Boo to you naysayers.
Boo to you skeptics.
Boo to you pessimists.
I always love it when folks say that there aren't coupons for the things that they eat. The conversation goes something like this.....
Person: I tried couponing once.
YOU: Really
Person: Yeah, it was a waste of time.
YOU: Really
Person: You can't get the things that you eat with coupons.
YOU: Really
Person: Can you?
YOU: Um, yes.
I had several moneymakers today and I was excited to hit the stores to buy the items that I use regularly and my goal was to get them for free.
The store was an explosion of color. I saw things today that I haven't seen before. Sometimes you get in a rut. You do your little deal and you forget to open your eyes and look around at that beautiful Publix store. I'm pretty sure that I fell in love with Publix all over again today.
I had my list. I had my coupons.
I was on fire zooming through the store.
I opened my eyes and saw all of the beautiful packages and all of the "new" items and I just fell in love. Then I began to swoon as I hit the produce department. The sight of all of those ripe fruits just made my mouth water. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to hit my "five a day" fruit and veggie mark every day this week. I went a little crazy and purchased every fruit that looked delicious; which was pretty much every fruit that was on sale this week.
Stop reading this post. Go to your Publix right now and buy some fruit. You won't be sorry. The local peaches are incredible this year and the blueberries (the larger plump-looking ones) are sweet and fragrant.
And beware of the naysayers in your path......
Ok, here's the deal (two shops combined):
6 J&J First Aid $1.79 ea ($3/2 Q & $5/3 Publix Q = FREE+)
6 A-1 Marinade $1.45 ea ($2/1 Q = FREE+)
4 Tums $.50 ea CLEARANCE ($1.25/1 Q = FREE+)
1 Knox Gelatin $1.39 ea ($4/1 Q printable = FREE+)
6 Neosporin $1.50 ea CLEARANCE ($1/1 Q & $5/3 Publix Q = FREE+)
2 sugar $.85 ea ($2 off sugar wyb 10 Kool Aid = FREE+)
2 Kashi Waffle $1.39 ea ($1.50 print Q & .25/1 Target Q = FREE+)
1 Cool Whip $1.49 ea (wrang up wrong = FREE)
4 Depends $3.00 ea CLEARANCE ($3/1 Publix Q = FREE)
1 Halogen $1.00 ea CLEARANCE ($1/1 Q = FREE)
1 Crystal Light $2.00 ea ($2/1 All You Q = FREE)
1 Crystal Light $2.00 ea (FREE Skin Ess. wyb CL Q = FREE)
6 Loreal La Petite Frost $7.99 ea ($3/1 Q & $5/1 Publix Q = .01 ea)
4 Depends $3.00 ea CLEARANCE ($3/1 Publix Q = FREE)
1 Halogen $1.00 ea CLEARANCE ($1/1 Q = FREE)
1 Crystal Light $2.00 ea ($2/1 All You Q = FREE)
1 Crystal Light $2.00 ea (FREE Skin Ess. wyb CL Q = FREE)
6 Loreal La Petite Frost $7.99 ea ($3/1 Q & $5/1 Publix Q = .01 ea)
15 Huggies $1.65 ea ($1/1 Q & .50/1 FLIP = .15 ea)
20 Kool Aid $.20 ea (no coupon = .20 ea)
4 Klondike $1.80 ea ($1.25/1 Q = .55 ea)
1 Planters $1.60 ea ($1/1 Q printable = .60 ea)
4 Crystal Light $2.00 ea ($1/1 Q = $1.00 ea)
2 IBC Root Beer $1.85 ea (no coupon = $1.85 ea)
1 Almond Butter $8.39 ea (no coupon = $8.39 ea)
20 Kool Aid $.20 ea (no coupon = .20 ea)
4 Klondike $1.80 ea ($1.25/1 Q = .55 ea)
1 Planters $1.60 ea ($1/1 Q printable = .60 ea)
4 Crystal Light $2.00 ea ($1/1 Q = $1.00 ea)
2 IBC Root Beer $1.85 ea (no coupon = $1.85 ea)
1 Almond Butter $8.39 ea (no coupon = $8.39 ea)
Fruit Assorted $22.40 total
Avocados $1.99 ea ($1/1 Q = $2.98)
Pineapple $3.62 ($.50/1 Q = $2.62)
Strawberries $2.50 ea ($1/1 Target Q = $1.50)
Blueberries $1.66 ea ($4/$20 produce competitor Q = $2.66)
Papaya $2.76 (no coupons)
Peaches $.90 (no coupons)
Cantaloupe $2.00 ea (no coupons)
Two $5/50 competitor coupons
TOTAL: $290.47
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $18.13
SAVINGS: 94%
NOTE: The competitor Q for the produce was a catalina that I found in the recycle bin. I used my $5/50 competitor Q and my overage to pay for the rest of my fruit. One of the blueberries and one of the haircolor are missing (gave them away).
Avocados $1.99 ea ($1/1 Q = $2.98)
Pineapple $3.62 ($.50/1 Q = $2.62)
Strawberries $2.50 ea ($1/1 Target Q = $1.50)
Blueberries $1.66 ea ($4/$20 produce competitor Q = $2.66)
Papaya $2.76 (no coupons)
Peaches $.90 (no coupons)
Cantaloupe $2.00 ea (no coupons)
Two $5/50 competitor coupons
TOTAL: $290.47
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $18.13
SAVINGS: 94%
NOTE: The competitor Q for the produce was a catalina that I found in the recycle bin. I used my $5/50 competitor Q and my overage to pay for the rest of my fruit. One of the blueberries and one of the haircolor are missing (gave them away).
NOTE: Notice the mysterious absence of M&M products from this post.
NOTE: - Brandy, thank you so much for that Crystal Light Q. I was so thankful for that Q today!
- Anon, thanks again for that tip on the Neosporin in the clearance section.
43 comments:
How in the world do you keep up with this in the store?!?!? Coming to Nashville and I NEED a lesson!!!!
SCG, I would love to meet you!
What do you mean (specifically) in your question?
Do you mean:
1. How do I keep up with the adding/subtracting that I mostly do in my head?
2. How do I keep track of the deals?
Please provide more feedback and I'll try and answer your question.
BTW, I linked to your new blog tonight. Great job.
Even when I write it out I am still a little off!:) May just try and do it in the store this next time. Just did not know if you had a trick! :) Heading up your way in 3 weeks to visit friends. My friend and I planned to hit a couple Publix(s) on Saturday.
Where did you get your Knox Q? I printed the only one I could find--it has a pic of Knox Nutra Joint...but reads $4 on Knox....????
I have a $5 Similac Q if you are interested. A friend of mine gave it to me and we use Enfamil. Give me your mailing address and I'll mail it to you! :)
kelli1868@yahoo.com
What? No more pork or charcoal?? LOL! Awesome as always! Adding more of a variety of fruit in this week's shop was also a goal of mine. :)
SCG, let me know when you're going to be here. Maybe I can coordinate my shop with you guys and we can scope out the deals together! You printed the most awesome coupon in the world; the Knox coupon. I'm not sure if you were couponing about 4 or 5 months ago but at the time this coupon appeared in one of the inserts. It has a picture of NutraJoint on it but it can be used on any Knox item (and the $1.39 gelatin packets are a Knox item)!
I had 25 of those coupons from my inserts for Knox and I got $2.61 of overage for every one of them. We surely miss the Knox coupon.
My husband is having an ice cream social at work tomorrow with all of the free stuff that we have received while couponing. He made entry to the ice cream social contingent on folks printing that coupon and bringing it as their entrance fee. You can only print it once online, however, if you have access to more computers then you can print more of them.
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Kelli, that is very kind of you. I really appreciate you taking the time to send that to me. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to throw in formula in my shops and I've been so thankful to be able to get it for free (it is pretty darn expensive).
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Bethany,
"What? No more pork or charcoal??"
LOL. I pretended that aisle didn't even exist yesterday. I didn't even glance.
what deal did you do for the hair color? btw...i am LOVING seeing your deal posts! just when i think there is nothing good this week at Publix...I see that there IS!!
Stacey, the coupons are posted in this shop. Take a look and let me know what questions you have (specifically).
I'm so glad that you are able to find things that look good to you from the posts; that's exactly why I take the tims to post them visually.
So happy to have you here in our little cozy corner of the world.
Kelli, the email with my mailing address will come from starbucksgirl@hotmail.com
Warm regards,
Kelly
Where did you get the publix q for the depends?
-Jay
Jay, The Publix Q for the Depends is in the new Green Advantage flyer on the kiosk.
Kelly,
Do you only use one specific type of formula? I have several different types of formula coupons/checks that I just throw away. I'll be glad to send you the ones you need. Just let me know. :)
Thanks for the quick response. Just wandering what kind of system do you use? I use a file system and only cut them out when I need them...which does not work for me anymore so I am switching to a binder that I will bring with me everytime I go to Publix because I hate to miss a sale :)
-Jay
Awesome deals as always! :) I am jealous that you can scope for clearance deals while you're there. With both kids in tow that is never an option for me. :( I will keep my eyes peeled for the Neosporin clearance... wonder if they have any at MF? I'll be doing my shop tomorrow and picking up N's birthday cake.
Oh, and I am TOTALLY LOL!!! at the Knox coupon/ice cream social thing!! HAHAhahahaha
ps you're welcome for the Crystal Light q.
oh- are the recycle bins set up at the park yet? I need to hit them up.
Bethany, sent you an email with my address. I will take any/all formula coupons. Please don't throw them away!! LOL.
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Jay, I started out with the following:
1. I clipped 4 papers and filed in a bin with a lid and sections (ordered according to the Publix aisles). This system worked great. Then I started getting 20 or more inserts every week from the recycle bins.
2. I moved to filing my extra inserts in a filing cabinet and I still clipped 4 papers every week so that I could catch the clearance items. Then I got tired of clipping the 4 inserts every week.
3. So I stopped clipping inserts and moved to just clipping what I needed every week. I avoided the clearance kiosk as I didn't want to know what I was missing.
4. I have decided to start clipping 4 inserts again but I am only clipping the items that I think would make it to the clearance kiosk (haircolor, medicine, misc. items, etc).
I'm trying to spend as little time organizing my coupons as possible. I really just fly by the seat of my pants most of the time. I am a very visual person so if I've pulled a blinkie, tearpad, etc. and looked at it then I know that I have that coupon until I throw it away. I piled them on my desk and then go looking for them in the section of my desk where I put it. I still have my bin with the lid and I take it with me sometimes but with two small children it's fairly difficult to load them and all of my coupons.
when you come across a deal (like the Tums) do you actually do a little skip? because you have a coupon? LOL! I totally do that. Doug thinks I'm funny. When I came out of the GA Publix (he was in the car with the kids) I actually did a little happy dance when I got out to the car with my stack of tearpad q's and booklets. hehehe
Jay, I have to throw in my two cents about the binder (you knew I had an opinion right)?
I have never been attracted to that method for many reasons:
1. Filing and then pulling expired coupons seems really cumbersome to me.
2. See #1
Many of my friends have used the binder system and all of them without exception have moved to the bin method.
Just my two pesos.
I am still using my binder for tearpads, blinkies, etc. Anything that's not an insert q. It is a quick glance for me. Although I am like you, and I know if I have a coupon and what it's for. I have one of those elephant memories. :D
Got the Knox from the insert! Thanks for the heads up! :)
I just wanted to tell you how inspirational your blog has become. It has been a little intimidating and mentally taxing to understand some of the deals ;) But overall it is motivating me to take my 60% savings and up them quite a bit more.
I live in Florida so no doubles :( Is it possible to still make savings as dep as 90% without doubles?
I have ordered some Q's on ebay specifically the Food Lion sugar, and I have the 2.00 off koolaid/sugar. Can I combine them since one would be a FLIP?
I started using Southern Savers, and I usually have 6 copies of papers weekly and a competitor $ off Q.
Well I just wanted to say Hi, as I lurk and try and figure all this good stuff out. I also have some 4.00 charcoal Q's that expire soon, do you think there will be a deal again for that. Is it worth it if it is not on sale?
Thanks
Leisa
SCG and Leisa, just left you both a long post but it was lost when I hit "post comment." Drats. I have to run. I'll respond later.
LOL! Thanks for the honest answer. I did think cutting every insert was time consuming (I get 5 papers)
Jay
My insert Knox qs were expired...;( printing away....
My charcoal coupons I bought from ebay finally showed up yesterday...just as the sale went off.
My deal looks like it's going to involve $4.00 off charcoal; $6.00 off Pork; free KC Masterpiece; $3.00 off Butcher Brand beef wyb Reynolds wrap; $1.00 off Reynolds wrap; and $1.00 off $5.00 Beef FLIP Q.
Do you see anything I'm missing? I don't think I could get the Glad items, or they had expired? I can't remember what happened there.
I haven't tackled the mathmatics of it yet. Maybe someone smarter with numbers could give me some help (himt, hint) lol.
I love your blog and was just introduced to it a few days ago. Thanks!!! I have two questions: Where do you get your 5/$50 competitor coupons? You mentioned getting your papers out of recycle bins. Do you usually go a certain day? Any pointers on doing that?
ok, everyone, I've been burning the midnight oil for 3 nights. I'm off to bed. Will answer all questions in the morning.
I'm so proud of all of you guys. You seem really earnest in your desire to advance your couponing techniques. It is inspiring.
Checking out for the night.
melissa- I use an excel spreadsheet! LOL! I can email it to you if you want me to.
I came over from Lynn's Blog!
Holy Schnockers!! That's amazing!!
so, i totally thought that the hair color was Clairol Nice and Easy when I looked at the small pic in the post, but when I clicked on the picture to see it better, I see that it was Loreal and you DID post the deal for that! :o) oops! Thanks!
Oh and do you know if the Knox coupon beeps? I like to use the self checkout to cause less hassle! I usually have no prob with getting overage there doing it myself!
One more question! Do you know where the new recycling bins are that moved from Nipper's Corner? Thought they were moving to a park on Edmonson, but I didn't see them when I went looking 2 days ago! I do know there is another north of Harding on Nolensville at Kroger, but the other one was SOOO much more convenient!!
Leisa, welcome to our little home away from home. :)
I'm not that familiar with the FL market but I have shopped at Publix in FL so I'm an expert right? LOL. I'm certain you can improve that percentage. My advice would be to purchase coupons on EBAY every month to maximize your savings. Scan your Green Advantage flyer (there are almost ALWAYS moneymakers that can be found in the flyer if you take the time to think and look at the products). Purchase coupons that will give you overage and then shop the sales. You should climb higher and higher in your savings every month.
I used to only hit 80-85% and then I kicked it up a notch and now I consistently save in the 93-98% range. You get better the longer you work the deals.
You can comine the two (see my posts; I have done this a few times). Just hand them the $2/10 sugar Q first and then hand them the $1/5 sugar Q and tell them (and this is important) that it is a "Food Lion competitor Q and it will need to be input manually." Just make sure your Publix takes Food Lion Q's first.
I think there will be a deal again for charcoal; mark my words (wink).
Again, welcome to the blog. Please share your knowledge with others while here.
Melissa, you got it right girl. Good job. I love to see that organization of coupons. You're not missing anything vital. There are a few other Q's out there for more FREE stuff wyb charcoal but since we don't have a sale on charcoal right now I would hold tight (i.e. FREE Pam hangtag, $2 off ribs, etc).
The only problem that I see with your equation is that the Reynolds wrap is no longer B1G1. The deal is not as effective this way.
By my calculations you will have approx. $8.96 to spend on 4 pork items and 4 beef items but you will get your charcoal, BBQ and Reynolds for FREE. You can find cheap cuts of pork and beef and then throw them in. If you use a $5/50 competitor Q with this deal then you will have approx. $13.96 for beef and pork.
Here's the math:
4 Charcoal on sale $6.99 = $27.96
4 BBQ Sauce $1.99 x 4 = $3.96
4 Reynolds $3.77 x 4 = $15.08
Beef and Pork (TBD after calculation)
TOTAL = $47
Coupons
Four $4/1 charcoal = $16.00
Four FREE KC = $3.96
Four $3 Beef = $12.00
Four $6 pork = $24.00
TOTAL: $55.96
LEFTOVER FOR PORK AND BEEF: $8.96
okay that exercise was much harder to type than it is to do in my head. If I were you then I would bring a calculator to the store and do the math there. I always bring a piece of paper and a pen. I don't always use them but I bring them. I do the math in my head but sometimes a calculator would be more helpful.
Anon, get my competitor Q's out of recycle bin (GFS, HG Hill, etc) or from the Franklin Review Appeal (which comes out on Wed). The best day to go to the recycle bins in my area is usually Saturday but you will need to go and just see (trial and error).
Melissa, I would take Brandy up on her offer. She is a whiz and her nerdy excel sheet might help.
Cherie, welcome to the blog. Nice comment. Never heard that one before.
Stacey, the Knox coupon shouldn't beep. None of the coupons at the register should beep unless you have more than $50 in Manufacturer Q's or more coupons than you have items. Publix's POS system beeps for these two reasons. The new recycling bins are supposed to be there sometime today I think (not that I'm counting the days or anything).
Hi!
I just discovered your blog & am so excited to see that someone else loves Publix as much as I do!! However, I do not save CLOSE to the amount of money that you save. I use the binder method for now, which I read you're not a big fan of. Do you teach a class?? Seriously...I would pay to learn how to save that much!! Lindsey
P.S. You can also email me at lindseywilder@hotmail.com if you don't want to reply on here! Thanks!
Hi Lindsey, I used to teach classes but I am retired. LOL.
Welcome to the blog.
I know I missed the B1G1 Reynolds, too, Kelly. Story of my life.
Thank you Brandy, I would like to see your excel sheet. My email is missi@bellsouth.net
Lol. I am a nerd. I admit it.
Hey Kel, I saw my favorite cashier today and she thought Jason was my hubby! LOL!!! I guess he went through her line today/yesterday and she was like- your wife must be that coupon lady (but meant me. haha) She told me today and said, saw your hubby - did he tell you? I was all confused and then I said- OH! Jason- that's not my hub, that's Kelly's hub. :D
Also, I had both Kool-Aid q's in there today and they told me I couldn't use them both b/c they are both mq's. Since they really are both mq's, I didn't argue with them since I sort of think they're right. :)
Brandy, I haven't had a problem using the Kool Aid Q. I hand them the $2/10 one first and then I explain that the next one is a competitor Q because the wording on the Q says that it is for Food Lion sugar (I don't think that Publix will be reimbursed for it if they turn it in even though it is a man. Q because it is obviously intended to be used at Food Lion). They have taken it every time and input it as a competitor Q.
Brandy, who is your favorite cashier? Name please. :)
T-Leigh is my fave. She is pretty tall- about 5'9ish and has curly long auburn hair, maybe in her late 30's to mid-40's? Super sweet. :)
You have soooooo inspired me this past week, to look at Publix with new eyes, just like you said! :o)
I just posted my totals from last week (including this and last week's sale cycles!) if you want to check out how you inspired me to spend only $23.90 on SEVEN trips to Publix! :o)
http://daisysdeals.blogspot.com/2009/07/saturday-savings.html
Stacey, I just went and checked out your blog. Pretty amazing girl. Way to go.
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