September is National Coupon Month
Named the most powerful brand name in the world, Coca-Cola® is consumed all over the planet and was even the first soft drink to be consumed in space. Yet, there was a time no one had ever heard of it. In 1887, druggist Asa Candler gave out handwritten tickets for a free glass of his new fountain drink and coupons were born. A few years later, C.W. Post distributed the first grocery coupon worth one penny off his new cereal, Grape Nuts.
Today, coupons are as much a part of the American landscape as those household brands and in 1998 the Promotion Marketing Association Educational Foundation declared September as National Coupon Month.
We have become a nation of power shoppers with more than nine out of ten adults in every age group from 18 to 65 and older saving with coupons. Statistics show that, while coupons receive recognition this month, they are being used all year round:
- More than $400 billion worth of savings is offered each year on packaged goods.
- 94% of the United States population uses coupons.
- Shoppers saved approximately $3 billion in 2008 by using coupons.
In 2008, the average coupon was worth $1.35 in savings. And everyone likes to save. A consumer survey found that 89% of people with an income under $25,000 use coupons while 96% of those earning between $25,000 and $100,000 are coupon clippers. Even 93% of those earning more than $100,000 keep more of their money by saving through coupons.
The organization sponsoring National Coupon Month offers the following tips for getting the most out of your coupons:
- Use a coupon organizer or envelope to sort coupons and keep it in the car in case you need to pick up a few things in between regular shopping trips.
- Organize your coupons in the order of how you shop through a store, for example, if the dairy aisle is first you should place those coupons in front.
- Use coupons with shorter expiration dates first to stock up on items you use all the time.
- Visit the web sites of products and stores that you use to download or register for coupons to be sent to you.
- Plan a menu using coupons or order in using delivery coupons from local pizza parlors or restaurants.
- Use coupons as a math and budgeting lesson for children and consider letting them keep the savings they earn on the coupons used.
- Plan an evening out or even an entire vacation using special offers on transportation, hotels, restaurants and entertainment.
- Maximize savings by using retailer coupons during big sales events such as holiday sales.
- Use coupons to purchase products as a charitable donation for your local food pantry or put the savings toward another favorite charity.
