Organic shopping

[RadTechMom]

Ok, so I found this site from HCW. I am still trying to master saving money with coupons, especially on toiletries. I am looking to get my family off of hormone induced and antibiotic filled produce and meats/milk. Will couponing for organics really be worth my time? Also, for the USDA and other corps to certify as something organic how "organic" does it have to be. It isn't something like they do with beef where they call it 100% beef but in actuality it only has to be 85% for the USDA to approve it as beef, right? I know this will be a long and more difficult road to go down but I think for the health of my family it will be worth it. Thanks y'all!!

[kristen.c]

Let me first start by saying that you are in the right place. Couponing for chemical free toiletries is not going to be the same as what traditional couponers are used to if they're coming from a place where they can usually net free shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. There are coupons available for these products and you can find deals, but you're likely going to have to pay money for the products. The good news is that I've found I need to use A LOT less shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc to get the same effect as the previous slathering on of product that I used to do. Check out the product forum to get a feel for what's out there. Also if you have an organic or specialty grocer with natural foods that's a good place to start looking. You can also use the skin deep database http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ to help you navigate brands to see how safe or natural they really are. Over time you'll start to recognize the things that are harmful and be better able to avoid products that are "natural" but aren't. Jujubee's signature is a great thing to remember.

Organic foods have tighter reigns. There are different organic certifiers so if the product is certified by one of those organizations it's going to be organic. Meats and dairy are especially important to buy organic and are the best way to spend your organic dollars. Produce also, but you can check out the dirty dozen list on Environmental Working Group || foodnews.org to see which products are the most harmful. Try to buy organic produce from those 12 and after that spend your dollars where you can. It might not be affordable for you to buy organic bananas or avocados because the pesticides don't absorb because of the thick skins. Others will buy everything organic because it's a cause and they don't want any pesticides used in foods. Here at OGD it's a little harder for us because we're about the bargain so we have to make those dollars stretch.

I hope this has at least given you a starting point. One thing that's a little different from traditional couponing is that you can get great deals on organic products at club stores. I have a Costco membership and get organic eggs, salad greens, carrots, chicken stock, peanut butter, and all sorts of other products there for less than I can at a traditional health food or organic market. So if you've considered a membership at any of those places see if you can get one of the free day passes to see what products are there. All you have to do is ask at the membership counter. Also check out the bulk bins because you will find that spices, whole grains like rice, oatmeal, barley, etc will be cheaper if you buy them by the pound instead of prepackaged. You'll just need a few airtight containers to store them in at home.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I think meat/dairy/are a good starting point myself and the areas where I personaly am focusing on. I would rather spend a little more on these and have them be organic and then offset that expence with traditional couponing. This works OK for me right now. I will get other organic products if I can get a deal bumy budget is just not going to allow $4 for a box of organic mac-n-cheese.

Produce is a hard one for me because what little organic produce they sell in my neck of the woods is trucked in from pretty far away and 1.) the carbon footprint is no better than conventionaly grown and 2) most of it is in bad shape on the produce stand with zuchinis all wilted and dry and stuff.... There are no real farmers markets here or farm stands (although I have heard that we do have a small farmers market in I think September till frost, which can be anytime in late september/early october) so we are growing our own this growing season.

I think taking it in baby steps and educating yourself is good. Its hard to go 100% organic though unless you are made of money.

[RedSoxRosie]

Though I've been couponing for a long time, I've only beein organic for a few months now. I will admit that the switch over was a little rocky at first, but now my entire house (more or less) is organic. From the soap and shampoo in my shower to the cookies and granola bars I feed my daughter.
I agree with kristen that I don't seem to use as much "stuff" as I did before. I choked on prices of some things at first even with coupons, but now that it's just the "usual" for me, I notice that I'm not buying as much. I may have spent 8 or 9 dollars on that bottle of shampoo, but there is still tons in the bottle and I won't be buying anymore for quite awhile. Same with my toothpaste, soap, lotions, spices (which I've bought organic basil, parsley and oregano plants of my own that continue to flourish!). Fresh food is definitely the hardest one, but again, because my body is no longer being filled with hormones and chemicals I'm fuller faster, I don't CRAVE things anymore, I'm not hungry all the time. Therefore I'm not buying as much food in general. I have really noticed a difference in so many ways.
Yes, in the beginning stages it does seem like it will be tough, but I think once you get into the swing of it, you will notice it isn't as bad as it seemed from the start.
Good luck!!

[kristen.c]

I definitely agree with RedSoxRosie's post that you will likely buy and consume less. Those bagged baby carrots that go on sale 10/$10 and seem like a good deal now you can replace with organic carrots which can also be found lots of places from 89c/lb- $1/lb and that's regularly priced. If you buy them at Costco, they are $4.59 (give or take) for a 10 lb bag of organic carrots. Sure you have to peel and cut them into sticks yourself but it only takes awhile. You can do it once or twice a week and keep a baggie or container in the fridge to grab for quick snacks. They taste so much better than those baby carrots.

Also look at other things you consume and pay attention to the price per unit. With regular couponing, sometimes it pays to buy the individual containers of things because you can use a coupon on each item. With organic products, it may be cheaper to buy the larger containers of yogurt and divvy them out into portions as you use it or for kids you can put it into tupperware-type containers and label it.

Definitely also check the bulk bins if you're a granola fan. Sometimes it's a lot cheaper than buying it prepackaged. Other times, cascadian farms may be on sale and have a coupon available.

You'll learn the ropes and you'll find that the more you do it the easier it gets.

[RedSoxRosie]

Also for bulk buying, check Amazon once in awhile. At first I thought MAN! That stuff is expensive, but then I did a little homework and realized that I can buy 8 boxes of organic cereal from Amazon and it may seem like a big chunk of money until I do the math and realize i'm really only paying $2.33 a box instead of when I find it at the store and it's $3.99 ($2.99 if I happen to have a $1 off coupon), so I'm making out. I found it works well for me for cereal, mac n cheese, crackers and cookies. I'm a single mom of a 3 year old, so I try to find deals everywhere. Plus, with these types of food that my daughter eats, I know it will get eaten, and I won't have to run to the store every week for more or search for a coupon every time too. Check the prices though. I know some stuff is not any cheaper than if I bought it from the store. A word of advice, be sure to buy a product at the store first to make sure you and your family like it before buying it in bulk.
Ease into it. See what works for you. I know that it's quite easy to switch over to chemical free cleaners. Seventh Generation and others put out coupons and instead of having 30 different cleaners under my sink I now have dish soap, dishwasher powder, multi-purpose cleaner, all surface wipes, wood cleaning wipes and downstairs I have laundry soap. I still need to get toilet cleaner, but what I have right now works great for what I need right now.
Again, try to switch little by little and find out what works for you.

[annalou]

I second the Amazon.com buying in bulk method. This as saved me huge amounts since Amazon started carrying organic items. I can easily reference the standard cost by logging into online shopping at Safeway.com.

I also find that going to the local Farmer's Markets during the last hour before closing nets some unbelievable deals as the farmer's don't want to tote back fresh items.

Anna

[avanthika01]

There are compelling reasons to become an organic food convert. Most health experts claim that organic food is natural and pure, highly nutritious, has a superior taste and is entirely safe. It lays claim to several health benefits, as it has copious amounts vitamin C that the conventional food cannot lay claim to. Raw organic food is also known to cleanse the blood stream by eliminating toxic wastes. Besides, organic food farming is known to be entirely environment friendly.

[Foggy]

Thanks for this great thread everyone!

As a hard core couponing, I was cringing (still do) at the prices of organics with or without a coupon. Going from walking out of the store with $200-$300 worth of stuff for 10% of the original cost to walking out of an organic/natural food store paying $80-$100 just for veggies, dairy, and meats has been a real shock to my system. lol I just keep telling myself... ok, I really didn't have many coupons for the veggies before not the meats so I'm eating healthier there and it's ok.

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

I agree with everything posted above.

Depending on your local situation, you also may be able to purchase bulk organic meat from a local farmer. We have been doing this for years with beef and recently pork. The bulk price was the same as regular pork at the grocery store, so we did not sve manet but got a better product for the same price.

Last year we split a pig with my parents from a local organic farmer. We do have a chest freezer, so it was easy for us to find space. Although half a pig actually does not take up that much space. It might fit in a large refrigerator freezer.

Or if your town has a health food store, see if they carry bulk organic items like flour, rice, etc. My town does not, but when I visit my parents I always take a trip to the local "Good Food Store" for bulk organic items at a discount.