Where We Shop ~ Then and Now

In this post I'm going to show where you said you shopped and then I am going to tell you what a typical shopping trip was like for me before coupons and after coupons.

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In the last Poll I asked:

Where do you do the majority of your grocery shopping?

Here were the results:

45% ~ Winco

20% ~ Other

15% ~ Safeway

15% ~ Walmart Supercenter

5% ~ WholeFoods

0% ~ Fred Meyer

0% ~ Albertsons

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Where we shopped before we started using coupons:

A typical shopping day would start at the Franz Bread store, then Prospector's (a liquidations store), then Grocery Outlet, then Winco, and Target for toiletries.

We shopped Fred Meyer for our organic items along with a trip to Whole Foods and Trader Joes about once a month.

It was a lot of running around, but we felt like we were saving a lot. We hardly ever stepped foot in Safeway, and Albertson's was way too expensive and out of our way.

We also did the majority of our monthly shopping in one huge trip.

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Where we shop now that we use coupons:

The first major change is that there is no longer one huge trip a month. We visit stores about twice a week but spend about 15 minutes in each store. Okay I know my husband is reading this and saying "yeah right." That's just because I like to stop and analyze everything five times over. The truth is after you have been couponing for awhile and have a little bit of a stockpile you are just running in to get three or four items. I don't mean three or four items total, I mean 10 mayo, 4 boxes of cereal and 6 bodywash. :) You will spend less time in the store because you will just be refilling your stock pile and you will have everything planned out ahead of time.

The biggest money waster is buying something at full price because you ran out of it and it's not on sale right now. Do you really want to spend $4 for a jar of jam when you could have gotten it for free? Okay I'm off subject, we'll talk more about the power of the stockpile later. AND, I'm not talking 67 mustards. Coupons run in 12 week cycles so you really only need to have 12 weeks of stock. Some of us have a year and thats fine but 67 mustards?!?! Really Lady?!?! (sorry ~ Extreme Couponing vent)

Okay back on track. I don't think I've been to Winco more than 1 time in the last 3 months.

I've been to Grocery Outlet twice and it about killed me. I used to think I was getting such a good deal and now I go in and see them charging $3 for something that is a day away from expiration that I just got for free at Safeway.

The best place in our immediate area (Cowlitz County) to grocery shop with coupons is Safeway. They run great sales. Wednesday they run double coupons up to 50¢. And, they do a fabulous job at keeping things in stock. When Walmart was out of the Gain Fabric softener that everyone was after a few months back, Safeway had tons. Same went for the Nivea body wash. Everytime Target, Walmart, Walgreens have been out of a hot item, I've been able to find it at Safeway.

Shopping at Safeway without coupons is not going to save you money. With Coupons they beat Prospector's, Grocery Outlet and Winco 90%* of the time.

*not a scientific number :)

Albertson's ~ Okay I was floored to see that no one chose Albertson's. It took me awhile before I tried Albertson's, but now I'm hooked. I know it's 30 miles away. It is so worth the drive people! Albertson's runs Twice The Value coupons from time to time. They don't come out on a regular basis but you can usually find a heads up online. They will double up to $1 on any coupon valued $1 or less. They will do three per transactions and allow up to three transactions in a row. They do this so that there is a break in the line to allow other customers to get through. The Albertson's that I have been to are so coupon friendly and have no problem with you doing three transactions and then coming back and doing three more and three more and three more. You have to have a coupon for each double. They do not come in the Daily News. They come in The Columbian and The Oregonian. I get my inserts from an insert service, but I also buy about 4 Oregonians a week for extra coupons and for the Twice the Value Coupons. They also have the ads in the stores. The last few times I have been in, I have had no problems getting enough Twice the Value Coupons while still making sure that there are plenty to go around.

I can't say enough about Albertson's! I get free stuff from there all the time.

I hit Target and Super Target once in awhile if there is a good ad match-up. Same goes for Fred Meyer. I hear that Fred Meyer's policy is changing. I'm going to post more about this as I find out for sure along with some interesting information that a cashier shared with me.

I also shop at Walgreens and RiteAid more now, but I'll save Drugstores for a separate post.

Winco isn't the most coupon friendly store. Our Winco store won't take online coupons that aren't from the Winco website. But, they do have low enough prices that you can hit a good deal with a really good coupon.

Walmart is nice because they will ad match as long as the ad states a specific price for an item. They also allow cash overages, so in some cases they will hand you cash to take items home. The big problem with Walmart, especially in our area, is that they are out of stock the same day the deal comes out and then they don't get anymore stock in. It's really frustrating.

I still shop at Prospector. Mainly because I find lots of organic items for less here.

I also still shop at the Franz bread store because we go through a lot of bread. The bread that we eat can cost $4 a loaf at a regular store and we pay between 50¢ and $1.25 at the bread store. We buy 15 loaves at a time and freeze it.

Have your shopping habits changed since you started couponing?

5/15 Coupon Preview

Smartsource
Atkins Day Break Square 5 pack or Shake 4 pack Save $1/1 (7/31)
Atkins Bar 5 pack or Shake 4 pack Save $1/1 (7/31)
Bausch + Lomb Alaway Eye Drops Save $4/1 (7/31)
Bausch + Lomb Opcon-A Eye Drops Save $1/1 (7/31)
Claritin any Non-Drowsy 4 oz or 10-ct or larger Save $2/1 (6/12)
Claritin any Non-Drowsy 24-ct or larger Save $5/1 (6/12)
9Lives Dry Cat Food bag 3.15 lbs or larger Save $1/1 (7/16)
9Lives Wet Cat Food bag ONE 12-can variety pack, 12 individual cans, or THREE 4-packs Save $1 (7/16)
OFF! Area product: powerpad lamp, outdoor fogger, citronella candle or mosquito coil Save $1/1 (6/25)
OFF! Area product: powerpad lamp, outdoor fogger, citronella candle or mosquito coil Save $2/2 (6/25)
JELL-O refrigerated snacks Save $1/1 (6/15)
CHI-CHI’s Salsa jars or SNACKERS Salsa and Cheese cups 12 oz or greater Save $1/2 (7/31)
CHI-CHI’s tortillas Save $1/2 (7/31)
BAILEYS Coffee Creamer Save $1/1 DND (6/12)
Bausch+Lomb Alaway antihistamine eye drops Save $4/1 (7/31)
Bausch+Lomb Opcon-A eye drops Save $1/1 (7/31)
GM Cereal Basic 4, Chex, Fiber One, Honey Nut Clusters, Oatmeal Crisp, Raisin Nut Bran, Total, Wheaties Save $1/2 (6/25)
Colgate ProClinical 4 oz or larger Save $1/1 (6/4)
MidNite, MidNIte PM / MidNite for Menopause Save $1/1 (11/30)
LAND O LAKES Fresh Buttery Taste Spread Products Save $.50/1 (7/9)
LAND O LAKES 1 lb Deli Cheese Save $1.00 (7/31)
LAND O LAKES packages of Deli Cheese Products Save $1/2 (7/31)
Pepperirdge Farm Bread or rolls Save $1/2 (7/31)
Juicefuls juice filled fruit snacks Save $1/1 (8/21)
Pepperidge Farm Cookies Save $1/2 (7/10)
LUNCHABLES lunch combos with fruit Save $1/1 (7/10)
OSCAR MEYER Sub or Flatbread Sandwiches, Cracker Combos or New Sandwich Combos Save $1/1 (7/10)
OSCAR MEYER Lower Sodium Turkey Bacon Save $1/2 (7/10)
OSCAR MEYER Hot Dogs Save $1/2 (7/10)
OSCAR MEYER Deli Fresh or 1 lb shaved lunchmeats Save $1/2 (7/10)
OSCAR MEYER Sandwich Combos Save $1/1 (7/10)
Ziploc brand bags Save $1/2 (7/9)
Ziploc containers Save $1.50/2 (7/9)
Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Bruch 2-in-1 kit or refill pack Save $3/1 (6/25)
Shout laundry products Save $1/2 (6/26) DND
STRIDE gum Save $1/3 single packs (7/9)
COTTENELLE Flushable Moist Wipes Save $1/2 36- count or larger tubs, 42 count refills or 1 72-count or larger refill (6/26)
Lysol Clean-Flip Starter Kit or Floor Cloths Save $1/1 (8/31)
Woolite Oxy Deep, Pet + Oxygen and Pet Urine Eliminator Save $.75/1 (5/31)
People magazine Save $1/1 (7/5)
HeluvaGood Sour Cream Dips Save $1/2 (6/30)
KOTEX linters 33 ct or higher Save $1.50/2 (6/25)
KOTEX pads Save $2/2 (6/25)
KOTEX Security Tampons Save $1.50/2 (6.25)
KRAFT Mayo or Miracle Whip Save $1/1 (6/12)
DOLE Fruit in Gel Save $.75/2 (7/31)
DOLE Parfaits Save $.75/2 (7/31)
Joint Juice product Save $1/1 (7/15)
Reynolds Wrap Non-stick foil Save $1/1 (6/30)
Reynolds Wrap Foil (excluding 20, 25,& 30 sq ft) Save $1/1 (6/30)
Kikkoman Products Save $1/2 (12/31)
PLANTERS Nutrition Bars (5ct box) or Big Nut Bars (5 ct box) Save $1/1 (7/31)
TEEKANNE Herbal Wellness tea Save $1.50/1 (6/30)
Method Laundry Detergent 25 or 50 load Save $1/1 (6/30)
Nylabone non edible chew Save $1.50/1 (6/21)
Nylabone edible chew or treat Save $1.50/1 (6/21)

RedPlum

Aquafresh iso-active Foaming gel Save $1.00/1 (6/26)
Aveeno sun protection product Save $1.50/1 (7/31)
Aveeno sun protection products Save $3.00/2 (7/31)
Benadryl topical product Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Black Box rebate offer Save $5.00 (7/31)
Brawny Paper Towels 6- roll or larger Save $1.00/2 ((8/11)
Caltrate Save $2.00/1 (8/22)
Caltrate larger size 155ct or larger Save $3.00/1 (8/22)
Carbona color & dirt grabber Save $1.00/1 (8/13)
Carbona stain devils Save $1.00/1 (8/13)
Centrum Silver Women’s, Centrum Silver Men’s, Centrum Women’s or Centrum Men’s 100 ct Save $2.00/1 (8/7)
Centrum Silver Women’s, Centrum Silver Men’s, Centrum Women’s or Men’s 100ct Save $5.00/2 (8/7)
Centrum Silver women’s , Centrum Silver Men’s, Centrum Women’s or Men’s 200 ct Save $10.00/2 (8/7)
Cesar entrees Buy THREE get ONE FREE up to Save $1.19 (8/6)
Cortaid product Save $3.00/1 (7/31)
FiberChoice product Save $3.00/1 (7/9)
Gillette Body Wash no trial Save $2.00/1 (6/30)
Gillette Deodorant Buy ONE GET ONE FREE up to Save $4.00 (6/30)
Goya Olive oil 17oz or larger Save $.75/1 (8/15) DND5
Goya Adobo 16.5 oz or larger Save $.55/1 (8/15) DND5
Grain Berry Antioxidant Cereals Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Grain Berry pancake or muffin mix Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Brand product Save $1.00/2 (7/31)
Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats and/or Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Cereals 14oz or larger Save $1.00/2 (6/26)
Kellogg’s Cereals 8.7oz or larger Save $1.00/3 (6/26)
Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts 8 ct or larger Save $1.00/3 (7/10)
Kraft dressing 14 oz or larger Save $1.50/2 (6/12)
Land O’Frost Premium One Pound Save $.55/1 (7/31) DND5
Lawry’s Marinade Save $.50/1 (6/19)
Lawry’s Spice Blend Save $.50/1 (6/19)
L’Oreal Sublime Bronze product Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Paris skincare Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Ever Sleek, Ever Pure, Ever Strong shampoo or conditioner Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Ever Sleek, Ever Pure, Ever Strong treatment Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Vive Pro Shampoo Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Studio Line Styling Product or L’Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Style product Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal haircolor product any Save $2.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal haircolor products any Save $5.00/2 (7/10)
Milo’s kitchen brand 100% real dog treats 3.3oz or smaller Save $1.50/1 (7/9)
Milo’s Kitchen brand 100 real dog treats 10oz or larger Save $2.00/1 (7/9)
Neosporin Lip Health product Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Neosporin and Band-Aid brand adhesive bandages product Save $1.50 on BOTH (7/31)
Nivea Body Lotion 8.4 fl. oz – 13.5 fl. oz. Save $2.00/1 (6/26)
Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite product 2.5oz-6.7oz Save $3.00/1 (6/26)
Osteo Bi-Flex caplets, softgels or powder no liquids Save $5.00/1 (6/26)
Polident products Save $1.00/1 (6/26)
Super Poligrip Products Save $1.00/1 (6/26)
Pup-Peroni dog snacks 4/8oz or larger Save $1.50/2 (7/15)
Scotties facial tissues 5 boxes or 2 multipacks Save $1.00 (6/18/`11)
Sensodyne ProNamel toothpaste Save $1.00/1 (8/14)
Sensodyne Toothpaste or iso-active foaming gel .75/1 (8/14)
Silver Palate thick & Rough oatmeal Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Smuckers toppings product Save $1.00/2 (8/31)
Snausages or Snow Somes! dog snacks 9.75 oz or larger Save $1.50/2 (7/15)
Sundown vitamins or supplements product Save $1.00/1 (6/28)
Turkey Hill half gallons or larger Drinks Save $1.00/2 (8/15)
Uncle Ben’s original converted brand rice products Save $1.00/2 (7/10)
Venus Razor or Venus Disposables Razor Save $2.00/1 (6/30)
Venus Refill Save $2.00/1 (6/30)
Whiskas dry food for cats bag Save $1.00/1 (7/9)
Whiskas tray Buy One Get One FREE up to .69 (7/9)
Wisk Laundry detergent 50 oz or larger Save $2.00/1 (6/26)

Giveaway from Coupon $avvy in Cowlitz Co.

Click HERE and enter to win a Cansolidator Pantry System