Consumers Are Conservative About Spending this Holiday Season; 70% Say They Have Less Money in Pockets this Year than Previous Years.

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2003

According to a recent survey, 70% of consumers feel that they have less money in their pockets for spending this holiday season compared to previous years. The survey, conducted by CoolSavings, Inc. (OTCBB:CSAV), a leading online direct marketing and media company, also found that consumers were feeling more practical this holiday season with 30% of consumers saying they would pay off personal debt for their loved ones if they won the lottery this holiday season. Other answers seemed just as practical with 28 % giving cash and 17% buying a house.

If you win the lottery tomorrow, what holiday gift would you give your loved ones?

-- Paying off personal debt (30%)

-- Cash (28%)

-- Buying a house (17%)

-- Vacation (12%)

-- Education (7%)

-- Car (6%)

"Consumers have to focus on making their money stretch farther this year. We're finding that people are looking more closely for sales and coupons available online," said Matt Moog, president and CEO of CoolSavings. "Online sales are much bigger than they were last year partially because more online sites are offering savings opportunities. CoolSavings.com provides various sale and coupon e-mail notifications that can be used online and in traditional stores, making it easier for consumers to find discounts."

The survey is part of an ongoing series that CoolSavings conducts through their Web site www.coolsavings.com on consumer attitudes toward spending and saving, and how costs affect purchase behavior. Consumers visit coolsavings.com to take advantage of valuable savings and information on brand-name stores, products and services.

CoolSavings conducted the online survey between October 6, 2003 and October 9, 2003. The survey sample comprises 1,716 unique responders. The margin of error is 2.4 %.

About CoolSavings

CoolSavings is an online direct marketing and media company that provides smarter solutions to help marketers reach their target consumers. Combining a broad distribution network, sophisticated analytics and proprietary technology with superior customer service, we enable a wide variety of advertisers to identify and engage their best customers among our more than 12 million active registered households.

CoolSavings is a registered trademark of CoolSavings, Inc. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

Statements in this press release regarding CoolSavings' business that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the statements under "Business Outlook" and other statements regarding the CoolSavings' expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions or strategies. Where possible, such forward-looking statements have been identified by use of words such as "project", "target," "forecast," "believe," "expects," and similar expressions. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, both general and specific to the matters discussed in this press release, may cause CoolSavings' actual results and performance to differ materially from the future results and performance expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, without limitation, CoolSavings' to meet any debt repayment or equity redemption demands of its preferred stockholders, CoolSavings' ability to protect its patents, trademarks and propriety rights, the successful introduction of new products by CoolSavings, the ability to add new members, the ability to attract, assimilate and retain highly skilled personnel, and CoolSavings' ability to retain its advertisers. For further discussion of some of the risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results and performance to differ from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in CoolSavings' Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the SEC. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, CoolSavings undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or any other reason.