I Just Have to Share

[friskyZ]

Originally Posted by Milehimama

My "best" was getting $55 worth of stuff at CVS and I paid one penny. I don't think I'll ever do that well again!

That is quite impressive, those types of deals don't surely come around often

[indieretailer]

Originally Posted by purplefdu

We also learned how to enter coupons ourself in the self checkout without requiring the manager.

Do you mind sharing how to do this? I haven't used the self-checkout since they first came out and I don't recall if you needed to get a manager to authorize it.

Thanks!

[kpbarnett]

WOW - all your savings are impressive! I'm just shopping for one but do use coupons and save quite a bit.

[Anam]

I'd love to know how you, who have saved such HUGE amounts, do it. I know about cutting coupons from the Sunday paper and once I get a working printer getting coupons on line.... but that's about all I know.

Can you share some of your techniques? Or perhaps lead me to a website that could break it down?

Thanks in advance.

[purplefdu]

At Shaws you use the "enter a code" function just like you were entering the number off an apple, so you have to not be on the pay screen or the coupon menu. You can just back out of it if you are though. You enter the numbers on the left most barcode (most start with a 5 and are 12 numbers long) and it will take off the amount and double if need be. Mind you it may still tell you its no good, and any free or b1g1free will still need a manager's approval to input the amount, but its closer to not needing them.

As for techniques, just know what you need, find it in the store circulars where possible, and look for coupons that can be used on it online. My list of coupon sites is somewhere around here. www.hotcouponworld.com normally has a pretty good matchup for major store circulars each week. I normally make my shopping list around my meal plans, find coupons (or buy them online), and decide which stores to purchase what item at (we have three major grocers in the same town plus Walmart/Target).

[rstlne]

Originally Posted by indieretailer

Do you mind sharing how to do this? I haven't used the self-checkout since they first came out and I don't recall if you needed to get a manager to authorize it.

Thanks!

It's probably going to be different for self-checkouts at other supermarkets.

At both A&P and Pathmark supermarkets in my area, the way coupons work is after you're done scanning your purchases, the self-checkout system will ask if you have any coupons. If you touch "Yes" on the touchscreen, you can then scan your coupons. Some coupons will require manual entry by the self-checkout supervisor and you'll be directed to hand those coupons over. That's about it.

I did a paper on self-checkout for a college course. Researched one of the manufacturers of these systems and took a look at some of the design aspects. Fascinating stuff.

[elley.smith]

good job, thanks for sharing.

I also found coupons source which includes free coupons and online coupons.
I am sharing it with you all here: discounts.shopathome.com/Specials.aspx

[Milehimama]

I just went shopping at Publix and got $218 worth of groceries for $107.

I use coupons. Publix has lots of BOGO's every week. They double coupons 50 cents and under. For example, they had Mt. Olive pickles for $2.29, BOGO. From Smartsource.com, you can print 50 cents off coupons. I printed two coupons, which Publix doubled. So, I got two jars of pickles for $2.29 - $1.00 (doubled coupon) -$1.00 (doubled coupon) which = .29 for two jars.

Bird's Eye veggies were 50% off. $2.29 regularly. There was a coupon machine in the store with coupons for $1.00 off two. So I got two bags of frozen veggies for $1.29.

I do this for everything I can there. I also cruise up and down the aisles and when I see a little coupon machine, I take the coupons. I save them for when that item goes on sale, and do the same thing. You can take the coupons and not use them that day, you know!

I have a box set up for my coupons. I blogged it here:
http://milehimama.blogspot.com/2007/...e-on-food.html

[purplefdu]

Lol, I am a blinkie addict as well. I've got a stack and recently nabbed free mini Dove cream oil body washes with them. They had a blinkie out when it was new for $1 off any and the minis were .97 at Walmart. Bought a dozen. I have a box and accordion file as well now. And am already out of room at times. Good job on the shopping trip. I've seen great trips at Publix, but we don't have anything quite as sweet here but 50% savings isn't unusual. I spent $30 on 120worth this Saturday. It takes time and some effort but its well worth it.

[khorrell]

I find it easier to go through the cashier lines when I have a lot of coupons. I try really hard to put on my nice face and make sympathetic conversation while they are ringing me up. That is usually enough to get past their irritation with my stack of coupons.