Why pay more for merchandise than you have to pay?

For some individuals, shopping online is a real time saver and a super convenience. For others, it is an amazing opportunity to save money as well because they know the secret to using coupon codes.

Many well-known stores from every avenue of retail regularly offer immediate savings off of their merchandise and products online. In addition to the savings at the time of purchase, some of these codes entitle you to free shipping or certain percentages off of the next time. The key is knowing the "coupon code" to enter into the form in the shopping cart that allows you to receive these instant savings.

It usually works in either of two ways—a dollar amount or percentage off of your total purchase at checkout. So if you do not know the code, you are unable to take advantage of the valuable discounts these retailers are offering.

In the beginning...

Americans were first introduced to the concept of coupons when they were offered a hand-written ticket in 1894 to redeem for a free glass of a new fountain drink called "Coca-Cola." These coupons were given out as a way to allow potential customers an opportunity to "try before you buy."

The idea of coupons took a strong foothold approximately six years later and came into mainstream usage nationally across the United States. Back then, the majority of coupons were for cereal where manufacturers wanted to stimulate customer interest and encourage purchases of their products.

In recent years, it was thought that coupon usage was only used by low-income households. However, current survey data suggests that as household income increases—so does coupon utilization.

It has also been reported that eighty-six percent of the overall American population uses coupons—attributing to saving billions of dollars annually.

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

Just as it was over a century ago, the same basic principle still stands behind coupon codes today. However, technology has greatly influenced our ever-changing world and the way we conduct business has changed quite a bit since then—even in the last ten years.

In turn, so has the mindset of retailers, marketers and manufacturers to keep pace with what consumers want and how they shop.They want your business and this is one marketing strategy they use in an attempt to lure and keep you as a customer.

There is more than one way to skin a cat...

Online retailers may refer to these codes in different ways. For example: coupon codes, promotional codes, promotion codes, shopping codes, discount codes, voucher codes, promo codes and source codes.

There are a couple of ways to obtain these codes—either by conducting a search within several code sites you have bookmarked (see Coupon Code Sources to the right), or though typing exactly what you need (see below) into your favorite search engine.

Worth the wait...

Armed with the knowledge of how coupons codes work and where to get them, you will inevitably always be able to find a bargain and you will never have to pay full retail price for your online purchases ever again.

Of course you'll have to wait for your purchase to arrive at your door, but most would agree that the savings are well-worth the wait.