My friends call me something of a coupon-monger. My insistence on shopping based off what coupons I’m carrying has apparently gotten me a reputation. What can I say? I like a good deal.
It tends to ring a little hollow when I also claim to buy organic and local products. Isn’t the whole point to spend a little more on products whose companies pay a living wage? Shouldn’t all of us be willing to spend a little more for honest pesticide-free food?
It’s a tough debate. Most of us want to support these sustainable businesses and only eat organic foods. But a lot of people can’t spend that kind of money on groceries every week. Even for a single person like me, it’s quite an investment to shop 100% organic! So don’t knock the coupons…
When I lived in Bellingham, there was a great little store called Barganica, which sold discounted health food. It was perfect for the student on a budget. If I lived anywhere near Bellingham now, you better believe that I’d still shop there. It gave a great advantage to trying new products without the full-price sticker. I still had to supplement my grocery trips with other stores and occasionally the downtown co-op, but at least I got a little more for my money. But, since I don’t have that ‘luxury’ anymore, I need to find new ways to save money on organic products.
There are a few ways to get out and try new things without investing too much money. Mambo Sprouts publishes a great coupon book, which can usually be found in local health food stores, such as PCC, or you can print your own coupons online. Organic Coupons is a great reference for finding online stores with discounts or where to sign up to receive coupons in the mail. Occasionally I even hop over to Fred Meyer and see what kinds of deals they have in their health food section. And I suppose it goes without saying that there are a ton of great coupons in the Chinook Book/EcoMetro Guides.
Sometimes it takes just a small effort to make a difference in how you shop. A lot of restaurants have coupons on their websites (
eatatjulias.com, or see their 20% off
Chinook Book coupon) or will have deals in coupon books such as the
Entertainment Book. While it’s not geared towards sustainable or organic companies, you will find a few local restaurants that are worth trying. Wild Mountain Café is one of my favorites (the Chinook Book has a
Wild Mountain Cafe coupon for $5 off).
But as cheap as I tend to be and as much as my friends kid me, it definitely pays to be mindful of my shopping trips. We live in a society that is always looking for a bargain, but not always in a sustainable way. Our resources are not used properly when everything we consume is made cheaply and quickly. If a coupon helps someone buy something organic that they wouldn’t have bought normally, then that’s a positive step forward. And maybe they’ll buy it again without a coupon…
So, get out there and find some coupons. Try some new products and feel good that you’re saving yourself a little money…who doesn’t like that?
Happy clipping!