Shopping Can Be A Risky Business

You know that little debate that you have with yourself when you want to get something done but you know that you are really pushing it. You think to yourself, "this will only take a minute" or "I really need to get this done," or "man, I forgot to do that yesterday and I have to do it today."

Well, I was having a little internal talk with myself yesterday.

On the one hand, I had accomplished the following:
1. Staying up until 1:30am the night before with my girlfriends
2. Getting up at 6:00am to drive home to care for my children
3. Managing to get a shower
4. Feeding all 3 of us before 9:00am
5. Preparing for my Publix shop
6. Getting the children to the doctor for immunizations
7. Getting all of us flu shots for the season
**CDC recommended...so I hear....Jennifer?**
8. Meeting Jason at McDonalds for a visit and playtime for Savvy

After leaving McDonald's I began my little talk. I thought, "man I really need a nap." Then I thought, "man I really need a nap." Then I began debating how I could fit in a nap, my Publix shop and feeding the baby at the same time. I can usually solve the most complex of problems but this simple equation threw me for a loop.

Some of my solutions:
- Maybe I can shut my eyes while Savvy throws items in for me.
- Maybe I can sit in the cart and let Savvy navigate/calculate.
- Maybe we can sleep for 20 minutes in the car and then shop.
- Maybe Publix has finally instituted a play area for children.
- Maybe nursemaids are "all the rage" again

I decided to take a risk. I went ahead and did my shop in record time and then headed home to feed the baby, take a nap and rest for the entire evening. Savvy behaved wonderfully (that Publix cookie is more motivating than you think).

Note to self.......40-year olds should not stay up until 1:30am. I'll leave that nonsense to the 20-year olds.

OK, here's the shop:

















MONEYMAKERS
14 Sundown $2.99-$3.99 ea
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE + $1.51 - $2.51 overage ea.
6 Covergirl $2.99 ea.
- $2/1 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
- $2.50/2 Q PG 08/02/09
= FREE + $.25 overage ea.

STOCKPILE ITEMS
7 Orville Redenbachers $1.50 ea. (B1G1 price)
-.40/1 SS 8/02/09
= $.70 ea
8 Neutra Air $1.80 ea. (B1G1 price)
-$1.50/1 SS 7/12/09
= $. 30 ea
9 Pepperidge Farm cookies $2.33 ea. (advertised sale)
- $1/1 printable (no longer available)
= $1.33 ea
3 Del Monte Fruit Chillers $1.34 ea. (B1G1 price)
-$1/1 printable
= $.34 ea
9 Publix Soda $.50 ea (advertised sale)
- $1/3 FLIP
= $.16 ea
6 Campbells Select Harvest $.99 ea (B1G1 price)
-.50/2 SS 8/16/09
= $.50 ea
5 McCormick Grinders $1.00 ea (B1G1 price)
-$1/1 (exp 8/31) “Nothing Goes To Waist” booklet
= FREE
2 Listerine $3.59 ea (advertised sale)
- $1/1 Target printable
- $1/1 Green Advantage Flyer (exp. 8/28)
-.50/1 SS 8/02/09, SS 6/14/09
= $.59 ea

THINGS I NEEDED
1lb. bag bananas $.61
- $.50 off 1 lb. Target printable
= $.11
Plums $1.01
- $1/1 FLIP (guiding stars)
= $.01
Bartlett Pears $1.02
- $1/1 FLIP (guiding stars)
= $.02
1 Egglands Best $2.00 ea.
-.35/1 SS 5/03/09, SS 6/28/09
= $1.30 ea
2 Hillshire Farms $3.00 ea (advertised sale)
-$1/1 Target printable
-.55/1 RP 8/16/09
= $1.45 ea
1 Publix Reusable bag $.99 ea
- FREE Reusable bag FLIP
= FREE

$5/50 competitor coupon

TOTAL: $223.56
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $.78 cents
SAVINGS: 99%

NOTE: Mandi, our favorite popcorn is on sale!!!

I picked up 3 bottles of Welch's for your hubby last week so that he can get his daily dose of super-power anti-oxidants. I'm expecting that he is going to take care of all of us in our old age. Tell him that I expect him to remember that I'm the one that supplied him with some of his super-powers. Oh, that's right....you won't need to remind him because he is going to be the only one with an in-tact memory when we're all in our 80's!

NOTE: Make sure that you are printing those IP printables when you see them. The Pepperidge Farm printable is a good example this week. When I first saw it I printed four of them from my two computers and instructed hubby to print four for me also from his pc's. Print them while you can and then hold them and wait for them to go on sale. Printables always go on sale. Always.

NOTE: It took me a little while to find the fruit chillers. They were in the canned fruit aisle.

Using Food Lion Q's at Publix

I recently read a good article on the different kinds of brands that Food Lion carries. This article helped me to understand the language that is used on their coupons. For more information about the brands that are listed on Food Lion Internet Printables please go here:

http://www.foodlion.com/foodlionbrand/

I highly recommend that you read through each of the tabs on this website to familiarize yourself with Food Lion's brands so that you can use your FLIPS wisely at Publix.

For information on the "guiding stars" FLIP please go here:

http://www.guidingstars.com/about_guiding_stars/what_is_guiding_stars/index.htm

How many foods in each section of the store get Guiding Stars? The percentages of foods with stars, by store section, are as estimated:

100% of produce
51% of cereals
41% of seafood
22% of dairy
21% of meat
7% of soups
7% of bakery

Dark days ahead of us....

There is a new sign posted on the Royal Oaks Franklin store registers:

We no longer accept Target or GFS coupons.

I will be writing to corporate at publix.com so that the District Manager is aware of the store manager's decision and it's affect on many of the couponers in our town and I will also write to the store manager to talk with him about his decision and see if I can persuade him to let us use them again at this store (i.e will tell him that we will be forced to go to other stores to do our deals and he will lose our business). I suggest you do the same if you are interested in continuing to use your Target Q's at Publix in the Nashville area (let's hope that this is not a trend for all of the Publix Nashville stores).

That being said, this store has a ton of charcoal still in stock. They are a very large store and there were at least 30-40 bags left as of yesterday

(yes, yes.....I am married to the charcoal deal).

Totally overwhelmed....

I was pretty nervous about my shop today. I remember laying down last night to go to sleep and I thought to myself, "man, my shop is going to be pretty hairy tomorrow." I was right.

Jason came to help me with the shop but I think it made it more difficult. I really can't think straight when someone is talking to me while I'm trying to calculate. I knew that I had hit my limit when he came back from the deli and told me that the olives that he bought might be over $2.

I think I lost it a little. Ok, I panicked.

I thought to myself, "honey, I told you to only spend $1. Now my whole balance is going to be thrown off." I was definitely feeling stressed today. I knew my calculations were really detailed and I knew that I was going to have alot of items and alot of coupons.

I think I was feeling stressed because I knew that Jason only had an hour for lunch today and I knew that he was going to want me to hurry and this is never a good mixture for a successful shop. I get nervous and I can't think straight and then I start making mistakes.

I really need to shop alone.

Ok, here's the shop (two shops combined):

MONEYMAKERS

20 Sundown $2.99-$3.99 ea
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE + $1.51 - $2.51 overage ea.
3 Back to Nature Cookies $1.44 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/1 Q printable (click on coupons link on right side)
- $1/1 competitor Q from Whole Foods booklet
= FREE + $.56 overage ea.
10 Mott's Applesauce $1.66 ea (3 for $5)
- $1/1 Q printable
- $1/1 FLIP printable
= FREE + $.34 overage ea.
4 Back to Nature Granola $1.79 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/1 Q printable (click on coupons link on right side)
- $1/1 competitor Q from Whole Foods booklet
= FREE + $.21 overage ea.
2 Lysol 4-in-1 Spray $1.35 ea (B1G1 price)
- .50/1 Q SS 07/12/09
- $1/1 Publix Q from baby club
= FREE + $.65 overage ea.
1 Milk $2.25 ea
- $4/1 Q printable (no longer available)
= FREE + $1.75 overage ea.
1 Chocolate Milk $2.49 ea
- $3.75 Q printable (no longer available)
= FREE + $1.26 overage ea.
6 Covergirl $2.49 ea.
- $2/1 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
- $2.50/2 Q PG 08/02/09
= FREE + $.75 overage ea.
1 Snyder's Pretzels $1.50 (2 for $3)
- $1/1 Publix Q from magazine mailer
- $.75/1 Q SS 07/26/09
= FREE + $.25 overage
4 sugar $.85 ea.
- $1 off sugar wyb 5 Kool Aid Food Lion tearpad
= FREE + $.15 overage ea.

STOCKPILE ITEMS
8 Yoplait Plus $1.25 ea. (B1G1 price)
- $.50/1 Q SS 08/09/09
- $.50/1 printable or printable
= $.25 ea
6 FiberOne Yogurts $1.25 ea. (B1G1 price)
- $1.25 Q printable
= FREE
6 Shout Stain Spray $1.50 ea. (B1G1 price)
- B1G1 Q from Summertime Savings booklet
- $.55/1 Q SS 08/02/09
= $.47 ea.
2 Cascade Rinse $3.59 ea.
- FREE Coupon from mailer
= FREE
8 Kraft Macaroni & Cheese $.50 ea (B1G1 price)
- B3G1 Free Q printable
= $.38 ea.
4 Edwards pies $1.30 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/1 Q printable
= $.30 ea
2 Boxes Cheez it Whole Grain $1.60 ea (B1G1 price)
- $.75/1 Q printable
= $.85 ea.
4 Honey Nut Cheerios $2.50 ea (B1G1 price)
- $.55/1 Q printable or printable
- $1/1 Target Q printable
= $.95 ea
2 Kashi Honey Sunshine $2.50 ea (sale price)
- $1.50/1 Q printable or printable
= $1.00 ea.
4 Mrs. Pauls 10 ct. and 44 ct. $3.99 ea (advantage buy)
- $3/1 Q printable (zip 30013)
- $1/1 Publix Q from Toss for cash booklet
= FREE
8 Morningstar frozen products $1.90 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/1 Q printable for burger patties
- $1/1 Q printable for veggie product
= $.90 ea
2 Starkist Tuna pouches $1.60 ea (in-store B1G1 special)
-.50/1 Starkist Tuna product printable (play game)
- $1/3 Q Target printable (buy 3 and they will be .27 cents ea)
= $.60 ea
20 packs Kool-Aid $.20 ea. (thrown in to absorb extra coupons)
no coupons
= $.20 ea
8 Uncle Ben's rice $.75 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/2 Q printable
= $.25 ea
2 Kozy Shack Pudding $1.45 ea (B1G1 price)
- $.35/1 from "Nothing Goes to Waist" booklet
= $.75 ea

THINGS I NEEDED
1lb. bag bananas $.67
- $.50 off 1 lb. Target printable
= $.17
1lb. bag of braeburn apples $1.46
- $1/1 Target printable
= $.47
2 bags of Eat Smart Broccoli Florets $1.66 ea.
- $1/1 FLIP (guiding stars)
= $.66 ea.
2 Cottonelle Aloe & E 6-pack Cottonelle $3.99 ea. (advantage buy)
- $.50/1 Q SS 07/26/09
= $2.99 ea
1 bag Crunch Pak Apples 14 oz. $2.50 ea. (sale price)
- $1/1 Publix Q from Magazine mailer
= $1.50 ea
1 Sargento Finishers $2.99 ea.
- $1/1 Publix Q from magazine mailer
- $1.50/1 Q from Food Lion tearpad
= $.50 ea.
2 Huggies Wipes $2.99 ea.
- $1.50 Publix Q from baby club
- $.75/1 Q from Huggies mailer
= $.74 ea
4 Back to Nature Nuts $4.00 ea (special "new" price)
- $3/2 peelie
- $1/1 Whole Foods Q
= $1.50 ea
8 jars beech-nut baby food $.50 ea
- $1/6 FLIP
= $1.50/8 Publix Q from baby club
= $.18 ea.
2 Ben & Jerry's ice cream $1.90 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/2 Whole Foods Q
= $1.40 ea
1 olive from deli $1.27
- $1/1 Publix Q from baby club
= $.27

Two $5/50 competitor Q's

TOTAL: $433.67
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $1.07
SAVINGS: 99%

NOTE: One of my back to nature nuts rang up wrong. It was supposed to be $4.00 and it rang up for $4.99. I received this for free.

NOTE: I thought that 6 of my Uncle Ben's had rung up wrong so I received a refund at Customer Service for all six of them (bought six different kinds). When I got home I realized that I bought the 6.7 ounce boxes (apparently only the 6.0 ounce boxes are on sale). The 6.7 ounce boxes had sale tags on them but the sign must have said 6.0 ounce. Just be careful when buying your Uncle Ben's. I will have to go back and pay for these. This will cost me $10.00 plus tax. I called the store and told them that I would pay for them when I come in next week.

NOTE: I will also have to pay for 3 packs of Kotex ($4.15 total) that I did not put in my cart but used coupons for. I was shopping with Jason and he kept asking me questions during the shop and I told him to put them in the cart but I think he forgot and then he went to go get something on another aisle.

NOTE: I was going to use the $1/1 Special K Blueberry coupon today but the Blueberry flavor was not on sale in the family pack size (only the family pack size was B1G1).

NOTE: My balance after paying for my items at Customer Service next week will be closer to $16.00.

Post-traumatic Shop Syndrome...

I'm working on the shop right now. It'll be up shortly.

Attention Publix Shoppers....

Tomorrow is going to be a BIG, BIG day.

The deals are stellar this week!

I guess they heard my cry from last week and decided to reward me with a variety of deals to spark my interest. I just planned my shop and my head is spin-spin-spinning.

Steps to a successful shop this week:
1. Go to bed right now.
2. Rest your brain cells.
3. Get your calculators ready...

Lacking Motivation...

Well, I just couldn't get excited about the deals today. I was even contemplating skipping my shop this week as the flyer left me feeling cold. I don't know what is wrong with me. Well, actually I do know what is wrong.

I had a horrible day.

The morning started out with my newly adopted 4 month old emptying her stomach onto my nicely pressed outfit. I then proceeded to change my clothes and feed her again and the whole scenario repeated itself. I was trying to get out the door so that I could drop my other daughter off at a local program.

I am a crazy person on Wednesday morning.

I run around the house trying to accomplish the 16 different things that I'm supposed to do before I walk out the door to drop my daughter off at 9:30am. I usually drop her off somewhere between 10:15am and 10:30am. Well today it was 11:00am.

Jason and I decided to go to lunch instead of doing our shop together because I needed to sit and talk to my spouse. After lunch, I ventured out to Maryland Farms and Nipper's Corner. I normally don't hit two stores on Wednesday but Maryland Farms was out of Glass Pluss and I wanted to include it in the shop as it was a great deal. It worked out well because I was able to use another $5/$50 coupon at Nipper's and I threw in a bunch of produce.

Ok, here's the deal (two shops combined):

MONEYMAKERS
20 Sundown $2.00-$3.99 ea (found some on clearance kiosk)

-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE + $1.51 - $3.50 overage ea.

2 Beneful $2.75 ea (B1G1 price)

- $3.50/1 printable

= FREE + $.75 overage ea.

STOCKPILE ITEMS
2 Publix Egg's $1.39 ea
- FREE Q (HG Hill competitor Q)
= FREE

18 Ronzoni Pasta $.70 ea (B1G1 price)

- $1/2 hangtag from wine bottle

- $1/2 printable

= $.20 ea

5 Glass Plus $1.25 ea (B1G1 price)

- $.50/1 SS 6/28/09 or printable

= $.25 ea

4 Hot Pockets $1.49 ea

- $.50/1 SS 5/17/09

= $.49 ea

12 Benefiber Sticks (8 count) $2.50 ea (advantage buy)

-$2/1 SS 8/2/09, SS 7/12/09, SS 5/10/09 or printable

= $.50 ea

4 Huggies $1.00 ea (B1G1 price)

- $.50/1 Huggies FLIP

= $.50 ea

2 Back to Nature Cookies $2.87 ea
- $1/1 Q printable (click on coupons link on right side)

- $1/1 competitor Q from Whole Foods booklet

= $.87 ea.

3 Diet Snapple $4.99 ea

- B2G1 Publix Q from Yellow Advantage Flyer

- $1/1 printable

= $2.33 ea

THINGS I NEEDED

1 Similac $22.49 ea

- $3/1 FLIP

- $2/1 Q SS 5/10/09

- $5 similac check (thanks to everyone who sent me these)

- $3/1 Publix Q (baby club)

= $9.49 ea

1 NatureMade Super B Complex $7.10 ea (advantage buy)

no coupons

= $7.10 ea

1 bag potatoes $1.99

no coupons

= $1.99

1 celery $1.49

no coupons

= $1.99

1 bag carrots $.89

no coupons

= $.89

1 onion $.87

no coupons

= $.87

1 package blueberries $2.00

- $1/1 FLIP (guiding stars)

= $1.00 ea

1 bag plum tomatoes $.61

no coupons

= $.61

1 bag pita bread $1.29 ea

no coupons

= $1.29 ea

1 Publix Spring Mix $2.00 ea

no coupons

= $2.00 ea

1 1lb. bag Granny Smith Apples $1.57

- $1/1 Target printable

= $.57

1 package flour tortillas $2.59 ea

no coupons

= $2.59 ea

2 1lb. bag bananas $.61 & ??

- $.50 off 1 lb. Target printable

= $.11 & ??

1 bag nectarines $1.39

- $1/1 FLIP (guiding stars)

= $.39

2 cucumbers $1.00

no coupons

= $1.00

Two $5/50 competitor coupons

TOTAL: $258.05

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $2.57

SAVINGS: 99%

NOTE: My cashier didn't charge me for one of the bags of bananas. I'll go to customer service and pay for the 1 lb. bag. This is a good practice to form as a habit. One, it gives me a clear conscience and two it establishes me as an honest couponer. This practice goes a long way in bonding me with my staff at Publix.

NOTE: Some of my Ronzoni rang up wrong (i.e. the manicotti and the lasagna). Apparently, these are not a part of the B1G1 sale. Be careful when choosing your pasta this week. Check the sale tag for more information. Customer service ended up giving them to me as a B1G1 which was a nice gesture.

NOTE: the picture above is of my favorite Maryland Farms person. Her name is Stacy. She is amazing and has a terrific attitude and she likes couponers. Memorize her face. I'll highlight some of the other friendly faces around town as I have time.

NOTE: I use a calculator when I do my deals so when my balance is off then I know that I should spend some time checking my receipt before I leave the store. This happened today. My balance was almost $25. I finished my transaction and then I sat down on one of the benches and started scanning my receipt. I always do this after the transaction because I know that I can go to customer service to fix any problem that I had. I purchased the wrong size of dog food and had a problem with the pastas and I rectified everything at customer service.

FOOD COMMENT: I bought the Back to Nature cookies because I remember reading a comment that Brandy had made re: how delicious they were. I fell hard for the Peanut Butter Creme cookies.

Seriously, I'm loving the new threshold.....

I flew solo tonight on my shop.

No interruptions.

No distractions.

No spouse.

No munchkins.

I was in a state of delight from about 3:05pm when I left the house until 5:30pm when I returned. I had a bonafide amazing experience at checkout tonight with my new favorite cashier. I'm thinking of putting her in my pocket and taking her home with me. Her name is Shermin and she works at Nipper's corner.

Now, I have to tell you up front that I almost shouted when I scanned my Bank of America card. Shouted with happiness that is. My entire balance was $1.23. How much did I save? Well, you'll have to read the post to see (no skipping to the end of the story without reading the very exciting details of the plot).

I'm lovin' the new threshold...

Ok, here's the deal:

MONEYMAKERS

18 Sundown $2.60-$3.99 ea (found some on clearance kiosk)
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP

-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer

= FREE + $1.51 - $2.90 overage ea.

6 Covergirl $2.49 ea (make-up sponge, powder puffs, pencil sharpener)

- $2/1 Publix Q from Green Advantage Flyer

- $2.50/1 Q PG 08/02/09

= FREE + $.76 overage ea.

4 Scotch Mailers 6" x 9" $.69 ea (near school supplies)

- $.50/1 Scotch RP 07/26/09

= FREE + $.31 overage ea.

5 Starbucks Ice Cream $1.90 ea (raincheck; last day for Kraft/Publix rebate)

- $2/1 Q SS 06/21/09

= FREE + $.10 overage ea.

1 Milk $2.00 ea

- $4/1 Q printable (no longer available)

= FREE + $2.00 overage ea.

1 Chocolate Milk $2.49 ea

- $3.75 Q printable (no longer available)

= FREE + $1.25 overage ea.

4 Muir Glen $.89 ea

- $.50/1 printable

= FREE + $.11 overage ea.

3 sugar (brown, dark brown, confectioner's) $.85 ea.

- $2 off sugar wyb 10 Kool Aid Q (expired)

- $1 off sugar wyb 5 Kool Aid Food Lion tearpad

= FREE + $1.15 overage ea.

4 pork items $1.57-2.05 ea

- $6 off pork wyb charcoal and qualifying product

= FREE + $3.95-$4.43 overage ea.

4 ground beef patties $2.39 ea
- $2/1 beef wyb charcoal Q tearpad (no longer available)

- $1/5 beef FLIP

= FREE + $.11 overage ea.

2 Kotex Maxi pads $2.77 ea

- $2 target Q SS 07/26/09 (regional Q - wasn't in Nashville paper)

- $1/1 Q SS 07/19/09

- Buy 1, Get 1 Publix Q

= FREE + $.61 overage ea.

2 BBQ sauce $1.57 ea (Nipper's price; higher at other stores)

- $2/1 Q RP 6/21/09
- $1/2 FLIP printable

= FREE + $.93 overage ea.

1 bunch grapes $.69 cents

- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers

= FREE + $1.31 overage

1 peach $.32 cents

- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers
= FREE + $1.68 overage

1 lime $.25 cents

- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers

= FREE + $1.75 overage

2 (1lb.) bags of apples $1.57 & $1.62 ea
- $1/1 Target Q printable

- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers
= FREE + $.40 overage ea

2 Glad straws $.69 ea

- $.75/1 Q printable

= FREE + .06 overage ea

STOCKPILE ITEMS

4 Bic Mechanical pencils $1.00 ea
- $1/2 Bic printable
- $1/2 Target Q printable
= FREE

1 Publix Egg's $1.39 ea

- FREE Q (HG Hill competitor Q)

= FREE

1 Publix Pizza (penny item)

= .01 ea.

8 Fiber One toaster pastries $1.15 ea (B1G1 price)
- .50/1 Q SS 08/02/09
= $.15 ea

30 Kool Aid $.20 ea

no coupons

= $.20 ea

4 Scotch Mailers $1.29 ea (near school supplies)

- $.50/1 Scotch RP 07/26/09

= .29 ea
2 Fiber One Bars $2.50 ea (sale price)

- FREE Q Kroger mailer

- .40/1 Q SS 07/19/09
= $.30 ea

2 Publix Quick Cooking Oats $1.39 ea
- $1/1 FLIP printable
= $.39 ea

Luigi's Real Italian Ice $1.50 (B1G1 price)

- .50/1 Q RP 07/26/09

= $.50 ea

8 Benefiber 8-count stick packs $2.50 (advantage buy)
- $.50/1 Q SS 5/10/09 and SS 07/12/09

= $.50 ea

2 Sharpie Highlighters $1.50 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/1 Q printable
= $.50 ea.

4 Kraft Cheese $1.66 ea

- $1/1 printable Q

= $.66 ea

3 Crystal Light $1.99 ea (B1G1 price)
- $1/1 printable (no longer available) thanks Brandy!

- FREE Skin Essentials wyb Crystal Light printable (no longer available) thanks Brandy!

= $.66 ea

2 Welch's Grape Jam $1.50 ea
- $.75/1 printable
= $.75 ea.

6 Kleenex Lotion $1.71 ea

- .50/2 Q SS 07/12/09

- .$1/3 Target Q (expired yesterday)

= $.87 ea

1 Back to Nature Cookies $2.87 ea

- $1/1 Q printable (click on coupons link on right side)
- $1/1 competitor Q from Whole Foods booklet
= $.87 ea.

2 Nabisco multi-packs $3.00 ea (B1G1 price)

- $1/1 Q printable (no longer available)

- $2 off wyb any 1 Nabisco multi-pack and any 2 capri sun

= $1.00 ea

10 Keebler Crackers $2.00 ea (advantage buy - Back to School rebate items)

- $1/2 Keebler Cracker Q KB 08/02/09
= $1.50 ea

2 Capri Sun 100% juice $2.50 (sale price)

- $1/1 FLIP printable

= $1.50 ea

5 MatchLight Charcoal $7.99 ea

- $3/1 Q Fire Up the Grill booklet (expires 9/30/09 - no longer available)

- $3/1 FLIP= $.99 ea

= $1.99 ea

THINGS I NEEDED

1 Half and Half $.99 ea

- .75 off milk product wyb Welch's grape jam

= .24 ea

1 Huggies $9.89

- $3/1 Q (home mailer)

- $1.50/1 FLIP

- $5/1 Publix Q
= $.39 ea

1 package of publix hard salami $1.40

- $1 publix deli coupon (baby mailer)

= $.40

1 King Honeydew $2.50 ea

- $2 off produce wyb 2 Keebler crackers

= $.50 ea

1 Whipping Cream $1.69 ea

- .75 off milk product wyb Welch's grape jam

= $.94 ea

2 ACT Total Care 33.8 oz. $4.99 (advantage buy)

- $2/1 Q (expired a few days ago)

- $1/1 target Q printable
= $1.99 ea.

2 Back to Nature Nuts $4.00 ea (advantage buy - not in flyer)
- $1/1 Q printable (click on coupon link on right side or page)

- $1/1 competitor Q from Whole Foods booklet

= $2.00 ea.

2 Infusion leave-in conditioner $5.99 ea

- $2/1 Q SS 07/19/09

= $3.99 ea

1 Revitalift face towlettes $5.99 (advantage buy)

$2/1 Q from Kroger Mailer

= $3.99 ea

1 NatureMade Super B Complex $7.10 ea (advantage buy)

no coupons

= $7.10 ea

Two $5/50 competitor Q's

TOTAL: $458.99

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $1.23

SAVINGS: 99.7%

NOTE: I used a few coupons close to expiration. I also got permission from Customer Service to use two $5/50 coupons in the same transaction because I did not want to take the time to separate both my items and my coupons into two transactions. They know me at this Publix and they trust my ethics so they sometimes let me do special deals. It just depends on who is working. My main point here is that you should get to know your cashiers and managers; this will help you to build a relationship with them over time. Take the time to stop and say hello to both your cashiers and your managers and make sure you're known for doing solid deals.

NOTE: I purchased the last 5 bags of charcoal at Nipper's tonight. This would be a great store for a charcoal raincheck if you are planning on going shopping tomorrow.

NOTE: There are two rebates in this shop also. The Back to School Rebate and the Kraft Rebate. I will submit both and will receive back $20.00.

POSTNOTE: I just scanned my receipt again and noticed that the cashier didn't charge me for a few items. I am going back today to do another charcoal deal and I'll pay for those items when I go back. There were 5 items that she didn't scan (Keebler cracker $2, Vitamin $3.89, Kleenex $1.71, Starbucks Ice Cream $1.90, and Glad Straw $.69). These items total $10.19 (I didn't use one of my coupons yesterday because my balance was already $1.23; I left out the $5/1 Publix Q for the Huggies. I won't hand them this coupon even though I can because I think it will give the wrong impression).

Back with a vengeance...

Here's the deal (this represents two shops):

MONEYMAKERS
3 Sundown $2.99 ea
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE + $2.51 overage ea.
5 Sundown $3.89 ea
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE + $1.61 overage ea.
2 Sundown $3.99 ea
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE + $1.51 overage ea.
10 Kashi Pizza $3.00 ea (50% Raincheck)
- $3/1 Q purchased on ebay
- $.50/1 Target Q printable
= FREE + $.50 overage ea.
4 Starkist Sensations $3.00 ea (B1G1 Raincheck)
- $3/1 Q purchased on ebay
- $.50/1 Target Q printable
= FREE + $.50 overage ea.
1 Knox Gelatin $1.39 ea
- $4/1 printable Q
= FREE + $2.61 overage ea.
1 Milk $2.00 ea
- FREE Milk $4/1 Q printable (no longer available)
= FREE + $2.00 overage ea.
1 Chocolate Milk $2.49 ea
- FREE Chocolate Milk $3.75/1 Q printable (no longer available)
= FREE + $1.26 overage ea.
2 sugar cannisters $1.15 ea.
- $2 off sugar wyb 10 Kool Aid Q
- $1 off sugar wyb 5 Kool Aid Food Lion tearpad
= FREE + $.85 overage ea.
2 brown sugar $.85 ea.
- $2 off sugar wyb 10 Kool Aid Q
- $1 off sugar wyb 5 Kool Aid Food Lion tearpad
= FREE + $1.15 overage ea.
5 pork items $.86-1.95 ea
- $6 off pork wyb charcoal and qualifying product printable
= FREE + $4.05-$5.14 overage ea.


STOCKPILE ITEMS
3 Method Hand Soaps $3.79 ea
-$2/1 Q from Summertime Savings booklet
-$1/1 Whole Foods competitor Q
= $.79 ea
1 Loreal Kids Conditioner $1.99 ea (advantage buy)
-$.75/1 Q RP 6/28/09
-$1/1 Publix Q from Family Style Magazine (that comes to your home)
= $.25 ea
2 Skintimate Shaving Gel $2.29 ea
- $1.50/2 Q SS 7/12/09
- $1.50/1 Target Q from mailer (thanks TanyaW)!
= $.04 ea
4 Kraft Cheese $1.66 ea
- $1/1 printable Q
= $.66 ea
1 Milk $2.00 ea
- $FREE milk Q printable (no longer available)
= FREE
1 Chocolate Milk $2.49 ea
- FREE Chocolate milk Q printable (no longer available)
= FREE
4 Eight O' Clock Coffee $2.50 ea (B1G1 Raincheck)
- $2/2 printable
= $1.50 ea
4 Bic Mechanical pencils $1.00 ea
- $1/2 Bic printable
- $1/2 Target Q printable
= FREE
4 Bic 2-pack of red pens $.99 ea
- $1/2 Bic printable
- $1/2 Target Q printable
= FREE
1 Publix Hand Sanitizer $.99 ea
- FREE Publix Baby Club Q
= FREE
2 Muir Glen $.89 & $1.09 ea
- $1/1 printable (no longer available)
= FREE
2 Dole Tropical Fruit $1.29 ea
- $.50/1 printable (no longer available)
= $.29 ea
5 MatchLight Charcoal $7.99 ea
- $4/1 Q RP 6/28/09
- $3/1 FLIP
= $.99 ea
30 Kool Aid $3.00
no coupons
= $3.00
2 beef items $2.02 - $2.65 ea
- $2/1 Food Lion tearpad Q
= $.02-$.65 ea
5 BBQ sauce $1.99 ea
- $2/1 Q RP 6/21/09

- FREE printable (thanks Bethany)

= FREE

THINGS I NEEDED
1 Similac $22.49 ea
- $3/1 FLIP
- $2/1 Q SS 5/10/09
- $5 similac check (thanks to everyone who sent me these)
= $12.49 ea
1 Huggies Diaper $10.99 ea
- $1.50/1 FLIP
- $1.50 Q from mailer
= $7.99 ea
2 Baked Lays $3.79 ea
- $1/1 printable (no longer available)
- $.50 Target Q printable
= $2.29 ea
1 NatureMade Women's Multi $7.10 ea (advantage buy)
no coupons
= $7.10 ea
1 NatureMade Super B Complex $7.10 ea (advantage buy)
no coupons
= $7.10 ea
2 (1lb.) bags of apples $1.55 & $1.67 ea
- $1/1 Target Q printable
= $.55 and $.67

Two $5/50 competitor Q's

TOTAL: $320.24
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $9.79
SAVINGS: 97%

NOTE: I generally post the coupons that I use for my deal in the above section. There are other coupons out there but the purpose of my blog is not to list every coupon possible for each item. The purpose of my blog is to give you a visual on what you can get every week along with the combination of coupons that I used. Please keep that in mind when reading these posts. There are other blogs/websites that list the entire combination of coupons that can be used. That's their thing; not mine.

NOTE: The cashier adjusted Jason's milk and chocolate milk Q's but my cashier didn't adjust them and they scanned at $4.00 and $3.75. Can you say "unexpected overage?" My sugar coupon was out of date by a few days but they let me use it.

I'm off to do my shop but until then.....

Please post a picture on your blogger profile so that we can see what you look like when you leave comments?

I just couldn't resist.....

My new $5/2 Sundown Q's were just burning a whole in my pocket. My hubby drove out to meet me at my hotel in Birmingham, AL last night and we ventured out to the closest Publix on our way out of town.

Just a quick shop to pick up some Loreal cleansing cloths and some free wine. I also wanted to try out the Clean and Clear Publix Q to see what I could get for FREE (or close to FREE in this case).

Ok, here's the deal:

MONEYMAKERS
4 Sundown $2.99 ea
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE + $2.51 overage ea.

2 Sundown $3.59 ea
-$5/2 from 07-12-09 RP
-$6/2 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE + $1.91 overage ea.

STOCKPILE ITEMS
2 Clean and Clear Astringent $3.99 ea (20% off = $3.19)
-$2/1 PRINT
-$1/1 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= $.19 ea

4 Sudafed $3.00 (clearance)
-$1/1 Sudafed PRINT
-$1.50/1 Sudafed PRINT
-$2/1 Publix Q from Green Advantage flyer
= FREE

1 Softsoap bodywash $2.79 (advantage buy)
-$2/1 PRINT (enter zip 45435)
= $.79 ea

THINGS I NEEDED
1 Loreal Revitalift $5.99 ea (advantage buy)
-$1/1 from 05-31-09 RP
-$1/1 PRINT
-$1/1 from 05-17-09 SS
= $4.99 ea

1 Columbia Crest Riesling $9.99
no coupons
= $9.99

$5/50 competitor coupon

TOTAL: $83.47
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS: $1.91
SAVINGS: 98%

NOTE: I did have some problems at the register with the $5/2 Sundown coupon because it has a Rite-Aid symbol on it. I had to explain to 5 of the Publix employees (including the manager of the store) that the coupon was not a competitor coupon. I explained that it was a manufacturer coupon and they just didn't seem to understand at first. I also had problems trying to explain that I should be receiving the overage for the manufacturer coupon. In the end it all worked out but it took 10 minutes getting the deal approved.

NOTE: I learned one very important lesson today. It really pays to get to know the employees of your local store. They will know you and will have an easier time approving your deals because they know how you operate.

NOTE: The bodywash is not pictured. Hubby must have already put it away; he is pretty quick. I actually purchased this item as a test. I thought it might be marked wrong as I couldn't find the bodywash listed on advantage buy in the green flyer. I was hoping to pay for it and then get it for free (assuming the tag was wrong). Turns out it rang up correctly; still not sure why it isn't listed in the green advantage flyer.

A new day has dawned...

You're going to feel like jumping for joy when you read this....

My husband did 5 shops today and he called me to tell me that he believes that Publix has increased the $50 manufacturer coupon threshold on their POS system in the Nashville area (he tested out Antioch, Maryland Farms, Nipper's Corner, and Concord). He had noticed recently that he didn't need a manager to approve his last few coupons that put him over the $50 limit. He decided to run a test tonight by going to several different stores to see if his results were the same.

What does this mean to you?

Well, if his theory rings true then it means that you no longer need a manager to approve your manufacturer coupons if they are over $50. I'm not sure what the new threshold limitation is, however, he had at least $70 in manufacturer coupons today at each store and no manager approval was needed.

This would be INCREDIBLE news to many of us. We wouldn't have to break up our transactions or dread the manager having to come over to input our last few coupons anymore.

The limitation on items vs. coupons would still be in effect so make sure you have the same amount of items/coupons in your transaction.

Can I hear a shout out from all of you on the eve of this incredible event.

Okay, now go and hug the person closest to you.