Over the past couple of weeks, many grocery stores jumped into action to protect their customers and employees from the coronavirus. One grocer proposed special shopping hours for seniors, now nearly everyone offers them. One installed plexiglass cashier shields, now many of them have.

Over the weekend, thousands of members of the Arizona National Guard began working to transport goods to store stockrooms, in order to help employees at dozens of grocery stores throughout the state to keep the shelves stocked.  Here’s the entire article from Coupons in the News.

Here’s an article from HuffPost about those items which professional chefs (not us plebe cooks) keep and I was shocked at how many of them I already have on my own basement shelves!  Tossing in salsa – duh!  Well, now that I know what kippers actually are (and considering they’re served in every story set in England I read), it’s something I’ll have to try.   Here’s the interesting HuffPost article.

On the one hand, many people seem unconcerned with clipping coupons at a time like this – they’re simply grabbing the essentials when they can, no matter the price. On the other hand, it’s a time of great economic uncertainty, and for people who don’t know when they’re going to get another paycheck, saving every penny is essential.

So it may not have been the best of times for ShopRite stores to decide to stop doubling coupons.  Here’s the Coupons in the News article; we don’t have any of these stores around me, but this might impact you.

We’re supposed to get three inserts in this Sunday’s paper (3/29), 2 SmartSource, a RetailMeNot and the April P&G. Sometimes you’ll find your paper has divided them differently and not all papers will carry the same coupons or even have the same values. We get lots of pretty Tide pictures here in the Midwest

SmartSource #1 
ACT Dry Mouth Product (ETS) $1/1 (4/12)
ACT Kids Product (ETS) $1/1 (4/12)
ACT Product (ETS) $1/1 (4/12)
Allegra Allergy 24HR 24ct or larger, Allegra-D or Allegra Children’s Allergy 8oz or 24ct $5/1 (4/18)
Allegra Allergy 24HR Gelcaps 60ct or Tablets 70ct $10/1 (4/4)
Allegra Children’s Allergy $3/1 (4/18)
Allerlife 20ct $3/1 (4/18)
Allerlife 60ct $5/1 (4/18)
Beano Product 30ct or larger $2/1 (5/9)
BLUE Bursts Cat Treats Bag $1/1 (4/30)
Clear Eyes Product 0.5oz or larger $1/1 (5/9)
Clorox Bleach Products 117oz or larger $1/2 (5/16)
Debrox Earwax Removal Product $2/1 (5/9)
Easy Off Product .75/1 (6/14)
Finish Quantum Automatic Dishwasher Detergent $2/1 (4/12)
Finish Max-in-1 or Finish Deep Clean Automatic Dishwasher Detergent $1/1 (4/12)
Finish Machine Cleaner $1/1 (4/12)
Finish Jet-Dry Rinse Aid $1/1 (4/12)
Gold Bond Cream or Lotion 2.4oz to 5.1oz (exc. 1oz size and Men’s Face Lotion) $1/1 (4/11)
Gold Bond Lotion 13oz or larger $1.50/1 (4/11)
Lime-A-Way Product .75/1 (6/14)
Mop & Glo Product .75/1 (6/14)
Nasacort Allergy 24HR 120 Sprays $5/1 (4/18)
Nasacort Allergy 24HR 240 Sprays $10/1 (4/4)
Old English Product .75/1 (6/14)
Phazyme Anti-Gas Product $2/1 (5/9)
Pine-Sol Multi-Purpose Cleaners 40oz or larger $1/2 (5/16)
Rimmel Eye Product $2/1 (5/31)
Tagamet Product 30ct or larger $2/1 (5/9)
Xyzal Allergy 24HR 35ct or 55ct $5/1 (4/18)
Xyzal Allergy 24HR 80ct $10/1 (4/4)

SmartSource #2 
Chobani Coffee Creamer 24oz $1/1 (4/24)
Chobani Non-Dairy Single-Serve or Chobani Greek Yogurt Products FIVE $1/5 (4/24)
Chobani Oat 52oz $1/1 (4/24)
Claritin Non-Drowsy Chewables 24ct $10/1 (4/5)
Claritin Non-Drowsy Chewables 24ct $4/1 (4/26)
Claritin Non-Drowsy Chewables 8ct or larger $6/1 (4/5)
Claritin Non-Drowsy Children’s Chewables or RediTabs for Juniors 20ct or larger or Syrup 8oz (exc. Claritin-D) $4/1 (4/26)
Claritin Non-Drowsy or Claritin Children’s 30ct or larger (exc. Claritin-D) $4/1 (4/26)
Claritin Non-Drowsy or Claritin Children’s 60ct or larger (exc. Claritin-D) $10/1 (4/5)
Claritin-D Non-Drowsy 15ct or larger $4/1 (4/25)
Claritin-D Non-Drowsy 15ct or larger $8/1 (4/5)
Depend Fit Flex Product Package 8ct or larger (exc. other Depend Product) $2/1 (4/4)
Depend Real Fit, Silhouette or Night Defense Product Package 8ct or larger (exc. other Depend Product) $3/1 (4/4)
Domino Golden Sugar Product .40/1 (5/21)
Glade Products (exc. Spray 8oz, Solids or PlugIns Scented Oil Warmer Only Packs) $2/2 (5/9)
Nonni’s Biscotti $1/1 (5/29)
Nonni’s ThinAddictives $1/1 (5/29)
Poise Product Pads or Liners Package (exc. Liners 14ct to 26ct or Pads 10ct) $3/1 (4/25)
Ricola Bags $1/2 (4/25)
Sara Lee Sweet Goods Product (DND) .55/1 (5/22)
Zest or Coast Bar Soap 6pk or larger $2/1 (4/25)
Zim’s Max Pain Relief Product $2/1 (6/29)

RetailMeNot
Biotene Product (ETS) $2.50/1 (4/12)
Breyers Product 48oz .50/1 (4/12)
Clear Care or Clear Care Plus Solution 12oz or larger $3/1 (4/25)
Clear Care or Clear Care Plus Solution Twin Pack Only $6/1 (4/25)
Community Coffee Bag, Canister or Single-Serve Box $2/1 (5/10)
GenTeal Tears or Naphcon-A Eye Drops $3/1 (4/25)
Golden or Silver Blossom Honey (DND) $1/1 (12/31)
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Product .50/1 (4/12)
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies and/or Cocoa Krispies Cereals 10.3oz or larger $1/2 (5/10)
KFC Restaurant Coupons Various (6/29)
Mars Wrigley Chocolate Items 4.5oz to 46.2oz (DND) $1/2 (4/12)
Opti-Free Puremoist, Replenish or Express Solution 10oz or larger $3/1 (4/25)
Opti-Free Puremoist, Replenish or Express Solution Twin Pack Only $6/1 (4/25)
Polident 84ct or larger $2/1 (4/28)
Polident 120ct $2.50/1 (4/12)
RoC Facial Moisturizer, Cream or Serum (exc. Daily Resurfacing Disks) $2/1 (4/27)
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream $3/1 (4/27)
Suave Deodorant Products (exc. Twin Packs and 1.4oz) $1/2 (4/12)
Suave Lotion Product (exc. 3oz) $1/1 (4/12)
Suave Kids Hair Product (exc. Twin Packs and ETS) $1.50/1 (4/12)
Suave Men Hair Care Product (ETS) $1.50/1 (4/12)
Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Product – Buy One, Get One Free up to $5.99 B1G1 (4/12)
Suave Professionals Shampoo or Conditioner Product (exc. Twin Packs and ETS) $1/1 (4/18)
Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Product (exc. Twin Packs) $2/1 (4/12)
Suave Professionals Shampoo or Conditioner Products (exc. Twin Packs and ETS) $3/2 (4/18)
Super Poligrip 2oz or larger $1.50/1 (4/28)
Super Poligrip Cushion & Comfort 2.2oz $1.75/1 (4/28)
Systane Lubricant Eye Drops 10ml or larger or Pocket Pack 4ml $3/1 (4/25)
Systane iCaps Eye Vitamins $6/1 (4/25)
Systane Zaditor Eye Drops 5ml or larger $3/1 (4/25)

April P&G
Always Discreet Incontinence Product (exc. other Always Products and ETS) $2/1 (4/25)
Always Radiant, Infinity, Pure, Pure Cotton, Maxi or Ultra Pads 10ct or larger (exc. Always Discreet) $3/2 (4/25)
Bounty Napkins Product (ETS) .50/1 (4/11)
Bounty Paper Towel Product 4ct or larger Including Double Plus Rolls (ETS) $1/1 (4/11)
Cascade ActionPacs Dishwasher Detergent 30ct or larger (ETS) $1/1 (4/11)
Cascade Dishwasher Detergent, Rinse Aid or Dishwasher Cleaner (ETS) .50/1 (4/11)
Charmin Toilet Paper Mega Rolls Product 4ct or larger Including Mega Plus & Super Mega (exc. Single Rolls) $1/1 (4/11)
Crest Mouthwash 473ml/16oz or larger (ETS) $1/1 (4/11)
Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel 3oz or more (exc. 4.6oz Crest Cavity, Baking Soda, Tartar Control/Protection, Kids and ETS) $1/1 (4/11)
Crest 3D White Whitestrips Kit (exc. Noticeably White, Classic White, Original Whitening Kit, Gentle Whitening Kit, Express Whitening Kit and ETS) $5/1 (4/11)
Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Platinum Foam or Powerwash Spray 10.1oz or larger (exc. Special Value, Simply Clean and ETS) .50/1 (4/11)
Dawn Scrubbers, Sponges 3pk or larger, Brushes & Fillable Dishwands (exc. Gloves & Liquids) .75/2 (4/25)
Fixodent Adhesive Twin or Triple Pack 1.4oz or larger (ETS) $2.50/1 (4/11)
Gillette Disposable 2ct or larger (exc. Sensor 2ct and Venus Products) $3/1 (4/25)
Head & Shoulders Men’s Styling Product (ETS) $2/1 (4/11)
Head & Shoulders Products (ETS) $3/2 (4/11)
Herbal Essences bio: Renew Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling Products (exc. Masks, 100ml Shampoo and Conditioner, Color, Body Wash and ETS) $3/2 (4/11)
Luvs Diapers (ETS) $1.50/1 (4/11)
Metamucil Fiber Supplement Product (ETS) $1/1 (4/11)
Mr. Clean “Clean Freak” Spray – Buy One, Get One up to $3.00 OFF (ETS) $3/1 (4/11)
Mr. Clean Products (exc. Mr. Clean “Clean Freak” and ETS) $1/2 (4/11)
Olay Whip or Retinol 24 Facial Moisturizer (ETS) $3/1 (4/25)
Olay Skin Care Product (ETS) $1/1 (4/25)
Olay Serum, Mist or Mask (ETS) $2/1 (4/25)
Olay Eyes or Facial Moisturizer (exc. Complete, Active Hydrating and ETS) $2/1 (4/25)
Olay Bar Soap 4ct or larger, Body Wash, Hand & Body Lotion or Rinse Off Body Conditioner (exc. Bar 1ct and ) $1/1 (4/11)
Oral-B Adult Battery Toothbrush (ETS) $2/1 (4/11)
Oral-B Adult Manual Toothbrush (exc. Kids, Healthy Clean, Cavity Defense and ETS) $1/1 (4/11)
Oral-B Replacement Brush Heads 3ct or larger (ETS) $3/1 (4/11)
Oral-B Special Care Oral Rinse 4.75ml or larger (ETS) $2/1 (4/11)
Pampers Diapers or Easy Ups Training Underwear Bags or Box (ETS) $3/2 (4/11)
Pampers Easy Ups Training Underwear or UnderJams Absorbent Night Wear Bags or Box (ETS) $3/2 (4/11)
Pampers or Luvs Wipes 56ct or larger (ETS) .50/2 (4/11)
Pantene Product Including Gold Series Collection (exc. Single Count Intense Rescue Shot, One Step Nourishing Mask and ETS) $1/1 (4/11)
Pantene Products Including Gold Series Collection (exc. Single Count Intense Rescue Shot, One Step Nourishing Mask and ETS) $3/3 (4/11)
Prilosec OTC Product $1/1 (4/25)
Puffs Facial Tissues Boxes 3pk or larger (exc. Puffs To Go Singles and ETS) .50/1 (4/11)
Secret Fresh, Outlast or Aluminum Free 2.4oz or larger $1/2 (4/11)
Secret with Essential Oils or Clinical 1.6oz or larger $2/1 (4/11)
Swiffer Product (exc. Heavy Duty Dusters 1ct and 2ct and ETS) $1/1 (4/11)
Tampax Pearl, Radiant or Pure Tampons 14ct or larger $3/1 (4/25)
Venus or Daisy Disposable 2ct or larger or Pure Shave Care Product (exc. Daisy 2ct, Satin Care or other Venus Shave Preps) $3/1 (4/25)
Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray Product (ETS) $2/1 (4/11)
Vicks VapoCool Drops (exc. VapoRub, ZzzQuil, Pure Zzzs and ETS) .50/1 (4/11)
Vicks VapoRub, BabyRub, VapoInhaler, VapoPatch or VapoCream Product (exc. VapoCool Drops and ETS) $1/1 (4/11)
Vicks ZzzQuil or Pure Zzzs Product (ETS) .50/1 (4/11)
Waterless Product (ETS) $3/1 (4/11)

An interesting article in The Atlantic about how our essential stores might just be the tipping point for COVID-19, given that many people escape to them ’cause there’s nothing else open and they’re really not equipped to handle sick shoppers.  Remember, The Atlantic is currently offering all coronavirus articles free of charge.  Frankly, it’s the very last sentence in the article that scares me the most.

Starting April, the quarter’s 5% bonus reward on Discover will be Uber, Lyft, gas stations and wholesale clubs.  Since most people grab car services when they’ve had a few too many or need a fast pick up from the train station, that’s not gonna be a big one and with no driving, we’re saving a ton on gas costs already…leaving Costco and Sam’s Club.  Starting July it’s restaurants and PayPal.  Man, bonus points are really gonna suck this year 🙁

In case you’re not sure exactly what COVID-19 is and does, here’s an interesting article from The Atlantic explaining it.  Spoiler – I don’t understand all of the article either, but it does explain the hand washing stuff, the difference between it and regular flu and why warmer weather might not be the savior we anticipate.  The Atlantic is offering free reads on all the Coronavirus articles.

From the “no such thing as a dumb question” department – could your Sunday newspaper, and the coupon inserts contained within it, give you the coronavirus?

The short answer – most likely not. But it’s a question that newspaper publishers, already struggling in a difficult economic environment, find themselves grappling with.  Here’s the Coupons in the News article.

Your grocery store is out of hand sanitizer. The toilet paper supply is hit or miss, and there are strict purchase limits on everything from personal care items to paper plates.

If you’re running low on any of these items – are you really going to wait until there’s a coupon and a sale before stocking up? And are you going to opt for the best deal, or what’s best for your family?  Here’s the Coupons in the News article, but it’s what we’ve been seeing all over … people on the floor grabbing cans of private label anythings (except pumpkin pie filling) so they can get full cartloads.