Ever since D and I got married, my mother-in-law has clipped coupons for items she thought we would use. Just between you and me, til now those tickets to savings often sat quietly on the television as I headed out the door to the store. Only to later be tossed in the trash after they had expired.
Those days are over. It’s no surprise with the economic woes we all face, the time has come to take the couponing plunge and join the ranks of savers everywhere. Now, if I just could figure out the secrets to coupon success. It can take forever to find coupons that actually benefit you – it’s not much of a savings if you’re buying things you don’t even need just because you have a coupon. And how much have you really saved if you had to buy so much of an item that most of it expires before you can use it? What you need is a easy, worthwhile (and quick!) way to get to the savings.
A friend recently recommended checking out Kroger’s website for in-store deals and access to great coupons. She told me this months ago and I just got around to it. It saddens me when I think of all the savings I missed out on in the meantime. I’ve been a long time Kroger Plus Rewards Member, but I had no idea about the online benefits.
One of my favorite features is the direct link to P&G savings. From the Kroger’s home page you can click directly to the P&G offers currently available for laundry detergent and diapers and soap and…the P&G list of products goes on and on. Find coupons you’ll use and you can hit a button to have them directly added to your Rewards Card – no printing or clipping necessary. Even a rookie like me can handle this and it’s oh, so eco-friendly!
The links don’t stop there shoppers. You can go directly to Shortcuts.com to get savings on entire meals – so easy for the busy mom who needs inspiration for seven nights of supper.
There is another area on the website you can click and enter your zip-code to print out coupons specifically for your area Kroger store. I entered mine and more than fifty coupons popped up. After looking through them, over half were for items I use regularly – not just stuff no one really needs or uses.
It will take you days to check out all the great things on Kroger’s site: in-store ads, recipes, links to free samples…there’s a whole lot packed into that little web address.
The generous folks at Kroger’s have given me a $25.00 gift certificate for one lucky reader. To enter, simply visit their site and tell me what your favorite part of it is, provide me a link to it so I can check it out too. I’ll take entries until 11:59 pm EST, November 14th so the winner will have their gift certificate in time for Thanksgiving shopping. Winner will be chosen randomly from qualified entries. Good Luck!
21 comments
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October 27, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Amazing Greis...
I’m a fan of the coupon sections that you have already discussed, but I also love that you can request a prescription re-fill online; http://www.kroger.com/pharmacy/Pages/order_refills.aspx.
October 27, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Mrs. CPA
I normally skip the leaving on the TV stage and throw them away when my aunt sends them. I normally shop at Kroger and use their card, so i went right out and signed up for the P&G deal.
http://pgesaver.com/Sites/PG_eSAVER/Page/SelectCouponsPage/
Now the problem is going to be how to remember what I’ve loaded coupons for. It will be like a little surprise when I check out!
October 27, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Jessi
I love the Kroger site. I use it every week before I go grocery shopping. I love that I can look at their ads online
http://services.kroger.com/mapquest/storesearchadvanced.aspx
October 27, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Maura
We don’t have any Kroger’s around here, so I’m going to skip making an entry, but this is such a great idea! I’m going to check the website for the shoppers card I do have from the big grocery chain around here and see if they have any of this going on!
October 27, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Kate
I always think I’m going to use coupons – and like you said, they’re usually forgotten on top of the microwave (our catch all spot). I do need to get better about this…at least I’ve finally resigned myself to shopping sales racks only. I remember my single girl days of buying with abandon. But those were also the days of credit card debt… My financial advisor (husband) put an end to all that. Buzz kill – but for the best.
October 28, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Christina
I use the Kroger website all the time to look at the weekly ads, because I always forget to look at the paper version before I recycle it.
(I’m giving away 2 Kroger gift cards, too, but wouldn’t mind winning one!)
October 29, 2008 at 10:20 am
Julie
I like the recipes. Because I love recipes.
http://recipes.kroger.com/browse.aspx
That hazelnut java looks interesting.
October 29, 2008 at 10:21 am
hookedonhouses
Well, this is news to me. I’m a Kroger Plus cardholder and I use it faithfully, but I somehow missed the fact that you could go to their website for coupons. Thanks for the heads-up on this!
I thought their pumpkin ideas were great:
http://www.kroger.com/great_meals/Pages/have_a_ball_with_pumpkins.aspx
-Julia
October 29, 2008 at 10:24 am
Steve
I like the Healthy Living section – http://www.kroger.com/healthy_living/Pages/default.aspx – There’s good tips not just on eating healthier, but how to live, work, and encourage healthier habits
October 29, 2008 at 10:25 am
gretakiki
I’m loving http://www.kroger.com/in_store/Pages/fuel_rewards.aspx
Because I have tons of money on gas at Kroger. This got me through the week when prices were over 3 bucks.
October 29, 2008 at 10:32 am
Heather~Domestic Extraordinaire
I used their online store locator and found that there is a Kroger near me, well, not really but it is near the Meijer in Sandusky so if I won I would drive out there and hit 2 grocery stores in one trip. I really loved their online ad since I don’t live locally to it, but I found the Online Sampler and thought that totally rocked!!
http://startsampling.com/retail/kroger/
October 30, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Jill
I love their info about all the gourmet cheeses- http://www.kroger.com/fresh_foods/deli_bakery/Pages/gourmet_cheese.aspx
November 1, 2008 at 7:28 pm
psychmamma
I love their healthy living section
http://www.kroger.com/healthy_living/Pages/default.aspx
full of great information, PLUS I love that you can download coupons to your Kroger Savings Card! Easy!
November 10, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Renae
http://www.kroger.com/in_store/Pages/coupon_landing.aspx
The coupon section is the best! I love the deals!
November 10, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Carol
I like the Fresh Foods, Fruits & Veggies section
http://www.kroger.com/fresh_foods/fruits_veggies/Pages/default.aspx
November 10, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Maria
I like looking at the ads before goin to the store!
November 11, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Ruth Ann
I love being able to see the weekly sales ads on-line. I get them in the newspaper on Wednesdays but usually don’t get a chance to really look at the paper copies until Thursday evening. On-line I can browse through them during lunch on Wednesday.
Here’s the link to the ad for my store:
http://southwest.inserts2online.com/customer_Frame.jsp?divID=034&drpStoreID=00467
November 12, 2008 at 12:45 pm
amy
I love that since I dont get a paper I can go there and look at the weekly ad!!!
lilhottemomma@yahoo.com
http://delta.inserts2online.com/customer_Frame.jsp?divID=025&drpStoreID=00427
November 13, 2008 at 11:42 am
Tiffany
I liked the salad tips. I hang out in the fruits and veggies section more than any other ad produce is pricey. Thx for the op Amy!
http://kroger.staywellsolutionsonline.com/RelatedItems/1,2878
November 14, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Rebecca
I don’t have a Kroger near me, but I liked the recipes. I think I am going to try this one http://recipes.kroger.com/product.aspx?ctg=Autumn&pid=63071
If I win, the giftcard will go to friend in MI whose husband works for GM. They just told him he may be laid off for the entire month of December!
beccaj73[at]hickorytech[dot]net
March 24, 2009 at 4:31 am
Ohio Coupon Queen
It was a weekend of incredible discounts and sales in the Cincinnati Area! On my quest to “update” my closet without going for broke, I found myself wandering with excitement through my local Sears store. Yes, you read it right. Sears. Why? Two words, Lands End.
For years I’ve been a fan of the catalog sales, and now you can walk into any Sears store for a glimpse of the complete collection. Don’t let your fear of appliance and tool sales people keep you away from this shopping extravaganza! Up to 75% off what I call wardrobe staples, fun comfy T’s, long and short sleeved, lightweight spring sweaters and colorful accessories… silk-blend scarfs, roomy bags that can definitely do double duty as a purse or weekend tote – all 50 to 75% off. If you can bring yourself to buy ahead these days, pick up a winter coat for the kids at close to 70% off the regular price. And, for the wardrobe challenged man in my life, (we all have at least one) I picked up a couple of Lands End classic polos in great springy colors for just $10 saving $20 a shirt!
The next surprising sale as I ran into K-Mart for spray paint in a desperate attempt to save my favorite patio pots from another year of the blahs, I spied a huge pile of Martha Stewart’s home décor items for CHEAP! Now I know what you’re thinking, K-Mart was built on cheap… but if you’re getting the spring home décor bug that is screaming for something new & cheery, you must head to the home section clearance displays. Martha’s fabulous curtain panels that are usually $25 to $30 a panel for just $9 to $12 each! Bathroom towels, rugs and accessories…60% OFF! These aren’t your ordinary sheers to just provide cover, no, these are obviously inspired by a much greater home fashion force… something that is reminiscent of ….Pottery Barn. Yes, I said it. I compared Martha at the Mart with the P.B. Silk panels 84” long with the classic wide stripe pattern in very classic colors… tab top cotton ticking stripe with the look of linen and more. I was shocked.
All pumped about my fresh, springy finds, I checked out a favorite source on the web for great offers that usually last at least a month. At http://www.townmoneysaver.com someone must have heard me screaming as I tried on last years’ spring and summer pants. A little snug is an understatement… so appearing to provide my much needed kick in metabolism is an entire week FREE at Snap Fitness! There are several locations around Cincinnati – and my favorite SNAP features… they’re open 24/7, everyone working out actually sweats, and your workout is complete in 30 minutes or less. As this offer was printing (you need to take the coupon in for your free trial) I noticed a lot of savings on many restaurants and local services. As your newly nominated Coupon Queen, I encourage everyone to check it out!
Happy Saving!