I’ve noticed more and more grocery stores are revamping their policies to make it harder for families to get killer deals on loss leaders.

* My local  Kroger is the only store around that doubles or triples coupons.  Recently, they announced they will only double ONE coupon per item.  So if you are buying 3 bottles of ketchup, they will only double ONE ketchup coupon.

* Kroger also has a policy that if an item rings up at the wrong price, you will get that item free.  However, I’ve noticed recently that instead of automatically fixing it, manager approval is now required.  Be prepared to advocate for yourself and keep an eye on the register!

* My CVS no longer takes printable or internet coupons.  Also, they reserve the right to limit quantities but don’t post the limitations.  You have to take your chances at the checkout to see if the manager will let you buy 2 tubes of toothpaste.

* WalMart claims they will meet competitor’s prices, but they do not train their cashiers on how to do this.  Be prepared to teach your cashier which buttons to press, to have to wait for the cashier to call the manager who may or may not know how to do it, and to point out their prominently advertised policy at the checkout.

* Good luck getting your $3 for mispriced items at WalMart.  Even though it’s posted at every register.

* Also note that WalMart generally will not match meat sales, because their meat is prepackaged in factories and usually bear slightly unusual meat cut names.  There are often many names for the same cut of meat (i.e., rump roast/butt roast, shoulder roast/Boston roast, loin chops/center cut chops).   I stopped buying meat at WalMart anyway, because they are almost always the most expensive in town and they use carbon monoxide in their vacuum packaging to preserve freshness. That’s why the packages are puffy. Carbon monoxide keeps meat looking fresh, when it’s starting to get a little old.

*Additionally, WalMart will not match prices unless the item is priced in the exact same way.  That is, if one store advertises apples for 5/$1, but WalMart sells them by the pound, WalMart will not price match.

* Beware the “Meal Deals”.  Some are great deals, but others can be overpriced, especially if you generally purchase store brands.  Do the math, and consider whether or not you would actually purchase all of the “freebies” anyway.  Getting free Jell-O individuals isn’ a deal if you pay a premium for the hot dogs and would never buy the Jell-O cups, anyway!

You have to do the math!

A recent meal deal, as an example:

Buy 2 Ball Park Hot Dogs, get 1 pkg. Sara Lee buns, 1 can Wolff chile, and 8 oz. of Borden shredded cheese free.  You’ll save a ton of money, right?

But the hotdogs are $3.50 per package, so you’re out of pocket $7 for the meal.

If you bought Bar S hotdogs ($1 per package), store brand buns ($1), HEB brand chili ($1), and HEB brand shredded cheese ($1.50), you’d spend $5.50 for the same meal.

**** I did buy this meal deal, though, because I had $1 off coupons for the hot dogs and a coupon for $1 off milk w/ Sara Lee purchase.  So I was out of pocket $4.  ****

Make sure you keep up to date on your store’s policies so you don’t get a nasty surprise at the checkout!