Along my shopping adventures, I am always making mental notes…mental notes of items that I often see coupons for, that I use often and where they can be found with the lowest price.

For instance, I know that the [pictured above] Pedigree Dentastix and 40 ct. Snuggle Fabric softeners are both normally priced $2 each at Dollar General. Every other month or so, the Sunday coupons typically include a $2 coupon for the Dentastix*freeee-bbiiieee – sung operatically* and some sort of coupon for Snuggle.

For some reason, the Snuggle coupons were having a hard time ringing through. The cashier said, “The register won’t ring all of these up.” Since I already know the Dollar General coupon policy, I asked her why? She just stared at me because she had no answer. So, she went to ask a manager and then entered them all. If you ever have a coupon question, don’t be afraid to ask a store manager. Remember, it’s YOUR money you’re spending.

Here’s how my Dollar General Mini-Stock Up went today:

• 7 Dentastix: $14.00 – (7x) $2.00 Sunday coupons = 7 FREE
• 6 Snuggle: $12.00 – (3x) $2 off two Sunday coupons – (Store BONUS) buy 2+ get $2 off = $4.00
• Subtotal: $4.00
• Tax: $1.82
• Total: $5.82

Looovveee Itttttt!

Clair (Mummy Deals), Me and Jen (Mommy Instincts) at our complimentary shopping spree!

(Be sure to watch the Family Dollar Holiday Event Video)

Recently…Family Dollar made a visit to Chicago and invited me to a penthouse suite holiday event…complete with awesome appetizers, great people, gifts galore and even a car and driver! I’d like to give a shout out to Charles. What’s up?? Why did they do such an event for our Chicagoland bloggers? because we’re just cool to be around?

Family Dollar wanted to touch base with local influencers and share information with them about their stores, products, upcoming plans and holiday ideas. There to talk to us was Joshua Braverman, Public Relations Manager and Bob Giles who is in charge of DVP Hardlines. Josh informed us of Family Dollar’s charitable community connections and, on the spot, donated cases of diapers to the Bundle of Joy Diaper Bank in Chicago! Also discussed was Family Dollar’s bulk Christmas discount. Were you aware that if you spend $100 on toys at Family Dollar, they will give you an instant 10% off? How wonderful, especially for an Adopt-A-Family, Shop With A Cop or other gift buying programs! Be sure to print your coupon HERE. Since they offer 100′s of toys for $5 or $10, it would be easy to fulfill your shopping list quickly.

He also brought in a local Chicago designer (who you can see in the video above) to talk to us all about how to decorate for the holidays on a budget. The suite was festively decorated; everything being bought at a local Family Dollar store. Decor ranged from simple table settings, to lamps, to traditional items like a tree and ornaments. Though, my favorite of all was the dessert buffet. She filled and labeled hurricane glasses with candies and cookies, each with a scoop to fill take-out style boxes. We all had a good time with it and realized what a great idea it is…for ANY holiday! Wouldn’t this be pretty filled with candies for a Valentine’s Tea? *wink*

I also got a chance to discuss the Family Dollar coupon policy with Joshua. It basically states:

• They DO accept internet printables with a bar code.
• They do not double or accept competitor’s coupons.
• They DO stack coupons – meaning they will accept one manufacturer’s coupon and one Family Dollar coupon per item. For example, if Frank’s Red Hot Sauce is $1.00, you can give them a $.50 coupon from the Sunday paper AND a $.25 printable Family Dollar coupon. Therefore, you would only pay a quarter for the sauce. (Be sure to get all of your Family Dollar printable coupons HERE)

As of lately, Family Dollar has been offering a few “$5.00 off of any $25 Purchase” coupons. So, since I have never tried my hand at couponing at my particular store, it was time to give it a whirl. I was mainly curious to see how well the cashiers handle bundles of coupons; they can make or break a transaction (and shopping experience.)

I grabbed my local flyer and started making a list, matching wanted sale items with coupons that I already had. Now, the promo coupon stated that your purchase had to total at least $25 AFTER all other coupons, so I knew I was going to spend at least $20. Though, I was hoping to walk out with at least $35 worth of stuff. Here’s what I found:

• 12 big rolls Charmin Basic: $5.50 – $1.00 P&G Q = $4.50
• 6 roll Sparkle towels: sale $4.50 – $1.00 sunday Q = $3.50
• 6 roll Sparkle towels: sale $4.50 (grrr…I just noticed she didn’t ring my second $1.00 coupon) = $4.50
• 5 bar Zest soap: sale $2.25 – $1.00 P&G Q = $1.25
• 3 Friskies Party Mix: $4.50 – (3x) $1.00 Sunday Q’s = $1.50 for THREE
• Febreeze Air Effects: sale $2.50 – $1.00 P&G Q = $1.50
• Snausages: $1.00 – $1.00 Sunday Q = FREE
• 36 big rolls Charmin Basic: sale $12.50 – $1.00 P&G Q = $11.50

Total: $37.25

Coupons: $5.00/$25 + $9.00 = $14.00

Total w/tax: $25.51

Not bad considering the stipulation of the promo coupon. I did find that some of the sale items I originally went for were out of stock. Luckily, I had my coupon organizer with me so I could easily make a substitution. Besides the coupon I just realized was missed, the cashier had no problems with ringing up my coupons. In other words, I got no coupon stink eye on this trip. Will I coupon shop there again? Most likely, yes!

Thank you Family Dollar for a wonderful  party and lots of useful information. Your kindness and attention to details were very much appreciated. Happy Holidays!

Honest blogger found here: I received the event invite and gifts with no blogging obligations required. As always, 100% my opinion.

But…guess what? Recently (April) their corporate policy has changed and they now accept all sorts of coupons. Whoopeee for me!

Guess where I went today?

• 4 Snuggle 40 ct. sheets: $8.00 – (4x) $.75 Snuggle Sunday Q’s = $5.00 for four
• 3 Pedigree Dentastix: $6.00 – (3x) $2.00 Sunday Q’s = 3 FREE
• 3 Carefree Liners: $3.00 – (3x) $1.00 Sunday Q’s = 3 FREE
• 12 pk Cascade Action Tabs: $3.00 – $1.00 Mailer = $2.00
• 4 Reg. Size Suave Deo: $7.00 – (2x) $3.00/2 Printable Q = $1.00 for four
• Suave small Deo: $1.00 – $.75 Sunday Q = $.25

Total: $28.00
- Coupons: $19.75
Grand Total: $8.25 + $1.98 tax = $10.23

Have you found any Dollar General deals lately? Link up with a comment. *wink*

Huh?

Whaaahhttt?

But I’ve been using them here for years!

Sooo…you are saying that there was a sign in the accounting room stating you can’t take them anymore? Hmm…sounds like a Starke County Policy to me.

I’m thinking I should call and get an “official” store coupon policy.

In my opinion, the problem is not with printable coupons. The problem is that cashiers aren’t educated on fraudulent coupons. Remember that printable that was going around for free Reynold’s Aluminum Foil? People were using that! I could tell it was fake just by looking at it.
Maybe I need to give them a class…for a large fee. *wink*

Well, from now on, I will ONLY be buying items in which I have coupons from them.
Look out folks – I’m headed to Kroger – land of the friendly coupon cashiers.

Unfortunately, I have no printable coupon links to bring to you from my shopping the past two days. But I can show you how I still got some great deals using Sunday paper Q’s.

First of all, don’t judge. Yesterday, yes, I was THAT mom. The mom that filled her cart with…gulp…junk…and WHITE bread. I hope no one saw me. I NEVER buy white bread – but I figure that one week won’t hurt us, especially at $.44 per loaf.

Even worse – ice cream treats and Mountain Dew.
I told my husband that I was a horrible mom that day.
My son said, “NO! You are a GREAT mom – cuz’ I love ALL of that stuff!”

Ok…so I’m a great mom after all. Gotta take it when you can get it folks.

Here’s the breakdown:
M&M Ice Cream: $2.99 – $1.00 Q = $1.99
Snickers Ice Cream: $2.99 – $1.00 Q = $1.99
4 Mountain Dews: $.25 each = $1.00 for four
Cheap Dishwasher liquid: $1.00
(RIP OFF! I was trying to get by until I could get a deal on Cascade – my dishes are still dirty – never again no matter how cheap – dollar wasted! EEK!)
4 AJ Frozen Pancakes: $10.00 – $2.00 Q’s = $8.00 for 4 boxes
2 Hefty Baggies: $4.00 – $1.00 Q = $3.00 for two
2 Loaves Wonder Bread: $1.98 – $1.10 Q’s = $.88
2 IBC Cream Soda: $.50 each on clearance = $1.00
Turkey Bacon: I don’t know. She has my receipt all double printed. It was on sale and I had a coupon. *sigh*
(had to take my Welch’s juice off because she wouldn’t take the printable)

Total: $29.67 – $6.65 Q’s – $2.26 Promo = $20.76

Triple Coupon Day – Today

3 Scottie tissues: $.99 each – $1.50 Q = $1.47 for three
3 ALL detergents: $4.99 each – $6.00 Q’s (from BlogHer) = $8.97 for three
French’s Honey Mustard: $1.49 – $1.50 Q = FREE + $.01
Cinnabon Bars: $2.29 – $.75 Q (on display) – $1.54
Kaukauna Cheese: $2.19 on sale (geesh, these containers have gotten SMALL!)
Thai Spring Onion Soup: $2.15 – $1.50 Q = $.65
Jello Singles: $2.99 – $1.50 Q = $1.49
Taco Seasoning: $.50 each – $1.50 Q = FREE + $.50
2 Quaker True Delight Bars: $1.49 each on clearance – $2.00 Q’s = $.98 for TWO boxes

Total: $34.29 – $16.25 Q’s = $18.04

My running grocery total this week: $38.80

My running coupon total this week: $22.90

Tomorrow? I’m heading to Kroger…and wait ’til you see what I have planned!

Thank you for visiting www.martins-supermarkets.com. Our policy is not posted online. We do accept manufacturer coupons. Generally, we do accept most internet coupons. If the coupon has a very high dollar amount or a high number of internet coupons are being used, then store managers reserve the right to decline them. Also, if a coupon is from Meijer, or one of our other competitors, (printed on the back as our coupons are) we do not accept them. This type of coupon is a specialty coupon that is paid only to Meijer, etc. If a cashier ever questions or turns down a coupon, please ask to speak to the store or assistant manager, or the manager in charge at the time you are checking out. I have used General Mills‘ online coupons on several occasions as well as some others from coupon websites. We do not double or triple coupons. It might not seem immediately apparent, but those programs do have a cost connected with them and although other stores are giving a discount, the discount is probably being paid for by raising the prices of many other products. The same is true of senior citizen discounts, etc. Those are all marketing programs that are not free and do have to be paid for. In the end, it’s the consumer who pays through increased prices throughout the store. We pride ourselves on offering good values all of the time and not just on coupon items.

Even though there are no double coupon days, the flyer is definitely worth checking out. Several of the sales DID seem pretty good last week