My Publix Trip & George Jenkins Award

I'm sure striking out with deals this week. I missed the Poise last Saturday and haven't seen it all week. When I checked back on my special order from a nearby store, someone had put the product onto the shelf and it was sold, and now there are the dreaded green tags on the shelf meaning the warehouse is out. I may just go to Sweetbay and see if I can get some there since they'll accept Publix, SaveALot coupons and the MQ. I also missed the Nutri Grain Crunch deal, but eventually I'll get it because they will issue rainchecks for that. In my opinion that's just as good. Both stores I checked were out of the Nutri Crunch bars but had plenty of the fruit cereal bars. And of course all the Alka Seltzer, Sundown Vitamins and Nivea deals are out of stock too.
 
I did manage to get some of the last Mueller noodles and also some Yakisoba noodles. To get my order up to $25 I threw in some of the Old Wisconsin Beef Summer Sausage 6 oz packets that were marked at $3.69, but they rang up at $3.99. So, I got one free for the Publix Promise so that actually put my order negative, which totally freaked out the young man who was my cashier this time.
 
14-Feb 27   38.96 15.42 26.25 tax -2.71 32 -106.96%
Product qty price subtl B1G1 -Q 0.00 total Q# Q details
cucumber 1 0.75 0.75       0.75    
bananas 2 0.35 0.70       0.70    
green pepper 1 1.09 1.09       1.09 2  
carrots matchsticks 1 1.89 1.89       1.89 10  
Muellers spaghetti BOGO 10 1.57 15.70 7.85 7.85   0.00 5 BOGO MQ 2-10ss
Yakisoba noodles BOGO 8 0.97 7.76 3.88 4.40   -0.52 8 0.55/1 MQ 2-3ss
Old Wisc Beef sumr sausg 3 3.69 11.07 3.69 9.00   -1.62 6 $2/1 PQ 1-27RP + $1/1 12-9ss
Save A lot FB 1 0.00 0.00   5.00 0.00 -5.00 1 $5/30 print
 
Anyway, I also wanted to mention that despite my occasional frustration with shopping at Publix, I do love my neighborhood store. In fact, so do a lot of people since the Store manager, David Tapia was awarded the George Jenkins Award. I also have had the pleasure of meeting and successfully resolving a customer issue with the District Manager John Campbell. Both of these men really enjoy their jobs and will do the customer right. 
David Tapia, the manager of the Terrace Ridge Plaza store in Temple Terrace, was one of five managers to earn the 2012 George W. Jenkins Award, named after Publix's founder. John Campbell, district manager of 10 stores in Lutz, Tampa and Temple Terrace, received a President's Award.Tapia joined Publix in 1990 as a part-time front-desk clerk in Tampa and was promoted to store manager in 2004. He has led the Temple Terrace store since 2010.
"It makes me proud to hear so many customers say, 'That's my Publix,' " he said. "I have a great group of supportive associates, and we're the face of Publix. It's up to us to make sure every customer enjoys their shopping experience."
Campbell began his Publix career in 1976 as a part-time grocery clerk in St. Petersburg. He became store manager in 1988 and a district manager in 1993. Publix president Todd Jones described him as consistent and dedicated to helping store associates be successful.
via

2/17 Sunday Coupon Inserts - RP PG

Red Plum
Allegra $10/1 70ct or 2 30ct excludes D (2/23/13)
Allegra $2/1 Children's (3/16/13)
Allegra $3/1 24hr 5 or 15ct, 12hr 12ct or any D Allergy & Congestion excludes 2ct (3/16/13)
Cheer $2/1 detergent ets (3/31/13)
Covergirl $2/1 lip product excluding Outlast and trial (3/31/13)
DermaSilk $5/1 full size product (3/9/13)
Dial $1/1 12oz+ lotion product (3/10/13)
Ester-C $2/1 To go (4/2/13)
Ester-C $3/1 tablet (4/2/13)
Gain/Era $.40/1 Gain detergent or fabric enhancer or Era detergent ets (3/31/13)
Gain/Era $2/2 Gain detergent or fabric enhancer or Era detergent ets (3/31/13)
Gillette $.75/1 shave prep ets (3/31/13)
Gillette $2/1 disposable razor ets (3/31/13)
Gillette $3/1 Fusion ProGlide razor ets (3/31/13)
Gillette $4/1 8ct+ cartridge ets (3/31/13)
Head & Shoulders $1/2 products excluding 1.7oz and trial (3/31/13)
Iams $1/1 biscuit or shakeable treat ets (3/31/13)
Iams $1/1 dry dog or cat food (3/31/13)
Iams $1/3 canned dog or cat food (3/31/13)
L'Oreal $.75/1 Kids product (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $.75/1 Studio Line styling product (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $1/1 Advanced Haircare shampoo or conditioner (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $1/1 Paris skincare item ets (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $2/1 Advanced Haircare treatment (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $2/1 Age Perfect product ets (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $2/1 Paris cosmetic face product excludes Magic Perfecting Base .17oz (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $2/1 Paris haircolor product (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $3/1 Revitalift CR10, Triple Power or Miracle Blur ets (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $3/1 Visible Lift Repair Absolute Foundation (4/13/13)
L'Oreal $5/2 Paris haircolor products (4/13/13)
Mars $1/2 Easter products; M&M's 2oz+, M&M's Minis 2oz+, Minis Mix variety bags 10.5oz+, 3 Musketeers Minis, Twix Minis, Snickers Minis, Snickers Peanut Butter Squared Minis, Milky Way Minis, Snickers Bunny, Snickers Peanut Butter Bunny, Dove Chocolate Silky Smooth Eggs & Bunnies 4.5oz+, Snickers Eggs 6pk, Twix Eggs 6pk or Milky Way Simply Caramel Bunnies 6pk dnd (3/31/13)
Neilmed $5/1 Nasaflo Neti Pot (3/31/13)
Neilmed/ClearCanal $5/1 item (3/31/13)
Nestle $.50/1 Nesquick powder or syrup (4/14/13)
Old Spice Buy anti-perspirant/deodorant, get $2 off body spray ets (3/31/13)
Renuzit $.50/1 Tempting Indulgences adjustable air freshener (3/3/13)
Renuzit $.55/3 adjustable air fresheners (3/3/13)
Secret Buy 2 Clinical, get 1 body spray free excludes .5oz and trial up to $5.99 (3/31/13)
Smuckers $.55/1 sugar free jam, jelly, preserves or fruit spread (3/10/13)
Sunlight $1/1 dish detergent (3/31/13)
Superpretzel $1/2 products (3/24/13)
Venus $3/1 razor excludes disposables and trial (3/31/13)
Venus/Satin Care Buy Venus refill, get Satin Care shave gel free ets up to $4.99 (3/31/13)
Windex $1/1 touch-up cleaner product (3/30/13)
 
Proctor & Gamble single sheet (exp 3/31/13)


Pantene Buy shampoo, get conditioner or styler free up to $4.99 ets
Vidal Sassoon $3/1 hair color ets
Vidal Sassoon $1/1 styling aid ets
Vidal Sassoon $1/1 shampoo or conditioner ets
 
Thanks to www.couponpreviews.info for sneak peek!

Introducing "Our Lyme Life"

This weekend we launched a new Facebook Page and Website for Scotts daughter Rachel and her family who are suffering from #Lyme Disease. Our goal is to gain followers and spread awareness of their situation.
 
Their family story will be posted on the blog in the next couple days and is now outlined on the FB page. One of the most important things you can do to help right now is to follow and share clicks and if you personally know Rachel and Tim, leave a comment too.
 
How to follow (Its free - how about that!!)
 
Facebook - Our Lyme Life
 
Twitter - @OurLymeLife
 
 
Thanks for your support!

My Publix Trip - Paid $1.52, Saved 94%

I waited this week til the new Green Advantage Flyer came out with the deals for Poise, Sunlight and Alka Seltzer. I knew it would be important to get to the store early on Saturday, but alas we didn't make it in time to get the MM Poise product. In fact we went to four different stores in four different towns during our travels of the day, and all stores were out. I suspect that every single store in the state was out of Poise cooling wipes ($3.49).
 
The stocker guy at the store near my house, offered to order some for me to come in on the Wednesday truck. I would recommend if you want to take advantage of the deal ($3/1 MQ 2-10 SS + $3/1 PQ GAB) you get your store to order some before the warehouse runs out. Otherwise you might not ever find this product for the next 3 weeks. No rainchecks since its a GAB deal, except maybe at the end of the sale around March 1, 2013.
 
I did get a couple other items and will have to go back later this week.
 
9-Feb 19   26.70 1.83 24.00 tax 1.52 18 -94.31%
Product qty price subtl B1G1 -Q 0.65 total Q# Q details
cantaloupe 1 2.50 2.50       2.50    
bananas 2 0.35 0.70       0.70    
Dunc. Hines cake mix BOGO 2 1.83 3.66 1.83 2.00   -0.17 2  
Sunlight dish soap 10oz 10 1.00 10.00   11.00 0.65 -0.35 10 $1/1 or $1.25 MQ print
Mt Dew 2 L 2 1.33 2.66   1.00   1.66 2 $0.5/0/1 MQ print
Vit B6 Sundown 2 3.59 7.18   10.00   -2.82 4 $3/1 PQ + $2/1 MQ print
 
 

Be A Trendsetter with Small, frequent Shops

An interesting study was conducted by Nielson that correlated the number of trips to the store with the economic woes. They categorized shopping into 4 types
  • Immediate: low-value, instant -need driven baskets with an average basket ring of $15 per trip
  • Fill-In: slightly higher value baskets averaging $51 per trip
  • Routine: weekly, high-value shopping trips averaging $98 per trip
  • Stock-up: large trips averaging $242 per trip
Not surprisingly, 82% of trips are the short "fillup" or "immediate needs" trips. I guess I'm part of the trend because I can tell you before couponing you would not catch me in the grocery more than once a week. I hated shopping, in part because of the large totals at the register. Anyway, the trends say more people are making more frequent smaller trips so they have more cash on hand and just get what they need to get by. 
I checked my receipt log and discovered that I made 253 trips to stores in 2010. Thats pretty frequent. I averaged my cost for each visit and its $5.53 per trip average since I spent about $1400 last year. But, my small trips were made for entirely different reasons than most people, and they were not due to economic trends. Maybe the studies got it wrong.
My small, frequent trips were calculated to maximize my coupon savings. Since I almost always have a $5 off $25 or $30 store coupon, I try to keep my trips before coupons close to that amount. If I made trips closer to $100 which fall into the "routine" category, I probably wouldn't be allowed to use 4 of the $5 off coupons since they are competitor coupons. But by splitting my $100 order into 4 smaller ones, I can save at least $5 on each transaction using the $5 off $25 coupon. Duh. Thats why I wonder sometimes when I see couponers in the store with their binders spread out across the baby seat area and their cart is overflowing and also filled on the bottom rack. They probably don't have tons of the $ off $$ coupons for that large order, so they are essentially wasting money. 
I also like to just get reasonable quantities of the items, to leave some product behind for the next shopper. Another reason for my small trips is that we tend go shopping on our motorcycles to far away stores in the country on the weekends. We are limited in what is shelf stable and what we can carry in saddlebags, so heavy things like soda and ice cream are off the list on weekend trips. Plus small orders allow for easier calculating in the aisle - you know, counting your coupons, counting your items, and then adding up the value of the cart vs adding up the value of the coupons. These 4 little calculations have saved me from big boo boos at the checkout with overage. I like to keep my totals between about $2 and $4, this gives me wiggle room for errors doing all that high math in my head.
 
Anyway, if you're using coupons and make frequent small trips, consider yourself a trendsetter!
 Graphic via Nielson

This is a repost from 2011.

How To Change Your Thinking To Become Richer

 
If you're struggling to make ends meet and don't have the financial stability you would like then often you simply need a new plan or budget in order to make the difference. Sticking to this new budget though is a lot like sticking to a new diet - it's a matter of psychology and of using the right mental attitude to make the difference. Here we will look at a few ways you can change your thinking and as a result start to keep more of your salary and enjoy a wealthier lifestyle without the stress.
Learn What You Don’t Need
What many of us aren't aware of is just how much of our salary goes on things we don't need due to emotional factors. While we will purchase things often because we genuinely want them or need them, on other occasions we buy simply due to impulse and the psyche nudges of advertising and marketing.



One of the best ways to prevent this is to stop impulse buys altogether by making the rule that you can't buy anything non-essential unless it's been written down for 24 hours. In other words then, if you find a game, ornament or DVD you want in a shop then you need to write it down and come back tomorrow in order to buy it. Often by this time you'll find you don't need it.

Other strategies that can help to stop these impulse buys include thinking about all the things you have that you haven't used yet - books you haven't read and films you haven't watched. Finally, think about how much better it is to have a few things you really like rather than lots of things you don't have space for. Limiting your possessions will improve your 'average' quality while at the same time meaning that each item you do have gets more focus and your room looks less cluttered. Stop valuing your collections in terms of their quantity, but instead think about them in terms of their quality.


Staying On Top of It
One of the bigger problems that many of us have is that we're simply not aware of what's in our bank account at any given time - which of course makes it difficult to budget and to spot areas that could be improved. To prevent this problem consider keeping a cashbook, look into setting up a spreadsheet but most of all - put aside the time you need to manage these and actually keep them up to date. This is the financial equivalent of biofeedback in dieting.

 
 

Learn to Value Money
Something I find odd is that the more money I earn the more stringent I notice myself becoming. The reason for this is that I'm proud of the work I did to raise the money and I want my cash to reflect my recent success. While you should never place too much emphasis on the importance of your cash, you should nevertheless make sure that you don't waste it, and it can help to this end to think about some of the things you want to save for and to set yourself some goals.
Author Byline :
This article is authored by John Lowrie, a financial journalist at Payday Angels. If you find this article interesting, you can visit his website to read more of his posts. You can also follow him on Twitter.


Publix Weekly Ad Sneak Peek 2/7 - 2/13/13

BOGOs:
Hallmark Greeting Cards, Party Supplies or Gift Wrap, save up to 9.99 (with in ad Coupon)

Pompeian Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Marca Roja, 24 oz bottle, save up to 9.99

Publix Naturally Flavored Drink, Orange, Lemon, Fruit Punch, or Blue Raspberry, 128 oz bottle, save up to 1.69

Simply Potatoes Mashed Potatoes, Traditional, Country Style, Garlic, Sweet Potato or Sour Cream & Chive, 24 oz pkg, save up to 3.79

Barber Foods Stuffed Chicken Breasts, 10 oz pkg, save up to 4.99

Concord Strawberry Smoothie, 2 oz, no price given

Post Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal, 13 to 17 oz box or Vanilla Clusters, 18 oz box, save up to 4.79

Quaker Cap'N Crunch's Cereal, 14.5 to 20 oz box, save up to 4.89

Quaker Chewy Bars, 6.1 to 7.4 oz box, no price given

Duncan Hines Cake Mix, 16.5 or 18.25 oz box, save up to 1.81

Uncle Ben's Country Inn Rice, 6 oz box, save up to 1.49

Barilla Pasta Sauce, 24 oz jar, save up to 2.59

Betty Crocker Premium Brownie Mix, Supreme or Dessert Bar Mix, 16.5 to 19.5 oz box, save up to 3.09

Juicy Juice 100% Juice Blend or Fruitfuls Juice Beverage, 8 pk, 6.75 oz box, save up to 3.25

Crystal Light Drink Mix, 10 or 12 quart canister (excluding On the Go Sticks), save up to 3.49

Kraft Dressing, 24 oz bottle, save upto 4.29

Hormel Premium Chicken Breast with Rib Meat in water, 10 oz can, save up to 3.39

LaCroix Natural Sparkling Water, 12 pk, 12 oz cans, save up to 4.69

Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn, single serve 6 or 10 ct, 11.64 to 19.8 oz or 30 oz jar, save up to 3.89

Ruffles Potato Chips, 7.5 to 9 oz bag (excluding Baked, Light and Natural), save up to 4.29

Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies, Distinctive, Melts or Slices, 5 to 7.5 oz bag, save up to 3.69

Thomas' English Muffins, 11 to 13 oz package, save up to 4.19

Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread, 20 oz loaf, save up to 3.19

Nabisco Chips Ahoy! Cookies, 9.5 to 13 oz pkg, save up to 2.89

Hershey's Nuggets, 10.5 or 12 oz bag, save up to 3.99

Simply Potatoes, 20 oz bag, save up to 2.59

Diana's Bananas Banana Babies, 10.5 oz box, save up to 4.49

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, 7 to 10 oz pkg, (excluding Asparagus Cuts), save up to 1.95

Gorton's Shrimp, Flounder, Haddock or Tilapia, 10.5 to 17.2 oz pkg or Simply Bake Salmon or Tilapia, 8.2 to 9 oz pkg (excluding Popcorn Shrimp), save up to 8.49

Kellogg's Eggo Pancakes, French Toaster Sticks or Mini Muffin Tops, 12.7 to 16.4 oz box, save up to 2.99

Sargento Shredded Cheese, 5 to 8 oz pkg, save up to 4.19

Tena Serenity Bladder Protection Pads or Ultra Thins, 14 to 30 ct pkg, save up to 5.19

Halls Cough Drops, 30 ct bag (excluding Halls Defense) (33% more on select pkgs), save up to 1.23

Pedigree Dog Food or Puppy Food, 3.5 lb bag, save up to 5.79

Purina Beggin Strips Dog Snacks, 14 oz pkg or T-Bonz Porterhouse Flavor, 28 oz pkg, save up to 7.39

Whiskas Temptations Treats for Cats, 2.47 or 3 oz pouch, no price given

Finish Automatic Dishwasher Detergent, 45 or 60 ct pkg, save up to 11.99

Resolve Spray 'n Wash Laundry Stain Remover, Regular or Max, 12 or 22 oz bottle, or Stain Stick, 3 oz, save up to 2.99

Glass Plus Glass & Multi-Surface Cleaner, 32 oz bottle, save up to 2.49

No Nonsense Shoe Liners or Toe Covers, 1 ct pkg, save up to 3.29

Good Cook Oven Fresh Stoneware Mug, with lid, 16 oz box, save up to 3.99

Harry & David Premium Candle, 16 oz jar, save up to 12.99

My Publix Trip - Spent $6.20, Saved $140

When we received the sweetbay coupon in the mailer weekly ad, I started planning a big enough trip to be able to use it. I also know that last month when this coupon was available I was turned down at all stores because my total was never over $50 after coupons. So, I messaged Publix on facebook and asked them to confirm that they considers coupons a form of tender and not a discount. Here's what I asked: 
Hi Publix - I just received a new ad from Sweetbay that has a $10 off $50 coupon that states "minimum required purchase amount of $50 after all discounts are applied". Can you please clarify that to use this competitor coupon in Publix the total must be $50 before coupons and not after coupons, since coupons are a form of tender? I hate the drama at the cash register when no one agrees on how this is interpreted and I don't want to use it incorrectly. Thanks

 
On January 30, 2013 6:23:04 AM PST, Publix wrote:

Hi, Marie. You are correct. "Discounts" does not refer to coupons, as they are a form of tender. So, you may use this coupon as long as your total reaches $50.00 AFTER all other discounts, but not after all coupons have been taken off. Hope this helps! ≈ Kandi
So, if you want to use this coupon, I would recommend messaging them so you have their response right on your smartphone with you in the store. I clarified the situation before I shopped and they wanted to deny it at the store, but the store manager finally agreed to let me use it and signed his approval. It is pretty obvious they don't want to do it, and I told him I didn't care what he did for others, but that I would be glad to call the district manager if he required further confirmation.
Anyway, I did a pretty big shop with heavy stuff since we were in the car and not one the motorcycles. I decided to turn in my grapefruit juice and grapefruit to pay for the soda. I also had a couple coupons that expired 12/31/12 and this store accepts expired MQs for 30 days, so I had to use them up. I've heard there are peelies out there for free eggs wyb al fresco sausages, but I didn't see any. My total was higher than I thought it should be at $6.20, and when I reviewed my receipt I noticed they missed a $2 coupon, and then I noticed the Qtips charged $2.75 rather than the shelf price of $2.65. So, I'll have to go back and get an adjustment. So, my shopping list doesn't match my actual shop, but its close.
 
I spent $6.20 and saved $140.66, saving 96%.
 



31-Jan 56   145.15 53.25 91.30 tax 5.34 46 -96.32%
Product qty price subtl B1G1 -Q 4.74 total Q# Q details
avocado 4 1.00 4.00       4.00    
green pepper 1 1.58 1.58       1.58    
bananas 2 0.35 0.70       0.70    
Breakstone sour cream BOGO 2 2.45 4.90 2.45 2.00   0.45 2 EXP 1/1 MQ
SB Milk 1/2 gal 2 3.25 6.50   3.25   3.25 1 EXP BOGO MQ
Al Fresco chick saus  BOGO 2 3.49 6.98 3.49 2.00   1.49 1 $2/2 MQ print
Eckrich smkd saus BOGO 2 2.99 5.98 2.99 1.10   1.89 2 $0.55/1 MQ print
Qtips 1 2.75 2.75   1.05 0.18 1.88 1 $0.30/1 MQ + 0.75/1 TQ print
grapefruit 5lbs 5 3.49 17.45   34.90   -17.45 10 RCfree PQ ad + free MQ tearpd
OS grapefruit juice BOGO RC 10 2.99 29.90 14.95 20.00 1.94 -3.11 10 RC BOGO + $2/1 MQ print
Birds Eye Veg Froz 50% off 4 2.37 9.48 4.74 4.00   0.74 4 $1/1 MQ print
Pillsbury Pie Crust 1 1.00 1.00       1.00    
Suave Lotion BOGO 8 2.39 19.12 9.56 8.00 1.24 2.80 8 $1/1 MQ print
Frenches Mustard Dip Sauce 4 1.00 4.00   3.00   1.00 4 $0.75/1 MQ 1-6ss
Diet Mt Dew 12 pk B2G2 4 5.29 21.16 10.58   1.38 11.96    
Nabisco Wheat Thins BOGO 2 4.49 8.98 4.49 2.00   2.49 2 $1/1 MQ print
Publix drinking water 1 gal 1 0.67 0.67       0.67    
Sweetbay $10 off $50 1 0.00 0.00   10.00   -10.00 1 $10/50 swt by weekly ad
 
 

 
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