Publix Shopping Totals 3/22

For some reason, I forgot to take a picture before everything was put away.

So on that note, I am going to just give a breakdown of what I bought & paid.

Transaction #1

(1) Icy Hot for Kids - On Sale $1.50

used $1.00/1

(1) Sundown Naturals Folic Acid Vitamin - $3.89

-used $1.00/1

-used $5.00/2 --store coupon in yellow adv. flyer

(1) Sundown Naturals Vitamin D  - $3.29

used $1.00/1

-used $5.00/2 --combined with above

Total: $0.68

Transaction #2

(4) Green Giant Frozen Box Veggies (BOGO) - $3.98

-used (2) $0.50/2 (doubled)

(6) Beech Nut Stage 2 Baby Food - On Sale 10/$4   -  $2.40

-used (2) $1.00/3 Internet Printable

(6) Kraft Mac and Cheese  (BOGO) - $4.17

-no q's

(2) Kraft BBQ Sauce  (BOGO)  - 1.49

-no q's

(3) Lance Crackers (BOGO)  - $4.93

-used (3) $1.00/1

(2) Quaker Dipps (BOGO) - $2.99

-used $0.75/2

(1) ICBINButter Tub  (BOGO)  - $1.23

-used $1.25 I.P.

(2) French's Mustard - $1.24

-used (2) $0.30/1 (doubled)

-came w/ sample pk of Dijon and a $1/1 Q!

(4) Bumble Bee Tuna Pouch (BOGO)  - $5.78

-used (4) $1.00/1 I.P

Total before BOGO & coupons:  $65.29

After BOGO & Coupons:  $19.44

Savings of 69%!

Not my best week, but better than FULL PRICE!

Easter Candy!

Walgreens was never my favorite place to shop. None of the drug stores were.
Walmart was mainly where I shopped for groceries.
Occasionally Publix or Kroger, but that was extremely rare.

Until I started using coupons.

Publix is where I can be found shopping the new deals on Thursdays. Plus, in my opinion, they are the nicest about coupons. I have never had a problem there.
Kroger, I go in just to see clearance or if I hear about a great deal.
Walmart: I still go to just about every night. Here is why... it is 2 seconds from my house.
So I stop by to see clearance & price match produce from Aldi's.
Also, they are the only store open when I get the urge to shop. :)

This is what I bought tonight after getting off work.
In total  --  35 regular sized candy snacks

The retail before coupons was $16.83

After coupons  --> $0.83!!!

Walgreens has most of their Mars candy on sale 2/$1

I used the (17) $1/2 coupon from the 3/18 newspaper.

My cashier at Walgreens is extremely friendly and I try to help her out when I go in.
So I gave the last 3 of that type of coupon to her to buy candy for herself.
:)

Publix Mystery Item 3/21 or 3/22

This week our mystery item is...

Publix Sandwich Cookies!

You can get the penny item every week on the day that your sale starts if you spend $10 or more BEFORE coupons.

Most stores participate in the penny item each week, but as always, ask before hand.
You can find the coupon for the Penny item in the local paper on the day your sale starts.
Remember, most stores require you to have the coupon to get the item for a Penny.

Coupon Lingo.

Are you having a hard time trying to figure out exactly what RP, SS, DND, and many more mean? Let me help you. Here is a list of common words and abbreviations you see on a regular basis in the couponing world. Remember, this list is only a guide and there are many out there that I may not cover.

Common Phrases:

YMMV - Your mileage may vary. Meaning that everyone may have a different response with the coupon.

WSL - While Supplies Last

DND5 - Do Not Double, however, since it starts with a 5 the computer may double it anyway. 

WYB - When you buy...

OOP - Out of Pocket

Regional - May pertain to a specific region or area.

NED - No Expiration Date

Types of Coupons

RP - Redplum either comes by mail or in your Sunday newspaper

SS - Smartsource is a Sunday newspaper insert

P&G/PG - Proctor & Gamble Sunday inserts 

Peelie - A coupon that will come on or inside the product

Blinkie - A coupon dispenser that is near the product. Usually has a small red blinking light

eCoupon - Coupons you can load onto your loyalty card (Kroger)

BOGO, B1G1, B1G1F - Buy One, Get One Free

Tear Pad - A hanging stack of coupons usually next to item that you can tear off and save for a later date.

IP - Internet Printable coupon

MQ, MFQ - Manufactuer Coupon

Q - Coupon

Catalina - Coupon dispensed at register at time of purchase, on a seperate sheet of paper (Kroger, Walgreens)

0.50/1 - Fifty cents/one item

0.50/2 - Fifty cents/two items

MIR - Mail in Rebate

FAR - Free After Rebate

UP+ - These are rewards you get when buying certain items at Rite Aid. Must have a loyalty card

RR - Rewards from Walgreens. No card needed.

ECB - Extra Care Bucks. CVS rewards. Must have a card.

Look around the web to see if there is anything that I missed. You may end up finding one that I did not know about. Happy Shopping!

Publix BOGO 3/18 - 3/24

Publix sales resets either this Wednesday or Thursday, depending on your location. Mine starts Thursday. Luckily for me I have some awesome websites that I visit that help me get my shopping ready since their's start on Wednesday. 

The following are my favorite BOGO deals this upcoming week. If you want to see the complete ad with coupon match - ups you can go here or here.

Post Honey Bunches of Oats; 13 - 18 oz  @ 3.29 (1.65)

  - Check through your coupons to see if you have any from the 2/26 SS insert.
  - Or you can use this one if you want to try the new Fruit Blend

V8 100% Juice; 46 oz.  @ 2.95 (1.48)

  - $1/2 V8 Juice here.

Quaker Chewy Granola or Smashbars  @ 2.99 (1.50)

 - $1.00/2  from the 3/18 RP insert

Bumble Bee Premium Albacore Tuna in Water; 5 oz  @ 2.89 (1.45)

  - $1.oo/1 Facebook coupon

Kraft or Seven Seas Dressing; 14 - 16 oz  @ 2.85 (1.43)

Peter Pan Peanut Butter; 13 - 16 oz  @ 3.29 (1.65)

Doritos Tortilla Chips; 10.5 - 12 oz  @ 4.29 (2.15)

Lance Cracker Creations; 6 -7 oz  @ 3.29 (1.15)

  - $1.00/1 Interenet Printable

Kraft BBQ Sauce 16.25 - 18 oz  @ 1.49 (0.75)

Luzianna Tea Bags; 24 count  @ 2.49 (1.25)

Welch's Squeeze Jelly; 22 oz  @ 2.39 (1.20)

  - 0.55/1   2/12 RP insert

  - $1/2      2/12 RP insert

  - 0.55/1 Internet Printable

Log Cabin Syrup; 24 oz  @ 3.89 (1. 45)

  - $1.00/1 Hangtag

Kraft Mac and Cheese; 5.5 - 7.3 oz  @ 1.39 (0.69)

  

Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes; 4.5 - 6 oz  @ 1.57 (0.79)

  - 0.50/2 Internet Printable

  - 0.50/2    2/5 General Mills insert

Kettle Brand Chips; 8 - 8.5 oz  @ 3.69 (1.85)

  - $1.00/1   3/18 RP insert

  - $1.00/1   2/26 SS insert

Libby's Canned Veggies  @ 1.19 (0.60)

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter; 7.5 - 16 oz  @ 2.45 (1.23)

  - $1.25/1 I.P.

Mayfield Ice Cream; 48 oz  @ 5.99 (2.99)

Green Giant Frozen Veggies; 7-10 oz  @ 1.99 (0.99)

  - $1.00/2    3/18 SS insert

Kellogg's Eggo Waffles @ 3.25 (1.63)

  - 0.75/2     3/11 RP insert

Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese; 7-8 oz  @ 3.49 (1.75)

Thursday, I will let you know what I actually bought and what unadvertised BOGO deals are out there! Happy Shopping!

Publix Shopping 3/15

Picture will be up a little later. But for now, I want to show you guys what you can get this week for under $35 at Publix. A few items I bought to give away to donations, but the others is what I am saving in my stockpile. 

1. 8 - Beech Nut Twin Pk. (BOGO)   - $16.00
           - used (4) $1.00/1
           - used (2) $0.75/1
      - Total: $0.50
   
2. 2 - Blue Diamond Roasted Almonds - (BOGO) - $3.19
           - used (2) $1.00/1
      - Total: $1.19
   
3. 2 - Chocolate Lucky Charms (BOGO) - $3.39
           - used (2) $0.50/1 (doubled to a dollar each)
      - Total: $1.39
   
4. 2 - Marie Vinagrette Dressings (BOGO) - $3.29
           - used (2) $1.00/1
      - Total: $1.29
   
5. 10 - Mueller Pastas (Variety) (BOGO) - $7.85
           - used (10) $0.55/1
       - Total: $2.35
   
6. 3 - Kraft Milkbites (Sale) - $7.50
           - used (3) $0.75/1
           - used (2) $2.00/2  -> Publix Yellow Adv. Flyer (Expired)
      - Total: $2.25
   
7. 1 - Kraft Fresh Take (Sale) - $2.00
           - used (1) $1.00/1
           - paired with #6 $2.00/2
      - Total: FREE!!
   
8. 2 - Super Pretzels (BOGO) - $3.19
          - used (2) $0.50/1 (doubled)
      - Total: $1.19
   
9. 2  - Land o Lakes Butter (BOGO) - 2.19
           - used (2) $0.50/1 (doubled)
      - Total: $0.19
   
10. 2 - Tyson Anytizers (Sale) - $5.00
            - used (2) $1.00/1
       - Total: $3.00
    
11. 4 - Taco Bell Dinners (BOGO) - $5.78
            - No coupons :(
       - Total: $5.78
    
12. 10 - Philadelphia Cream Cheese (Choc. & W. Choc.) (Sale)  - $20.00
             - used (10) $0.75/1
             - used (5) $2.00/2 - Publix (Expired)
       - Total: $2.50
    
13. 2 - Dannon Toasted Cocount Yogurt - $4.38
             - used (1) $2.00/2 Publix Store coupon (Expired)
       - Total: $2.38
    
14. 2 - Gorton's Fillet's (BOGO)  - $5.99
             - used (2) $0.50/1 (doubled)
       - Total: $3.99
    
    
    Total before BOGO & Q's: $137.34
    
    Total after BOGO& Q's: $29.05 (not including tax)
    
    Pretty good deal if you ask me! :)
    

Where to Find Coupons

I have had a lot of people ask me lately about how I coupon. So instead of writing it out a million and one times,  I am going to blog about what I find. First things first, I am still new to this, so anything that I say that is wrong, I do apologize in advance. :)


Now on to the fun stuff!


Being new to couponing can become a little overwhelming if you let it. You can end up not know where to start and getting discouraged from even starting at all. This is where I am going to try to come in and help.


Here is a list to get you started on where to find coupons. Note: Not everyone uses each source, just find what works for you and go with the flow. :)

1. Sunday Newspapers - This is my go-to every week. (Unless there is a holiday, then we have no inserts!) I usually buy anywhere from 2-4 each week, but I have bought up to 7. Your choice. I recommend getting at least getting 2 to start with for BOGO sales.
   
2. Weekly Papers - Sometimes during the week, I have gotten a preview of that upcoming Sunday's inserts, usually on Wed. or Thur. Also, Publix has a Mystery Deal each week. The coupon for that is in the Wed. or Thur. paper, it just depends on when your store's sales reset.
   
3. Redplum Insert - These are either included in your Sunday paper or (depending on your location) delivered in the mail).
   
4. Smartsource.com
   
5. Redplum.com
   
6. Coupons.com
   
7. Target Coupons - These are usually all store coupons that can be doubled with a manufacturer coupon.
   
8. All You Magazine - This is a magazine available at Walmart or via subscription. Each month usually contains quite a bit of coupons. Check through any other magazine subscriptions you might have for coupons as well.
   
9. On the product - There are two types of coupons on products. Peelies are on the outside of the product and can be peeled off. Printed - These are printed on the inside of a box that contains a product, like a 12 pack of coke.
   
10. Blinkies - These are those little machines you may have seen in the grocery stores. They have a tiny red light that blinks to capture your attention. Blinkies are randomly distributed throughout stores and are usually right next to the product they are promoting.
    
11. Tear Pads - Usually found on product displays. Also randomly distributed.
    
12. Kiosks - An example would be the little red machine in CVS. You must have a CVS card to use this.
    
13. Mail - There are many ways to get coupons in the mail as well. You can register on a specific manufacturer's website or write a review on a product. Freebies that you register for usually come with a sample plus coupons.
    
14. E-mail - Sign up on your favorite store and you may occasionally get coupons as well.
    
15. Exchanging - Trading coupons with friends or online also exists. You may get an envelope in the mail with a varitey of coupons that you pull from and replace with some that you will not need. Then you mail it off to the next person on your list.
    
16. Catalinas  -  Coupons that print out from the register when you recieve your recepit. Kroger and Walgreens are the main 2 stores that come to mind.
    
17. E - coupons - These are coupons that you can load directly onto your loyalty card (Kroger Plus) and use without the hassle of clipping and sorting. E-coupons usually do not double.
    
18. Receipts - An example would be CVS giving out Extra Care Bucks when you buy qualifying items.
    
19. Mobile phone Apps - Cellfire is an example, but I have not used this one as of yet.
    
20. Facebook - You can Like a product on Facebook to get the opportunity to either print a coupon or receive a free sample. You would be surprised at how many there are out there.
    
21. Ebay/Clipping Services - You can make bulk purchases of coupons online at a variety of sites. Ebay is one I use regularly. However, I do know that you can purchase whole inserts online as well. I have to a little more research on what sites those are and get back to you.
    

Let's face it. Couponing can be a scary adventure if you are unsure of where to start. Hopefully, I will be able to make the process run a little smoother for the both of us.