Jill Cataldo

I often get mail from readers who are amazed at the great deals we get but wonder if they can Super-Coupon where they live. The answer? Absolutely! Here's an email from one of my newspaper column readers in Florida about her recent trip to Publix:

Jill,

This is the first time I've taken the time to write to you but I had the most awesome trip at Publix today. On my trip today this is what i purchased:

8 bottles of Windex
6 bottles of Shout Trigger spray
1 ALL Small and Mighty laundry detergent
1 Iodized salt
2 boxes of Mueller's pasta
4 spray cans of Scrubbing Bubbles
2 boxes of Kellogg's Mini Wheats
2 Dentyne Ice (60pieces) packs
2 Glade Relaxing Moments candles
2 Crest toothpaste

All of these items were buy one get one free with the exception of the iodized salt. I was able to stack store coupons with manufacturer coupons for almost all of my items, and on top of that I know that publix takes competitor coupons and I had one from my Sunday paper insert from Target stating "Get a $5 gift card with the purchase of any three Scrubbing Bubbles." I asked a manager if they would take it and they said they would be happy to do it. Instead of giving me a Publix gift card they just gave me $5 dollars off!

On top of that I already had a coupon for Publix which took $5 off of $30. So after all of my coupons, my grand total after taxes came to be $1.31. Yes, you read that right -- one dollar and thirty-one cents. I was ecstatic! I couldn't believe it! I had the biggest smile on my face.

Thanks soo much for reading my email and I hope you liked my Publix shopping trip story as much as I enjoyed making the trip happen. Thanks for your help and column!

Elizabeth M.
Jacksonville, Florida