Sunday, February 28, 2010

Kroger Coupon Policy Woes (but awesome Chex Mix deal!)

Kroger has all of their Chex Mix (including the chocolate kind) and Cheerios Mix on sale 2 for $3. Since I have a ton of printable coupons for these, I rolled on over there this afternoon and picked up 8 bags for $3.97 or about 50 cents each (Saving over $18) - how does that work, you ask? Well, I had 2 cpns for regular chex mix, 4 cpns for chocolate chex mix, and 2 cpns for Cheerios mix. Each was for 50 cents off one bag and they doubled (Kroger doubles cpns up to 50 cents) even though they said "do not double" on them. ("super-couponer" note: if a coupon says "do not double" but its serial number starts with a 5 all the way to the left of the bar code, it will likely still double. If the serial number starts with a 9, it won't. I know that is crazy picky, but it's a pretty consistent rule of thumb in the couponing world).

Here's the "woe" part - After the checkout girl rang up all the bags, she told me that they only take two internet coupons at a time now. I said, "Two for the same type of item? Or two total per transaction for any internet coupon?" I asked because I could at least get get 6 bags with the coupons I had (two were for regular chex mix, 2 for chocolate, and 2 for Cheerios mix) if the former were the case. The manager was next to us, manning the self-bag lanes, and he said 2 per transaction total. He said that due to fraud, only accepting two at a time is the only way they could control it. So, I said I didn't want all of the bags then and asked for my coupons back so I could use only the two that were about to expire. I told that that since Harris Teeter is still accepting the printable coupons I could take them over there. Meanwhile the 5 people behind me in the express lane were all annoyed. I think that is what inspired the manager to then say that he'd let me use my coupons "this one time." Here is what Kroger's website states about printable internet coupons - I'm not sure my store was following it the way it is laid out.

So, as if I didn't have enough reasons not to shop at this Kroger (New Hope Commons), this added to my list. They don't double up to 99 cents like HT does, they don't do triple or super double coupon specials, their produce seems to be wilting every time I shop there, their variety for some of the things I buy (like yogurt) is limited, and 80-90% of the times I've been to this Kroger something I was looking for was sitting in a puddle of something else that was leaking next to it. These complaints are not new to them. I filled out a mail in survey a few weeks ago. I'm not saying I won't shop there for certain deals when they are cheaper than anywhere else, I'm just saying I'm not planning to change my usual shopping routine at HT any time soon.

I am not a fraud couponer - I print to my 2 coupon limit each time. This is obvious by looking at my coupons since their expiration dates vary. I know that some hard core couponers have coupon parties and share and trade coupons with each other just to get multiples of things they use, though. This new policy would affect them the most, I think.

*** Just a note about HT - Technically, Harris Teeter only doubles coupons for up to three identical items per transaction - coupons used for those items after that are redeemed at face value. Also, technically with the purchase of two like manufacturer’s products, they accept two internet coupons, per store, per day. I say technically have never had a problem with my Harris Teeter doubling more than 3 coupons for identical items or accepting multiple internet coupons for like items. Check out the rest of HT's Coupon Policy here.

Couponing 101

Warning: There are too many "quotation marks" in this post.

If you want to save more $ on groceries, don't feel like it's an all or nothing proposition to use coupons. You can save a good percentage just by being a smart shopper - for example, being an eVIC member, shopping the sale items, and printing some online coupons if you don't want to get the paper.

However, there are various levels of savings you can attain - Couponing101 is a great one for "newbies" or those that are new to "couponing," which I found is a general term for saving mucho dinero using coupons, sales, and other savings options. There is apparently a subculture of couponers, which I am just getting to know. There's a silent or no-so-silent competition to save the most $ possible and stockpile the most stuff. There are a ton of websites, blogs, mailing lists, etc. specifically targeted to couponers (and apparently I'm one of them!).

There is some couponer "lingo" I'm just now getting to know though. Hopefully you know by now what a "raincheck" is, but there are a bunch of others. For example, do you know what "peelies," "tearpads," and "insert qs" are? Do you know what a "winetag" is? Check this out for more info, otherwise you may end up feeling lost on some of the more "advanced" sites.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Harris Teeter and Target this week 02/27/10

I shopped at two places today - Target and Harris Teeter - I spent $93 at HT and saved $99 - more than 50% savings! Reminder that printables can be found on couponmom.com or at manufacturer's websites. Many printables that say "do not double" will double. Also you can buy one BOGO item at half off and items that are 10 for $10 or 3 for $5, etc - for the divided price.

Target:

I had some Up & Up target brand coupons from magazines that were $1 off a product $3 or more. I got baby sunblock and paper towels.

I also got Loreal True Match makeup - which is normally 8.99 per bottle, on clearance 4.98 per bottle - plus a cpn in the 1/3 Red Plum for $3 off = 1.98 (awesome!)

Hefty One Zip - certain types- were on sale for $1, plus there was a $1 off two cpn in 1/31 Red Plum which made them 50 cents per box (better than HT's deal this week where they are BOGO, but more than $1 each)


Harris Teeter: They're doing two big deals where you get an amount back if you buy certain items. $5 back if you buy 15 participating big G items (mostly betty crocker, cheerios, etc) and $4 back if you buy 12 - mostly pillsbury items.

First deal:

4 Betty Crocker Warm Delights (printable coupons plus 1 in 2/7 smart source) orig. 2.55, sale $1.67 - cpn 5o cents off x 2 = 67 per pack

4 boxes Multigrain Cheerios (printable coupons) orig. 3.69, sale $2.50 - cpn 75 cents off x2 = $1 per box

2 Betty crocker frosting (printable coupons plus 2/7 smart source)- orig. 1.99, sale 1.50 - cpn 50 cents off x 2 = 50 cents per tub

5 Betty Crocker Cake mix (no coupons) orig. 1.79, sale 10 for $10 so $1 each

Buy 15 items , get -$5 off total order.

Total before sales and coupons = $37.89
Total for these items before $5 off = $12.68
Total - $5 = $7.68
Savings: $30.21 (80%)

Second deal:
There are many pillsbury cpns out there - check out Sue Stock's database to find them.
2 Pillsbury Grands Flaky Biscuits (5 biscuit) - orig. 1.55, sale BOGO - printable cpn for 30 cents off 2 x 2 = 17 cents each

2 Pillsbury Cresent Rolls (4 rolls) orig. 1.65, sale 99 cents - printable cpn for 50 cents off 2 x 2 = 49 cents each

8 Green Giant frozen veggies (small boxes) orig. 1.89, sale $1 each - cpns for 50 cents off two x 2 = 50 cents per box

Buy 12 get $4 back

Total before sales and cpns = $21.52
Total for these items before $4 off = $5.32
Total - $4 = $1.32
Savings = $20.20 (93%)

Other HT deals:

Mazola Canola Oil - orig. 4.29, sale 2.14 (on clearance at my store) - cpn 50 cents off x2 in 12/13 smart source (expires 2/28), final = $1.14

Sparkle 8roll paper towels - orig. 8.99, sale 4.99, cpn 50 cents off x2 in 2/14 Red Plum, final price = 3.99

Angel Soft dbl, orig. 8.49, sale 4.99 - cpn 50 cents off x 2 in 2./14 Red Plum, final price = 3.99

Weight Watchers Smart Ones frozen meals - on sale 33% off - multiple cpns in 1/10 Smart Source

Martha White muffin mix - orig. 1.15, eVIC price = 50 cents (limit 1) - 2/14 Red Plum for 55 cents off 2 x 2 = 55 cents for 2

Dannon Greek Yogurt is on mega sale - 10 for $4 - orig about $1.20 per carton - cpn for $1 off 3 in 2/21 smart source = final price 20 cents for 3 (they were out of these but I got a rain check - don't forget about rain checks! go to customer service or tell the cashier on your way out. It helps if you know the price and the size/style of the item you want the raincheck for)

Gain 50oz eVIC - $2.99 - cpn for 50 cents off in 2/7 P&G saver x 2 = $1.99

Thomases Bagel Thins - 2.99 - cpn for 55 cents off in 1/31 Smart Source , final price = 1.89

Barilla Plus Pasta on sale 3 for $5

Breyer's Ice Cream BOGO

Pork Chops 50% off

HT Ground Turkey BOGO

Kashi Go Lean Cereal Orig. 3.99, eVIC special sale 1.99, $1 off any kashi Cereal (peelie from cereal box) - final price 99 cents

I got a bunch of produce as well and HT Natural eggs for $1 as a personalized eVIC special.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Groupon - Bavarian Brathaus!

If you're of German descent like me, or if you just have an appreciation for beer and processed meats, this deal is for you - get a $40 gift card for $20 for the Bavarian Brathaus in Cary at http://www.groupon.com - you have to buy one food item though - sadly, you can't use all $40 on beer. FYI - If it's your birthday at the Brathaus they may bring out the Organ Grinder and monkey just for you! Is it a real monkey, you ask? Guess you'll just have to find out.

To see the deal you need to sign up for the emails, but as I've said before, you should get a separate email account on gmail just for deals and use that. If you are not in the Raleigh-Durham area, there still may be groupon deals in your area so you can check it out too!

So what is Groupon? It's a site that sends you local deals daily, but you only get the deal if a certain number of people sign up for the deal. And the more people, the better the deal in some cases. Check it out! If you use my link to sign up, I'll get some free "groupon bucks" - still not sure how they work, but I'd love to have some! Click here: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu708093

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Second Pass - HT super double coupons 2-20-10

Ok - saved another $77 dollars today - I got a lot of my deals at http://www.couponing101.com - one of my new fave sites which can get anyone started with "couponing", http://nccouponqueen.blogspot.com/ (great blog), and Southern Savers The links to the printables are on these sites, or you can google them (e.g., type in "soft scrub printable coupons"). Check out Sue Stock's database for where to find the newpaper cpns.

Here are some things I got:

Starbucks frappuccino (individual bottle) - orig. 2.29 - $1 printable coupon at http://www.frappuccino.com x2 = 29 cents

Soft Scrub bath and bowl cleaner - orig. 3.99 - $1.50 off printable coupon @ softscrub.com x2 = 99 cents

Soft Scrub with bleach - orig. 3.69, sale 2.50 - $1 off coupon (same as above) x2 = 50 cents

Quaker Oats - $2.25 - $1 off printable coupon x2 = 25 cents

Special K crackers - orig. 3.49 sale price 2.99 - $1 off printable x2 = 99 cents (I actually had a rain check for these for the 2.79 price so I got them for 79 cents - K loves the sundried tomato ones)

Welch's white grape juice - orig. 3.89, sale 3.00 - $1 off x 2 = $1

Quilted Northern toilet paper - orig. 9.69 - sale 5.99 - $1 off x2 = 3.99

Oreo Cakesters - orig. 3.49 - sale 2.49 - $1 off printable cpn on Oreo site x 2 = 50 cents (I got two of these because it let me print this coupon a few times - and omg these things are tasty and fattening...)

Electrasol Finish gelpacks (dishwashing detergent) - orig. 5.49, sale 4.99 - $1 off x2 = 2.99

Colgate Sensitive toothpaste - orig. 4.29, sale 2.50 - $1 off cpn x2 = 50 cents (yes, I know what you're thinking. Didn't you just get 8 tubes of aquafresh for free?? Yes, but D uses sensitive toothpaste. I think I'll be donating a few of those other tubes to charity :-) )

DiGiorno Pizza for 1 - orig. 3,49 - $1 off cpn x2 = 1.49

Light n Fit 4 pack - orig. 1.79 - sale price $1 (I think this was eVIC so only 1 at that price) - $1 off 2 cpn x2 = 79 cents for 2 of the 4-packs.

J&J butterfly adhesives - orig. 1.19 - $1 off J&J first aid product x2 = FREE.

Other good deals today:

Plumrose Bacon - BOGO (so $2 each for 16 oz)

HT reclosable bags were 50% off as was HT cooking spray - I got a few rain checks for these because they were out.

Organic HT gallon milk - orig. 5.69 - sale 4.99



One more pass coming probably tomorrow or maybe Monday...I still need to get the Brawny paper towels...

Friday, February 19, 2010

First Pass at Super Doubles at HT

I bought a few things that we needed today without coupons, but still on sale. Overall I spent about $32 and saved about $70.

*** You can only double up to 20 coupons per customer per day. You can use higher value cpns ($2 and above) in addition to the 20 if you want. Reminder that BOGO items will ring up as half price and items that are 2 for $4, etc. will ring at the divided price. Printable coupons can be found at coupons.com or couponmom.com or other links to the left of this post.

See Sue Stock's coupon database to find out where the coupons are from - I didn't keep track!

Coupon deals:

Aquafresh Advanced Toothpaste is BOGO this week. Orig. $3.39 per tube. I had 8 $1 coupons from my dentist's office (read my post about the crazy places coupons lurk!). So, I got them all for free! pretty awesome for $27 worth of toothpaste.

Danimals Collisions yogurt - on sale 2 for $4 - $1 off cpn = FREE

Wholly Guacamole - $1.99 - printable cpn for $1 off = FREE

Rold Gold Pretzels - orig. 2.99 - on sale 2 for $5 - printable cpn for $1 off 2 = $1.50 per bag

Ferio Bertolli Olive oil - orig. 10.79 - on sale $6.97 - cpn for $1 off = $4.97

Bertolli Pasta sauce - 2.99 - $1 off two cpn = $1.99 per jar.

Edy's ice cream - orig. 5.99 - sale price $2.97 - $1 off cpn = 97 cents

Quaker instant Oatmeal - orig. 3.65 - $1 cpn = $1.65

Pert Plus for men - orig. 3.65 - cpn for $1.50 off = 65 cents

Vasiline lotion - orig. 3.75 - cpn for $1 off = 1.75

Sure deod0rant - orig. 2.89 - $1 off cpn = 89 cents

Perdue chicken breast (USDA purely processed kind) - orig. 4.04 (for .81 lbs) - sale 2.02 - cpn for $1 off = 2 cents. Your discount here will vary depending upon the amount of chix breast you buy

Other stuff that was on sale:

Barilla Pasta - Buy 2 get 3 free

Barilla sauce - eVIC special $1.27 (limit 1) (pair this with the pasta and the almost free chicken and you get a great meal for about 50 cents a serving)

Yellow bananas (are there other kinds??) - on sale for 34cents a pound (usually 69 cents)

Sara Lee Honey Wheat bread is BOGO


There are many more bargains to be had, so I'll be heading over probably every day this weekend. Of course, I didn't make it there first thing Wednesday so they were out of a bunch of things, but maybe they'll restock? we shall see - please feel free to post your brags here!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Super Doubles at HT - Coming this Wednesday!

Ok - so I'm a slacker for not posting this past Friday, but I'll admit that there were not a ton of deals to be had anyway that HT did not send out in their weekly ad anyway.

the big news is that SUPER DOUBLES are back this Wednesday at Harris Teeter! That means any coupons up to $1.98 will be doubled. So, a coupon for $1 off will be doubled to $2 off and $1.10 doubled to $2.20 off and $1.50 doubled to $3 off - you get the picture. This includes many printables so check those out as well.

At Target until next Saturday - Stouffer's Lasagna and other frozen family meals are really, really cheap - $5.99 plus if you buy two you get a free pint of Haagen Daz ice cream. Also, grapes are 99 cents a pound which is huge - normally you can expect to pay $2.49 per pound or more for grapes nowadays. Even Kroger's price this week of $1.49 is not as good as the Target price.

From this week at Harris Teeter(good till tomorrow night):

One of the best ones was probably the eVIC tide deal (still good through the end of tomorrow) which makes it $4.99 (orig. 7.99) plus the 35 cent coupon from the 1/17 or 2/10 P&G saver which doubles and makes this $4.29 for the 50 oz container.

Oikos is on sale for $1 and there was a $1 off coupon in the 1/3 smart source.

Orville Redenbacher popcorn was BOGO and there was a $1 off 2 coupon in the 1/24 smart source

Sargento shredded cheese Orig 3.29 per bag is on sale $1.99 - I had a 55 cents off 2 coupon from some Bertolli jars of sauce, but if you can't get those there is a 40 cents off two in the 1/31 smart source - both will double.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Harris Teeter this week 02/05/09

Ok, I thought I was all stocked up last week, but now I'm really stocked up. We're giving a dinner for some college kids through our church next Sunday night (it's taco night!) so I had to get some things for that. But I also saw an opportunity to stock up on a bunch of other things too. All told, I saved about 40% - spent $170 and saved $114.

Remember that for BOGO items, you can buy one at half price and most divided items like $3/5 or 10/$10, you can just buy one at the divided price. For the buy 2 get 3 free deals, though, you have to buy all 5. Some of the good deals:

*** special note - this past week in the paper, there was a Family Dollar flyer with a $5 off a $25 coupon. If you read HTs coupon policy, they take competitors coupons for an amount off the total order (but not for individual items). I used this coupon at HT today to get $5 off my whole order.

Deal of the Week: the eVIC special this week is Bounty paper towels, 6 giant rolls, $5.77 (orig. $10.99). If you do Upromise electronic coupons, you can save an additional $2 for college by linking the coupon to your VIC card. The $2 gets added to your Upromise account. Technically that's $3.77 - a great deal.

Chex Mix (or Chummix as K calls it) - (orig. 2.79 - sale BOGO) - a great week for this stuff. Plenty of printable coupons for 50 cents off that will double, plus some newspaper coupons that are for 50 cents off two in 12/13 and 1/24 Smart Source. With the printables, the final price = 40 cents per bag. - in my HT the "chocolate chex" wasn't part of the sale so you can't use those printable coupons for this deal.

Popsecret popcorn - (orig. 2.99 - sale $1 each) - cpn in 1/31 smart source for $1 off 2 - final price = 50 cents per box.

Cheez-its - (orig. 3.99 - sale BOGO) - cpn in 1/24 smart source for $1 off 2 nabisco snack crackers - final price = $1.50 per box

Smart Balance peanut butter (orig. 2.95 - sale 2.50) cpn in 1/10 Red Plum for $1 off - final price $1.50

M&Ms medium bags(orig. 3.85 - sale $2.50) cpn in 1/10 Red Plum for $1 off 2 - final price = $2 each

Pace salsa and picante sauce - sale 2.50 - cpn in 60 cents on two that doubles 1/31 smart source - final price = $1.90 each (although I swear I used both coupons on only two jars...hmmm. maybe they overrode it thinking it was their mistake instead of mine.

Gatorade G2 (32 oz) - sale 88 cents - cpn 1/10 RP for 50 cents off doubles - final price = FREE

Caribou coffee (orig. 9.99 sale 5.99) - printable coupons for $1 off - final price 4.99

Kraft shredded cheese (orig. 3.29 - sale $2) - cpn 1/24 ss for $1 off 2 - final price = $1.50 each

Dannon yogurt (orig. 67 cents - sale 40 cents each) cpns in 1/3 or 1/31 for $1 off 10 - there are also printables for Light and Fit that are $1 off 6. final price = 30 cents each or 24 cents depending on which cpn.

YoBaby (orig. 3.89, sale 2.99) - no coupons, just a decent price.

Smart Balance spread (orig. 3.19, sale BOGO) - cpn $1 off 2 in 1/10 RP - final price $1.10

Hormel black label bacon - BOGO ($2 each) - this is really thick and delicious bacon, btw.

Yukon Gold Potatoes 5lb bag - orig. 4.99 - sale 3.50

Rex Goliath wines (the one with the huge chicken on it) - they're on sale for 5.99 each - I have one of those half-case wine bags which gets you 5% off your wine purchase. If you get a whole case you can get 10% off. I wish I realized this last week though because there was an eVIC things for 15% off wine.

There are a whole bunch more deals for Super Bowl Party-type foods, so check out Sue Stock's blog for her "Wednesday Deals" post to find out more.