Coupons.com Names Favorite Frugalebrities of 2012

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Over one month into 2013, it’s no surprise that everyone is still trying to keep that New Year’s resolution to save a buck or two. And when we say everyone, we mean EVERYONE. While scrimping and saving money does not exactly conjure up lifestyles of the rich and famous, it just so happens that more and more celebrities are adopting savvy money-saving strategies and living thrifty. Whether it’s honoring their frugal beginnings or the thrill of a great deal, these Frugalebrities know how to stretch a dollar.

“Simply put, coupons, discounts, and deals are essentially free money, and no matter what your socioeconomic status, everyone loves a little extra green,” Coupons.com consumer savings expert Jeanette Pavini explains. “Believe it or not, the allure of saving reaches everyone, and like most of us, many stars love a good bargain.”

From models to musicians, pop stars to politicians, here are Coupons.com’s favorite penny pinching Frugalebrities of 2012.

• Kristen Bell – Don’t get this “House of Lies” star started on couponing. Nothing gets her quite as excited as saving a bunch on shopping, and Bell openly admits¹ to stealing her favorite Bed Bath & Beyond coupons right out of her neighbor’s mailbox. “I use a lot of coupons; I almost exclusively shop with coupons. The best coupon you can get, possibly in the world, is the Bed Bath & Beyond coupon.”
• Lady Gaga – This multi-platinum recording artist may be a world famous icon, but she’s still a bargain-hunting New York shopper at heart. In a recent tweet², Gaga explained her love for a good deal, "Why do people look at me like I'm crazy when I use coupons at grocery (stores) or try bargaining at retail, I’M FROM NEW YORK WHERE IS THE SALE RACK?”
• Jay Leno – Frugal may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of this car collector, but the truth is, Leno, even after all his success, opts to live mainly off his comedian income, not his earnings³ from “The Tonight Show.” Leno credits his frugality in part to his parents, who grew up during the Depression.
• Ashley Greene – This rising star shot to fame with the roaring success of “Twilight,” but that doesn’t mean she’s going to start spending all her riches. In an interview⁴ with Marie Claire, Greene explains, "I'm lucky because my dad taught me to be frugal and save. And that's important because I want to know that I don't have to take an acting job for two or three years if I don't want to and that I'll still be able to make my house and car payments and buy food for my dogs.”
• Carrie Underwood – She may have won American Idol Season 4, but Carrie Underwood still keeps a level head when it comes to shopping. In a recent interview⁵ with Rachael Ray, Carrie noted she often forgets to take her coupons to the grocery story (psst… Carrie, check out the Grocery iQ mobile app!) .
• Mariska Hargitay – Although this “Law & Order: SVU” star has seen her share of success playing detective Olivia Benson, she knows not to take it for granted. Hargitay candidly stated⁶, “I constantly worry about money. I make a lot now but I don't feel that way because I was poor and had no money for a lot longer than I've had…I'm saving money to live on, for the future.”
• Carmelo Anthony – NBA star Anthony knows a thing or two when it comes to couponing. In an interview⁷ with a Denver news station, Anthony said, “I go to the supermarket, make sure I get the...coupons out; save a dollar or two.”
• Tyra Banks – Despite being worth millions, this mogul-in-training is proud to show off her thrifty side. Banks has said⁸, “I am frugal. I’ve always been this way. When I was young, my mom would give me my allowance, and I’d peel off a little each week and have some to spare.” What she really loves? Deals. According⁹ to her friend and co-creator of “America's Next Top Model” Kenya Barris, "The thing she is impressed with is getting a deal on something. She gets a kick out of being frugal.”
• Mitt and Ann Romney – This political powerhouse couple is no stranger to big box stores, and in an interview¹⁰ with fellow Frugaleb Jay Leno, Anne revealed that she and her husband love buying in bulk and that her husband is “cheap.” According to Ann, “When we leave the house, he turns off the hot water heater.” Mitt also often neglects to turn it back on, admitting that “cold showers — they're not so bad.”
• Eva Longoria – This “Desperate Housewives” alum is anything but desperate for cash, but that doesn’t stop her from living modestly¹¹. Growing up, her father took her and her siblings out into the wilderness to experience living off the land. It taught her not to take her fortunes for granted, a lesson she still lives by and teaches others today.

Want to save like a star? Pavini offers the following tips:

• Social media = savings. Follow your favorite brands on Facebook and Twitter. You’ll be surprised at some of the special offers that will fall right into your feed.
• Visit sites like Coupons.com where you can score coupons on every day household items and coupon codes for your favorite retailers and restaurants.
• Don’t forget to check out the site of your favorite grocery store; oftentimes they have their own galleries of coupons for you to choose from.

About Coupons.com Incorporated

Coupons.com Incorporated is the recognized leader in digital coupons, including online printable, save to loyalty card and mobile promotions. For consumers, the company’s products include Coupons.com, the 40^th largest website in the U.S. †, as well as Grocery iQ and Coupons.com mobile applications. For brand marketers, the company distributes digital coupons to millions of consumers through Coupons.com and tens of thousands of websites comprising the Coupons.com digital coupon network. The company also powers digital coupon initiatives in 1-to-1 online marketing campaigns—including display advertising, email and social media programs. For publishers, the company offers solutions to monetize website traffic, including branded microsites, and Brandcaster, a self-service coupons syndication platform. Clients include hundreds of top consumer packaged goods brands (including Clorox, General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg’s, Kimberly-Clark, and Kraft Foods), leading restaurant, toy and entertainment companies, as well as top retailers (such as A&P, CVS, Duane Reade, H-E-B, Kmart, Kroger, Safeway and Walgreens). Founded in 1998, the company is based in Mountain View, CA. To start printing coupons, visit www.coupons.com. To learn more about the company visit www.couponsinc.com. Visit Coupons.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/couponscom.

† Nielsen, October 2012

¹ Conan [Television broadcast]. Ross, J. (Producer). New York, NY: Comedy Central.

² NewsNet5.com. Lady Gaga uses cash-saving coupons.

³ PARADE. Jay Leno says: Persistence Pays Off.

⁴ Marie Claire. Sandell, L. Ashley Greene: Look At Me Now.

⁵ Everyday with Rachael Ray. A Day in the Food Life of Carrie Underwood.

⁶ More. Gordon, M. Mariska Hargitay: The Sexiest Cop Alive.

⁷ CBS Denver. Boyd, S. Celebrities Offer Tips On How To Save Money.

⁸ The New York Times Magazine. Hirschberg, L. Banksable.

⁹ Ebony. Samuels, A. Tyra Unexpected.

¹⁰ New York Daily News. Lee, K. Ann Romney on Leno..

¹¹ Examiner.com. Brown, K. Celebrity budgeting: Eva Longoria, Carmelo Anthony know how to be frugal.