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Store Policies: Not All Locations Operate in the same League

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Steven Depolo)

With soccer season beginning, I know the rules of the game will be the same, but the regulations for choosing the sideline, seating for spectators, and distribution of snacks differ from league to league.

Knowing the game rules alone does not create confidence in a player in a new league. To gain confidence, the player participates and learns how to substitute, where to put his gear, and how to succeed on and off the field.

Shopping at your grocery store involves the same confidence. Just knowing the sales and the coupon match-ups alone does not create confidence in the shopper. To gain confidence, the shopper must practice and learn her store’s policies.

My Publix Shopping Trip – Unfamiliar Store

While out running errands with my girls on March 6, I stopped by a Publix near our insurance office. With Wednesday to Tuesday sales’ dates, I needed to gather my savings since the new sales began the next day.

The girls and I shopped and then headed to checkout. When the cashier took my coupons, she looked them over. Upon noticing that my Mueller’s pasta coupons expired on February 29 (the first day of the sale), the cashier refused to accept them. Confused, I asked for an explanation. She indicated that this Publix location does not accept expired coupons, even when the coupons expire within the sales’ week.

Since I was not familiar with this store’s policy, I asked the cashier kindly to remove the pasta boxes from my transaction. I paid for the remaining items, took my Mueller’s pasta coupons, and left the store.

My Publix Shopping Trip – Familiar Store

Later in the day, I stopped by my Publix store. I gathered the Mueller’s pasta and salad dressing on my way to the checkout station. Mr. Mike was working, so I chose his lane. After scanning my items, he took my coupons, noticed that the expiration date was within the sales’ week, accepted my coupons, and I paid the difference – $2.03 for 10 boxes of Mueller’s spaghetti and 1 bottle of Wish Bone dressing. Mission accomplished!

 5 Lessons Gained

1. Management dictates the store’s policies.

Though both stores carried the Publix name, the management policies differed. You may find one location with more meat specials while another expands the coupon policy. In this case, the first store has a narrow coupon policy where my favorite Publix offers a broad interpretation of the coupon rules.

2. Location matters.

Armed with your shopping list, store coupons, and manufacturer coupons, you can experience different results depending on where you shop. One store may allow a substitution for an out-of-stock product while another will just write a rain check.

3. Stay firm in your coupon knowledge.

If you know that another location will accept your coupon, then remove the item from your shopping cart. Don’t feel pressured to give-in to their store’s policy. I knew that my store would honor the coupons. Confident in my Publix’s store policy, I refused to pay $5 that I knew I could save at another location. If I had been unable to shop at my familiar store that day, I would have by-passed the sale. For me, I refuse to pay for what I know I can save.

4. Know your store’s policies.

When I enter my Publix store, I immediately head to customer service to get coupons. While waiting for the employee to retrieve them, I ask questions. From these interactions, I have learned that my store honors certain competitor’s coupons, double coupons up to $.60, offers a scholarship program, and accepts coupons that have expired during the current sales’ week.

5. Shop at your familiar store.

In using time wisely, I will plan my errands more carefully to include my Publix. By shopping in my store, I will save money (use my coupons), energy (quick trips after knowing the store’s layout), and time (one stop verses two locations in one day).

If you have a less-than-perfect experience using your coupons, don’t give up. Try another location of the same store. You may find that your favorite location is not the one closest to your home. Just because one store regulates the store policies differently does not mean you need to give up the coupon game. Keep using coupons, just find another league. Take heart; it happens to all of us. Happy savings!

Question: What store policy turned you off to a store or location?

Checking the Receipt: Catching a $6 Error

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Dan4th Nicholas)

On my weekly shopping trip to Bi-Lo, I restocked on a number of items that were on sale buy one, get one free and paired the sales with coupons.

In addition to those items, I also purchased Huggies diapers that were on a $.20 fuelperks! bonus and a sale and paired with each package a Publix store coupon and manufacturer’s coupon.

Well, at least that was my plan.

Gathering my Savings at the Store

After shopping, I headed to checkout. With only one register open, that was not a self-scan or express lane, I unloaded my savings. Prior to scanning my items, I presented my coupons to the cashier. He placed them to the side and checked me out.

At the end of scanning, the cashier grabbed my coupons, and they dispersed. (Gasp!) All my coupons that were in perfect order were now on the register, conveyor belt, and floor. To make matters worse, the line behind me was lengthening.

After collecting the coupons, the cashier called a manager since the competitor’s coupons will not scan. The manager viewed the coupons, punched in his code, and left. Then another coupon needed his override. We went through this process three times before the transaction finished. Did I mention that this was the only line open?

With the confusing checkout process, I stood shocked at the total since I expected a lower price. Not wishing to hold up the line any longer, I paid, apologized to those behind me, and left.

Checking the Receipt at Home

Later at home, I reviewed my receipt. As I matched my items with the coupons indicated on my shopping list, I noticed that my 3 packages of Huggies diapers showed only the competitor’s coupons. The manufacturer coupons were not deducted. I checked the receipt again making sure that the $6 ( 3 – $2 off coupons) had not been deducted from another product. When I confirmed that those coupons were missing, I filled out the store survey.

Confronting and Resolving the Error

In the survey, I indicated the problem. Within 12 hours, I received an e-mail from a manager offering a $6 refund on my next visit. I printed the e-mail and placed it in my store envelope.

On my next visit to the store, I stopped by customer service, asked to speak to the manager, showed him the e-mail, and received $6 for the missing coupon discount and an apology. The problem was quickly addressed and solved. 🙂

By checking my receipt to verify that all the coupons got deducted, I saved $6. Otherwise, I would have overspent $6. As I keep track of my food budget this month (one of my goals for March), checking my receipt to catch $6 mistakes helps in stretching those dollars.

As you use coupons and stack savings, spending a few moments to check your receipt is using time wisely. Keep increasing your savings as you feed your family. Happy savings!

Question: How often do you find errors on your receipts?

Food on the Table: Lifetime Menu Planning Subscription for FREE

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Photograph Credit: Food on the Table

Wow, Food on the Table extended their free lifetime subscription for another month! If February got away from you, then don’t delay.

Food on the Table is a menu planning service that combines sales at your local grocery stores with your meal preferences. For those busy seasons when you still want to save money, energy, and time, Food on the Table comes to your rescue.

Though I plan our family’s meals by what food I have on hand, I love the inspiration and recipes Food on the Table offers. To sign up for this free lifetime subscription, click on this link for step-by-step instructions. Just enter the new promotional code: MARFREE.

This service normally allows you to plan 3 free meals a month before receiving a $5 charge. With your free subscription, you will get free menu planning for life! Don’t hesitate. Go sign up. Even if you don’t need it now, you might need it next year. Happy savings!

Using Time Wisely: 3 Time-Saving Dinner Strategies

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Marinca Kasiske-Enders)

Among homework assignments, sports schedules, and family outings, squeezing in a nutritious dinner is challenging. By the time we complete homework, snag a few minutes of reading, and look at the clock, the time has come to start dinner.

Going to the kitchen and staring into the pantry, I come up with nothing. So, I go to the freezer and the refrigerator with the same result. Returning to the pantry, I open the door and expect a meal’s ingredients to magically congregate on the second shelf.

With my hopes dashed, I have wasted time and energy seeking for a solution to my “what’s for dinner?” quest. If I find no inspiration, then our family will also waste spend money at a restaurant.

In using time wisely, I find using a menu plan, my crock pot, and my freezer wonderful time-saving dinner strategies. These 3 time-saving tips help bridge the gap between “what’s for dinner?” and “supper’s ready.”

Menu Planning

Photograph Credit: Stock.xchng (Maxime Perron Caissy)

Finding a tool that works for your family and schedule is the key to your success. Though I use a monthly plan, I only fill in a few days to a week at a time. Seeing the full month allows me to plan our meals around busy seasons and entertainment events.

Are you overwhelmed at the sound of menu planning? It’s okay! As you gain knowledge, the fear of the unknown will subside. Allow me to walk beside you via links to this three-step process:

1. Discovering your type of plan

2. Starting with the food in your house

3. Finding creative inspiration

Crock Pot Options

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Tanya Gordon)

Knowing that the day will be long, I love coming home to the smell of our family’s favorite pork chop dinner slowing cooking in my crock pot. A little work in the morning (or previous night) makes dinner time delightful.

If you seek crock pot inspiration, look no further than Stephanie O’Dea’s website: A Year of Slow Cooking. For one year, Stephanie made at least one dish each day in her crock pot. Her recipes range from entrées to desserts. Whatever your occasion, your crock pot can save the day.

Freezer Cooking

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Alexandra Munier)

Making meals ahead of time saves you money, energy, and time. Coming home, popping a complete dinner in the oven, and snuggling with your little ones is a blessing.

On days when we arrive home near supper time, I get bombarded by my children, who need attention. Before I can place my purse down, I hear a barrage of questions, requests, and excitement.

Addressing these issues and having to prepare dinner overwhelms me. But with dinner ready, I can enlist help and get dinner warming while spending time with my family.

If you enjoy freezer cooking, The Money Saving Mom’s Guide to Freezer Cooking by Crystal Paine is a great  resource. In addition to her free downloadable e-book, Crystal documents her monthly freezer cooking days on her website, moneysavingmom.com.

By incorporating menu planning, crock pot options, and freezer cooking in your schedule, you can turn the “what’s for dinner?” anxiety into “supper’s ready.” Implementing these time-saving strategies will save you money, energy and time as you continue using time wisely. Happy planning!

Question: What are your time-saving strategies for getting dinner on the table?

Register Review: February 7, 2012 Edition

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Welcome to a new feature here at Using Time Wisely! Periodically on Thursdays during our food edition, I will apply the tools supplied in my food cycle series to show you how to get those deep savings.

Let me begin by reminding you that I buy about 50% of my groceries at Aldi without coupons because the sale prices matched with coupons at our local grocery stores cost more than Aldi’s prices on most staples.

During busy seasons, I can confidently ditch the coupons and head to Aldi without feeling guilty that I’m going to burst our budget. Though I have taken a break from coupons, I really enjoy the game of “How low can you go.”

In this first edition of the Register Review, my out-of-pocket (oop) total spent at Bi-Lo on February 7, 2012 was $1.08 for 5 items valued at $31.59. The breakdown of this receipt is as follows:

Rain Check

During a previous sales week, Bi-Lo had the Disney Gummies vitamins on sale buy one get one free. When the store was out-of-stock, I requested a rain check for 4 bottles. The regular price is $7.25 per bottle. Since Bi-Lo rain checks do not expire, I waited to redeem it as there was no time limit.

Competitor’s Coupons

When Bi-Lo had their buy one get one free sale, Publix – a competitor – had a store coupon for $5 off 2 bottles of Disney Gummies vitamins. At the time I requested the rain check, I informed the customer service representative at Bi-Lo that my two Publix coupons would be expiring before the vitamins were back in stock.

The representative authorized the use of the expired coupons with a statement on the rain check at the time of issuance. (Not all stores will extend competitor’s coupons, but my Bi-Lo store did. Had they not, I would have tried another store.)

Manufacturer’s Coupons

Stacking a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon increases your savings.

TIP: The store coupon is a discount on the product, and a manufacturer’s coupon is a form of payment. Therefore, you can use both a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon on each item purchased.

I waited to buy the vitamins until I had collected 4 manufacturer’s coupons. I found three $1 off coupons in the Sunday newspaper inserts and one $2 off coupon on-line (printable).

Buy One Get One Free Sale

The one package of flour tortillas was on sale that week. I snagged the last package my store had. If they had stocked more, I would have purchased more. In fact, I asked hubby to stop by another Bi-Lo on his way home to get 4 more packages. His total was $5.16 which was a fantastic 50% savings. 🙂

Combining these Strategies

When I checked out, I proceeded in this order:

1. Used Bonus Card (loyalty card for Bi-Lo)

2. Presented my reusable bags and requested credits – $.05 per bag. I received $.05 for this visit.

3. Scanned items:

4 – Disney vitamins 29.00

1 –  package of tortillas 2.59

Subtotal: 31.59

4. Used the rain checks on the vitamins – The cashier took off $15.00 – $.50 more than rain check amount. Woo Hoo! Bringing total to $16.59.

5. Redeemed store coupons – The cashier had to call a manager to authorize the over-the-limit coupon amount. This happens often when I use high-value coupons. I stayed relaxed and held my ground when the manager did not want to accept the coupons.

When my explanation did not suffice, I asked to speak with the store manager. This manager left, but returned to discount my total by $10 ($5 off for each Publix coupon). The competitor’s coupons brought the total down to $6.59.

6. Submitted manufacturer’s coupons – With the 3 coupons for $1 off and then the $2 off, I added another $5 in savings which brought my total to $1.59.

7. Calculating the Buy One Get One Free sale – The tortillas were on a half-off sale adding a $1.30 discount bringing my total to $.29.

8. Subtracting my bag credit – The $.05 discount brought my new subtotal to $.24.

With the $.84 tax (for the vitamins), my total came to $1.08 which is a savings of 96.7%.

Though my family will not survive on one package of tortillas and 4 bottles of vitamins, I purchased these items by stacking saving strategies to free-up our food budget for more expensive items like produce and meat.

If this breakdown was a bit confusing, then take a step back. If you are totally lost or confused, it’s OK. This system is natural for me because I follow the same process each week. My entire food cycle series walks you through each step. Click here to start at the beginning of the series.

The game is fun when you learn the rules. Stay tuned for more Register Reviews as I will breakdown my shopping trips to help you strategize and save money while using time wisely. Happy savings!

Question: What do you think of this new feature?