A few weeks ago when the Good ‘n natural bar coupon came out {5/6 RP} I called my local QFC and placed an order for as many bars as I had coupons. This morning I went to QFC to pick the Good ‘n natural bars that had come in. There were also a few other items on sale this week that had some pretty sweet catalina coupon match-ups so I went ahead and picked those items up as well.
Normally, I can get yogurt for free. But lately, the yogurt coupons have not been so hot, so although I paid $1 per 4-pack of yogurt, I still think I had a great shopping trip.
The key to shopping with catalina coupons, is to plan ahead. Plot out your transactions before you get to the register so you don’t become frustrated. If you can be mindful about it, you won’t get flustered at last second and blow your precious catalina coupons.
I did 4 transactions. Here is how I separated my transactions to maximize my savings:
Transaction #1
{30} Good ‘n natural bars $1.00 each
{5} Oscar Mayer lunch meat $1.00 each
{1} Sun Drop 1 liter soda $.88
Used {30} Good ‘n natural FREE PRODUCT coupons
Used {1} $1/1 Sun Drop Soda Coupon
Used {1} $4.00 catalina coupon {from a prior Albertsons purchase}
Final Price: $ 1.07 {.07 was tax}
Received $4 off Oscar Mayer catalina coupon
Transaction #2
{6} Yoplait Multi-Pack Yogurts $2.00 each
Used {1} $4.00 catalina coupon from transaction #1
Final Price: $8.00
Received $6 off Yoplait catalina coupon
Transaction #3
{6} Good ‘n natural bars $1.00 each
{5} Oscar Mayer lunch meat $1.00 each
{1} QFC Wheat Bread $1.00
Used {6} Good ‘n natural FREE PRODUCT coupons
Used {1} $6.00 Yoplait catalina coupon
Final Price: $0
Received $4 off Oscar Mayer catalina coupon
Transaction #4
{4} QFC Wheat Bread $1.00 each
Used {1} Oscar Mayer catalina coupon from transaction #3
Final Price: $0
- {1} 2 liter bottle Sun Drop Soda
- {5} Loaves wheat bread
- {6} 4-packs Yoplait yogurt
- {10} Oscar Mayer lunch meat
- {36} Good ‘n natural bars
Total oop {out of pocket} $9.07. Not to shabby if you ask me.
How did your shopping go this week? Did you stock up on anything good?
Are you wondering what on earth we are going to do with all those yogurts? Well, if we don’t finish them off by the expiration date, I’ll toss them in the freezer and pull them out one at a time and add the frozen yogurt to homemade smoothies.
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Heather S. says
Yogurt is fine way after the expiration date… We eat it up to two months after the date – never had any problems with it at all. I had a boss who would eat it 4-5 months after the date. I haven’t been able to bring myself to go more than two, but it’s always totally fine 🙂 Looks like you’ll have a lot of sandwiches in your near future!
Angela says
I freeze yogurt in ice cube trays when they’re nearing expiration. Then I put em’ with frozen fruit in sandwich baggies for smoothies. I saw this idea on Pinterest, I think. It’s genius! And since I’m a bit weary about expiration dates, the fact that it’s frozen eases my mind.
Demarie says
Do all QFC’s take Albertson’s catalinas?
Mavis says
I usually not shop at QFC but they were one of the few stores that sell the Goon ‘n natural bars. As I was checking out, I asked the cashier if they accept the manufacture catalinas and she said yes, as long as they are a manufacture coupon. 🙂 The coupon scanned with no problems.
Practical Parsimony says
You did great! What is QFC? Do you ever figure the percent you saved? That would be interesting. In my head it’s around 85% saving. I am so impressed. Those yogurts won’t spoil if eaten a few days later. I don’t know about months later. But, since yogurt always goes in my smoothies, your plans for freezing it for smoothies makes sense.
Mavis says
Quality Food Center. No, I don’t worry about how much I saved. 🙂
katy says
Mavis, do you buy you multiple coupons from a clipping service? Or are you paying/diving for 36 copies of the red plum insert? Just curious 🙂
Mavis says
I don’t buy coupons. I get coupon inserts from family, friends and the recycle bins. 🙂
Lori says
I totally wish we had those Oscar Mayer packs here in Montana. I stopped by Albertsons and they didn’t have them. I was excited for the catalina deal.
LaToya says
Never heard of this QFC store. Have heard about that CAT at Fred Meyer though. I love your grocery shopping posts. Hope you’re having a great weekend, Miss Mavis!
Mavis says
QFC is a Washington store {I think}. 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend too LaToya.
D'Anna says
WTG on locating the Goon ‘n Natural bars! I’m in SW Washington and Freddy’s is the only place that sells them and apparently the closest store that actually stocks them is in Portland.
D'Anna says
lolz I mean Good n Natural
Mavis says
I think Whole Paycheck sells them too if you have one nearby. 🙂
Susan says
Most of my shopping was at Fred Meyer and QFC. Both had the good catalina deals (since they are both Kroger stores) QFC happens to be the store closest to home 🙂
I bought 18 cans of various Progresso soup (.50 each) after $6 cat for buying 6. Got 15 of the Oscar Mayer lunchmeat – .20 each and 4-12-packs of Caffeine Free Diet Coke (FM- buy 4 for $11 – Get a $5 cat = $1.50 each.
I rolled one into another, too. Still have a $6 catalina for Fred Meyer to spend.
Mavis says
Nice job Susan! 🙂
Helen in Meridian says
I started the week out doubling at Albertsons. Got 7 Jars of Best Foods Mayo, 3 big bottles of Heinz ketchup, 3 big bottles of yellow mustard, and three 5# paks of thick cut bacon to eat and eat and freeze. Then at our new Rosauers, they had a 50% sale. I got 3 big jars of pickles. Oh at Albertsons I got lots of free olives with doublers and the coupon in the Albertsons Summer booklet. Then at Fred Meyers I ended up with 30 pkg of lunchmeat and 36 cans of Progresso soups. So my summer add fixins are stocked for the year and now with cheap soup, I can skip a day of homemade lunch and send a can of soup. I spread my soup and Oscar Mayer all week from 3 stores so as not to buy everything. I have never found Progresso that cheap, so we got a year’s supply.