1. Start by saving money on non-food items
   One of the first remarks I always hear from people as a reason for not couponing is, “I don’t eat any of the things I find coupons for.” While I can usually find holes in that argument, my quick response is, “That’s fine, use the coupons for non-food items.”

                         
Even my healthiest, most organic friends typically don’t live 100% organic. You have to choose where to spend your money these days. So my advice: save money with non-perishables so you can put it towards purchasing your organic fresh foods.

Start couponing with paper products, condiments, toiletries and the like. For instance, I haven’t had to buy toilet paper since moving to Nashville. Between Publix frequently offering Greenwise Toilet Paper as their Penny Item and the plethora of $.50 Angel Soft coupons in the Sunday inserts (that gets doubled to $1 and they are often on sale for $1), you’d be surprised at how quickly the savings start adding up. Take the money you save on these products and apply it to your organic shopping items.

There are also a lot of freebies you can get that can be helpful towards others. Whether it’s free condiments that you can bring to BBQ’s or free paper plates & napkins that you can contribute to a birthday party, it always pays to have such necessities on hand before the time you actually need them!

1. Use competitor coupons
   Myth: “The things I really need, like produce, dairy and meat, never have coupons!”
   Fact: Almost every grocery store offers coupons in these areas and most grocery stores accept competitor’s coupons. So even if you don’t have every grocery store near you, it pays to sign up for their email lists so you can have their coupons emailed to you.

For example: Food Lion just emailed me a coupon for $1/$5 produce purchase. I don’t shop at Food Lion, but all the stores I do shop at accept competitor’s coupons. Publix also just offered a coupon in one of their in-store ads for $2 off a ground beef purchase. This is a great way to get your organic meat & produce for less.

1. Sign up at your favorite companies websites for samples & special offers
   Places like Mambo Sprouts and Horizon Organic have great eNewsletters and email coupons ALL the time. Go online to your favorite brands and look under their “Special Offers” tab – you’ll be surprised at how many coupons you’ll find. Wait until they go on sale and you’ll get a great deal!

1. Stock up on produce when on sale and freeze
   When organic produce goes on sale, stock up! Wash, prep, and cut it up, then spread on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer. Once frozen, you can double bag the produce and have it

on hand for when you need it. This is great to do with fruit for smoothies or veggies you want to use for stir fry or chili.

Whatever you do, keep my basic couponing tips in mind. Collect as many coupons for your favorite items as you can, then you can really stock up when they go on sale. Whenever possible, stack a store coupon (like from the Whole Foods Whole Deal) with a Manufacturer’s Coupon (that you’d received from the Sunday paper or online) to maximize your savings.

It is possible to save money and eat healthy – so get to it!

*Sami’s blog, http://www.econemicliving.com/ helps people live their dream life…for less! She makes it FUN to live the frugal life and takes advantage of making memories with her family whenever possible.

Disclosure: I asked Sami to write a post on this after a conversation we had that really helped me.  She did this out of the goodness of heart because she’s awesome like that!