wish lists), trying to give back just as many as she took. Then, that person mails it to the next person on the list. It keeps going like this until the coupons are mailed back to the leader (last on the list).
There are a few things to remember for a coupon train. Don’t add coupons that are going to expire too soon that no one will get to use them. Take a look at the wish lists and try to add those coupons if you can. Try to keep the coupons in the train diverse. If all the coupons are the same, it won’t be much fun. As soon as you get the coupon train mail, open it, get what you want, add new coupons, and mail it. The important part is to keep this train going – most all coupons today have expiration dates.
A coupon train is a great way to help out your friends no matter how far away they may be. You end up being green because you are sharing the coupons and saving money by using the ones you need.