Forgetting to use coupons

[disneysteve]

A few times recently, I put a coupon or gift card in my pocket before going to the store. Then I did my shopping or dining, paid the bill and left only to remember later that I had forgotten to use the coupon/gift card.

The most recent time was last night. We had a coupon for $5 off at Bertucci's (Italian restaurant). We had a nice dinner and I paid the bill and realized later the coupon was still in my pocket.

Does anyone else have this problem? How do you keep it from happening? The best thing I can think of is to put the coupon with my credit card so that I see it when I go to pay. If I put it in the cash section of my wallet, I don't see it and if I have it in my pocket, I forget about it, too.

[Brokemofo]

Putting it with the credit card is a great idea. Now, you just need to remember to do it.

[sweeps]

It hasn't happened to me, but I could see why it could. You never want the waiter to see your coupons until the end of the meal. Once the waiter sees coupons, he thinks "bad tipper".

[momof1in150]

If I am going to a store I always have a list, even for 2-3 items. I clip the coupons to the list so I don't forget them. Sometimes if you bring your receipt and coupon to the customer service desk they will credit you the coupon amount.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by momof1in150

If I am going to a store I always have a list, even for 2-3 items. I clip the coupons to the list so I don't forget them. Sometimes if you bring your receipt and coupon to the customer service desk they will credit you the coupon amount.

That works in the grocery store. I'm referring more to non-grocery stuff. Like the restaurant last nite. Or a couple of weeks ago when I took a Wawa gift card with me, knowing I would stop there for a sandwich for dinner. Bought the sandwich. Forgot the gift card.

[momof1in150]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

That works in the grocery store. I'm referring more to non-grocery stuff. Like the restaurant last nite. Or a couple of weeks ago when I took a Wawa gift card with me, knowing I would stop there for a sandwich for dinner. Bought the sandwich. Forgot the gift card.

Put a post-it in your wallet where you can see it. If you use a credit card for these purchases put a post-it on the credit card.

[PrincessPerky]

The post it is a good idea, it doesn't even have to say what you need to do, just haveing a pright orange postit would make you wonder why on earth it was there...course it only works if you use the CC the post it is on... and if you have enough memory left to figure out why the post it was there in the first place! (I don't)

[Aleta]

Steve: I've done this as well. As for the lists, I have paper clipped the coupons to the list and forgot the whole thing. I usually have to put the coupon with my money or the credit card. The problem with some restaurants is that they want the coupon in advance when you are ordering. By the way Steve: Bertucci's is a great restaurant. We were in Alexandria VA and I had the best Eggplant Parmigian that I've ever had.

I normally have to put everything in my purse the night before so I don't forget and hope that you don't forget the next night.

[KellyB]

I tend to do that a lot as well, and almost always with restaurant coupons. Either I leave them in my car or in my wallet - in the cash section as well. Never occurred to me that I don't usually pay cash for these types of purchases, always put it on the debit card. So that's a great idea - fold the coupon around the debit card before going to the restaurant! I am definitely going to try that!

[Snave]

I am the same. I have a $5 Bob Evans gift card (have no idea where it came from) that I keep forgetting to use and have had it in my wallet for about a year. I have probably been to Bob Evans about 20 times b/c that is usually where I will meet for a breakfast meeting. I have got to remember that stupid thing one of these days.

[safari]

Here is an interesting article. The death of the coupon. I like the concept of electronic coupons linked to a store card. No more clipping coupons and forgetting to use them.

[Gruntina]

I forget to use my coupons because I usually do not use them often enough to pause and think before the purchase. I also have a tendency to get caught up in the moment and forget too. Often when I do remember at the resturant, then I realize I left the coupon at home!!!

[scfr]

I stick it in my wallet in a way that I can't get at my credit card without removing the coupon first.