No Coupons Today!

Don't go running out and getting stressed that you can't find coupons in the papers today, there aren't any! Typically, holiday weekends are coupon free. This makes me sad, but next week should make up for it with the likelihood of at least 3 inserts (it should be P&G week).

Earn $30 Groupon Bucks for Referring Friends

Right now, Groupon is offering quite a deal for referring your friends, you can get $30 in Groupon credits for each friend you refer (3x what they normally give).  So this is a good time to share your referral link on Facebook and email your mom about them :)

Know Your Policies

I've worked my way up to shopping 5 different store when the sales are right.  I've been shopping at Kroger, Schnucks, CVS, Walgreens and Wal Mart.  I haven't had any major issues with any of those stores until yesterday.  Wouldn't you know it, my problem was at Wal Mart.  Before I go to any store, I make sure that I know their couopn policies, and in Wal Mart's case, their new Ad Match Policy. I've also made it a point to carry a copy of their policy with me in the envelope that I carry my coupons in for that stores trip.

I've been taking advantage of Wal Mart's Ad Match Guarantee a lot lately.  Unless I get to the drug stores first thing Sunday morning, the sale items that I want, are usually gone by the time I get there on Tuesday (which is when I used to do my drug store shopping.)

Yesterday, I wanted to Ad Match the Buy 1 at $2.99 Get One Free Oscar Mayer hot dogs that were in this weeks Walgreens ad.  On Wal Mart's corporate website, it specifically states that they will match "Buy one, get one free ads with a specified price."  Even though its no longer required, I still bring in the competitor's ad with me, because my Wal Mart still doesn't take your word on the Ad Match.

I do my shopping, get up front and get ready to check out.  I put my ad match items at the end so she could scan the rest of the order first and then we could go over my ad matches. (I was also matching the Purex that was on sale at CVS for $1.99, doing that plus my $1/1 Q made those .99 each!) The Purex goes off without a hitch, but when I pulled out the Walgreens ad and tried to get her to do the match on the hot dogs, the cashier wasn''t sure how to ring it up, so she found a manager that was close by to help her.  The "zone manager" Monica came over and told me that I couldn't do that ad match and that it was on the sign at the register. (It wasn't.)

So out came my trusty Ad Match Policy from their own corporate website, and I tried to show her it.  She looked at me and was like I have no idea where you got that (My answer walmartstores.com, your corporate website) but we don't do that type of ad match, we never have, we never will.  I then asked her if she was fully trained on the new policy, because in this case she was incorrect.  She insisted that she was fully and properly trained and that I was in the wrong.  Mind you, I kept my cool through out this whole thing.  It's really important to stay calm when you are challenging management.  If you coupon in a store for a period of time, they know who you are.  You always want good relationships with the management and clerks of the stores you shop at.  Having an adversarial relationship with a store won't make your couponing easier.  Unfortunately, with the hype that couponing has gotten recently due to the TLC show, couponers as a group are being scrutinized even closer.  As long as we are ethical and are doing everything right, there's no reason to be made to feel bad or even embarrassed to use our coupons and build our stockpiles.

I took note of her name and let her know that I would be calling corporate to inquire about this.  She told me "You go ahead and do that ma'am."   I paid for my order and left the store.  I got the number for Wal Mart's Corporate Customer Service (800-925-6278 and its programmed into my phone now too!) and called.  The customer service agent I got on the phone was kind, courteous and even sympathetic.  I explained to her exactly what had happened and also the general attitude of the manager Monica.  She said that she was sorry and that I was correct regarding the Ad Match policy.  She also apologized for Monica's defensive attitude, and then took my name and number so that a member of management could call me about my situation.

I figured it would be a few days if ever before I got a call from upper management.  Imagine my shock when an hour and a half later, I got a call from Julie, an assistant manager at my local store.  She let me know that she spoke with Monica regarding my Ad Match, and that I was correct regarding my Ad Match.  Julie also let me know that the cashier was also told that this type of ad match could be done also.  She was very apologetic about the general attitude I had gotten while trying to discuss the policy with Monica.


So the moral to this story is this:

1. Always read and know your store's policies.
2. Keep a printed copy of the policy with you when you are shopping a specific store.
3. Keep your cool if you are being told you aren't able to do something, when you know that you are in the right.
4. Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe is correct.  You'd be amazed at how many cashiers and even managers are not educated on their own store's policies.
5. Don't be afraid to call the corporate or district office for a resolution.

Don't Forget - Memphis Area Free 3 month Pink Palace Museum Membership

I just got this deal in my inbox this morning!  Every summer the Pink Palace Family of Museums offers a FREE 3 month membership that's good for unlimited access to the Pink Palace Museum and the Lichterman Nature Center.  You also are eligible for discounted tickets on IMAX and Planetarium tickets too.  I took my kids last summer and they had a blast! Go HERE to register, registration is May1-31.  They also have a Summer Membership FAQ section also for any questions that you might have.  Don't miss out on this!

Quick Review: Yoplait Greek Yogurt

I've been trying out various Greek Yogurts lately, trying to find one that I really like.  I posted an opportunity a couple of months ago for you to get a coupon for a free cup of Yoplait Greek Yogurt, I hope you took that opportunity.  I did.

I finally cashed in my coupon yesterday.  Having gotten burned by at least one Greek yogurt in the past, I only bought one cup (just in case) and I tried it this morning.

I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised.  Yoplait Greek Yogurt is a "fruit on the bottom" style yogurt, so I opened it up and mixed the blueberry from the bottom into the rest of the yogurt, then I tasted.  WOW!  It was really good and didn't have that really sharp bitter taste that many Greek yogurts have.  It was actually sweet and creamy, everything a good yogurt should be!  Tasting it, I thought for sure that the sugar content would be higher in this yogurt than in the other Greek yogurts I'd tried, but it wasn't.  It's just 20 grams of sugar and 25 total carbs (most others I've seen are closer to 30 sugars).  With just 150 calories and 0 fat, that's a nice combination, and did I mention the 14grams of protein!  This is good stuff.  I think I finally found a Greek yogurt that tastes good, is good for me, AND that won't break the bank!

Father's Day Gift Idea

Cross Pens make great gifts for Father's Day or even for graduation (if you've got a late one coming up).

Get free standard shipping and 20% off Cross pens and accessories by using the discount code “SHOPCROSS” on cross.com

$5 for $20 Worth of Smart Phone Cases

Today's EverSave deal is $10 for $20 worth of Smart Phone cases from Case-Mate.  If you are new to EverSave, however, you'll get an instant $5 credit when you sign up that will make this deal even better, knocking it down to just $5!

Rare $1 Off Fresh Express Salad Coupon

Head over to Facebook and grab this one before it's gone.  This is even better than what they sent me when I emailed for coupons.  "Like" Fresh Express on Facebook and snag a $1/1 bagged salad coupon.

Born This Way - Only $.99 on Amazon

Get Lady Gaga's new album "Born This Way" downloaded for just $.99 on Amazon.com, today only.  I'm not a huge Lady Gaga album but I do like a couple of her songs and for $.99, I'll give any album a try (especially when I earned that $.99 via Swagbucks, so it's like getting it for free).


Lady Gaga: Born This Way [+digital booklet]

This purchase also qualifies you for a FREE upgraded Amazon Cloud account to 20GB for 1 year.  If you have an Android or just want to easily be able to listen to your computer off of any computer anywhere (among other devices) this is a great option.  Any music you purchase through Amazon is automatically added to your Cloud and doesn't count against your storage allotment.

Sunday 5/22 Coupons

These are the coupons that I received in the Sunday 5/22 Huntsville Times (your coupons may vary).

SmartSource
Banana Boat suncare product $1/1 40z or larger (6/25)
Betty Crocker Save $.75 wyb BOTH Supermoist cake mix AND Frosting (7/16/11)
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Save $.50/2 (7/16)
BIC Multi-Purpose lighter $1/1 (7/31)
Bob Evans refrigerated side dish $1/1 (7/3)
Bordon Singles Sensations $1/1 (7/10)
Brookwood Farms products $.75/1 (9/5)
Butterball Turkey products listed Save $.65/1 (7/10)
Chock Full o’ Nuts $.75/1 (7/15)
Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste $1/1 (6/11)
Crunch n’ Clean dog treat $1/1 (6/30)
Crunch n’ Clean cat treats $1.50/2 (6/30)
Curad product $.50/1 (8/31)
DEPEND product $1.50/1 (7/3)
DEPEND Guards for Men $1/1 (7/3)
Edge or Skintimate shaving gel $.55/1 (6/30)
Energizer Batteries or Flashlights $1/1 pack (6/30)
Fiber One Chewy Bars Save $.50/2 (7/16)
Glad Food Storage $1/2 (7/15)
General Mills Cereals listed Save $1/3 (7/2)
Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator $1/1 (7/3)
Hamburger Helper Save $.75/ (7/16)
Hawaiian Tropic suncare product $1/1 (6/25)
Heinz Tomato Ketchup $.50/1 (6/19)
Heinz 57 10oz or larger $1/1 (8/22)
Hungry Jack Potato Products Save $1/2 (7/10)
Infusium 23 product $2/1 (6/30)
Jergens Natural Glow moisturizer $2/1 (7/30)
Kings Hawaiian Sandwich Buns $1/1 (7/17)
Kleenex hand towels $.75/1
Lea & Perrins products 10oz or larger $1/1 (8/2)
Lysol disinfectant spray $1/1 (6/21)
Lysol wipes $1/2 (6/21)
Marzetti Otria Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip $.50/1 (8/31)
Nature Valley Granola Bars Save $.50/2 (7/16)
Natures Way Alive! Multi Vitamin Save $2/1 (8/31)
Lamisil Save $3/1 (9/30/11)
OFF! Personal Insect Repellent $.75/1 (6/25)
OFF! Bontanicals product $1/1 (6/25)
OFF! Clip-on Mosquito Repellent starter $2/1 (6/25)
OFF! Clip-on Mosquito Repellent refill $1/1 (6/25)
Olive Garden Restaurant Coupons (7/10)
Pearls Enzymatic Therapy $2/1 (8/31)
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Save $.50/2 (8/13)
Playtex Gentle Glide or Sport 14ct or larger $1.50/1 (6/30)
Playtex Cup or Mealtime Item 2ct or higher $1/1
Prevacid $4/1 (6/18)
Publix / Scott/ SC Johnson MIR form
Real California Dairy product Save $.55 (9/30)
Sargento Fridge Pack Product $1/1 (7/3)
Sargento Slices $.50/1 (7/3)
Schick razor or refill (exc 2ct disposable) $1/1 (6/30)
Snyders Flavored Pretzel Pieces 10oz or larger $1/2 (7/31)
Snyders Flavored Pretzel Pieces 8oz or larger $1/1 (7/31)
Speed Stick Antiperspirant/Deo or Lady Speed Stick $.75/1 (6/12)
Springer Mountain Farms chicken Save $1.50 (7/31)
Swiss Premium Tea 1 Gallon $.75/1 (6/26)
Raid Earth Options BOGO (7/16)
Tabasco $.75/1 (6/19)
Totinos products Save $.50/4 (8/13)
Tyson Anytizers wings Save $1/1 (8/22)
Wet Ones $1/2 (6/30)
WONKA Exceptionals BOGO bar (6/26)
WONKA Exceptionals candy bag 8.5-9.5oz (6/26)
Zest! 18oz or larger body wash $1/1 (7/17)
Zest! 3 bar pack or larger $1/1 (7/17)


Redplum

Amoro product $2/1 (9/30)
Bar-S Franks or Bologna $1/2 (7/3)
BenGay product $3/1 (7/31)
Brillo Soap Pads 10ct or 18ct box $.55/1 (7/24)
Brillo Estracell sponge products $1/2 (7/24)
Breyers Blasts $1/3 (6/19)
Caress Tahitian Renewal or Cashmere Luxury Body Wash $.75/1 (6/19)
Caress Bodywash listed $75/1 ((6/19)
Coppertone 2oz or larger (6/30)
Country Crock $.40/1 (619)
Cutter products $1.50/1 (8/31)
Degree Men or Women Premium BOGO (6/19)
Degree $.75/1 (6/19)
Domino Sugar $.50/1 (7/31)
Domino Organic or Demerara Sugar $.40/1 (7/31)
Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys 3oz cans $1/18 (8/22)
Folgers product $.25/1 (7/30)
Hefty Plates or Cups $.55/2 (9/30)
Hellman’s product $.25/1 (6/19)
Kibbles n Bits brand dry dog food 4lbs or larger $1/1 (7/16)
Kibbles n Bits brand dry dog food 7.5lb or larger $1.50/1 (7/16)
Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides $.50/2 (6/19)
L’Oreal Paris face cosmetic product $2/1 (7/17)
L’Oreal Excellence or Excellence - to - go shade $2/1 (7/17)
Lipton tea $.40/1 (6/19)
Magnum Ice Cream Bars $1/1 (7/30)
Marcal Small Steps product $1/1 (6/30)
Milk-Bone dog snacks $1.50/2 (7/22)
Milk-Bone Healthy Favorites dog snacks $1/1 (7/22)
Natrol $1/1 (7/3)
People Style Wach June Issue Save $1 (7/17)
Pringles Super Stack $1/3 (6/30)
Pringles Snack Stack $.50/1 (6/30)
Pringles Fat Free $1/2 (6/30)
Q-tips $.30/1 (6/19)
Ragu Pasta Sauce $.75/2 (6/19)
SEVIN product $2/1 (9/30)
SlimShots $5/1 (6/30)
Smuckers Jam, Jelly or Preserves $.55/1 (7/30)
Starbucks Ice Cream pint $1/1 (6/19)
Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo or Styling product $.50/2 (6/19)
Suave Professionals Shampoo or Conditioner product $.50/2 (6/19)
Suave Men Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling product $.50/2 (6/19)
Suave Body Wash or Lotion BOGO (6/19)
Suave Deodorant product $.50/1 (6/19)
Vaseline $1/1 (6/19)
Wish-bone or Western dressing $1/1 (6/19)