From Coupon Queen to Frugal Healthy Housewife
 There have been some questions voiced from you guys that I feel like I need to address. They come in all different formats, but they are basically all the same question. “How can you, former Queen of the Coupons, now eat healthy without breaking the bank? Didn’t your budget suffer?” It’s a thought provoking question that I’ve been thinking on for a while. So, I hope this post will make sense to you and maybe help you understand how I’ve made this HUGE switch. |
 I’ve told you guys that my big switch and reality check came when I did Stacy Goes Storeless. It caused me to really look at what we were eating. I didn’t like what I saw. So, my research started there. I picked up the book What The Bible Says About Healthy Living and it really turned things around for our family. I’m a HUGE reader….and I research everything thoroughly before I jump in. I’ve been reading and researching like crazy – almost to the point that I felt desperate to learn more. As I learned more, my life changed. Most of what I read scared the crap out of me. You really should check out The Un-Healthy Truth by Robyn O’Brienif you want to get a REAL look at what’s in your food. So, if you’re wondering why I made this change, let me tell you. I HAD TO DO IT. Plain and simple – I couldn’t NOT change after learning the truth about what’s in our food. I would feel as though I were not doing the best for my family if I continued on the path I was on. I could not learn these facts and NOT change. It was a necessity. Did I ever think this would happen? Absolutely not. But, I’m here now. God always has a path for you, and this must be mine. I know He’s with me on it. We pray together as a family regularly about this new way of living and we all feel good about it. |
 What did I buy before the switch? Sugar cereal, Jelly Belly jelly beans, white bread, white rice, instant foods galore. What do I buy now? Bulk brown rice, wheatberries, Sucanat and honey……mostly “scratch” ingredients – organic if I can get them.I’m going to be brutally honest. I struggled at the beginning as to whether I should even blog about this new way of living. I thought I would lose most of my readers……I thought you’d shake your head and wander away. We’re trying to get Stacy Makes Cents to be self-sustainable…..and that would have been a HUGE hit. But because I’m a tell-it-like-it-is sort of person, I had to tell you guys. I’m honest with you about how things are going here…..that’s why I blog. So, for those of you who stuck around – thanks. I appreciate you all.I’m still doing workshops, but now they are more focused toward frugal living in general. Yes, I do cover advanced couponing. Why? Well, because a lot of people I talk with aren’t going to make a switch like this….they WANT to know how to use coupons. And I want to help them learn how to live on their budget. If I can throw in a few healthy things here and there, great!  Oh, and I still use coupons. I find really good deals at Earth Fare with coupons – organic coupons do exist.
Am I sorry that I made this change? Nope. I’m glad. I feel better. My whole family feels better. It was a HARD switch. Honestly, I still struggle sometimes. Healthy food does cost more in general, but we’re making it work. I want to show YOU how to make it work……I hope you’ll let me. Tomorrow I’ll cover our exact budget, what I’m buying where and how I make it work. It is possible to eat healthy on a budget. The Coupon Queen has become The Frugal Healthy Housewife. *This post is also linked at Monday Mania on The Healthy Home Economist, Real Food Wednesday on Kelly The Kitchen Kop, and at Traditional Tuesday on Whole New Mom.
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Stacy, I have to say I enjoy your site more now BECAUSE of the changes you’re making, because we’re changing how we eat, too. Keep it up, girlie!
Thanks Becca!
Love your blog and I am looking forward to learning more about your healthy way of life. We too, are moving in the same direction, just in much smaller baby steps. I hope that you will be sharing where you find organic coupons soon. Keep up the good work! Love ya!
Cynthia, make sure to check out Recyclebank (http://www.stacymakescents.com/recyclebank). I get great organic coupons there.
Awesome post. Looking forward to reading more about your change.
I agree with Becca. I have all but cut out processed foods at my house. And sometimes it may seem more expensive to buy healthy, but I truly feel, in the long run you DO save money because healthy food keeps you feel full and satisfied longer so you aren’t eating another meal 2 hours after dinner and snacking on all kinds of junk!
I agree…I was sent this link by someone…BECAUSE of the changes you are making. Eating cheap…is well, eating cheap. More people must head in this direction…for the healthy of our children, ourselves and our world.
http://littleislandstudios.blogspot.com/
Actually it’s very interesting to watch as you “evolve”. Ok, sometimes I laugh cause I think to myself “if she has another baby, that is going out the window”.
I’m old school and have been cooking from basic foods for my lifetime. Processed foods really is a rare treat around here. But I do coupon and donate to families in need that LOVE the processed stuff. So I figure if they would buy it themselves to eat, then I’ll get it free for them. lol
I’m not nearly as ambitious as you in making my own detergent and wipes (though it really is an interesting thought and read) and you have spurred me to think differently about certain things. See, old dogs can learn new tricks. Thanks for the best blog I read…. and I read TONS of them.
Lori, you always make me smile.
Can’t wait to see your post tomorrow!
Stacy I can use a lot more of your recipes now that you have made the switch so I’m giving it two thumbs up
Thanks Angela!
I look forward to seeing more of this. We are trying to eat healthier, as my husband has diabetes and we are both overweight. He just completed a 4 week weight loss program at Duke University, and they are saying the same things you are.Keep it up!
Thanks Nancy! Check back tomorrow to read about how I shop.
Great Post! What a wonderful change you have made. It’s strange that when you make such a drastic change in your diet, it can really turn some people off. It’s frustrating that it does, and I wish it didn’t, but unfortunately I witnessed alot of that personally and still do. It’s definitely for the best though!
Thank you Laura!
I used to be a local, traditional, organic food person.
Then during hard times when we had about $30 a week for food, pet food and household items I learned to coupon and we ate what I could get for free or pennies. It filled our bellies and kept us going. However I knew a stady diet of emply carbs, bad fats, sugar and over processed foods was not something for the long term.
Now I am moving back toward good old fashioned nourishing traditions type eating. I try and focus on using what is on sale. I still get coupons for non-food items and I will get non-perishable food with coupons if I can get it free or for a few cents for food storage. If we were really desperate again we could eat from that at least.
Good for you on making these changes!
Amanda, what a great outlook.
I still use coupons for toiletries too. I kick tail at CVS. 
I’m becoming a follower of your blog because of the direction you’re heading. Good for you & thanks for sharing!!
Thanks Deb.
Welcome to the group!
I am so very interested in couponing but it seems as if it’s only for the types of stuff we don’t use. I’d love to learn where & how to find deals on natural & orgainc stuff!
Rachel, you might consider following Organic Deals (http://www.organicdeals.com/). I get the heads up on some great organic coupons from her.
Good for you! I referenced your website in this national article. http://www.examiner.com/health-101-in-national/how-to-shop-frugally-and-use-coupons-without-derailing-your-diet
Sherri recently posted..How to shop frugally and use coupons without derailing your diet
Thanks Sherri! I’m honored.
Thank you! I just found your blog but I am so excited! I am interested in your site because of the changes you are making. I have been on this journey for a few years becuase of childrens food allergies but need to do better at staying on a budget. Eating healthy on a budget is not easy! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Welcome! So glad to meet you!