Kentucky consistently lags behind other areas of the United States in key household economic indicators, including personal income, population living below the poverty line, unemployment, and revolving debt. In Webster County 18.7% of families with children were below the poverty level in 2015 according to The American Community Survey. It is important to acknowledge the impact of current economic conditions on family financial management.  The Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent presented a program Couponing and Apps for families to help them learn to save money at the grocery store and increase the family’s financial management. Thirteen adults who are in charge of their family’s finances and groceries attended the class. The class discussed menu planning, identified food resource management techniques, located coupons to save money, organize coupons, downloading secure coupon/money saving apps, and creating a plan for savings.

Immediately following the class, an evaluation was given to participants to complete. One-hundred percent of the participants increased their knowledge about the basics of couponing, importance of budgeting and maintaining financial stability. Class participants also stated that they intended to implement a form of savings strategy, to begin using coupons in order to save money and using a money tracking or saving app to help them effectively plan financially.

Weeks following the class, a follow up survey was emailed to participants. Fifty percent of the participants responded that they were using information learned at the Couponing and Apps class on most grocery trips. They also stated that they have become more organized when shopping and have saved money on groceries since attending the class. They all shared one thing that they had started using since attending the class. Majority stated they had downloaded and used a money savings app such as Ibotta and Ebates. Some also said they have been keeping record of when items go on sale to get the best price on household staples and others stated using a list and sticking to it to avoid picking up “extra” items not on the list that would normally pick up and go over budget.