http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/?track=rss Headlines from Chicago Shopping en ©2012, Chicago Shopping Tue, 15 May 2012 14:25:00 -0500 Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-store-loyalty-cards-and-privacy-20120515,0,929993.column?track=rss Last week’s column about loading e-coupons to loyalty cards led to -- what else? -- lots of reader comments about store loyalty cards! Whether they love them or loathe them, my readers are chiming in. Several were concerned about privacy. Tue, 15 May 2012 14:25:00 CDT Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-eek-ecoupons-20120508,0,623320.column?track=rss Most shoppers use traditional paper coupons found in the newspaper when they shop for groceries and other consumer packaged goods. Almost 90 percent of all coupons redeemed in 2011 were distributed in freestanding newspaper inserts, according to a report from NCH Marketing Services, Inc. The same study notes that digital coupons, whether print-at-home or electronic, accounted for about 1 percent of all coupons distributed last year in the United States. Tue, 8 May 2012 11:44:00 CDT Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-free-products-not-free-money-20120501,0,573696.column?track=rss If you've ever used a free or a buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupon, you've probably noticed a box at the top of the coupon. That box is where the cashier enters the selling price of your free item. Here's why: The manufacturer that offers the coupon reimburses the store for the coupon's value. Because the manufacturer has no way of knowing the price of the item when it is sold, it's up to the store to enter this information on the coupon. Tue, 1 May 2012 12:02:00 CDT Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-jill-cataldo-coupon-column-20120424,0,6818065.column?track=rss Every week, I receive tons of reader feedback, from questions about coupons to suggestions for other readers. This week’s column is a grab bag of that feedback, from a question about expired coupons to a plea for patience from a customer service employee. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:34:00 CDT Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-finding-coupons-online-20120306,0,7596509.column?track=rss One of the questions I hear the most from new couponers is, “where can I find good coupons?” These readers want to know more about where to find electronic coupons, both digital and printable. Tue, 6 Mar 2012 00:00:00 CST Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-what-happens-to-coupon-overages-20120215,0,896658.column?track=rss Last week, I answered some frequently asked questions about multiple coupons. In this week’s column, another beginner has a question about coupon overage – when the value of a coupon exceeds the cost of the item you’re trying to purchase. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-find-coupons-for-produce-fresh-meats-20120124,0,2223317.column?track=rss Coupons for meat, produce and dairy may be rare, but they exist. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you look for coupons for healthier, whole foods. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:24:00 CST Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-how-to-pricematch-20120118,0,516397.column?track=rss Price matching at an everyday-low-price store is an even better opportunity for savings, since we can persuade these stores into even lower prices to match their local competitors. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:02:00 CST Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-grocery-sale-cycles-20120103,0,2720472.column?track=rss Save coupons to use during a good sale and stock up when prices are lowest! It's crucial to shop according to the pricing cycles at a store. Mon, 2 Jan 2012 13:50:00 CST Jill Cataldo http://www.chicagoshopping.com/experts/groceries/chishop-know-your-grocery-prices-20111227,0,785351.column?track=rss At this time of year, many people turn their thoughts to New Year’s resolutions and making a commitment to change. Many of us yearn for a healthier lifestyle: to eat better, to exercise more. Others focus on the topic near and dear to me: saving money. Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:02:00 CST