Couponing 101

I was recently introduced to a website called southernsavers.com and will never go back to the dark days of buying our groceries at regular price again. If you are a Publix girl like me, this website is especially helpful. Here's what to do: Just click on the "weekly ads" tab under "Publix," and you will not only find all of Publix's sales for the week (buy one, get one, etc.), but any manufactures' coupons to STACK on top of Publix's sales as well. And get this: The website even attaches a link to the printable coupons so you don't have to wander around trying to find them!

Publix Tips and Tricks (if you didn't already know...):
1. Publix doubles any coupons $.50 or less. So, my $.40 coupon for Pillsbury dough last week actually doubled to $.80, and because Publix had their Pillsbury products on sale anyway, I was able to snatch up a few tubes of crescent roll for around $1.00 a piece!

2. Publix's "buy one, get one" items are half price if you choose not to get one free, plus you can use a coupon on it. For example, Red Baron frozen pizzas were BOGO this week at Publix, but since we already have plenty of frozen pizzas put away right now (pregnancy craving---they're a staple in our freezer!), I just bought one for half price. AND, southern savers had a printable coupon for Red Baron pizzas, so the total cost of the pizza was around $2.00. $2.00 meal in the Dudley home---score!

3. Publix honors competitors' coupons. Right now, RiteAid has a $5.00 off coupon if you spend $25.00 or more, and the best part is that it doesn't expire until December. So, you better believe I'll be printing one of these every time I go on a Publix run! Instant $5.00 back in your pocket!

4. Always ask your Publix cashier before you just assume a coupon is no good. More than likely, he or she will let you use it. I had a coupon for Bryant bacon the other day, but Black Label maple bacon is Scott's favorite. So, I politely asked the cashier if Publix would accept the Bryant coupon, and she kindly accepted. Never hurts to ask, right?

5. Every Sunday and Monday, Publix has a penny item that you may purchase for $.01 if you spend over $10.00. It's usually pretty good and worth waiting until Sunday or Monday to do your grocery shopping for. This week the penny item is Publix brand coffee, and because Scott and I are avid coffee drinkers, it was a penny well-spent this week.

This week's groceries cost $29.84, with a savings of $24.98. Not bad, but I'm convinced it could be better. Couponing definitely takes time. I spent about half of my planning period (30 minutes) last week making my grocery list and printing coupons. I could have spent a lot more time researching and clipping, but time just didn't permit. I do think it's worth the effort, though, and as weird as it may sound, I look forward to seeing if I can outdo myself from week to week!

Until next time...happy couponing!