1. I used to always shop Walmart and Sam’s. I NEVER shopped Publix. Now, over half of my grocery fund goes to Publix. I spend around $300 a month there instead of $0. I used to spend $50 a month at Kroger, and now I am spending about $100-$150 a month there.

2. There are many times I need specific products, that I do not have coupons for, or had forgotten to plan for. There are times that even with stacking coupons, I know a product is still cheaper at Walmart. Publix has a HUGE markup on most of their items. Yet, in these occasions, I find I still purchase these items at Publix for a few reasons. The first obvious reason is that I am there and I don’t want to drive 8 miles to Walmart. The second is not as obvious….Publix has created a shopping environment, that has made me a loyal Publix customer. I am happy to pay their retail prices on those items, because of the shopping environment they have created through their generous acceptance of coupons and how they have chosen to set up their business.

3. I shop Publix and Kroger now. My Kroger has some employees who welcome coupons, and some who get cranky with me. I have had the clerk at Kroger completely embarrass me on a few occasions. Kroger does not create a wonderful shopping environment, even though I am spending more at Kroger than I have ever spent there in my life. My Publix is always cheerful and they welcome me and my coupons. Sometimes they even teach me how to use them better! Actually, ALL of their employees are consistently cheerful. When it comes down to it, if I have items that I know I am going to have to pay retail for, I write them on my Publix shopping list because of the loyalty they have developed inside of me. If I have to pay full retail, I want it to go to Publix:)

4. At Publix, the ALWAYS offer to carry out my groceries (which I appreciate, I shop with 3 kids and one is a baby). My use of coupons does not affect the service they extend, and their service makes it possible for me to shop there consistently. If they did not carry out my groceries, I would have to go to Walmart at midnight when my children were in bed and my husband was home too…and Walmart would get my $$ instead.

5. Of course, Publix gets reimbursed for their manufacturer coupons, and they get a special rate for their products, so this is not harming them. Instead, they get more of my business in the end.

6. Publix is amazing. They have learned how to set up their business to accommodate customers from every financial bracket. Their amazing customer service and wonderful shopping environment will keep their customers in the higher brackets of income. By maintaining this environment, and then implementing and structuring the coupon plan like they have, they will be able to retain their current customers who have had financial hardships, and gain the business of those who could not “afford” to shop their in the past.

7. With my coupon savings, I can make the car payment, and my cupboards are full. I have been able to take care of my household and bless many other families in need.

7. I am not a “cheapskate” like I thought. I am diligent, and using my resources. I am blessing my family and others, and Publix is prospering from my business as well.

Final Conclusion:

I HEART PUBLIX!!!! I am a loyal Publix fan and customer, with much respect and gratitude for their business.

Landy– Depending on your store’s policy, you can use 3 coupons per item. You can use one manufacture coupon, one store coupon, and one competitor coupon for each item (find out who your store considers a competitor, as some of them have changed).

In the past, I used coupons when I remembered. I never paid attention to the flyers in the front of the store and didn’t “bother” with tearpads or mail-in refunds because they were “too much hassle.” Not anymore! I feel like I’m learning from true experts here. I’ve found it especially helpful to have the sneak preview ad so I can get the coupons I’ll need in advance. The coupon match-ups are a tremendous help also, especially the links to printable ones (many thanks!!).

It’ll be awhile before I can catch up to the level of all you pros, but it’s a huge rush to know I’ll be buying/stockpiling cereal for $0.90/box instead of paying $3.79/box, and that I got boxes of Uncle Ben’s rice for a quarter (instead of $1.49!) after coupon when it was BOGO. So… Michelle, thank you, thank you, thank you for having this website! And to everyone who contributes tips, thank you too!