Coupon Crazy

Making ends meet | Ending a 16-year trend, Americans are redeeming more coupons as they struggle to squeeze pennies.

Chicago Sun-Times
Thursday, July 3, 2008

With household budgets tightening, some Americans are making couponing both a part-time job and a sport. As gas and food prices soar, and job security weakens, couponing is regaining popularity.

"That lackluster economy brings out the couponing tendency in all of us," said Sharon Baker, executive director of Shortcuts, a digital coupon distribution service started this year by Time Warner Inc.'s AOL.

Now newspaper and store coupons are being used along with online advice from web sites, bloggers and e-mail groups. And more coupons are available online.

Brenda Bromfiend of west suburban Woodridge uses a Web site, CouponMom.com, and an email-group, Illinois Good Deal Loop. She shared her couponing tips with Sun-Times readers in May.

Jill Cataldo of Huntley also showed off her bargains and her methods with Sun-Times readers. She uses GroceryGame.com.