Do NOT stop at the drug store, dollar store, grocery store or gas station to pick up Sunday papers this weekend- you will be sadly disappointed!
Instead, rejoice that this holiday weekend's break from new coupons, allows you to organize the coupons that you already have in your stash!
Happy long weekend!!!
Dear Savvy Coupon Spenders,
Do you ever stop to think about what life used to be like before you began spending coupons? Remember how much you dreaded life in the checkout lane? Remember feeling guilty about how much money you dropped on food every single week?
I used to grocery shop twice a week (hey, I've always loved to grocery shop!) so I didn't feel like I was paying an arm AND a leg at the checkout. Silly, I know!
The nerd-a-licious side of me loves to keep a running tally on my spending- to keep my head in the game and money in our savings account! About a year ago, I read that the "average American" spends $50 a week, per person, just on food eaten/prepared (if brown bagging) at home! The $50 ONLY counted towards edibles, not tooth paste, shampoo, laundry detergent, and all of the other consumables that we savvily have learned to purchase for pennies on the dollar!
My running tally for my family of THREE, which includes not only our edibles, but also all of our consumables, just hit the $1,000 threshold for the year! BUT, if I were a typical American shopper, $1,000 would have only lasted my family for 6 weeks, not nearly 6 FULL MONTHS! Crazy, huh?
So, in light of the $50 per person/week American standard, how are YOU doing these days?
Did you know that every time you print an Internet Printable (IP) coupon, the coupon is accounted for?
Manufacturers catalog the volume of printable coupons for several reasons, including:
1. Manufacturers set 'print limits' to allow for a certain allotment of coupons to get into the hands of the consumers. Keeping tabs on the number of prints allows the manufacturers to know whether or not a product is a popular item (if the printable coupon reaches its print limit, and how quickly).
2. Manufacturers also keep tabs on the potential of how many coupons can be downloaded so that the manufacturer can watch its bottom line, and not give too much of their products away inexpensively (or FREE, I LOVE FREE!).
3. Manufacturers can watch the print market for regional trends and plan their coupon campaigns accordingly. For example, Michigan would be much less likely to receive a sunscreen coupon in a January insert, but Southern Californians may be happy to receive and spend a winter sunscreen coupon!
4. Manufacturers are trying their best to keep (super savvy) consumers honest! Most manufacturers are aware of our strange breed (read: hard core coupon spenders) and that many coupon spenders are willing to break a few rules to get a good deal, so manufacturers have placed codes on each Internet printable coupon that spits out of your printer! Manufacturers code each coupon with time, date, and IP address, so that they can locate an individual who is abusing their print limits by scanning/photocopying coupons.
Does it bother you that manufacturers know so much about you, simply by reading your unique coupon code?
I've been asked to share what my personal price list would be for SE Michigan. Here is a list of the majority of items that I purchase for my family... and the TOP price that I am willing to spend for these products! Usually I am able to spend less if I play my coupons right! Keep in mind that I've been spending coupons for over two years and I have had ample opportunities to stock up on enough of many of these products to be able to hold out until the next sale to replenish our supply!
Many super savvy consumers will keep an ongoing list or the lowest purchase price of their most often purchased items... challenging themselves to hold out for only the best sales... I've compiled this list from my head (lucky you for taking a climb inside... wink!), since I do my best to spend as little as possible without running myself ragged!
Household Items:
Paper Towels: $.09/roll... at SUPER Kroger. (SK doubles coupons up to $1)
Toilet Paper: $0... with store reward $ or $/$$$ coupons at the drug stores.
Tissues: $.50/box... usually at Meijer/Kroger.
Laundry soap: $1/bottle... or ECB's at CVS.
Dryer sheets: $0... I spend ECB's at CVS.
Dish Soap: $.75/small bottle... usually at CVS.
Dishwasher soap: $.50/box (of Electrosol) three times per year with the $2.50 coupons.
Hand Soap: $.30-$.35... usually at Meijer/Kroger.
Air fresheners: $0... usually at Target!
Trash bags: $? Dave is picky, I try to spend store rewards to lessen the cost.
Storage bags: $.25/box... usually at Meijer.
Storage containers: $1/box... usually at Meijer.
Personal Care Items:
Floss: $0... usually at SUPER Kroger or the drug stores.
Toothpaste: $0... usually at the drug stores.
Tooth brush: $0... usually at the drug stores.
Band-Aids: $0... trial sizes at Target.
Body wash: $0... usually at the drug stores.
Deodorant: $0... usually at the drug stores.
Shampoo: $0... usually at the drug stores.
Conditioner: $0... usually at the drug stores.
Hair products: $0... usually at the drug stores.
Razors: $0... usually at the drug stores or Target.
Shaving cream: $0... usually at the drug stores or Target.
Lotion: $0... usually at the drug stores or Target.
Make-up: $0... usually at the drug stores.
Pain Killers: $2/40-50 count package... usually at the drug stores.
Feminine Products: $0... I refuse to pay money for these... usually the drug stores or Target.
Baby Items:
Diapers: $3-$5... usually at the drug stores.
Wipes: $1/box... usually at the drug stores or Kroger.
Baby wash: $3 (Aveeno) ... usually at the drug stores.
Diaper cream: $2... usually at the drug stores.
Lotion: $3 (Aveeno) ... usually at the drug stores.
Cleaning Items:
All purpose cleaner: $.25... usually at Meijer (Lysol sales).
Glass cleaner: $.25... usually at Meijer (Lysol sales).
Toilet cleaner: $.25... usually at Meijer (Lysol sales).
Wipes: $1/tub... usually at Meijer (Lysol sales).
Food Items:
Fresh: for fresh fruits and vegetables, I try to purchase only the varieties that I know my family will eat, and in quantities that we will eat before the food will spoil! I buy what is in season and I cut and do the prep work myself!
Fridge:
Yogurt: $.30/small tub, $1/4 pack... usually SUPER Kroger or Meijer.
Cheese: $1/package... usually Meijer.
String cheese: $8/large package... usually Costco.
Parmesan cheese: $2/shaker... usually SUPER Kroger.
Crescent type rolls: $.25/tube... usually Meijer or Kroger.
Juice: $1.25/carton... usually SUPER Kroger.
Butter: $2/box... usually Costco.
Eggs: $1/carton... usually the grocery store.
Cottage cheese: $1/tub... usually Kroger.
Sour cream: $1/tub... usually Meijer or Kroger.
Milk: $2/gallon.
Frozen:
Chicken breasts (40 oz): $4... usually Meijer.
Vegetables: $.30... usually Meijer/Kroger.
Garlic bread: $1/loaf... usually Meijer.
Ice cream: $1.50/carton... usually SUPER Kroger.
Canned:
Tomatoes: $.40... usually at Meijer.
Vegetables: $.25... usually at Meijer or Target.
Fruit: $.75... usually at Meijer or Target.
Tuna: $.50... usually SUPER Kroger.
Soup: $.30/can... usually Meijer.
Cooking soup: $.50/can... usually Meijer or SUPER Kroger.
Meat:
Whole chicken: $.89/pound... usually at the grocery store.
Rotisserie chicken: $5
Fresh chicken: $2/pound.
Fresh Angus: $2/pound
Ball Park beef hot dogs: $2/package... usually Costco.
Bacon crumbles:... big bag from Gordon Food Service.
Bacon: $1.50/pound... usually Meijer/Kroger.
Sausage: $1/package.
Polish sausage: $1.50/rope... usually Meijer.
Boxed:
Pasta salad: $.50/box... usually Meijer.
Pasta: $.50/box... usually Meijer or SUPER Kroger.
Lasagna: $1/box... usually Meijer.
Cereal: $1/box... usually Meijer/Kroger.
Cookies: $1... usually Target.
Crackers: $1... usually Meijer or Kroger.
Fruit snacks: $.50/box... usually Meijer.
Baking:
Cake mix: $1/box... usually Meijer/Kroger.
Muffin mix: $1/box... usually Meijer/Kroger.
Bisquick: $1/box... usually Meijer.
Flour: $1.50/5 pounds... usually Meijer.
Brown sugar: $1/pound... usually Meijer or Target.
White sugar: $2/5 pounds... usually Meijer or Target.
Spices: $.50... usually Meijer.
Baking soda: $.25... usually Walgreens at the holidays.
Baking Powder: $.25... usually Walgreens at the holidays.
Bread:
Tortillas: $1... usually at Meijer or Kroger.
Loaf of sandwich bread: $1... usually at Meijer or Kroger.
Loaf of yummy bread: $1... usually at Meijer or Kroger.
Package of buns: $1.50... usually at Meijer or Kroger.
Condiments:
Ketchup: $1... grocery store/Target.
Mustard: $.50 grocery store/Target.
Marinade: $1 grocery store/Target.
Mayonnaise: $1 grocery store/Target.
BBQ sauce: $1 grocery store/Target.
Are some of these prices true for YOU too?
Do YOU have anything to add to the list?
Sue, a really good friend of mine who also happens to be a great cook (I drool over the recipes she blogs and tweets about), not only writes a fantastic blog, A Mother's Heart, but she also writes fantastic articles for AnnArbor.com... like this recent post about beans! Sue is my 'go-to-gal' for any food making advice, her wisdom and insight is amazing!
PS: I was shocked to find my little bean tutorial mentioned in her post! Thanks Sue!
Yep, that's my little guy- he's got a couple of "man crushes" on Woody and Buzz!
Isn't it funny how kids (and adults alike) gravitate towards the slick merchandising tactics of pretty pictures on the packaging... hmm, I guess it works!
Pardon Sir Scrawny Pants for tugging up his jeans the entire length of the feature film!
Collin, the blog author of your beloved Hip2Save has a handful of great tips on keeping produce fresh! I LOVED the idea of blowing air into the plastic bag that you bring them home in... creating a bubble cushion to keep smushing at bay!
I usually just purchase a few days worth of fruits and veggies at a time, but if I see a super sweet deal, I will purchase extras to prep for my freezer!
What other ideas do YOU have for keeping produce fresh?
"Store Rewards" or "Catalina's" are the coupon look alike's that print from a little box beside the cash register at several major chain stores (like Meijer, Kroger and Walgreens just to name a few).
I place a lot of purpose behind my purchasing to maximize my savings and to minimize my out of pocket costs. Each week I purposefully search the weekly sales flyers for items or scenarios that will offer money back for me to spend on my next transaction. Often times, my next transaction immediately follows my first purchase, but sometimes I like to strategically plan to purchase items that are essential to running our home (like meat, trash bags and produce!).
About a year and a half ago I heard rumors in the blog-o-sphere that savvier consumers than I, were spending store rewards at stores other than were boldly stated on the reward. For example, these savvier consumers were spending Register Rewards from Walgreens at Meijer... WHAT?
At first, I was kind of stupefied by this practice... how did that work? My coupons BOLDLY stated that they were "redeemable at Walgreens!" Was that legal? I decided to call Catalina Marketing (the makers of the coupon printing boxes) to find out the truth.
I had a long chat with a woman in the legal department (I skip to the higher-ups instead of talking with the customer service reps when at all possible) and she informed me that IF a store reward stated that it was a Manufacturer's coupon (NOT a "Store Coupon"), that it was allowed to be accepted at any store that allows coupons to be redeemed, but that the store was NOT obligated to accept a coupon with another store's advertising logo on it! Huh? The "Redeemable at Walgreens" statement was just an advertising logo?
From that point on, I began looking for store locations that would accept ANY store's reward coupons! At first, after I had been declined being able to spend my store rewards at my local Meijer store, I decided to comb my local shopping radius to find another local-ish Meijer that would accept them... and with a 5 minute longer drive, I did find one!
Finally, after about a year of driving out of my way when I had a wad of store rewards to spend, MY typically shopped store began to accept the rewards! YAY! It was awesome!
BUT... today, I went to my local stomping ground and I was informed that they no longer will accept store rewards with other store's advertising on them... WHAT? My cashier told me that a memo had just come out!
I tried to get as much information about the situation as I could from my cashier, and I asked to speak with a manager. Here is how I have handled myself in this situation:
1. Never try to pull a fast one! Yes, you might get away with doing something that you are not supposed to do, but it will always be at someone else's expense. Cashiers can get in trouble for accepting store rewards when they have been told NOT to! Instead, seek out a store manager and ask what you are and are not allowed to spend in his/her store.
2. Explain your situation. Kindly! Be sure to keep your thoughts short, sweet and to the point. Let the manager know what you like and what you don't like:
a. I like shopping at your store, its convenient, friendly, offers great sales.
b. I don't like that other stores accept store rewards and you don't accept them!
c. I like keeping local money local and shopping in my own neighborhood.
d. I'd hate to have to take my business to another store, but I need to care for my family the most inexpensive ways possible, especially with Michigan's tough economy!
3. Point out the bonuses for the store. By accepting store rewards, you are building a base of loyal shoppers, moving items off of your store shelves and into grocery bags and earning $.08 per coupon/store reward spent.
4. If all else fails, kindly ask if the manager would allow you to spend your store rewards that you have with you that day.
Today, after my local store claimed that they were revoking the right to spend store rewards with other store logos on them, I began asking questions. After making my purchases, I spoke with a store manager who offered me $3 cash since I wasn't allowed to spend a $3 Kroger store reward (plus I got to keep the reward) and when she returned she also gave me a $10 hand written "catalina" because she felt badly about the change in policy.
In between when the manager went to the customer service desk to compensate me for the policy change, I saw another (higher-up, in a suit) manager, and I spoke with him as well. He told me that he saw NO problem with me spending other logo'd store rewards since they are indeed Manufacturer coupons, and that he would look into the situation further. I was given his permission to continue spending whatever store rewards I pleased in his store.
The best advice I can share is to know what you want and ask for it! And keep asking (or looking for another store) until you get a satisfactory answer. In most cases, it is lack of being properly educated, on the use of spending coupons (by the store employee) that earns you the answer "NO!" Be a (gracious) educator and you may just get what you are looking for!
Christie, the blog author of Wild for Wags (a new blog all about Walgreens), posted a BRILLIANT article that shows (in pictorial format) how to make sure that you are purchasing the correct Register Reward producing items! Like I said before, BRILLIANT!
Jill Cataldo, a self proclaimed Coupon Queen, delicately tackles the ethics behind trading coupons, read more here!
Good thing I just consider myself a Coupon Princess!!!
Collin, the blog author of Hip2Save has just written a post about her grocery budget, and she's received several hundred responses from readers all over the county who are sharing what their grocery budgets are! If you are interested, read what people are spending HERE!
Personally, my grocery/household budget is comfortably set a $50/week for our family of three.
PS: Do YOU like it when I bring other other bloggers' articles to your attention?
Collin, of Hip2Save wrote a great article about coupon spending 'start to finish,' check it out if you are curious!
Jolyn just wrote a great article about purchasing baking supplies for less than full retail since coupons for these types of supplies are not always available! Be sure to read the comments!!!
I didn't grow up in a house with a whole lot of baking... but I'm working on brushing up my skills thanks to savvier spending! If I burn something or the recipe flops (it could *never * be my fault... wink!) I'm not frustrated by wasting a ton of money/ingredients... I'm just frustrated about wasting my time and energy!!! ;)
The above picture and the below picture are for identical products, but one is priced $.16 less!
Both of these pictures were taken a Meijer locations, and both of these stores are roughly 12 minutes from my house... but it seems that one location is less expensive for me to shop at!
In the grand scheme of saving, $.16 is NOT a great amount of savings! But, when I spend a $.50 coupon, which doubles at all Michigan stores- the above bottle of hot sauce is FREE... and I like FREE!
I'd also say, on average, that I place at least 30 items into my grocery cart each week while shopping at Meijer. If I were to spend an extra $.16 on the items in my cart, I'd be spending an average of an extra $4-5 a week on the exact same items that I could get less expensively by shopping the same store chain, but another location!
Have YOU ever scoped out the prices between identical stores but differing locations?
A fellow Metro Detroit blogger, Tashena, of Staying Lean in Oakland County, has the "skinny" (sorry, I couldn't help myself!!!) on saving while making online purchases!
Maximizing Your Online Savings (Thanks for your advice Tashena!)
I'm personally not a big spender with online purchases... I'm a see it, feel it, take it home NOW kind of shopper! What kind of shopper are YOU?
A SYS reader, Joy, emailed me he link to this very interesting coupon spending article from the Wall Street Journal- check it out! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Jolyn, from Macomb Money Savers, just posted an amazing resource for those of you who are interested in finding some coupons for yourself!
Check out this great article if you are interested in how coupons are located!
Thanks Jolyn!
Coupon Clipper: How do you go about getting a rain check?
Me: Receiving a rain check* is dependant on the stores policy. Here is a break down for my local stores...
* A rain check is a written guarantee that you will receive the sale price on an item, when it is back in stock!
Meijer: To receive a rain check at Meijer you can ask in three separate locations: 1. ask your cashier, 2. ask at the customer service desk, or 3. ask at the podium in the aisle that leads to all of the checkouts (This persons job is to take care of the needs of the cashiers, and is also called a CSA).
Meijer rain checks are valid for 30 days, and have printed limits written on them. My local store limits the number of items that you can purchase with a rain check to 12.
Meijer will NOT write you a rain check for an item that is not advertised in the weekly flyer.
*Meijer will NOT write rain checks for Super Saturday one day deals... so shop early!
Kroger: To receive a rain check at Kroger you may only ask for one at the customer service desk.
Kroger rain checks state that they are valid for 30 days, but Kroger does NOT enforce this policy. I have spent rain checks that have been written more than a year before I spent them! Kroger does NOT set limits for number of products that may be purchased with a rain check.
*Kroger will NOT write you a rain check for an item that is not listed in the weekly flyer.
Target: To receive a rain check at Target you must ask either your cashier or at the customer service desk.
Target rain checks are available for redemption for up to 90 days.
CVS: To receive a rain check at CVS you may ask your cashier for one when you are checking out.
CVS rain checks are written to include the sale price PLUS any Extra Care Bucks that you may have received if the item had been in stock. (Woo Hoo!) CVS rain checks WILL have a limit to the number of products that you may purchase with your rain check, but the rain check does NOT have an expiration date!
Walgreens: To receive a rain check at Walgreens you will need to ask the store manager for one.
Walgreens rain checks WILL have a limit to the number of products that you may purchase with your rain check, but they will NOT have an expiration date!
*Walgreens will NOT include a way for Register Rewards to be given in conjunction with redeeming your rain check.
Rite Aid: To receive a rain check at Rite Aid, you need to either ask a manager or your cashier.
Rite Aid rain checks need to be redeemed within 30 of being written.
Personal Note: There have been times that my rain check was about to expire (at both Meijer and Target) and the shelves had not been restocked yet. I have visited the customer service desk and been written *new* rain checks to extend my purchasing period!
Personal Note: Please, please, please read this post with the gentleness (even humor) that I intended in writing this post. I make my best effort to read all of the comments posted below each entry and I really appreciate readers taking the time to share their thoughts! I've revisited an earlier topic due to comments regarding the post. I have shared more of my personal insight and even information that you may not have ever been aware of at the bottom of the post. I apologize for the length in advance- sometimes I just can't help myself... Love, Laura
Earlier this week I was asked to address how to purchase items gracefully. Gracefully, in my opinion is purchasing ethically, honestly and with the awareness that other shoppers are most likely seeking the same deals that you are.
My purpose in answering emailed questions here on my blog are to teach new strategies and to bring new (possibly even challenging) ideas to the fore front of your thinking. I believe that we can learn and grow together as a community- and building each other up with fresh perspectives and best practices are great tools for us to encourage one another with!
While catching up reading some of the comments left by readers today, I feel the need to address some of the ideas, concerns and misconceptions spoken through comments left on my Purchasing Habits post.
I must start by sharing that my intent in posing open ended questions, like "what are you thoughts on shelf clearing?" is simply because many of my readers may never have thought about other shoppers disappointment with empty shelves. Many coupon shoppers have the mentality that 'you win some/you lose some... and then you ask for a rain check!' While other shoppers may get irritated and feel like other coupon shoppers are out to gyp them from being able to spend their coupons. Each unique shopper has a unique set of family needs. I raised this question to make us aware of shoppers other than ourselves!!
Secondly, I think that it important to keep in mind that the entire family may not be represented when the shopping cart is being strolled down the aisles. Take, for instance, my friend and loyal shopping buddy Sandy. Sandy has six kids! SIX!
Let's compare Sandy's family of 8's needs to my own family of 3's needs:
Sandy should be purchasing about three times the amount of items that I purchase just to accommodate her family's needs.
Sandy's children are all older than my son, ensuring that they eat a heck of a lot more than my little scrawny-kins!
Sandy needs to purchase multiples of products just to make it through the week- even through the day... I shopped with Sandy over the summer and she was considering purchasing a certain kind of specialty ice cream treat for her kids. The box that she was looking at only had 5 treats in it, and Sandy needs to purchase boxes that have at least six treats to feed her kids ONCE! My son would have 6 desserts from a single box. See the difference!
(Hey Sandy, thanks for unknowingly allowing me to use you as an example!!!)
I feel that judging a cart by its contents has the potential to cause us to stumble with our own grace-filled purchasing attitude.
When posting about owning our own purchasing habits (stepping back to take a good look at ourselves) another intention of mine was to address the knowing when enough is enough. I think that this is a toughie- even for me. I believe that wisely saving money in the area of grocery spending only to blow the saved funds on other 'meaningless' stuff - even if its a great deal, needs to be addressed. It is easy to get so wrapped up in the saving that what is actually being spent has been lost sight of. Nickles and dimes quickly add up to dollars, and more stuff lying around is still just stuff!
I view my posing of questions as betterment for us all! We (myself included) may need to hear that we need to work on some of our shopping ideas/habits... not that we want to hear it, but it may be just what we need to hear!
One commenter described her need to re-evaluate her shopping as "possibly robbing someone else of the joy in finding a great deal!" Words like that kind of sting don't they? But it is a good kind of sting, a lasting mental image kind of reminder. I sure know how I feel when I approach a shelf filled with the items that I am looking for- and on the flip side, I know how it feels to leave empty handed.
I also received comments in regards to how coupons impact the Manufacturers, stores and their policies and wording printed in the sales flyer or on the coupon itself- please bear with me, but I'd love to take this opportunity to share more behind the scenes coupon information.
A Coupons Impact on the Manufacturer:
I'm sure that you are aware that the Manufacturer's goal in making coupons available to you and I, is to lure you into purchasing their product. Plain. Simple.
But did you know that the Manufacturer goes to great lengths (and expense) to make their coupons available to the public. First, the manufacturer needs to decide what items they would like to market with coupons, then the coupon needs to be designed, the Manufacturer then must pay to have the coupons printed (in either a newspaper, magazine, home mailer or in store grab-able) or they may decide to have their coupons made available through an online printing company like Coupons.com. This step comes at a HUGE financial expense to the Manufacturer.
Then, the Manufacturer must PAY to have their items highlighted in the weekly sales flyers, online media, as well as radio and TV commercials. Stores MAKE money from selling their ad space!
The stores also MAKE money by hosting shelf space for the Manufacturer's to rent. The prime shelf locations are right at chest level, where not so savvy shoppers can easily purchase name brand items. Less expensive rentable shelf space is the very top and bottom shelves- which is where you normally find the store placing their own brand merchandise.
Since the Manufacturer is aware of what products they place out into the market, how much money they have spent for advertising, product location on store shelving, sale prices that they have agreed upon, and what coupons they have made available to the public- it is NO SHOCK to them at the deep discounts that shoppers are able to receive if they have wisely done their homework. (Read more here.)
Even though nearly every single American will claim to spend coupons (oil changes, ordering pizza's and grocery coupons are all lumped together as 'coupons'), the truth is that very few people actually spend coupons as intently as you and I do.
It may *feel* differently since you read about other like minded shoppers here at Sharpen Your Scissors and on other shopping blogs- and you may have hooked your circle of influence into your savvy savings at the grocery store, but the truth still remains... we are an oddity, a sliver of how the average American shops for their family.
Manufacturers are aware of us, but even banded together- we don't threaten their infrastructure! We probably feel like an (single) ingrown hair on their long freshly shaven leg... not their favorite follicle, but not overwhelming either!!!
We mustn't flatter ourselves so much that we think that our deeply discounted or even FREE purchases are making even a small dent in the cornerstone of manufacturism.
Stores and Store Coupon Policies:
As I eluded to above, stores make the money that they need to pay both their employees and their bills + turn a profit by selling their influence. Shoppers are deeply influenced by advertised sales and attractive merchandising.
Stores are in the business of MAKING money. In addition to selling product advertising, stores also receive $.08 per coupon that they accept from smart coupon-spending shoppers like you and I! That is $.08 + the face value of the coupon.
Stores, along with Manufacturer's also are vying for your spending attention.
Many grocery stores will offer to 'double' your coupons. This is the store's effort to get you to shop at their location. When you spend a coupon at a store that doubles- the Manufacturer pays the face value of the coupon (+$.08/coupon) and the store itself offers the second price discount as a thank you for shopping with them. It is the store's discretion on whether or not to implement a doubling policy, as well as it is another luring tactic to keep you and I from shopping with their direct competitor.
Super Kroger, a local Kroger that doubles coupons up to and including $1, has tweaked their coupon acceptance policy a bit recently, but I view that as their right keep their policies in the best interest of the store, and my right to decide if I want to take advantage of what their stores have to offer to me.
Target has also streamlined their coupon printing policy. I could become frustrated, but I've decided to roll with the punches, and be thankful that Target is keeping my kind of shopping in mind when they are updating their policies. I'm actually grateful that Target is moving forward in unifying their corporate policies (can I get an Amen?)
And lastly, I'd like to address Coupon Verbiage. Wording printed in sales flyer and on the coupons themselves can be quite confusing.
Is one per transaction the same as one per customer? To be honest, this may very from store chain to store chain or even from location to location... If you have uncertain feelings about how to handle your transactions and you are in a store, just ask a store manager. If you are wondering before you have headed out to the store, call the 800 number and ask in advance of your purchase.
I think that transaction insinuates that you may have more than one, after all is there are store that would turn you away from shopping again later in the week?
Normally, a purchase that includes a store reward (like earning money back on a purchase) will have the register print a single reward per transaction... so purchasing two or three like items in a single transaction will only allow for one reward. One per customer can vary from store to store (one per customer per day, or can you have your kids each check out with the specific product?) so feel free to ask a manager to define this term for you!
Bottom line, lets all choose to move forward gracefully, keeping in mind our ethics, honesty and the awareness of others.
KROGER HAS THEIR OWN PAY AS YOU GO PHONE.
Shocking isn't it?
My friend Amy just picked up a Blackberry knock off (full keyboard) for $49!
Amy excitedly says "The "fees" and terms (rollover, unlimited text, etc) are the "same" (basically) as a Virgin Mobile pay as you go phone. It even runs on the Sprint Network, just like Virgin Mobile, but the best part of this "Kroger phone" is that you can tie up to 2 store rewards cards and earn free minutes!!! 20 minutes for every $100 you spend in a 30 period.Then phone itself was $49 (with Kroger card) and it comes with 300 minutes and you get an additional 200 minutes when you register your store card to the phone. I'm so excited the shopping I do now, will pay for my CELL PHONE =)"
Check out http://www.iwirelesshome.com/ for additional information~ ...Just think of all of the talking, texting, and tweeting that Amy can do now!!!
