Newbie Questions ~ I need help w/ HEB

[flutterby_404]

Hi, I'm in San Antonio & I really really want to get into couponing, but I reading the forums, it just doesn't seem that HEB has the deals that anyone else has...

How do I get started?

[sns4063]

Flutterby,

I live in Schertz, but work in SA. Yes, it is fairly difficult (in my opinion) to get any REALLY great deals around here with HEB so dominant. I actually get alot of cereal, milk and snacks at Walgreens or CVS and occasionally Target. For HEB, I try to do their meal-deals if it's worth it for me. The biggest downfall at HEB is that they won't let you combine coupons...they make it appear that the store is printing those yellow coupons you find in the store, but in fact they are just deals they've made with the manf. Instead of just lowering the prices by that much and allowing us to use coupons from newspapers on top of the "sale" price, they print those coupons you've seen in the store, and call them manf. coupons. It's kinda frustrating!

[starflower]

I'm wondering the same thing...I've been able to find deals on a lot of non-grocery items at CVS and Walgreens but find it difficult to lower my food bill at HEB. Are the hard core couponers just grocery shopping at Walmart?

[Nicole]

I am going to be honest with you....

I find HEB to be the least coupon friendly store out there. I don't think I save money at HEB Honestly I think I lose it I mean really lose it. I look at the prices and know I can beat it at least by .50 at Wal-Mart. I am not a Wal-Mart fan at all, but the prices are a little better. Since I have been going to HEB more than any other place (basically because I am lazy it’s just down the street from my house) my grocery bills have increased by 25%. I am trying to limit my spending and not drive if I don't have too. If I can walk I do, and I can walk to HEB. I am getting healthier (I average 25 miles a week walking now!) and saving gas at the same time. I have gotten to where if I can't get it on sale or use a manufactures coupon I don't buy it. I take the bus to Wal-Mart instead of driving because it only cost me sometimes $1 round trip sometimes $2 depending on how long I am in there. It's just another way for me to save money. I am finding that if I am spending more money on groceries then I have to cut some other place. Let's be honest our income hasn't increased by everything else has.

The only suggestion I have is really watch on here for good deal, if you don't need it don't buy it unless it's basically free. If the store sales are things you will use then jump on them. If you can buy something you can get multiple meals out of it (the meal deal this week) you might spend more to begin with but it will average out then go for it. If the store brand is OK with you and it's cheaper than something with a coupon then buy store brands. I have my family drinking HEB soda unless the name brand is on sale and cheaper than the HEB soda we don't buy it. We love the HEB Diet lime soda. Right now my pantry and freezer are full of bacon, ham steaks, spaghetti sauce, brisket (thanks to the meal deal) ham, peanut butter things that will last for a long time. When milk is on sale for $3 or less I put two in my freezer because it's still saves me a dollar. I know it's not much but it adds up! You have to find what works for you !

[txmomof2boys]

HEB does make it difficult to save. I HATE those little yellow coupons!
I don't know that I really agree with the previous poster about Walmart being cheaper. I am in New Braunfels and have a Walmart & HEB both within less than 5 minutes of me. I did alot of comparison shopping and found that often items at HEB are the same price/cheaper or within .10 cents of Walmart.
And my local Walmart is not coupon friendly at all. I have had cashier's literally ARGUE with me about coupons that are completely valid.
My HEB is hit and miss. There are a few casheirs that will take just about any coupon I give them, and I try to shop when I know they are working and get in their lines.
I am a Walmart hater. I despise shopping there and refuse to. I don't mind spending an extra .10 cents for a clean store, helpful employees and fresh produce/meat.
I like others, get my personal care/cereal and come cleaning supplies/paper goods from CVS. I can score much better deals there than I can at any grocery store. (I get most everything for free or less than $1)
I get my fresh produce, bread and other stuff from HEB. My meat I get from Granzin's meat market. Granzin's is more expensive, but it's a local, family owned business (which I like) plus their meat is VERY fresh there, and if I want a special cut they are very accomidating. plus they carry boars head lunch meats and most of the time are cheaper than HEB.