Have I mentioned lately that I love CVS Pharmacy?  I do.  Today I feel like giving them a hug through the computer.

CVS corporate has updated their coupon policy to include very detailed, clear instructions on Buy One Get One sales and coupons.  They even gave examples!  Honestly I don’t see any room for “grey interpretation” here.

The New Addition:

• Two coupons may be used on a Buy One, Get One Free promotion as long as it does not exceed the item total
  Ex. Suave Shampoo is on sale for $2.00 Buy One, Get One Free and the customer is purchasing two shampoos; customer may use two coupons for $1.00 each and pay the applicable tax.

• Buy One, Get One Free promotions may be combined with Buy One, Get One Free Coupons. Customers are responsible for paying applicable tax
  Ex. Suave Shampoo is on sale for $2.00 BOGO and customer has a MFG coupon for Suave BOGO. Customer will receive both items for free but will need to pay any applicable tax.

To see their entire policy head over here.  If there are areas that you think still need improvement or clarity they would probably love to hear it, so leave a comment if you have one and I’ll share it with them.

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

If you are looking for answers on how to save the most money this year, don’t forget to join me on Twitter (@SouthernSavers) for a Twitter Party with Coupon Network!

The Twitter party will be run on Thursday, 1/12 from 1-2 PM EST. Use the hashtag #frugalresolutions to tune into everything.

You can win prizes and get all your questions answered!

Check out the original post to RSVP & see more details.

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

As frugal-minded shoppers, we are always on the hunt to find the best prices without too much work. I know a lot of you have found that Aldi has low prices and good deals on certain items.  Since they don’t carry name brands or accept any coupons, I thought it might be a good idea to compare their prices with the sales and coupons at traditional grocery stores and see where things fall.

You might be surprised to learn that the comparison shows when you buy brand name and use coupons, you actually get much better deal!

To make the price comparison, I took 13 items from a recent Buy One Get One list at Publix and found the comparable house brand item at my local Aldi. This included items like canned tomatoes, brownie mix, condiments, snacks,  bread and dairy products. After tallying up the prices at both stores, here are the results:

Aldi: $19.47
Publix with coupons: $13.16
Publix without coupons: $21.73

As you can see, if you just want to walk in the store without clipping a coupon, you could save $2.26 to buy the Aldi store brands vs. national brands at Publix.  Add on the coupon savings and there really is no comparison.  I saved $6.31 shopping at Publix and I got Kraft cheese instead of the Aldi brand! Another point about Aldi is they only accept debit, or cash (no credit cards) and grocery bags are not provided.

I hope this helps you see that buying on sale and using coupons on name brand items can save you more just just shopping at discount stores. If you want to learn more about how to shops sales and coupon, check out the Learn to Coupon page!

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

Starting in February 2012 I have some big changes for workshops!

Instead of traveling all over the southeast (which is fun don’t get me wrong) I am going to be doing one workshop a month, each in a different area.  These are going to be a bit different than what you may have seen in the past.  I am working to get grocery stores, financial planners and many others involved in making this a true savings event!

Another big difference is that ALL workshops are now 100% non-profit.  All proceeds will raise funds for local food banks and Operation Christmas Child.  It is still $10 to attend, but it’s awesome to get a chance to help others while learning to save!

If you are interested in learning everything about couponing in one place, check out the upcoming workshops and keep checking back for an event in your area.

For anyone that can’t make it to a workshop, don’t worry I have more big news coming in a few weeks…

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

Everything in a store goes on sale at some point – even vegetables! While you might not find BOGO swiss chard, you will find it on sale in the winter with most of the other greens.

Check out my latest video for tons of tips for saving on produce:

How to Save on Produce

• Buy in season
• Shop local
  -Farmer’s Markets (get a detailed local price report here)
  -Community supported agriculture farms (CSA)
  -Food Co-Ops
• Stock up & freeze extras (or opt for frozen/canned when appropriate)
• Use overage from other items and take advantage of any coupons you do find
• Ask for rainchecks
• Price match at Walmart/Target
• Consider growing your own herbs and simple veggies

Check out the previous video for how to save on meat too!

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

Yesterday I shared a fun free eBook with lots of simple ways to save money, use coupons, entertain your kids and more.  Now it’s time to share 5 new simple tips.

Couponing is “in” there is no doubt about that.  Just because everyone is doing it though doesn’t mean it is easy.  For some of you this is a sea of abbreviations and terms that are Greek, and others of you see something that looks like math and you’re done!

It doesn’t have to be overwhelming or foreign.  Here are 5 simple ways to get started couponing.  I am assuming that you already understand the basic concepts, if you don’t read the learn to coupon page first then come and apply these 5 tips to get started with the least stress!

1.  Don’t Cut Your Coupons

As you get started you will run into folks that have a large binder (or multiple binders) of clipped coupons.  While this can help people feel they are saving more money, it also VERY time consuming.  When you are just starting out, going that intense will only make you more frustrated.

Instead of cutting everything, try taking the inserts from the Sunday paper and filing them by the date in an accordion file.  Then when you pull up your list of deals for the week cut only the coupons that you will need that week.

For example: You see SS 1/01 at the end of a coupon.
This means the coupon was in the Smart Source newspaper insert on January 1st.

2.  Pick One Store to Shop

There is no need to run all over town getting every deal you see at every store.  If you wait, you will see many of the same deals at the store you shop at.  Grab what is on sale at your store this week and head home proud of your savings rather than frantic from a day of shopping.

3.  It’s Okay To Not Use A Coupon

Yep, I just said that.  One the most frustrating things for folks is when you see a coupon on your shopping list but you don’t have it.  Because coupon inserts vary by region, you will never have all the coupons.  It is better to buy something on sale without a coupon than it is to pay full price.  Disregard the coupons you don’t have and shop away.

4. Everything Does Go On Sale

The number one excuse folks give me as to why they don’t coupon is, “The things I buy never go on sale”.  Not true.  Everything goes on sale.  It may not be a wowing BOGO sale, but your favorite items do have a period that they are marked down.  Start watching sales and you will eventually learn what a good price for your item is.  For some items, don’t be afraid to think outside the box.  We buy some gluten-free foods on Amazon, their prices for a bulk size package almost always beat the grocery store sale price.

5.  Drop Brand Loyalties

If you just aren’t agreeing with #4… I promise you will save more money if you are willing to change up a few brands.  There are a few brands that will never hit the sale prices of others in the same category.  It doesn’t hurt to try a few others if you can get them for a fraction of the cost.  Being content with a few different brands will also decrease the amount you need to stock up on, since you will see more frequent deals.

Hopefully these can help take away the stress that can be associated with couponing.  Remember that anything you do to save money is better than saving nothing at all.  Even if you aren’t up for being a “couponer” yet at least start small and save something!

This is part of a series with other bloggers, make sure to check out all the simple tips they have!

-Springs Bargains-5 Simple Ways To Save More By Wasting Less
-Heavenly Homemakers- 5 Simple Ways To Accomplish More Each Day
-A Familiar Path- 5 Simple Ways To Make The Most Of Your Pictures
-Smockity Frocks- 5 Simply Ways To Occupy Preschoolers
-My Blessed Life- 5 Simple Ways To Update Your Home Decor
-The Happy Housewife- 5 Simple Ways To Save Money In 2012
-Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures- 5 Simple Ways To Save Money In The Kitchen
-I’m In Organizing Junkie- 5 Simple Ways To Organize Without Spending Big Bucks
-Balancing Beauty and Bedlam- 5 Simple Ways To Freshen Up Your Wardrobe for 2012

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

At the beginning of last year, I started a series with 9 other bloggers on frugal living. Our goal was to show quick simple ways to make a big difference for very little cost.

It’s like a cliff notes version of some of the key areas in our lives.  I’m excited to announce that we have created an eBook with everything put together in one place for you!!

Right now you can download 5 Simple Ways for FREE!

The topics covered are:

Decorate On A Dime
Live  A Natural Lifestyle
Save Time in the Kitchen
Earn Money From Your Blog
Take Better Pictures
Save Money
Start Using Coupons
Dress Fabulously for Less
Have a Successful Homeschool Day
Orangize Your Home

I would recommend downloading it to your computer or tablet, as each article has helpful links for more information.  If you really want to hold it in your hand though you can use this link to print a copy (obviously the links won’t work if you print it).

Check back on Friday for a whole new 5 Simple Ways series!

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

This has been a fun and different year for couponing. Thanks to a new not-reality TV show, we saw new coupon policies from a number of stores.

New Publix Coupon Policy

New Bi-Lo Coupon Policy (the best changes we saw)

Updated Harris Teeter coupon Policy (great changes)

Official CVS Coupon Policy (first ever)

Official Walgreens Policy (another first ever!)

Rite Aid Policy Changes (the worst changes we saw)

While the policy changes made some of us feel like saving money was harder, we also saw new ways to save this year With Saving Star eCoupons or stores like Piggly Wiggly & Harveys making more stores double coupons!

I also spent a while this year also trying to break some of the myths about grocery shopping. To save the most money, you really want to be in a grocery store…

Extreme Couponing 101: Supercenter vs Publix & Bi-Lo

Does Buying in Bulk Save Money: Sam’s Club vs. Regular Store Prices

In summing up the year,  I would also have to say it was the year of daily deal sites. Groupon started big in 2010, but this year we saw over 80 other daily deal sites grow.  One Kings Lane, BelleChic, Fab.com, Zulily, Rue La La, Hautelook, and Living Social have become regular stops for me.

Enough of 2011…

If you are just deciding to turn over a new leaf and start saving money in 2012, then check out some of the top educational posts from 2011. They are a great place to start.

CVS Shopping: A Beginners Guide

“Real” Extreme Couponing: Getting Started

Real Extreme Couponing: Getting Sunday Insert Coupons

Real Extreme Couponing: Learning Sale Cycles

Real Extreme Couponing: Gathering Printable Coupons

Real Exteme Couponing: Calling Companies

Real Extreme Couponing: How to Save on Meat

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

There will also be weeks that have a few extra inserts when General Mills and Unilever release coupons.

You can always see the full list of what coupons are coming out each weekend on the Wednesday before on Southern Savers.

January
1 —  (2) Redplum & (2) Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
8 — Redplum & Smart Source
15 — Smart Source
22 — Redplum & Smart Source
29 — Redplum & Smart Source

February
5 —  Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
12 — Redplum & (2) Smart Source
19 — Redplum
26 —  (2) Smart Source

March
4 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
11 — Redplum & Smart Source
18 — Redplum & Smart Source
25 — Redplum & Smart Source

April
1 — (2) Redplum & (2) Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
8 — No Inserts (Easter)
15 — Redplum & Smart Source
22 — Smart Source
29 — Redplum & Smart Source

May
6 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
13 — Redplum & Smart Source
20 — Redplum & Smart Source
27 — No Inserts (Memorial Day)

June
3 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
10 — Redplum & Smart Source
17 — Redplum & Smart Source
24 — Redplum & Smart Source

July
1 — No Inserts (July 4th)
8 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
15 — Smart Source
22 — Redplum & Smart Source
29 — Redplum & Smart Source

August
5 — (2) Redplum & Smart Source
12 — Redplum & Smart Source
19 — Redplum & Smart Source
26 — Redplum & Smart Source

September
2 — No Inserts (Labor Day)
9 — Redplum & (2) Smart Source
16 — Redplum & Smart Source
23 — Smart Source
30 — Redplum & Smart Source

October
7 — Redplum & (2) Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
14 — Redplum & Smart Source
21 — Redplum & Smart Source
28 — Redplum & Smart Source

November
4 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
11 — (2) Redplum & Smart Source
18 — Smart Source
25 — No Inserts (Thanksgiving)

December
2 — Redplum & Smart Source & Procter and Gamble
9 — Redplum & Smart Source
16 — Smart Source
23 — No Inserts
30 — No Inserts

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

You may not know this, but I’ve started getting emails from some of your husbands asking what to give a couponer for Christmas.  Yep, you are married to awesome men that are seeking to find something that you would enjoy!

Well here’s a list of the top books and things that I think most couponers would probably love.

Savings Books

1. The Tightwad Gazette – A really fun book on saving money on just about everything.  You will find yourself laughing at some of the ideas, but it will leave you with a ton of ideas on cutting your budget.
2. Miserly Moms – Focusing on living well in a tough economy, this is a quick read that focuses on basics of shopping tips but also great lifestyle savings tips.
3. Savvy Spending  – A How to Coupon Book for beginners.

Frugal Cookbooks

1. $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook – 200 recipes that are all easy on the budget and east to make!
2. One A Month Cooking – A great how to book, with tons of recipes.
3. Slow Cooker Revolution – From my favorite cooking resource, America’s Test Kitchen, this is 200 amazing recipes to make in a crock pot.

Gadgets and Things

1. Get them a crock pot and pair it with the cook book above.  There’s even a mail in rebate out for the crock pot so you get to say you saved money!
2. A couponer is always storing food, so getting a Food Saver vacuum sealer would be awesome.  These start around $30.
3. Get a new subscription or extend their subscription to All You Magazine.  (Has $50+ in coupons in each issue).
4. If they complain about their printer, check out the Brother 2240 Laser Printer!!  It’s my favorite and will be on sale for $49 on Black Friday at Staples and Office Max.
5. Help them organize their life with a Cansolidator Pantry System!  On Black Friday you can get it for $18!!

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

We are talking all things freezers for the next few weeks.  Last week I shared 6 reasons why I think having an extra freezer saves time and money.  This week I want share tips for the best way to freeze foods.  I think some of you will be amazed at what can be frozen.

To start, you can freeze all things in the world but it doesn’t do any good if you don’t store them properly.  Depending on the food you are freezing the prep will be different.  In general for vegetables you will need to clean and blanch them just long enough to stop any further ripening.  This helps to preserve color, texture and flavor for 9-12 months depending on the vegetable.  That means you can buy items in season and store them until the start of next years season!  Here’s a quick guide for how long to blanch and how to prepare each vegetable.

If you are storing cooked meals, either package them in square freezer safe containers for easy stacking or in freezer bags with all the air removed. Casseroles can be the one exception.  I would recommend storing them in disposable pans and make sure they are packed to the top.

So we have everything blanched and ready, it’s also important to note what you are storing them in.  You have a number of options today, but depending on what you pick you make increase the storage time of your food by 6 months or more!  The number one thing working against you in food storage is oxygen, so working hard to remove as much as you can from your food is best.  Check out a food storage guideline to see how long food is good for if stored properly in the freezer.

Storage Options:

Plastic Freezer Bags – The most affordable way to store items,  Make sure you are using a bag labeled as “freezer”, there is a huge difference between these and regular storage bags.   Lay the bag flat and smush it to get out as much air as possible.  Depending on the brand you pick most bags can keep food for 1-2 months without freezer burn starting.

Double-Wrapping – Wrapping your food in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil is a technique that can actually work better than plastic bags.  This is best for casseroles, and cuts of meat.  Still work the items to get out as much air before freezing.

Vacuum Sealing –  This requires purchasing a vacuum unit, normally around $100.  You also have the expense of buying bags etc to continue using the sealer.   If you store food often it could be well worth the purchase though.  Foods stored using this method can last up to 1-2 years without freezer burn beginning.   To store moist foods like soups and stews make sure you have the appropriate vacuum containers.  (Lately we are seeing a lot of deals on these so don’t rule it out!)

What exactly can you freeze?
I would say almost anything!  Aside from normal things, we freeze cheese, eggs, milk, refrigerated rolls, cream cheese, etc.  Also don’t forget about things you can freeze to save time later: cooked rice, chopped onions, broths, and more.  Obviously the one thing to stay away from though is a can of coke!

Tip: In south it is also common to freeze flour, bread and other similar products.  Remember if you freeze any baking ingredients that you should always warm them to room temperature before cooking.

With all this talking on freeze techniques and freezers, don’t forget that you can enter to win a freezer thanks to Amana!  Head to the Southern Savers facebook page to enter.  (Also liking Amana on Facebook and telling them how awesome they are for sponsoring this would be great too!!)

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

Have a smartphone and want to know a great way to use it to maximize savings??

Shopkick is a FREE Android and iPhone app that gives you access to exclusive deals to stores like Best Buy, Target, Macy’s & Toys ‘R Us.   You load the app on your phone and then turn it on when you walk in participating stores to get special coupons to use right then!!

To make it even more awesome anyone that signs up through Southern Savers will get a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate the first time you walk into a partner store and open up the app on your phone (you don’t even have to use one of the coupons!).

To get the special gift certificate:

1. Sign up online first. (If you get the app through the app store directly you won’t qualify)

2. You will get a text message to download the app.  Click through and download it.

3. The gift card will be put in your account the first time you ‘walk-in’ to a partner store. (Walk into one of the partner stores with the app open on your phone.)

It gets even more fun… starting today Old Navy has joined Shopkick!! This weekend anyone that goes into a store with Shopkick with get an exclusive $10 off $40 coupon for that purchase plus other deals!

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

One of the biggest challenges to couponing can be storage.  We need to buy enough of a sale item to last the next 6 weeks, but that seems daunting when you have a small cabinet or a little fridge/freezer.   For the next few weeks we are going to talk about the value of freezer space.  Does it save you money to have an extra freezer?

Ways it can save money:

You can buy more of the sale items to last you until the next sale.  A big example is frozen vegetables in our house.  We tend to grab a bag of vegetables with almost every meal, so 6 weeks of bagged veggies is a lot.  There is no way I could fit that in our inside freezer.  When the vegetables are on sale with a coupon that might be 25-40¢ each.  I really want to be able to get close to what we need at that price rather than paying $1.50 each when we run out and have to buy them off sale.

You can stock up on fresh produce and meat when it’s in season.  We love to hit the farmers market in the summer.  I always try to buy the largest box they have of squash, corn, peas, zucchini, broccoli etc. and then spend the next few days blanching and storing it all.  Buying in season and storing fresh vegetables we can save up to 50% versus paying out of season prices.

You may not know this, but your food is will actually last longer in a deep freezer (not your freezer attached to your refrigerator).  Most stand-alone freezers get colder and keep a more regulated temperature than kitchen freezers.  For some items it lengthens the freezer life by 3-4 months!

Ways it can save time:

Use your extra space to store prepped and ready to go recipe items.  Cut up vegetables (onions, peppers etc.) ready for recipes, or mix up some homemade cookie dough starter and store it to always have a base cookie ready for a ton of combinations.

Not only prepping food, but also storing ready to freeze meals is another huge time saver!  I have many friends who cook only once a week and store all their meals for the week in the freezer.  There are other folks that do this once a month!  Not only are you saving time that night for dinner,  but you also save time by only getting the kitchen dirty once a week.  We are going to talk about freezer cooking in detail in a week or so.

Finally with all the storage capability we need to point out the obvious time saver… you have the ability to go to the store less often.  Make one trip to the store a week a freeze those extra gallons of milk needed to get you through the week.  You will quickly find that you don’t have those panic moments nearly  as often that you are out of chicken and need it 5 minutes from now.

Tune in next week for freezer guidelines: what can be frozen, best techniques, and how long things are good for.

Fun Surprise

With all this talk of freezers, I know that many of you can’t afford one right now.  This is a purchase that you save up for.  To help a little, I have a fun treat!!

One Southern Savers reader will win a brand new Amana Freezer!  The winner can pick between an up-right or chest freezer.  This includes shipping to the lower 48 states (does not included installation or removal of old appliances).

Head to the Southern Savers facebook page and enter.

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

How do you save on meat?
I recently sat down and answered that in the following video.

A few extra notes:

Try looking into places that allow you to buy meat in bulk.  You don’t have to go as large as buying a cow.   If you can’t afford the larger packages quite yet, go in with a friend and split it up.

• Check out Zaycon foods, they sell chicken, bacon, and beef in bulk boxes.   You just take it home and package it up for freezing.
• Call nearby processing plants.  Many Tyson plants have a market you can buy directly from and get great prices.

Have an idea of the price per pound you want to pay, basically a buy price for each type of meat.  If you are unsure of prices, you can use the weekly best deals list to see the average price for various cuts of meat.

Lastly, if you like game, call local animal processors towards the end of hunting seasons.  Most will gladly sell you processed deer, turkey etc. that was never paid for.  They have been storing it and would love to see the processing fee covered rather than lose money.  You get a great price on meat, and didn’t have to do any of the hunting!

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

I get asked a lot: “What about warehouse clubs?” I fight the urge to answer back with a quick “you aren’t saving anything”.  Personally I haven’t found much that makes the cost of a membership worth it.  The biggest reason being that you can’t use coupons at most warehouse clubs (BJ’s being the one exception).

To learn about the best way to use coupons go here.

In an effort to put numbers behind my personal feelings, I went recently to my local warehouse club and got the price of 30 items from all over the store.  In case you are wondering, I compared prices for the same product and brand in each category.

Here are the prices broken down by price per size.

A few things that stand out to me:

• I remember at one point getting a membership just for paper goods, thinking that I had to be saving money getting a 40 roll paper towel pack.  The cost difference on paper goods was the most striking though!  Using store sales and coupons (normally in the drugstores) we are saving a ton over the “bulk price”!
• The second reason folks get memberships… diapers.  Yep, not saving there either.
• Dairy was the one department that did show savings.  I don’t know if you can eat enough butter and cheese to make it worth the savings and extra trip, but their prices were lower than the grocery stores.

I know for some of you looking at the price per ounce, you are thinking “that’s only 5¢ more and I don’t have to use coupons”.  Remember that’s 5¢ per ounce and really in the end will make the product twice the cost over using a coupon and catching the sale in the grocery store.

Okay all this said, there are some that love to buy in bulk versus watching sales and clipping coupons.  You are saving money over the full retail price in a grocery store, so I’m not trying to rock your boat.  I want you to see how much you could save though if you put a little time into figuring out the whole coupon “thing”.

Helpful Links:
Walmart vs. Grocery Stores
Learn to Coupon

(In case you are wondering, I am not affiliated with Sam’s in any way… that’s to make lawyers happy.)

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

A big issue lately in “couponland” is arguments over how much is needed and when you just have too much.  Most of this has been brought on by the helpful folks at TLC.

First do we need a stockpile? 
Yes.  Our goal to save the most money on groceries is to only buy an item when it’s on sale.  To do this you need to get enough each week of what is on sale that week to get you through until the next time it is on sale.

How much do you need?
This varies based on where you live.  In the southeast sales run on a 6 week cycle.  In other areas of the country sales run closer to a 10 week cycle.  So this mean you need enough to last the length of that cycle.

What does 6 weeks of food look like?
For most of us getting 6 weeks of something really means getting 2-3 of an item.  You aren’t going to eat the same meals week after week, so if you eat tacos two times in a 6 week window you would need 2 boxes.  For some items you need even less.  How many bottles of glass cleaner do you go through in 6 weeks?  Most of us probably wouldn’t even finish one bottle by the time it came on sale again.

For larger needs like cereal and snack foods, this is where variety helps you.  I might need 6-8 boxes of cereal to get through the next 6 weeks with 3 small kids, but thankfully not every type of cereal goes on sale at the same time. So i can grab a couple boxes of Froot Loops this week and a couple boxes of Lucky Charms in another week.  I don’t need to grab all 8 boxes right now.

It’s different for everyone.
One thing we all need to consider though before we lash out at those taking more, everyone has different needs.  My family of 5 eats a lot less than a family with 7 teenage boys would need.

Be considerate of those around in the store and take what your family needs, but also be considerate of those that need a little more than you.

If you need (or want) a ton, try asking your store at the beginning of the sale if they will special order more for you.  Many stores will do this and your items come in on the midweek truck ready for you to pick up before the sale ends.  This actually benefits your store in two ways:

1.  They don’t have to write rain checks because you didn’t clear a shelf.
2.  If your store sells it to you during the regular ad week they actually don’t lose money, instead it counts towards their sales and helps their store!

If stocking up is a new concept to you, read more about why we do it on the Learn to Coupon page.

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

Buying the things you need at the best price is the biggest way to save, but you can’t pass over how much more you could save if you have flexibility with what you purchase.

We see most items come on sale every 6 weeks, but that doesn’t always mean your brand is one sale each 6 weeks. It means the product as a whole has some brand on sale every 6 weeks.

I know it is one thing to say you’ll give up a loyalty and another thing to do it. I just want you to try!

To find out what a good price for products in general is, check out our buy price list. Also remember that every list on Southern Savers only lists the items at their best price that week (I don’t list out an entire weekly ad).

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

I’m pretty sure the numbers will speak for themselves on the savings that you get shopping in a grocery store.  I walked Walmart the other day and compared their “always low prices” with Publix and Bi-Lo Buy One Get One sale prices.

If you are new to this, start at the learn to coupon page to learn all about using coupons.

With Coupons
Bi-Lo – B1G1 sale items & coupons: $65.09
Walmart – Same items with same coupons: $107.05
(you save $41.96 in Bi-Lo!)

Publix – B1G1 sale items & coupons: $44.12
Walmart – Same items with same coupons: $69.93
(you save $25.81 in Publix!)

A few notes:
1.  Bi-Lo was having a huge B1G1 list this week which does account for the larger purchase and larger savings over Publix.
2.  Where a store had a house brand B1G1 a similar Walmart house brand price was found.
3.  Remember with most Walmart stores not doubling coupons and not accepting competitor or store coupons, that the coupon savings in a grocery is always better!
4.  Obviously you aren’t going to buy every single B1G1 item, this is just a way to show the numbers.

For many of you that are just starting you still wonder is it better to shop at Walmart if I don’t have any coupons?  The answer is yes and no.  For most deals without coupons your Walmart will price match other stores sales.  So I could get almost every deal at Walmart for the same price as the grocery store.  Remember that they will not price match any B1G1 deal that doesn’t have a price listed.

It is eye opening to see that even if you don’t use coupons, the grocery store sale price already beats the Walmart price!!

Go here to search for coupons.

Without Coupons
Bi-Lo – B1G1 sale items, no coupons: $81.37
Walmart – Same products, no coupons:  $115.83
(you save $34.46 to shop in Bi-Lo or price match)

Publix – B1G1 sale items, no coupons: $59.31
Walmart – Same products, no coupons: $83.71
(you save $24.40 to shop in Publix or price match)

I don’t share this so that we can all spend the next day bashing walmart, I just want you to see the numbers.  I hope this helps you see just how great buying items on sale can be towards saving money!  We don’t want to just make a list and run in to buy what we need, but wait for the best time to buy the items we will use.

If you are interested in learning more about how to shop sales and coupon at grocery stores, check out the Learn to Coupon page to get started!

To see the current grocery store deals go here and click on the store you want to shop at.

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

To make it even more fun, you can follow along on twitter and ask questions!  This is my first ever live web moment so I’m giddy just thinking about it.  Another fun incentive… if you do follow along next week on twitter, we’ll be giving away an iPad2 at the end of the livestreaming session!  Make sure to RSVP for the event so you are eligible to win.

To lead up to all the fun, tomorrow night I would love for you to join me for a twitter party co-hosted with  Savings.com.  We are going to talk about living a more saving-focused lifestyle.  They have a $200 in gift cards they will giveaway during the party too!  The fun starts at 9 pm eastern, RSVP for the twitter party.

If you aren’t on twitter, use tomorrow nights party to get your feet wet so that you are able to ask questions during and after next weeks class.

I also need your help:
If you have been to one of my in person workshops, you know that it’s basically impossible for me to get everything about saving money on groceries in 30 minutes.  Seriously.  I need some ideas of what you would really want me to cover in this session.  Leave a comment, shoot me an email, leave a message on facebook whatever is easier for you, and let me know what are the most confusing things for you.  Or maybe something that you learned that I should definitely be sure to include to help others.  Any feedback would be awesome!

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

If you are still trying to figure out how people that save a ton in the grocery store get all their coupons, well you can’t miss printable coupons!

Printable coupons are everywhere and accepted at most major retailers.  Ask your local store if they have specific policies on printable coupons (ex. only two “like” printable coupons per transaction).

A few notes:

• You can’t make a copy of printable coupons.  They will know that it is a copy and they will know who made the copy!
• If you receive a printable coupon that just seems to good to be true, it probably is.  Learn how to spot fraudulent printable coupons.
• Everyone always asks how I organize my printable coupons.  I keep them in a small canceled check file, you can watch all the details here.  I really don’t print that much early though, I tend to hop on the day the ad posts on Southern Savers and print anything I might want for that ad then.  I paper clip them together and actually never file them away since I’ll use them that week.
• If you ever get the message that says “You have already printed this” or “Campaign is over”, they both mean that the coupon has reached it’s budget and there are no more prints available.  We tend to see this on high value coupons that go quickly.
• Many of the awesome high value coupons are on facebook.  If you are a facebook hold out, read the directions to set up a basic facebook page.

Right now the coupon database has over 3500 printable coupons in it…

Helpful Links
New Coupon Advisory Daily Email (Free)
How to Organize Coupons (the easy way)
How to Organize Coupons (the extreme way)

Watch more videos to learn couponing on the Southern Savers Youtube Channel.

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

Tonight is the start of another season of Extreme Couponing on TLC, and they are already starting off by showing everyone a non-realistic form of couponing.  In case you didn’t learn this from last season, not everything you see on TV is true, doable or even right.

After allowing an Extreme Couponing episode to be filmed in their stores Lowes Foods (one of the grocery stores covered here on Southern Savers) says they regret participating. We all know that stores bend their rules and that the show is embellished, but this is the first time one of the grocery stores has been this upfront about it. The following is an excerpt from a recent article in the Charlotte Observer (emphasis added):

 ”If we had it to do over again, we would not have done it,” said Lisa Selip, a corporate spokeswoman for Lowes Foods who said the show was full of misrepresentations and sensationalism. “Hindsight is 20/20.”

A case in point, she said, is contained in a promotional clip recently released online. It shows a man arriving in the grocery aisle seconds too late to purchase an energy bar after an extreme coupon shopper put every last bar into her cart.

“The guy who walked up to the shelf was one of the crew members,” Selip said. “It was all staged.” She said Lowes, which considers itself a coupon-friendly retailer, initially thought the show would be a great way to showcase its stores nationally. “Call it maybe being slightly naïve,” she said.

Selip says the chain deeply regrets its decision to participate in the show. “My hope is our customers know we’re a company of integrity and they’ll understand we made a mistake.” That anger could come from coupon clippers who’ll see people on the show using more than 20 coupons a day. Selip acknowledged that the company waived part of its policy for the benefit of TV cameras.

One of my biggest goals as a couponer and blogger is to follow the rules.  In reality (the actual one, not the TLC one) you can still save a lot of money using coupons the right way.  There is no reason to fill your garage with products you won’t use, wipe out a store’s entire stock of something, or break coupon & store policies to save a few extra bucks.

Just last week, I saved 50-70% on things my family will actually use & enjoy.  I applaud Lowes for issuing an apology before the show even airs, but as more insight is revealed about the show, the more frustrating it is.

If you want to learn the right way start with the  Learn to Coupon section of Southern Savers.  There are great videos and articles that should help give you a better understanding on how to save a ton of money (and actually purchase what you need not 100 bottles of juice or floss…).

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

Since we covered the basics of saving money on groceries (i.e. learning sale cycles) now it’s time to add in the coupons. To start you have to get the Sunday paper. A few personal notes/thoughts on newspaper coupons:

• Newspapers only guarantee inserts to subscribers.  Always check your newspaper for coupons before buying at grocery store or paper box.  It doesn’t mean someone stole them, it could be that there just weren’t enough inserts sent from the publishers that week (inserts are not printed locally).
• You DON’T need a ton of papers!  I know you are going to watch the lovely “tv show” and see people with closets of coupons.  We need enough of a product to last 6 weeks, for most families that is only 1-2 of each item (watch the sale cycle video for more information).  It will come on sale again and you will get another coupon, I promise.
• Because every insert is different, there will be many days that I tell you about a coupon in your match ups and you just don’t have it.  The grocery deals on Southern Savers list any coupon released in the south east.  While it can be frustrating to not have a coupon, remember that if it’s listed someone did get it!  You can hop online and order it from a coupon clipping service or ebay if you really want it.  Or trade with someone on our coupon traders board.
• One more thing… it is illegal to get in a dumpster in most states of the south.  Just because you saw it on TV doesn’t mean you can do it.

Helpful links:

How to Organize Coupons (the easy way)
How to Organize Coupons (the extreme way)

Regional Variations - Get a list of every coupon in your areas paper each week.

Remember though – coupons are just icing on the cake. If you have a bad week or no time at all you are still saving a ton of money to buy the sale price and stock up on it. Don’t worry about the coupons, just grab the sales and add coupons back in when you can.

Watch more videos to learn couponing on the Southern Savers Youtube Channel.

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

To get us started, the most important thing to learn is that groceries run on a sale cycle…

Helpful Links:
Learn to Coupon
Buy Price List
Longer Videos on Getting Started

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

Coupons.com is trying something new, and giving you the option to pay a monthly fee to get more coupons.  You pay $3 per month or $30 per year to get access to coupons that are exclusive to the “club”.

Here are the coupons I’ve seen so far for members:

$2 off 3M Post-It Pop-Up Note Dipenser, $5 +
$1/2 Bacardi Frozen Mixers
$1 off Blue Dog Bakery Treats
$.50/1 Bob Evans Refrigerated Side Dish
$1 off Cooking Light Magazine
$3 off Law Abiding Citizen on DVD or Blue-Ray
$1.50 off Opti-Free PureMoist solution, 10 oz +
$1.50 off Seattle’s Best iced lattes, 4 pk
$2 off Tioconazole ointment
$1.25/2 Vanity Fair napkins
$1.25/2 Zest bodywash

Looking at the coupons, I have to say I’m not impressed.  I keep thinking that $30 you could get a 2 year subscription to All You magazine with each issue having $50+ in coupons.  So that’s $1200 at least in coupons with All You versus the $12.50 in coupons above (maybe $150 annually).  If you are going to spend money on coupons one option seems like a much better deal.

What’s your take? Would you pay the $3 for access to exclusive coupons?

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database

There is a silver lining to this cloud, and it lies on the package in the form of a 1-800 number.  You could take the tacos back to the store, but normally if you call the company they will give you coupons up to 5 times the value of the item.  Why??  They know that someone who is upset tells more people than someone who is happy.  They need you to be happy again and in love with their brand.  These coupons come fast while you are still thinking about the problem, usually within a week.  And one of the great things about these coupons is that they are normally for multiple items that the company distributes.

Some examples of reasons that I have called companies:

Box of Toaster Strudels missing the Frosting packets (huge issue at my house)
The zipper on the packaging broke (cheese, diaper wipes, freezer bags)
Food was spoiled before expiration date
Diapers were missing a tab
New sunscreen quit working before it expired

And please, for the sake of your own integrity, please make sure that you have a real problem, a legitimate issue.  Sure, you could make up things and score some free stuff, but it’s not really worth it in the long run.

So how do you make this a non-stressful process?  It’s really simple.

1.  Call the number on the package.  If there isn’t one, a simple internet search will normally give you contact information (be it a phone number or e-mail address).
2.  Politely let them know what happened.  There is no reason to be rude to the person who answers the phone…even if you dinner was ruined or your baby got sunburned.
3.  Give them the information off of the package and your mailing address.
4.  Enjoy your coupons!

To keep this from taking up time in my own life, I normally try to call right when I notice the problem.  This will keep me from forgetting, from adding something to my to-do list and from losing the packing.  The call is normally done in the 2-3 minutes it takes me to put the finishing touches on taco salad.

Call for Happy Reasons Too:
Another great time to call companies is to pay them a compliment.  Lots of companies will gladly give you coupons when you call, and it simply takes a moment to ask.  I’ll admit, it is easier for me to call when I feel like there is a reason for the company to give me something instead of calling just to ask for a coupon.  However, when our family was first beginning to make the switch to healthier foods, I was desperate for a way to save.  So, I decided to take a plunge.  I called Smuckers and told them that I had heard wonderful things about their all-natural peanut butter, but that it was a bit pricey for us.  I then asked them if they would be willing to send me a coupon to help lessen the cost and enable me to give it a try.  They said YES!  I was thrilled.  This encouraged me to call other companies whose coupons I had a hard time finding.

So give it a try.  Whether you have a product you love or a legitimate problem, give companies a call and see what happens.

Remember, ff you don’t have time to call, emailing or using a contact form on the companies website to give a compliment or share a complaint works just as well.

Get More Deals:
Printable Coupons | Coupon Database