Coupon Connoisseur: July 2010

July 29, 2010

Pinecone Research Taking Applications!

You've heard me talk once or twice about receiving $3.00 checks for completing surveys. It is through a company called Pinecone Research. They only open up for new applicants every so often and it goes very quickly. Hurry and go here and fill out an application to start receiving surveys (and your own $3.00 checks!) No longer taking applications. I will let you know when it opens up again.

A HUGE thank you to Deal Seeking Mom for this one! I told you she rocks!

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

I've told you before how much I love The Drugstore Divas. They are on top of everything. They just let me know about a HOT printable coupon for $4.00/2 Nivea Body products. Head on over to the Drugstore Divas: Coupon Alert: Nivea Body and read how to get yours.

Thanks Drugstore Divas!

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Till next time... The Coupon Connoisseur

Be sure to pick up the August issue of All You magazine, sold exclusively at Wal-Mart. This is a great magazine which never fails to pay for itself and then some with great coupons! You can get a 6 month subscription to All You for just $10.00 on Amazon here or a 12 month subscription on Amazon for $19.99 here. Here is your complete coupon list for this month:

$1/1 Advil Infants or Children's Product, exp. 9/23
$2/1 Ageless Reflection Product, exp. 10/31
.35/1 Banquet Fruit Pie, exp. 10/10
$1/1 Body Fortress Product, exp. 9/31
$1/1 Carnation Instant Breakfast Essentials, exp. $1/110/27
$1/1 Colgate ProClinical Toothpaste (4 oz.), exp. 9/30
$1/1 Contessa MicroSteam or On the Stove Meals, exp. 10/31
.50/1 Country Time Hard Candy Bag (14 oz.), exp. 11/30
$1/1 Disney or Marvel Multivitamins, exp. 9/3
.75/1 Dole All Natural Fruit Plastic Jar, exp. 10/31
$1/2 Dole Frozen Fruit Bars, exp. 11/20
$1/3 Dole Fruit Bowls, Gels, or Parfaits, exp. 10/31
$1/1 Enforcer Flea and Tick Product, exp. 10/31
$2/1 Ester-C Tablets, exp. 9/3
$10/$25 Fashion Bug Purchase, exp. 8/27
$3/1 Flex-A-Min Supplement, exp. 9/3
$1/2 Fruit of the Loom Packaged Underwear or Casual Sportswear, exp. 9/30
$1/1 Glade Car Scented Oil Air Freshener or Refill, exp. 9/30
$1/1 Greased Lightning Product (32 oz.) exp. 9/30
$1/1 Hartz Crunch 'n Clean Dog Biscuits, exp. 3/31/11
$1/2 Kleenex Bundle Pack Facial Tissue, exp. 9//30
$1/2 Lean Cuisine Market Creations, exp. 9/30
$1/1 Met-Rx Product, exp. 9/30
.50/1 Mezzetta or Napa Valley Bistro Product, exp. 12/31
$1/1 Neutrogena Cleansing Product, exp. 9/30
$3/1 Neutrogena Cosmetics Product, exp. 9/10
$1/1 NYC New York Color Product (priced $1.72+), exp. 9/8
$3/1 Osteo Bi-Flex Caplets, Softgels or Powders, exp. 9/3
$1/1 Osteo Bi-Flex Liquid Joint Aid, exp. 9/3
$3/1 Phillips' Colon Health Probiotic + Fiber Product, exp. 12/31
$1/1 Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons (18 ct.+), exp. 9/30
$1/1 Powerade Multipack, exp. 10/31
$1/1 Pure Protein Product, exp. 9/30
$1/1 Reddi-Whip Can (6.5 oz.+), exp. 10/10
B1G1 Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Nail, exp. 8/31
$1/1 Scott Extra Soft Double Roll Tissue (12 pk.), exp. 10/23
.50/1 Scott Flushable Moist Wipes Tub, exp. 10/23
$1/1 Scott Towels Mega Roll (6 pk.), exp. 10/23
.40/1 Shedd's Spread Country Crock Spread, exp. 9/30
$1/1 Simple Green Product (22 oz.+), exp. 12/31
$1/1 Smithfield Ham, exp. 9/30
$1/1 Snickers Marathon Multipack, exp. 12/31
$1/2 Vitamin Water Zero 20 oz. Bottles, exp. 8/31
B1G1 Weight Watchers Yogurt Cups (6 oz.), exp. 9/30
$1/1 White Cloud Product, exp. 9/23
$4/1 Zegerid OTC Heartburn Remedy, exp. 9/30

Till next time...

The Coupon Connoisseur

Cheesecake Factory $1.50 Slice 7/29

Head on over and "like" The Cheesecake Factory on their Facebook page. You'll be so glad you did, you can print a coupon for $1.50 slice good only Thursday, 7/29. Torn between two flavors? You can try a second variety on Friday, 7/30. That's right...get any slice for half price in honor of National Cheesecake Day. There is no coupon necessary for half price slices on Friday.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

$2 Camis 4Me and 4You at Old Navy

My daughter and I love tank tops and camis of all varieties. We wear one almost every day. Which means of course, that we can never have enough in our closets. We are in luck for stocking up this week at Old Navy. We can get a great deal on their layering camis and can choose from 17 fabulous colors for just $2 each. You can too....just bring this coupon to an Old Navy store or just say "CAMI 4 ME" to get this deal. Offer valid in stores only 7/29-7/31 limit 5 per customer.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Some chains cancel a freebie event and find themselves in the midst of a class action lawsuit. I'm talking about you KFC. As a great man once blogged, when others are wrong they say they are wrong. McDonald's is going out of their way to show us how sorry they are for being wrong.

Yesterday, I told you about the printable coupon for $1 off a Smoothie or Frappe at McDonald's. Today, they have upped the ante. Purchase a large soda (or sweet tea) and your cup will have a "peelie" coupon for a free Smoothie. I just called my local McDonald's to confirm their participation (as should you before heading out). Not only are they participating, the large drinks are on their dollar menu! Price including tax...$1.09 gets me a large soda (sweet tea in my case) AND a free Smoothie? I'm LOVING IT!

Coupons are good through August 15th, and are good beginning two hours after the visit in which you receive them. Kudos to you McDonald's for turning this one around!

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

If you've been reading my blog for a while, it is no secret that I spoil the Connoisseur pup. I've talked about it time and time again. I can't help it, he's just so darn cute and sweet. I do worry that too many treats are bad for his health though. That is why I always jump on the chance to try out new, more natural alternatives for him. I recently learned about Natural Nibbles dog treats. What do I like about them? They treats are created domestically, using only premium meats from the USA. They never use animal by-products, fillers, or artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. In other words, I can look at the ingredients and actually know what I'm feeding my dog.

Right now, you can request a free sample of Natural Nibbles for your favorite pooch. No pup in your house? Consider ordering a sample anyway, I'm sure your local animal rescue will be happy to take them off your hands.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Free Kids Meal at Chipotle

Remember when I told you about my daughter's love affair with Chipotle? It's a serious romance that has been going on for years. They are so close, she uses the pet name "Chip" whenever she heads out for her Mexican food fix. "Bye Mom, going to see Chip, be back soon". It all started way back in elementary school. She loved it, but it always bothered me that the didn't have a kid's menu. She wasn't quite ready for their oh-so-generous adult size portions. I am happy to report that is all changing....Chipotle is rolling out a kid's menu! All locations are expected to have a kid's menu by the end of 2010.

All of the items on the Kid's Menu adhere to Chipotle's commitment to using only the best-tasting ingredients from more sustainable sources that is the hallmark of Chipotle's food. Chipotle developed the Kid's Menu with pint-sized fans in mind, from the actual menu items to the portions and prices.

The new Kid's Menu features:
-Small Cheese Quesadilla ($2.95)
-Small Meat & Cheese Quesadilla ($3.50)
-Single Taco ($3.50)
-Taco Kit (they build it) ($3.95)

All Kid's meals are served with a small bag of chips and a choice of organic plain milk, organic chocolate milk, apple juice or a soda.

As part of the roll-out Chipotle is offering a free child's meal when parents purchase a burrito, salad, an order of tacos or a burrito bowl. If you have never been to a Chipotle, allow me to recommend the Barbacoa Bowl. So far, I've been able to verify the following locations and dates. If you hear that they are offering it in your area, please come back and let me know and I'll add it to the list.

Chicago locations: Sunday August 1, 8, and 15, 2010

Minnesota locations: Sunday August 8, 15, 22, 29, 2010

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

It has been HOT HOT HOT in the Chicagoland area lately. Thankfully, there is a McDonald's between my house and all of my favorite stores. I've stopped in and enjoyed more than one of their new McCafe Real Fruit Smoothies and creamy iced Mocha Frappes (which also come in caramel) this past week.

I'll be honest, I'm a coffee snob, and have always considered that big coffee chain that starts with an S and end with "bucks" to be the place to go. But frankly, they prices have gotten way out out of touch with the current economy. I was thrilled the first time I tried the McCafe line of beverages. I discovered that I actually prefer them to the other chain's offerings. Who knew the same place that brought me such joy with my childhood Happy Meals would make me just as happy wiht my coffee?

Now you can head over and print a coupon for $1 off any McCafe Smoothie or Frappe and try one for yourself. According to this Chicago Tribune article all locations should be honoring this coupon. Don't you deserve a break today? (I'm dating myself now aren't I? I should have said I'm loving it!)

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

I love the Olay Regenerist line of products. It all started with a little sample of the Regenerist Regenerating Serum that came attached to my Sunday newspaper a few years back...one use and I was hooked! I loved it so much that I ran out and bought 6 bottles (full price in my pre-couponing days!) just in case it didn't catch on and they discontinued it. Anyway, the Regenerist line also includes a variety of facial cleansers which are equally as fantastic, and right now you can get them for free at Target.

Buy:

7 Regenerist Micro Derm Cleansing Cloths $5.99 each
1 Olay Regenerist Micro-Purifying Foaming Cleanser $8.29

Pre-coupon total: $50.22

Use: four Buy One Get One Free Olay Cleanser coupons from the 7/11 Smart Source, four $3.00 Regenerist coupons from the 7/4 Procter & Gamble insert. Pay $14.26 (plus tax), then submit for the Olay $20 Rebate When You Buy $50 worth of Olay Moisturizers, Treatments or Cleansers. In my area the tax rate is 8.5%, so I will come out about $1.04 ahead after rebate including the stamp.

As always, run your items under the price scanner and double check your pre-coupon total on your calculator. You don't want to miss out on your rebate if your store happens to have any of these on an unadvertised Temporary Price Cut.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

I don't have a Rite Aid near me. But, for those of you who do, you'll want to head over and check out the Drugstore Diva's Rite Aid August Video Values Coupons post. There is quite a list of available coupons, and after reading it, I'm pretty jealous! Maybe someday they'll bring Rite Aid to my neighborhood.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Fla-Vor-Ice Flavor Finder Instant Win Game

No matter how old I get, I still love a good old-fashioned Fla-Vor-Ice freezer pop in the summertime. Maybe its the nostalgia of it all. Sitting on the porch under the hot sun with my sisters, trying to get every drop of icy goodness out of those plastic tubes. Anyway, now you can play their Flavor Finder Scratch & Match instant win game. You can instantly win one of over a hundred prizes including beach towels and gift cards! Play once a day until August 23rd.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Supervalu...thinning out selection or dumbing down for women? You decide

Remember earlier today I promised we'd talk about Jewel thinning out their product selection? Well, here we go....

I've been sitting on this one for almost two weeks before writing about it. I was hoping that by waiting I would be able to find out it was all just a big misunderstanding. I could not have been more wrong. It all started with this little Crain's article featuring the CEO of Supervalu (the parent company of ~~my beloved~~ Jewel Osco). It seems that Supervalu is testing a new store format in its Bolingbrook, IL store that cuts out 15% to 25% of products to reduce clutter, cut costs and make room for more of its own brands. While have less of a selection doesn't make me happy, it is the rationale behind this idea that has me astounded and more than a little outraged.

The article goes on to say "Craig Herkert, a former Wal-Mart executive who took over as Minnesota-based Supervalu's CEO last year, told investors in April that scaling back inventory is a central component of a new growth strategy dubbed "Project SHE, which stands for Simplify Her Experience." Really? Is grocery shopping such a complexity that it can't be handled by the average woman? We need to have it simplified for us?

Then I read another article in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune in which Mr. Herkert refers to all female shoppers as "Mom" and implies they don't know what "a better value" is when they see it. This was too much for me, and I felt compelled to email Mr. Herkert, along with Steve Jungmann, their recently appointed Executive Vice President of Merchandising. Click here to read my email.

My email program is set up to automatically request a receipt letting me know when an email has been read. I received a notice minutes later that Mr. Jungmann had read my email. Days later I received this notification about Mr. Herkert's copy.

Yes, you are reading it right....deleted, without being read. It seems Mr. Herkert isn't interested in customer feedback. Which is particularly perplexing since today I received an email from the Supervalu Public Affairs department. It assures me that they "appreciate hearing from their customers" and "are constantly refining their execution and planning based on customer feedback". Hmmm...here is the email in its entirety:

"Thank you for your letter regarding your concerns about the variety of products and brands available at your local Jewel-Osco store and our store redesign project. We appreciate hearing from our customers on issues that are important to them.

As noted in the Crain’s story that you read, a main focus for the CEO of SUPERVALU, Craig Herkert, is to make the shopping experience easier for our customers here at Jewel-Osco and across the country. This effort includes offering the products that our customers want and expect to find in our stores without the clutter of too many similar choices, as well as promotions and sale prices that are easy to understand and give our customers the best value.

Our consumer data indicates that 80 percent of our shoppers are women who live very busy lives. Our overall intent with this program is to make their shopping experience more pleasant. If this was communicated in a way that offended you, we regret that.

With the store redesign project, we continue to roll out and test new elements of this program, constantly refining our execution and planning based on customer feedback. We are being very deliberate with these changes.

We believe focusing on the customer and simplifying the shopping experience will help us achieve our goal of delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction for our shoppers.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Sincerely,

SUPERVALU Public Affairs"

So, here is my question to you readers: Is Supervalu thinning out their selection or 'dumbing down' their stores for female shoppers? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Till next time...

The Coupon Connoisseur

This one is really for my Jewel Osco shoppers! You will want to head on over and print the Target web coupon for $1 off Viva paper towels (print 2). In the Jewel Osco ad that starts Thursday, 7/22 6-packs of Viva paper towels are going on sale for $4.99 (limit 2). Take your Jewel Osco ad and your coupon over to Target and do a price match. You may also want to read (and possibly print ) a copy of their price match policy. If you picked up your July copy of All You magazine at Wal-Mart or get it by subscription, there is also a .75 manufacturer coupon on page 96. With only the Target coupon you'll pay $3.99, if you have both coupons and stack them, you'll pay just $3.24! If you haven't picked up All You yet, you may want to hop over to Wal-Mart and grab a copy because....

As long as you are at Target and price matching, you might as well get some inexpensive Cottonelle toilet paper while you are at it! In the same Jewel Osco 7/22 ad, Cottonelle is $4.99 for the 12 ct. double rolls. Wouldn't you know it? On page 139 of the July issue, there is a mfr. coupon for $1.00 off bringing it down to just $3.99 for 12 double rolls! There is also a .50 mfr. coupon in the 7/11 Smart Source circular that you can use or you can print a .50 coupon here (afterward, hit your back button and print a second one) if you don't have the All You coupon.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

A random group of coupons you may want to print.

$5.00 on any can of Enfagrow baby formula

$3.00 on any 2 Right Guard Total Defense 5 (were 2 for .99 with this coupon at Walgreen's last week)

$1.00 on 64 or 96 oz. Welch's 100% juice

$1.00 on any bag of Caribou Coffee

$1.00/2 Eggo waffles (Eggo is going on sale 2/$3 starting 7/22 at Jewel Osco)

$2.00/2 Glade 4 oz. candles

$1.00 on any Glade scented oil candle

Many Jewel Osco stores have these candles on clearance as part of the reduction in inventory. (What reduction in inventory you ask? I'll fill you in on all the unpleasant details later today!)

Till next time...

The Coupon Connoisseur

Coupon Basics: Finding the right coupon organizer

It's no secret that I have A LOT of coupons. Sometimes, I look around my office (OK,..the corner of my bedroom that serves as my office) and all I see are coupons, coupons, coupons! This means I'm constantly on the prowl for the best ways to organize my coupons both at home, and in the store. Since I'm racking up Swag Bucks to cash in for Amazon gift cards, I thought I'd take a look at what they have to offer. Turns out they have oodles of great stuff. Here's a look at some of my favorites, maybe you'll find one that works for you.

I really like this one because it attaches to the shopping cart, leaving both hands free to find the right coupon.

This one would be a great option for when I want to just grab the coupons I'm planning to use, my loyalty & debit cards and be on my way. Far more stylish than stuffing a handful of coupons into my wallet haphazardly.

When it comes to organizing all of my coupon inserts at home, I rely on crates like these that fit under my desk. I sort the Smart Source, Red Plum and Procter & Gamble inserts into three piles. Then I clip an index card to the first insert in each pile with the date and file in chronological order. Each group has their own crate because I get about 8 papers each week.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas about getting your own coupons organized!

Till next time....
The Coupon Connoisseur

You've heard me talk about how much I love to get free stuff in the mail. And how much the Connoisseur Pup also gets his tail wagging when he gets mail. Here's one of his favorites...sign up for a free sample of Better Than Ears dog treats. Pup just loved the one he got last year, and I love that it is one of Wal-Mart's Free Samples. Unlike some companies, their free samples always show up and usually within a few days! Go get one for your furry friend...they'll thank you.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Coupon Basics: Don't believe everything your read!

Part of being a savvy shopper is not falling for the "this is on sale, buy it NOW" type advertising. You may see "clearance" or "great buy" price tags or signs. Always look carefully at what the original price was. Here are a couple of examples of what I mean.

I took this picture last night at my local Walgreen's. As you can see they are advertising a "Great Buy!" on dog treats. Only 2/$8.00!! Except that the sticker is right next to the regular shelf price for the same dog treats, which is 2/$7 or $3.49 each.

This one was taken today at my local Jewel Osco. This one has been making me giggle every time I've shopped there in the last month. Reynold's aluminum foil is on clearance for just $2.99! Except, as you can see the regular price is $2.99. Quick math...$2.99 - 0.00 = $2.99 = 0% savings.

We all hurry through the store sometimes, and a bright sticker declaring something to be a bargain will generally catch our eye (they are supposed to). Take a moment to look closer at the pricing and decide if it really IS a bargain, or if they are just hoping the bright colors will be enough to get you to toss it in your cart.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Sign up for a free Special K Sample Pack. You will receive a Special K protein meal bar, plus coupons for $1 off Special K protein meal bars & Special K protein shakes.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

It's that time again....you know the time I mean....my roots are starting to show! Thankfully there is a FABULOUS deal on hair color at Target this week. Clairol Natural Instincts is on sale for $5.99 a box. Pick up 2 boxes, use the $5/2 coupon in the 7/11 Red Plum circular and stack with the $5/2 Target coupon from the Amazing Brands, Amazing Savings Target coupon flier that some areas received on 6/27. Two boxes for $1.98 if a ridiculously great price for hair color!

If you didn't get the extra Target coupons in you newspaper or mail on 6/27, you'll pay $6.98 for two, $3.49 is still a good price.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

July CSN Giveaway WINNER ANNOUNCED!

I'm so thrilled that CSN Lighting offered me the opportunity to host a giveaway for my readers. I hope you had as much fun as I did checking out all of the CSN Stores. The winner is comment #15 from Stephanie who tweeted about this giveaway. Congratulations!

Stephanie claimed her prize this morning, hopefully she'll come back and let us all know what she bought!

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Have you signed up for Swag Bucks?

If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for Swag Bucks. If you have never heard of Swag Bucks, here is the scoop. It is a search to win site, you'll be awarded random Swag Bucks for searching. They add up pretty quickly and can be redeemed for gift cards and other prizes on their website. 450 Swag Bucks will get you a $5.00 Amazon.com gift card. I just signed up a couple of months ago and don't always remember to use it, but I've racked up enough to get an Amazon card already. Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day and the amount you can win for a search is considerably higher, last Friday I searched and won 50 Swag Bucks.

You can also win for typing in a website name and using the link that comes up to connect to them. For example, use their search engine every time you go on your Facebook page (or visit the Coupon Connoisseur!). If you enter your birthday into your account details you will get 50 Swag Bucks automatically with their Birthday Bucks!

Disclosure: I've linked my referral link, so I will earn a couple of points for your searches. :)

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Go play Schick's Visual Q's instant win game on Facebook. It is reminiscent of playing Memory when you were a kid. You can win a $3.00 or $4.00 coupon for any Quattro for Women razor, ~~refills~~ or disposables. I've played once a day (the limit) for the last three days and finally won a $3.00 coupon.

If you're wondering why there is a line through the word "refills" I'll tell you. With coupons, you almost never have to pay more than a buck for "fancy, expensive" razors. Most of the time, you can get them for free. You will never get such a great deal on refills...this is where they "get you"...make you fall in love with the great razor you got for free and then charge you a freshly shaved arm(pit) and a leg for the refills. So, play, win, shave...just don't waste your coupon on "saving" a few bucks on refills that will still cost you about $10.00. Save it for a great deal (which I will of course tell you about!) and get yourself a free razor. These coupons are good until the end of the year, which is an added bonus!

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Just another reminder, today is the final day to enter the CSN Stores Giveaway. The entry period closes at 11:59 p.m. tonight. Hurry on over to the CSN Stores Giveaway post and enter! I will be posting the winner tomorrow, Good Luck!

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Jewel-Osco Deals Of The Week 7/15-7/21

UPDATE: Free bread printable is no longer working. If you printed it already you can still use it (as of now - might want to hurry on over and get your bread - it is possible that Jewel may begin to refuse to honor their own coupon *sigh*.)

So, it's not a fabulous sale by any means, but let's make do. The ~~free bread~~ and produce will make up for what the rest of the ad is lacking I guess! Abbreviations: AY All You Magazine (the one I'm always telling you about, which is sold exclusively at Wal-Mart or by subscription here) RP Red Plum coupon insert, SS Smart Source coupon insert

3 day produce sale Thur-Sat

Sweet Corn .22 limit 12

Cabbage .28 lb.

Green Peppers .58

Vine Ripe Tomatoes .78 lb.

Blueberries 1.28 pint limit 3

Mix and match this anyway you like, get just over the $2.00 mark and use Jewel email sign up $2.00 on produce coupon, limit 1 per transaction

Final price: As close to free as you can get!

Week-long produce sale

Chiquita Avocados $1.79

Go here and use zip code 85003 to print $1.00/2 California Avocados, combine with Jewel email sign up $2.00 on produce coupon

Final price: $.58 for 2 (This is a GREAT price!)

Garden Fresh Cucumbers .49

Buy FIVE, use Jewel email sign up $2.00 on produce coupon, limit 1 per transaction

Final price: .45 for 5

Farm Stand Sleeved Celery

Buy TWO, use Jewel email sign up $2.00 on produce coupon, limit 1 per transaction

Final price: Two Free

Green Seedless Grapes $1.99 lb.

Get just a “little” over a lb., use Jewel email sign up $2.00 on produce coupon, limit 1 per transaction

Final price: As close to free as you can get!

Muskmelons $1.99

Throw a cucumber or a single banana in with this to get you over the $2.00 mark, use Jewel email sign up $2.00 on produce coupon, limit 1 per transaction

Final price: varies

Farm Stand Baby Carrots $1.49 1 lb. Bag

Buy TWO, use Jewel email sign up $2.00 on produce coupon, limit 1 per transaction

Final price: $1.00 for 2 bags

Farm Stand Jumbo Russet Potatoes $3.49 8 lb. bag

Use Jewel email sign up $2.00 on produce coupon, limit 1 per transaction

Final price: $1.49

Bread (If you printed the coupon)

Mini French Loaves, 2 ct. $2.29. Most other Bake Shop breads are $2.49 - $3.49, Use Jewel email sign up Free Bread up to $3.00 coupon, limit 1 per transaction

Final price: varies .29-$1.49

10 for $10 Mix and Match sale

Chef Boyardee $1

$1/5 May AY

Final price: $4 for 5

Knorr Sides or Sides Plus Veggies $1

.50/2 6/27RP

Final price: $1.50 for 2

Act II Microwave Popcorn 3 ct.

.40/1 6/20SS

Final price: .60 each

Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding 4-pack

$1/2 May AY

Final price: $1.00 for 2

Meat

Jewel Whole Chicken Fryers .99 lb.

Purdue Fresh Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs $1.49 lb.

Cookies, Chips, Snacks etc.

Chips Ahoy 2/$4

$1/1 Chips Ahoy with Reese's or Heath July AY

Final price: $1 for 1 OR Buy 2, Final Price: $3.00, get a free Redbox Movie Rental coupon back at checkout

Fisher Fusions 4-6 oz. $1.99

Use 1.00/1 from 2/7SS, 2/28SS, 6/20SS (yes, they are often on sale for $1.29, but if you love them, get 'em!)

Frozen

Tombstone Pizzas 3/$11

Get a $2.oo coupon from their Facebook page here (print 2!)

Final price: $1.66 each

Canned

StarKist Chunk Light Tuna .79

use $1/2 May AY

Final price: .58 for 2

Dole Pineapple 8 oz. .79

use .50/2 6/27SS

Final price: $1.08 for 2

You can't eat it

Reach Dental Floss .99

use $1.00/1 Print $1.00 off here or, in the 3/7RP, 5/16 RP

Final price: Free or .01 overage

Homelife Charcoal 16.6 lb. Bags 2/$11.98

use in-ad $5.00/2 coupon

Final price: $6.98 for 2

See anything I missed? Leave a comment and let me know!

Till next time...

The Coupon Connoisseur

This coupon is *HOT*, hurry on over here, enter zip code 85003 and print this $1.00 on 2 large, Fresh California Avocados coupon. In fact, print 2 and you will be so happy you did when I bring you this week's Jewel-Osco deals. High value coupons always go fast, especially when they are rare ones like this. Hurry and get yours before they reach their print limit. If you haven't already signed up for Jewel-Osco's emails like I told you to earlier - go do that now too, you're going to want that $2.00 store produce coupon too!

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

UPDATE: The promo code for free bread is no longer valid. As of 7/15/10 at 12:49 p.m. CST the PRODUCE code is still working. Did I mention HURRY!?!?
HURRY! I had to emphasize that right off the bat, because you never know how long these things will last. Right now, go here to sign up for Jewel-Osco emails. On the line that asks for a Promotion Code enter PRODUCE. You will receive a confirmation email, when you click to confirm there will be a $2.00 off produce coupon! Print as many as you like before closing the window. ~~Go back and sign up again, and use the promo code freebread. Same process, you will get a coupon for Free bread from their Bake Shop.~~ Again, print several as they are good through July 26th.

I used both of these coupons last night. You can use one of each coupon per transaction so get some fruit, some bread...repeat...you get the idea. I did leave my coupons on the page they printed from, not all cashiers are familiar with Jewel's emailed coupons (crazy I know!) I'm working on the new deals of the week and there are some great deals on produce in the new ad that starts tomorrow and you will want to have these coupons.

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Free Dentyne Pure!

In my house "new" and "free" are two very important words! I love free and he loves new, so the new Dentyne Pure was right up both of our alleys. Recently, I came across some Buy One Get One Free coupons which came in handy when I hit a great sale. As you can see from the picture, I really stocked up. If you want to get some free Dentyne Pure for yourself, hurry on over here to their Facebook page and sign up. These Facebook promotions tend to go fast so don't delay!

Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Email to CEO of Supervalu

This is the email I sent to Craig Herkert, CEO of Supervalu regarding their recent decision to thin out their selection of products.

Dear Mr. Herkert,

I am writing today to talk to you about the direction that SuperValu stores (Jewel-Osco in my area) seems to be taking. It is not a direction, I, as one of your loyalist of shoppers wish to go. The recent article in Chicago Business was particularly disturbing. Above and beyond all else, the "Project SHE, which stands for Simplify Her Experience" jumped out at me.

Demeaning? Yes, Insulting? Absolutely. Unless it is 1952, or this "concept" was pitched by the cast of Mad Men I am completely stunned that this made it out of the boardroom and into reality. In this economy, women (and shoppers as a whole) are more informed than ever about the choices we make in purchasing products. We are not overwhelmed, confused or mystified by a wide selection of products. We do not need to have the largest supermarket chain in our area "dumbed down" in order for us to be able to shop there. Paring down your offerings by 15-25% will, in and of itself, cause some of your customers to abandon you entirely. Doing it under the guise of making it "simpler" for the dim-witted, easily confused poor little housewife who couldn't otherwise navigate the complexities of shopping in your stores will surely increase those numbers tenfold.

In the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, you are quoted as saying "So when a consumer comes to any one of our stores I want her to be able to make a choice. If she wants to buy a national branded product, I want to have that national branded product at a fair price for her. If however she chooses to want to buy something that is a better value, then I want to have that. We have a great private brand program. Quite frankly we haven't stepped up and really shown off that fact to Mom". Again, the thought process behind this statement seems to be that Mom isn't all that bright. That we don't know what a better value actually is. Your SuperValu brand of products are in fact no value at all. There is no value in a low quality paper towel which isn't strong enough to absorb an eye dropper's worth of water. Speaking of water, if I wanted water, I'd buy it. Please don't masquerade it in a bottle labeled Shopper's Value dish-washing detergent.

I'd also like to implore you to stop playing pricing games which are a clear indication of how 'simple' you think your shoppers are. If I walked into my Jewel today and went down the aisle to the Reynold's aluminum foil , do you know what I'd find? Wow! A red clearance sticker! Only $2.99!!! Too bad it is stuck underneath the yellow sticker with the original price of $2.99. You'll have to do better than that to convince me its a bargain. 'Simple' math 2.99 minus 0.00 is a 0% markdown.

If you really want to know what makes shoppers tick (and spend) I suggest you take the "simple" approach and ASK us. It amazes me to think that you seem to have actually fallen for Wal-Mart's slick marketing schemes. Just last week an article ran in the Chicago Tribune touting Wal-Mart's rock bottom pricing of $5.00 for a 24 pack of name brand soda. Meanwhile, I (as a loyal Jewel shopper) bought the same brand name soda in your store which was running a sale on 12-packs 4 for $8.00. Your ad also featured an in-store coupon for free Johnsonville Sausages with purchase of 4 12-packs. So, a shopper could have spent $10.00 at Wal-Mart for 48 cans of pop. Or, they could have come to Jewel and spent $8.00 for 48 cans of pop AND a package of sausages. Truth be told I paid $6.00 by using a $2.00 off four 12-packs manufacturer's coupon in conjunction with this sale.

But, sadly most shoppers don't know that. Why? Because rather than directing your marketing campaigns to let Wal-Mart hang themselves with their own noose, you decide women need you to simplify your stores for us. A well executed print and TV campaign directly highlighting examples of the real cost of shopping at Wal-Mart will go much further to increasing your bottom line than insulting your core group of customers with this Project SHE will.

Sincerely,

Note to readers: the reference to the Reynold's aluminum foil in this email was the subject of one of my posts. You can see the picture of the actual shelf tag by clicking here. To return to the post 'Supervalu thinning out its selection or dumbing down for women?' click here

If you didn't win playing the Soak Up 99 Days of Summer game I told you about earlier, try your hand at another instant win game. In the Pace Hand-Pick & Win 2 game you can win a free jar of salsa. In fact, 1 in 20 will win! Codes are found under the lids of specially-marked jars. No code? Me either, but the nice folks at Pace will actually give you a code! You can play once daily. If you win, come back and let me know!

Till next time...
The Coupon Connoisseur

Prove It!

July 29, 2010

July 28, 2010

July 27, 2010

July 26, 2010

July 22, 2010

July 20, 2010

July 19, 2010

July 16, 2010

July 15, 2010

July 14, 2010

July 10, 2010

July 09, 2010