Military Savings: 6 Ways to Access Coupons Overseas

Overseas military families tend to do a great deal of shopping at "on-base commissaries," which serve as supermarkets, and "post exchanges" (PXs) that offer products similar to state-side department stores and discount stores.

While these military retail outlets can save shoppers money, they certainly don't produce the gigantic savings many civilians think they do. A $2,000 stereo can't be purchased for $500 or a t-bone steak for $.49 per pound.

Considering the average pay of a member of the military and the added expenses of living overseas, these consumers match up very well with the typical coupon-prone profile. As a result, coupon marketers are finally realizing they've overlooked this audience of nearly 1.4 million active-military personnel. Products for which coupons now are available include beverages, groceries, health care, and household and personal-care products.

Military consumers can't just clip out coupons from their Sunday newspaper, however. Fortunately, there are several other ways in which they can obtain these nifty little money savers.

1. Military Handouts (MHO)
These coupons are handed directly to shoppers at a military retail location.

2. Military Magazine (MMG)
Magazines can serve as a substitute for newspaper coupons and, because the publications directly reach their target audience, make for an excellent distribution method

3. Military Shelf Pad (MSP)
Somewhat similar to the pull-tab coupons found next to the item at your grocery store, these pads of coupons are placed on shelves near featured products in military retail outlets.

4. Online Coupons
MilitaryLife.com provides downloadable coupons for military commissaries and exchanges. The site also lists specials to be found each week at various commissaries.

5. Coupons To Troops Campaign
Both exchanges allow shoppers to use manufacturer's coupons for up to six months after their expiration date. In other words, a coupon with the expiration date of Jan. 31 can be used overseas until July 31. This campaign links U.S. consumers to military families stationed overseas. Stateside clippers simply mail unwanted and expired manufacturer's coupons to any of the addresses listed at CouponsToTroops.com.

6. Text Promo Codes
Army and Air Force exchange shoppers can download Army and Air Force Exchange Service mobile-phone coupons, which they then enter or show to the cashier at check out.