In today’s Dollar Duo video, hear couponista Suman Samtur of New York amaze me with $170 worth of groceries for $21, thanks to coupons. For more information about her supermarket savings programs, go to her website . Samtur’s coupon program is not free. I have always heard that it’s not a good idea to buy coupons but Samtur thinks it can result in significant savings. Anyone else out there who buys coupons and finds it worth the investment? Or not? (Samtur’s program allows you $25 worth for $5).

Carrie Rocha, whose Pocket Your Dollars blog offers good insight into Twin Cities’ deals, suggest that Wednesday, May 20, is the day to get about 15 items free, thanks to Rainbow’s  double coupon day on Wednesdays. Other good deals at Rainbow this week include strawberries for $1.50 per 1-lb. package and frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $5.99, even cheaper than Aldi’s everyday low price by a few cents.  For more information on the free items, go to

http://www.pocketyourdollars.com/2009/05/rainbow-shopping-list-517-52309/

This week and part of next week are also a good time for BOGO (buy one, get one free) deals at Lunds/Byerly’s. Included in the deals are Bob Evans brats ($6 for 2-19-oz. packages), Smart Chicken whole fryers (save $2.79 per pound), and Arm & hammer detergent ($8 for two 68-80 oz.). Cub Foods will have its next BOGO sale very soon, said a Cub spokesperson. I suspect that means starting Sunday.

I’ve been singing Aldi’s praises since the discount grocer came to the Twin Cities in 2004. Aldi’s prices are about 20 to 40 percent less than other stores, but that’s mostly on private label items. Still, in the grocery biz, a 20 to 40 percent savings is huge. Aldi’s prices beat even Wal-Mart. The store also sells fresh produce and has a meat case. I’ve heard many complaints about Aldi–from the long checkout lines to the small selection. I suggest that Aldi should be your first stop. What you can’t find at Aldi, buy at other stores.

Aldi opens its 24th store in Minnesota today in St. Paul at 2005 Suburban Avenue. You can’t buy anything until tomorrow (Saturday, May 9), but today is all about freebies. If you’ve ever wondered if the food at Aldi is any good, today is the day to try scores of free samples from noon to 4 p.m.  Enter drawings for free coupons at the store too.

 I don’t know of any consumers who are lukewarm on Aldi. Love it? Hate it? I’m all ears.

I’ve been to Costco and Sam’s Club lately and saw hanging baskets for $12 to $20. If that’s too rich for your blood, try Aldi supermarkets. Today is the first day of its sale. An assortment of 10-inch hanging baskets with live begonias, snapdragons, Gerbera daisies, or impatiens are only $5.99. The sale continues until supplies last, which at Aldi, could mean they run out today.

There is good reason to shop earlier rather than later. Aldi doesn’t do a great job of taking care of live plants or cut flowers. Even though a half dozen roses are only $4, I often find them in poor condition.  To find a location near you, go to Aldi.com. None of the stores has a published phone number (a cost-savings measure).

 Talk about a great coupon: In Sunday’s paper, in the SmartSource coupon flyer with IHOP on the cover, Electrasol has a coupon for $2.25 off any Powerball Tab or Gelpacs.  That’s a hefty coupon by itself, but Cub Foods also has Electrosol on sale this week for $3.50 (20-26 tabs). That’s about 6 cents per load with the coupon, about the same price per load as the store brand powders from Wal-Mart (Great Value), Target or Costco (Kirkland Signature).

Consumer Reports rates all of the three store brand powders as a best buy. So why does Electrasol offer such a good coupon? Supermarket guru Phil Lempert offers several possibilities: Fewer stores double coupons so the manufacturer has to give offer more substantial savings to attract customers. Also, the manufacturer’s may be trying to make their numbers before the end of the fiscal year. Maybe they’re losing market share in this area. Any way you look at it, it’s a great deal. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it blows off  the shelves at that price. It’s a good stock up item,” said Lempert.