Grocery Coupon Usage Increases as a result of Unemployment Jump According to Survey by Select Coupon Program

Unemployment rates in the U.S. are at 7.2%, leading to drastic changes in the lifestyles of many Americans. The country saw its worst job cuts since 1945 with 2.6 million people being put out of work. But according to a recent poll conducted by www.selectcouponprogram.com, the rise in unemployment has led to a newfound "grocery coupon boom."

20% of U.S. consumers cite unemployment increases as the second-largest reason why they are switching to coupons. The only factor which rated higher in the pole was rising energy costs. The poll cites, 61% of consumers in America report using more coupons now than ever before in their lives. Other studies have shown that coupon redemption rates rose in 2008 for the first time in decades.

With the stunted economy getting worse and food costs increasing exponentially, luxury items and even some basic necessities are being omitted from grocery lists in order to cover costs and save on expenses. Fewer Americans are going out on weekends and even fewer are enjoying the activities that they once did.

78% of Americans, however, are attempting to avoid changing their lifestyles or cutting items from their shopping lists in favor of using coupons. This percentage trumps previous records of coupon-usage over the past few decades, and with the availability of both printed and digital coupons higher than ever, it has become easier to find ways to save at the market.

Websites and blogs now offer links to online coupons which are being utilized by over 36 million people, four times the number in 2005, says a study released by Simmons/Experian Research and Coupons Inc. in July.

This is not the first time that unemployment and struggling economic times have led to the rise in coupon use. During the Depression in the 1930s, coupons were a vital part of many American's lives as they worked to keep their budgets in line during the roughest years. In 1992, nearly $5 billion of coupons (around 8 billion coupons at 60c apiece) were redeemed. But since the economy began picking up in the mid-90's and well into the 21st century, coupon usage has been steadily declining at a rate of 5-7% per year, according to research firm CMS.

To see the full survey results or for more information please visit: www.selectcouponprogram.com/grocery-coupon-survey

About Select Coupon Program:
Select Coupon Program was founded twenty-five years ago by "Coupon Queen" Susan J. Samtur and her husband Stephen. The company provides tips to consumers to help them save money on grocery shopping.