Do you equate coupons to dollar bills? Do you leave a store beaming with pride when you’ve saved yourself a few bucks while shopping?
A new survey found that 4 in 5 consumers say they would use smart shopping techniques – like clipping coupons or shopping on the clearance rack — regardless of whether they were rich or poor. The survey was conducted by online coupon destination RetailMeNot and All You magazine.
According to RetailMeNot:
During the recession, many of us began using smart shopping techniques out of necessity to save money. Now, years later, frugality has become mainstream as people have developed a greater awareness of the money-saving tools available to them.
Here are a few more findings from the survey:
- It’s cool to save a buck. We look highly upon people who find good deals when shopping, describing the behavior as “economical,” “thrifty,” or “practical,” rather than “cheap” or “frugal.”
- Saving is hard. Nearly 7 in 10 survey respondents said it’s a challenge to save in today’s economy. About half of consumers said they don’t have any disposable income to sock away, and 12 percent said they don’t know how to start saving.
- Anything for $5,000. What would you be willing to give up for a month in exchange for $5,000? If you’re like a lot of people (46 percent), you’d give up pretty much anything that you enjoy. “Some of the activities people would trade for the money are watching television (79 percent), sex (83 percent), caffeine (85 percent) and email (85 percent),” RetailMeNot said.
Like most of those surveyed, I am thrilled when I find something I want or need to purchase on sale or clearance. Saving money while shopping can be exhilarating. It’s rare that I buy anything, other than many food items, for full price. I love getting coupons texted directly to my phone. That way I don’t even have to remember to bring coupons with me.
What money-savvy saving techniques do you use when you shop? Share your comments below or on our Facebook page.
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