Shop Cheap

Hi Shoppers. If you're like me, you've noticed that grocery ads aren't just for Wednesdays anymore. Now, they're popping up in the Sunday paper, too. So before you separate the Sunday Bee into the news and ad piles, be sure to look for inserts from Raley's and Safeway. Last Sunday, both stores had specials that got me in the store.

This week, the highlights include the 72-hour specials at Safeway (asparagus for $1.49lb) and something not in the ad - the Friday only $5 special, which is Rotisserie chicken. I'm thinking they forgot to advertise in the paper because I saw the flyer at the check out on Tuesday! Raley's will also have you clipping with coupons for Sara Lee bread $1.59 and Fresh Express salads for 99 cents. Save Mart has seedless grapes for 67-cents a pound  and bags of romaine hearts for 99-cents.  Also, check out the Smart & Final in some Wednesday editons.

Here's the store-by-store breakdown:

SAFEWAY: First up, London broil for $1.79lb; whole Foster Farms chickens at 99-cents a pound and plenty of BOGOs: Nathan's beef franks; Healthy Ones lunchmeat and Hormel fully cooked entrees.

In addition to the asparagus, the 72-hour sale includes pan roasted turkey breast in the deli for $5.99lb; Safeway variety breads for $1.49lb; fresh King salmon fillets for $5.99lb and Lay's chips for $1.88 a bag.

If you're into clippin' (or loading the savings onto your Club Card), Honey Comb cereal is 99-cents; 18 large eggs are $1.49; Starkist solid white Albacore tuna is 88-cents; English muffins are 99-cents; Iceberg lettuce is 49-cents a head and a 10-lb bag of potatoes goes for $1.49. In the Home & Health coupon category, bath tissue or paper towels are $5.99; Electrasol dishwasher  detergent is $3.49 and Pledge spray is $2.99.

In produce, nectarines are 69-cents a pound; seedless red grapes are 89-cents a pound and broccoli is 99-cents a pound. Red bell pepper is $1.99lb and cantaloupe is $1.49 each.

Lastly, a case of Nestle drinking water is $3.49; 2-liter 7-UP or A&W is buy 3, get 3 free; Pepperidge Farm cookies are 2/$4 and cans of Del Monte tomatoes are $1.

Heading over to RALEY'S, the cart-worthy specials include Sutter sirloin steak for $2.59lb; BOGO berrries and personal size watermelon and Breyers ice cream for $2.49. If you're in a hurry or need freezer food for the kids, DiGiorno pizza is $4.99. Kettle chips are BOGO and Dennison chili is 4/$5.

In the coupon category, 2-liter Cokes are 77-cents; a 24-pack of cans is $5.99. Sara Lee loaf bread is $1.59 and California Pizza Kitchen pizza for one is $1.99. Calidad tortilla chips are 99-cents a bag and Hefty storage or sandwich bags are 99-cents each. Nathan's beef franks are 2/$6; Fresh Express garden salad in the bag is 99-cents; Raley's fresh deli cheese is 2lbs for $4.99 and American singles slices are 2/$4. If you need back-to-school treats, a dozen cupcakes in the bakery is $3.99.

In produce, New Mexico Hatch peppers are 97-cents a pound; hot house tomatoes are $1.49lb; green onions, radishes or cilantro is 2/$1 and white nectarines are $1.49.

What SAVE MART lacks in coupons it makes up for in good prices. Seedless red grapes are 67-cents a pound; romaine hearts are 99-cents a bag and large artichokes are 2/$1. Nectarines are 97-cents a pound; berries are 2/$4 and Earthbound Farm organic salads are 2/$5. Bakery-fresh chocolate chip cookies are 2 bags for $5.

Premium pork country ribs are 97-cents a pound in the Max Pak; boneless chuck steaks are $1.88lb and boneless pork loin chops are $1.99lb. Fresh ground beef patties are $1.99lb and fresh cooked shrimp meat is $3.99lb. Michelina's gourmet frozen entrees are 88-cents each; Bayview Farms ice cream is 2/$4; Marie Callendar's dinners are $2.29 and Sunnyside Farms cottage cheese is $1.99. In the deli, Butterball turkey breast is $5.99lb and the chicken meal deal - which includes 8 pieces, a loaf of french bread and a side salad - is only $7.99.

If you're a Smart & Final shopper, you'll want to check out this week's ad. Foster Farms boneless, skinless chicken breasts are $2.99lb; 2-liter Cokes are $1; 32-half liter bottles of Arrowhead 2/$9; a 5-quart container of ice cream is $4.99 and a package of Gardenburgers is $7.99. A 4-pack of avocado is $2.99; fresh Italian sausage is $2.99 a package and Sara Lee Hearty breads are $2.50 a loaf.

 Come back on Thursday for recipes from the Shop Cheap kitchen.