Just yesterday I shopped at Publix Supermarket in Nashville, TN. Since we have no Publix in New York, this was an interesting experience for me.

I had always heard about Publix BOGOF offers but I was able to fully enjoy the experience by pairing up the BOGOF with some great coupons of my own.

Here are a couple of my coups:

• Hellmann’s Mayonnaise: BOGOF combined with my own free coupon, I got both and saved $12.
• Del Monte Vegetagles: BOGOF combined with my $.50 Del Monte coupon doubled to $1, I got 6 cans free for a $9 savings.

Maximizing coupon use really makes sense in this case. If the coupon has a long enough expiration, use it when there are specials such as this.

The manager also mentioned that the BOGOF offers ring up as ½ price each that’s why you can use 2 coupons on these deals.

Check with your local store for their policies so you won’t be disappointed at the checkout.

Checkout out at the supermarket has become much easier. You can now self check-out and still use your coupons. This is great especially if the supermarket is busy, and there is always a checker to help the process at the self check-out lanes.

But have you ever noticed errors on your cash register receipt? Even with all the new and innovative systems, mistakes do occur. Most often, it’s because the special price has not been correctly entered into the main computer. So how much do-diligence should you exercise?

I found that if I checked my receipt upon my return home, I almost never returned to the store for the correction.

As a result, lately, I check the receipt before I leave and if and when I find an error I can get it fixed immediately. Recently Edy’s churned ice cream, Steve’s favorite, was on sale 2/$5. They rang up at the full price of $5.98. I got $6.98 credited back to my card.

But then I made a mistake, and the store let me correct it. The sale for Mott’s Apple Juice stated: Buy 1, $ 3.99 each, Buy 2 $2.99 each, Buy 3 $1.99 each. I only saw the $1.99 and took 2. My receipt showed each at $2.99 or $6 for the 2 instead of for 3. They gave me a paid sticker and the third apple juice gratis.

Mistakes go both ways. My store is willing to accept theirs and mine, and make good.

Be careful, check before leaving the store for a quick correction.

The Supermarket is an excellent source of coupons. There are at least 6 types of in-store varieties.

1. The first type is the on product coupon. Even here there are 2 different types. The hang tag generally found around the neck of the item. Next is the stick on type that you can peel off before you get to the register. Both types are used on your current purchase.

2. Then there are the coupons found inside a box. Sometimes there is a message indicating the coupon. Sometimes you’re surprised when opening the package. These are used on your next purchase.

3. As part of a package, some coupons are printed on the product and are used for the next purchase. Most common are on cereal boxes.

4. Blinking lights indicate a coupon dispenser, usually found right near the item, these are for a current purchase.

5. Aisle displays prepared by the manufacturer often have coupons as part of the promotion. On a recent display, I found a $2.00 Sara Lee coupon good on Sara Lee Deli meat.
.
6. And last are the coupons that are generated at the time of checkout by the register. Some of these are for similar but competitive brands of products. If you buy Charmin the register coupon might be for Scott toilet tissue.

Check these out at your local market.