I have some great news…I have created a new forum for all my readers to connect!!  You will now notice a new tab at the top of the site titled “FORUM” –You can click the link or the picture to be taken directly to the forum. 

I am hoping this will be a great way for others to share deals and maybe offer a better way to work out trades!  Check out the new I Heart Publix Forum.  You can read the posts without signing up but in order to post or comment you will need to become a member.

I will do my best to keep things moderated but feel free to let me know if there are any issues or problems.  If you have any suggestions for forum topics or additions let me know and I will see what I can do!

I am gradually introducing the new features to I Heart Publix and I promise I will do a whole introduction to all the features and how to use the new and improved site very soon (include some great giveaways!) Stay tuned!!

While I love the idea of a list, I personally prefer a spreadsheet as it makes my whole shopping experience easier.  I like being able to see my list as well as the coupon calculations and ultimately what I will pay at the register.  So I created a spreadsheet that you all can use and print HERE on the site!! 

It is very simple to use–here are the steps: 

1. Use the quantity drop down to choose how many of an item you wish to purchase. If you are in an area with true BOGO–you will need to make sure to select BOGO quantities in sets of two to ensure your cost is accurate.

2. Use the poduct dropdown to choose the specific item you want to add to your list. The price and cost will automatically be calculated!!!

3. The spreadsheet will contain the prices from my ad in Metro Atlanta.  I know many of you in other areas may have slightly different prices. I have given you a way to adjust the price so that your spreadsheet will be accurate.  Simply type the additonal amount in the price adjustment box and your cost will adjust. NOTE: This is a completely optional step!  If no adjustments are entered the cost will be calulated based on the preset price.

4. Insert your total coupon discount per item in the corresponding line.  If you are using five $1 coupons on Kellogg’s Cereal then you would enter 5 into the coupon amount for that item. The cost will automatically adjust to display your discount!  

5. I have all the items listed in their specific category within the spreadsheet.  I have also included a section for you to add your own items! Just fill in the item, cost and coupon and it will be included in the calculations!!

6.  You will be able to see your expected total (not including tax) at the bottom of the spreadsheet.  You can then hit print and take your list and shop!!

It is super simple to use!!  I will admit that I just finished the spreadsheet so it may have a few bugs.  For example the submit button is useless–I just have not had a chance to remove it.  I would love some feedback.  PLEASE understand that I am not a computer pro…my background is psychology so I am somewhat limited in what I am able to do  BUT–I would love to hear your comments, ideas and suggestions! I know it will be impossible to please everyone but I have given it my best effort and I hope you all find this to be a useful tool!  

Go HERE to give it a try!

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!!! WINNER CHOSEN!!

I am absolutely thrilled to report that I Heart Publix has received over one million visitors to date!!!  I am completely shocked and a bit in awe!  I started this site about 9 months ago as a way to pass on deals to a few friends and now look what has happened!!  I know it may not seem like a huge deal to some but for me it is incredible.  For a site that only covers one store that is only in five states I’d say that is pretty darn good  

I have said it before and it is so true–I have the best readers EVER!!  You guys fill my inbox with wonderful comments, great deals and sometimes a little inspiration!  I honestly could not do it without your help and encouragement!!  Thank you all so very much!!

So— I think it is time to celebrate!!

Let’s do another giveaway!! As a way to say THANKS–I want to give away a $100 Publix gift card to one lucky reader!! 

How to enter:

1. Leave a comment –just say HI or tell me your favorite thing about the site.
2. Tweet about this giveaway- include me (@iheartpublix) in the twitter so I can see it.
3. Grab my button (located on right sidebar) Make sure to leave the link to your site in your comment.
4. Blog about this giveaway (leave your blog link in the comment)
5. Subscribe to the site via RSS (if you already subscribe just say–current subscriber in the comment)

That means you can enter up to five times.  You MUST leave a separate comment for each entry (up to 5 comments)!  Specify each entry method in the comment and leave the appropriate info for me to verify. I will choose a winner on 1/6/10 around 11pm.

I LOVE TO GET EMAILS FROM YOU ALL BUT MAKE SURE YOU COMMENT ON THIS POST TO ENTER – I CAN”T INCLUDE EMAIL ENTRIES. EACH COMMENT IS NUMBERED –I WILL USE RANDOM.ORG TO CHOOSE A NUMBER AND THAT CORRESPONDING COMMENT WILL WIN !!

I have some very exciting news!! You guys all know that Kerry has been just fabulous as my editor here on the site!  She is absolutely phenomenal–so I am so excited to tell you that she now has her own site that I think you guys are going to LOVE—-  TOTALLY TARGET

While I do love Publix you can’t buy everything there…so– my 2nd favorite store is definitely Target!  Kerry will be bringing you all the deals possible at Target. Go HERE to see her site and make sure to comment to let her know how fabulous the site looks!!  While I know she will not be here as much I am just thrilled that now I have a one stop site for everything Target!! Woo Hoo!!

Great job Kerry!!

UPDATE– I am so tickled…in less than 24 hours you guys put me in 8th place for my category!  There are 18 pages of nominees and you guys moved me to the 1st page in a day!  I think I might tear up!!

I know it is cliche to say it is an honor just to be nominated–but it really is!  The fact that you guys took me to 8th place in less than 24 hours is amazing to me!!   Most of the nominees were nominated months ago–so I still feel like a winner!  A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!

I got an email yesterday letting me know that I Heart Saving Money was nominated for The Divine Caroline Love This Site Award.  I just got another email letting me know that I Heart Publix was just nominated!

I have to send a big THANK YOU to the person who nominated this site too!  I am so thankful to all of you who send the kind emails and leave the great comments–you guys make running these sites totally worth it!!

While I would love to think winning was possible–I am a very late entry as the deadline for votes is this Friday at 7 pm.  But I would still be thrilled for you to vote HERE if you “Love This Site”.

Shannon over at The Bargain Buggy was featured in a story on Mobile Local 15.  She did a fabulous job and was kind enough to plug me as well.  Go HERE to see Shannon shine as a “Coupon Queen”

Tamara emailed to let me know that I was on the front page of The Tampa Tribune on Sunday, November 1st and Jess emailed to let me know that she heard about I Heart Publix on her local Orlando radio station!

I am just tickled pink and so grateful to you all! You guys have done such a good job passing on my site that I am having to move my sites to a new dedicated server.  Apparently the traffic levels are causing too many issues on my current shared server…so if anyone has a recommendation for a new web hosting site- I am all ears

I have received many emails from you all indicating that you are no longer getting updates via email. Well I finally figured out the problem–there are too many of you Apparently there a limit of emails that can be sent using my current plug in–and with over 2000 subscribers…I have been over the limit for a while now! I have researched and looked everywhere and cannot find a way to move all of you existing subscribers…my only option (that I can find) is to start fresh!

I am not a computer pro at ALL and have had to learn everything as I go–so I am going to have to apologize to you all and chalk it up to a lesson learned the hard way!

I do have good news–if you want to get updates via email all you will need to do is go to the top of the site and on the right side next to the RSS feed icon you can click the ENVELOPE with “by email” to subscribe via email! 

I am so sorry for all the confusion and really appreciate you guys being patient with me!  I have said it before –I am just so amazed that this little website I started a only a few months has grown into a great community of deal seekers!!

You guys are just the best!  A huge thanks to Amy from Saving With Amy and Tifani from Thrifty Tips From Tiff for giving me the Lovely Blog Award!  That makes six–I am just tickled pink

 Thanks to the other four great bloggers too!!

I am just tickled pink to have been given the One Lovely Blog by 4 wonderful bloggers: 

Heather over at Saving Money & Living Life
Aubrey over at Eastern Shore Mom
Megan over at Frugal Fun And Fortune
Amanda over at A Few Short Cuts

I am very appreciative that they think my site(s) are worthy of the award–so a big THANK YOU goes out to each one!

The award got me thinking that there are so many fabulous bloggers out there who work very hard to pass along deals to the masses.  I know that it takes a lot of time and effort to maintain a blog.  Getting readers to your site may be the hardest task and the most frustrating!  I have received MANY emails from bloggers asking how to increase their traffic.  Now, I am not an expert by any means–I am still a newbie in the blogging world! I Heart Publix is the old man at 7 months old and I Heart Saving Money is the baby at 3 months old    Word of mouth plays a critical role but getting recognition from other established sites can be a great way to increase traffic too. 

I am so appreciative to everyone who has helped me at my sites!  I love the fact that other bloggers and readers take time to email me deals so that I can share them. I honestly do not think that one person can effectively do it all–reporting all the deals requires collaboration and input from MANY sources.  I personally feel it is only fair that credit be given to those who help in ANY way! 

Part of the One Lovely Blog Award requests that you pass the award on to other bloggers who you feel deserve recognition.  I am going to try something different.  I would like to add a page to my sites that will list blogs and online services.  I am going to try to list the blogs based on category.  I am not exactly sure what all the categories will be –I want to see what kind of response I get.  I also want to open this up to those of you with an online service to offer.  For example–did you know Kerry has an Etsy site and is a seller of vintage itemson Ebay?  I would love to be able to give more exposure to those of you who have so much to offer!

If you would like to add your site to the list please email me (iheartpublix @ gmail.com -remove the spaces) and include your site name, site link, brief description, and list the stores you cover (if applicable). I will not list any site that I feel is inappropriate!  If you distribute porn or sell guns, etc.. – I will not list it.  While I realize there is a market for those things–it is not something I feel comfortable listing.  But…if you sell custom clothing or gift baskets, etc…please feel free to pass your info to me!

Ok-I am going to give it a whirl.  Please understand that this project may take me some time to get it up and running!  I average several hundred emails per day and I still have to determine the best way to make this work–but I think it will be GREAT!  I am excited to hear from you guys!

PLEASE EMAIL ME–don’t leave the info in the comments section!!

I am very happy to report that everything here is just fine…just a little disruption in the utlilities for a while!  I am glad to have my computer back up and running

I am so thankful that Kerry was kind enough to take over while I was gone.  I know what a huge chore it is to do the ad with match ups so she really deserves a big pat on the back! THANK YOU KERRY! 

It will take me a while to get through all of my emails.  I appreciate all the kind words you all sent.  If you asked me a question I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.  As for the $50 gift card give away–I am extending the cut off until 11 pm tonight.  If you haven’t entered yet you still have a few hours. 

Off to try and catch up

I have a link over on the top right sidebar on both sites that will allow you to link back and forth between the sites.  I tried to make it easy for you to stay up to date on Publix as well as all the other great deals available!

So far the Trades page has been a phenominal hit and I get constant emails that people are having great success!!  BUT–it was bound to happen…we have a bad trader among us!  I have deleted the user as he/she has already skipped out on two trades.  Please do not trade with linran03.  We are all looking to save money but let’s play fair!  Also, I’d like to clean up the trades section…so if you have any completed trades that need to be deleted please let me know!!

I also wanted to send out a huge thanks to everyone as I am so pleased with all of the emails you guys send!  I love seeing your photos and hearing your stories.  I am also so thankful that you guys keep me updated with any coupons and deals that you find…after all I can’t do it all by myself    Thanks so much!!

Have a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend!!

I hope you find the site easy to navigate.  I try to provide as much information as possible to save you money and time!  The tabs at the top of the site will help you find all the information very quickly–the Weekly Ad tab has the current ad with all the coupon match ups as well as any sneak peeks for upcoming sales.  All current Advantage Buy Flyers and match ups are a click away.  Look around and if you have any questions –leave a comment or just click the button in my right sidebar to shoot me an email!

For even more info –check out my other site I Heart Saving Money.  There you will find other grocery store deals, drugstore deals and really as many deals that I can find!

For all my current readers–I really appreciate all the super comments and great emails that you have sent–while I do not foresee a new career in the world of television…it was a fun experience

This is a new show that I am VERY excited about!  The show will air every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am – 10am on NBC here in Atlanta.  The show will have all the latest news plus weekend events,  LOTS of money saving tips and a whole lot more!  You will even be able to chat online throughout the show if you have any questions or comments. 

I am going to be sharing the top deals for the week.  Of course I won’t be able to cover everything in a short amount of time…so I have decided to add a new weekly addition to my other site (I Heart Saving Money) that will appear every Sunday. I am going to try to highlight all the “Can’t Miss Deals” of the week!  It will be similar to the Super Deals post here on I Heart Publix–but it will cover grocery stores, drug stores, online stores, restaurants and really anywhere I find a really good deal! 

Keep your fingers crossed that I make it through the segment without any really big blunders