Using Coupons for Non-Processed Goods

**Nada.Leona** · 05-19-2010, 09:15 AM

I'm curious as to how others use their coupons if they're trying to avoid purchasing processed foods. The majority of the coupons I've seen are for gummy candies, canned soups, packaged mixes, etc. Things that are full of salt, sugar, and chemicals.

Almost all of our coupon usage comes from paper products, cleaners, etc. But you never see coupons for things like produce, milk, etc. And it's even more difficult to find ones for organic/free trade products.

Any thoughts, suggestions, opinions, etc?

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-19-2010, 09:21 AM

I look for manufacturer coupons at the store or on their website. The two I find most are from Hormel -- which sells raw beef and pork, and from companies that bag salad and spinach.

I can also find Kashi coupons in store.

Still, I might not find any of these for months at a stretch.

**Libby** · 05-19-2010, 09:31 AM

I usually see coupons for frozen veggies that are not even affordable with coupons - the fancy brands? I kinda ignore the coupons for 'junk' unless its a treat I'm really really wanting. The odd time it will be for yoghurt - processed yes but not necessarily junk. And I have seen milk coupons but they're far and few between but they truly are a coupon $3-4 off 4L bag! (Lactancia)

Most of the coupons I pay attention to are for household cleaning items or HBA.

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-19-2010, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by LadyNada

I'm curious as to how others use their coupons if they're trying to avoid purchasing processed foods. The majority of the coupons I've seen are for gummy candies, canned soups, packaged mixes, etc. Things that are full of salt, sugar, and chemicals.

Almost all of our coupon usage comes from paper products, cleaners, etc. But you never see coupons for things like produce, milk, etc. And it's even more difficult to find ones for organic/free trade products.

Any thoughts, suggestions, opinions, etc?

You can't get a coupon for milk in Nova Scotia because the dairy board won't allow it. However, if you drink soy milk, there are coupons all the time for it in little booklets that are put out in grocery stores. Same with yogurt, which I always have coupons for. There are lots of coupons for things like baking supplies, olive oil, and frozen vegetables, fruit and fish. The inserts in the paper are useless, most decent coupons are on the store shelves.

**mek42** · 05-19-2010, 10:03 AM

Why not just take some cash and try to negotiate for a direct purchase right from some farmers for produce? By cutting out all the middlemen and transport expenses you'll probably be able to get a better price and so will the farmer, making both of you happy.

**Buc-O-Mama** · 05-19-2010, 10:26 AM

We have a store here that gives you coupon overage. I use that to pay for produce, milk, etc. It will never pay for it all, but can take a nice chunk out of it here and there.

**savvy_sniper** · 05-19-2010, 10:39 AM

I do most of my grocery shopping at Kroger. I use my Plus card and earn points for gasoline discounts. They track my purchases with the Plus card. Once I signed up online to view their sales flyer, I started getting coupons in the mail from time to time based on my previous purchases. Since I cook mostly from scratch, most of my purchases are ingredients AND store brand. The coupons I receive in the mail are for ingredients I rarely find coupons for AND store brands which I never find coupons for.

**Neeley** · 05-19-2010, 11:45 AM

I find Q's for all kinds of meat, produce and eggs. In the liquor section of our stores the liquor distributors put them out. Here, they cannot require you to make a liquor purchase as a stipulation to using the Q. Instead they will, for example, put a tear pad out near their product with Q's for X amount off of beef, or whatever. On the Q there will be a picture of beef next to a bottle of their wine or beer. But, on the Q it clearly states no liquor purchase required. I know this is not the rule in some states, but in ours, it is. If this is the law for your area, it's a great way to get discounts.

I also am always finding rebates for these items from the liquor distributors. There is always a $10 rebate on pork or chicken, $5 on produce, etc...Again, no liquor purchase required.

Kingsford Charcoal is notorious for putting out Q's for $$$ off of meat when you buy a bag of their charcoal. I love these since grilling out is one of our favorite ways to cook in the summer.

Last month we found Q's for B1G1 on a dozen eggs, any brand, any size.

I use to order Q's for vegetarian and organic items. Unfortunately, I cannot locate or remember the site name. But, as soon as I remember it I will post it.

I also will use my $5 off $25 or $10 off $50 to cover my non-Q items like meats, produce or eggs. A few weeks ago, I had a $10 off $50. My total before Q's was $121 and some change. After all of my Q's, the $10 off $50 I paid $8.73, $7.19 of it was tax. Some of the items I bought were 30 cans of cat food, 3 bags of cat food, trail mix, 2 dozen eggs, 14 ct box of Prevacid, head of cabbage, 8 ears of corn, 3 boxes of cereal, 8 bags of shredded cheese, sour cream and several more items.

Check out these sites/blogs regarding finding organic Q's.
Organic Coupons – Where to Find Them - (Stage 1) | Affluent Pauper
Organic & Natural Food Coupons and Contacts - Grocery Coupon Guide(This one is from 2008, but probably still has some useful info.)
Organic Valley - Coupons - Download Coupons for Organic Milk, Cheese, Butter, more Organic Valley Q's
Organic Food Coupons - For Organic Foods - Printable Food Coupons
Find Coupons for Organic Produce, Groceries: Printable and Online Coupons, Deals on Organic Fruits, Vegetables

**bluewalk** · 07-28-2010, 12:48 PM

You can always email a brand and ask for coupons.

**Nana2two** · 07-28-2010, 03:23 PM

The only time i use coupons is when the item is "FREE" or if its a snack item that i can get dirt cheap. Like poptarts. 4 months ago i had coupons ,they also had them on sale for $1.25 a box my coupon was 50 cents which doubled to a $1.00 so i payed 26 cents. I bought 10 boxes. You can freeze them.
So i think coupons are great when the item is free or near free.

**Momto5RN** · 07-28-2010, 04:54 PM

cereals ( cheerios chex etc doesnt always have to be sugary stuff) -kashi
cheeses- sharp in blocks/ shredded etc yogurt - ice cream treats
sugar- flour -choc chips -etc for baking

popcorn- crackers pretzels yes some junky snacks like cheese-its chips .

frozen veggies in steamable bags

pancake syrup ( tried making my own - and yuck ) pancake mixes ( can make my own but they like mrs butterworth better )

and alot used for shampoo - deodorant toothpastes- toothbrushes - baby powder - cleaning items and paper items all which free up more money for meat fresh fruits and veggies etc etc .

**Saule** · 07-28-2010, 10:01 PM

I rarely use coupons as I don't buy much in processed goods, or the saving is not sufficient. I do use for paper goods, some staples, catfood, detergent.

**frugalfranny** · 07-29-2010, 02:29 AM

I will be following this thread as I am the same, LN.

I use very few coupons as they are never for anything I buy or stuff that I won't buy. Even some of the paper products won't go on sale before the coupon expires.

**mauimagic** · 07-29-2010, 03:34 AM

Me too - same boat.

**mamamia** · 07-29-2010, 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

The inserts in the paper are useless, most decent coupons are on the store shelves.

I'm finding that the newspaper coupons getting pretty lousy lately here in the states too. The majority of my better ones are printables, tear pads, and from the store fliers. I just need to get a B&W printer. Mine just resets itself to color, even after setting it to using black ink only.

Theresa