Update & Clarification - Free Groceries from Kroger

Yesterday I stopped by Kroger to do a bit of 'fill-in' shopping and mainly to use a few coupons that were getting ready to expire.

I went to customer service and asked about their $30-$60-$120 bonus for groceries. Here is the summary of our conversation:

You do not need to cash your tax return check there - you may, but it's not required to take advantage of the bonus money. In other words, if you have a refund check of $710, when you cash it at Kroger you will receive two $330 gift cards and they will return $50 to you. (Because the bonus is in increments based on $300 dollars.) So, every time you buy a $300 gift card, they'll load it up with $330.

This bonus is available until mid-July. You may purchase up to $1200 worth of gift cards between now and the end of the promotion-I bought one $300 card yesterday and received $330 balance on the card. I can now buy 3 more between now and July 15.

I was disappointed that I was not allowed to just load up my gift card that allows my church to receive a percentage back on all purchases, but I figure I'll alternate using the two cards. I think this is a great deal as the gift cards can be used to purchase anything at Kroger - including prescriptions and gasoline!

Yesterday I filled up my tank and only paid $3.55/gallon - the lowest price in town! Because I've spent $100 this month I earned 10 cents off per gallon. Granted that benchmark is becoming more challenging to hit because we're buying fewer convenience foods, etc., but I think most people can spend that much at least in a 30-day period.

I also used the last of my $20 bonuses for having new prescriptions filled at the pharmacy - so I saved a total of 41% off my groceries and saved 10 cents per gallon on gas for my car! (I also received 20 cents credit off my bill for bringing 4 cloth bags from home.)

It may sound like just a few pennies saved, but we will save literally hundreds of dollars this year by watching our pennies turn into dollars:)