Reading and Understanding the Store's Lingo

I love shopping but I especially love saving. And while it's an easy activity, it does take some strategies and a little know-how. Sales are promoted all the time, but every now and then I miss some fine-print and I'm disappointed at the register.

To avoid disappointments I try and become as knowledgeable as possible and check with the courtesy desk if I'm not sure. Here are a few things I've learned. I'd like to pass them along.

• Yogurt is advertised as 10 for $5. The result: you can buy any amount from 1 to 10 and pay $.50 each.
• Kelloggs just had a promotion, Buy 3 cereals for $9 and receive a free gallon of milk: Here, you must buy 3 to get the free milk. But you can buy 1 cereal for $3 and forgo the milk.
• Coke is on sale 4 for $12, must buy 4: This is simple you pay $3 each only if you purchase all 4, lesser quantities will ring up at the regular price.
• Frozen Food Promotion. Spend $75 over the next 6 weeks, and get $15 off your next shopping order. You must buy all $75 within the stated time to get the $15 discount. If not, no extra coupon.
• Free Thanksgiving or Holiday Turkey. The same rule applies here. The supermarket sets the guidelines for time and total purchase to earn the free turkey. You must comply fully to benefit from the freebie.
• Unilever has a recent interesting and new type of promotion. Spend $30 in one shopping order on their list of products and earn $10 off your next shopping trip. Two good things: many of the items were non-perishable, and I had coupons on most of the products. My cost was $23 and I still got the $10 discount.
• On most of the promotions you can combine your coupons to further reduce your cost, and you'll still realize the extra savings. Take the example of Dynamo/Fab. Buy 1 get 2 free. I used a coupon on the 1 I had to pay for additional savings.
• Don't forget to hand in your store loyalty card to affect most of these savings. Forgot yours at home, just give your phone number to access the information.
• Supermarkets do offer lots of savings tools, it's up to us to use them wisely and properly to make the most of these tools.

If ever in doubt, don't wait until you get to the register, check before to make sure you've fully complied.

I always think I know it all, until I get stymied, then I review what I know and add the new bit of information. You know what they say, "You Learn Something New Everyday". I'm an example of that old adage.

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