Kroger's end to double couponing is not the end of the world

Kroger’s Southeast region has announced that they will discontinue doubling coupons that have a face value of 50 cents or less as of Sept. 21. At the same time, the store will be lowering prices on 3,000 items storewide. Look for special tags that say “New Lower Price.” 

Coupon users, don’t despair! I wondered how much this coupon policy change would affect coupon users’ overall savings, so I analyzed the coupon values of the Sunday AJC coupons. The CouponMom.com coupon database showed 940 non-expired coupons at the time of this writing. As it turns out, only 137 coupons, or 15 percent of the total coupons in the Sunday coupon circulars, have a face value of 50 cents or less. The majority of the coupons, 85 percent, don’t even qualify for double coupon promotions because they have values of 55 cents or higher. About 140 coupons have a face value of $2.50 or more. 

If you used only one coupon worth $2.50 each week, that would cover the cost of your Sunday paper. The sky is not falling. Keep combining your coupons with sales and promotions at Kroger and you will save hundreds of dollars a year.

High value coupons notice

Find high-value coupons in the Sept. 15 circulars that we don’t usually see, such as $1 off one Skippy Peanut Butter (which also is a great item to donate to charity); $2 off a Revlon cosmetic item at Target; “buy one, get one free” coupons for Pantene products (value $4.99); Dove hair care products (value $6.99); and $2 off Vidal Sassoon hair color. Also find a coupon for a free two-month membership at BJ’s Wholesale Club if you’d like the opportunity to compare prices against your regular grocery store. You also can use manufacturers’ grocery coupons from the AJC at BJ’s Wholesale Clubs to save even more.

Save at Walgreens

Kellogg’s: Walgreens has selected Kellogg’s products on sale for $1.67 each. Use the $1-off-two Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats coupon (eight count) from the Aug. 4 RedPlum to pay $1.17 each. Use the $1-off-three Kellogg’s PopTarts coupon from the Sept. 8 RedPlum to pay $1.34 each.

Clairol: Walgreens has Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo, conditioner or styler on sale for $2.50 each when you buy two. Use the $3-off-two coupon from the Sept. 15 SmartSource to pay $1 each.

Frozen pizza: Walgreens has Jack’s frozen pizza (12 inch) on sale for $3.33 each when you buy three. Use the in-store coupon from the September Savings Booklet for $3 off three along with three 75-cents-off-one coupons from the Sept. 8 RedPlum to pay just $1.58 per pizza.

The full Coupon Mom column appears Thursdays in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Deal Spotter section. It’s full of great local deals and exclusive offers. Visit the Coupon Mom website for more great finds.

– Follow Atlanta Bargain Hunter Nedra Rhone on Facebook | Twitter | Email