A lot of people out there think you cannot eat healthy food and save money.Well I’m here to tell you that you can! Many people are looking for healthy alternatives for their family – through more healthy, organic, and possibly gluten-free foods.
So is it possible to have a stellar trip yet still eat healthy? Absolutely. Is it possible to find coupons for Organic foods you see in the store today? Absoultely.
Today we have a reader up in Alaska – Stephanie. Stephanie is a woman on a mission. With a tight budget, and a Vegan diet, she still finds ways to incorporate huge savings into her family’s diet.
Stephanie says:
This is how I get down at Wal Mart. I’m on a budget. So much that you have to practically PRY the money out of my hands.
Before coupon $70.41
After coupons? $1.11
What I purchased:
2 Roasted Nori $2.18 ea
1 Pacific Soup $2.62, less $1/1 printable
1 package of microfiber sponges $2.08
Dried Mango $3.97
Taco Loco White corn tortila $2.48- not pictued forgot on the counter
3 Stretch Island Fruit Company $2.88
Bobs Red Mill Corn Meal $3.00
Borax $3.86 ea., less .35/1 printable
6 Natrol Menopause & Folic Acid $1 each, less $3/1 coupons found in box of previous purchase*
The pharmacist told me that they are discontinuing this brand. So look out for it and price check.
10 Tena Serenity $3.34 ea., less $5/1 coupons (hang tag in my Fred Meyer)
And then a trip to Fred Meyer (Fry’s/Kroger affiliate):
3 Hydroponic Butter Leaf Lettuce $1.79 regular price $4.00
1-Organic Spinach $1.99 regular price $3.99
5 Kiwi $2.50
Bag refund 0.10 – 2 bags
Total $9.81
Can you eat Organic….on the “Freap”?!
Many people think that it’s impossible to coupon your way to an organic diet. That is not entirely correct….There are a lot of great resources for coupons, and Organic foods are becoming more mainstream. Fred Meyer (Fry’s/Kroger affiliate) has a great Organic selection, as well as most other grocers. The trick is to knowing and understanding the brands, and setting aside time to do your research to look for appropriate coupons, or, contacting the companies to seek their support.
So how can you get started? Easy – follow along!
1. Look around your kitchen at any foods you already eat and write down the companies. Peruse the grocery store and write down companies of foods you already eat or would like to try if you had a coupon.
2. Email the companies about how you like their product, or how you would love to try their product(include your mailing information)
3. Sign up for RecycleBank – there are many food coupons on there you can redeem your points for.
I (personally) like to create a database of companies I have contacted, which includes what I have received and the date I contacted them. I try to follow up with them every 6 months.
So let’s email 5 companies this week – how does that sound?
:: Earthbound Farms
:: Barbaras Bakery
:: Arrowhead Mills
:: Amy’s Kitchen
:: Bob’s Red Mill
Have you tried emailing companies to obtain product coupons? Have you wanted to try more Organic foods, but thought that it was impossible to keep your budget?
Thanks Stephanie for this great info!
FYI Bob's Red Mill has a coupon in the Fry's Optimum mag (free in the organic section).
If you write a review/comment on Applegate farms website then email them they have sent me $1/1 coupons.
The reason she got all that stuff for free at WalMart is because she had major overage on Natrol and Tena products. There is not one single store that I shop in that gives overage. (I do not shop at WalMart, ever.) My Fry's always reduces the coupon to the amount of the item. It is a source of irritation to me because I know Fry's gets reimbursed for the full value of the coupon. Despite that, I still don't think finding overage on a few items that aren't organic = being able to coupon on organics.
There are a lot of organic products that send out coupons though, and what Sheryl was showing was a smart shopper who figured out how to use a deal to her advantage which is what couponing is all about.
If you follow the Dirty Dozen rule with organics and shop the "Manager's Specials" at Fry's you can eat good fresh organic food for the same price and sometimes less than conventional.
Way to go Stephanie! Thanks for sharing how one can shop for their family organically and still save using coupons. For one to be really successful with this one must be able to think outside the box. :O)
Way to go Stephanie! Thanks for sharing how one can shop for their family organically and still save using coupons. For one to be really successful with this one must be able to think outside the box. :O)
I still don't think finding overage on a few items that aren't organic = being able to coupon on organics
Jamie: You sure can shop an entire order on organics. Last month, when Fry's did competitor coupons, I bought Pacific Soup for .49 ea. I also got Tera Chips for .49, and Kashi free. Naked juice = FREE….. Horizon Milk? $1…. and Mom's Best? FREE. It can be done. Yes, I did show her using Natrol to eat up overage, but you have to be inventive. Yes, I realize it's a YMMV, however, you dont know unless you try it, and you have to get creative. To just "assume" you can't coupon on organics is wrong. Just last week I got (6) 1/2 Gallons of 8th continent for FREE…… in addition to Food Should Taste Good for FREE. To make an assumption that you have to break the bank to eat Organically is a very poor excuse for not taking the time to be inventive, and creative in ways to find coupons for those products. You just have to work harder.
I love this! It's a great reminder to keep looking for the hidden deals and know that we aren't alone. I love to use high value coupons at wal-mart, specifically for overage. No beeping, no issues, and price matching to get the best meat prices to use up the overage. Thanks for sharing!