Coupon use up by 25 percent on clarkhoward.com

Coupon use for the first half of 2009 is up by 25 percent, according to a recent New York Times report. Americans are on track to redeem some 3 billion coupons this year. By comparison, we redeemed 8 billion during the recession of 1992.

The use of coupons was frowned upon just a few short years ago. But that mentality has changed with the recession. This is low hanging fruit that Clark encourages you to grab. Get your Sunday paper for the glossy coupon circulars and visit CouponMom.com for tips on organization and other key couponing strategies.

And don't overlook the power of brand substitution. If you have a coupon for a brand you're not familiar with, why not give it a try and see if you like it? You may be surprised.

One side note here. There's been a big push to get consumers to use electronic coupons. Clark loaded an e-coupon app on his smart phone, but soon deleted it because he found he never used it. E-coupons have been something of a bust so far. Americans still prefer clipping traditional coupons.

What others are saying

Coupons
I have been seeing ladies with bunch of coupons at grocery stores and never figured out from where they get these and how they manage it so well. When ever I tried, some thing was always wrong with the coupons, guess coupons and my face just did not go well.
Anyways, close to 15 years in US and yesterday I used coupons for first time at Kroger and was pleasantly surprised to see these worked and on items that we buy regularly.
Any hints / suggestions on coupon management are welcome to convince my wife to use these as well.
By Naresh @ 10/11/09 10:31:04 PMreport abuse
Coupons
I started using grocery coupons in high school. When I got my driver's license, it became my job to do the family grocery shopping. My mom would give me the list and money, and I would use coupons. Whatever I saved in coupons, Mom paid me for going to the store! Some weeks, I didn't use coupons, so I didn't get paid anything. It was a great way to start learning about saving money!
By Kim @ 10/11/09 12:57:08 PMreport abuse
Using coupons for unnecessary, overpriced purchases
Unless the coupon is for something you absolutely must have, would buy whether or not you have the coupon, you're better off not using them to buy things that are usually unneeded, unnecessary, more expensive, overly prepared, highly processed, and likely unhealthy. Examples: frozen pizza, expensive soap, room scent, etc. Just say no and stick to the necessary basics. You'll come out way ahead.
By hooter @ 10/10/09 11:45:18 PMreport abuse
Coupons
Yes, our local WalMart here told me they didn't accept the coupons printed from the web sites. I contacted Couponmoms.com, and they suggested I go in ask for store manager or front store cashier manager and let them know their policy clearly states that DO accept interent coupons. I did, haven't had a problem since. use them all the time.
By Glenda @ 10/09/09 08:51:44 PMreport abuse
Coupons and Rebates suck
Instead of coupons and these dumb mail-in rebates, why can't the products just be priced down? I already know the answer, it's so most of us who are too lazy, forgetful or just don't want the hassle of using coupons or mailing in a rebate don't get the deal. It's all an advertising gimmick, if they truly wanted to give us discounts they would just drop the damn price already. I have less of a problem with coupons than I do with rebates, non-instant rebates are there becuase many people will either not send them in or the rebate center will deny the rebate because of some minor flaw or mistake in the rebate form. I will use the occasional coupon, but I NEVER buy an item that offers the mail-in rebate. In-store discounts are the best, you see an item is discounted and you buy it, instant savings.
By Chris @ 10/09/09 12:02:29 PMreport abuse
Computer Coupons
Some of the stores do not accept coupons printed from the computer. They say because of fraud.
By Kay @ 10/09/09 08:53:00 AMreport abuse
coupons
I have used coupons since I was on my own. Yes, it takes time to clip and organize, but it's worth it when you combine them sales. I agree about the e-coupons, I never remember I have them loaded on my rewards card.
By Pat @ 10/08/09 03:08:02 PMreport abuse

Coupons

I have been seeing ladies with bunch of coupons at grocery stores and never figured out from where they get these and how they manage it so well. When ever I tried, some thing was always wrong with the coupons, guess coupons and my face just did not go well.
Anyways, close to 15 years in US and yesterday I used coupons for first time at Kroger and was pleasantly surprised to see these worked and on items that we buy regularly.
Any hints / suggestions on coupon management are welcome to convince my wife to use these as well.

By Naresh @ 10/11/09 10:31:04 PMreport abuse

I started using grocery coupons in high school. When I got my driver's license, it became my job to do the family grocery shopping. My mom would give me the list and money, and I would use coupons. Whatever I saved in coupons, Mom paid me for going to the store! Some weeks, I didn't use coupons, so I didn't get paid anything. It was a great way to start learning about saving money!

By Kim @ 10/11/09 12:57:08 PMreport abuse

Using coupons for unnecessary, overpriced purchases

Unless the coupon is for something you absolutely must have, would buy whether or not you have the coupon, you're better off not using them to buy things that are usually unneeded, unnecessary, more expensive, overly prepared, highly processed, and likely unhealthy. Examples: frozen pizza, expensive soap, room scent, etc. Just say no and stick to the necessary basics. You'll come out way ahead.

By hooter @ 10/10/09 11:45:18 PMreport abuse

Yes, our local WalMart here told me they didn't accept the coupons printed from the web sites. I contacted Couponmoms.com, and they suggested I go in ask for store manager or front store cashier manager and let them know their policy clearly states that DO accept interent coupons. I did, haven't had a problem since. use them all the time.

By Glenda @ 10/09/09 08:51:44 PMreport abuse

Coupons and Rebates suck

Instead of coupons and these dumb mail-in rebates, why can't the products just be priced down? I already know the answer, it's so most of us who are too lazy, forgetful or just don't want the hassle of using coupons or mailing in a rebate don't get the deal. It's all an advertising gimmick, if they truly wanted to give us discounts they would just drop the damn price already. I have less of a problem with coupons than I do with rebates, non-instant rebates are there becuase many people will either not send them in or the rebate center will deny the rebate because of some minor flaw or mistake in the rebate form. I will use the occasional coupon, but I NEVER buy an item that offers the mail-in rebate. In-store discounts are the best, you see an item is discounted and you buy it, instant savings.

By Chris @ 10/09/09 12:02:29 PMreport abuse

Computer Coupons

Some of the stores do not accept coupons printed from the computer. They say because of fraud.

By Kay @ 10/09/09 08:53:00 AMreport abuse

coupons

I have used coupons since I was on my own. Yes, it takes time to clip and organize, but it's worth it when you combine them sales. I agree about the e-coupons, I never remember I have them loaded on my rewards card.

By Pat @ 10/08/09 03:08:02 PMreport abuse

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Oct 08, 2009 -- Coupon use up by 25 percent

What others are saying