Get paid to shop ?
Date : 10/21/09
No ?
Do you think I should retire and let Mayra and JB take over the reign ? 
I told JB to get a negative receipt, she was shy but now Mayra had done it ! JB , where art thou ?
Here is $46 worth of goods and the store paid her $1.10 to get them home. How is that ?
lol you are too funny. I will try. Good job Mayra! And no thanks I don’t want the reigns, I like my mentor!!!
That is awesome!! I saved $142.65 at Publix today!!!
Here is my plan for tomorrow:
4 boxes Quaker Granola Bars 2.99 BOGO=$6
4 Boxes Quaker Oats Cereal 3.99 BOGO= $8
4 Boxes Knox Gelatin @ $1.39= $5.56
2 Boxes Ritz Crackers $3.49 BOGO=$3.49
Ritz Crackerfulls Price= ????
4 Bags Butterfinger Candy $5.99 BOGO= $12
TOTAL:$35.05 + cost of Crackerfulls
Coupons to be used:
Granola bars (2) $1/2 man.(4) 50centsTarget
Honey Bunches of Oats (4) $2/1 man.
Knox Gelatin (4) $4 off man.
Ritz Crackers $1/2 man.
Ritz Crackerfulls Free w/ purchase of 2 Ritz
Butterfinger Raincheck on Bogo and (4) $2/1 man
CVS Coupon $5 off $25
Total saving:$42 plus the crackerfulls
Which would mean they would owe me $6.95. You think they will do it?
I bought 20 Snuggle $3 coupons for $15 on ebay and used them this week. Sold 10 of them for $2 each and made $5 and got 10 bottles of Snuggles!!!! I LOVE making money and getting FREE stuff!!!
I don’t understand this concept of having the store pay you. Wouldn’t that cause the store to modify their coupon policy, hurting everyone from getting future savings? Personally, I would rather buy meat & produce so I pay at least a few dollars.
Green Thumb
I do not know what you think about it, The only thing I can say is that, I did not on purpose. I did my calculations right, but the cashier scans a tearpad of Tylenol,for that reason I was overage, try to find an any item, but the cashier gave me no chance.
I do not want to hurt anybody, I like doing things right, Im extreme couponing, but that no mean made wrong things, I dont need money back, I only want strech my money..Im sorry if you feel bad about that, I think I dont doing anything bad or wrong. (Apologize if you dont understand me, english is not my first languaje).
Katie – Heads up – the $4 coupon on Knox is for a 5.5oz container, not the little boxes – this is a change from the last $4 coupon that was out, so sad for us
anyone know what the 5.5oz container costs?
Katie – I just found the new RP printable for the 4/1 Knox – I had a feeling I was wrong and went a-lookin’ – sure enough, y’all are much more savvy than me…I’m sorry!
my trip yesterday – wasnt paid but happy —
15 Snuggles (got rain check for 20 more)
46 Arm & hammer Toothpaste
1 Chicken Dinner From Deli
1 Clearance Cutting Board
6 J&J Band Aid Kit
2 Sundown Vitamins
subtotal = -1.53
tax = 8.17
total oop = $6.64
i am one of those if i am getting overage i am using it — cant see them handing me money — i would feel wrong about all this if i did that
ooo — i saved $229.94 on that one ticket above !!! — so sweet !!! i just love publix !!!!
you guys are awesome! what are your purchase plans for this week using the new weekly sale at publix with coupons?
I always calculate in such a way that I do not have -ve receipt. The first time, I have a -ve receipt. I told the customer rep that I am going to use the $ they gave me to purchase a bag of baby carrot. She said you do not have to but I insist.
Yesterday, I also have a -ve receipt, not that I wanted to but I do not know how, I must have miscalculated. I thought I would have to pay $1.20 but ended up I do not have to use 2 coupons and ended up a -ve receipts.
Nowsaday, I am not very particular about getting less than $1 in my receipts as I have only spend $400 in the last 9months and my budget is $1000 for this year and I knew I can achieve that target. So sometimes even if my calculation is say $2 but I ended up paying $5 (sometimes different cashier has different rules, for eg, different cashier might not allow overage, sometimes different cashier want me to use $5 off $25 after all the other coupons have been applied, I used to rant, complained about all these but not anymore cos I knew I will get the next deal, after doing this for a while, I knew sales are very cyclical. It is ok.)
I think most of us do not want to have -ve receipts. Some conscience does not allow it, some does not want to attract attention to themselves.
I was like getting up my credit card to pay yesterday morning, ended up the cashier handed me 34cents and I was rushing to meet my realtor so I did not go back to get another more stuffs. I was like 15mins late.
This week my plan is to buy stuffs that I have rain check. If anyone of you have any ideas on good deals, email me, otherwise, I just post deals that are gotten from readers.
Lisa – WOW, girl! Saving $224 with such low OOP and, if I am guessing correctly, all that snuggle will be a great yard sale item, no? Now, THAT’s an awesome deal! The only times I did something like that was when (a) Wheat Thins were BOGO and (b) WholesomeGoodness dry cat food was BOGO – both of those deals gave great overage in the store and I take the crackers to work – happy coworkers always a good thing…we have four cats so we keep any cat food LOL.
Jamy – yup, raincheck week is what I’m thinking too. After the past two weeks, I’ll be happy for a break!
Change will happen if Publix is returning negative money from couponing. I recently had a pleasant conversation with an assistant manager at a local Publix and he said they are aware of the situation (negative shopping bills) and are watching it closely.
While I am not good enough to have an extreme shopping bill in the negative, I have had 50% off bills, and I think we should all be careful not to antagonize Publix into changing their current policies. They have the most effective couponing policies, treat their customers well and I should hate to see any change. sharon
Sharon,
Most Publix do not allow negative receipts. Most Publix also do not allow overage.
I believe Mayra did not mean to have -ve receipts but I believe her on this : “but the cashier scans a tearpad of Tylenol,for that reason I was overage, try to find an any item, but the cashier gave me no chance.”
I was pulling out my credit card to pay like $1 something than the receipt come up to -ve and I still have not use the 2 coupons on Mozzarella cheese.
I think Mayra was so excited that she has a -ve receipt and she send it to me.
I think a lot of times, it is not so much of the $, it is the challenge that you are getting better and better in finding deals. And the more you do it, you feel that you are better finding deals.
After doing this for a while, I knew how the new extreme coupon go through and the excitement that they have but I am very sure after a while, it is a no big deal to get like 90% deals, you will always be able to find them, if not Publix then CVS, then Walgreens, there is always deals out there.
And if you guys think Mayra is out there to cheat, you guys are wrong, she is the most hard working couponers I have seen. She is very dedicated on her task. I see her counting her coupons, make sure the number of coupon do not exceed items, calculate the amount, very serious and concentrating.
It takes times, effort and consistency.
I think she wanted to challenge herself to get to this stage (like Marathon runner). I am sure from here on, she knew she had made it ! She had one receipt that is -ve !
Is that how you feel Mayra ?
Jamy
Thanks! I felt a little better, I one moment I felt bad, because I think people I made this on purpose. I dont want moeny back, I dont want cheating, I always do the right things about coupon. Jamy thanks a lot for believing in me.
I don’t think anyone was passing judgment on Mayra…she did a great job with her savings. The question on everyone’s mind is how negative totals in general will affect couponing. In the first post on this thread it states “I told JB to get a negative receipt, she was shy but now Mayra had done it!” I found this very confusing because I thought the new challenge was to get money back. I think it will hurt us all if Publix is giving us money back. Just so everyone knows, Publix can freeze or save your checkout in their system & take other customers while you run back to get another item. One time I didn’t calculate properly & as soon as I saw that I was going to be negative, I asked the cashier to save the order while I ran back for something. In my opinion, a good challenge for us all would be to get 90-95% savings…anything above 75% savings is fantastic.
When people buy 15 boxes of fabric softener, it makes it very difficult for those of us that don’t have HOURS to comb the aisles looking for deals. I have noticed that my Publix rarely has the deals I used to get from Jamy’s and Southernsaver’s sites because someone has staked out the place at 7 am and bought everything. Again, I am not passing judgment because I am all about being frugal, but I would be very surprised if Publix didn’t start putting limits on the deals. My time is too valuable to make multiple trips to Publix, even when “saving” 75%! Back to the fabric softener, I’ve found over the last month or so, it’s been easier for me to pay full price and be done with it. I agree with Sharon, 50% is great – although since I’ve started Weight Watchers, my grocery bill has doubled and I rarely use coupons at all!! (can you imagine, Jamy??) I would rather be broke and thin, haha. Just my $0.02…
Thats funny you were all discussing this. I had said to my huby after writing that out I didn’t feel right about getting money back. I had decided the extra money would allow me to get some produce and chili seasoning (to use my tomoatos and hamburger meat!). I do believe that they would stop accepting competitor coupons if they were giving money back.
I did find another deal for this week. Healthy Choice Steamers are $2.50 this week and their is a $2 off coupon on their website.
I would also mention that Publix gets reimbursed for the manq + $0.08, so they only “lose” money on the competitor’s q….but bet every dollar I’ve saved with a competitor’s q, I’ve grabbed something else instead!
Rachael,
I think a couple of readers in Southernsavers did make comments on someone who make such remarks similar to that “My time is too valuable to make multiple trips to Publix” and “it makes it very difficult for those of us that don’t have HOURS to comb the aisles looking for deals”. I think the general consensus for that kind of remark is that people who make such kind of remark or complain are those who want their convenient. (I have to dig it out and send the url to you about the discussion).
Extreme coupon is by no means a convenient shopping habit. If you want convenient, I would highly recommend Sam Club.
Also Publix open at 8am, not 7am.
Extreme couponing is hard work, it is like having a part time job. I always tell people if you are happy with 50% saving (like one of my friends who believe in 50cents on the dollar), then stick with 50%, if you are happy with 60-70% saving, then stick to that rule. Some want to do 99%, then go head.
Not every player will end up like Tim Tebow. When we look at Tim Tebow, we often forget about the hours he put into practice to be the Tim we know.
Likewise, people who get up to the store at 7am, they give up the warm pillow, hey, I don’t think I want to give up my warm pillow to shop in Publix
One of my readers work 6days a week and when she finish off work at 6:30, she goes to Publix to shop. After a hard long night, she scarify her sleep for savings for the family. And she goes multiple trips.
I probably could have done like her, going to Publix multi trips but I choose not too. I choose to go home and sleep after work. However, just because I choose not too, I do not think I should condemn her by getting the stuffs from Publix and not leaving for me.
I do not know, I think I leave it to individual conscious and choices he/she make. I am a Christian but I do not preach.
I think different people do couponing for different reasons. Some of the people are in circumstances that we will never magine. Some do it to survive. Some do it for leisure. I know I do not have to depend on extreme coupon to survive. Being a RN, I have quite a comfortable income and if I choose to work another shift like some of my coworkers, many of them are getting like $100+k a yr salary. But, I choose to work less and do some coupon and spend more times with my kido.
Yup, I think it is your call : “My time is too valuable to make multiple trips to Publix, even when “saving” 75%! Back to the fabric softener, I’ve found over the last month or so, it’s been easier for me to pay full price and be done with it.” I think all of our time are valuable, no one time is lesser value than the other. I think it is our call to pay full price or pay nothing
I love to be able to use the $ I saved from grocery to invest on tangible items such as purchase a house every 2 years or so 
, and eventually retire on my rental properties , won’t that be nice ? 
One day I was talking to one of my male coworkers, he told me saving from grocery is like giving yourself a bonus before year end. He was quoting the example of JB. JB saved $1300 last month. This guy said if JB continue to save $1300 a month and for 12 months, that is $15,600. He asked me do you think JB will ever get that kind of bonus from her employer ? I said to him, I have never thought of that way. I thank him for his insight.
You are funny on that
:) ” I would rather be broke and thin, haha. Just my $0.02…” I do not have the same sentiment, I would rather be rich and slim 
I used to do weight watcher in my 20’s in Sydney Australia but I no longer do it anymore. I believe in eating a balance diet, exercise regularly , sleep well. Drink plenty of water, no cigarette s or excessive alcohol. I think I speak for my own practice
. Look at me at 48yrs old, no bad right ? http://www.seaykopitiam.com/2009/09/23/cheap-fast-and-healthy-meal-from-extreme-couponing/
I do not think Publix have $1+ billion profit if they operating on lost (Somewhere in Southernsaver post, she had a figure on Publix annual profit figure.
I believe for every 1 exreme couponer out there, there are 100 shoppers who are not interested to do coupons. I have shared with many people about extreme coupon, some of them I even gave the person $20 to start but it is easier to get food stamp than doing extreme coupon.
Publix has taken my business from CVS, Walgreens, Save A Lot, Albertsons, Win Dixie, Food lion and Hitchcock.
The thing I am concern is not Publix is making a lost or changing their policy, I am concern if all the competitors are going to close doors
Rachael,
I found the url : http://www.southernsavers.com/2009/10/publix-weekly-ad-1014-1020-or-1015-1021/
These are some that I think are relevant.
“Just a reminder that there’s no reason to be upset if your store is out of a sale item, or to curse other couponers “for being greedy” (I HATE that phrase)- just get a raincheck. It’s like your own personal sale. Then use it whenever you want.”
“Just because they are out of stock on an item does not mean someone is necessarily “hoarding!” There are enough couponers in our town all buying the same things that the shelves are going to be bare anyway.”
“Just because the shelf for a product is empty doesn’t mean people are being selfish, maybe it’s a great sale and lots of people are taking advantage of it, or maybe the store’s stock ran out. going and buying sale items whether buying 1 or 10 isn’t selfish at all…i think you’d fine most of the people who complain are themselves complaining because of inconvience to THEM therefore just as selfish…it’s life, there are plenty other stores”
“I would also advise caution in judging others’ behavior so swiftly. I also feed a family of 4 and I have a large stockpile of canned and dry goods to donate this holiday season. Take the time to get a rain check and look at it as savings for the next week.
Judging others hurts you far more than it hurts them, so spend your energy in a more positive manner!”
“I have 3 kids also, and getting a raincheck does not really take that much extra time. I doubt people are being greedy, they are just taking advantage of a good deal. In some stores, I think it is the result of the manager not pre-ordering enough for the sale… or it just depends what day the truck comes and what day you shop.”
“I COMPLETELY AGREE, NOBODY WANTS TO BE INCONVENIENCED BUT THAT’S JUST LIFE, SOME PEOPLE CAN ACT ADULT ABOUT IT, BUT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THOSE THAT WOULD RATHER TAKE ANGER OUT ON OTHERS UTILIZINGS COUPONS OR SALES BECAUSE OF INCONVENIENCE AND I SAY, JUST ACT LIKE AN ADULT!”
“It’s unfair to think that people are being “greedy” because shelves are empty. Did you ever think that maybe the store should restock more frequently? B1G1 sales draw customers who coupon, as well as those who don’t. Good deals go fast, wherever you’re shopping, and when people are ONLY shopping for the sale items, that’s what happens! Also, I pay for the stuff, and I will not apologize because I bought too much. I too have 3 kids to feed. I get to the store asap when I know there are deals that I NEED to buy on sale. Everyone has the same chance.”
In fact, I am the one who find the deals and post them but often times I am the one who could not find the stuffs cos might be a lot of people are reading my post, LOL, so end up I could not find the deal I posted
I am fine with that when I read my readers doing more pork deals than me, buying more laundry detergent than me, they might need it more than me, and they might going through life circumstances that I do not know.
Green Thumb,
I did not see your post till now. JB has been doing very well in her couponing, like spending 11cents, 19cents, 21cents, so my challenge to her is just do once on -ve receipts. I think it is not so much of the $ part, it is more like, ok we make it. Like Marathon, or climbing Mt Everest. I think it is a real challenge to even finish Marathon run , let alone to be the 1st. So whenever I see JB at work, I will ask her, so when is your -ve receipt. It is a joke and also a challenge among ourselves.
Bear in mind, I do not think many Publix will give you a negative receipt. Most of them will return you the coupon that will make your balance in the negative. They will tell you I cannot take this coupon because if I take it, your balance will be negative. And that is the reason I have always make sure my overage will use on produce that does not have coupon and my balance will not be -ve because most store does not allow -ve and I ended up using less coupons and pay more.
So far, I only have encountered once with -ve receipt. In fact, the cashier was not easy to give me 34cents back so he called the customer service lady. She came and she said it is ok to give the cash back , we are to honor our customer $ back if it is negative. I was surprised because I have never had -ve receipts. Only 1 time, so I think it is a real challenge. And so far, I only know 1 store that will give you $ back. Don’t ask me which store, find out yourself.
Publix is good in coupon, but they are very inconsistent also.
I have same store different cashier told me $5 off $25 is after all coupons have been taken out.
I have have same store different cashier told me no overage.
I have have same store different cashier told me only 1 competitor per transaction.
Wow you girls sure have a lot to say! I think this is a great site, I think that Jamy has tought us all so much and we are all very grateful. I also think that if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing. It is clear that things happen with calculation, and that once in a while we are over or under what we plan.
Everyone who has positive things to say is helping all of us out. We learn from each other. I am doing great at this, however each day I learn so much more. I am very happy with my savings. Jamy, I agree it is not so much about all the money I am saving (although it is great) but rather the challenge of it. I love it!
4 trips to Publix in one weeks is fine with me since there is like 10 in our town. No matter were I am there is always near by. 4 trips when I am already near a publix = savings!!!!
Hi Rachael , I hope you do not think I am bashing you. BTW, Rachael and I met before. She was very kind to pass me a lot of coupons that she did not need to use, like house hold cleaners.
I just do no want others who do stock pile, ie buy a whole lot to feel bad about it.
Amanda, no, I do not think what Rachael said is negative. I think she has a point there. Yes, it is frustrating when you go to the stores and u cannot find stuffs. Yes, it is very inconvenient . But, like I said extreme couponing is a lot of work. To be able to do it consistently demands a lot of perseverance and endurance.
It all matters to do you think it is worth while to do. The amount of $ you saved vs the time you put it ? ( Rachael, I see your point there.)
Extreme couponing can be a very frustrating adventure because a lot of times you really do not know if the cashier is going to take all your coupons, even at the same store, depend on which time you go.
I have heard a lot of people complaining and lamenting about it.
Laura C and I met in person last week. She said sometimes she just does not want to go out to shop after working (ie you have to match coupons, print coupon etc…) and I told her I share her sentiments. After standing on my feet for 12hours, seriously , even if you are the fittest human being on this earth, you feel tired too
, who want to go shopping ? 
Sleep is more likely, right ? 
:):)
Jamy, thanks for the link! I really do like hearing other people’s take on extreme couponing – I enjoyed it at first, but I don’t think I was really counting up how much time it took. Your advice about getting coupons on ebay in lots was one of the best tips I’ve ever gotten. There was a great episode of “Hoarders” on A&E where the lady had all this food that she’d never use, and I looked over at my 10 jars of Ragu and grimaced.
If we all thought the same way, what a BORING world this would be! Thanks for keeping the site up and running….you continue to be an inspiration to so many.
Yes, Rachael, thank you that you have an open mind and understanding.
Sometimes, forums, blog comments can get a little challenging. Misunderstanding can arise if we do not keep an open mind.
It is a little bit different from when we go to restaurant and chat. When we chat in person, wee can immediate express our concern right then. In a forum and comment, comment come in and get interpreted differently, then sometimes we take it personally etc, and then bang …
However, if we keep an open mind and always remember all of us have opinion like we all have a belly button 
he he he.
I totally agree with you on that : “There was a great episode of “Hoarders” on A&E where the lady had all this food that she’d never use”. I am looking for a house right now and a few people told me to get a house with big storage space for my coupon find stuffs. I do not think it is right.
I believe in resale or using it for a good cause. For eg. there is always someone out there who cannot get out of the house but would need extra toilet paper and my stock pile of toilet paper serve that purpose. For eg, tomorrow we have a yard sale to raise $ for my kido school winter soccer game, the free glad candles, Dr. Pepper that I have come very handy. And on Nov 7th, there is a local church yard sales (they charge $15 for space) and I have gotten a few woman to do it and I was thinking of giving 20% to a charitable organization or something along that line. And I was even thinking of setting up a co-op where we all bring in our free find products, either sell to public or sell within the members ( I still do not know how to go about, but that is the idea).
I think generally (I can be offensive on that), we in the Western world are hoarders, look at the sq feet of home we have and the no. of person who inhibit in the house ( I know you and I live in a small house, so we are spare , ha ha ha ha) but look at the number of toys our kids have and yet we want more and more. We are blessed in a way that we have plenty ! But, I do not think we should hoard. So, I think there has to be a balance.
However, having say that, I do not know my readers background, so I give them the benefit of doubt. Some of the readers who are in financial hardship are benefiting from this extreme coupon. I ask one of my readers how has her family dynamics changed since she started couponing ? She told me she knew she pay her rent on time and is not worry if the land lord going to evict them anytime soon, she also told me she has plenty in her fridge now for her kids and is not worry if her kids going to go to bed hungry a few days before pay check. And there are some who might not in that kind of shoes but is doing it to save $, for eg doing a little bit of yard sales or reselling to friends who do not want to take the trouble to do it , to me that is also wonderful.
But, since it is an open blog, I never know who is going to read this site or Southernsavers or Iheartpublix, there are some who really need it and really help them but of course there are some who are just hoarding it.
So, best I can do is give each person the benefit of doubt that their conscious will speak to them.
Have a good weekend near the water
sorry, I haven’t been around lately, had the bug going around.
Anyway, I just want to say that for those that get 15 or 20 bottles of softener from one store, I think is wrong unless you ordered it. I had 20 coupons for the softener and went to 5 different stores to get it. I actually went to 6 but the one had been wiped clean.
Please remember that there are others out there that are trying to get the same thing and I think it is only fair to leave some for others.
I don’t think it is cool to clear the shelves. And don’t say that you are too busy or don’t want to be bothered by going to different stores.
I work a regular day job, my husband and I own a business since he was laid off from his regular job and I am helping to take care of several different family members. I know what busy is, but you make the time. I would feel bad if I cleared a shelf.
I have to say that I really stocked up on the Hillshire Farm. I had 40 coupons for them, but I went to several different stores over 5 days to get it all. No it is not all for me. I take care of my parents, my disabled sister in law, my sister (with a deadbeat ex-husband and 3 boys – 2 autistic) and a very good friend who lost his job and his wife is an addict and they have 3 kids.
I never charge my parents for anything, but whenever any of the others can afford to they give me a little money each week.
I almost feel like this is another job. I put alot of time and energy into this, but it is very much worth it.
Hey Jamy, you think we could start a business to do shopping for other people and charge them more than we pay, but less than regular price?? We stockpile things as they go on GREAT sale. just kidding
Anyway all this boils down to is PLEASE don’t clear the shelves, leave something for the rest of us.
sorry the above post was me, but my husband was on computer last so put his name on instead of mine.
Lisa,
How do I find multiple coupons of Snuggle? I only had one
I’m confused on the Hillshire Farm deal. I thought I saw somewhere on the blogs that they were 1.99, but I could only find them for 2.99 in my store. A 1.00 coupon off 2.99 doesn’t seem like a great deal to me. Can someone clarify this deal for me?
Thanks for all your help!!
well on the Snuggle, I get the coupon inserts from different neighbors who don’t use coupons. Their loss is my gain. hehehe.
As for the Hillshire Farm it was on sale last week for 1.99, there was a MQ $1/2 and there were two different Publx Q’s one was $1/2 for the rope sausage and the other $1/1 for th link sausage. With these coupons the rope sausage was $1 a pack and the link was .49 cents a pack. They had different varieties too. Cheddarwurst,smoked sausage,kielbasa,beef smoked sausage,beef kielbasa, turkey sausage, turkey kielbasa.
Next time I make my kielbasa and potatoes dish I will take pics and post it. Very yummy and fillin but very cheap!
Lucky for you that you have those great neighbors!
I guess I missed the Hillshire deal. Oh well…still learning.
Thanks!!
yes, my neighbors are great for me, since they don’t feel the need to coupon. Their loss is my gain!!
Lisa,
I did not know they have so many verify.
I tried not to eat too much process meat, esp. smoked sausage. However, this deal is really great.
From grape vine, Publix coupon that start with LU# never expire, at least for some Publix,they take expire LU#, so this deal might come back again and can get more in the future.
Sales is so cyclical, they will always come back.
Have been busy with work the last few nights and will be working next 2 nights.
Thanks for dropping by. Am a little concern that I did not see u for a while.