Coupon Basics Review

I just wanted to make sure that some of the newer couponers are following the basics.  Here are the basics in review for our area:

1.  Buy one paper for every person in your household and always round up to the next even number
     (For example if you have 3 people in your house ...buy 4 newspapers)
     You are buying in multiples of 2 for the BOGO sales at Publix.

2.  Concentrate on the BOGO sales first.  Using southernsavers.com and their weekly publix ad line up,
     watch for items marked with the little acorn.  This means free item, close to free or even overage.
     Any overages will go to your non-coupon items such as produce and meats.

3.  Meal Plan around the sales and Misty talked about at DCOG's coupon class last Monday night.  If pot   
     roast is on sale then try to plan several meals around that roast for the week.  (A little birdy tells me that  
     she will be posting the recipee for this on her new blogsite tonight and that roast may very well be on sale.
     Make sure to go follow her on intentionallymisty.blogspot.com

4.  Don't get overwhelmed.  Start slow and don't clip all of your coupons.  Keep the isnerts whole and in  
     tact  and just date the front of them and keep them in a safe place. If you have questions...just ask don't
     panic.

That's all for now friends...  Happy Saving.

Publix Updated Coupon Policy Courtesy of Southern Savers.

http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/05/new-publix-offcial-coupon-policiy/

Publix Run 05/07/11

This trip was a really nice trip seeing as everything we bought are items we use on a daily or very regular basis.  If you will notice I broke the savings down for you and on this trip the majority of the savings was straight Manufacturer Coupons and I gathered my list using Southernsavers.com website for this weeks ad.  I encourage you to visit their website on a regular basis and watch her three short videos under the learning to coupon tab if you can't make it to a couponing class. 

Total Spent  $22.70
Total Saved $49.86

Vendor Coupons $34.54
Store Coupons    $11.32
Special Savings   $  4.00

We Came Home With:

1-  Loaf Publix Bread
2 - 4 Packs of Frappuccino
4 - Packages of Birdseye Frozen Vegetables
1 - 20 oz Bottle of Zephyrhills Water
2 - 1/2 Dozen cartons of Publix Large Eggs (Total 1 Dozen)
2 - Boxes of Ziploc Quart Sized Freezer Bags
1 - 1/2 Gallon of Smart Balance Milk
2 - Kikoman's Stir-Fry Seasoning Mix
4 - 20 oz Bottles of Honest Tea
3 - Boxes of Crystal Lite on the Go Mix Ins
4 - Packages of Bic Comfort 3 Razors - Men
2 - Packages of Bic Soilel Razors - Women

(Razors were purchased with Rain Check from last weeks sale)

Happy Savings. 

Publix Run and Personal Opinion on The Topic of Stockpiling.

It's good to be back after a several month hiatus.  Sometimes family issues are just priority.  That is what is so good about couponing.  You can use it based on your family's needs.

Total Spent  $   3.55
Total Saved $ 40.55

2 Packages of Solo Plastic Cups
2 Packages of Bic Soleil Razors
4 Boxes of Sominex 16 Count
1 Bottle of Sundown B Complex Vitamins 100 Count
2 16 oz Containers of Heluva Good Dip
2 Containers of Voskos Yougurt
2 Boxes of Reduced Sugar Frosted Flakes

I used a combination of store coupons found in the Publix Green and Yellow Advantage Flyers located in the front of the store on the round turntables.  I also used printable and Sunday insert manufacturer coupons and SouthernSavers.com lined up the deals for me.

THIS is where I am going to take a moment and step on my soapbox with a short commentary concerning stockpiling.

There are many "normal" couponers that are just looking to pick up a few items to feed or provide to their immediate family. It is extremely frustrating to walk into a store two days after a 10 day ad starts and find that every good deal  has been completely wiped out.  I was only able to get about half of the items on my list tonight that my family ACTUALLY uses.  You only need about a three to six month stock on most items.  There is such a thing as coupon etiquette and that is you should try to always leave some for other people who are looking to save money as well.  This does not mean take 198 boxes and leave 2 on the shelve.  In the words of one of my coupon mentors (Thanks Misty) "Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should."  I am now stepping down from the soapbox and if you have any questions concerning sale cycles please feel free to comment or email me.  You can catch me on face book under Jennifer Crawford.

Happy Saving!

COUPON INSERT SCHEDULE FOR 2011 COURTESY OF SOUTHERN SAVERS

January


2 — (2) Smart Source & (2) Red Plum

9 — Smart Source & Red Plum

16 — Smart Source

23 — Smart Source & Red Plum

30 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble



February

6 — Smart Source & Red Plum

13 — (2) Smart Source & Red Plum

20 — No Inserts (President’s Day)

27 — (2) Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble



March

6 — Smart Source & Red Plum

13 — Smart Source & Red Plum

20 — Smart Source & Red Plum

27 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble



April

3 — (2) Smart Source & Red Plum

10 — Smart Source & Red Plum

17 — (2) Smart Source & Red Plum

24 — Procter and Gamble



May

1 — Smart Source & Red Plum

8 — Smart Source & Red Plum

15 — Smart Source & Red Plum

22 — Smart Source & Red Plum

29 — Procter and Gamble



June

5 — Smart Source & Red Plum

12 — Smart Source & Red Plum

19 — Smart Source & Red Plum

26 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble



July

3 — No Inserts (Independence Day)

10 — Smart Source & Red Plum

17 — Smart Source & Red Plum

24 — Smart Source

31 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble





August

7 — Smart Source & (2) Red Plum

14 — Smart Source & Red Plum

21 — Smart Source & Red Plum

28 — Smart Source & Procter and Gamble



September

4 — No Inserts (Labor Day)

11 — Smart Source & Red Plum

18 — Smart Source & Red Plum

25 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble



October

2 — (2) Smart Source & Red Plum

9 — Smart Source & Red Plum

16 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble

23 — Smart Source & Red Plum

30 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble



November

6 — Smart Source & Red Plum

13 — Smart Source & (2) Red Plum

20 — Smart Source

27 — Procter and Gamble



December

4 — Smart Source & Red Plum

11 — Smart Source & Red Plum

18 — No Inserts

25 — Procter and Gamble