Have you noticed anything different about your grocery receipts lately? Eating well on a budget is no easy task, and it’s getting tougher by the day. Not one to throw up her hands, Jessica of Life As Mom has assembled a team of bloggers to help you maximize your savings in the kitchen. Our Eat Well, Spend Less series will cover critical topics about saving money on food costs, including bulk storage, pantry staples, coupons, and much more.

The series will run over the next three weeks on nine diverse blogs. Are you ready to dig in and learn?

Coupons and Healthy Choices

Do the words “coupon” and “healthy” belong in the same sentence? Perhaps. First, let’s be clear that we all have our own ideas of what healthy eating looks like. For some, this means cooking entirely from scratch with organic ingredients and freshly ground wheat. For others, including myself, healthy means cooking from scratch and eating organic whenever possible, with a few convenience foods thrown in as needed. No matter where you fall in the healthy spectrum, we all want to save money in the kitchen. Coupons can be part of this goal if you use them strategically.

Healthy couponing will never look like Extreme Couponing. A commitment to eating quality foods means you are committed to spending more on groceries. I learned the hard way that stocking up on whatever was free or cheap was not the best way to nourish my family. I made some changes, our grocery budget went up, and our health improved. Coupons still play a role, albeit smaller.

Once you understand the basics of using coupons, you can apply that knowledge at the grocery store to make healthy eating choices. But this will require a little creativity. The vast majority of coupons you will find in your Sunday paper are indeed for processed convenience foods. Some may fit into your lifestyle, others may not. My goals for the food I purchase include minimal ingredients, healthy fats  like olive oil, real butter and coconut oil, and organic if possible.

Finding coupons for organics is not impossible, with some helpful resources:

:: Coupon Database – This free searchable resource is right here on my blog. In it you will find data for nearly every current coupon in existence. By searching for your favorite organic/healthy brands, you can quickly locate the coupons you need.

As you can see, a quick search for the term “organic” revealed 85 available coupons for organic products. Some are printable, some are from newspaper inserts and others may come from a mailer or magazine.

:: Blogs – A desire for healthy and natural living along with the desire to save money has birthed entire blogs devoted to those very topics. Check out Saving Naturally and Organic Deals for daily deals and savings tips.

:: Brands – Many popular organic brands are well known for their coupons, including Cascadian Farms, Muir Glen and Stonyfield. Visit their websites directly to search for savings, and don’t be afraid to reach out and email them for additional coupons.

:: Stores – Finding healthy options is easy at stores like Sprouts, Whole Foods, and even Kroger, all of whom accept coupons! Be sure to get on their mailing lists if you shop at these stores for more savings.

Beyond Coupons

If coupons just aren’t helping you save enough, or perhaps they are not for the items you need, there are other strategies I practice to get the foods we eat at a price I am willing to pay.

:: Grocery Shop Online – I purchase many of our non-perishables on Amazon using their subscribe-and-save feature. They carry many harder to find items like gluten-free flours and healthy sweeteners. With free shipping right to my door, I don’t mind ordering in bulk.

:: Managers Specials – If you want a sweet deal on organic produce, milk or meat, look for markdowns at your local grocer. Often these are days away from expiring so get creative in the kitchen or be sure to freeze them for later use.

:: Join a Co-Op – Nothing beats seasonal fresh produce by the bagful. Check out LocalHarvest.org to see if there is a CSA in your area. Preserve your food to enjoy out of season and keep a stocked pantry.

:: Azure Standard – This Oregonian company delivers healthy food by the truckful in select areas directly to customers and buying clubs. See if there is a drop point in your area for this wonderful service.

Do you think eating healthy and saving money go hand in hand? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Great news for Walgreens shoppers! They have finally provided an “official” coupon policy online. Can I get a HOORAY?

The policy addresses many issues and questions I often hear about using coupons at Walgreens along with the weekly $5 Challenge.

For example:

• Walgreens accepts valid internet/print at home coupons.
• When purchasing a single item, Walgreens accepts one manufacturer coupon and applicable Walgreens coupon(s) for the purchase of a single item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.
• The coupon amount must be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied. (For example, a $5.00 coupon for a $4.99 item will result in a $4.99 coupon value).

Read the complete policy online, and consider printing it out to reference as needed while shopping.

Thanks, For the Mommas!

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Free printable coupons are more available than ever before. Chances are, if you are new to the world of couponing, your printer is getting a hefty workout!

I am often asked by readers how to save money on costly printer ink. This is a tough question, since there is no one right answer. Different types of printers require different types of ink and the cost can vary greatly.

The biggest question is usually about colored ink.

Can you print coupons in black and white? The short answer is yes, this does not affect the validity of your coupon. However, with coupon fraud being a major issue for retailers, careful cashiers are more likely to question a black and white coupon. Printing in color can eliminate some potential hassle at the register.

Can you print coupons in draft (quick print)? Absolutely. As long as the coupon is legible, it should scan just fine.

A popular option for saving money on ink is to refill your empty cartridges. However, I have heard horror stories about ruined printers with this method, so I do not personally recommend it.

You can take your empty cartridges into your local office supply store for recycling and earn rewards. Eventually those rewards could add up to some free ink.

• Staples Rewards- $3.00/cartridge
• Office Max Perks- $3.00/cartridge
• Office Depot Worklife Rewards- $3.00/cartridge

The best option for saving money on printer ink in my opinion is to purchase refurbished cartridges. These typically must be ordered online, and will require shipping, so be sure to order before you run out of ink!

123inkjets.com is a reputable online retailer for refurbished ink and toner cartridges.

Another option I recommend is 4inkjets.com, with free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Both companies have 100% satisfaction guarantees, so if there is any problem with your ink, you can return it hassle-free for one full year from the date of purchase. They also accept multiple forms of payment, including PayPal, which is a major plus in my book! There is no sales tax on any purchases unless you are in California (sorry, Mom).

And, to make this even sweeter, if you are a ShopAtHome member, you can earn a 20% rebate on your purchase from either company!  Keep in mind you must reach $20 in your account before you receive cash back, and new members get a $5 bonus with their first purchase.

Do you have other tips for saving money on printer ink?

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During my never-ending difficult pregnancy last year, I fell off the frugal wagon. Bargain shopping was the last thing on my mind.

Since then, I am back to using coupons, but not with the same vengeance I once had.

And here is why…

Yep, that’s several months weeks worth of coupon inserts. In a pile. Next to my empty coupon binder.

I wrote the date on the front of each one, but that’s as far as I got! Sigh.

I love my coupon binder. Really, I do! But it’s just not working for me anymore. My family has grown, along with my blog, and there is not as much time to clip and file these days.

Surely there is a better way. I have been (painfully) reminded that without a well-maintained system for your coupons, you just will not maximize your potential savings.

So there you have it. My big. fat. fail.

Operation organize-my-coupons has begun.

What is your favorite time-saving method for your coupons?

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The recent popularity and availability of e-Coupons has revolutionized couponing as we know it.  But it has also created confusion and questions about how they are to be used, ethically speaking.

If you have ever wondered about the actual policy and proper use of e-Coupons, head on over to Happy Couponing to read an excellent post on that subject. Even I have unknowingly used them improperly in the past {blushing}.

I believe that services such as Cellfire, Shortcuts and P&G eSaver provide a valuable time-saving alternative for those who do not wish to clip and file paper coupons. Just be sure to follow the rules, to make couponing easier for consumers and retailers alike.

Related posts of interest:

Honest Couponing?

Worth Reading: The Ethics of Coupons

Save With e-Coupons: No Clipping and No Forgetting!

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As much as coupons are becoming a popular recession-fighting tool, there are still skeptics to be found. Often when I meet someone new, my couponing ways manage to work themselves into the conversation. Imagine that!

The typical responses I get range from “oh, teach me how to do that” to (see Part 1 and Part 2)… but the most common myth of all that I hear over and over again:

“Oh, coupons just aren’t worth the extra time for me, I am much too busy…”

Sound familiar? I typically smile politely and cringe a little inside. Because for me, I don’t have time NOT to use coupons in my daily household budget. They play a huge factor in our lifestyle, the amount we are able to give, and the fact that our credit card debt is now gone!

If you are of the belief that coupons can only save you a few bucks here and there, then I understand why you might think they are a waste of time.  But what if I told you that coupons could save you literally hundreds of dollars a month, or thousands per year?  Does that get your attention?

Imagine what you do could do with an extra $200 or so every month. Pay down debt? Give more? Invest in your children’s college fund? The possibilities are endless.

But really, a skeptic will not believe what they cannot see.  So allow me to show you the power of coupons.  Or rather, allow several hundred of my fellow bloggers to show you… every Saturday!

Fellow frugal blogger Crystal Paine, aka Money Saving Mom, hosts a fabulous weekend meme known as “Super Savings Saturday”. She shares her weekly purchases and how much she spent on groceries and household items. Then other bloggers leave links to their fabulous deals, photos included.

I encourage you to visit some of those links to see for yourself how savvy shoppers save big time. Now keep in mind that these are typically serious couponers who do invest extra time to clip, organize and match their coupons. But clearly, it is well worth their time.

Perhaps it seems impossible to carve out some extra time of your already busy life to work on a coupon strategy.  I get that, really, I do. With four busy kiddos, a husband, pets, a home, and a blog to manage, I struggle to balance it all.

Here are a few time management tips for those wanting to start couponing:

• Set aside a block of time in your week to work on clipping and organizing.
• Older kids are happy to help with cutting inserts – which is also a valuable life lesson.
• Use some of your evening TV time to clip coupons- during commercials!
• Or, don’t clip them, use a file system for your inserts by date.
• Start small. Don’t chase every deal or every coupon.
• Learn to use e-Coupons, no clipping required!
• Utilize blogs or services such as The Grocery Game to make matching coupons and sales a breeze!

Do you have any time saving tips for those learning to coupon? Share them here in comments.

In the next installment of my coupon myths series, I will address the belief that buying generic or buying in bulk is cheaper than using coupons.

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I am always on the lookout for a great deal on ALL YOU Magazine.

Not that I am much of a magazine reader. Really, I just don’t have the spare time or desire to flip through glossy pages of ads or celebrities.

But I do actually subscribe to and read ALL YOU. Not only is it truly a great resource for frugal tips, recipes, and more, it is chock full of one of my favorite things- COUPONS!

Now, you know that I’m not one to advocate actually spending your hard-earned money on a magazine subscription, but I think this one warrants an exception. Consistently month after month it’s full of great coupons that you won’t find anywhere else. Better yet, often there’s at least one coupon that’s for a free item.

Where do I purchase ALL YOU magazine?

ALL YOU magazine can only be purchased at Walmart ($2.24 per issue) or through a subscription ($21.24 per year).

How do I subscribe?

You can purchase a subscription online through Amazon.com, and now also through Magazines.com!

But, to get the $13.68 price for one year (currently the best deal out there), you will want to shop through Big Crumbs.

Big Crumbs, like Ebates, is a great way to shop online to earn cash back on all your purchases. I recommend checking both sites before making an online purchase to see who has the best deal.

Ordering Instructions for ALL YOU (please read carefully):

1. Become a member of Big Crumbs if you are not already.  There are different membership types, but you will want to be a “CrumbSaver” to get the highest rebate amount possible when shopping.

2. Confirm your Big Crumbs membership via email, and log in to your account.

3. Type “Magazines” in the search box at the top of the page.  Click on Magazines.com in the search results, and a new window will open.

4. Search for “ALL YOU” on Magazines.com.  You will see an option for 12 issues for $19.97, add it to your cart.

5. Complete the secure check out process – there is no tax or shipping.  You can even pay via Pay Pal or Google Checkout!

6. Wait 6-8 weeks for your magazine to arrive. Magazines.com has a 100% guarantee for all magazine subscriptions. You can cancel at any time, for any reason.

7. In 2-3 days, you will receive your 31.5% rebate in your Big Crumbs account ($6.29). You must have a Pay Pal account to receive your refund (paid monthly on the 15th).  There is no minimum payment threshold.

So, once you receive the refund, your final cost is only $13.68, or $1.14 per issue. While it may seem a bit complicated, I assure you, the coupons are well worth it!

I am not sure how long this promotion will last, so if you are considering an ALL YOU subscription, don’t delay! The offer is also good for renewals, or would make a great gift for a fellow couponista.

Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom, for the heads up on this deal!

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Perhaps you are new to the whole crazy world of couponing, and you have never given much thought to the ethics involved in using coupons.  This is a subject near and dear to my heart, and one that has been discussed before on my blog.

Bloggy pal Carrie, whom I met last week at the General Mills event, has an excellent post up regarding ethical couponing.  I encourage you to go read it and join the conversation!

Here at Keeping the Kingdom First, I strive to post only legitimate coupons. Using coupons the way they were intended by manufacturers is a win-win situation for consumers and stores. There are still many fantastic deals and freebies to be had by using coupons in an honest fashion.

As the economy has worsened, more and more families are turning to coupons and realizing that are truly worth your time! I think this is a fantastic trend, and one that will hopefully continue. As long as we all play by the rules, companies will continue to be generous with coupons.  And that helps us all… save more, and give more.

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The following is a guest post from Stephanie at Couponing 101. Stephanie is a stay-at-home mom to two precious kids in DFW, Texas and she’s been couponing for over three years.

How many times have you cut out coupons and then forgotten to take them to the store? I have done it a few times myself! Those pesky pieces of paper are so easy to forget, lose, or be torn apart by small children. Thankfully, coupons have partnered with technology to join us here in the 21st century!

Electronic coupons, “e-Coupons”, are coupons that link to your grocery store savings card and are redeemed automatically at checkout. E-Coupons can only be used once, don’t double, and can’t be combined with other coupons or e-Coupons. They are manufacturer’s coupons, so just like paper coupons, you can only use one coupon per item.

To get e-Coupons, you create an account using your grocery store loyalty card on an e-Coupon website. You then load the coupons on to your card with a simple click! The e-Coupons are regularly updated, so check your account before you go to the store to see if there are any new coupons available. Just remember that it can take up to an hour before the coupon is available on your card. When you get to the store, purchase the products, scan your card at checkout, and the coupons will automatically be deducted from your purchase!

There are four e-Coupon savings websites, and each one is a little bit different.

Shortcuts and P&G eSaver – These are  the simplest of the e-Coupon sites. Their coupons can be used at Kroger and Safeway affiliate stores. They offer coupons for popular brands like Huggies, Pampers, General Mills, and Betty Crocker. Shortcuts even offers coupons for store-brand products like oatmeal, milk, and yogurt.

Cellfire – This e-Coupon site offers coupons via your grocery store card or your cell phone.  You need a valid cell phone number to register, but you do not have to use any of their mobile features.  You use the grocery e-Coupons just like the other sites.  They also offer coupons for non-grocery stores like Hollywood Video, Payless, and Taco Bueno.  To use those, you would use their mobile app to show a coupon code to the cashier to get your discount.

Upromise – Upromise puts a new twist on “saving money with coupons.” Instead of having the coupon value deducted from your grocery bill, it is instead added to a college savings fund! The great thing about Upromise coupons is that you can stack them with paper coupons! They can be used at almost any grocery store, and can even be used at CVS!

Now, I still love paper coupons, they have saved me thousands of dollars in the past few years, but I think e-Coupons are going to become a very popular way to save. For those who are forgetful, or just don’t have time to clip coupons, e-Coupons are a great alternative!

–
Stephanie @ Couponing 101
http://www.couponing101.com

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The following is a very timely guest post by Kathryn Vercillo.

One of the most common ways to save money around the house is to use coupons to reduce the cost of our normal expenses. It’s important to remember that coupons don’t have to be used only for our every day expenses but can also help us to save costs on special occasions. Summer travel is certainly one of those occasions. You can use coupons to save money both before and during the trip in order to keep travel costs as low as possible. You can even save money after the trip by using coupons to print out all of your vacation photos!

Coupon Tips for Booking a Vacation

If you’re the type of person who likes to plan out your summer vacations in advance then you’ll want to make use of coupons when booking your travel plans. Many people try to save money by booking package deals on hotels, flights and car rental. These deals may be good but you can often get better savings by looking for coupons to reduce the cost of each individual item.

Here are some tips for finding and using those coupons:

· Look for online promotional codes to use in conjunction with package deals that can be booked online. You’ll often find that the biggest savings come when you get a great package deal on airfare, lodging and car rental but then supplement that deal with coupon savings. Major online coupon code sites often have codes for popular travel booking sites like Expedia or Orbitz. (Just type “travel coupon codes” into your favorite search engine and see how many sites come up!)

· Do some comparison shopping to see if there are better deals on any part of the trip. This is an especially good idea if there are particular hotels or airlines that you like to use. You can look specifically for coupon deals that are unique to those businesses. If you can get a really good deal on one part of the trip then you may want to book the parts separately.

· U.S. travelers can use popular coupon books. There are several established coupon books available for discounts on U.S. hotels and attractions. Travel Coupon Guide and America Travel Coupons are two of the most popular choices. These are the coupon books that you can often find at restaurants and hotel lobbies while traveling. However, you can also order them in advance and use them when planning your trip.

· Choose the trip’s major attractions in advance. Figure out which museums, parks and attractions you are going to want to see during the trip. There are coupons for most major attractions online. If you can’t find a coupon for the place that you want to go, call and ask them if they offer coupons. Many places will tell you where to find coupons with just a simple call.

Coupon Tips during the Trip

In addition to saving money with coupons when planning a trip, you can also save money with coupons while you’re traveling. Ideally you’ll want to locate these coupons ahead of time and take them with you in a coupon organizer but there are also options for using coupons at the last minute if you find something during the trip that you want to get a discount on.

Here are some tips for using coupons during the trip:

• Plan ahead by gathering coupons for nationwide restaurants and grocery stores. People spend a lot of money on eating out while they travel. You can save a lot by getting your food from grocery stores or chain restaurants and using coupons to reduce the cost. Remember to look for special item coupons (like ice cream coupons) that you tend to indulge in during summer travel. Search for and print out these coupons in advance of the trip; be sure to double check the expiration date. Take them with you in an organizer like you do with your coupons at home.
• Use your mobile web browser to find coupon codes during your travels. If you have a mobile phone that gets Internet access then you have immediate access to coupons on-site of anything that you might do during your travels. If you decide to stop at an attraction or restaurant that wasn’t planned in advance, take a moment to see if there is a coupon code online that you can use to reduce your costs.
• Check to see if City Passes are a better choice. Many cities offer passes to travelers who want to see all of the major attractions. In most cases, the coupons that you got for your favorite attractions offer a better deal but it’s smart to check what’s offered at the city’s visitor center before buying any tickets.
• Ask at the front desk. Before you make a purchase for anything, go ahead and ask if they offer coupons. It doesn’t hurt to ask!

The single most important key to reduce summer travel costs when using coupons is to consciously remember to use those coupons for every part of your travel. This conscious moment of pause gives you time to think about whether or not you want to spend the money during the trip at all and then gives you a way to spend less while still having a great time.

Guest post by Kathryn Vercillo. Kathryn is a writer for Promotionalcodes.org.uk which gives away free promotional code deals (like this hotels.com discount code) and also publishes money saving ideas.

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