Coupon Crazy

The Science, the Savings, and the Stories Behind America's Extreme Obsession

By: Mary Potter Kenyon

Narrated by: Karen Commins

Coupon Crazy examines the phenomena of avid coupon use and the socio-cultural and socioeconomic factors that construct it. By delving into the history of couponing, refunding, the science of shopping, and the dark underbelly of a coupon world the average American didn't even know existed, author Mary Potter Kenyon manages to both fascinate and educate the reader. Readers will meet today's "Coupon Queens" (and Kings) and learn about an era when trash really was cash. Not just an observer of this ethnographic research, Mary lived it for over 30 years.

©2013 Mary Potter-Kenyon (P)2014 Mary Potter-Kenyon

Can coupons really save you money?

I'm a coupon clipper. I've read blogs and have even gone to many of the coupon websites mentioned in this book. I also work for one of the major drugstore chains mentioned here.

All that being said, I did learn a lot about the history of coupons, refunding and statistically who are most likely to use coupons. Ms. Kenyon gives you a lot of information in the book but it is in a way that doesn't overwhelm you. Ms. Kenyon also 'debunks' many of the couponing myths out there. If you have ever seen one of the coupon reality shows on TV, Ms. Kenyon points out the 'true reality' of them. They aren't very real at all.

Ms. Commins has a very pleasant voice and made the information even more interesting. She narrates the book at a good speed and you don't feel like it is being rushed.

I enjoyed both the writing and reading of this book. I would recommend it to my friends who are thinking of getting into couponing. This is a very realistic guide to couponing.

in depth look at the couponing trend

A well researched look into the history of couponing from the heyday of 1980's refund craze through Extreme Couponing today. The author is likeable and her memoir is interspersed with lots of good facts and research statistics. She does a good job of looking at the trends and ramifications of couponing, including fraudulent use and the way retailers use psychlogical studies of consumer buying habits to try to control what you buy, and speculating what may be the future of coupon usage. This was a more enjoyable read than you might expect from such a dry subject.