most coupons are for processed foods?

**Bachelor** · 12-21-2009, 05:37 PM

I have noticed that most of the coupons are for highly processed foods, or am I not looking in the right place?

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-21-2009, 05:47 PM

Nope, you got it. Most coupons are put out by food manufacturers. I do occasionally find salad coupons on the shelf near the bags of mixed lettuce, and cheese once in a while, too. Meat coupons tend to be on the package, or near the meat case. I seldom see these things in newspapers or magazines, they are store promotions.

We eat meat, fresh vegetables, fresh dairy, some plain bread, and not much else. Hardly use coupons at all.

**Sassyclass** · 12-21-2009, 06:39 PM

Yes but there are also coupons for health and beauty products, baby items, cleaning items, misc. (batteries). I subscribe to All You magazine, it is put out by Walmart and you can only buy it off the shelf from them or subscribe. It has several good coupons that are higher value than any I've seen anywhere else. This month there was a $10 off coupon for a bathroom scale DH and I have been thinking about getting, glad we haven't bought it already. You can also go directly to the company website and look for coupons, or try writing the company and ask if they have any coupons they can send you. Let them know what you are specifically looking for. You'd be surprised at the good coupons they send. Even if you only save a few $$ a month it's still better than nothing.

Cat

**frugalfranny** · 12-22-2009, 01:43 AM

I don't use that many coupons either.

I use a few for bath/household type products, if they are for what I already use.

I use more of our 'store coupons' than I do the manuf. coupons. And our stores seems to be going to more coupons - and also limiting the number of items on sales.....a new trend here and I don't like it. Makes stockpiling very slow and tough!

**sinopa27** · 12-22-2009, 05:15 AM

Yes, I realized that too. Processed foods coupons. I did see one coupon in last sunday's paper that was jor Jack daniel's liquor....another thing I don't use!

**nuisance26** · 12-22-2009, 07:35 AM

~That's why I can spend an hour looking through a 3lb stack of newspaper inserts and come out with less than 20 cut coupons.
I've found that my time is better spent in the kitchen with basic ingredients than clipping everything, matching to sales and spending extra time in the stores getting my 'deals'. I noticed that we were eating worse and spending a bit more when I pick up many of the deals.
On my last shopping trip I used coupons for sour cream, tea, bacon, flavored coffee creamers(actually delved back into the pile to get these after I saw they were on sale and would be nearly free. Dh likes them), Lipton sides(also a delve back)and toilet paper. So some processed, some not.
We get liquor coupons occasionally too which is strange since in NJ, liquor isn't sold in grocery stores. Last year I clipped a $5 off Bailey's and dh found a liquor store to redeem it. Yummy!~

**hotprincesscm** · 12-22-2009, 07:43 AM

Yes I have noticed that too! You just have to be careful I guess! I use mostly the Health and beauty coupons and paper products coupons. You get better deals with those things anyways. Most coupons I find for foods are usually low value and arn't really worth it anyways!

**AmyBoz** · 12-22-2009, 08:32 AM

Most coupons are for processed food or HBA because they are produced by companies and companies can offer coupons for their products.

Produce (veggies, fruits, meats, poultry, etc) are generally coming from farms or agricultural places, who do not/cannot offer discounts or coupons. It just isn't part of the agricultural business.

That being said, coupons can still save you quite a bit of money if used judiciously and only for products that you use. We eat tons of fresh fruit and vegetables around here, but also save quite a bit with coupons for yogurt, paper products, HBA, etc.

**tervsforme** · 12-22-2009, 08:43 AM

Yep, I don't use that many anymore since I started eating healthier. I use them on cleaning products, paper products, etc. Occassionally I'll splurge on something if it's on sale and practically free with a coupon.

**pat in east texas** · 12-23-2009, 08:10 AM

I find very few coupons for things I actually buy. Most of my cooking is from scratch, paper products and cleaning supplies are bought from a discount store, and "beauty products" are soap and lotion. Health products are a good diet and moderate exercise, with a generous dose of dark chocolate

I do clip restaurant coupons, but they usually expire by the time we want to eat out.

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-23-2009, 08:42 AM

I found that sometimes ebay is the way to go on coupons. I can get 10 or 15 of something I want and use them to stockpile. Combined w/ a sale you can save a lot. It's like any other system-you have to work it.

**bluedog** · 12-23-2009, 04:18 PM

Agree that to eat healthy is to find coupons mostly useless-also use discount store for paper and cleaning products, beauty products at my age are Very Basic!! Plus I have been a vegetarian now for about a year. Usta kinda enjoy the Sunday paper but without coupons have given that up too.

**mamamia** · 12-24-2009, 04:50 AM

I ALWAYS use cou[pons, and no, I don't buy alot of processed foods. I'd say at least 90% of my shopping is whole foods. On my last trip, this is what I used coupons for>

cheeses (ricotta, mozzarella, velveeta, parmesan, cream cheese)
butter
bread
cereals
yogurt
paper towels
toilet paper

frozen veggies
ice cream
rice
tortilla chips
salsa
spices
kielbasi
franks
pasta
canned goods (tomato products, rotel, beans, soup, & more)
tea
coffee
sugar
herbs
juices
milk
frozen burritos
margarine
sour cream
mayo
ketchup
brownie mixes
pickles and roasted peppers
hot cocoa
marshmallows
dried fruit
strawberry preserves
olive oil
tortillas
fabric softener
tube of revlon lipstick

So you can see (and that's not a full list from that trip), that coupons aren't just for processed foods anymore. I walked out of Publix that day with 2 carts full, and spent $48.

And also, I will not pass up a product that's free, or almost free with my coupons, whether it's processed or not. I do alot of cooking, and I'm proud to say I can use coupons and still serve good scratch meals to my family. As you can see from my list of coupon bought items, the face of couponing has changed so much. It used to be that generics were the cheapest. I wouldn't think of paying such a high price, especially for a lower rate food! I'm pretty snobby about my food being "nice".

Theresa

**NewLeaf** · 12-26-2009, 08:28 PM

Mamamia,
Thanks for the list. I buy alot of the same things w/coupons. And don't forget canned or jarred spaghetti sauce for those of us who don't can our own. I also love a good peanutbutter coupie.
Look in the frozen foods too for vegies and fruits and breads.

I'll admit to some processed foods. I have a teenage boy who invites alot of other teenage boys over so I buy premade pizza's and snacks w/coupons. Please don't boo me!

Also, we have really saved on home, health and beauty items.

You can look on www.couponsthingsbydede.com for organic food coupons to buy.
Good luck!!!