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.