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Extreme Couponing at the Commissary?

A question from a reader:

I just finished reading “Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey.” I have to say I was so motivated by the saving that the Krazy Coupon Lady’s experienced. So my question is, Is saving that extreme only possible at civilian supermarkets, or can we really coupon and save that much at our own commissaries? Please help inquiring minds in Jax, FL would love to know?

I haven’t read the book, but I did see Joanie on the Extreme Couponing show so I have a pretty good idea of what she is saving on groceries.

The fast answer to this question is no, you can’t save that much at the commissary.

But….

You can spend less at your commissary.

I have not shopped at every commissary or every civilian store, but it has been my experience that most regular priced items at the commissary are cheaper than civilian stores.

When it comes to sales, BOGO’s and double coupons, civilian grocery stores beat the commissary most of the time.

If you are familiar with the commissary coupon policy you know that they don’t double coupons and only occasionally offer BOGO’s. They do run sales every two weeks, but they don’t have penny items, register rewards or even coupons that print on your receipt.

Because civilian stores do offer these incentives it is possible to save more on your groceries… but saving more doesn’t mean spending less. Since this reader lives in Jacksonville, Florida I’ll compare a few items that are on sale this week at Publix with the same items at the commissary. I’ll throw some coupons in the mix too, although these coupons might not all be available in real life.

Ball Park Franks

  • Publix BOGO – Buy two for $4.49
  • Commissary- $1.29 each
  • Let’s assume we had a $1/2 coupon.
  • Your final price for 2 packs of Ball Park Franks is $3.49 at Publix.
  • Commissary final price $1.58.
  • On your receipt from Publix you would have saved $5.49 but on the commissary receipt you only saved $1.
  • You saved more at Publix, but spent less at the Commissary. Even if you shopped at a store that doubled coupons you would have paid less at the commissary.

Kraft Salad Dressing

  • Publix BOGO – Buy two for $3.39
  • Commissary Sale Price $1.60 each
  • Coupon $1/2
  • Publix Final Price $2.39 for two
  • Commissary Final Price $2.20 for two

If your store doubled you would spend less buying the salad dressing at Publix.

Bush’s Baked Beans

  • Publix 3/$5
  • Commissary $1.33 each or $3.99 for 3

Since this reader lives in Florida where they do not double coupons I think she will spend less overall shopping at the commissary. The commissary is almost always cheaper on produce, dairy, and meat unless you are comparing those items to loss leaders at a civilian store.

Just because she would spend less overall at the commissary doesn’t mean she shouldn’t shop the deals at her local stores. I recommend keeping a price book to make sure it is really a great deal. Keeping a price book will also keep track of prices on non sale items, you never know- your local store might be cheaper on a few things.

The fact is, there isn’t much extreme couponing going on at the commissary. Even if you have a coupon for every single item you probably aren’t going to walk out of there paying only a few dollars for a cart full of groceries. That doesn’t mean you can’t save by shopping there… you’ll just save more shopping at your local store.

The bottom line is that for many of these extreme couponers it isn’t about buying things they need, it is about the thrill of the deal. Most of them have admitted they LOVE finding deals and will do just about anything to get an item for free (or even get paid for buying it).

I don’t think it is wrong to want to save and find deals, but the bottom line is you need to buy groceries to feed your family. One hundred packs of free toilet paper, candy bars and sports drinks do not feed your family!

Stock up when there is a sale, keep a modest stock pile, search for the best deal, but in the end remember that you need to buy food to feed your family three meals a day. Vegetables, meat, milk, and other items that don’t often have available coupons are all items you need to consider in the final equation.

Many of the coupons today are for processed food which are not the healthiest and cheapest food for your family. You can often spend less on your groceries by preparing from scratch meals with whole foods. Whole foods that are often cheaper at the commissary.

So while there is nothing wrong with wanting to emulate all those extreme couponers out there, remember to think about your total monthly grocery bill instead of just the super coupon deals. Use the techniques taught by the extreme couponers to save on items you need at your local store, then do the rest of your shopping at the commissary.

Image source: Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn

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Coupons for Troops

I’ve been running the Coupons for Troops program for over three years and we’ve matched up over one hundred overseas military families with stateside families willing to donate coupons.

The program currently has overseas military families waiting to receive coupons. If you are interested in donating (or receiving) coupons please read the FAQ page before emailing me any questions about donating or receiving.

If you are interested in participating in the program there are links on the FAQ page to sign up.

Thanks for supporting our troops with coupons!

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Commissary Loyalty Card

My Shopper's CardsHave you heard the latest commissary coupon news? Amy from Spouse Buzz recently posted about the new Commissary Loyalty Card program which should be launched later this year. I’m so excited the commissary is finally catching up with what other stores have been doing for years!

Unfortunately you will not be able to stack coupons with the card, but since the commissary hasn’t allowed this in the past I’m not surprised.

From the commissary website:

Loyalty cards will be issued in-store and patrons will be required to register their loyalty card on M-Dot Network’s specified coupon Web site, accessible through DeCA’s Web site.  This new and exciting program will provide digital manufacturer coupons to commissary patrons.  Once the card is registered, patrons will select the coupons they wish to instantly load onto their loyalty card.  At checkout, the commissary patrons will swipe their loyalty card to redeem coupons.  Coupons will be electronically matched against purchases and automatically deducted from the total bill.  This program relieves our patrons from having to clip, organize, and save paper coupons, as well as, remembering to bring their paper coupons with them to the commissary.  Paper coupons will still be accepted by the commissary and current coupon policies will remain in effect.

I can’t wait to see what types of coupons will be offered with this loyalty card. I hoping the digital coupons will be in addition to those we can clip and print, but so far the commissary isn’t sharing too many details. Amy has written a great summary of the program if you want to learn more and remember to familiarize yourself with the commissary coupon policy before you shop!

photo credit: LVCHEN

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Commissary Coupon Policy

Every few weeks I post commissary sales and coupon match-ups. It is important to understand the commissary coupon policy before you head to the store with your coupons because many cashiers do not know the policy and enforce it incorrectly.

Below is a summary of their coupon policy. For more information you can visit the Defense Commissary Agency’s Facebook page.

The Commissary Coupon Policy is a Global Policy

Commissaries are not allowed to set their own policies. A commissary that tells you differently is wrong. To file a complaint fill out a customer action form. If DeCA makes a policy it applies to everyone. Store managers cannot make the rules.

The Commissary Accepts Coupons

Commissaries in the United States (all 50) accept current coupons. They also accept internet printed coupons (see below for details). Commissaries overseas accept current coupons as well as coupons 6 months past their expiration date.

The Commissary Does Not Accept Competitor’s Coupons

The commissary accepts manufacturer coupons as well as commissary coupons. You cannot use a Food Lion, Publix, CVS, Target, etc coupon at the commissary.

The Commissary Does Not Double Coupons

Did you know it is actually against the law for the commissary to double coupons? Occasionally the commissary will run a special where they will allow customers to use two coupons for one product, but an actual coupon cannot be doubled.

You Can Make Money on a Purchase with a Coupon

If the value of the coupon exceeds the value of the product you will receive the difference. You do not need to buy another item and apply the difference. Occasionally the commissary will require the customer to purchase additional items when large numbers of coupons for the same products are being used.

Only One Coupon is Allowed with a BOGO

If the commissary is running their own buy one get one free sale you can only use one coupon for the two products. Since the second item is free, the commissary doesn’t allow a coupon for the second item.

The Internet Coupon Policy

“The coupons must have a typical barcode and Product Identification Number (PIN) or GS1 DataBar. A Dot Scan Barcode may appear below the expiration date, but is only required if stated on the coupon, e.g., “Do not accept without a Dot Scan Barcode below the expiration date.” Internet coupons cannot be accepted for free products, however, “Buy One Get One Free” coupons are acceptable if they meet all other requirements.”

Fraudulent Coupon Policy

Occasionally a coupon is deemed fraudulent by the commissary. This is not one person’s particular coupon, it is a batch of coupons that has made it across the internet. When a coupon is fraudulent the commissary will issue a counterfeit notice for this coupon. This is a commissary wide policy. If a cashier tells you the coupon is a fraudulent coupon ask to see the counterfeit notice. If they cannot show you the notice they are supposed to accept the coupon.

My Personal Thoughts on Commissary Shopping and Coupons

It’s no secret I love shopping at the commissary. It has been my experience, shopping at over a dozen commissaries, that customer service is not one of their higher priorities. I shop at the commissary because it is cheaper. If I want friendly service I shop at Publix. At the commissary you will find cashiers who are not familiar with the coupon policy. There are store managers who are not familiar with the coupon policy, or try and create their own rules.

Shopping at the commissary is a privilege you have earned because of your military status. Do not allow the ignorance of cashiers or store managers to keep you from the savings you deserve based on their coupon policies. Familiarize yourself with the policy and don’t be afraid to speak with a manager if there is a problem.

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Shake Hands With a Hero

Thank you to Procter & Gamble, Kroger and the USO for sponsoring this blog post and the Shake Hands With A Hero initiative. Please click here to learn more about this program. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.


Even though I did not grow up in a military family, the military has been my life for the past 18 years. Right after I got married my husband re-enlisted in the Navy and eighteen years and seven ranks later we are edging closer to retirement. It is hard for me to imagine life outside of the military. For years it has been a constant in a sea of change.

Because of my husband’s service I’ve always appreciated our Armed Forces. I’ve witnessed firsthand the long hours, separation from family, and frequent moves. Even though I always felt like I appreciated our Armed Forces, I didn’t realize how much they meant to me until my husband deployed to Iraq a few years ago. Before his deployment he had always worked long hours, crazy shifts, and even worked next to the detainees in GTMO. But his deployment to Iraq was something different.

I knew the base where he was living and working in Iraq was being mortared. Every.Single.Day. There were no guarantees he would be able to call, no guarantees he would come home. As I drove around the base where we lived I saw yellow ribbons tied to trees, these ribbons were not just a symbol anymore, they meant something more. During the time he was deployed I heard stories of babies being born, babies who would never know their fathers. Children who would never be tucked in by their mom or dad, ever again.

War became real to me that summer and the sacrifice of the men and women of our Armed Forces was more than just a slogan or an idea. It was life. With war came a new sense of pride stirring in my heart. I was proud of my husband, our friends, neighbors, and service members who chose this path. I was proud that my husband was willing to risk his life so that our family could live freely back home. I never understood how precious our freedom is and how easy it is to take for granted until I realized how much there was to lose.

My husband came home, and I watched as he recovered from injuries sustained while deployed. It was a long road to recovery, but as I spent hours at Bethesda Naval Hospital I witnessed young men barely old enough to vote missing arms, legs, or with large scars across their face and head. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for their service and sacrifice. There were times I choked back tears as I watched them, needing assistance to even get through the halls. Often their families were with them. Young wives, babies, children… lives changed forever because of their sacrifice.

It was during this time in my life I realized that a simple Thank You would never be enough, but it was all I could give. My sister-in-law has a wonderful habit, whenever she sees a service member she walks up to them, says thank you, and extends her hand. I’ve always been proud of her for doing that because it does mean something to our service members.

Next week is Armed Forces Week and it’s a great time to recognize our military. Even if you don’t see members of our Armed Forces on a regular basis you can give them a virtual handshake. Kroger and P&G have created an opportunity for you to virtually “shake hands with a hero.” Visit the Honoring Our Heros website to virtually shake a hand, and if you are one of the first 50,000 people to use the site you will receive a $1 off Kroger coupon for P&G products.

As you know, I love companies who support our troops financially or virtually, so I’m proud to help spread the word about this program. Supporting the troops is not about supporting any specific political agenda. Supporting our troops means supporting regular folks who do something extraordinary by signing up to serve.

Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Kroger and its family of stores have partnered together to support the USO – an organization that provides an extensive range of programs at more than 150 centers in 27 countries and at hundreds of entertainment events each year to support the morale, welfare, social and entertainment needs of troops and their families, free of charge – in its mission to help American troops and their families. Through the partnership Kroger will donate $250,000 to the USO.

 

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Let’s Say Thanks: Free Cards for Our Troops

I just came across this fun program from Xerox. You can now send a free thank you postcard to a service member though the Let’s Say Thanks program. You can create your own message or chose one of the preselected messages. The postcards are designed by kids and are really cute! Once you create a card, the folks at Give 2 the Troops send it to a service member.

It’s just a little thing, but sometimes the little things make a big difference when you are serving overseas.

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Government Shut Down Update: Short Term Loans for Active Duty

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society will providing loans for Active Duty military personnel.

From the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society website.

In the event there is an interruption to military pay, the Society will be prepared to assist with rapid, short-term, interest-free loans to avoid privation with essential items such as food, gasoline and other necessities.  This situation will be treated as we would a natural disaster, requiring rapid financial assistance without reviewing budgets or providing financial counseling.

You need to show up with a military id card and you can receive a loan, no credit check needed. You just need to sign a repayment form.

Individuals can receive a $300 loan and families can receive a $600 loan.

If you cannot survive on half your military paycheck, you will want to take advantage of this program. To find your local Navy-Marine Corps Relieve Society visit their website.

 

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Government Shutdown: How to Survive on Half Your Military Pay

Update: The Office of the Navy has released information regarding how the possible government shut down will affect its personnel, active duty and civilian. You can download the Rhumb Lines document here.

As I write this the Federal Government is still debating over a plan that will keep the government from shutting down at midnight on Friday. If they cannot pass a budget or a stopgap spending bill, military members all over the world will only receive half a paycheck on April 15th.

Some military families are not prepared to live on half their income, even for a few days or weeks. Many joined the military for the consistent paycheck and guaranteed (so to speak) income. Many are trying to pay off their old debts, or struggling to get by on one small military income. While there are many things you can do to be prepared if this happens again, let’s focus on what you can do if this happens tomorrow!

Prioritize

You will be getting a paycheck on April 15th even if the government shuts down. (April 29th is not guaranteed if the government doesn’t get its act together before then) The paycheck will be half of the regular amount. Figure out what bills have to be paid. If it were me I would prioritize food, shelter, utilities, gas.

If you truly cannot make a payment consider calling your landlord or mortgage company and explaining the situation. If you have never been late with payments before they might be willing to work with you. Offer to pay part of your payment or as much as you can afford.

Create a Budget

Take your usual paycheck and divide it in half. Then take that amount and start deducting your expenses based on your spending priorities. Remember this is temporary, so if you are paying extra on your mortgage or car payment don’t do it this month if it means skipping or being late on another payment. If you are living paycheck to paycheck you will not have enough money to cover all your expenses which is why the first step was to prioritize.

Write all of this down and put it on your fridge. Make sure everyone in your family sees the new budget so there are no surprises.

Do You Have an Emergency Fund? This is an Emergency!

If you have an emergency fund, now is the time to use it, if necessary. Even if you only have a few hundred dollars saved it might get you through this crisis. Use money from your emergency fund instead of a credit card. You will be able to fund it again once a budget is passed and you are paid.

Stop Spending Money

Starbucks, no. McDonalds, no. Magazine in the check-out line, no. If it isn’t something that is needed to keep you alive and under shelter don’t buy it. I realize some people feel like they need Starbucks to survive, but you can live on home brewed coffee for a few weeks. Carefully consider every purchase, if it means going into debt or possibly paying late fees on your mortgage, rent or utilities it probably isn’t worth it.

Eat From the Pantry

One of the biggest areas for potential flex is the food budget. Take stock of the food you already have in your home and create a meal plan. Figure out what ingredients you need to go with your pantry food and make a grocery list. If the words steak, soda, chips, or ice cream are on your list cross them off. You don’t need them. Think like you are broke, because for now you are. Dried beans, rice, ground turkey, whole chickens, inexpensive vegetables, and oatmeal are all good for you, filling, and cheap.

Take cash to the grocery store and only buy what you absolutely need. If possible shop without your kids so you aren’t tempted to appease them by throwing in a box of overpriced cereal or fruit snacks.

*Note: If the Government shuts down, Commissaries will not be open. Shop today or tomorrow if this is your cheapest grocery option.

Pack a Lunch

I’ve noticed that military members have a habit on going out to lunch, often. Hopefully since everyone is working for free this won’t be an issue, but you never know. Packing a lunch is a huge immediate savings and a great way to use up leftovers.

Stay at Home

Gas is expensive, so limit your trips. Carpool with friends if your kids have practices and consider walking. When we lived on base almost everything was within walking distance. It was a long walk, but it was possible. Consider canceling activities that are far from home for the next few weeks to keep your gas costs to a minimum.

Stop Looking For Deals and Bargains

While I love a good deal, sometimes these deals and bargains can actually cost you more. Amy has a great post about deals, detailing the best way to save money. Stop hunting for great deals and focus only on purchasing what you absolutely need to live for the next few weeks. It’s okay if you miss a great deal, there will be more, I promise.

Ask for Help

Don’t be so proud as to not ask for help if you need it. Letting others serve you blesses them far more than it blesses you. If the budget shut down means your kids will go hungry (truly hungry – not missing out on lunchables) go to your church, command, or friends and let them know you need a little help. I’m sure one day you will be able to help others in return.

* If you are in dire need you can contact the Army Emergency Relief for help.

Never Forget

Remember how you feel right now having to make very difficult choices about money. After the government starts signing paychecks again you have a chance to get on the right track financially and begin saving for these types of emergencies. For the past few years we challenged ourselves to live on half of my husband’s income. We did it even if it meant making sacrifices that made us seem weird to others. We now have an emergency fund that could keep us living at our current standard for six months. While we hope to not have to touch it, we know that it is there and I honestly sleep better at night because of it.

Money does not make you happy or solve every problem, but making wise choices regarding your finances is important.

What is your plan for living on half a paycheck? Are you prepared or will you be making some drastic cuts in your spending over the next few weeks?

 

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Blogging and the Military

I was recently interviewed by my friend Amy Bushatz regarding blogging and life as a military spouse. Some of you might not know that I started blogging five years ago when my husband deployed to Iraq. That family blog eventually turned into TheHappyHousewife.com and the rest is history.

You can watch the interview on the Spouse Buzz website.