Thursday, June 28, 2012
Harris Teeter Deals Week of 6/26
Harris Teeter has lots of Buy One Get One Free specials this week including a great deal on a frozen treat. Harris Teeter doubles coupons up to 99 cents and will double up to 20 coupons a day.
Here are my favorite deals this week:
KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce: 10/$10
Save $1 on 2 Coupon
Final Price: .50 each when you buy 2
General Mills Cereal
Trix: $1.89
Save .50 on 1 e-VIC
Cheerios: $1.72
Save .50 on 1 e-VIC
Save $1 on 3 Coupon
Final Price: $1.11 each when you buy 1 Trix and 2 Cheerios
Luigi's Italian Ice: $1.89
Save .75 on 2 Coupon
Save .75 on 2 e-VIC
Final Price: .77 each when you buy 2
Turkey Hill Tea: $1.25
Save $1 on 2 Coupon
Final Price: .75 each when you buy 2
Sunday, June 24, 2012
What to do when the checkout goes awry
I am rarely nervous at checkout but I had an experience this weekend that set my heart racing. After handing the cashier my stack of coupons, there were a few that wouldn't scan. Normally this isn't a problem, and they'll set them aside to check at the end and/or call a manager over to override the system. However, my cashier kept mixing up the piles of coupons that had been scanned and coupons that hadn't and I wasn't sure that all the coupons had gone through properly. After looking through the coupons, I was able to determine which pile was which and all the coupons went through in the end. To help your checkout go as smoothly as possible, follow these simple steps:
1. Have a detailed list when you go into the store. I use the online circulars to add items to my list so I can see the sale price and then I write in any manufacturer or store coupons I have on the side along with the final price of each item. This ensures I pick the right item for the right process off the shelf and also lets me make sure everything rings correctly at the register. As you get familiar with your store's checkout process you'll notice which sale prices come up as an item is rung and which won't show up until the end of the transaction.
2. Organize your coupons before you get to the register. If you have a get one free coupon where the cashier has to write in the value, I like to put that item at the end of my checkout and the coupon on top so it's easy for them to access and write in the price of the item to put the coupon through. I also organize my coupons with the highest value on top so I can see when the price on the coupons changes and keep track of which ones have gone through.
4. Keep an eye on them as they go through the register. Listen for the beeps, watch the totals fall and make sure each one is going through properly including any doubling.
5. Know your store's coupon policy. The more you know in advance about how they take coupons, the easier your checkout will be. Many stores limit the number of like coupons you can use in a transaction along with how many coupons can double in a transaction. There are also regulations on internet coupons. Knowing how your coupons will scan and staying within the rules will make the checkout process smoother.
6. Check the receipt after you've left the store. Double check that all coupons stored on your card came off properly and all the sale prices matched as well. You can use your list to make sure your totals match. Most stores will adjust your price if you bring back your receipt with proof that something did not ring correctly.
7. If something doesn't seem right, don't be afraid to speak up. Coupons are a form of currency and the store will get reimbursed for every coupon you use. It's in your best interest to make sure everything is accurate and you don't have to spend any more of your hard-earned money than you have to.
1. Have a detailed list when you go into the store. I use the online circulars to add items to my list so I can see the sale price and then I write in any manufacturer or store coupons I have on the side along with the final price of each item. This ensures I pick the right item for the right process off the shelf and also lets me make sure everything rings correctly at the register. As you get familiar with your store's checkout process you'll notice which sale prices come up as an item is rung and which won't show up until the end of the transaction.
2. Organize your coupons before you get to the register. If you have a get one free coupon where the cashier has to write in the value, I like to put that item at the end of my checkout and the coupon on top so it's easy for them to access and write in the price of the item to put the coupon through. I also organize my coupons with the highest value on top so I can see when the price on the coupons changes and keep track of which ones have gone through.
4. Keep an eye on them as they go through the register. Listen for the beeps, watch the totals fall and make sure each one is going through properly including any doubling.
5. Know your store's coupon policy. The more you know in advance about how they take coupons, the easier your checkout will be. Many stores limit the number of like coupons you can use in a transaction along with how many coupons can double in a transaction. There are also regulations on internet coupons. Knowing how your coupons will scan and staying within the rules will make the checkout process smoother.
6. Check the receipt after you've left the store. Double check that all coupons stored on your card came off properly and all the sale prices matched as well. You can use your list to make sure your totals match. Most stores will adjust your price if you bring back your receipt with proof that something did not ring correctly.
7. If something doesn't seem right, don't be afraid to speak up. Coupons are a form of currency and the store will get reimbursed for every coupon you use. It's in your best interest to make sure everything is accurate and you don't have to spend any more of your hard-earned money than you have to.
Harris Teeter and Giant Shopping Trip 6/23-6/24
To take advantage of all the great super double offers that Harris Teeter was offering and to stay under the 20 coupon per day doubling maximum we made two trips to Harris Teeter this weekend in addition to our regular Giant trip.
For the first Harris Teeter trip, I focused on the items that were on sale that had a coupon and/or an e-VIC. My total retail value for the trip was $121.06 but I paid just $41.66 including taxes for a 66% savings.
At Giant, my retail value came to $75.91 but I paid $41.64 for a 45% savings.
For my normal Saturday shopping trip, my total retail was $196.97 and my total actual cost was $83.30, giving me a 58% savings on the day.
On Sunday, I purchased a few items that were not on sale but were at a significant discount due to double coupons since I could use my higher value coupons on the items. I was also able to buy a few of my husband's items that rarely go on sale and still save a good percentage. My total retail value was $79.57 and I paid $44.51 for a 44% savings.
I was also able to scoop up a great deal at Harris Teeter that I'd missed the day before:
Advil was on sale for $4.49. I picked up a 50 count bottle and used a $1 off 1 coupon (my box also had a peelie that I removed and doesn't expire until 2015 so I added it to my binder for later) and I had an e-VIC loaded to my card for $1 off 1. My total price after doubles and e-VIC was $1.49.
Overall, I purchased $276.54 worth of items this weekend with an out of pocket cost of $127.81 and a 54% savings. My haul included 2 cartons of milk, 3 refrigerated meats, 4 frozen dinners, 8 yogurts, 2 boxes of pasta, 3 deodorants, 3 packages of razors, 4 detergents, 2 packages of paper towels, 5 cereals, 5 dog treats, 7 snacks and 5 assorted sauces among other items.
Let me know the great deals you picked up this weekend by leaving a comment!
For the first Harris Teeter trip, I focused on the items that were on sale that had a coupon and/or an e-VIC. My total retail value for the trip was $121.06 but I paid just $41.66 including taxes for a 66% savings.
At Giant, my retail value came to $75.91 but I paid $41.64 for a 45% savings.
For my normal Saturday shopping trip, my total retail was $196.97 and my total actual cost was $83.30, giving me a 58% savings on the day.
On Sunday, I purchased a few items that were not on sale but were at a significant discount due to double coupons since I could use my higher value coupons on the items. I was also able to buy a few of my husband's items that rarely go on sale and still save a good percentage. My total retail value was $79.57 and I paid $44.51 for a 44% savings.
I was also able to scoop up a great deal at Harris Teeter that I'd missed the day before:
Advil was on sale for $4.49. I picked up a 50 count bottle and used a $1 off 1 coupon (my box also had a peelie that I removed and doesn't expire until 2015 so I added it to my binder for later) and I had an e-VIC loaded to my card for $1 off 1. My total price after doubles and e-VIC was $1.49.
Overall, I purchased $276.54 worth of items this weekend with an out of pocket cost of $127.81 and a 54% savings. My haul included 2 cartons of milk, 3 refrigerated meats, 4 frozen dinners, 8 yogurts, 2 boxes of pasta, 3 deodorants, 3 packages of razors, 4 detergents, 2 packages of paper towels, 5 cereals, 5 dog treats, 7 snacks and 5 assorted sauces among other items.
Let me know the great deals you picked up this weekend by leaving a comment!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Harris Teeter Super Doubles 6/20-6/26
This week, Harris Teeter will double coupons up to $2.00 (normally super doubles do not include $2 coupons). You can double up to 20 coupons per household per day.
Here are some of the deals I'm loving this week:
Newman's Own Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo $6.99
Save $1 on 1 Coupon (doubles) + Save $1 on 1 e-VIC
Final price: $3.99
Smart Balance Milk 2/$6
Save $1.50 off 1 Coupon (doubles)
Final price: FREE
Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce 2/$5
Save $1 off 1 coupon (doubles)
Final price: $.50
Gain Laundry Detergent $5.99
Limit 2 at e-VIC Member Price of $4.97
Save $1 on 1 Coupon (doubles) + Save $1 on 1 e-VIC
Final price: $1.97
Brawny Paper Towels $7.77
Limit 2 at e-VIC Member Price of $5.77
Save $1 on 1 Coupon (doubles)
Final price: $3.77
Venus Disposable Razors $8.99
Save $2 off 1 Coupon (doubles)
Final price: $4.99
Yoplait Yogurt 10/$6
Limit 10 at e-VIC Member Price of 10/$5
Save $.50 on 8 (doubles) + Save $.40 on 6 e-VIC
Final price: 8/$2.60
Purina Beggin' Strips 2/$5
Save $1 on 2 Coupon (doubles) + Buy 2 Get 1 Free Coupon
Final price: 3/$3
Purina T-Bonz Dog Treats 2/$5
Save $1 on 1 Coupon (doubles)
Final price: $.50
I'm planning on spending $60 for items that retail around $172 on this trip. Check back to see how I did and let me know which deals you're looking forward to at Harris Teeter this week.
Here are some of the deals I'm loving this week:
Newman's Own Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo $6.99
Save $1 on 1 Coupon (doubles) + Save $1 on 1 e-VIC
Final price: $3.99
Smart Balance Milk 2/$6
Save $1.50 off 1 Coupon (doubles)
Final price: FREE
Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce 2/$5
Save $1 off 1 coupon (doubles)
Final price: $.50
Gain Laundry Detergent $5.99
Limit 2 at e-VIC Member Price of $4.97
Save $1 on 1 Coupon (doubles) + Save $1 on 1 e-VIC
Final price: $1.97
Brawny Paper Towels $7.77
Limit 2 at e-VIC Member Price of $5.77
Save $1 on 1 Coupon (doubles)
Final price: $3.77
Venus Disposable Razors $8.99
Save $2 off 1 Coupon (doubles)
Final price: $4.99
Yoplait Yogurt 10/$6
Limit 10 at e-VIC Member Price of 10/$5
Save $.50 on 8 (doubles) + Save $.40 on 6 e-VIC
Final price: 8/$2.60
Purina Beggin' Strips 2/$5
Save $1 on 2 Coupon (doubles) + Buy 2 Get 1 Free Coupon
Final price: 3/$3
Purina T-Bonz Dog Treats 2/$5
Save $1 on 1 Coupon (doubles)
Final price: $.50
I'm planning on spending $60 for items that retail around $172 on this trip. Check back to see how I did and let me know which deals you're looking forward to at Harris Teeter this week.
My Story
I live in Northern Virginia just outside of DC where everything from rent to grocery bills are high. Whenever my husband and I visit family in the Midwest we always load up the car with non-perishables that retail for half of what you'd find in our area.
I am an avid TLC fan and after watching Extreme Couponing, I decided to give it a try. We often found ourselves spending $300 at the grocery store for a half a cart full of items and tended to avoid it altogether and opted for take-out instead. I started small, taking whatever coupons I had cut that week to the store and it was frustrating to see our totals only decreasing by a small amount each trip. After a few false starts and some advice from "Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey" from the Krazy Koupon Ladies I unlocked the secret to saving big bucks: buy items when they are on sale and you have a coupon.
There was only one problem; my one bedroom apartment barely has enough closet space for our clothes and we had already converted our linen closet to a pantry. In order to stockpile and save money, I was going to have to be creative.
After a few months of diligent planning and some creative reorganization, we have a small stockpile of items that allows us to be choosy about when we make our purchases. With cramped couponing, you might have to pay a little more than those with large basements and 7 year supplies but the savings can still be significant.
I regularly shop at Giant and Harris Teeter and occasionally at Target when they have good store coupons. I'll be chronicling my shopping trips each week and pointing out great deals to stock up on along with tips for maximizing space and finding new places to stash your stockpile.
I am an avid TLC fan and after watching Extreme Couponing, I decided to give it a try. We often found ourselves spending $300 at the grocery store for a half a cart full of items and tended to avoid it altogether and opted for take-out instead. I started small, taking whatever coupons I had cut that week to the store and it was frustrating to see our totals only decreasing by a small amount each trip. After a few false starts and some advice from "Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey" from the Krazy Koupon Ladies I unlocked the secret to saving big bucks: buy items when they are on sale and you have a coupon.
There was only one problem; my one bedroom apartment barely has enough closet space for our clothes and we had already converted our linen closet to a pantry. In order to stockpile and save money, I was going to have to be creative.
After a few months of diligent planning and some creative reorganization, we have a small stockpile of items that allows us to be choosy about when we make our purchases. With cramped couponing, you might have to pay a little more than those with large basements and 7 year supplies but the savings can still be significant.
I regularly shop at Giant and Harris Teeter and occasionally at Target when they have good store coupons. I'll be chronicling my shopping trips each week and pointing out great deals to stock up on along with tips for maximizing space and finding new places to stash your stockpile.
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