Many of you have emailed some super question and I hope I have helped you in my response…since I have received quite a few questions  lately I thought I would post these tips for everyone to see…

  • You can use a manufacturer coupon for each item you purchase–this includes  BOGO items. Here in Georgia each item rings 1/2 price so if an item is BOGO at $2.50–each item will ring up as $1.25.  If you have two $1/1 coupons you can use one for each item and end up paying $.25 per item!  For the Florida folks–even though your stores ring the items as true BOGO you can still use a coupon on the item that rings at $0 –this is still a purchase!  You will end up paying $.25 per item as well! 

 

  • At Publix not only can you use one manufacturer coupon per item but you can also use a store coupon or a competitor coupon per item as well.  Always check with your store to see who they consider a competitor.

In the following scenario Crackers are BOGO @ $4.50
You have the following coupons:
ONE $1/1 MQ
ONE $1/1 Target IP
You can use both coupons together to reduce the OOP (out of pocket) or cost of the cracker to $.25 per box!!

Be aware that Publix registers are programmed to beep if the number of coupons exceed the number of items purchased. So in the above scenario the register would require one more item to be in your transaction or a manager override to allow all the coupons to be taken. The register will also beep once you reach the pre-programmed coupon threshold …here is it $50. So once you have hit $50 worth of coupons used in one transaction you will need a manager override for the register to accept any more coupons. There is often debate on what is appropriate regarding issues that arise due to the register programming.  Some people would say flying under the radar (keeping coupon usage under $50 per transaction and making sure your coupon to item count is equal) is the best practice. That is really not an option for me.  I live 20+ minutes from civilization and have two small boys with me–making multiple trips is just not always possible.  Instead I have a great rapport with my store.  They know I am an honest couponer and will happily make sure my check out experience is quick and painless (for everyone).

 

  • Be organized and make a shopping list! This is helpful for several reasons:

A) You will be less likely to stray from your list and buy those impulse items that can be a budget buster. I write a menu for the week which greatly reduces the need for multiple trips to purchase forgotten items AND I can cook based on what I have in my pantry and/or what is a good deal that week.  Organization at the beginning will save you tons of money at check out!

B) If you know your approximate total you will be able to ensure your check out experience is accurate. Most cashiers do not make mistakes on purpose but it can happen accidentally–if you are aware of what your end total should you will be able to easily spot any error before you get all the way home and start checking your receipt.  I actually sit in my car and check my receipt prior to leaving so I can tell if I made an error or the cashier made the error…If it is cashier error I can quickly remedy the situation by going to the customer service desk where they will happily resolve any issue.

C) You can have your coupons organized and ready rather than having to scavenge for coupons on the fly–this makes shopping a much more pleasant experience! I shop with two young boys in tow–I often need to get in and out as fast as possible.  That would not be possible if I had to fumble through my coupon binder to find coupons as I shopped.     

  •  What coupons will double?  Here in Georgia all coupons up to and including $.50 will be doubled at Publix.  If you look at a coupon–under the bar code will be a series of numbers. If the series begins with a #5 the coupon will be doubled automatically at the register.  If the coupon begins with a #9 the coupon will have to be doubled manually by the cashier.  Often these coupons will also state “Do not double”–I have never had a manager refuse to double a coupon that is $.50 and under but policy may vary by store. I would recommend asking your store their policy is regarding double coupons.

 

  • Let’s talk about STOCKPILING : When something is super cheap or free–buy as many as possible! If you are able to get items now for next to nothing, you will be able to access them when you NEED them!  If you wait to buy until you need the item– it may not be on sale and you will pay full price.  I typically buy more than my family can use for the sole purpose of donation.  Coupons allow me to stock my pantry and give to those who are less fortunate all while staying within budget!   Another great thing about having a stockpile is that I free up money in my weekly budget that can be spent on things that we may need that is not on sale or things that may not have corresponding coupons.  If I have a stocked freezer full of meat I can devote more of my weekly budget to produce and other things that are needed for my menus. There is no need to rush out and spend a ton of money trying to stock your pantry all at once. Sales run in cycles…if you are patient the deals will come 🙂 If your budget allows–you can set aside a small amount devoted to increasing your stockpile.

 

  • Just because you have a coupon doesn’t mean you need to buy the item!  If you really want to see the full potential of a coupon–wait and use the coupon when the item is on sale! When I first started couponing I bought things just because it seemed like I was getting a good deal.  You know a lot of the things I bought expired or were really not things that I needed.  Now–unless it is free or I need the item…I just wait for it to go on sale.

 

  • Store Brand items are not always a better deal.  There are rarely coupons available for store brand items.  Being open to trying new and different brands can open up a world of saving possibilities and you never know you might actually find something you prefer!  I was one of those persnickety people who was very brand loyal. I would only purchase certain brands no matter the cost.  You know after I started couponing and began trying new brands I realized that I was buying things out of habit and often just imitating  my mom and what she bought when I was growing up.  Now, my family enjoys a huge variety of products and we have found new favorites that I might have never given a chance before coupons! 

 

  • Warehouse/Bulk Stores (Costco, Sams, etc) are not where you will find the best deals.  They may sell 10 packs of cheese for $15 dollars but if I can get 10 packs on sale for $2.00 and use ten $1/1 coupons I can get the same amount of cheese and save a bundle!  That was a made up example but you guys get my point.  Using coupons on a sale item will beat the tiny discount you get for buying in bulk any day! On the same line of thought…sometimes it is better to get many small packages rather than a few bigger packages.  If the small pack of Ritz crackers are on sale for $1 and the big box is $1.50–If I have a bunch of $1/1 coupon I would rather get 25 small boxes and pay $0 rather than 8 big boxes and pay $4.00.  I am getting the same amount of crackers but I will take FREE any day!

 

  • Remember to get rainchecks.  If a store is out of an advertised product they will usually give you a raincheck for that item so you can get it your convenience and you still get it at the sale price. You never know a better coupon may come out and you get an even better price!!  I like rain checks because they allow me to restock items at different times!  I can only get so many yogurts due to expiration dates…with a rain check I can restock after we have depleted our supply and still get them for the sale price!

 

  • Coupons–I could write a thesis on clipping, storing and finding coupons…my best advice is get as many coupons as you can!  Grab them when you see them even if you do not need that specific product at that moment.  You may pick up a blinkie and need it for a sale three weeks later.  If you had waited, that blinkie machine may have been removed!  Never throw out a coupon unless it is expired…you never know when a coupon make come in handy!  Even if you do not use or plan on using a specific product it may be helpful in saving you money on things you DO use!  Let’s use Benefiber as an example.  This is a product that I do not use or need.  I have a $3 coupon for Benefiber…it goes on sale at Publix for $2.50.  So now every time I purchase a box of Benefiber and use a coupon –I have $.50 in overage that will reduce the cost of my grocery bill.  If I buy 10 boxes that is $5.00.  Do I need that Benefiber–NO…but I bet I can donate it and someone will happily use it! Look for sources to obtain free coupons–ask family, neighbors, visit the local recycling center —tons of people read the paper but never give the coupon inserts a first glance!

If you need info about Publix policies you can check out my Publix FAQ ‘s tab above.   I would recommend that you talk with your store if you have any questions or need clarification!  I hope this helps…please feel free to keep the questions coming!