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.
51 comments:
I know exactly how you feel, Chris always wants to hurry but always wants the best deals! He's getting better the more we do it, that said, you still had an excellent shop! Which stores did you go to?
Hey Kelly-- sorry you had such a frantic shop today! That is always frustrating!
Where do you get the whole foods coupon booklets?
And if something rings up wrong, do you just take your receipt to customer service and you get it for free?
Thanks!
Michelle
Wow! You weren't kidding when you said it was going to be a good week! I have to admit, I am surprised I didn't see any charcoal in there (since it's on sale $6.99). ;-) hehehe
I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind:
I was wondering how you get multiple IPs? I know they only allow 2 prints/computer.
I noticed in past blogs that there have been some IP coupons you've been able to use multiple times (i.e. Beneful, milk) & wondered where you get them?
Also, when you purchase MFQ, do you have a specific website you buy them from?
I understand most of this, but I am still learning...
Also, how did you get Free + .75 on the Cover Girl?? I also have the $2.50/2 Q and was only able to get cheap instead of free ($2.49 x 2 = $4.98 -$4.50 off Q = $.48 for 2)
What? No charcoal, pork, or beef? JK! :) Awesome shop! I literally just said, "whoa!" outloud and my hubby thought something was wrong! AWESOME!!
But seriously, no charcoal?
Katie, I went to Maryland Farms. Jason and I shopped together (hence, two shops). :)
----------
Michelle, the Whole Foods Q's come from a booklet called "The Whole Deal" which can be found at Whole Foods Market. I found mine in Atlanta; they were on a kiosk. I've been told that they keep them by the register here so not much of a chance of getting multiples.
If it rings up wrong you just take it to customer service and you get it for free. I screwed up on the Uncle Ben's rice so I'll have to take that back next week when I shop. I always check my receipt before I leave if I can. If not, I check it when I get home and just go back the next time and get my refund, etc.
----------
Jennifer, my hubby will be doing the charcoal deal all week at several stores. We're trying to use up all of our $3/1 charcoal manufacturer Q's. LOL.
I have access to 6 computers so I can print up to 12 ip printables total. My mom can also send me another set of 4 from her computers at home. My hubby sometimes trades food for IP Q's at work (like the Knox coupon). We really work every angle we can to get those IP printables.
I printed those Beneful IP's while I was at my mom's house in Houston a few weeks ago. Her computer had never printed any coupons so I went to town and printed the Knox, Muir Glen, Beneful, etc. I had a field day. LOL.
I buy my manufacturer Q's from ebay and from http://www.couponsthingsbydede.com/
Have a great evening.
-----------
Jennifer, the Covergirl deal works like this:
2 covergirl @ 2.49 ea.
$4.98 total
- use two $2/1 Publix Q's
- use one $2.50/1 Q
- that's $6.50 off total
= $.76 overage ea.
----------
Bethany, I know. Seriously.
Hi- This is my first time to respond. I am kinda new so please let me know if I did it right, I don't want to get kick off in 30 days :) Seeing your earnings is getting me so excited about going shopping on Friday. I also prefer to go alone and take my time, no kids yelling and no hubby putting extra stuff in cart :)
Michelle, I just realized that it's you Michelle!! My friend. I'm so glad you put your picture up. I wouldn't have known that it was you otherwise. :)
Great shop! I am enjoying reading your deals!!
Yes it's "Wingate"! I am forever in debt to you for this website.. it has truly changed my life. Isaac is ecstatic that I have been saving so much money on our groceries... so thank you so much!
Ohhh the Publix envy... Wish Nashville (home of the closest Publix to me) weren't 2 hours away. But I do enjoy your blog so much - thanks for letting me be in your community!
Kelly, sorry that hubby distracted you today! Scott, my hubby, likes to go with me occasionally, but I try to leave him at home! He does too much "freelancing" (what I call putting extra stuff in the cart)!!
Great shop today! I know it takes you a ton of time to post everything for us, and I really, really appreciate it!
Wow! You are crazy good! One hour? Wow, Wow, Wow!
I know this is not a blog about Goggle help but could anybody tell me why my picture is not appearing with my comment. Sorry to stray from this week's sale excitement!!
fantastic! Thanks for helping me organize my shopping....
Man-o-man, I can't wait to shop this week. Sooo many good items, thank you!
Ashley, it's working now!
Mike, just checked out your blog. Nice savings. Tried to leave a comment on your blog but you must have comments turned off. Just wanted to let you know that I visited. :)
Kel- your shop looks similar to the one I am putting together. :) I am hoping to find some sundown one of these days too! (I guess MF finally got some in- that's great!) Great job! (I too am very excited about this week- lots and lots of moneymakers)
Has anybody else had trouble with the Back to Nature coupons?
When I click on the link, I get an error message saying it can only be printed on Internet Explorer 6.x and 7.x, or Firefox 2.0 and 3.0. My computer is running Internet Explorer 8.x & Firefox 3.5.
I'm not a computer-guru, but I know it's something with my version of internet browser. I just don't know how to fix it. :(
Fantastic trip! Now I can plan my trip! Thanks for posting all the information! Shopping with the husband and kids does make it harder most of the time. When I take mine we usually only do one shop but I have to send them on "hunts" for specific products to get them to leave me alone and to occupy them so they won't start loading the cart with extra stuff.
As always, impressive shop, Kel! I can only hope to attain (!) such totals...
Jennifer, you will have to install internet explorer version 7 if you want it to print (or have someone else print it for you).
If the software is telling you that it has to print on a specific version then there usually isn't a work around. It is coded to print on that specific version. That coupon link may have been there for a long time and they probably haven't upgraded it.
--------
trinaartist, my hubby doesn't put extra stuff in the cart. It's worse. He wants to take control of the shop or he wants to pick out all of the flavors that we are buying (which is clearly the "fun" part of planned couponing). LOL.
Still, I'm thankful that he coupons with me. It is fun to have that in common and it really helps to have two sets of eyes watching the deals.
----------
Earthy, have a fun shop! There's so much fun stuff on sale this week. I just ate the Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal this morning and it was yummy! We are going to give the Morningstar stuff a try this time around. I'll let you know what I think. If we don't love it I'll be giving you a call. :)
----------
Sherry, I really hope we run into each other one day at Concord. :)
It does take a long time to post my shop and I'm so glad that it is really helpful to you. Sometimes I wonder how everyone is using the information.
---------
Carrie, it's a miracle that I made it through that shop. I was just dreading having to rush.
--------
Hey Michelle Smalling. Welcome to the comments section
One question, what size are Starkist Tuna pouches? Sure hope they are BOGO here in Fl as well!
Carrie, they were somewhere around 6 oz.
I was wondering if you were going to try the Morningstar. :) The chicken nuggets are good dipped in whatever dipping sauces you normally like- N likes hers dipped in honey. (I think you got those- looking at your picture- most kids don't even know the difference between those and real meat and the veggie are much better for you). And the veggie burgers are pretty tasty. The Grillers Prime are the best (In my humble opinion) b/c they taste the most similar to "real meat", but the garden veggie and spicy black bean are also very good. A close friend told me she likes the tomato basil ones (tastes like pizza she says) but I haven't tried those. Hope you like them! (if not, you know where you can find them a home) ;)
-Brandy
Thanks! Also, here are a few other overage things I found while making my list today, just in case anyone else has Eggo crazed kids like me. :o)
Purina Beggin' Strips $1.75 ea (BOBO price)
-$2.50 Savings for All Seasons Booklet
= FREE + $.75 overage ea.
Kellogg's Eggo Waffles $2 ea
$1/2 8/2 SS Kellogg's
(or -$1/1 Peelie
-$1/1 How Do You Eggo Booklet for a better deal)
= $1.50 ea
Fresh Fruit $.30 (estimate)
$2 off WYB Eggo's
= FREE + $1.70 overage ea.
Carrie, I really wanted the overage on those Purina beggin strips but, alas, I didn't ever find any of those "all season" booklets. Brandy scored several while in Atlanta and I'm kicking myself now that I didn't pick any up while there.
There is also a $1.50/1 Manufacturere Q printable that gives even more overage along with the Publix Q. Here it is:
http://www.beggintime.com/Delirious.aspx
Thanks and great job! I amazed that you can calculate your balance in store during the shop.
Don't you have to account for the different tax rates on food vs. non-food items???? Unbelievable!
And yes, posting the details of your shop is very, very, very helpful! I really appreciate you taking the time to do so.
(Still getting my stuff together for the trip on Sunday).
Bryan
Bryan, I don't actually calculate how much tax I am going to have to pay. I just make sure that I go into the negative on my final balance so that my last few coupons apply to tax.
The Publix close to me had plenty of the inexpensive vitamins, but it looked like the covergirl items were marked up. Instead of the usual tags, they had little yellow price stickers above each item. I'll ask for a price check next time I go.
Received a $1 off Purity milk coupon when I signed up on their website. I'm wondering how much more expensive it is than store brand and if a $1 off would make it a better price. Hmmm
I, too, REALLY appreciate you posting the details from your shops! Jeff and I are saving lots of money because of the coupon matches you share.
On the Shout...I noticed that the B1G1 Q from the Summertime Savings booklet is a Manufacturer's Q, but they let you use it with the $.55 MQ from Smart Source? I thought you couldn't use 2 MQ's on the same item, but is it okay if they are different Q's?
Thanks again!
Mandi, I bought 6 of the shout and used 3 of the B1G1 coupons and 3 of the $.55/1 coupons. I didn't stack the manufacturer Q's. The final price is with the above scenario.
Love you Mandi (and give Jeff our love too).
----------
Sabrina, the following Covergirl items are all $2.49 ea.:
1. 6-pack sponges
2. 3-pack powder puffs
3. 2-way pencil sharpener
4. 2-pack short eye pencils (the one WITHOUT the sharpener)
5. there is also supposed to be a mascara that is on advantage buy for $2.49 but I haven't been able to find it yet.
BTW, Purity milk is expensive (last time I checked it was almost $2 more than the Publix milk; haven't checked lately).
Have a good night.
Which Whole Foods coupon did you use for the Ben & Jerry's? Was it in the same book as the Back to Nature?
Hey...i finally got issues sorted out for the overages...actuaaly approached customer service...and they were ok with it.....it was a learning process for them also....thanks for all the details on the stuff u got...it really helps u know....i had one question though....did my trip yesterday and my balance came to 0.34 cents but the tax was 7.83 so i only paid the tax....am not complaining but wanted to know how to tackle that and they gave back some coupons back coz the cashier couldnt minus anymore,,,i really wish i could post the pic or my pic on my blog(am really bad with that stuff)am trying to do that maybe i can share it with all after i figure it out....also the one the natural instincts hair dye (loving care says on box one application) is giving .75 overage...we had a 4 dollar coupon in the insert ( same insert as covergirl 2.50)i dont remember the dates and publix flyer has 2 dollar coupon..the dye is priced at 5.29..just wanted to let u know....thanks for the posts....i follow them religiously hahahahaha..
Mandi, I got your private comment. Thanks. I'm always happy to hear from you. :)
I'd love to hear more from our other CBC folks (hint, hint).
Love you guys.
Tina, thanks for the tip on the Natural Instincts. I'll look for that.
I forgot to give my publix my 5 Mrs. Paul's $3 Q's at my shop today. If I go to customer service with my receipt and q's will they refund them, and if so do I have to go back the same day? I go to the Maryland Farms store.
Thanks!!
Katie, you'll just have to go to your store and ask.
Kelly- I got to go shopping by myself tonight (Friday, Nipper' Corner). I was doing so good - I had a cart full of groceries, and fist full of coupons, calculator, and I made a beginner's blunder that cost me $6.25!!! I FORGOT to count my coupons vs. items. My bill should've been $6.87, not $13.12. But, even with my mistake I saved 139.44.
Tim was not there, it was the girl that doesn't like me, so I didn't even bother to get it corrected, I didn't want to call her over to my shop and have her mark down my Publix Q's. Anyway, I am trying not to begrudge the $6.25. =)
Also, I had Phillip for my checker. He is really nice and loved the coupons.
Hey Melissa. It was so fun hanging out yesterday. :)
So, I'm confused. Are you saying that the register was beeping at you because of the coupons vs. items issue? So, instead of calling over the manager to approve your last few coupons you just kept them.
Man, that's pretty awesome savings. I'm super proud of you my fellow coupon cracker.
I had my best shop EVER at Publix on Friday! I went to my Publix (Concord Rd) and got $158.90 worth of groceries for $12.90! I saved $146 (88%)!!!!
Mandi (CS Mgr) was my checker - she was so nice & helpful! I was able to use a $3/15 Walgreens catalina on the vitamins making more overage. Plus, I found I had a $10/100 GFS Q in the entertainment book I had.
Thanks so much for your blog & spelling things out. It was very instrumental in helping me get so much overage!
That's correct. I did not call over a manager - should have, but didn't. I didn't see Tim or Jim, the 2 guys I know, so I just took my coupons back. Still working on not being bashful with the employees that don't like me.
Just an update- I was able to get my $ back for the coupons that I forgot to give. I gave them the receipt, explained what happened and gave them my coupons, simple as that. They were great!
I went for my weekly shop today and did better than ever! I went in first to talk to customer service (same nice folks as last week) just to make sure we were all on the same page. I can't say enough for getting to know the staff and being friendly with them. I took my 2-year old girl with me and she loved all of the attention and stickers.
Everything went as planned with all of the overages, etc. The store manager actually checked me out. No problems at all.
One bonus was that there were peelies on the regular Kingsford Charcoal for a free Hebrew Nationals Beef Franks. They are on BOGO this week. The peelie was coded for $5.00 off, so that gave an additional $2.50 off of each bag (and free hot dogs). Tell your husband!! :)
Thanks again for everything! Grand total this week was spent $44 and saved $258!
Bryan
Bryan, we used the Hebrew Nationals peelies yesterday also and were pleasantly surprised with the additional overage. I had to stop handing my coupons to the cashier though as I would have gone -$15.00 on my balance because I didn't know that they would scan at $5.00.
Awesome shop BTW. You're getting pretty good. I'm so glad you went in and talked to your staff. It makes a world of difference.
I had my best week ever!!! I saved $163 and spent $3. I had 6-7 coupons left and she had to call the manager over to push them through. I'm not really sure why she had to do this because I had the same amount of coupons as items. The cashier was very shocked when the total came down so low. I could tell the manager was a bit hesitant; she was fanning through all my coupons after she pushed the last ones through. She kind of made me feel like I had done something wrong, although I knew I hadn't. I walked out of the store so thankful!!! Thank you for all your help.
tshanina, that's an awesome shop. Way to go! Don't worry about them checking your coupons. They will eventually get to know you and will realize that you are just an extreme couponer. Remember that they have people come into their stores and use coupons on items that they didn't even buy. They are just making sure that you are not one of those people. They will stop second guessing you over time. Be patient. Smile when you come in, chat with your checkers, thank your baggers. Build your reputation. Let them check your stuff. I promise that they will get to know you over time.
Hubby went to Concord this morning to do a charcoal deal and they adjusted his Hebrew National Hot Dog coupon (which they are allowed to do BTW according to the language on the coupon). Casi, the customer service manager adjusted it. It's possible you will still get overage at this store for that Q but don't expect it. :)
All I can say is WOW!!
I did my "normal" shop on Friday (see earlier post), but ran out of time b/c I had to get my daughter from school. Yesterday I decided to go back & finish the rest of my shopping. They were restocked on the $2.49 CG items & the Beneful (which I had a raincheck for). I ended up getting $100 in groceries & spending $.33!!! Saved 99.69%. This is now my best shop ever!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Post a Comment