Comments on: An Experiment in Couponing http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html Naturally inspired living for the Christian homemaker Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:07:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Wendy Cooperhttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22709 Wendy Cooper Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:38:51 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22709 From personal experience I know that coconut oil from the regular stores is expensive and you don't always get the best quality coconut oil. I don't benefit from telling you this at all so not trying to sell you anything. I get my coconut oil from Mercola (http://shop.mercola.com/Food_and_Snacks-Fresh_Shores_Coconut_Oil_Gallon-P508.aspx) - I get the huge 1 gallon bucket and then I put it into a bunch of glass jars - we don't do a whole lot of plastic in our house and it comes in a plastic bucket that's really hard to open and close. Some jars are for the bathroom (cause we use it on our skin) and some jars are for the kitchen. This bucket lasts us over a year (just my son and I). It's the best coconut oil EVER - I can tell the difference from store bought ones instantly. I hope this helps! :) Happy 2009!! From personal experience I know that coconut oil from the regular stores is expensive and you don't always get the best quality coconut oil.

I don't benefit from telling you this at all so not trying to sell you anything. I get my coconut oil from Mercola (http://shop.mercola.com/Food_and_Snacks-Fresh_Shores_Coconut_Oil_Gallon-P508.aspx) - I get the huge 1 gallon bucket and then I put it into a bunch of glass jars - we don't do a whole lot of plastic in our house and it comes in a plastic bucket that's really hard to open and close. Some jars are for the bathroom (cause we use it on our skin) and some jars are for the kitchen. This bucket lasts us over a year (just my son and I). It's the best coconut oil EVER - I can tell the difference from store bought ones instantly.

I hope this helps! :)

Happy 2009!!

]]> By: lylah lednerhttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22708 lylah ledner Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:35:33 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22708 Hi my beautiful friend. I'm loving reading the honest of the coupon endeavor and the challenge to revist something that doesn't seem as if it works for all families. Back in "the day" I did coupons - we're talking like 28years ago. We weren't as savvy as the younger moms are today so for me this whole concept and pursuit of is still something I'm watching and learning. My oldest daughter just jumped in and she keeps telling me that the water is really fine. I'm still watching and I'm looking foward to seeing your progress. Hey...Merry Christmas to you! Love, Lylah Hi my beautiful friend. I'm loving reading the honest of the coupon endeavor and the challenge to revist something that doesn't seem as if it works for all families. Back in "the day" I did coupons - we're talking like 28years ago. We weren't as savvy as the younger moms are today so for me this whole concept and pursuit of is still something I'm watching and learning.

My oldest daughter just jumped in and she keeps telling me that the water is really fine. I'm still watching and I'm looking foward to seeing your progress.

Hey...Merry Christmas to you! Love, Lylah

]]> By: Joycehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22707 Joyce Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:37:02 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22707 Thank you! It's great to hear from someone who acknowledges that couponing in Canada is tough. How do you find coupons in Canada? I live in Alberta and it is so difficult to find good coupons that I have virtually given up. The only coupons I seem to find are for junk food.:( Can't wait to hear how your "experiment" turns out.:) Joyce Thank you! It's great to hear from someone who acknowledges that couponing in Canada is tough. How do you find coupons in Canada? I live in Alberta and it is so difficult to find good coupons that I have virtually given up. The only coupons I seem to find are for junk food.:(

Can't wait to hear how your "experiment" turns out.:)
Joyce

]]> By: Debrahttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22706 Debra Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:57:58 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22706 I don't use a lot of coupons either mainly because I find that they are often for the processed foods which we don't eat too much of. But I do use them for toilet paper, plastic (bags, wrap, etc), toiletries, batteries - things like that -plus dairy items. Every now and then I might find something like 'free produce with purchase of tomato sauce, pasta, etc.' That being said & someone may have mentioned this - I still think we save money not using processed food even without the coupons. Good luck on your venture - I look forward to hearing how it works for you. Have a great Thanksgiving and travel safely. I don't use a lot of coupons either mainly because I find that they are often for the processed foods which we don't eat too much of. But I do use them for toilet paper, plastic (bags, wrap, etc), toiletries, batteries - things like that -plus dairy items. Every now and then I might find something like 'free produce with purchase of tomato sauce, pasta, etc.' That being said & someone may have mentioned this - I still think we save money not using processed food even without the coupons. Good luck on your venture - I look forward to hearing how it works for you. Have a great Thanksgiving and travel safely.

]]> By: Ranee @ Arabian Knitshttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22705 Ranee @ Arabian Knits Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:15:59 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22705 I don't know if this will work for you, but if you are coming into Seattle there are QFCs and Fred Meyers, and at shortcuts.com you can sign your rewards cards up and use coupons that link to the rewards card number. The discount is taken off your bill automatically when you use the rewards card. Often the coupons include organic produce and meats. There are diaper coupons and things like that. Also, I use Organic Valley coupons for their butter and such that I print from their website. Their sister company Organic Prairie also has printable coupons. Another thing I do is to scan the organic produce, packaged grains/flours and dairy aisles. At both QFC and Fred Meyer, look for orange 50% off stickers. I picked up some organic, non-gmo, blue corn meal for less than the standard, yellow stuff, frequently get salsas, bags of carrots and such for half off that way. I don't know if this will work for you, but if you are coming into Seattle there are QFCs and Fred Meyers, and at shortcuts.com you can sign your rewards cards up and use coupons that link to the rewards card number. The discount is taken off your bill automatically when you use the rewards card. Often the coupons include organic produce and meats. There are diaper coupons and things like that.

Also, I use Organic Valley coupons for their butter and such that I print from their website. Their sister company Organic Prairie also has printable coupons.

Another thing I do is to scan the organic produce, packaged grains/flours and dairy aisles. At both QFC and Fred Meyer, look for orange 50% off stickers. I picked up some organic, non-gmo, blue corn meal for less than the standard, yellow stuff, frequently get salsas, bags of carrots and such for half off that way.

]]> By: Juliehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22704 Julie Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:40:05 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22704 Maybe this link will be helpful: http://www.organicgrocerydeals.com/forums/ Maybe this link will be helpful:
http://www.organicgrocerydeals.com/forums/

]]> By: Stephanie @ Keeper of the Homehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22703 Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:34:27 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22703 Let me try to answer a few comments here: I've been getting my coupons on line, this past week. I will also be trying to get some from my MIL's newspaper inserts when I go down tomorrow. One site that has been really instrumental in helping me find coupons is www.moneysavingmom.com. Maple Ridge Mom, thanks for the tip about London Drugs- I wouldn't have thought of using them, but seeing as you live really close to me, that might be a good Canadian option! I'm surprised you get 4 free papers! Where I live across the river, I only get 1 and it rarely has coupons. Mary Ellen, thanks for linking to the Organic Coupons Forum. That's another resource that I've been using somewhat. Laryssa, I'm glad to hear that you've had success using Ebay. A few times while googling for coupons, I came across Ebay coupon auctions and thought they looked potentially worthwhile! Jennifer and Beatrice, thanks for the links! SarahMichelle, I also am a Superstore shopper and do most of the things that you do, except that I don't spend enough there to make use of the $250 dollar/$30 off coupons. Although it may be worth it to occasionally arrange my budget to try to take advantage of that. We also do the Superbucks from gas, and use instore coupons, but I haven't started using manufacturer's coupons yet, which is my next step I think. Laura V, I love the idea of getting free things that I might not buy for my family, but donate them to those who would use them. That's wonderful and I'm sure I could easily do that! Vicki, thanks for the couponmom.com link! Jodean, I totally understand- those have been my thoughts, too! Guess I'm trying to prove myself wrong. :) Sarah, I like the idea of stocking up on baking supplies. With the coupons I've been accumulating, looks I just may be doing a bit of that this weekend. Let me try to answer a few comments here:

I've been getting my coupons on line, this past week. I will also be trying to get some from my MIL's newspaper inserts when I go down tomorrow. One site that has been really instrumental in helping me find coupons is http://www.moneysavingmom.com.

Maple Ridge Mom, thanks for the tip about London Drugs- I wouldn't have thought of using them, but seeing as you live really close to me, that might be a good Canadian option! I'm surprised you get 4 free papers! Where I live across the river, I only get 1 and it rarely has coupons.

Mary Ellen, thanks for linking to the Organic Coupons Forum. That's another resource that I've been using somewhat.

Laryssa, I'm glad to hear that you've had success using Ebay. A few times while googling for coupons, I came across Ebay coupon auctions and thought they looked potentially worthwhile!

Jennifer and Beatrice, thanks for the links!

SarahMichelle, I also am a Superstore shopper and do most of the things that you do, except that I don't spend enough there to make use of the $250 dollar/$30 off coupons. Although it may be worth it to occasionally arrange my budget to try to take advantage of that. We also do the Superbucks from gas, and use instore coupons, but I haven't started using manufacturer's coupons yet, which is my next step I think.

Laura V, I love the idea of getting free things that I might not buy for my family, but donate them to those who would use them. That's wonderful and I'm sure I could easily do that!

Vicki, thanks for the couponmom.com link!

Jodean, I totally understand- those have been my thoughts, too! Guess I'm trying to prove myself wrong. :)

Sarah, I like the idea of stocking up on baking supplies. With the coupons I've been accumulating, looks I just may be doing a bit of that this weekend.

]]> By: Sarahhttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22702 Sarah Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:57:51 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22702 i haven't seen many coupons for stores i buy healthy foods at, but i know that places like capers and choices do have weekly sales, and i have wondered if i could benefit from keeping track of what the bargains are. i haven't seen many coupons for stores i buy healthy foods at, but i know that places like capers and choices do have weekly sales, and i have wondered if i could benefit from keeping track of what the bargains are.

]]> By: Sarahhttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22701 Sarah Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:51:02 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22701 I'm what I would call a quasi-couponer. I have a subscription to our local paper for weekends only so get the coupons once a week in my Sunday paper. Like you, I'm often dismayed at the quantity of coupons that I flip through and DON'T use (almost all are processed, packaged, fake color/flavor/sugar/preservative-full items that we don't eat). HOWEVER, I have had some luck by watching our store ads (a few of my local stores offer double coupons) and utilizing their store-brand organic line. This time of year, right before the holidays, you can often find coupons for baking basics, including aluminum-free baking powder, good chocolate, cornstarch, spices, etc. I stock up at this time using coupons and have the pantry items set for the rest of the year. I've sometimes been able to get good deals via coupons for olive oil, whole wheat pastas, canned tomatoes (organic) and some dairy (cheese, yogurt, etc.) Other than that, the main area where I've really saved money using coupons is on toiletries. Frequently my stores will offer a buy one, get one free option for something like shampoo. They also accept double coupons, so in that case I frequently will use the BOGO-free option plus a double coupon (say, originally $1/off is now $2) and I'll get two bottles for $3 instead of $10. I'll stock up at that time if I have more than one coupon and be set for a few months. I second the recommendation to go to your favorite brand's websites to see if they have coupons available or an online store. I've received as many as nine or ten coupons at once from some brands! Online stores are great too . . . For example, I've been baking a lot more and prefer King Arthur's whole wheat and white whole wheat flours (organic and non). Though I can't find paper coupons for them to take with me to the store, they have an online store and I can buy in bulk a larger quantity of flour for a cheaper price than my local store, plus can frequently find coupon codes for their online store with a simple google search. These little hints allow me more room in my budget for spending more elsewhere for the whole, nourishing foods that we eat. Hope this helps! Best, Sarah I'm what I would call a quasi-couponer. I have a subscription to our local paper for weekends only so get the coupons once a week in my Sunday paper. Like you, I'm often dismayed at the quantity of coupons that I flip through and DON'T use (almost all are processed, packaged, fake color/flavor/sugar/preservative-full items that we don't eat). HOWEVER, I have had some luck by watching our store ads (a few of my local stores offer double coupons) and utilizing their store-brand organic line.

This time of year, right before the holidays, you can often find coupons for baking basics, including aluminum-free baking powder, good chocolate, cornstarch, spices, etc. I stock up at this time using coupons and have the pantry items set for the rest of the year. I've sometimes been able to get good deals via coupons for olive oil, whole wheat pastas, canned tomatoes (organic) and some dairy (cheese, yogurt, etc.) Other than that, the main area where I've really saved money using coupons is on toiletries. Frequently my stores will offer a buy one, get one free option for something like shampoo. They also accept double coupons, so in that case I frequently will use the BOGO-free option plus a double coupon (say, originally $1/off is now $2) and I'll get two bottles for $3 instead of $10. I'll stock up at that time if I have more than one coupon and be set for a few months.

I second the recommendation to go to your favorite brand's websites to see if they have coupons available or an online store. I've received as many as nine or ten coupons at once from some brands! Online stores are great too . . . For example, I've been baking a lot more and prefer King Arthur's whole wheat and white whole wheat flours (organic and non). Though I can't find paper coupons for them to take with me to the store, they have an online store and I can buy in bulk a larger quantity of flour for a cheaper price than my local store, plus can frequently find coupon codes for their online store with a simple google search.

These little hints allow me more room in my budget for spending more elsewhere for the whole, nourishing foods that we eat. Hope this helps!

Best,
Sarah

]]> By: MacKenzie @BRC Banterhttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html/comment-page-1#comment-22700 MacKenzie @BRC Banter Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:47:13 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/11/an-experiement-in-couponing.html#comment-22700 I got into couponing about the same time I started cooking more healthy foods(which also happened to be when I got married!) but I find it is easy to do both. I probably don't save as much as someone who buys mostly processed food but it is still worth my time. We use coupons on paper products (toilet paper, occasional paper towels) and spices, olive oil, flour, sugar, canned tomatoes, yogurt, sour cream, and some of the few convenience foods we eat like Kashi and cheerios. I probably average a savings of $10 per week (of our $200 a month budget). Like Vicki mentioned above, we also use it for giving purposes. We have gotten things like shampoos and toothpaste for free (or even paid to take) and been able to give it out to college students we know, food pantries and shoe boxes for children in other countries. I got into couponing about the same time I started cooking more healthy foods(which also happened to be when I got married!) but I find it is easy to do both. I probably don't save as much as someone who buys mostly processed food but it is still worth my time. We use coupons on paper products (toilet paper, occasional paper towels) and spices, olive oil, flour, sugar, canned tomatoes, yogurt, sour cream, and some of the few convenience foods we eat like Kashi and cheerios. I probably average a savings of $10 per week (of our $200 a month budget).

Like Vicki mentioned above, we also use it for giving purposes. We have gotten things like shampoos and toothpaste for free (or even paid to take) and been able to give it out to college students we know, food pantries and shoe boxes for children in other countries.

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