HEB & Brookshire Bros

Today marks a new day for many of us. It is a whole new coupon world. As I sat with my morning coffee and looked at the grocery ads, I was forced to look at them differently.

Here are some things I took note of at HEB:
Split chicken breast $1/lb (no q required)
Pilgrim's Pride boneless/skinless individually frozen chicken breast $1.98/lb
Hill Country Fare canned veggies 3/$1 (no q required)
Red Grapes .98/lb (no q required)
Tangelos .77/lb  (no q required)
New York Texas Toast 1.84- 1q (in store) = .84

Brookshire Bros
Purex 46 load 2.99- 1q 2/20 RP = 1.99 = .04/per load (HURRY! coupon expires 4/16)

Now that I have had time to reflect...

Many of you have asked if I will be boycotting Kroger...well the answer is, "No." As much as I would like to say that I will the reality of it cannot be so. My priority is to feed my family healthy meals on a limited budget. In light of Kroger's new policy this will pose a new level of challenge. As most of you know in the past I have spent about 95% of my weekly budget in their store. Their new coupon policy will certainly change that as, again my priority is taking care of and staying home with my family. I will likely spend the next few weeks/months looking for the best way to stay within my budget, which of course will mean trying out a few new stores or chasing those deals I am often aware of but don't take advantage of because in the past I was able to do just as well (or close to it) at Kroger.

As many of you are learning the new ropes I hope that you will share some of the "deals" you find with the rest of us. Keep in mind a few things: Brookshire Bros d/t coupons, Wal-Mart price matches and has a new coupon friendly policy, Dollar General often has good deals, Target will price match and I hear they are improving the customer friendliness of their coupon policy. I encourage you to search and share!

Candy :)

Kroger has Mars brand candy on sale for .50 ea. The following scenarios will net you some free/cheap candy.
M&Ms .50 - B2G1q 3/13& 3/27 RP = varies depending on amt cashier puts FREE one through for .20 to .33ea
Snickers .50 - B2G1q 3/27 RP =  varies depending on amt cashier puts FREE one through for .17 to .33ea
Snickers Easter eggs .50 - 1/2q 3/20RP = FREE
*Hershey/Reese's bag candy 1.99 -2/2q 1/30SS = .99ea
I like to buy these and stash them away for family outings, Easter baskets, summer camps, etc.
*part of the Mega event ending Tuesday March 29

Also...
Dial hand soap 1 - .35q 3/13RP = FREE (better stock up now this is likely the last time you will get it FREE w/the new q policy taking place 4/13)

The Official Announcement

Kroger has now posted the official announcement for ending the doubling and tripling of coupons.
I also found the following list of affected stores on another blog:
Texas City
Clute
Houston
Dickinson
Angleton
Pearland
La Porte
Alvin
Pasadena
Seabrook
League City
Friendswood
Missouri City
Rosenburg
Sugar Land
Richmond
Hedwig Village
Katy
Kingwood
Galveston
Cypress
Bryan-College Station
Crosby
Baytown
Humble
Beaumont
Porter
Orange
Spring
Huntsville
The Woodlands
Conroe
Magnolia
Tomball
Willis
I would encourage you to contact Kroger voicing your disappointment in the ending of this program even if you do not live in the greater Houston area. Who knows your area could be next.

I am the bearer of bad coupon news :(

Beginning April 13th Kroger will no longer double and triple coupons in Houston and surrounding areas (I am not sure of the exact region)! This is a real blow to me :( I encourage you to use as many of your .35 to .50 coupons as soon as possible. I also strongly urge you to contact Kroger and voice your opinion.

New Coupon Policy

They say they will be mailing the complete policy to customers soon.

This Weekends Coupons

This weekends papers should have 4 inserts. For a sneak peek go here .

A few more Kroger deals...

The Mega Event will continue for another week.
Remember I told you about the Free Pedigree dog food here ? Well...The deal just got sweeter! Starting yesterday there is a CAT deal:
Buy 8-9 cans get $1
Buy 10-11cans get $1.50
Buy 12 or more get $2
Wooohoo! even if you don't have a dog you should do this deal b/c it is a nice  money maker. Surely you can find someone with a dog to donate the food to or take it to an animal shelter or most stores have a donation barrel right by the front door on your way out :)

Planter peanuts 1.99 - 1q peelie = .99
Motirn PM 2.49 - 2q 3/13SS = .49 or - 6/2q 1/9SS = .-51 MM
kids Aquafresh tooth brush 1 - .50q printable = FREE
Dole crsip fruit bowls 1.24 - .75q 1/9SS = .49 Plus there is a CAT deal buy 4 get .75
Pedigree 3.5lb healthy longevity dog food 3.99 - 3q 3/6RP = .99
Stay Free 1.99 - B1G1q 1/9SS = .99 (or free or MM depending on the value your cashier puts the Free one through for)


Non Mega items:
Yakisoba .88 - .50q 3/13SS = FREE

HEB coupons

HEB coupons

The above link has printable coupons with some that are exclusive for HEB. I particularly was interested in the FREE Sockeye Salmon with $20 purchase. You should be able to print two per computer ex 4/12/11. I often spend $20 at HEB on meat or cheap or free items. As long as total is $20 give this coupon first.

Kroger March Madness

Mega sale buy ten participating items receive and additional $5 off your order. *Prices listed reflect the additional savings.

*Sunny D .89 - .25q 1/16 SS = .14
*Kraft singles 1.49 - .55q 2/13SS = .94
*Rice/Pasta Roni .79 - B3G1 freeq 1/2 RP = varies depends on the amt cashier takes off for free = .46ea or as little as .29ea
*Pedigree canned dog food .50 - B1G1q3/16 SS RP = FREE (assuming cashier takes off reg price of $1)
*Annie's mac n cheese .49 - .75/2q tearpad= .11ea
*Lysol wipes 1.99 - 1q 3/6SS = .99
*Lysol toilet bowl cleaner 1.99 -.75q 3/6SS = 1.24 (This is not he best price I have seen but not bad)
*Hershey/Reese's bag candy 1.99 -2/2q 1/30SS = .99ea
*Band-aid 1.99 - .50q 2/13RP & 1/9SS = .99 (not the best price, but the ad lists 80ct boxes so not bad, especially if you have young kids who think they need one for every little nick and scrape :) )
*Pure life water 2.79 - 1q homemailer = 1.79 also there is a CAT for this water: 
3/11-4/3/11
Buy 2 get $1.00
Buy 3 get $2.00
Buy 4 (or more) get $5.00 OYNO
I have not actually been to the store. When I find more deals I will post :)

Find a Boy Scout

Every year the Boy Scouts sell coupon books for a fundraiser. The books are $10. I bought 3! There are 8 qs for $5 of a $75 purchase at Kroger. When using these qs be sure to use them BEFORE any other qs.

Take the week off...

I have looked at the sale papers and for the life of me I can't find anything I would venture out to get, especially with gas prices what they are.
At Kroger there is a decent deal on Charmin if you pair it with the $3 loadable q here. 5.00-3q = 2.99 for 12 double rolls.
6pk Kiwi fruit $1 (no q but not a bad deal for kiwis)

If I discover any more deals I will post. Be sure to watch your Daytona cats...would not want them to expire!

New month

It is the beginning of a new month...you know what that means? You guessed it...head on over to the loadable and printable sites to see what is new.

Today only at HEB

We got a new P&G insert yesterday. It contains a q for free Puff WYB any vicks product. We have a $1 off any Vicks product q from the last P&G (expiring today!)
Buy 1 box of Vicks cough drops .99 -1q then use Free Puffs q for box of Puffs! All free!! If you have enough qs to reach $35 you can then submit by mail for a free $10 Visa gift card. I found a tearpad in HEB for the offer. If you don't have enough Vicks and Puffs qs consider combing with $3 Gain q to bring up your total.

Also we got more Farmland qs for roll sausage yesterday. $1/2 they are on sale at HEB for $1.25 = .75 (these are found in the frozen food section)

How could I forget?

While at HEB I found in the frozen food department.
Farmland 1lb rolls of sausage $1.25 - $1/2q 1/9SS = .75ea

Also be on the look out for mail in offer for a $10 Visa card when you buy $35 worth of P&G products in one transaction. Some products include: Gain, Vicks. etc  of which are on sale. Remember the $35 is on the purchase price (before coupons). Pair this offer with the coupon I told you about here  and you could really make this a much sweeter deal!

HEB

HEB has some very good meat prices this week.
Bar S Hot Dogs 16oz 1 - 1/2 1/30RP = .50 (the 12 0z pkgs are .50 but this q specifies 16oz)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts 1.67/lb
Pork loin 1.67/lb
Boneless skinless chicken fajita thighs 1/lb (the seasoning on these is a bit strong so I rinse them before I cook them)
There are also deals I posted here

BUT...before you head out to catch any of these deals you will want to print this store q for $5/$50, $10/$75 or $15/$100

HEB & Kroger

I found a few random deals at HEB tonight.
Vicks cough drops  .99 - 1q 1/30 P&G = -.01
Dove antiperspirant 1.79 - 2q 1/30RP = -.21
Wish Bone 8oz dressing 1 - .50q 1/30RP = .50
Casa fiesta refried beans .69 -1/2q 8/22 & 9/19SS = .19ea
Gain fabric softener sheets 3.12 - 3q 2/13RP = .12
Gain liquid fabric softener 3.49 -3q 2/13RP = .49
Purex with Zout 46 load 5.77 - 3q 2/20RP = 2.77 (.06 per load) This price is a little high for me, but if you use stain treatment this may not be a bad price. Or if you do not have a stock pile of detergent this may be a deal for you. Traditionally I don't like to pay more than .04 per load and generally consider .05 per load the maximum I am willing to pay.

Kroger
*Purex 2.69 - 1q 2/20RP = 1.69 = 1.39 (.04 per load)
Remember the Daytona sale I blogged about  here is still on going.Purex is part of that sale.
*denotes Daytona sale items

-Community Coffee 4.99 - BOGOq 2/20RP = 2.50ea However the q reads maximum allowable value is $7 and my cashier pushed all mine through at this price. Wooohooo! = 1.49ea Now if you have followed my blog for a while you know this is our favorite coffee. SOOOOO I will beg, trade, continue to write this blog  ;), etc for any Community coffee qs you are not going to use. Please let me know if we can work a deal!

-Sun Drop .99 - FREEq (page A24 of Houston Chronicle 2/20) = FREE Once again my cashier put mine through for 1.39 the maximum allowed by q so I got overage!

Free Sun Drop

Please be sure to check page A24 of your Houston Chronicle for a coupon for a free 2 liter of Sun Drop soda.

Kroger Daytona Mega Sale

This mega sale works differently than the "usual". For this sale you will receive $3 off for every 10 items purchased PLUS at the end of your transaction you will receive a catalina (CAT) coupon for $3 off on your next shopping order. The CATs spend like cash on your next trip to the store, the only catch on these is that you can only use one per transaction, which is not a bad thing but I just want you to keep it in mind. Consequently the way it all comes out you ultimately receive 60 cents of each item after the mega sale. But you will initially be out of pocket a little more than the usual. It is all fine with me I like to think it all comes out in the wash. I personally will likely use my CATs to pick up meat, milk, etc.

The prices listed are after intial .30 discount and then .60 after CAT:
*Totinos Pizza rolls. .95 - .35q 1/30SS= -.10MM = -.40MM (when you figure in CAT)
*Totinos Party Pizza .69 - .50/3q 1/30SS & 2/13GM = 1.07 = .05 ea
*Coffee Mate creamer 2.69 -1/2q 1/30RP = 2.19 = 1.89 (there is an additional CAT from coffee mate: Buy 2earn $1, 3earn $2, 4 earn $3) = 1.14 ea (a very good price and these will freeze)
*Ragu 1.45 - .30q 1/31RP = .55 = .25
*Chef Boyardee Pasta  .56
*Hellmans mayo 2.99- .25q 1/30RP = 2.24 = 1.94
*Campbells chunky soup 1.20 1/2q = .70 = .40
*Windex 2.19 -1q 2/13SS = 1.19 = .89
*Pam cooking spray 2.19 - .35q 1/23SS = 1.14 = .84
*Betty Crocker Brownie 1.69 - .50q 2/13GM = .69 = .39
*Tornados 1.69- .75q 2/13SS = .94 = .64
*Reynolds foil 2.98 - .75q 1/30SS = 2.23= 1.93

Non-Mega items:
Mentos gum 1 - .50q 2/6SS = FREE
Colgate toothpaste .98 - .50q 2/13SS or .35q 1/2SS = FREE or -.75q 1/9SS = .23

This sale runs for two weeks. The above list is not an exhaustive list but I hope this will get you started. I will post other deals as I find them.

Kroger

Not much on sale at Kroger I do see:
Dove deodorant 2 -2q 1/30RP = FREE
Reach flosser 1 - 1q 10/10RP, 1/9SS = FREE

I would advise getting all or your coupons in order. Every year Kroger has a big Daytona sale that is coming up very soon. Also, there will be 3 inserts this weekend, it looks like we will get a $3 q for Gain fabric softener, should make it free or super cheap somewhere.

Thanks to all of you who have been keeping me in your prayers. I have been battling pneumonia, a sinus infection and an ear infection. I am recovering nicely :)

A few random deals

HEB
*Velveeta 4.73 -1q game day booklet = 3.73
Also right now HEB has a yellow q for Free Wolf chili and Free Rotel (big 28oz can) WYB Velveeta = Velveeta, Wolf Chili and Rotel  for 3.73
*Vicks cough drops .99 - 1q 1-16 &1-30 P&G = -.01MM
Hillshire farms lil turkey smokies 1.50 - .75/2q 1/23 RP or 1/2q 1/9SS = 1.12 or 1

Kroger
Knorr rice or pasta sides .50 - .50/2 1/30RP = FREE (only a few select ones were marked .50 and at my store they did not ring correctly, so watch carefully)

Dollar General
Found a display full of odds and ends Christmas stuff EVERYTHING was .10ea; some items I was interested in: gift bags (including large) & 2 count packages of large robe and shirt boxes

HEB has a better deal on Pace Picante sauce :)

While browsing at HEB I happened on the following deals:
Pace Picante sauce (not chunky salsa) 1.50 - .75q hanging in store = .75 (a better deal than Kroger)
Hillshire turkey smokies 1.50- 1/2q 1/9SS = 1
Kens 8oz salad dressing 1.32 - 1q 1/9SS = .32
Casa Fiesta refried beans .69 -1/2q 8/22, 9/19SS  or - .55/2q hanging in store= .19ea or .41ea

A few more deals...better hurry!

*Zantac 5.50 - 5q 11/14SS = .50 This q expires 1/31 .. hurry!
Blistex 1.29 - .35q 1/16SS or .25q 11/14SS = .24 or .54
Carmex 1 - .30q 11/7SS = .10 This q expires 1/31...hurry!

*denotes mega event item

Kroger Mega Sale

Remember that in order to maximize savings, all *mega event* items must be purchased in lots of ten. Feel free to mix and match. This sale will run for two weeks. Be mindful that some of the coupons I am using will expire at the end of the month,before the sale is over, so watch closely.

Also, if upon completing your transaction, you realize that you miss counted, take your receipt to customer service and you can easily have it fixed. For instance I purchased 87 items, when I realized my mistake I took my receipt and 3 additional items to customer service and the problem was fixed.

The following is a list of some items of interest to me this week. All prices listed are after the additional savings have been subtracted. Remember that .50 per item is reduced on you receipt at the end of your transaction as a $5 off mega event:
*Honest Tea .75 - .59q tearpad = -.25 MM
*Mars candy 2.29 to 2.50 - 1.50/2q 1/23RP = 1.54 to 1.75 ea Plus earn $3 CAT WYS $10 or $5 CAT WYS  $15 (1/24-2/14) ( I bought six bags of M&Ms for 2.29ea and earned the $5 CAT)
*Frenchs spicy mustard 1.09 - 1q 1-23 SS= .09
*Frenchs yellow mustard 1.49 - .30q 1/23 SS = .59 (this is not the best price I have ever seen mustard but these are the larger bottles and if you are low or out of mustard...)
*Pace Salsa 1.49 - .50/2q 12/05 SS = .99 ea
*Pace Picante Sauce 1.22 - .60/2 12/05SS = .92 ea
*Kens salad dressing 1.99 - 1q 1/09SS = .99 (not the best price for dressing...but this is my favorite and we were out)
*Progresso soup .98 - 1/4q 1/16SS, 12/05 & 1/2 GM = .73ea (again not the best I've seen, but not bad)
*Krusteaz pancake mix 1.49 - .50q 12/05 SS & maybe 1/30SS = .49
*Krusteaz cookie mix 1.49 - .50q 10/17 & 12/05SS = .49 (many may have already used these qs during the holiday time when they would have been free, but I wanted to post this in case you missed it, .49 isn't bad)
*Stay-free pads 3.99 - 1q 11/07RP - BOGO 1/9SS = 1.49 ea
*Kraft 2% singles .99 - .75q 1/9SS = .24
*Kleenex .99 - .50/3 = .66ea  earn B5G$1, B6G$1.50, B7G$2 (there are some people out there that got $1/1 qs, which would make these MMs) if you only have .50/3q it is better for you to buy 6 at a time
*Reach flosser 1 - 1q 1/3/10&10/10/10RP, 1/9SS = FREE
*Bengay 3 -$2q 10/3RP & 1/9SS = 1
*ALL laundry detergent  2.99 - 1q 1/16SS = 1.99 = (.06 per load for 32 load bottle) not the best price for detergent but good for this brand or if you are low on laundry soap...certainly better than it could be)
*Surf laundry detergent 2.99 - 1q 1/16SS = 1.99 = (.04 per load for 40 load box)
*Hunts canned tomatoes .42 - .45/3q 1/23SS = .12ea
*Del Monte veggies .32 (we have no qs for these, but this is a decent price, certainly a good filler item if you are needing something to reach 10 items)
*Velveeta 4.49 - 1q Game Day Playbook q booklet in store = 3.49
 *Rotel .36 (we have no qs for these, but this is a decent price, certainly a good filler item if you are needing something to reach 10 items)Tostitos 2.98 -1.50q wyb 1 Velveeta and 2 rotel tearpad = 1.48
*Kraft Mac N Cheese cups .50 - 1/5q tearpad = .30 ea

Non-Mega items:
**Coffee Mate liq creamer (32oz)  3.12 - .55q 11/14RP = 2.57 (1.82 after CAT) earn $3 CAT WYB 4 (1/24-2/20) (the CAT and the q work for any liq creamer 16oz or larger, I only buy sugar free which only comes in 32oz, so you may get these at an even better rate if you buy the smaller sizes) I know there are some people who freeze coffee creamer, I have never tried it myself, but I may try it and let you know how it turns out.
**Old El Paso seasoning envelopes .80 B5G$3 CAT (1/24-2/20) off next purchase of chicken or beef.
6 seasonings = 4.80 - 2  B2G1FREE peelies found on taco shells = 3.20 Earn $3 CAT
**Care Free pantie liners 1 - .50q 1/9SS = FREE

Sorry....

I know I have been absent for a long time. I sincerely apologize. The past several weeks have been terribly hectic with holidays, traveling and sickness (nothing major). Having a stockpile to live on has truly been a blessing. But, alas the time has come when I must go to the grocery store. Thankfully, a mega-event at Kroger was just the right thing to get me up and out of the house (see my post for more details).