As if September weren't fabulous enough already with the aroma of freshly sharpened number two pencils and the first nip of cool air, it just got even better. September is National Coupon Month! Of course Coupon Sherpa is bonkers for bargains, but according to I Love Coupon Month everyone else is jumping on the bandwagon, snipping coupons in record numbers.

Just when you think it's smooth sailing through your college years, you learn about these things called expenses. Mom and Dad have paid for them until now, and may still dish out for them while you're a student. Things like gas, clothing, rent, food, and luxuries (or those things you formerly bought with your allowance) now suck up every available buck.

A sweet coupon is tough to resist, but offers that appear too good to be true can be fraudulent. Coupons are easy to find and have become so popular that scammers regularly reared their ugly heads with sophisticated cons.

Internet coupons have drastically increased in popularity of late, but mobile coupons are hot on their heals. Marketing researchers commonly agree consumer interest has grown as smart phones and coupon apps become more affordable.

While the tight economy truly sucks, we're seeing one big advantage: Many consumers have returned to the frugal ways our grandparents used during the Great Depression.

In the not too distant past, personal computers were the size of a dorm refrigerator, "apps" sounded like an abbreviation for apples, and the thought of downloading coupons with a couple mouse clicks was inconceivable.

Coupon Sherpa has doubled its staff in just five months. Elbow room was getting squeaky tight, so our CEO did the right thing and moved us into a spacious, loft-style office. Boy are we thrilled!

More and more stores now allow coupon stacking, or combining a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon for multiple savings.

It's a cruel world out there. Advertising preys on the desirable tween and teen audience with TV ads incorporating popular music, rapid-cut editing and youthful celebrities. Merchants know kids like to hang out at malls where shopping is a form of entertainment.

Retailers love special holidays like Earth Day, because it gives them a reason to lavish it's shoppers with coupons and sales. So enjoy our top five Earth Day coupons.