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Over the past month, we’ve covered what I would consider the “foundation” of grocery budget saving strategies. There are a few more tips to remember when at the grocery store:

• Don’t be brand loyal! Buy the brands that are on sale or utilize coupons that you have for a particular brand. Most often, the store brand will be cheaper. But if you can find a brand named item on sale, AND pair it with a coupon, you can easily get a cheap price, cheaper than store brands even.
• Scan the shelves above and below eye level. That’s where you’ll find the cheaper items. Items placed at eye level are usually more expensive.
• Bigger isn’t always cheaper. Sometimes the unit price is the same whether you buy the small size or jumbo. Check the unit price which is listed on the shelf tag by the price. Coupons often make smaller sizes an even better deal, since you’ll be getting a heftier percentage off. For example, there were recently $1.00 IP for Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo. It did not specify a size. Walmart carries travel size shampoos in their travel section for $1.00, allowing you to get the item for free!

Now what? USE COUPONS, that’s what. That is, after all what this column is about!

Confused as to how to get started? We’ll cover that topic next week. Stay tuned!

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Three circulars—Smart Source (SS), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor & Gamble (PG) are available most Saturdays in the Hastings Tribune and other area newspapers. For internet printables (IP), click on the corresponding link. Have other questions regarding my lingo? Click here.

Bounty Paper Towels (8 rolls) $5.99
$0.25 (2.7 PG) = $5.74

Robert’s Sour Cream (16 oz.) $0.99 ea.
$0.30 (2.7 SS) = $0.66 ea.

Knorr Lipton Side Dishes $0.99 ea.
$0.60/2 (1.31 RP) = $0.69 ea.

Sara Lee Soft N Smooth Whole Grain White Bread $1.98 ea.
$0.55 (2.21 RP) = $1.43 ea.

Sara Lee Soft N Smooth White or Wheat Bread 2/$4.00
$0.55 (2.21 RP) = $1.45 ea.

Luvs Diapers (Size 3-4-5-6 Boxes) $14.98
$1.00 IP here (when you join the Luvs Network) $13.98

Ragu Pasta Sauce (28 oz.) $1.68 ea.
$0.75/2 (1.31 RP) = $1.31 ea.

Hillshire Farms Deli Select Meat (9 oz.) $2.49 ea.
$0.35 (2.14 RP) = $2.14 ea.

Tyson Breaded Boneless Chicken or Beef (20.5 – 29 oz.) $4.49
$1.00 (2.7 SS)  = $3.49 ea.

Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches (13.6 – 18.4 oz.) $2.99 ea.
$0.75 (1.3 RP) = $2.24 ea.

Bounty Basic Paper Towels (8 count) $5.49 ea.
$0.25 (2.7 P&G) = $5.24 ea.

*Remember, Sunmart doubles all coupons up to $1.00. For example, a $0.50 Q doubles to $1.00 off

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Please Note: I do my best to match up deals and coupons but obviously I do not do all the deals myself. If you find one does not work—or better yet, find others—please leave a note in the comments section!

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About the author: Renee Thomsen

Renee traded in her Louis Vuitton for a coupon binder after the birth of her son in 2007. Looking to save a few bucks on diapers, she found herself fully immersed in the wild world of couponing. Around that time, Renee discovered Dave Ramsey, a personal finance guru, and thus began her quest to find financial peace. Along with her husband, Renee is working towards becoming debt-free, one money-saving coupon at a time.