Calling All Coupon Clippers

Clever coupon tips for savvy shoppers.

Who Uses Coupons?
Clipping Tips

Who Uses Coupons?
September is National Coupon Month, and if you're a fan of coupons and the savings they yield, now is the time to use them smartly. "Marketers have historically distributed more coupons when the economy slows in an effort to motivate consumer purchases," says Charles Brown, vice president for worldwide coupon processor NCH, "and consumers tend to be more apt to respond and redeem during periods of economic decline."

In 2000, American shoppers redeemed 4.5 billion coupons and saved an estimated $3.6 billion.

The Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council's coupon statistics for 2000 indicate that women continue to use coupons more than men (85.3% to 68.6%), while coupon use remains high across all education levels, with 73% of high school graduates, 80% of college graduates and 80% of postgraduates reported as users.

Age % Using Coupons 18-24 70% 25-34 78% 35-44 82% 45-54 79% 55-64 81% 65+ 72%

Income % Using Coupons under $25,000 72% $25,000 - $50,000 79% $50,000 - 75,000 82% $75,000+ 78%

Clipping Tips
To get the most out of your coupons, keep the following tips in mind:

• Look for coupons in the Sunday newspaper, in magazines, in your mailbox, at the grocery store shelf, on the Internet and with your cash register receipts.
  
  
• Call manufacturers' 800 numbers (often found on the packages of your favorite products) to request coupons. Up to 35% of manufacturers only send coupons to consumers upon request.
  
  
• Use a coupon organizer to sort coupons and keep it with you at all times (for those "unplanned" shopping trips).
  
  
• Organize your coupons in the order that you shop the store for quicker savings trips.
  
  
• Receive coupon savings back in cash, and put the cash away for something special. This process makes coupon savings seem more tangible.
  
  
• If you can't use a particular coupon yourself, share it with a friend or co-worker.
  
  
• Have your children, nieces and nephews, or grandchildren participate in coupon clipping with you. It can help them learn math skills, and matching the pictures on the coupons with products on the shelf can be fun.
  
  
• Coupons can help teach children the value of money: Use coupon savings to pay allowances.
  
  
• Use coupons with shorter expiration dates first to stock up on necessary items.
  
  
• Use double or triple coupons along with the manufacturers' rebates to realize additional savings.
  
  
• Plan your family's menu using coupons.
  
  
• Use coupons in conjunction with sale items.

Clipping tips provided courtesy of the Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council.