Am I the only one who is completely psyched over Italian Days at Publix?
I promised a friend I would babysit her 2 year old daughter today, (returning part of the favor I owed her for watching Trouble for 2 full days while I was at Blissdom a few weeks ago), but I couldn’t bear the thought of waiting to hit the big sale until tomorrow, or even tonight.
So I did what any mildly insane extreme couponer would do. I made the trip with 2 toddlers in tow.
I had so much stuff I could barely fit it in the cart.
I used 78 coupons.
And I made a video.
Okay, maybe mildly insane doesn’t quite capture it. Completely nuts is more like it.
But it was actually fun. It was much less of a fiasco than I expected it to be. And it just goes to show that if I can do it while juggling two small children and a video camera, you can do it too!
So without further ado, here is what I got:
At Publix I spent $40.56 for $286.37 worth of groceries, a savings of 86%.
Coupons used: (11) $1 off 4 Progresso Products (Publix Italian Days Flyer available in store or printable here) (5) $1 off 4 Green Giant Vegetables (Publix Italian Days Flyer available in store or printable here) (5) $5 off wyb 20 participating General Mills or Hunts products (Publix Italian Days Flyer available in store or printable here) (5) $1 off 4 Progresso Soups (printable here) (2) $0.75 off Muir Glen Tomatoes (no more prints available) (1) $1 off 2 Muir Glen Products (Publix Italian Days Flyer available in store or printable here) (6) $1.50 off Sargento Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese (printable here) (6) $1.50 off Sargento Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese (printable here) (4) $1.50 off 2 WishBone Salad Dressings (Target Coupon, printable here) (4) $1 off 2 WishBone Salad Dressings (Red Plum 1/30) (10) $1 off 2 Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta (Smart Source 1/23) (5) $0.50 off 2 Sargento Cheese (Smart Source 1/30) (3) $1.50 off Publix Bread wyb 6 Hunts Tomatoes (Publix Italian Days Flyer (backside) available in store only) (1) $0.40 off 2 Pillsbury Italian bread or Pizza Crust (Smart Source 1/02) (4) $1 off 3 Hunts Tomatoes (Publix Italian Days Flyer (backside) available in store only) (2) $1.50 off Romano’s Macaroni Grill Frozen Meals (General Mills 1/02) (2) $1 off Fresh Express Salad (printable here)
Combined with my Sunday totals, this week I spent a total of $55.77 for $366.06 worth of groceries and drugstore merchandise, an average savings of 85% for the week.
Now it’s your turn! Seeing others’ examples is one of the best ways to learn new couponing strategies, hints, and hot deals. If you have a blog, pleas link up your coupon savings here. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to share your shopping experiences in a comment below.
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Tonya February 17, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Awesome Job! Can’t wait to go to Publix to get some great deals
Kelly February 17, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Ruth, I am insanely jealous that you went to Italian Days at Publix. That was always my favorite sale at Publix when I lived in Nashville. I can’t help but be *green* with envy when I look at all of those Progresso items. I’m feeling faint….oh my little Publix….how I miss you.
PS – You are TOTALLY insane (and I mean that).
Rachelle February 18, 2011 at 1:55 am
Thank you! I just started couponing about 4 weeks ago and have not had a trip to Publix as successful as this one tonight. After watching your video and doing some planning I was able to buy 20 cans of GG veggies, 20 cans of Progresso soup, 10 boxes of Ronzoni pasta, 6 cans of Hunt’s tomatoes and a thing of Publix bread for only $3.79!!!!! A savings of $96.00!!!!!!! I am on cloud nine as I have NEVER had or done anything like this… I’m addicted! Thank you again for sharing your trip as it was a HUGE help for a beginner like me.
Ruth February 18, 2011 at 3:38 am
Wow Rachelle, that is awesome! I’m so glad my video could help you. Thanks so much for sharing.
Kim February 18, 2011 at 3:14 am
78 coupons, wow! I have to ask where do you get all those coupons. Can you tell me which local (I live in Charlotte County too.) newspapers do you think is best to buy on Sunday and how many do you usually get? Also, when it comes to printing coupons off the internet how do you get around the two print limit most coupon websites have? I have been stuggling to get better at couponing for the past few months and could use any pointers you may have. Thx
Ruth February 18, 2011 at 3:44 am
In Charlotte County I normally buy the Sarasota Herald Tribune & occasionally the Fort Myers News Press. Never the Sun! I usually pop into Publix after church to buy my papers so that I can look through them and make sure all the inserts are there. I usually buy 6, but occasionally other people who know I coupon will give me their extra inserts as well.
Ruth February 18, 2011 at 3:46 am
Oh, also, I have 3 computers that I print from!
Kim February 18, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Do you have to have different computers or different printers for it to work?
Ruth February 18, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Just different computers. I use the same printer for all of them. My “spare” computers are two really old & otherwise useless laptops that I use only for printing Qs. The only downside is that they are both super slow so it takes a while.
Jessica @ These Are The Days February 18, 2011 at 3:27 am
I went again tonight and ended up with a 47% savings. I am anxious to get the Sunday paper (hopefully all 5 subscriptions will come this time) so I can save even more. I need to print coupons Online too, that will help.
So while I’m on this savings kick, I signed the boys up for the bus rather than driving an hour (total) each day to get them to and from school. I also down graded our Direct TV package and a few other things. Woo hoo!
Ruth February 18, 2011 at 3:45 am
That’s awesome! You should link up your savings post from the other day!
Jessica @ These Are The Days February 18, 2011 at 3:28 am
BTW, yes…you’re totally insane for going extreme coupon shopping w/ 2 toddlers, a giant truck cart (those things are hard to handle) AND a video camera!!! Love it!
Emily February 18, 2011 at 3:28 am
How do you print more than two printable coupons? I saw you 5 Progresso soup coupons…but I am only ever able to print two copies of anything!
Ruth February 18, 2011 at 3:48 am
The Publix coupon that was posted here is a PDF coupon that has unlimited prints. For coupon sites that limit the number of prints, I use two very old laptops which are pretty much just old and useless except for printing coupons.
Jessica February 18, 2011 at 12:52 pm
IMPRESSIVE! I was happy with myself for spending $89.00 but walking out with a $66.01 savings. I couldn’t imagine doing as well as you did!
Polly February 18, 2011 at 7:28 pm
I continue to be awed by your saving super powers! Can you use your mad skills to get Publix to come to East TN
Have a fabulous weekend!
April February 18, 2011 at 7:56 pm
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I usually shop at the South Punta Gorda store, not anymore. After watching your video and seeing that you were able to use ALL the Publix coupons I asked my store manager and he said NO… UGH!!! Went to downtown Publix and WOW they are so sweet! I’ll be shopping there from now on. You are such a blessing to all of us. Thanks for all your hard work!!
April February 18, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Oh! The best part is I got 288.00 for 84.00. Now if someone could just find me room to store all this stuff in my tiny house!!
Kim February 18, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Arpil, I use the South Punta Gorda Publix too and they always seem upset I am using coupons! I actually get anxiety checking out at that place! I think I am heading to the downtown Publix too!
April February 20, 2011 at 12:58 am
Kim I totally understand. I get the same anxiety. Shopping at the downtown Publix was a totally different experience. They opened other lanes so no one had to wait behind me! It was just so much different shopping there. The cashier was actually excited about my savings!
Ruth February 20, 2011 at 1:01 am
I’ve never shopped at that Burnt Store location but it is interesting to hear the comparison. I’ve heard the prices are slightly lower there, but I think I’ll take the good customer service! I’m so glad you had a great experience. Thanks for sharing!
alohakaarin February 19, 2011 at 12:07 am
Quick question Ruth- your coupon link for Fresh Express Salad reads : ANY Fresh Express® Artisanal Salads. But salads in your picture look different. did they let you use the coupons anyway??
Ruth February 19, 2011 at 9:37 am
I have used those Artisanal Salad Qs for Fresh Express several times now without issue. In fact, I’ve never even seen anything called “Artisanal Salad” in the produce section, so I just always grab whatever looks freshest. They scan just fine and I’ve never one been questioned over them.
JRFrugalMom February 19, 2011 at 2:35 am
You did amazing! Wow, what a load you have there. I always shop with two kids, and on tough days three, it can be done….but oh my it can give me headaches sometimes:)
I have not done the Italian Day sale yet, but after reading all about your trip I cannot wait.
I would like to invite you to link up your savings at the Weekly Savings Linky @ Frugality Is Free . Enter to win a $25 Publix GC too!
Debi @ Bluegrass Savers February 19, 2011 at 2:51 am
What a great trip and video! The girls are absolutely adorable. I love the Italian days sale! I did it last year when we lived in an area that has Publix.
The Lunch Lady February 20, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Did I see a $1/Q on the pasta as the cashier was ringing it up?
Ruth February 20, 2011 at 8:59 pm
It was a peelie for $1 off Classico pasta sauce, which I didn’t buy. I’ll definitely save the Q though! Good eye!
Jenna February 21, 2011 at 4:44 am
I’ve been seeing people buy a lot of the shredded cheese because they are so cheap but I must ask how do you plan on storing them. Freezer, refrigerator? Won’t they spoil or be hard/crumbly or taste funny after they defrost? Bare in mind it’s only my husband and I so I have no kids to help with the stash but I’ve been really curious and I’m doing my shopping tomorrow
Thanks in advance……
Ruth February 21, 2011 at 7:30 pm
We go through so much cheese that I don’t usually have to freeze it, but you can definitely freeze cheese, milk, and even eggs (crack them into an ice cube tray first). Like Laura noted below, it does get a little crumbly, but I only usually use shredded cheese in cooked dishes, so that hasn’t been an issue.
Laura @ Frugal Follies February 21, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@Jenna – I keep my shredded cheese in the freezer if I won’t be able to eat it in a week or two. It does come out crumbly; I would recommend using frozen cheese only when you use it in a cooked dish afterward. I would not recommend freezing blocks of cheese.
@Ruth – woohoo! I linked to your awesome trip in my Italian Days post over at Frugal Follies. Bravo! And all that without double coupons!
Thanks for linking up to Wednesday Weekly Shopping at Frugal Follies! See you next Wednesday!
Ruth February 21, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Thanks for the link!
Jessica February 22, 2011 at 5:23 am
Hi!! Thanks so much for the video! I am excited to see others are as enthusiastic about couponing as I am. This week I spent $58.61 and saved 110.81 at publix. This included 3 packets of chicken as well as all the sale items. However, I was confused about the pasta. My publix did not have the smart taste pasta but I have the coupon $1 off 2 from the add the other week. Am I allowed to use this on the reg. blue boxed BOGO Ronzoni Pasta or do I need to find a publix who has this BOGO as well. Very impressed with your savings and thanks again for the video
Amy Dean February 22, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Ruth, just been watching some of your videos on couponing… very helpful! But here in Southern Indiana we have access to Jay C ( which is owned by Kroger) so basically the same ad, and Walmart Supercenter… so do you know of any couponers that do what you do at these stores? we also have CVS and Walgreens ( right across the street from each other) and I do get the Target ad, and Kmart ads too… they are just a little further drive! needin more help!
Amy!!