If you can’t beat ’em – join forces with someone else instead!  The Coupons in the News story here.

Several companies that have been shut out, hindered or otherwise unable to offer coupons in stores will now get a chance to do just that, by joining forces with the company best known for its coupons that print at the checkout. The end result will be more coupons available to more shoppers across more different platforms.

Catalina has announced the “Catalina In-Store Partner Media Network,” which it is heralding as an unprecedented partnership that will grant other coupon-issuing companies access to Catalina’s in-store marketing network. Inaugural partners are Valassis, Valpak and Insignia Systems, all of which offer coupons and promotions in various forms of their own. As part of Catalina’s network, they’ll now be able to offer their brand clients Catalina checkout coupons as an add-on to the coupons and promotions they offer on their own individual platforms.

With the Fetch Rewards APP you get points back on ALL receipts, for any purchase, at any store.  Not a huge amount – 25 points – if it’s not a bonus item, but better than nothing.  I got tons of bonus points just buying Cheerios at Dollar Tree for the food pantry a few months ago. Stack it with one of the other rebate APPs if there should actually be a deal.

Earn an extra 2,000 points ($2) just for signing up with promo code WVAB6 (it asks at the very end, just make sure it’s entered before your first receipt scan ’cause you can’t go back). I will also earn points if you use the code. (thanks).  Buy gift cards for Amazon, Panera, Target, Visa and more with as little as 3,000 points. Once you start earning points you’ll see FREE items pop up on your Discover page. You can also go back using older receipts.

Despite some signs that grocery shopping may be getting closer to normal, one recent survey showed that many of us don’t expect our grocery shopping routine to return to the way it used to be anytime soon. Now, another survey indicates that this new normal could be hazardous to our wallets, our waistlines and our mental health.

According to the market insights firm C+R Research, nearly half of us are spending more on groceries, and buying and eating more unhealthy foods. And if that isn’t stressful enough, many of us have witnessed “grocery rage” in stores – or even been a party to it.

45% of survey respondents said they’re spending more money on groceries these days, with the average cost of a single grocery trip rising from $159 to $184. That’s partly because we’ve been stocking up and buying more than we usually would during one grocery trip. And it’s partly because many stores are offering fewer money-saving promotions.

When looking for a particular item, “brand loyalty has taken a backseat,” C+R found. “Overall, 76% said they do not go out of their way to find their favorite brands.” And 52% said they will buy whatever is available rather than looking for the best deal – largely because they have little choice. After all, if you need toilet paper and can’t find your usual brand, or there’s no toilet paper on sale, are you really going to refuse to buy it until you can get a good deal on your favorite brand? 88% of shoppers said they can’t find certain items they normally buy – so most of us have had to make compromises at times, buying a needed item no matter the brand and no matter the price.  Coupons in the News article here.

It could be months, or longer, before we’re able to go back to working, shopping, visiting friends or running errands around town the way we used to. But your local grocery store could become the first place to return to business as usual – and maybe sooner than you think.

H-E-B in Texas was one of the first major grocery chains to initiate changes that soon became commonplace across the country – imposing purchase limits on high-demand items, shortening store hours to give employees time to clean and restock, installing plexiglass cashier shields and suspending printed sales circulars. Now it’s one of the first major grocery chains to start easing up on many of those changes, to help get things closer to the way they used to be.  Here’s the Coupons in the News article.

From the category of things I did not know before yesterday:  Lysol apparently comes with its own delivery system, just open an orifice and spray!  Even cheaper than buying a UV sanitizer light from a dicey Facebook site ’cause those probably don’t work 🙂

Update: Randy Rainbow just released a YouTube video on this called A Spoonful of Clorox…of course. faf

We’re supposed to get three inserts in this Sunday’s paper (4/26), 1 SmartSource, 1 RetailMeNot and the May P&G. Sometimes you’ll find your paper has divided them differently and not all papers will carry the same coupons or have the same values; we usually just get the pretty Tide pictures.

SmartSource
2000 Flushes Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner .55/1 (7/27)
Act Dry Mouth Product $1/1 (5/10)
Act Product $1/1 (5/10)
Acuvue RevitaLens Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution 20oz $5/1 (6/1)
Acuvue RevitaLens Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution 10oz $3/1 (6/1)
Allegra Allergy 24HR 60ct Gelcap or 70ct Tablet $10/1 (5/2)
Allegra Allergy 24HR 24ct or Larger, any Allegra-D OR any Children’s Allegra 8oz or 24ct $5/1 (5/16)
Allegra Children’s or Allegra 12Hr Product $3/1 (5/16)
Aspercreme any product $1/1 (5/9)
Blink Tears Lubricating Eye Drops, Blink Geltears Lubricating Eye Drops Or Blink Tears Preservative Free Lubricating Eye Drops $3/1 (6/1)
Blink Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops OR Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops $3/1 (6/1)
Capzasin any product $2/1 (5/8)
Clairol Age Defy Hair Color Or Specialty Blonding Collection $2/1 (5/9)
Clairol Age Defy Hair Color Or Specialty Blonding Collection $5/2 (5/9)
Clairol Nice ‘n Easy, Root Touch-Up Permanent Creme, or Natural Instincts Hair Color (exc. Natural Instincts Crema Keratina Hair Color) $2/1 (5/9)
Clairol Temporary Root Touch-Up Concealing Powder OR Root Touch-Up Color Blending Gel $2/1 (5/9)
Depend Fit Flex products 8ct+ $2/1 (5/30)
Depend Real Fit, Silhouette or Night Defense products 8ct+ $3/1 (5/30)
Dulcolax any product $3/1 (5/24)
Fungi-Nail Product $2/1 (7/31)
Gold Bond Product $1/1 (5/10)
Icy Hot product $2.50/2 (5/9)
Icy Hot product $1/1 (5/9)
Kaopectate Product $2/1 (5/24)
Maruchan Bowls $1/3 (7/31)
Nasacort Allergy 24HR 240 Sprays $10/1 (5/2)
Nasacort Allergy 24HR 120 Sprays $5/1 (5/16)
Poise Active Collection 12-26ct OR Ultra Thin Pads $3/1 (5/30)
Poise Pads or Liners (Not Valid on 14-26ct Liners or 10ct Pads) $2/1 (5/30)
Quaker Chewy $1/2 (6/7)
Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food 3lb+ $2/1 (6/20)
Rachael Ray Nutrish SuperMedleys Dry Dog Food (any size) $2/1 (6/20)
Revlon Eye Cosmetic $1/1 (5/9)
Revlon Lip Cosmetic (exc. Revlon Kiss Balm) $1/1 (5/9)
Revlon Beauty Tool $1/1 (5/9)
Revlon Face Cosmetic $3/1 (5/9)
Rolaids Bottle or 28 ct Softchews $2/1 (5/24)
Russell Stover Boxes 4oz or Larger $1/2 (5/29)
Schick Intuition, Hydro Silk, Quatro for Women or Skintimate Razor or Refill or Schick Hydro Silk or Intuition f.a.b disposable Razor Pack $3/1 (5/16)
Skintimate or Schick Disposable Razor Pack or Schick Xtreme5 Razor or Refill $3/1 (5/16)
Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover $1/1 (7/27)
Spray ‘N Wash Laundry Stain Remover Spray N’ Wash $1/1 (6/27)
Unisom any product $2/1 (5/9)
Windex Product .50/1 (6/6)
XYZAL Allergy 24 HR 80ct $10/1 (5/2)
XYZAL Allergy 24 HR 35ct or 55ct $5/1 (5/16)

RetailMeNot
Aquafresh Toothpaste 4.6oz+ .75/1 (5/10)
Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste 5.6oz+ $1/1 (5/10)
Centrum MultiGummies 50ct+ $2/1 (5/10)
Centrum or Centrum Silver Multivitamin 50ct+ OR Centrum Multi+Probiotics Multivitamin 30ct ETS $4/1 (5/10)
Cosamin Joint Health ASU or DS $10/1 (5/24)
Covergirl Eye Product ETS $3/1 (5/23)
Covergirl Face Product ETS $3/1 (5/23)
Covergirl Lip Product ETS $2/1 (5/23)
Polident (Denture Cleanser Tabl) 84ct+ $2/1 (5/26)
Polident (Denture Cleanser Tabl) 120ct+ $2.50/1 (5/10)
SheaMoisture Products $5/2 (5/10)
Super Poligrip 2oz or Larger $1.50/1 (5/26)
Super Poligrip Cushion & Comfort 2.2oz or Larger $1.75/1 (5/26)
Twix 9.7oz sharing Size Bag $1/1 (5/26)

May P&G 
Align Probiotic Supplement Product ETS $2/1 (5/9)
Allerlife Capsule 60ct $5/1 (5/16)
Allerlife Capsule 20ct $3/1 (5/16)
Always Discreet Boutique Products $3/1 (5/30)
Always Discreet Incontinence Products $2/1 (5/30)
Always Radiant, Infinity, Pure, Pure Cotton, Ultra or Max Pads 10ct or higher $2/1 (5/30)
Bounty Paper Towel Product 4ct or larger inc. double plus roll $1/1 (5/9)
Cascade Actionpacs Dishwasher Detergent 30ct or larger ETS $1/1 (5/9)
Cascade Dishwasher Detergent, Rinse Aid or Dishwasher Cleaner ETS .50/1 (5/9)
Charmin Flushable Wipes ETS .25/1 (5/9)
Charmin Toilet Paper Product 4 mega rolls or larger inc. mega plus & super mega $1/1 (5/9)
Cortizone 10 Product 1oz and Larger $1/1 (5/9)
Crest Mouthwash 473ml 16oz or larger $1/1 (5/9)
Crest toothpaste or Liquid Gel 3 oz or more $1/1 (5/9)
Crest 3D White Whitestrips Kit (exc. Noticeably White, Classic White, Original Whitening Kit, Gentle Whitening Kit) $5/1 (5/9)
Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid 34oz or larger or Dawn Platinum Powerwash Spray or Platinum Foam 10.1oz – 16oz $1/1 (5/9)
Febreze Plug Scented Oil Refill – Buy One, Get One Free B1G1 (5/9)
Fixodent Adhesive Twin OR Triple Pack 1.4oz+ ETS $2.50/1 (5/9)
Gillette AntiPerspirant /Deodorant 2.85oz or larger $1/2 (5/9)
Gillette Clinical 1.6oz or larger $1/1 (5/9)
Gillette Razor ETS $2/1 (5/30)
Gillette Disposables 2ct+ $3/1 (5/30)
Head & Shoulders Products $3/2 (5/9)
Head & Shoulders Men’s Styling Product $2/1 (5/9)
Herbal Essences bio:renew Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling Products $3/2 (5/9)
Luvs Diapers $1.50/1 (5/9)
Metamucil Fiber Supplement Product ETS $2/1 (5/9)
Mr. Clean Mop or Broom (exc. Liquids) ETS $1/1 (5/10)
Mr. Clean Products $1/2 (5/9)
Olay Bar Soap 4ct or larger, Body Wash, Hand and Body Lotion OR Rinse Off Body conditioner ETS $1/1 (5/9)
Olay Facial Cleanser ETS $2/1 (5/30)
Olay Facial Moisturizer ETS $4/1 (5/30)
Olay Serums ETS $4/1 (5/30)
Old Spice Anti-Perspiration/Deodorant, Body Wash OR Bar Soap exc. Twin Packs and High Endurance $1/2 (5/9)
Old Spice Hair product ETS $1/1 (5/9)
Oral-B Special Care Oral Rinse 475ml or Larger ETS $2/1 (5/9)
Pampers Easy Ups Training Underwear or UnderJams Absorbent Night Wear $2/1 (5/9)
Pampers or Luvs Wipes 56ct or higher .50/2 (5/9)
Pampers Diapers or Easy Ups Training Underwear Bags $3/2 (5/9)
Pampers Diapers or Easy Ups Training Underwear Box $3/1 (5/9)
Pantene Products Including Gold Series Collection $1/1 (5/9)
Pantene Products Including Gold Series Collection $4/3 (5/9)
Pantene Nutrient Blends, Waterless, Pro-V Ingredients or Rescue Shot Products $5/2 (5/9)
Pantene Waterless Products ETS $4/2 (5/9)
Prilosec OTC product $1/1 (5/30)
Puffs Facial Tissues inc. Multipacks ETS .25/1 (5/9)
Secret with Essential Oils or Clinical 1.6oz or Larger $1/1 (5/9)
Secret Fresh, Outlast, OR Aluminum Free 2.4 oz or Larger $1/2 (5/9)
Tampax Pearl, Radiant or Pure Tampons 14ct or higher $2/1 (5/30)
Venus Razor $2/1 (5/30)
Venus OR Daisy Disposables 2ct+ $3/1 (5/30)
ZzzQuil OR PURE ZZZs product ETS .50/1 (5/9)

As I’ve mentioned quite a few times, PITA and I have been binge-watching seasons of the Great British Bake Off, awed by even the least of these bakers.  When you consider over 10,000 people try out for 12 slots – – that’s a lot of baking skills for zero cash.  And now on to the other swing of the pendulum – – Nailed It, which kept coming up on Netflix, so we watched a trailer on YouTube and thought it was hysterical…it’s not. Two episodes in and frankly, these bakers couldn’t tell parchment paper from papyrus, imho.  Yes, I know they’re supposed to be “bad,” but these bakers consider themselves good bakers (and probably cooks as well) and that’s scary.

Which leads me to an article I read today about quarantine in the modern age with people who just don’t have the cooking and baking skills of prior generations.  I’m just as guilty of buying the rotisserie chicken, making a side dish and thinking I’m the big kahuna ’cause I use the leftovers for tacos, but when you have to cook entire meals – with planning – day after day, well, that explains the explosion of YouTube videos and the hours spent watching ’cause we’re lost, for the most part.  We have a few favorites from the slow cooker or air fryer or a family dish we make occasionally, but that’s it.  Our moms (or dads) did an entire meal from scratch every friggin’ day.  I bow my head in shame and salute them.  Of course, my mother never made bread, so that’s my singular baking skill, although honesty compels me to say my loaves, tasty and gorgeous as they are, would never bump me up to a television show.

Even in a best-case scenario, if the coronavirus crisis eases in the coming weeks and months, the economic effects could linger for much longer. That means many things – including our grocery shopping habits – aren’t likely to return to what we once considered normal, any time soon.  Interesting article in Coupons in the News; I particularly was interested in the number of shoppers turning to convenience stores since I have to confess that would never have occurred to me!

Play the Earth Day Google Bee Doodle, but be warned it’s addicting – – what time is it????

When you head to the grocery store these days, you’re more likely than not to see a line of people out front, worried shoppers inside trying to keep their distance, and empty shelves where the toilet paper used to be. And your store’s owners? They’re already looking to the future – and seeing dollar signs.  Here’s the future, from the Kroger perspective, from a Coupons in the News article.