New Policy at Publix, Among Other Things

While in my local Publix yesterday (it was penny item Wednesday, dontchaknow), they gave me a copy of their new coupon policy. You can find it here. My local store is no longer accepting competitors coupons from Target (I'm so very sad) or Food Lion (not nearly as sad, but still a downer). Check it out, if you haven't seen it. Nothing else was a shocker to me, but it might be to you.

I'm all about using coupons, but not by being shady about it. Last week, there was a lady in the check-out line next to me who did several questionable things like: 1) hand the cashier 20 coupons, when she only purchased 12 of an item, then saying she "must've miscounted". I have miscounted by 1 or 2 before, but by 8? Come on... really?  2) turned in expired coupons. I've been guilty of this before and one has slipped past me, because I wasn't paying attention; not because I'd handed them a stack of expireds! Let's not give coupon-ers a bad name, people!

In case you are a Publix shopper, they have Chinet plates BOGO this week for $5.99. Go here, sign up, and get a printable $1 off each coupon. They have all kinds of plates on sale: big & oval, divided, etc. However, the draw back is those are only in packages of about 24-30. That said, they have packages of smaller luncheon plates (think regular paper plate size-- not "I might need a gurney after I eat all this" size) in a 72 count package and they are made from biodegradable, recycled paper. Sweet! Saving money and the planet all at once-- talk about being "green"! :) With the 3 packages I got yesterday, we're set for the entire summer.

Here's my Publix loot for the week:

• 2 pkgs Boca Burgers
• 4 Gerber baby foods
• 4 pkgs Lender's bagels
• 2 bottles gummy vitamins
• 3 72-ct pkgs Chinet plates
• 2 (penny item) Publix spaghetti sauces
• 2 Suave hairsprays (remember my free coupons?)
• 1 free John Frieda hair color (remember my free coupons?)
• 3 Bic Flame throwers [arr, arr, arr-- Remember Home Improvement? :)]
• 2 12-pack rolls Cottonelle toilet paper (which have Cars 2 merchandise points on them, if you have little people at your house who are excited about it's debut this summer) 

Total spent: $33.82  Total Saved: $63.56

Okay, one last point & I'm finished. This is just a small tip and you're probably already doing it, but just in case, I'll share. When shopping, always look for packages that have more of the item at the same price.



See that little red flag on the package? They make this package of plates in a smaller size, but for the same amount of money. When you determine the cost per unit (be it in ounces, individual item, etc), doesn't it just make sense to get the package with more 'stuff'?

Items like shaving cream are notorious for doing this. I know we all have our favorite scents, but if another scent has 20, 30, or 40% more for the same price, why not get that one? I mean, if the scent with more smacks of dead-skunk-in-the-middle-of-the-road, then keep moving. :) Unit prices can be high, so milk it for all it's worth!

Save on, friends!