As long as I can remember, my family clipped coupons each Sunday from the weekend newspaper. My parents had Ziploc bags for different categories of coupons and we always went to the local, family-owned grocery store in St. Louis, Schnuck’s, on double coupon days. As a kid, I didn’t put much thought into it, I just assumed coupons were a mandatory component of grocery shopping. When I was in high school, a Kohl’s was built just down the road from my house and thus began my mom’s on-going relationship with a department store. We still refer to one Christmas as the “Kohl’s Christmas”, where every present was in a Kohl’s box. Clearly, my mom had combined coupon upon coupon to in fact make money during a Kohl’s transaction. I have continued the family tradition of couponing, in a sense, while attempting not to purchase anything without a discount. My husband, while he enjoys saving money, sometimes thinks that I am crazy to spend 30 minutes searching for a 5% off Cartwheel deal at Target in order to save $0.13. But, it all adds up, right? I’m not the only one who does this, right?

  1. Lucky’s Market: Get organic, real food at affordable prices. First up, create an account on the Lucky’s Market app and immediately receive a $5 off $25 coupon. Then for every $100 you spend, you will receive another $5 off coupon. The app also keeps track of other rewards, such as buy 10 sandwiches, get 1 free or buy 10 coffees, get one free. Lastly, get on their mailing list to receive additional coupons in the mail. Each month you will receive a weekly coupon, such as 20% off your entire purchase or $10 off $50. Also, Publix honors competitor coupons, so try to use these at Publix!
  2. Target: Use the Cartwheel app to save anywhere from 5%-50% off certain in-store items, get a Target Credit or Debit REDcard to save 5% off every purchase (online and in-store) and combine digital coupons with print coupons to get the most for your money! Any parents out there, they have monthly baby deals if you spend $50 on diapers, wipes or formula, you get a $10 gift card. Lastly, REDcard users can create subscriptions for common items such as laundry detergent, toilet paper or diapers and get an extra 15% off each purchase (along with the standard 5% off).
  3. Pick up the AD/Max magazine to take advantage of deals around Tallahassee. These are directly mailed to most households in Tallahassee, but you can print coupons from the website too: admaxcoupons.com. Right now, you can get a free dessert with purchase of a dinner entrée or buy one brunch, get second half off at Café Taverna on North Monroe (really good). Other coupons include Nuberri Frozen Yogurt, MidTown Pies, Millers Tree Service and Tallahassee Bath and Kitchen.
  4. Earth Fare (on Apalachee) offers some great sales and deals each week that make a trip worth it if you happen to drive by or be in the area. On Mondays, they have $5 whole roasted chickens and on Fridays, you can get a 16” take and bake pizza for $6. If you are on their mailing list, they send out $5 off coupons from time to time and also have monthly deals, like Lara Bars currently, 10 for $10.
  5. One more Lucky’s deal: get 2 huge slices of house-made pizza and a pint of beer (includes local brewery Proof) for only $5!

If you want any more tips for saving some pennies, come join us for lunch in the WJB conference room sometime. There is a good chance the daily conversation will include some way to save a dollar or two!

 

About the writer:

Erin Towey - About the Writer Photo

Erin Towey is from St. Louis, MO and has worked in the FSU Coaching Center for 3 years. She lives in Tallahassee with her husband Sean and 7 month old daughter Evelyn.

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