While I love the idea of coupons, I rarely get around to actually using them. I file them in a coupon organizer, where they often sit until expired. Sometimes I remember to pop them into my purse before heading to the grocery store, only to discover that they are still there when I get home.
A couple of weeks ago I received a packet of coupons from Fry’s Food Stores that was tailored to my shopping history. I assume they collect this information each time I swipe my customer loyalty card at check out. These coupons were for foods I actually want to buy, instead of the ones in the Sunday paper for cleaning products I don’t use, gooey granola bars I wouldn’t eat, and sugary dyed cereals I can’t imagine ever feeding Scarlet. I also found some free product coupons, which motivated me to actually add these items to my grocery list.
I saved $51 with coupons and $49 with my customer loyalty card savings, with my total bill amounting to $72. I felt proud, but disbelieving. The experience conjured images of the ladies from Extreme Couponing.
My shopping trip was just three days before vacation, so I intentionally refrained from buying a surplus of perishables. I like to have some food in the fridge when I return, so I buy small amounts of yogurt and hearty fruits and vegetables that will survive my time away.
Take a look:
Here is a quick look at my shopping list:
Dairy
Organic milk (I put it in the garage fridge as soon as I got home, so forgot to tape it)
Dannon yogurt
Chobani Greek yogurt
FAGE Greek yogurt
Yakult (a probiotic drink)
Freezer
Nature’s Path waffles (I can’t buy extra frozen goods during the Freezer Challenge)
Produce
Strawberries
Blueberries
Baby spinach
Lemons
Sundries
Best Foods light mayonaisse
Dole fruit cups with 100% fruit juice
Starbuck’s instant coffee packets
LaCroix sparkling water
Butcher
Sockeye Salmon
I discovered that including coupon items on my grocery list is the only way I will actually remember to use them. Do you use coupons, and if so, what’s your strategy for maximizing their use?
Disclosure: Since I appear frequently on television as a nutrition expert, LaCroix sent me free product coupons, which I used to purchase the sparkling water.
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I'm a chef nutritionist, not the food police. I eat cookies but make sure to eat my broccoli too.
7 Comments
Michelle,
I shop at Frys also. They have electronic coupons that you can load from their website directly to your Frys shoppers card. Just register your Frys card on their website and every week you can download them. When you swipe your shoppers card, your coupons are automatically deducted. Also, if you “like”Frys on facebook, you can get special facebook only electronic coupon deals.
Untill July 31, they will accept competitors coupns. I will miss hs because I would use the coupons from Whole Foods to purchase organic products.
I love the coupons I get in the mail, as they are specific to what I purchase regulary.
Hey Geneen,
That’s a coincidence you mention the e-coupons. Today during my workout I was listening to Pandora on iPhone and saw an ad for that. Intriguing. Is it easy to use? I will check it out! Bummer that they’re discontinuing taking the competitor coupons.
Michelle
Michelle,
Yes the electronic coupons are very easy to use. I print the list of coupons on my card and take it with me to the store. Just give your phoe number( I can never find my card) and the coupons come right off. I have never had any trouble.
Hi Michelle. I’ve been following you since ELM and really enjoy your blog and very interesting posts. Do you plan to return to blogging about your daily meals, or have you decided to take your blog in a different direction? Thanks for your work!
Hi J,
Thank you so much for following me over from ELM. You bring up an excellent question that I’ve been asking myself lately. On some days there is some repetition in what I eat, so I was playing around with a few formats. I think what I might do is still show everything I eat 2-3 days per week, one grocery trip, one recipe, and possibly another topic. Which posts do you find that you enjoy reading from me?
Thanks!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
My favorite are the posts about what you’re eating because they’re so real — you include alcohol, occasional indulgences, and great ideas for healthy inclusions and substitutions. I also really enjoyed your ELM post showing your pantry — it inspired me to buy glass canning jars for dry foods (grains, nuts, beans), which I’m loving. I also appreciate hearing about your workouts. Thanks again for your great work!
Jenny
Jenny, Thanks so much for the feedback! Very helpful for me to know. Maybe I’ll try to weave a few meals into the topical posts. The challenge sometimes with that is that the word count gets a little high. I want to make sure that people hang in long enough to read my posts. Right now, my posts hover around 400-600 words. And yes, I’ve been thinking about posting my actual workout regimen each time I switch it up. Maybe we’ll see that soon! What do you think about the grocery haul I posted on Saturday?
Michelle