Comments on: The Couponing Saga Continues http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html Naturally inspired living for the Christian homemaker Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:00:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Stephanie @ Keeper of the Homehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html/comment-page-1#comment-21736 Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:32:06 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html#comment-21736 Erin, I definitely agree about coops and bulk shopping! That is how I do most of my shopping, aside from my fresh stuff (milk, eggs, produce, etc.) which mostly comes straight from farmers and markets. Gloria, thanks for pointing that out. It's true that you can often get printable coupons for items you specifically like to buy, by looking up the website of the company. Ivonne, raw milk is an issue where I live too. I'm aware of the farmer in Ontario and the legal struggles there. We currently buy milk from a local cow share (possibly the only one in our area, that I know of anyways). Last summer, we went through some legal stuff that it still not over yet, but fortunatley we are able to continue to get milk in the meantime. And it's neat to hear that you are planning to start a buying club/coop- so am I, for the same reasons! Gwen, I think the issue of buying things you don`t really need or wouldn`t buy regularly is a very real one for using coupons. Personally, I won`t be able to do that much or I will blow my already tight budget, so I will need to make sure that I only use coupons that actually help and don`t hinder what I am doing. And yes, sometimes it can be more stress and work, but when dealing with the crunch of grocery prices right now, I`m debating whether it`s worth it or not. Nola, isn`t it nice to find things for us CanadiansÉ Thanks for the sales tip. I tend to find the same thing in my store as well. And the coupon book in my Superstore was in the natural foods aisle. If you don`t have one, perhaps just ask someone in customer service and maybe they can help you find one. Erin, I definitely agree about coops and bulk shopping! That is how I do most of my shopping, aside from my fresh stuff (milk, eggs, produce, etc.) which mostly comes straight from farmers and markets.

Gloria, thanks for pointing that out. It's true that you can often get printable coupons for items you specifically like to buy, by looking up the website of the company.

Ivonne, raw milk is an issue where I live too. I'm aware of the farmer in Ontario and the legal struggles there. We currently buy milk from a local cow share (possibly the only one in our area, that I know of anyways). Last summer, we went through some legal stuff that it still not over yet, but fortunatley we are able to continue to get milk in the meantime. And it's neat to hear that you are planning to start a buying club/coop- so am I, for the same reasons!

Gwen, I think the issue of buying things you don`t really need or wouldn`t buy regularly is a very real one for using coupons. Personally, I won`t be able to do that much or I will blow my already tight budget, so I will need to make sure that I only use coupons that actually help and don`t hinder what I am doing. And yes, sometimes it can be more stress and work, but when dealing with the crunch of grocery prices right now, I`m debating whether it`s worth it or not.

Nola, isn`t it nice to find things for us CanadiansÉ Thanks for the sales tip. I tend to find the same thing in my store as well. And the coupon book in my Superstore was in the natural foods aisle. If you don`t have one, perhaps just ask someone in customer service and maybe they can help you find one.

]]> By: Nolahttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html/comment-page-1#comment-21735 Nola Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:47:56 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html#comment-21735 P.S. in your post you mention the coupon is at Superstore and a few other stores- all loblaws based. Independent grocer is the same chain. Valumart and No frills are too along with the others you mentioned but they tend not to have much natural products. We only have independent/valumart here but I know the others from living in other towns. Where did you find your coupon book in the store? Any tips on where to find these coupon books so we don't miss them when we are busy shopping? P.S. in your post you mention the coupon is at Superstore and a few other stores- all loblaws based. Independent grocer is the same chain. Valumart and No frills are too along with the others you mentioned but they tend not to have much natural products. We only have independent/valumart here but I know the others from living in other towns. Where did you find your coupon book in the store? Any tips on where to find these coupon books so we don't miss them when we are busy shopping?

]]> By: Nolahttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html/comment-page-1#comment-21734 Nola Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:44:49 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html#comment-21734 yay! Something for us Canadians! :) I noticed the natural coupon thing you mentioned the other day too and was SO excited as there were a few that I use in there too. Normally the few coupons we actually do have in Canada are for items I would never use, even for others like chemical cleaners or things like that. When I saw that coupon book I was so excited!! They were in front of the tea section, which I never drink really, but my mom was here helping me and we were shopping and she bought some tea, and there they were! What an odd place and I never would have seen them normally. I don't even know what caused me to pick it up. I will be looking for things like this in the future! I hope to see more like that in the future too. Thank you for the other ideas too! Going to check that out more! This isn't really coupons but another thing about saving on natural products...My regular store (Independent grocer...loblaws based chain) also has these sales that last 2,4,6 or 8 weeks but aren't advertised in flyers. So many of my friends don't notice them. They used to tell you when they ended, but unfourunately at my store they don't anymore. The only way to know its on sale is to see the label on the shelf where the item is. No where else is it mentioned. So for anyone who uses this type of store there might be something similar in your area if you don't know about it already. I know I saw it at my MIL's store too in another town. Every other week its part of my shopping routine to go down every aisle that we use and scan the shelves and then stock up if something we like is on sale. Often this is the only way natural products are on sale in my store. Sometimes there is nothing good but it pays to keep looking. I wish I had more tips for you but I don't, sadly its hard to get deals on good food. I will let you know if I ever come up with anything else relevant to Canada. I do use a lot of food co-op and farmer's market type stuff when I can too like you. yay! Something for us Canadians! :)

I noticed the natural coupon thing you mentioned the other day too and was SO excited as there were a few that I use in there too. Normally the few coupons we actually do have in Canada are for items I would never use, even for others like chemical cleaners or things like that. When I saw that coupon book I was so excited!! They were in front of the tea section, which I never drink really, but my mom was here helping me and we were shopping and she bought some tea, and there they were! What an odd place and I never would have seen them normally. I don't even know what caused me to pick it up. I will be looking for things like this in the future! I hope to see more like that in the future too.

Thank you for the other ideas too! Going to check that out more!

This isn't really coupons but another thing about saving on natural products...My regular store (Independent grocer...loblaws based chain) also has these sales that last 2,4,6 or 8 weeks but aren't advertised in flyers. So many of my friends don't notice them. They used to tell you when they ended, but unfourunately at my store they don't anymore. The only way to know its on sale is to see the label on the shelf where the item is. No where else is it mentioned. So for anyone who uses this type of store there might be something similar in your area if you don't know about it already. I know I saw it at my MIL's store too in another town. Every other week its part of my shopping routine to go down every aisle that we use and scan the shelves and then stock up if something we like is on sale. Often this is the only way natural products are on sale in my store. Sometimes there is nothing good but it pays to keep looking.

I wish I had more tips for you but I don't, sadly its hard to get deals on good food. I will let you know if I ever come up with anything else relevant to Canada. I do use a lot of food co-op and farmer's market type stuff when I can too like you.

]]> By: gwenhttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html/comment-page-1#comment-21733 gwen Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:08:11 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html#comment-21733 I have similar issues with couponing as you seem to have. Eating a whole foods diet, I just don't see that many coupons for things that we eat. Truthfully, I'd rather buy in bulk from our coop than shop the sales and stress about coupons. Maybe I'm not saving the money I should be to be a good steward of our finances, heavens knows I feel that way sometimes. The thing about organic coupons, at least for me, is that I end up buying stuff that I wouldn't buy. Take your juice example, just because I have a coupon and it would be such a nice treat for the kids. I have similar issues with couponing as you seem to have. Eating a whole foods diet, I just don't see that many coupons for things that we eat. Truthfully, I'd rather buy in bulk from our coop than shop the sales and stress about coupons. Maybe I'm not saving the money I should be to be a good steward of our finances, heavens knows I feel that way sometimes.

The thing about organic coupons, at least for me, is that I end up buying stuff that I wouldn't buy. Take your juice example, just because I have a coupon and it would be such a nice treat for the kids.

]]> By: Ivonnehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html/comment-page-1#comment-21732 Ivonne Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:34:27 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html#comment-21732 Hi! I've been reading your blog for a few months now. I live in eastern Canada and have found the exact same challenges as you while trying to keep a budget and eat as organic and wholesome as possible. Just like you I'm continually researching for new and cheaper options. Currently I am trying to start a buying club to be able to buy at the local co-op. Their website is www.onfc.ca. I'm just waiting to hear back from a couple of friends to start. I'm also researching some CSA (community supported agriculture) and found two close to where I live that I'll be contacting. What I've been having a hard time getting (let's say not possible at all) is raw milk since it is prohibited here in Canada. There was even a hearing this week about a trial to a local farmer that was selling cow shares. So, it's understandable that the rest of the farmers who could be interesting in running something similar around here are nowhere to be found. So for the moment, as soon as I have the buying club running I'll be getting pasteurized non-homogenized milk from them. Hi!
I've been reading your blog for a few months now. I live in eastern Canada and have found the exact same challenges as you while trying to keep a budget and eat as organic and wholesome as possible. Just like you I'm continually researching for new and cheaper options. Currently I am trying to start a buying club to be able to buy at the local co-op. Their website is http://www.onfc.ca. I'm just waiting to hear back from a couple of friends to start. I'm also researching some CSA (community supported agriculture) and found two close to where I live that I'll be contacting. What I've been having a hard time getting (let's say not possible at all) is raw milk since it is prohibited here in Canada. There was even a hearing this week about a trial to a local farmer that was selling cow shares. So, it's understandable that the rest of the farmers who could be interesting in running something similar around here are nowhere to be found. So for the moment, as soon as I have the buying club running I'll be getting pasteurized non-homogenized milk from them.

]]> By: Gloriahttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html/comment-page-1#comment-21731 Gloria Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:33:36 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html#comment-21731 I have had the same thoughts regarding coupons. There are quite a few good ones out there though and the best way to find them is to go directly to the website of your favorite products and look for them there. Organic Valley, Coleman meats, Apple Valley Meats, Cascadia Farms and a bunch of others have coupons directly on their sites. The other potential behind coupons is to use them to help others in need. Not everyone is as concerned about their food and would appreciate a cheap box of granola bars or cereal. I have been using my less and $1 deals and coupons to make homeless gifts bags for when I meet people in need instead of handing them change. I have had the same thoughts regarding coupons. There are quite a few good ones out there though and the best way to find them is to go directly to the website of your favorite products and look for them there. Organic Valley, Coleman meats, Apple Valley Meats, Cascadia Farms and a bunch of others have coupons directly on their sites. The other potential behind coupons is to use them to help others in need. Not everyone is as concerned about their food and would appreciate a cheap box of granola bars or cereal. I have been using my less and $1 deals and coupons to make homeless gifts bags for when I meet people in need instead of handing them change.

]]> By: Janettehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html/comment-page-1#comment-21730 Janette Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:25:17 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html#comment-21730 Amen. I am glad to hear you say that coupons just don't work very well for your family's diet. I have enjoyed reading your blog - my family also follows a "Nourishing Traditions" diet, so I appreciate your perspective. As much as I want to be a frugal shopper, I value buying quality foods from farmers, farmer's markets, and natural foods stores too much -- and coupons just don't help much for these products. Instead, I try to save money by making almost everything from scratch and buying in bulk. Thanks again for your post! Amen. I am glad to hear you say that coupons just don't work very well for your family's diet. I have enjoyed reading your blog - my family also follows a "Nourishing Traditions" diet, so I appreciate your perspective. As much as I want to be a frugal shopper, I value buying quality foods from farmers, farmer's markets, and natural foods stores too much -- and coupons just don't help much for these products. Instead, I try to save money by making almost everything from scratch and buying in bulk. Thanks again for your post!

]]> By: erinhttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html/comment-page-1#comment-21729 erin Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:33:46 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html#comment-21729 Thanks for the info. We try to eat a mainly whole foods diet. Being on one income unfortunately does cause me to purchase almost free 'junk' with coupons. Sometimes co-ops and bulk shopping can't be beat! Now, if only there were coupons for those items! Thanks for the info. We try to eat a mainly whole foods diet. Being on one income unfortunately does cause me to purchase almost free 'junk' with coupons.

Sometimes co-ops and bulk shopping can't be beat! Now, if only there were coupons for those items!

]]> By: Amandahttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html/comment-page-1#comment-21728 Amanda Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:04:27 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/the-couponing-saga-continues.html#comment-21728 I used to be one of those coupon queens and had a coupon for everything in my cart. But since I started purchasing most of my items from the outer edges of the grocery store, there are not as many coupons to be used. I even stopped subscribing to the local newspaper, because I wasn't finding enough coupons that I would use that would offset the cost of the subscription. While our grocery budget has increased, we are eating much healthier and have MORE food available on a weekly basis than we did when I was using the coupons. I also still use coupons for toiletries, but I only need to purchase a paper occasionally to get the coupons I need for those purchases! I used to be one of those coupon queens and had a coupon for everything in my cart. But since I started purchasing most of my items from the outer edges of the grocery store, there are not as many coupons to be used. I even stopped subscribing to the local newspaper, because I wasn't finding enough coupons that I would use that would offset the cost of the subscription. While our grocery budget has increased, we are eating much healthier and have MORE food available on a weekly basis than we did when I was using the coupons.
I also still use coupons for toiletries, but I only need to purchase a paper occasionally to get the coupons I need for those purchases!

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