Today was a terrific day for us shopping at Publix! I was a little concerned about the availability of some of our moneymaker items, such as the Nature’s Bounty, Sundown Naturals and Gas-X items, so we decided to get up early and hit the stores in the first few hours they were open today. Surprisingly, even by the time we got to our third store about 9 am, the shelves were full of goodies for us to buy. Because the Green Advantage Flyer moneymaker deals run for a few weeks, we decided to limit ourselves to just a couple of each identical item at each store.
We did a total of six transactions and we showed the tiniest of profits: $0.67 (or only $0.08 if you deduct the tax we paid.) The roommate and I are going to jump on the low-carb diet for a month or two, so I had to devise a plan to score us some cheap or free produce and eggs. We are in very good shape in the meat department, but I couldn’t avoid buying some boneless skinless chicken breast at $1.99/lb. Our refrigerator and freezer is packed with shredded cheese and blocks of cheese, so we won’t need to buy any at any point in the near future, even though we will be eating it like mice!
You will notice that there are some items that are not low-carb friendly….we are not eating those, at least now. Most will be given away to friends and family, but the Tostitos chips and dips are for Superbowl Sunday, when we’ll be pigging out for one day only 
Here is a list of what we bought today, along with the coupons used:
SIX NABISCO PREMIUM CRACKERS, on sale BOGO $2.59
Used two B2G1 Nabisco Crackers printable coupon (no longer available)
and used two $1/2 Nabisco Snacks printable coupon available here
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $0.77 (or $0.13 each!)
ONE JOHNSONVILLE ITALIAN SAUSAGE, on sale $3.00
Used one $1/1 Johnsonville Italian Sausage printable coupon available here
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $2.00
SIX SUNDOWN NATURALS VITAMIN B6 150 CT., $3.59 regular price
Used three $5/2 Sundown Naturals etc., Publix Green Advantage Flyer
and used six $2/1 Sundown Naturals 120+ ct., 1/1 RP newspaper insert
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $5.46 MONEYMAKER!
*** Note there are $1/1 Sundown Naturals printable coupons here
SIX NATURES BOUNTY CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM & ZINC, $4.79 regular price
Used six $5/1 Nature’s Bounty Vitamins, Publix Green Advantage Flyer
and used one $1.60 Nature’s Bounty printable available here (print limit is one)
and used five $1/1 Nature’s Bounty printable coupon available here
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $7.86 MONEYMAKER!
ONE HORMEL NATURAL CHOICE DELI TURKEY, on sale $3.00
Used one $0.50/1 Hormel Natural Choice Deli Meat printable available here
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $2.50
2.5 DOZEN GRADE A EGGS, $5.25 regular price
No coupons used
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $5.25
ONE FLINTSTONES VITAMINS, $5.11 on sale (25% off)
Used one $2/1 Flintstones Vitamins Target printable coupon available here
and used one $2/1 Flintstones Vitamins, 1/1 SS newspaper insert ($1/1 printable here)
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $1.11
TWO PREGO PASTA SAUCE, on sale BOGO $2.15
Used one $1/2 Prego Target printable coupon (no longer available)
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $1.15
THREE PKGS. BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST, on sale $1.99/lb. ($13.02 total)
No coupons used
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $13.02
ONE CAN OF GLORY FOODS TURNIP GREENS, $1.75 regular price
No coupons used
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $1.75
ONE CAN OF SILVER FLOSS SAUERKRAUT, $1.34 regular price
No coupons used
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $1.34
FOUR MENTOS UP2U GUM, on sale $1.09
Used four $1/1 Mentos UP2U Gum coupons, 1/1 SS newspaper insert
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $0.36
TWO FRESH EXPRESS SALADS, on sale BOGO $3.99
Used two $0.55/1 Fresh Express printable coupons (no longer available)
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $2.89 (or $1.44 each!)
ONE BAG OF PUBLIX SPINACH, on sale $2.00
No coupons used
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $2.00
ONE HEAD OF CABBAGE, $2.28 regular price ($0.69/lb.)
No coupons used
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $2.28
FOUR PUFFS WITH VICKS, on sale $1.00
Used four $1/1 Vicks Product, 1/1 P&G newspaper insert
*** Note: I asked customer service about this coupon in advance. It is definitely a borderline issue, as the product has Vicks, so it is a Vicks product…but it’s a Puffs product, so maybe it’s not. It really depends on your store’s decision. The coupon will beep, so it’s probably best that you just ask in advance.
NET PRICE FOR ALL: FREE!
ONE BUNCH GREEN ONION, regular price $0.60
No coupons used
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $0.60
SIX GAS-X 10 CT., regular price $2.49
Used three $5/2 Gas-X etc., Publix Green Advantage Flyer
and used six $1.50/1 Gas-X Product, 12/4 SS newspaper insert
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $9.06 MONEYMAKER!
SIX GAS-X PREVENTION, regular price $4.59
Used three $5/2 Gas-X etc., Publix Green Advantage Flyer
and used six $2/1 Gas-X Prevention, 12/4 SS newspaper insert
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $0.54 (or $0.09 each!)
TWO ORVILLE REDENBACHERS POP-UP BOWLS, on sale BOGO $4.99
Used one $4/2 Orville Redenbacher Publix coupon, Tailgating Rewards booklet
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $0.99 (or $0.49 each!)
TWO TOSTITOS SCOOPS FAMILY SIZE, on sale BOGO $4.99
ONE TOSTITOS SALSA, $2.97 regular price
ONE TOSTITOS BEAN & CHEESE DIP, $3.69 regular price
Used one FREE Tostitos Salsa wyb two Tostitos Chips manufacturer coupon tearpad
and used one $2/1 Tostitos Dip wyb two Tostitos, Publix Yellow Advantage Flyer
and used one $0.55/1 Tostitos Dip wyb Tostitos Chips, 1/1 SS newspaper insert
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $6.13 (or $1.53 per item!)
ONE PKG. ROMAINE LETTUCE, regular price $1.99
No coupons used
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $1.99
THREE HUNT’S SNACK PACK, on sale 10/$10
Used one $1.50/3 Hunt’s Snack Packs store coupon, Tailgating Rewards booklet
and used one $0.45/3 Snack Packs manufacturer coupon, 1/1 SS newspaper insert
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $1.05 (or $0.35 each!)
Plus used five competitor coupons (various – Winn Dixie Enjoy the City & Save-A-Lot Savings)
TOTAL RETAIL VALUE OF ALL ITEMS: $208.21
SPECIAL PRICE SAVINGS (SALES & BOGOs): $38.54
COUPON SAVINGS (STORE & MANUFACTURER): $169.67
PRICE AT REGISTER: $0.67 profit (plus $0.59 sales tax – only $0.08 profit w/tax)
SAVINGS RATE (EXCLUDING TAX): 100.3%
SAVINGS RATE (INCLUDING TAX): 100.0%
Plus, although it is not part of the grocery budget, the roommate picked up a $50 Gas Card for $40 using the $10 off a Gas Card wyb $50 in groceries in-ad coupon in the weekly flyer.
Never again! I want to stop couponing. I had to fight for the ex-lax. The customer service department told me I had to buy a 48ct of ex-lax. I explained that they were reading the coupon incorrectly and that the there was a comma after ex-lax. I stood at the customer service desk for 30 minutes while people starred at me like I was nuts. After two managers, three cashiers, and two customer service reps, they said I could only do one deal because the publix coupon says “limit one per item.” After explaining for another 20 minutes that per item, and per transaction were to different things they finally let me have 8 packages. Then they said you can’t have that many because you cleared the shelf. I then said 8 packages cleared your shelf? You are completely out of gas-x, I did not clear your shelf you simply did not stock your shelf.
P.S. I was told I could not do the nabisco saltine deal. Don’t get me started on that! I did the same transaction last time Ritz were bogo! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
That sucks. I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just say that sucks. Maybe I’ll post more later when I’m not cross-eyed and tired.
Your experience sounds so familiar. Every week I’d leave there frustrated. It got to a point that I actually prefered to not save money to save myself the embarrassment and frustration. I wrote an email to Publix explaining my situation and the very next day my phone rang and it was the store manager apologizing. He took my experience as a way to teach his employees about couponing and assured I’d have a better experience afterwards. I’ve had a much better experience since then. So, don’t discourage and contact them. I was very surprised by the level of service.
I agree with Beliza, yes we do couponing for us, so do not let them discourage you, stay firm on your opinion when you know you are right. This is a long term plan that I will do for my family, so if I am not happy with customer service, I will write or talk to corporate
Awesome!!
Thanks
I just stopped by your blog and it looks like you had a nice trip.
Ellie, I have read your latest post about shopping in Publix, and it looks like you you used coupon $3/2 – SS 1/08 (Gas-X) today? Where you able to buy newspaper with the inserts already today? I am kind of confused.
Hey
Still working on the site!! Just lauched and has a lot of bugs still!!!
— as for the inserts – I get them at CVS on Saturday – they sell the Sunday Early edition for $.75 w/ the inserts versus waiting until Sunday and paying $1.50
although I did notice that I was missing TWO inserts that they did include today 1) Target coupon insert 2) Fast food coupon insert
HAPPY COUPONING!!
Thanks for the tip, I have to check with my CVS (Sarasota County) about the Sunday Early Edition.
Our inserts are many times quite different then other areas. For example today there is Beeno coupon instead of $1.50 Gas-X. It makes couponing more challenging.
Good Luck with your Blog!
Six of the eight papers I bought this morning were missing those target/Johnson’s inserts.
I usually won’t get riled over a couple missing inserts but this is ridiculous.
In S Fla (Miami-Dade and Broward Counties) the Sunday coupons are included in the Saturday delivery of the Sun Sentinel. Or you can buy the Miami Herald for $.75 (I’ve bought it in both Winn Dixie and Publix) on Saturday (for half the price of Sunday’s Sun Sentinel – $1.50) and get the Sunday coupons.
Just be careful to check the Herald before you buy them – people have been know to take the coupons – hard to believe, huh??!?!?
Where did u get the tailgating book for the popcorn and pudding? I would love to buy those coupons if u have any extra. Thanks
I just have one booklet from a rebate ConAgra and Publix did together a few months back. For completing the rebate they sent a coupon booklet and a $10 Publix gift card.
AMAZING!!! I wish I could do that good. My Publix didnt have any green flyers at 11 am this morning and when I asked customer service they didn’t have them either. I was like really??? What the heck!
Oh well maybe I can use some money maker deals next week.
Ughhh….
Where can I find the yellow and green advantage flyer???
They are usually with the weekly ads near the entrance. If not, go to customer service and request one or two. Some stores keep them up at the desk.
Where did you get the Tailgate Booklet Steve? I really don’t need much this week, but I want tp pu a few gas cards…and I can always stockpile micro popcorn. Thanks t
It was from a ConAgra/Publix rebate offer a few months ago. They sent a $10 gift card and a coupon booklet for mailing in the rebate.
How do you get save a lot coupons after you have already registered once?
You know, I think it depends on the cashier you get. You must live around me…almost the same thing happened to me last week….I got a cashier “Yvonne” (I remember the name…ugh) She read every single coupon to make sure I bought the right things…I had to dig in my already bagged groceries to show her each item…I had like 40 coupons…she got really confused on the BOGO nabisco with the B2G1 nabisco chips….OMG!!! Was there for over an hour trying to cash out. Love Publix but will absolutely will never go in her line again!!!
I would go to a store that wants your business, Melissa.
Kim, it was not fun! I live in land-o-lakes/lutz. I use to shop on Friday nights, it was perfect, no lines and great cashiers. But, my grandma came to stay with me for the winter months and I have to go on Saturday now in the middle of the day because she does not want to be left alone at night. It has been a chore the last three times I have gone grocery shopping, which is not fun, for me. Before when I shopped on Friday’s the cashier would always turn off her light and give me a lot of time to help her go through the coupons. Now, every Saturday I tell the cashier I have a lot of coupons and say they can handle a lot of coupons then get two coupons into scanning and realize they do not know how to read a coupon! Yesterday, three people put down grocery’s behind me and then picked them up and went to another register. The cashier did not even say anything to the people, like “this transaction may take awhile.” Which left me apologizing which, I do not think it is my fault they do not know how to read coupons! Ahh, still angry/upset as you can see. Dare I even try Walmart today with coupons? I probably will for some giggles:)
Meant *and they say they can handle a lot of coupons
Ouch – sounds like a really, really, really bad experience. I am fortunate to have a shopping buddy to direct traffic away from our register while I watch the transaction. I know that’s not possible for everyone, but it really helps if you can drag someone along
I might try that, sounds like a good idea…I don’t know if my hubby would do that or not….he is already sick of seeing coupons all over our dining room table…LOL.
As to Milissa…keep trying…you’ll find a way.
Nice trip. I too used money makers to buy meat and got gas cards ( although my oop is not that little like yours). You did awesome!
I did really good yesterday as well out of pocket was 128.67 that included my groceries and 150.00 in gas soo I was very happy. There is also a lady at my publix that I learned my lesson not to go on her line.
Thank you Steve for your help
Very rewarding shopping this morning at Publix!
Having a nice cashier is a bonus too. Vicks $1.00 coupon for Puffs went through without a glitch.
Moneymakers were fabulous!
In front of me lady was paying over $300 for her groceries, and it made me shiver!
It’s obvious , she never heard of Steve’s site and couponig.
Awesome!!!
Can anyone tell me if Publix will take the Publix q, a competitor q (kroger) and then a mfg q for the same item? Not sure if they consider the competitors q the same as a mfg.q
I received a book from Kroger that has q in there for 1.50 off of Vitamins. Didn’t know if I could stack all of this or not.
No, the Kroger coupon counts as a store coupon. One store coupon plus one manufacturer coupon is the rule. You may do one of these two options:
Publix coupon and manufacturer coupon
or
Kroger coupon (if your store considers Kroger a competitor) and a manufacturer coupon
Thank you so much for the help…..Out the door to do some shopping. Wish me luck!
Good luck
I, went to walmart friday night, the young man took me at register 9 with a stone face. The first question was *are there any couponds?* I replied yes I will be using coupons today. He reached out for them then began ringing my items. It was so funny, after each item he picked up the coupon to match and read each word on the coupon. I mean every word. I am so glad I use coupons correctly but if I were the person behind me I would have been so angry. I am saying this because I plan to visit publix on tomorrow for the puffs with the vicks. I hope i will not be embarrised ,lol
Go to customer service and talk with them about it before you shop. Then you have an ok (or not) in advance well before you check out. If they say nay, then just pass on the deal.
I just read gasx was being recalled. Check the news and your packages.