So you know you're a Publix regular when:

A) two different cashiers recognize your daughter's curly hair on two different occasions


B) the same guy has taken your groceries and kids to your car not two but three times


C) your daughter's picture at Publix makes the chamber of commerce newsletter


D) all of the above


We are loving the new Publix in town. I do realize it could be a dinner party game to see how many times Holly says, "I got this on sale" or "I used a coupon," but I have had random phone calls, questions, and sweet folks stop me at church/bday parties to say they are trying coupons so I thought I'd post a few Publixing tips.

First off, look at the recent ad on Southern Savers and click the box for anything you are remotely interested in. Then when you get to the bottom hit print, and it will come up in a new screen with all of the coupon info with each item. See if you have any, can print any, or can get any at Publix. I try to get totally organized marking down how many of each item I have coupons for, paper clipping everything together, etc. If you've gotten your baby club coupons in the mail, get those ready -- they expire soon and there are several totally free coupons.

Highlights for this week for my fam: corn for .20 an ear (just FYI 8 ears were $4.50 at Sam's -- 8 will be $1.60 at Publix), cake mix .87, organic baby food for .49 (with earth's best coupons, this makes it less than the cheapest non-organic at Wal-Mart), blueberries $1.50 apGreen Giant box veggies $1 (print the coupon and they are less), Horizon Organic Milk (coupon in Publix flier), and the $2 Schick shave gel (just pay tax after -$1 from paper and -$1 from Publix flier).

The corn is amazing -- you do have to shuck it but we are loving it -- would love to hear your favorite summer corn recipe. Our fave is country fair style -- spray butter (smart balance on sale this week:), cajun seasoning, and parm cheese!

You can print online coupons twice -- check with friends and trade. I traded out some great coupons this week with sweet friends!

Here are two sites that also have Publix coupons -- let me know if you find more! Sign up here for produce coupons (here is a $1.50 off berry coupon -- blueberries are $1.50 this week). Then here is a site that has Kraft/Publix coupons -- remember to use any Kraft manufacturer coupons with these.

If it's a Wednesday, make sure you have the penny item coupon cut from the paper -- today it was a box of Publix Nilla Wafers for $0.01. You have to spend $10 before coupons to be eligible.

When you get to Publix, grab two of whatever fliers are there -- typically full of their coupons that you can combine with newspaper/internet coupons on the same item. Load the kids up and go straight to the bakery and grab a cookie for them. Today they were also giving out a healthy breakfast so K rode and ate apples and bananas. Tuesday morning they're giving out mother's morning out gifts (last week I heard this was a bowl full of Publix brand deo, lotion, etc.).

Pay close attention you're grabbing the right item -- check ounces/size with your print out and coupons. It totally stinks to get to the front with the wrong item.

Publix takes coupons from other stores -- like I have a $5 off of $w30 from Winn Dixie that they will honor. They for sure take Winn Dixie, Kroger, and Piggly Wiggly.

When you hit the register, take a min to double check that everything corresponds. The cashiers prefer for you to give them the coupon with the item it goes with which makes the process faster but you do lose the dramatic ending -- first total $42, now it's $20! But you see the savings on the bottom.

Biggest thing is don't be afraid to ask! I love my CVS pharmacist and K is thrilled that Katie makes her antibiotics taste like bubble gum, so I told them I had the Publix baby club coupon for a free antibiotic. They gave me a $10 CVS card to honor it (cost of my antibiotic). And somewhere I got a 4 card set of certificates for the Publix pharmacy, and Sarah just pointed out that I can use one each month when I refill my prescription -- I'm sorry, $100!?!?!? Thanks Sarah!

Also if you're not sure if something is a good deal, I'll call places like Sam's or WD really quick to see the price per pound of their meat or whatever. I still hit WM for a few little random things, but for the most part, we are stocked and just need the perishables! We even made Cheerio cookies today with the zillion boxes of Cheerios we have!

And just ask! I'm still randomly calling my friend Allison in Atlanta that got me started on all of this. Just try a few items, and you'll be shocked! Cutting your budget not only makes you feel great because you got a deal, but it's also a huge part of being a steward with your money and I feel like I am honoring Alex by being wise with expenditures. Happy Publixing! See here for previous post on this.