A Growing Appreciation for Cents Off

The usage of coupons took a major increase in 2009, the highest it's been since 1992.

Matthew Tilley, Inmar’s director for marketing, said companies last year pumped out an unprecedented number of coupons, hoping to prevent financially struggling consumers from drifting to private-label brands.

“In a down economy,” Mr. Tilley said, “coupons might make the difference between turning your loyal consumer over to a private-label brand, and keeping them in the fold. In essence, you’ve lowered your price for them in a short period when they needed the help.

It is obvious that people are becoming more thrifty during this tough economy. I think especially for young people the thought of cutting coupons out of a sales paper was not thought of before the recession began. Now it has become quite the trend. Having grew up in a household where being cheap was the norm it is quite comforting to know that people in my generation see the good side in buying cheap, taking advantage of disscounts, clearance racks and generic brands!

www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/business/08drill.html?ref=economy