Stores Cracking Down On Extreme Couponers~Again!

For those of you who shelf clear, steal newspapers out of honor boxes, push whole product displays into your many shopping carts, and generally don't use any coupon ethics... this industry change that is currently underway is THANKS to you and your lack of basic decancy!
Ok, some of you may think that I am being too harsh but when the industry as a whole has to stop and AGAIN revist how couponers are shopping and how some are essentially cheating the "system" it begs the question: Are you too extreme? You have to look at how the TLC show is changing the face of couponing in such a hard economic times, when people are scrambling to save every cent they can. Some say that it is great: "allowing people to learn how to coupon and bringing coupon habits to the forefront as a means for people to learn to become savvy shoppers", and some are very upset at how a show has spun the industry into a full blown panic mode. I am among those who are very upset at some of the practices that people employ on this show and that the TLC show is exploiting bad couponers who are essentially ruining the industry for EVERYONE!
I teach, harp, praise on coupon ethics in my coupon classes. I know that by the time the classes are done everyone is well aware of what I believe with being ethical for couponing. (Honestly, it is just good basic human decancy if you really think about it.)The first thing I want all new couponers to be aware of is setting their goals, meaning what is it that you want to achieve by couponing, how many items does your family need/use, what is your shelf space, cooking habits and usage plan? I have always asked my classes to order their products from customer service if they are aware they will be using over 10 coupons for any one product, to only coupon for what you NEED and can USE. If you are couponing for charities as I do often, then have those in seperate transactions and of course talk to your store manager for clarity on their policy changes and don't rely on just the internet copy from your store's website.
There is little we all can do to stop the madding rush of the stores to tighten their coupon policies as they of course have to protect their bottom line. But if you can be ethical and work with your store and store manager they will be less likely to prohibt your use of coupons as they are now allowing managers to say "when" essentially.
Happy Savings!

Coupon Statistics

Coupon Statistics

General Facts about Coupons

Coupon clippers have taken over the checkout lines in record numbers...with record savings. But if you still think most coupon users have blue hair, you're way off. With mobile and internet coupons gaining even more popularity discounted prices are a hot hobby across all ages and incomes, especially folks in their 20s and 30s. If you've been hiding your frugal habits, it's time to let your lean lifestyle shine! Just how much of an influence do coupons have on the population at large? Check out the latest stats on coupon usage trends below.

1. 88.2 million consumers (47% of Internet users) plan on using online coupons in 2011
2. 92.5 million adult Internet users will use online coupons in 2012
3. 96.8 million adult Internet users will use online coupons in 2013
4. Every hour spent couponing in 2011 is worth an estimated $100
5. The average savings per coupon used was $1.44 in 2010
6. 74% of consumers search multiple coupon sources each week
7. 25% spend up to an hour shopping for the best online discount deals
8. 47% of respondents use more local deals and coupons than in 2010
9. Moms are roughly twice as likely to search for coupons online as other categories of women
10. 52% of coupon users spend more than 15 minutes per week searching for coupons
11. 25% of coupon users spend between 30 minutes and 60 minutes searching for coupons per week
12. $485 billion worth of coupons were distributed in 2010
13. 332 billion coupons were distributed in 2010, the most ever recorded in the U.S.
14. Consumers saved $3.7 billion using coupons in 2010
15. Distribution in 2010 exceeded 2009 by 6.8%, or 21 billion coupons
16. 87.7% of paper coupons were distributed in 2010 via newspaper inserts, for an increase of 19 billion coupons
17. Digital offers increased by 37% in 2010
18. The face value of coupons in 2010 increased 6.6%, to an average of $1.46 per coupon
19. 74% of coupons in 2010 required the purchase of one item and 26% the purchase of two or more items
20. The average coupon expired in 10.1 weeks in 2010, 10 days shorter than in 2009
21. Overall coupon redemption grew 3.1%, to 3.3 billion, in 2010
22. 78.3% of consumers reported using coupons regularly in 2010, up 14.7% from pre-recession levels
23. Consumer coupon use in 2010 added up to $3.7 billion in savings, an increase of $200 million over 2009

Redemption Growth for Different Coupon Types in 2009

• Internet - 263%
• Direct Mail - 69%
• Magazine Pop-up - 51%
• Instant Redeemable - 48%
• Electronic Checkout - 39%
• Free-standing Insert - 36%
• Digital Promotions - 31%
• Shelf Pad - 30%
• In Store Advertisement - 27%

Coupon Classes

For my fellow couponers who can't make it to the classes, I will be having them filmed and upload them online for you all to be able to also be a part of the saving nation! COMING SOON!