Coupon Question and Answer: Ask I Heart Publix 2/13

If you have a question about couponing at Publix, this is the place to find the answer! Each week my buddy Christy over at Winn Dixie on a Dime and I have a little coupon question and answer session here on Ask I Heart Publix. Keep sending in those questions – we love to answer them! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!

Remember–there is a tab at the top of the site under “About” titled “Ask I Heart Publix” where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!

Here are this week’s questions:

1. What is the biggest shopping mistake you have made?
2. Can I get the Publix GreenWise Ad deals at my (regular) Publix?
3. Does Publix accept this type of competitor coupon?
4. What insert coupons do you get excited about?
5. How do I figure out which items are cheaper at which store?

And here are the answers!

1.Happy wants to know: What’s the biggest shopping mistake you have made?

Michelle: I have one that jumps out because it makes me double check buying pasta sauce every time I pick up a jar! A long time ago I decided to stock up on Bertolli Pasta Sauce. I remember it was a good deal and I had gathered a bunch of coupons. I put 16 jars in my cart and continued to shop. At checkout my total was quite a bit higher than I expected. I had the boys with me so I didn’t have time to deal with it.

I got home and saw that I paid full price for almost all of my pasta sauce! I had accidentally grabbed Organic which was not included in the BOGO sale. I think I spent over $30 on pasta sauce – YIKES! I was so mad at myself and didn’t want to go through the trouble of dragging all those jars back to the store and admitting my mistake. Everytime I opened a jar of that pasta sauce I cringed – tee hee!

Christy: I make two big shopping mistakes from time to time:

1) I don’t make a list, but instead grab all my “these should be good” coupons and try to make a shopping plan on the fly. I really ought to know better at this point. I never save as much when I don’t have a list!

2) I make a list, but go shopping when I’m hungry. Not the best idea, as I’m sure many of you know! I always come home with impulse purchases that I don’t really need.

Read more

Coupon Question and Answer: Best of Ask I Heart Publix 2/6

We’ve been answering questions for Ask I Heart Publix for over two years now, and we’ve definitely found that some questions keep popping up as new couponers write in. So every month we’re going to feature a “Best Of” Ask I Heart Publix, where we post some of our favorite questions and answers from past weeks, months, and years.

Don’t worry….we’ll still be answering the new questions you guys send in, too, so keep sending in those questions! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!

Don’t forget to look under the “About” tab where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!

Here are this week’s “Best of” questions:

1. Will the coupons on sites like coupons.com, SmartSource and RedPlum be available to print all month or are there a “set” number of prints each coupon has available?
2. What’s the best way to search for a coupon on a particular item?
3. Should I worry about trying to use all of my coupons that are expiring, or should I just match coupons with sales as they happen and forget about trying to use up the expiring ones?
4. Does Publix have some kind of store card that you need to sign up for to get the deals?
5. Are there ANY Florida Publixes that double coupons?

And here are the answers!

1.Julie wants to know: Will the coupons on sites like coupons.com, SmartSource and RedPlum be available to print all month or are there a “set” number of prints and once the coupon reaches that number it goes away? I have been been printing any and every coupon that I might use but then many expire before a sale comes along.

Christy: I’m not 100% sure about this but certainly does seem like there are some coupons that are gone quickly and others that stick around all month. Personally, since I live in the land of no doubles, I make it a rule to print every coupon for items I purchase regularly that is $1 or more as soon as I see it…sometimes this means that they expire before a sale, but more often than not I have what I need when I need it.

Michelle:  Often I wish that I could know how long a coupon will be available.  There seems to be no rhyme or reason.  Companies release the coupons with a specific print limit but unfortunately we never know if that means the coupon will be available for 2 hours, 2 days or 2 months!!

I print anything that I might use no matter the value.  If it is a high value coupon or for an item that I need or really want I will fire up all my computers.  I would rather have the coupon just in case!!
Read more

Coupon Question and Answer: Ask I Heart Publix 1/23

If you have a question about couponing at Publix, this is the place to find the answer! Each week my buddy Christy over at Winn Dixie on a Dime and I have a little coupon question and answer session here on Ask I Heart Publix. Keep sending in those questions – we love to answer them! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!

Remember–there is a tab at the top of the site under “About” titled “Ask I Heart Publix” where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!

Here are this week’s questions:

1. I know you run I Heart Kroger too…what’s your third site?
2. Can I use Military Store coupons at Publix?
3. This item I want to purchase is never on the shelf at my store, but they do have it in stock – what do I do?
4. Have you run into Publix cashiers or managers talking about a “new way to read coupon restrictions”?
5. Do you still shop at the pharmacies or Target?

And here are the answers!

1.Ashley wants to know: I saw you mention in one of your recent posts that you run I Heart Kroger, too… what’s your third site??

Michelle: I own I Heart Kroger and I Heart Saving Money in addition to I Heart Publix. I think you all know which store I Heart the most, though!!

Read more

Coupon Question and Answer: Best of Ask I Heart Publix 1/16

We’ve been answering questions for Ask I Heart Publix for over two years now, and we’ve definitely found that some questions keep popping up as new couponers write in. So every month we’re going to feature a “Best Of” Ask I Heart Publix, where we post some of our favorite questions and answers from past weeks, months, and years.

Don’t worry….we’ll still be answering the new questions you guys send in, too, so keep sending in those questions! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!

Don’t forget to look under the “About” tab where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!

Here are this week’s “Best of” questions:

1. Are rain checks store specific?
2. How many emails do you get every day?
3. On the I Heart Publix forum I’ve seen people mention sending expired coupons to military bases. Can you give some details about this?
4. What exactly does the phrase “Limit one deal per coupon per customer” mean on the Publix store coupons?
5. What’s the best total you ever had at the grocery store?

And here are the answers!

1.Danielle wants to know: Are rain checks store specific? Sometimes there is a stamp on the back of them which store they are from. I’m wondering if they have to be used at that store or if that is just a suggestion and they can be used at any Publix.

Christy: I have a number of stores in my area (and a few that I shop regularly), and I’ve always been able to use my rain checks at any store. I’ve even used a rain check out of town without any problem! However, as always, I’d suggest that you double-check with your customer service desk before you shop with a rain check from a different store for the first time, just to be sure!

Michelle:  Ask your store.  I think that they should be used at the store where the rain check was written…after all that was the store that did not have enough product in stock.
Read more

Ask the Readers: How Do You Coupon for Fresh Versus Processed?

This afternoon I thought I’d ask you guys to weigh in on an Ask The Readers question that seems really timely after yesterday’s Couponing Resolutions Spotlight. So many of us are wanting to move away from buying as much processed foods and towards more fresh foods…but that can really be a challenge. So share all the tips you have for a reader who asks the following:

I have recently felt determined to eat more food that isn’t processed (really, more produce or anything that grows out of the ground first ). But I’m experiencing this weird “double mindedness” with couponing. I got so hooked on saving money, and now that I am trying to incorporate more fresh vegetables and fruit into our diet, I am really struggling.

I understand that I will naturally have to spend more money on less processed food, but it feels like when we mostly eat fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, couponing basically goes out the window. It feels like only once in a blue moon I can find a “produce” coupon (like $1/1 pineapple, or $1/2 pomegranates).

Do you have any tips on ways to save with this kind of dietary lifestyle? I would love to live in a world where I could eat organically and still eat on the cheap, but I know that’s not the case. I would just like to start somewhere- mainly by eating more fresh food. Help!

I’d love to hear what you guys have to say – so leave your thoughts in the comments!

Coupon Question and Answer – Ask I Heart Publix 1/9

If you have a question about couponing at Publix, this is the place to find the answer! Each week my buddy Christy over at Winn Dixie on a Dime and I have a little coupon question and answer session here on Ask I Heart Publix. Keep sending in those questions – we love to answer them! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!

Remember–there is a tab at the top of the site under “About” titled “Ask I Heart Publix” where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!

Here are this week’s questions:

1. Does Publix accept internet-printed coupons over $5?
2. Can I use a blinkie coupon at another store or keep it to use later for sale?
3. Why can’t I use SavingStar at Publix?
4. Do you know why Publix uses LU#s on their coupons rather than barcodes?
5. What do you think – can I donate food that has past it’s “Best by…” date?

And here are the answers!

1.Laura wants to know: I recently took some internet coupons to my Publix and the cashier said that now they only can accept internet-printed coupons up to $5. This particular cashier is always confused about coupons, so I wanted to get more information about this.

Michelle: This is actually not a new policy…it is part of the written policy on Publix site. You’ll need manager approval for any higher-value coupon. The website states:

Manager approval is needed for individual coupons above $5.00

Christy: Michelle’s said it all with this one! I would suggest taking any coupons over $5 to your customer service desk for approval before you shop.

Read more

Coupon Question and Answer: Best of Ask I Heart Publix 12/26

We’ve been answering questions for Ask I Heart Publix for over two years now, and we’ve definitely found that some questions keep popping up as new couponers write in. So every month we’re going to feature a “Best Of” Ask I Heart Publix, where we post some of our favorite questions and answers from past weeks, months, and years.

Don’t worry….we’ll still be answering the new questions you guys send in, too, so keep sending in those questions! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!

Don’t forget to look under the “About” tab where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!

Here are this week’s “Best of” questions:

1. Does Publix accept expired coupons? I saw a comment from someone else that said they could use them at their store?<?
2. Does Publix double coupons every day?
3. Lately it seems like every time you print a coupon, you have to sign up for something first. How do you get around this?
4. Is there a website that lists the SS and RP coupons just for my area?
5. Is Happy’s name really “Happy”?

And here are the answers!

1.Lisa wants to know:  Does Publix accept expired coupons?  I saw a comment from someone else that said they could use them at their store.

Michelle:  Nope,  Publix does not accept expired coupons.  We all know that stores can make a their own decision at the store level but as far as I know, Publix only accepts currently valid coupons!

Christy: Lisa, you may have been reading about expired Publix coupons. I have heard that some stores will accept Publix coupons up to a week after the expiration date. Of course you want to check with your store to find out if they will do this or not; you never want to go against your store’s policy!
Read more

Coupon Question and Answer: Ask I Heart Publix 12/19

If you have a question about couponing at Publix, this is the place to find the answer! Each week my buddy Christy over at Winn Dixie on a Dime and I have a little coupon question and answer session here on Ask I Heart Publix. Keep sending in those questions – we love to answer them! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!

Remember–there is a tab at the top of the site under “About” titled “Ask I Heart Publix” where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!

Here are this week’s questions:

1. Why do some stores have peelies on items when others don’t?
2. Does Publix do special orders (ie, bulk orders) for sale items?
3. How many coupons should I use for this deal?
4. I have a question about the gas card deal – help!
5. Does Publix occasionally run specials offering you a deal to try their brand versus a national brand?

And here are the answers!

1.Rae wants to know: I have the luxury of being able to shop at multiple Publix stores. There are two near my home and three within ten miles of my work place. So I can honestly say, I have my pick of Publix stores to shop. I know these stores pretty well and I know when there is a sale what store will have a specific product in stock or not in stock.

My question is this – why do certain stores have peelies on products that are not on the same product at another store? The store closest to my home hardly ever have any coupon books or peelies on any products. However when I shop near my workplace, there are peelies on almost a tenth of the inventory in the store. Obviously, I do the bulk of my shopping near home but sometimes I ponder on whether or not I should take the drive to work on the weekend when I’m off and do most of shopping  just for the peelie coupon savings!

Christy: I think we’ve addressed this before, but it’s a good question and worth talking about again. Honestly, it all depends on the area you’re in – both in terms of how many couponers frequent your particular store, and how often the manufacturer’s representatives come to your store and put out the peelies/tearpads/etc. There are at least 10 Publixes in my college town (basically within a 10-mile radius) and the differences in the coupons that you find at various stores is really noticeable.

I don’t know if it’s worth a separate trip on the weekends for you – maybe you could plan to do your shopping one night after work instead so you don’t have to spend the time or gas money?

Michelle: I think Christy answered this one perfectly. If I had a store that where coupons were abundant, I would probably drive those extra few minutes or at least work it into another errand.

Read more

Coupon Question and Answer: Best of Ask I Heart Publix 12/12

We’ve been answering questions for Ask I Heart Publix for over two years now, and we’ve definitely found that some questions keep popping up as new couponers write in. So every month we’re going to feature a “Best Of” Ask I Heart Publix, where we post some of our favorite questions and answers from past weeks, months, and years.

Don’t worry….we’ll still be answering the new questions you guys send in, too, so keep sending in those questions! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!

Don’t forget to look under the “About” tab where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!

Here are this week’s “Best of” questions:

1. What do you do when you’ve gotten home (or your are just in the car on the way home) and look at your reciept to find they missed a coupon (like a $5/50 competitor coupon)?
2. Do you prefer checking out with a manager instead of a regular cashier?
3. Any suggestions for how much to budget for groceries for a one-person household?
4. I am just starting and wonder how many papers should I get each week?
5. Is there a way to know when certain items will be on sale at Publix?

And here are the answers!

1. Julie wants to know: What do you do when you’ve gotten home (or your are just in the car on the way home) and look at your receipt to find they missed a coupon (like a $5/50 competitor coupon)?

Christy: I am very lucky in that my store is no more than 5 minutes away from my home – so if I have the time to spare, I’ll often go back to correct any major mistake (more than $4 or $5), or I’ll call to tell someone about the problem and have them fix it the next time I stop in. I’ll often let minor errors slide, since they’ve made mistakes before in my favor in the past and I think it all ends up balancing out that way.

Michelle: My store is over 20 minutes away so I usually just let it go if I make it home.  I try to watch the coupons as they are scanned by the cashier to avoid any issues.  I am a bit of a geek and organize my coupons before I hit the register.  That way I can pull any that I have for items I did not end up getting and also arrange my coupons so the larger value coupons are on top.  Like Christy said, I think in the end it balances out.
Read more

Coupon Question and Answer: Ask I Heart Publix 11/28

If you have a question about couponing at Publix, this is the place to find the answer! Each week my buddy Christy over at Winn Dixie on a Dime and I have a little coupon question and answer session here on Ask I Heart Publix. Keep sending in those questions – we love to answer them! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!!

Remember–there is a tab at the top of the site under “About” titled “Ask I Heart Publix” where you can find the questions and answers from past weeks!

Here are this week’s questions:

1. When we find a really good deal, or new coupon booklet, how can we make you aware of it (send you the info/picture)?
2. Can I use Kroger eCoupons at Publix?
3. How can I best thank my favorite Publix staff without tipping?
4. How do you “stock up” on produce?
5. Any tips on how to save on produce, meat and dairy only?

And here are the answers!

1. Ronnie wants to know: When we find a really good deal, or new coupon booklet, how can we make you aware of it (send you the info/picture)?

Michelle: The easiest way to let me know of a deal is to email me at contactiheartpublix @ gmail.com (remove spaces).

Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »