Thursday, October 18, 2012

Publix: Agonizing over a few cents


Hi readers!  I strive to have my weekly Publix shopping post up on Thursday by 2 pm.  Please bookmark the Frugal Follies Publix Deals page by right-clicking that link and then choosing "Bookmark This Link" so that you can check out my deals as soon as they are posted! Or you can subscribe to the Frugal Follies newsletter, become a fan on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

Isn't it funny how we couponers can save dozens or even hundreds of dollars on a shopping trip, yet we agonize over a deal where we left a few cents on the table?

This happened to me at Publix this week.  I got some great deals, like Multi-Grain Cheerios using this $0.75 off ONE BOX Multi Grain Cheerios coupon, and Oatmeal Crisp cereal using this $1.00 off 2 BOXES General Mills Adult cereals coupon.  Probably the best deal was the Toll House Ultimates cookie dough, which were 25¢ after using this $1.50/1 Nestle Toll House Ultimates Cookie Dough printable coupon.

But I wanted to buy two 8-packs of Apple & Eve Fruitables juice, and when I went to check out I realized that I had only printed one $0.55/1 Apple & Eve Fruitables printable coupon.  Ack!  I could have just put the second juice pack back, but then I would have gone under $50 and not been eligible for the $10 off gas card or $5 off $50 coupon.  I could have just picked up something else, maybe yogurt, to make up the difference again.

But with a line full of shoppers waiting for me to check out, I just decided to take the second pack of juice.  Which means that even though I saved almost $80 on this trip,  I could have saved another 55¢.   Augh!

Well, I still did well despite that.  Here's what I got:


4 Multigrain Cheerios cereal @ BOGO $4.55 = $9.10
- 4 $0.75 off ONE BOX Multi Grain Cheerios
=  $6.10 for four, or $1.53 each

4 General Mills Oatmeal Crisp cereal  @ BOGO $4.55 = $9.10
- 2 $1.00 off 2 BOXES General Mills Adult cereals
= $7.10 for four, or $1.78 each

2 Cabot cheese chunks @ $2.50 = $5.00
- 2 $1/1 Cabot cheese (newsletter signup)
= $3.00 for two, or $1.50 each

4 Nestle Toll House Ultimates cookie dough @ BOGO $3.49 = $6.98
- 4 $1.50/1 Nestle Toll House Ultimates Cookie Dough printable
= 98¢ for four, or 25¢ each

2 Ragu sauce @ BOGO $3.69
-  $1.50/2 Ragu Pasta Sauce Product, exp. 11/1/12 (Publix, Best Meals Happen at Home October Email)
= $2.19 for two, or $1.10 each

2 Apple & Eve Fruitables 8 pack @ $2.00 = $4.00
- $0.55/1 Apple & Eve Fruitables printable
= $3.45 for two, or $1.73 each (should be $1.55 each with second coupon)

8 Campbell's Great for Cooking soups @ $1.00 = $8.00
- 2 $2/4 Campbell's Great for Cooking Condensed Soup, exp. 11/1/12 (Publix, Best Meals Happen at Home October Email)
- 2  $1/4 Campbell's Condensed Great For Cooking Soups printable
= $2 for eight, or 25¢ each

4 Publix yogurt @ 40¢ = $1.60

2 Sun-Dry sundried tomato pesto @ BOGO $3.99
= $2.00 each

- $5 off $50 Doris Italian Market coupon (Recyclebank)

Total product before coupons: $51.30
Total product after coupons: $25.01
Tax: 24¢

Total out of pocket: $25.25
Total saved compared to Publix full prices: $69.19
(plus a $50 gas gift card for $40, saving $10)

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

5 comments:

Stephanie October 18, 2012 at 3:06 PM  

Before couponing: Never a problem getting that $50 minimum.
After couponing: It is a serious game a strategy!

Robert October 18, 2012 at 5:07 PM  

My Publix's manager use to tell me just bring the receipt and the coupon the next time you are in the store and she always gave me the price of the coupon in cash.

I was known for leaving one coupon sit on my desk either at work or at home. I would grab them and tend to leave the last one in the stack as I was in such a hurry.

But I love Publix's because they always made it right for me.

Anonymous,  October 19, 2012 at 5:32 PM  

Take the coupon in with your receipt and they will give you the $.55

Diana Chastain October 20, 2012 at 12:37 AM  

I know what you mean about agonizing over those few cents. And now that I don't have car, it's over all the deals I miss. You still dud great! Thanks for linking up. :)

NOVA Frugal Family October 20, 2012 at 9:58 PM  

I would take the receipt back with the coupon and since it sounds like you are a regular, they shouldn't have a problem. My Harris Teeter always gives me the money back. I have had coupons stuck in my pocket before and realized it when I got home. It is the principle more than the $0.55 and we all understand. Try not to beat yourself up over it and good luck!!!

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