Abstract: A self-contained personal data collector for redeeming product coupons having product code information in machine-readable form thereon, the data collector comprising: (a) a first memory device containing a product coupon list having a plurality of entries, each entry including product code information for a product; (b) a scanner for scanning machine-readable product code information from a coupon; (c) a comparator for comparing the scanned product code information with the entries of the product coupon list in the first memory device to find a match; (d) a display for displaying the matched product code information; (e) means for assigning a unique identifier to the matched product code information; and (f) a second memory device for storing a list of matched product code information and corresponding unique identifiers as individual item entries, wherein the item entries can be retrieved and tallied by a register at a product purchase location.