To Coupon or Not Coupon?

Is there a coupon for that? Is this the question you often find yourself asking? If so, you are not alone.

Per RedPlum, a Neilsen Company via StatisticBrain.com about 78% of consumers use coupons and 42% use mobile coupons via their smartphones. [Enter my secret confession - mobile savings and coupons.] As a leader and smart business woman, I am always looking for ways to keep my riches richly flowing. Coupons, deals, savings, slashes…whatever term you prefer, as a RichChick, you owe to yourself to be empowered to save wherever you can. In fact, when was the last time you used a coupon?

I have a client that religiously cuts out coupons and is very excited each time we meet to share his latest savings. Sometimes I ask, “are you really going to use that or is it just because it’s a coupon savings”? After all, I know I’m not the only one (hopefully) that has watched Extreme Couponing (TLC.com) and wondered “do you really need/use all of these items; I mean why would you need a case (or six) of Nestle Quik”. And I’m not being judgmental; I’m whole-heartedly trying to understand. Some of the purchases are simply beyond my comprehension.

Back to my client; yes, he does use his coupons each week. He treats his daughter to dinner…awww!

As a RichChick, savings are always a part of the money management basics here in our community. In fact, savings are not only hugely encouraged, but darn near a mandate. Do the words “rich” and “coupon” belong in the same sentence? ________ YES! In fact, 22% of coupon enthusiasts fall in the $100k+ income bracket; {Close your mouth}, compared to only 10% of couponers that earn less than $20k annually. That’s right. As I was reading and preparing information for “ways to save” for my RichChick audience, this salary indicator was eye opening. At times, a lot of us may have preconceived notions about the rich and have a flippant stance that “they can afford it, so surely they don’t use coupons”.

Ahem, when was the last time you saw ANYONE who turned down savings?

For those of you that are interested in savings and savings via coupons, here are my favorites for coupons, savings and deals. Oh yes, they are all FREE!

• Coupon Clipper – iPhone App
• Coupon Sherpa – iPhone App
• Yowza!
• Groupon
• LivingSocial

The last two are of course our more modern social mobile “deals” options for savings.

Personally, I like coupons and use them every opportunity I get. There was a time, where on Sundays I’d clip my coupons from the Sunday paper (where the bulk of them are delivered). But now, with technology I use an app and am subscribed to sites like Groupon.

Here’s my real question or thought to ponder: In all of the coupon or deal options, when you see your savings at the end of the receipt, what do you do with the amount saved? Do you simply feel good that you’re saving money or do you ACTUALLY go into your bank account and move that amount of money into a savings account?

Hmmmm….comment answer below! I’d love to know your RichChick action!

Feel free to leave a message on my Facebook page as well. I posed the question there: “do you use coupons? Why or Why not?”

Lastly, my favorite items/places to use a coupon:

• Spa
• Restaurants
• Grocery Store
• Pet Store/Dog Food
• Personal items/toiletries
• Detergent
• Office Supplies
• EVOO