True Story

Main Character: Me (Jill)
Setting: Scolari's, Wednesday at 7:30 pm
Story:
With coupons as my shopping list I grab a cart. I peer over to the checkstands to see who my checker will be. A young girl--probably okay. I grab my 3 packs of meat, a box of brownie mix, 3 boxes of cereal, 3 bags of Chex Mix, 3 packages of Buitoni,
3 boxes of Hefty baggies and milk. The club prices should add up to over $50 so I can use my $5 off of $50 coupon and then I'll give coupons. It worked before. Sure enough, things were going fine. The $5 coupon came off just fine and then I handed my stack of coupons to be doubled, hopefully to get the Buitoni, the Chex Mix, and the baggies for free. Yeah!
And then things went sour. The checker (we'll call her T) glanced at the bagger (we'll call him R) and nodded for him to come over. They grabbed a calculator and slowly began flipping through my coupons. They pulled out the register tape and looked at item #1, cereal. They held a mini-conference and at last surfaced from their collaberation to have T scan the coupon and double it. Cereal. $0.99. Then they went to work again. . .
I think--"Hello? I'm standing right here. You could certainly say something to me." So I ask, "Is something wrong?"
R says, very snottily, "Some people have been using counterfeit coupons to totally scam us."
"Counterfeit?" I question.
R replies, "Well, not counterfeit, but some people are ripping us off. They're trying to get us to double the coupons so we pay them money."
I think--"You don't just mean 'some people' You mean me, because I totally want those products for free. That's why I'm here tonight."
I say--"What do you mean?"
Anyway, T calls up the manager who says, "We cannot pay you a penny when we double a coupon. We are losing money LEFT and RIGHT.'
I think--"You're the ones who offer to double coupons. Plus, how can you be losing money when your regular prices are astronomical and I see people paying that?"
I say--"Okay."
I then say that I don't want those items I intended to get free, thus proving to T and R that I was indeed one of those 'people' who was trying to scam them.
I quickly paid my balance for the remaining items and left. As I did the walk of shame to the exit I did not think, "Scolari's--I'm special everday." I thought, "Scolari's where you're treated like a thief."
I doubled checked the coupon policy when I get home and it does say that they won't double the coupons if they go into overrage. Fine, I get that. But would it have been so hard for T, upon seeing I had coupons, to say, "I just want you to know that if you have any coupons that will exceed the price of the item when doubled, we will only accept them at face value," rather than secretly discuss the prices of items and then accuse me of being a scammer and thief.

Moral of the story: Scolari's days of freebies are over and unless you want a public hand-slapping I would encourage you to not try this at your local Scolari's.

This Week's Deals

It looks like a pretty good shopping week!

*For the deals at Smith's go HERE. (Thanks, The Centsible Sisters!)
My favorite deals at Smith's this week include:
Cream Cheese - $0.49 ($1.00/2 coupon from booklet)
Kraft Singles - $0.49
Kettle Brand Chips - $0.49

*For the deals at Safeway go HERE. (Thanks, Krazy Coupon Lady!)
My favorite deals at Safeway this week include:
Grapes - $0.99/lb.
Mission Tortillas - $0.29 each
Single-serve Horizon Milk- FREE

(DAILY DEALS) Nabisco Crackers, $0.49, Tostitos $0.89, Safeway Salsa $0.69

*For the deals at Savemart go HERE. (Thanks, The Frugal Find!)
My favorite deals at Savemart this week include:
Kraft BBQ sauce - $0.50 each (WYB 10)
The expiration date on the BBQ sauce I bought today was March 2012...think 10 will last me all year?
Fuji Apples, 5 lb. bag - $1.99 ($0.40/lb.)

*For the deals at Raley's go HERE. (Thanks, My Frugal Adventures!)
My favorite deals at Raley's this week include:
Hefty cups/plates/one-zip bags - $0.25 each
(incase you were denied free ones at Scolari's!)

Happy Savings!

Scolari's Deals (2/2-2/9)

Here are the deals at Scolari's this week. Let me know if I've missed something!

Scolari's will double coupons (as long as the coupon doesn't say "do not double") up to and including $1.00! Three like-coupons can be doubled per transaction. View official coupon policy HERE.

Remember, Wednesdays are “double ad” days where both the current and previous week’s ad are honored. Enjoy the sales from two weeks on one day!

There are Scolari's internet coupons for $5.00 off when you spend $50.00 and $10.00 off when you spend $100.00. I was able to use the $5.00/$50.00 before coupons.

So after everything was scanned and I had handed over my club card, the total was $56.00. The first coupon I gave the cashier was the $5.00/$50.00 and then I gave the cashier the rest of my coupons. (Thanks, Jimmy!)

Land O Frost Lunchmeat, 16 oz. - $3.49
$1.00 from Joy of Football Safeway booklet
Final price: $1.49

Tyson Crispy Chicken or Buffalo Strips, Select Varieties 25-28 oz. - $5.99
$1.00 from 1/23 SS
Final price: $3.99

UNADVERTISED DEALS:

Chex Mix - $1.99
$1.00 from Joy of Football Safeway booklet
Final price: FREE

Buitoni Refrigerated Pasta, plain not filled - $1.99
$1.00 from 1/2 SS
Final price: FREE

Kettle Brand Chips - $2.49
$1.00 printable coupon
$1.00 from 1/2 SS
Final price: $0.49

Scolari's Coupon Policy

I've received several emails about the coupon doubling at Scolari's. Here is the policy from their website.

"Scolari's encourages customers to bring in manufacturer coupons. Scolari's will double manufacturer coupons up to and including $1.00. Offer excludes all liquor, tobacco, dairy regulated items, store coupons and coupons that exceed the value of the item. If the double portion of the coupon exceeds the value of the item the coupon will be taken at face value. If the coupon states "DO NOT DOUBLE" the coupon will be taken at face value. If a coupon exceeds $1.00 the coupon cannot be doubled and will be taken at face value. A maximum of three coupons for each coupon offering will be doubled per customer. All other coupons for that offering will be taken at face value."

In the past Scolari's was not strict in enforcing the "three of the same coupon" limit. However, it is clearly stated in their policy and the cashiers have tightened up on this rule, so I always buy only three at a time.

Lots of us are having a hard time with cashiers refusing to double a coupon because it will be one cent over the price of the item. (For example, an item costs $1.99 and a $1.00 coupon doubled would take off $2.00...which exceeds the value of the item.) Some cashiers don't mind/care/notice and some cashiers refuse to double coupons going even a cent over.

I can't imagine that one cent would truly make a difference. I've even offered to pay back a penny! I don't know what the store's opinion is on this since sometimes I can do it and sometimes I can't. You would think the system at the register would block it if it wasn't supposed to go a cent over, like take off the first $1.00 and when the coupon is doubled only take off 99 cents.

It would be nice to know what is and isn't allowed and for it to be consistent. For now, the issue of getting free items falls into the hands of your cashier.

My advice, choose your cashiers wisely. Try to fly under the radar. If you are only buying free things, the red flags will be waving. If you work your deals into other items, it's not so obvious. I guess we'll all just need to gear up to say, "OK, I just won't get those then," when a coupon won't be doubled.

I would love to hear your experiences with this!

Scolari's Deals (1/26-2/2)

I know, I know...better late than never, right?

Here are the deals at Scolari's this week. Let me know if I've missed something!

Scolari's will double coupons (as long as the coupon doesn't say "do not double") up to and including $1.00! Three like-coupons can be doubled per transaction. View official coupon policy HERE.

Remember, Wednesdays are “double ad” days where both the current and previous week’s ad are honored.

*Update*

Tyson Chicken - $3.99
$1/1 tyson breaded chicken strips from SS 1/23
Final price: $1.99 (Thanks, Heidi!)

Multigrain, Honey Nut, Original Cheerios - $1.99
$1.00/2, $0.55, $0.75 printable coupon
Final price: $0.49 - $0.99!

Chips Ahoy Cookies - $2.50
$1.00 printable coupon (no longer available)
Final price: $0.50

Tabasco Sauce - $1.39
$0.75 from 1/30 SS
Final price: FREE

Hefty Storage Bags - $1.99
$1.00 from Joy of Football Safeway booklet
Final price: FREE

Pillsbury Cresant Rolls - $1.69
$0.75 from Joy of Football Safeway booklet
Final price: $0.19

Land O Frost Lunchmeat, 16 oz. - $3.99
$1.00 from Joy of Football Safeway booklet
Final price: $1.99
(Will be $3.49 starting 2/2)

Russett Potatoes, 10 lbs. - $3.99
One sale BOGO free
Final price: $3.99 for 2 or $2.00 for 10 lb. bag

In-ad Coupons (when you spend $10.00)

18-count large eggs - $1.69 (limit 2)

Sunrise Bacon, 1 lb. - $1.99 (limit 3)

*Make sure the cashier enters the code on the in-ad coupon for each item you purchase. For example, if you buy 2 eggs, the code shoule be entered twice.

Let me know if you see something I didn't!

Groupon: $20.00 at Archie's for $10.00!

I just purchased my second deal at Groupon! For $10.00 you can get $20.00 worth of food at Archie's!

I LOVE Archie's. It's a 50's diner with delicious milkshakes and burgers with a sport's bar up top. It's on North Virginia by UNR...did I mention I'm a fan of the milkshakes?

I'm thinking a fun Valentine's date or lunch out with the family...woo-hoo!


To get in on today's Archie's Groupon deal, just go HERE.


Here's The Fine Print from the Groupon site:
Expires May 26, 2011
Limit 1 per person, may buy 2 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per table, 2 per table of 5 or more. Valid for dine-in and carryout only. Must use in 1 visit, no cash back. Tax and gratuity not included. Not valid with other offers.

(Thanks to Jenny who knows I'm an Archie's fan and emailed me about this deal!)

75% off Toys at Target and 40% off Clearance at Old Navy!

Thanks to the comment by Sofia for the heads-up on these two jewels...

Target has their toys 75% off again. I went last night and stocked up on birthdays for the year. Their Lego sets were only 50% off but still WAY better than paying full price. Target does this twice a year, January and July. Woo-hoo!

Also, Old Navy has an additional 40% off their clearance. I haven't shopped this one but it sure sounds good! You can go HERE for a coupon to use on top of that. (I got a $10.00 off $50.00.)

Happy shopping and saving!

Save Mart Deals (1/12-1/18)

Here are the deals I see this week at Save Mart. Let me know if you see something else!

Navel Oranges - $0.37/lb.

Boneless Beef Chuck Roast - $1.99/lb.

FREE 35-pack Sunny Select water WYB 4 Special K Bars or Cereal

Special K bars - $2.50

Special K cereal - $2.50

Deal idea:

Buy 4 Special K Cereal - $10.00

Use 2 BOGO Free printable coupons (sign-up required) {-$5.00}

Use 2 $0.70 printable coupons (cinnamon pecan variety) {-$1.40}

Final price: $3.60 for 4 boxes of cereal and a case of water!

Update: When I did this today the BOGO coupons went through fine and the $0.70 coupons then beeped. The cashier just manually pushed them through. It may depend on your cashier if this will work or not, but even with just the BOGO coupons it's $5.00 for everything - still a good deal!

In-ad Coupons (back page):

Malt-O-Meal Honey & Oat Blenders, 18 oz. - $1.19 (limit 6)
$2.00/2 from 1/2 SS
Final price: $0.19 each!

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY only:

London Broil - $1.99/lb.
Romaine hearts, 3 ct. - $0.87

Cheerios $0.49 a box at Scolari's!

The Cheerios (multigrain, honey nut, and regular) are on sale this week (through 1/12 1/19) for $1.99 at Scolari's. There are printable coupons that don't say "Do Not Double" available HERE.

Multigrain Cheerios - $1.99
$0.75 printable coupon
Final price: $0.49!

Honey Nut Cheerios - $1.99
$0.55 printable coupon
Final price: $0.89

Original Cheerios (big box!) - $1.99
$0.55 printable coupon
Final price: $0.89!

There are also $1.00/2 printable coupons at this same site, making each box $0.99.

Thanks for the comments letting us know about these coupons!

Save Mart Deals

There are a couple of deals worth mentioning at Save Mart this week.

Fri, Sat, Sun only: Iceburg lettuce - $0.37 each

Bar-S Bacon, 1 lb. - $2.49 with in-ad coupon

$1.00/2 printable coupon

Final price: $2.00 each WYB 2

Let us know if you see something else!

Smith's Deals 1/5-1/11

Case Lot Sale Time Again!
These are good prices if you want/need to buy something in bulk and don't have time or the coupons to search for even better prices. Look at the side bar on the right for the Northern NV Price List link to get a spreadhseet that compares the case lot sale prices to similar items at Walmart and Costco.

Tillamook Shredded Cheese, 5 lb bag $9.99
That's just $2.00/lb!

Kroger Beans, 15 oz can, 24-count $11.99
$0.50/can

Kroger Peanut Butter, 18 oz 12-count $15.00
$1.25 each

Kroger Macaroni & Cheese, 48-count $15.99
Just $0.33 per box!

Hunt's Pasta Sauce, 26 oz 12-count $9.60
$0.80/can

Duncan Hines Cake Mix or
Pillsbury Brownie Mix 12-count $10.80
$0.90/box

Maruchan Ramen Noodles 24-count $3.00

Kroger Tomato Sauce, 8 oz, 24-count $5.99
$0.25/can

Kroger Cream of Mushroom/Chicken 24-count $13.20
$0.55 each (I could only locate the mushroom variety, let us know if you find the chicken)

Libby's peas, corn, green beans, 12-count $6.00
$0.50/can

Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding or Gelatin (4-pack) 12-count $10.80
$0.90/4-pack

Click here to vew the weekly ad to see the additional items included in the case lot sale, pages 7 and 8 of the ad.
**You have to buy the case to get the price and the limit is 2 cases per transaction. And they don't issue rain checks for case lot sale items.
Have fun stocking up.

Safeway Deals (1/5-1/11)

There are some great deals at Safeway this week! My favorites are:

Betty Crocker Fruitsnacks $0.09/box

Nature Valley Granola Bars $0.55/box

Navel Oranges $0.49/lb.

Yoplait Yogurt $0.32/cup

or $0.28/each with this $1.00/8 coupon printable coupon

Check out the details HERE. (Thanks Krazy Coupon Lady!)

Scolari's Deals (1/5-1/12)

Here are the deals at Scolari's this week. Looks like a slow week. Let me know if I've missed something.

Scolari's will double coupons (as long as the coupon doesn't say "do not double") up to and including $1.00! View official coupon policy HERE.

Remember, Wednesdays are “double ad” days where both the current and previous week’s ad are honored.

Nabisco Crackers - $1.79
$1.00 printable coupon (facebook)
$1.00/2 printable coupon (kraftfoods.com)
Final price: FREE - $0.79

Oreo Cookies - $2.50
$1.00 WYB milk printable coupon (facebook, no longer available)
Final price: $0.50 plus price of milk

Stella Cheese Cups, 5 oz. - $1.99
$1.00 from 12/12 SS
Final price: FREE

Let me know if you see something I didn't!

Happy New Year!

Remember the whole reason I started this blog about a year ago? I had three goals to complete by the end of 2010 (and to do so couponing).

Yesterday was the last day of 2010. I put the flour my mom had brought me (from a sale in Vegas) into buckets. It had been sitting in the garage for too long.(Notice my buddy heater keeping me warm while I work? I'm such a wimp when it comes to cold.)

I took a quick inventory of what we had. (The inventory/food storage calculator that I use can be found on the right-hand side bar.)

In reviewing my goals:

1. I was pleased to see I had met my goal of a three month supply (although I've found storing meat to be trying).

2. I was happy to know that even though we aren't swimming in money, we have been setting a little aside each month as a financial reserve. I have an AMAZING story to share with you about an experience we had with money savings a few months back. Another post, another time.

3. I was downright giddy to see that in addition to our 3-month supply, I had been able to continue building past that and was near a year supply of provisions for my family.

Almost everything I needed for my year supply I was able to get on sale and with coupons far below the retail price. BUT there were some things I wasn't able to. I headed to Costco to tie up some loose ends...and yes, I paid full price.

I spent $150.00 (thank you Christmas bonus from my transcription job!) and got a cart full of rather random items to top off the rest of my supply. These are the things I've found harder to get (in bulk) with coupons:

Large garbage bags

Paper plates

Napkins

Bottled water

Pickles

Canned chicken

Salt

Vanilla

Milk

Butter

Parmesan cheese

Apple Sauce

Popcorn

Tortillas

Hamburger buns

and the orange chicken was for our family New Year's Eve partay!

I have also been buying rice, pretzels, and tortilla chips every once in awhile at Costco.

Other than that I have been able to get everything else my family uses by coupon shopping at grocery stores and drugstores. It has taken me an entire year to build up a good stockpile but now I feel like I just have to maintain it.

I have learned a lot through this process. I promise to share in future posts.

Happy New Year!