New Feature - Healthy Deals

I entered the world of couponing and serious deal-seeking about a year ago. One of my quick assumptions, fed by the comments of many others, was that couponing and deal-seeking would be at the expense of nutritious and healthy food. You know - the common assumption that coupons are available for pre-packaged food that is full of artificial flavoring, many preservatives, no fresh ingredients, and little helpful nutritional value. While it's true that using coupons can push you in this direction, I decided several months ago to try a little test. I significantly altered what we eat, and attempted to stay within the same budget. I did it over a period of six months, because I knew that just one or two months would not be enough to really figure this out. The result? It's possible! Now - hear me out. We still enjoy pre-packaged treats from time to time (hard to beat Pillsbury fudge brownies!) and not everything we eat is organic, but we are working towards a good balance. Here's a summary of the types of things I look for in the store:

Meat: Lean cuts of beef, pork, chicken, and occasionally fish.
Dairy: Milk, cheese, and plain yogurt
Grains: Cereal and whole grain bread (both of these free of high-fructose corn syrup), whole grain pasta, white and brown rice
Produce: Fresh fruit and veggies - usually by buying what is in season, I can keep these costs quite reasonable and still have a constant supply of fresh produce. I also freeze excess produce when something is priced at a significant discount. This frozen fruit can be used in a variety of ways, and since I froze it myself, I know it contains no sugar or preservatives.

I have recently thought it might be helpful to have a "gathering place" where we can post the deals that we find on healthy food options, organic food options, coupon match-ups, sale prices, etc.

So... welcome to Healthy Deals! Each week I will post the match-ups or great prices that I see on healthy food options. Feel free to check out the list, and if there is something you know of that I haven't posted, leave it in the comments. I'll add it and give you credit.

Just to get us started...

This week, Giant of PA has Kashi cereal on sale for $2 when you buy 4. If you combine that with the $1.50 coupons sent out by Vocalpoint a few weeks ago, you can get a great deal!

Also at Giant, Arnold's bread is priced at $3.99, but it's BOGO this week. $2 for a loaf of healthy bread with no preservatives is pretty good!

Tell your friends about Healthy Deals - the new weekly feature. If we all join together, we can make healthier choices while staying within our budgets!

[Note: My definition of healthy may not be the same as your definition of healthy. This feature will always reflect my personal, nonprofessional opinion. This is not intended to serve as nutritional or health advice. Please use your own judgment to decide if products fit your desired diet and/or lifestyle. ]

Karn's - Week of Oct. 27

I'm back! Sorry for the missed week. We were traveling last week and posting was about the last thing on my mind! Hopefully you found your own good deals.

Here's a summary of what catches my eye this week:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: 1.48

Boneless Ribs: 1.48 (SO yummy on the grill!)

Edy's Ice Cream: 2.99 (Use $1 from 8/23 RP)

San Giorgio Pasta: 5/$5 (Use $.75 from Sept. All You)

Earth Grain Bread: 2.39 (Use $.55 from 10/18 RP)

Arnold's Bread: $1.99 (If Soft Family Bread is included, use $.55 from 10/11 RP)

Betty Crocker Frosting: 2/$3 (Use $.50 from 10/25 SS)

McCain Frozen Potatoes: 4/$10 (Use $.75 from 9/20 SS)

Dixie Cups, Plates, Bowls: 5/$10 (Use $.55 from 10/18 RP)



[This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering]

Karn's - Week of Oct. 13

A few more deals to be found at Karn's this week. I'm excited for the good price on Arnold's bread! I was hoping for a few more match-ups in the five for five section, but to no avail. If you see some that I missed, leave them in the comments.

Five for five deals (Buy 5 for $5) - Can mix and match products

Nestle Cocoa mix (Use $1/2 coupon here if you purchase fat free or no sugar added variety)

Duncan Hines cake mix (Use $1/2 from 10/11 SS)

Carnation Evaporated Milk (Use $.50/2 from 9/27 SS)

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables (Use $1/2 from 9/13 SS)

Other deals this week:

Nestle morsels: $2.37 (Use $.50 from 9/13 RP)

Uncle Ben's rice: 3/$5 (Use $1/2 from 9/13 RP)

Progresso Soup: $1.19 (Use $1/4 from 9/13 SS)

Arnold's Bread: $1.99 (Use $.55 from 10/11 RP if Soft Family variety is included in sale)

Aunt Jemima frozen pancakes: 4/$10 (Use $1/2 from 10/4 SS)

Juicy Juice: 4/$10 (Use $1/2 from 8/9 RP)


[This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering]

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Thanks for the tip, Money Saving Mom!

Karn's - Week of Oct. 6

Well, it's not a hot week for coupon matchups at Karn's, unless I just can't see them. I only saw two good combos... nothing to get too excited about. However, if you're low on meat, they continue to have good prices on most meat, so be sure to check that out.

If you're stopping in there, you might want to add these to your list:

Ragu Pasta Sauce: 2/$3 (Use $1/2 from 9/13 RP)

Deer Park Water -6 pk: $1 (Use$1/2 from 9/27 RP)

If you found more match-ups, leave me a comment. I'll add them to the post and give you credit. :)

[This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering]

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Karn's - Week of Sept. 29

Here are the match-ups that I see:

Nestle Morsels: $2.37 (Use $.50 from 9/13 RP)

Progresso Soup: $1.19 (Use $1/4 from 9/13 SS)

Chicken legs: $.49/lb

Lean chopped chuck: $1.88/lb

General Mills cereal: 4/$10 (Use $1/2 from 9/27 SS)

Carnation Evaporated Milk: $1 (Use $.50/2 from 9/27 SS)

Tide 100 oz: $11.99 (Use $1 from 9/27 P&G)

Charmin 12 roll toilet paper: $6.99 (Use $.25 from 9/27 P&G)

Bounty Paper Towels 8 roll: $6.99 (Use $.25 from 9/27 P&G)

Old Spice Body Wash: $2.50 (Use $1/2 from 9/27 P&G)

Mr. Clean Erasers: $2.50 (Use B1G1 from 9/27 P&G)

Swiffer Refills: 6.99 (Use $1/2 from 9/26 P&G)


[This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering]

Do you Shop at Karn's?

Just curious...

Leave me a comment if you're using the Karn's match-ups. Would love to know if I'm doing them just to fill up my days (haha, not needed!) or if they are useful to some of you. I know Karn's is very local, so doesn't apply to a lot of my readers, but for those of you in central PA, let me know if you want to see them continue!

Thanks!