401(k), IRA, the stock market, dividends… who can keep it all straight?

Investing can be complicated, so much so that a recent CouponCabin survey revealed that nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults don’t currently have investments.

Even with the stock market soaring, many Americans report they continue they still have reservations about investing in the stock market. In fact, nearly four-in-ten (39 percent) adults report they don’t currently have any types of financial investments, like 401(k)s or IRA retirement accounts, mutual funds or stocks. In addition, 61 percent said they have reservations about investing in the stock market. Their concerns include:

• Not having enough money to invest
• Not trusting the stock market
• Thinking it’s too complicated
• Being unsure of how to get started

Even though many adults report they don’t have financial investments, they are still keeping an eye on the market. Fifty-five percent of adults said they follow the stock market in some capacity, with one-quarter (25 percent) reporting they track its ups and downs at least once a week. When it comes to young adults, there was a significant difference between men and women. Fifty-nine percent of men ages 18-34 said they follow the stock market compared to 30 percent of women ages 18-34.

In addition, Americans aged 18-34 are the highest age group to report that they don’t have financial investments. In fact, nearly three-in-four adults ages 18-34 said they don’t currently invest in retirement accounts such as a 401 (k) or IRA, while more than half of those ages 18-34 said they don’t have any financial investments at all.

While some Americans report they are intimidated by the complexity of the market, others said if the economy were more stable they would be more likely to invest.

• 39 percent said they were much or somewhat more likely to invest money in the market if the economy were more stable.
• 46 percent said they weren’t any more or less likely to invest if the economy were more stable.
• 15 percent said they were much/somewhat less likely to invest.

Regardless of apprehensions in investing in the stock market, many adults said they would be open to learning more about the process. Forty-three percent would be at least somewhat likely to consider taking a course or class to learn more about the stock market and investments.

We offer the following tips for those just starting out with investing:

Dig into the basics: What’s the difference between a stock and mutual fund? First, you’ll want to become familiar with investing terms and language so you’re clear on what everything means. That way, you know where your money is going. Hop online and or pick up an investing basics book to get you started.

Join a club: Many communities have stock market clubs and local organizations that bring together different levels of investors, whether you’re a novice or an expert. Do a quick Internet search to see if there’s a local group that fits your needs.

Speak up: Ask friends, family and colleagues for advice on finding resources to get you started, such as a broker recommendation or online resources they use. Don’t forget to ask your HR department if your company has a program or recommendations in place to help beginning investors.

Many of us like to assume we have control over our finances, or at least a sense of what we’re spending each day. A few dollars on coffee here, a happy hour appetizer with friends there, and then you’re picking up dog bones for your pet on your way home. Seems easy to know how much you’re spending versus how much you’re taking in, right?

Well, a new roundup on just how much Americans spend on everyday items from TIME’s Moneyland blog may surprise you.

Daily Fuel

Let’s start with that ubiquitous cup of joe. A survey from the Consumerist reports that the average U.S. worker spends more than $20 a week on coffee. That’s right, for that plain black stuff you slurp out of a mug. That adds up to a hefty $1,092 each year!

Real Fuel

You know, the kind that gets you from point A to point B. For most Americans who don’t have the opportunity to take public transit to and from work, it means they’re hitting the pump to keep their chariots going. According to the Associated Press, in 2011, the average household spent $4,155 on gasoline. That’s an all-time high, as was the year’s average price for a gallon of regular: $3.53. Talk about sticker shock. (more…)

In the past few weeks, we’ve noticed a new trend in Hollywood: coupons! Obviously, we’ve been fans of couponing for years but it’s interesting to see that even the rich and fabulous use coupons to stretch their money.

As you know, CouponCabin blogger and reality TV star Kate Gosselin has been an avid user of coupons since long before Hollywood came calling. She has referred to coupons as “free money in your pocket” and over the years has learned a thing or two about stretching a budget for a large family. Her weekly blog posts offer insight into her money-saving strategies and tips.

But did you know that Kourtney Kardashian also uses coupons? In this past week’s “Kourtney and Kim Take New York” episode on E!, Kourtney spends the majority of the episode clipping coupons, creating a coupon organizer and even meeting up with a fellow couponer! Kourtney makes millions of dollars a year but takes the time to save money when she can. It’s so refreshing to see a starlet being responsible with her money. (more…)

We’re scouring the interwebs and working with your favorite merchants to get Black Friday store flyers – essential to help you plan your doorbuster dash this week.

Check back often, we’re adding more as we get them!

Academy Sports + Outdoors - Friday doorbuster deals
Doors open at 5am Friday

A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts – free $10 gift card to first 50 customers
30% off entire purchase Friday 5am-noon, 50% off one item Friday noon-10pm
Pre-shop A.C. Moore online sale 

ACE Hardware - after Thanksgiving event
Register in-store Friday 11/25 for a chance to win a Craftsman 5-drawer tool center
Pre-shop ACE Hardware online deals 

Bass Pro Shops - Black Friday 5-hour sale
Doors open at 6am Friday
Start shopping with free site-to-store shipping 

Baells - over 300 “Baell Ringers” deals 12am-1pm
Stores open 12am-10pm Friday

Best Buy - Friday doorbuster sale
Doors open at 12am Friday
Pre-shop Best Buy online deals

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Even fashionistas love using coupons! CouponCabin.com was listed as a top coupon website in the cover story, “50 Top Money-Saving Sites,” in this month’s People StyleWatch magazine. Rumor has it that Kourtney Kardashian loves coupons!

In addition to helping you save money, here at CouponCabin.com, we want to help you stay informed on current news about personal finance. Don’t spend hours reading blogs and newspapers to get your money fix – let us do the work! Below, we’ve put together a roundup of the best money articles from this week that offer tips and interesting insight to help you become a savvy saver.

Technology never ceases to amaze us. Is Google Wallet the wave of the future? Introduced recently, Google Wallet allows you to pay with your smartphone. This Advertising Age article, “Tapping Spree: How to Spend $100 With Google Wallet” will blow your mind.

Are you getting nervous about how you will afford the upcoming holidays? Have no fear. This article on MSN Money, “Save $1,000 By the Holidays” offers some practical tips about how to avoid getting into debt with holiday gifts.

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“He’s making a list and checking it twice…” wait, on the Internet? This line from Santa’s famous anthem will take on a new, and digital, spin this holiday season, as recent research from the National Retail Federation reveals that holiday shopping lists are moving online.

Sure, many people will still make their pilgrimage to the mall and other stores, but the survey found that 36 percent of all shopping tasks, including checking prices, researching and buying products, will take place online this year, up from 32.7 percent last year. The survey also found that shoppers will spend an average of $704.18 on gifts and decorations, among other things, as they celebrate the season. (more…)

In addition to helping you save money, here at CouponCabin.com, we want to help you stay informed on current news about personal finance. Below, we’ve put together a roundup of the best money articles from this week that offer tips and interesting insight to help you become the next Mellody Hobson.

• We’re always on the hunt for useful tips to make our lives easier. This article from the Pioneer Press gives great reader tips about what to toss and what to keep.

• At the end of summer, like clockwork, the pop-up Halloween stores start, well, popping up all over the place. This article from the Sacramento Bee gives some insight and tips on how to shop smart this Halloween. (more…)

Informal poll time. Have you seen those little square boxes in a magazine or store lately and wondered what the heck they are? You’re not alone, but to help you out, in the marketing world they’re called QR codes. Yep, that’s short for “quick response” code, and companies are using them to deliver an “experience” outside of what you immediately see.

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The holidays are approaching faster than a John Axford fastball, and with the clock starting to tick, many people are starting to figure out how they plan to shop. Planning out a shopping strategy seems more relevant now than in years past, as holiday shopping can be stressful not only in terms of the sheer number of gifts you have to buy, but also that gifts’ prices add up quickly.

So how will the majority of people do their shopping this year? Our friends at Accenture released a survey yesterday that revealed that more than half, 59 percent to be exact, of online consumers said they will buy more on the web than in stores this year. It seems to make sense, as most people agree that shopping online is easy, and the majority (74 percent) cited free shipping as the top incentive to online shopping, followed by 60 percent saying they find better discounts online. Not leaving your couch and better deals, what’s not to love?

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