September is National Coupon Month

Do I know something that Michelle doesn't regarding coupons?? Yes, September is National Coupon Month. The first coupon was issued in 1887 by the Coca Cola Company. Coupons were mailed to potential customers and placed in magazines. Coupons first saw widespread use in the United States in 1909 when C. W. Post conceived the idea to help sell breakfast cereals and other products. These coupons were for 1 cent!

Coupons became a staple in American households by 1930, prompted by the Depression. The need to cut cost, especially the weekly grocery bill, made clipping coupons a necessity for many families. During the 1940's, chain supermarkets started their growth across the country and continued on with the coupon tradition developed in the neighborhood food stores. One-half of all Americans were coupon users by 1965, and ten years later, over 35 billion coupons were distributed in the U.S.A.

Coupons are now available by mail, newspapers, magazine, and more recently online. Coupons are credited with generating nearly ten billion dollars in commerce a year in this country alone. There are websites devoted to posting coupons and deals for everything from antacids to zagnut bars, food to appliances.

89% of the overall population use coupons while shopping for groceries, household and healthcare items at supermarkets. During tough economic times, manufacturers turn to using coupons, both print and online, to get shoppers back to the store to buy their favorite brand or try a new item. A typical consumer saves 7% on their grocery bill.

So during the month, make sure you look in your Sunday paper for the coupon section. Give it a try, although it can be addicting! Take a look at these two.