Kids are Using Coupons: Study

Budgeting is a hot topic among families trying to explain to their children why dinner and a movie is no longer a given on Friday nights.

A new study from CoolSavings.com has discovered more than 80% of parents say “their kids are aware of the bad economy and its impact on the household budget” and 84% “discuss saving and budgeting with their children."

In addition, 70% of parents reported cutting back spending on their children. The largest category impacted is “entertainment” (34%) followed by “restaurants” and “clothes”—both around 16%.

And these enlightened kids appear to be taking matters into their own hands. Nearly 60% of parents surveyed say their children are couponing.

“Based on what we are learning, we may see the emergence of a whole new generation of clippers, as well as brands and advertisers finding a way to create kid-friendly couponing while keeping the head of household engaged as well,” Matt Wise, president and chief executive office of Q Interactive, the company that owns CoolSavings.com, said in a release.

The survey found that while only 8% of parents feel budgeting “is not a conversation for kids,” 78% see it in a different light: as an “important life lesson.”

“Families are changing behaviors in this market with couponing and researching for savings no longer a parents-only concern – it’s actually a family activity,” Wise said.