Having Trouble Using Competitors' Coupons at Publix?

I often read or hear about others having difficulties using competitor coupons at Publix. This is unfortunate because some of the best deals come from being able to use a competitor's coupon on an item that is on sale at Publix.

I have found a great source to show your Publix manager if you are not able to use competitor coupons at your store. The Winter 2008 issue of Publix FamlyStyle Magazine on page 19 has an article titled 7 Small Ways to Save on Food.

The third way the article listed to save money is: "USE COUPONS. Score significant savings in your shopping cart each week. Christy Rooney, a mom from the Jacksonville, Florida, area, suggests using coupons for sale items, redeeming competitors' coupons (they're welcomed at all Publix stores) and watching for rebates on the products you buy."

If you are not a subscriber, copies of the FamilyStyle magazine are usually available at your local Publix. If you have difficulties using coupons at your Publix and the magazines are no longer available, you may wish to call Publix customer service and request a copy of their competitor coupon policy.

To subscribe to future issues of FamilyStyle magazine for FREE click here. Each edition of the magazine is mailed with several Publix coupons that are only available to subscribers.

Kroger Loss Leaders and Highlights Week of October 5

Prices and scenarios are based on the Metro Atlanta sales circular. Our sales week runs from Sunday-Saturday. To find the ad for your store click here. Manufacturer coupons with a face value of .50 or less double. When items are on sale BOGO you only have to buy one to receive the 50% discount. If the sale is 10 for $10 you can buy just one for $1.

I try to only focus on the best deals each week. For a complete list of sales with coupon matchups from the Sunday coupon inserts visit Coupon Mom's website during the week of the sale.

There are several FREE and cheap after coupon items this week so be sure not to miss those deals!

The Best of the Loss Leaders:

Kroger Value White or Wheat Bread .89

Anjou Pears $1/lb

Kroger Mini Carrots $1/lb bag

Eggs $1.28/dozen

Gala Apples $1/lb

Ground Beef 73% lean $1.59/lb

Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.99/lb

Tangerines $2.99 3 pound bag

Orange Juice $2.99/gallon - ~.50 increase over last weeks price

Kroger 16 oz cheese $2.99 WOW! I know cheese is expensive, but it has been a while since I have seen it for this price. If you didn't stock up last week, now is the time. It can be frozen in the bag and is great to use for casseroles. Stockpiling cheese is especially helpful if you cook casseroles for multiple meals at once like I do on occasion.

The Best of the Sales With Coupons:

Celestial Seasonings Tea Bags 20 count $1
FREE after $1/1 (10/5 S1)

Mojo Bars (Often found in the health/organic section) $1
FREE after .50/1 doubled (Mambo Sprouts Book)

Nesquik Milk or Milkshakes $1/1
FREE after $.50/1 doubled (9/14 RP)

Totinos Pizza Rolls 15 count $1
FREE after $1/1 printable coupon OR
.30/1 after .35/1 doubled (8/10 GM or 10/5 GM)

Fresh Express Cole Slaw $1
.25/1 after .75/1 blinkie found next to product

Green Giant Vegetables $1
.50/1 after .50/1 Shortcuts coupon.
.25/1 after .50/1 OR .50/2 Shortcuts coupon AND .50/2 doubled (9/7 GM OR 10/5 GM).

Betty Crocker Cake Mix $1
.50 after .50/1 Shortcuts coupon This coupon is one of the "package deal" coupons. You will have to load all 4 coupons on to your card; however, you don't have to buy the other items to get the coupon to work. However, remember you can only have 25 e-coupons loaded to your card at once so be sure to check to see if want different e-coupons loaded to your card before selecting the mulitiple offer coupons.

Sunny D $1
.50 after .25/1 doubled (8/17 RP)

Non-Sale FREE Items After Coupons:

Kiwi Shoelaces
$1/1 Kiwi coupons (10/5 RP)
The .99 shoelaces make great FREE filler items if you are using $/$ coupons.
The shoelaces are great to donate especially if you are sending care packages through the mail. Also, you could get a pair to throw in as an extra stocking stuffer.

Cottonelle 4 Pack Single Roll Toilet Paper
Shortcuts has a NEW Cottonelle .50/1 coupon.
FREE after .50/1 doubled (9/21 S - expires 10/25) Maybe there will be a new one in next week's paper.
.50 Profit after both insert coupon and Shortcuts coupon.

Hunts Tomato Sauce/Products
Here is a $1/2 Hunts Tomato Product printable coupon.
You can print this coupon twice per computer.
This should make the tomato sauce FREE or very cheap.
(Thanks, Slickdeals)

Try Me Free Rebate Form Found:

I found a Try Mee Free Rebate on the bottles of Arm & Hammer Carpet and Fabric Odor Eliminator. The sale price for these bottles was $2 last week. There is a $1/1 coupon that can be found here. Tip: Using a coupon for mail in rebate items helps to cover the cost of the stamp and any taxes that you may have. Most companies will reimburse you for the full purchase price even if you used a coupon.

Don't Forget $/$ Coupons:

Don't forget to use your 2008 Entertainment Book Kroger coupons if you still have any left. (The 2009 Entertainment Books do not have Kroger coupons.) The October coupon is $5/$25 purchase. There is also a $5/$50 purchase that was good for the entire year that expires on October 31. If you do the majority of your shopping at Publix they will accept these as competitor coupons. See my Publix weekly ad posts here to find some of their best deals.

For more Kroger deals be sure to check out my current posts here. Have a great day!

CVS National Ad Week of September 14

After such a great week at CVS last week this week looks kind of slim. Remember, these are the National Ad Deals. The Test Markets (including Metro Atlanta) may not have the same sales.

ECB Deals:

Excedrin Express Gels $3.99 Get $3.99 in ECBs Limit 1
FREE after ECBs
It appears that the coupon is only for Excedrine Migraine, but you can check here for Excedrin coupons.

Aleve D $3.99 Get $3 ECBs Limit 1
Use $1/1 printable coupon
FREE after ECBs and coupon; however, I only recommend getting this if your family will use it because of the legal restrictions placed on this product.

Non ECB Deals:

Revlon BOGO starting at $3.49
Less expensive items will be FREE if you use 2 $2/1 coupons (7/20 S or 8/24 S)

Revlon Beauty Tools Buy One Get One 50% starting at $1.29
Less expensive items (emery boards and nail clippers) will be FREE or cheap after 2 $1/1 coupons (5/18 S2 or 9/14 S)

Other ECB Deals - Special Situations:

Only a deal if you have not done this rebate:
Just for Men $7.99 Get $2 ECBs Limit 1
Use $2/1 Printable coupon
Request rebate of $7.99 (currently 2 available for different products)
Profit of $4 after ECBs, Coupons, and Rebate
Details and links for coupons and rebates can be found here. If you have not done either one start with the one that expires December 2008. The second rebate expires December 2009 and we are likely to see more deals on this product in the future.

Reader Request:

The following is not a hot deal for most bargain hunters, but I had a request to look for deals on toothbrushes. Coupon shoppers can regularly get adult toothbrushes for free and sometimes even get paid to take them off of the shelf, but toothbrushes for children are much harder to find for free/cheap. However, most dentists will give your child a toothbrush when they go for a cleaning so be sure to ask. The dentist office is also a great place to look for coupons.

GUM Toothbrushes Twin Pack (picture shows Crayola toothbrushes) 2/$5
Get $1 ECB when you buy 2 Limit 5 offers (10 packages, 20 toothbrushes)
Use 2 .75/1 GUM (6/29 RP or 8/3 RP)
Final Cost after Coupons and ECBs $2.50 for 4 toothbrushes = .63/each