What is a Super Coupon?
Super Coupons bring you even more value than regular store coupons. You can identify them by the term "Super Coupon" printed on the coupon itself, or directly above a series of coupons.
What does "Limit one item per coupon" mean?
This phrase means that the coupon price is valid for one product, within one shopping trip, and cannot be duplicated on that trip. For example, if a coupon offers an 18 oz. box of Cheerios for $1.99, and states "limit one item per coupon," you can purchase just one box of Cheerios at that price on that shopping trip. At the register, just give the coupon to the checker, along with your Club Card, to receive the coupon price. If you have another copy of that same coupon, you can use it on your next shopping trip.
If you have several different coupons for several different items, you can use those coupons on the same shopping trip. However, you cannot use more than one coupon for the same item within one shopping trip.
What does "minimum $10 (or $20) purchase required" mean?
To use store coupons that include a minimum purchase requirement, you must spend a minimum dollar amount on that shopping trip. You will reach the minimum purchase amount based upon total purchases before your Club Card discount is applied. This total will include the coupon item's regular price, not the discounted price. For example, the regular retail price of a box of Cheerios (before coupon and before Club Card discounts) will count toward the minimum purchase required in order to use the Cheerios coupon.
If you are using several store coupons in a shopping trip, you will only need to meet one minimum purchase requirement. For example, if you are using three coupons, and they each specify a minimum purchase requirement of $20, your minimum purchase requirement for the total shopping trip is $20, and not $60.
What does "selected varieties" mean?
Occasionally, store coupons can be used for additional flavors or varieties of products that are not specified on the coupon. For example, if a 2-liter bottle of Coke is shown on a coupon with a "selected varieties" message, Diet Coke will also be eligible for the coupon discount. If you have any questions regarding what "varieties" are eligible for the coupon price, please see a store customer service representative.
Look for fruits and vegetables that are local and in season. Not only will they be more delicious, they're also going to be less expensive because they haven't been transported from around the world. Avoid pre-cut vegetables, pre-shredded coleslaw mix and pre-washed baby lettuces, as the additional labor involved in preparing those "convenience items" ultimately means they'll be more expensive.
Tip #2
When you're on a budget, going out to dinner may be the first thing to go. But a smart use of convenience products can save you time in the kitchen, making it feel like you've had a "night off" from cooking. Try using prepared pizza dough to make your own homemade version, or purchase a deli salad to serve alongside simple sandwiches. While a convenience item is more expensive that making something from scratch, it's far less costly than dining out.
Tip #3
If you're short on time, purchase a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken at the store and plan to make two meals out of it - use some of the meat atop a big salad, and the remainder in a chicken-vegetable soup, made with broth from the chicken bones, rice or pasta, and loads of fresh vegetables.
Tip #4
Coupons can be a terrific way to save money, but beware clipping coupons for higher-priced brands or items you don't usually purchase. A name-brand box of cereal, for example, may cost more than the store brand, even with the coupon.
Tip #5
Store circulars are good places to find coupons, but look online for even more deals that are available to online users only! Check out this weeks exclusive coupons in our Coupons section.
Tip #6
To avoid spending extra money on unnecessary items, go to the grocery store once per week, and never go when hungry. If possible, go alone - you're less likely to overspend if you shop by yourself. Grocery stores tend to be quieter on Monday and Tuesdays, so you can comparison shop without the crowds - and those are the same days that the store receives deliveries of fresh produce.
Tip #7
Buying in bulk will save you big money. Look at the unit price for items, as oftentimes a larger container of something is cheaper per ounce than a smaller one. Stock up on rice and other grains from the bulk bin, and buy dried beans instead of canned: they cost half the amount of canned for twice the amount.
Tip #8
When an item your family eats lots of goes on sale, stock up. Spaghetti sauce, peanut butter and canned tomatoes will keep for a long time and are frequently offered on special.
Tip #9
Find a grocery shopping buddy and carpool to the store. Not only will you save on gas, you can also split large containers of bulk items and take advantage of two-for-one coupons. If your local store has a fueling station, gas up there and use your club card to save up to 10 cents per gallon on your fill-up.
Tip #10
Stow your credit card and use cash at the check stand. You'll spend less when you actually have to count out the bills.
Tip #11
Set aside the paper towels and use good, old-fashioned rags for cleaning. Slip an old sock over your hand to dust, and just toss it in the washing machine!
Tip #12
Use less expensive concentrated cleaning products, rather than full-strength. Mix with water in a refillable spray bottle.
Spend an hour planning a week's worth of meals with the weekly specials flyer in hand, make a list and stick to it - you'll save money by avoiding impulse buys. And with a good plan for every night of the week, you're less likely to impulsively order take-out because you don't have a plan for dinner.
Tip #2
Preparing family favorites in bulk is a great way to save both time and money. Double your best freezer-friendly recipes (think casseroles, soups and sauces) and stash them for a night in the future when you're too tired to cook. Make some single-serve packages, too, so you can take them for lunch.
Tip #3
When meat goes on sale, buy family packs and repackage them into meal-sized portions and freeze for the future. Be sure to wrap meats tightly to prevent freezer-burn. A full freezer also uses less energy than a half-empty one, so it pays to keep it full.
Tip #4
Use filling, low-cost substitutes for meat in favorite recipes - replace half the ground beef in chili with beans, for example, or bulk up sloppy Joes with brown rice. Instead of making meat the main event, use it more sparingly - try a baked potato bar for dinner, topping them with steamed vegetables, grated cheese and a small amount of cubed deli ham or crumbled bacon. Tofu and eggs are excellent sources of protein and cost far less than meat or fish. Try using tofu in stir-fries, salads and soups or pureed into a creamy salad dressing. Move eggs beyond breakfast by trying a vegetable-filled frittata or quiche for dinner.
Tip #5
Cut down on breakfast cereal - boxes of name-brand cereal and milk are expensive. Instead, prepare oatmeal ahead of time and package it in individual microwave-safe containers, then heat them up each morning and top with brown sugar. As an added bonus, oatmeal is filling and high in fiber.
Tip #6
When planning a week of meals, consider what you already have in the freezer and pantry, and base your menu decisions around those items. You'll be less likely to buy duplicates or to throw away forgotten, expired items.
Tip #7
Buy fruits and vegetables in season when they're less expensive and then preserve them for future use. Stone fruits and berries can be sliced and frozen for pies or smoothies, and vegetables such as corn and green beans also take to freezing. Learn to can tomatoes and make pickles, and spend an afternoon stocking your pantry. Not only will you save money, but you'll also get to sample the fruits of your labor all year long.
Tip #8
Turkey is a great value around the holidays, especially when compared to beef, pork, chicken or seafood. When whole turkeys are on sale, consider buying one to cook immediately, and several more to stash in the freezer. If you have the room, buy larger birds rather than smaller. The price per pound is typically lower. As you defrost and cook the other birds throughout the year, leftovers can stretch your budget even further.
Tip #9
You can easily stretch a pound of ground beef into multiple meals, without eating the same meal night after night. The first night, mix up some flavorful Sloppy Joes. The second night, use the leftovers to pump up a jarred pasta sauce. The third night, use the leftover sauce to top a ready-made pizza crust. You'll save money, and your family will never know it's the same pound of beef.
Tip #10
Get creative with leftovers. Transform uneaten boneless pork chops into "pulled" pork sandwiches for lunch. Or, add tomato sauce and seasonings and serve over rice for a quick entree. A baked whole chicken can become a flavorful broth and base for a fantastic homemade soup. You're only limited by your imagination - not your budget!
Tip #11
The tried and true soup-and-sandwich combination isn't just for lunch. With a few additions and a little creativity, you can create a hearty, inexpensive dinner. Turn a basic canned tomato soup into a flavorful stew with the addition of leftover pasta or rice, frozen vegetables, and cooked Italian sausage or leftover cooked ground beef. Bring a basic sandwich up a notch by grilling it, panini-style.
Tip #12
Not a lot of leftovers after your family meals? Save them up! Keep remaining pieces of chicken or beef in the freezer until you have enough to make a casserole, potpie, or stroganoff.
Tip #13
Make lunch and dinner at almost the same time! Boil shredded chicken or ground beef, then remove the meat to leave a wonderful stock. Serve the meat over rice or noodles for dinner, and refrigerate the stock to make soup for the next day's lunch or light dinner. When chilled, the fat in the stock will float to the top and solidify, making it easy to remove. Just reheat and add vegetables, beans, pasta, or anything else you have on hand. Serve with a quick salad or sandwich for a filling, healthy lunch in almost no time.
Tip #14
Dust off your crock-pot and make large portions of soups and stews that last several days. Be sure to include nutritious, inexpensive ingredients like lentils and beans.
Tip #15
Make your own chicken stock quickly and easily. Save bones from roasted chicken in the freezer. Once you have a substantial amount, put them in a dutch oven or pressure cooker, cover with water and simmer. (Add any herbs, onions, or other veggies you like.) Strain, pour the stock into muffin tins, and freeze. Pop out the frozen stock and store in a freezer bag. You'll have inexpensive, low-sodium chicken stock available whenever you need it.
Tip #16
Cut down on wasted food by keeping more in the refrigerator. Bread, hamburger buns, bagels, and more will last longer in the "fridge" than on the countertop.
Tip #17
Make your own burgers and meatballs, rather than purchasing them pre-made in the store. Just add a few seasonings, shape, and cook.
Tip #18
Don't let "aging" bananas go to waste. Store them in the freezer to be transformed into banana bread at a later date.
Tip #19
Skip the prepared meats, and save. Make your own ground beef in your food processor fro less-expensive cuts of meat like brisket. Rather than pay premium prices for boneless, skinless chicken, remove the bones and skin yourself.