Multiply Your Savings With
Free Grocery Coupons

Coupon Evolution

Free grocery coupons and other types of vouchers have saved a lot of people, a lot of money for over 100 years. Coupons have evolved to this day as a result of their appeal to consumers looking to find a good deal on the things that they want to purchase.

It's that simple…use a coupon and receive a price reduction, free shipping or some other perk. It's one of the easiest ways to save money.

In the past, paper based coupons were the only type of coupons that existed and as a result consumers were clipping food coupons and taking them to the store to redeem money off products.

Today, as you know, Internet coupons are gathered online and referred to as "promotional codes." But how did this all get started?

Some Highlights

• In 1894 co-owner of Coca-Cola, Asa Candler, used coupons to offer a free taste of their soft drink to customers. Within a decade Coca-Cola was in every state and within 20 years a large percentage of Americans had tried the free sample of Coke after using their coupon.

• In 1895 the first free grocery coupon was born when C.W. Post distributed a one-cent coupon for their Grape Nuts cereal.

• During the Great Depression of the 1930's coupons became essential to survive these trying economic times. Many retailers saw how successful they were and started offering them on their products.

• By the 1940's Super Markets came into being and continued the practice of accepting free grocery coupons like the smaller neighborhood stores did.

• By the 1950's and 60's coupons were being widely used. It's estimated that over 50% of Americans were clipping coupons and enjoying the savings. Free coupons and retail coupons where certainly growing in popularity.

• In the 1970's billions of coupons were being distributed and increasing percentages of Americans were using them and enjoying the easiest ways to save money.

• In the 1990’s with the increased use of the Internet by consumers came online vouchers. Retailers saw the World Wide Web as being a great delivery means.

• In 1998, the United States decided to commemorate the use of coupons and established September as the first “National Coupon Month.” The growth has continued and now we see the use of printable coupons.

Now It's The Internet

After the turn on the century Internet retailers began offering coupons in the form of promotional codes as an inducement for buyers to enjoy the discount and/or free shipping. They have been called "discount codes," "promo codes," "shopping codes," "source codes," "voucher codes" and other names.

The bottom line is, no matter what you call them; they all offer a price benefit to the consumer. And now more than ever, people are trying to stretch their shrinking dollars.

Today free grocery coupons are available on the Internet for download. No matter whether you clip them with scissors, tear them with your fingers or print them with your printer, they can all save you money off the regular price!

The following pages contain current information on how you can find and enjoy the use of coupons.



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