How Do I Coupon ?Save Money While Buying Healthy for You, Your Family, and the Planet!

When trying to maximize savings at the grocery store, one of the best way to do this is to take advantage of Catalina deals. What is a Catalina? A Catalina is a term used for the machines at the registers that provide printed coupons and promotions for products at grocery stores  with your receipt. Most grocery stores have Catalinas including Walgreens. If you take advantage of a Catalina promotion you can often receive money off your next purchase! Combine coupons and sales with the Catalina deals and you often get what is called a Money Maker: you can often get the product for free AND make an overage (or profit)!

Here is a current example of a Catalina Promotion going on at Fry’s:

Purchase Purex (50 oz.) Laundry Detergent between 1/11 and 3/7:Off Your Next Shopping Order)
Purchase (3) or more and get $5 coupon OYNSO.

Purchase (2) and get $4 OYNSO (

So, here is what I would do to take advantage of this promotion at Fry’s:

1. Fry’s is having a Buy 1o, Get $3 off Promotion on certain items this week. One of the items is Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent. Price before Buy 10 Promo is $2.49. Price after Buy 10 Promo is $2.19.

2. So, I would use this coupon: Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent, any .35/1 (2-20-10) RP-1/10. After the Buy 10, Get $3 Promo and the coupon, this would make the Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent  $1.49 ea., which is a great deal by itself!

3. To then take advantage of the Catalina Deal, I would purchase 2 Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent with coupons (part of the Buy 10 promotion) for a total of  $2.98. Then I would receive a printed Catalina for $4.00 OYNSO! That means I made $1.00 AND I received 2 free bottles of Purex!! Isn’t that a GREAT DEAL?!

So, just keep an eye out for the coupons and promos that the cashier gives you with your receipt. Check weekly sales at HowDo ICoupon.com to see if there is ever a match and see your dollars stretch further!

Have any ?s Just leave a comment and I will get back to you ASAP!

Happy Shopping!

Good Morning! I wanted to let you know if you look up to the right side of my web page there is a place where you can now sign up to receive any new posts in your email. If you tried to sign up within the last few days it probably did not work Sorry about that!  Just type in your email address and you will receive confirmation in your inbox. Reply to that and you are all set!

Now, on to the Deals of the Week:

It looks like canned tuna and canned beans are the loss leaders** this week

Aim or Pepsodent Toothpaste, 6 oz., .50 each!! No Limit!

Betty Crocker “Helpers” (Hamburger, Tuna, etc.), $1.00. Use Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper or Chicken Helper Home Cooked Skillet Meals, any flavor .75/3 (2-27-10) SearsSS-1/3 Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, or Chicken Helper, any three DND DNT .75/3 (active) Group A-02/01 and (active) Group B-02/01 *Print each twice! Final Price: .75 each!!

Betty Crocker Frosting tub, $1.00 each. Use Betty Crocker Frosting, any flavor/variety tub .50/1 (4-3-10) GeneralMills-2/7
Betty Crocker Frosting Tub, any, DND DNT .50/1 (active) Group B-02/01 and (disappeared 02-15-10) Group A-02/01 *Print twice! Final Price: .50 each!!

Betty Crocker Warm Delights, regular or minis, $1.00 each. Use Betty Crocker Warm Delights or Warm Delights Mini Bowls, any flavor .50/1 (4-3-10) GeneralMills-2/7
Betty Crocker Warm Delights Bowls or Mini Bowls, DND DNT .50/1 (active) Group A-12/17 and (active) Group B-12/15 *Print each twice! Final Price: .50 each!!

Blue Bunny Ice Cream, $2.00 each. $1/1 Here . Final Price: $1.00 each!!

Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna or Sardines, 3.75-5 oz
Limit 4  Final Price: .50 each!!

Cheerios Snack Mix, $1.00 each. Use Cheerios Snack Mix, any size/flavor .50/1 (3-6-10) SS-1/10
Cheerios Snack Mix, any size or flavor DND DNT .60/1 (active) Group A-02/11 and (disappeared 02-10-10) Group A-02/01 *Print each twice!  Final Price: .40 – .50 each!!

Chex Mix, $1.00 each. Use Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack, any flavor 4.5 oz. or larger .50/2 (3-20-10) SS-1/24. Also Use Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack, any flavor, 4.5 oz or larger DND DNT .50/1 (active) Group A-02/01 and (active) Group B-02/01 and (active) This Link-02/01 *Print each twice! Final Price: .50 each!!

Del Monte Fruit, 15-15.25 oz cans, $1.00 each. Use Del Monte Canned Fruits, Vegetables (11-15.25 oz) or Fruit Cup Snacks (Plastic 4 pks 3.75 - 4 oz) $1/5 (4-4-10) RP-2/7. Final Price: .80 each!!

Del Monte Tomatoes, 13.5-15.25 cans, $1.00 each. Use Del Monte Tomatoes 11-15.25 oz $1/4 (4-4-10) RP-2/7. Final Price: .75 each!!

Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables, $1.00. Use Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables .60/3 (4-3-10) GeneralMills-2/7 and (2-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3. Final Price: .80 each!!

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers, $1.00. Use Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers frozen vegetables, any variety .40/1 (2-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3. Final Price: .60 each!!

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, $1.00 each. Use Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any size/variety .30/2 (3-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3 and (3-6-10) GM-12/13 and (2-27-10) SS-12/6.
Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits, any two, any size or variety, DND DNT .30/2 (active) Group A-12/16 and (active) Group B-12/15 *Print each twice! Final Price: .85 each!!

Tony’s Crispy Crust Pizza, 5-10.25 oz.,$1.00. Use Tonys Single Serve Product, any including Tonys Crispy Crust or Pouches Twin Pack DND .50/1 (2-28-10) SS-12/13. Final Price: .50 each!!

Tony’s Pouches, 9-10 oz., $1.00 each. Use Tonys Single Serve Product, any including Tonys Crispy Crust or Pouches Twin Pack DND .50/1 (2-28-10) SS-12/13. Final Price: .50 each!!

 

Bumble Bee Tuna 5 oz.,  Final Price: .50 each!!

Hefty Bowls, Plates or Platters 16 to 60 ct ., $1.69. Use Hefty Plates or Cups any .50/1 (3-31-10) RP-1/31. Final Price: .69 each!!
Thru 3/2

Maruchan Yakisoba Meals 4 oz., $1.00 each. Use Maruchan Yakisoba Flavor .50/1 (3-31-10) SearsSS-1/3. Final Price: FREE!!!

Quaker Capn Crunch Cereal 15 to 16 oz., $1.99. Quaker Cereal, Oatmeal, Granola Bars or Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix or Syrup $3/5 – Bashas Store Coupon (2-23-10)
Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Final Price: $1.39!!

Quaker Life Cereal 15 oz or Quaker Oatmeal Squares Cereal 16 oz., Quaker Cereal, Oatmeal, Granola Bars or Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix or Syrup $3/5 – Bashas Store Coupon (2-23-10)
Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Final Price: $1.39!!

Quaker Oatmeal Squares Cereal 16 oz., $1.99. Use Quaker Oatmeal Squares Cereal, any box $1/1 (4-10-10) RP-2/14. Final Price: .99 each!!

S and W Beans 15 to 15.5 oz., $.50 each. Use S and W Beans, any variety cans .50/2 (4-14-10) RP-2/14. Final Price: 2/FREE!!!

Stokleys Canned Vegetables 14 to 15.25 oz., Final Price: .50 Each!!

Fry’s is having the same sale promotion as last week: Buy 10 Participating Products, Save $3!

Banquet Brown N Serve Sausage, 6.4-7oz ., Final Price:  .89!
*When you buy 10 participating products

Banquet Dinners, 5-10 oz., .69 each. Use Banquet Dinners $1/10 (2-21-10) SS-1/10. Final Price: .59 ea! *When you buy 10 participating products.

Chef Boyardee Pasta, 14.5-15oz or Microwave Cups, 7.5oz., .67 each. Use Chef Boyardee 15 oz. cans or 7.5 oz. microwaveable cups, any $1/5 (2-28-10) SS-1/10. Final Price: 47 each!! *When you buy 10 participating products

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, 16.3oz., .89 each. Use Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any size/variety .30/2 (3-6-10) GM-12/13 and (3-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3 and (3-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3 and (2-27-10) SS-12/6. Final Price: 69 each!! 
*When you buy 10 participating products

Purex Laundry Detergent, 32-44load Liquid or 52 load Fabric Softener, $2.19. Use Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent, any .35/1 (2-20-10) RP-1/10 . Final Price: $1.49 each!!
*When you buy 10 participating products

Ragu Pasta Sauce, 16-26oz., $1.28. Use Ragu Pasta Sauce, any .30/1 (2-28-10) RP-1/31. Final Price: .68 each! *When you buy 10 participating products .

Not part of the sale promo but still good deals are:

Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna, .44 each!!

All Coupons are worth $1.00 or more this week!

Bar-S Jumbo Meat Franks 16 oz., $1.25. Use Bar-S Products any $1/2 Here Print it twice. Final Price: .75 each!

Campbells Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup 10.75 oz., .50 each. Use Campbell’s Condensed Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soups .40/4 (3-15-10) DirectTVSS-1/3. Final Price: .25 each!

Campbells Select Harvest 18.6 to 18.8 oz., $1.00 each. Use Campbell’s Select Harvest Healthy Request Soups, Can or Bowl .50/2 (3-15-10) DirectTVSS-1/3 AND (4-30-10) SS-2/7. Final Price: .50 each!

Crest Toothpaste 4.6 to 6.4 oz., .99 each. Use Crest Toothpaste, any 4 oz. or larger or liquid gel .75/1 (2-28-10) PG-1/17 AND 75/1 (3-31-10) PG-2/7. Final Price: FREE!!!

General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch 17 oz or General Mills Cheerios 14 oz., $2.00 each. Use General Mills, Basic 4, Cheerios any, Chex any, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs any, Cookie Crisp any, Dora the Explorer, Fiber One any, Golden grahams, Honey Nut Clusters, Kix, Lucky Charmes any, Oatmeal Crisp any, Raisin Nut Bran, Reeses Puffs, Total any,Trix, Wheaties, any two DND DNT $1/2 (active) This Link-02/10 **Print it twice. Final Price: $1.50 each!

Progresso Vegetable Classics 18 to 19 oz., $1.00 each. use Progresso Soups, any flavor .50/2 (2-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3 AND (3-13-10) SS-1/17 AND (4-3-10) GeneralMills-2/7. Final Price: $50 each!!

S and W Beans 15 to 15.5 oz., .99 each. Use S and W Beans, any variety cans .50/2 (4-14-10) RP-2/14. Final Price: .49 each!

Safeway Chunk Light Tuna 5 oz., .50 each!!

Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers 11 to 16.5 oz
Saturday and Sunday Only!
Limit 4. $1.29 Use 

Nabisco Crackers, any 6o z.-16.5 oz. $1/1 (3-31-10) SS-1/24. Final Price: .29 each!!!

Rice and Pasta 4 to 7.2 oz ., .75 each.
Saturday and Sunday Only!
Must Buy 4 or more to receive discount. Use Rice-A-Roni or Pasta Roni, any $1/3 (4-30-10) RP-1/3. Final Price: .42 each!!

Sprouts:

 PRODUCE
Apples- Braeburn or Fuji   .88/lb.!
Asparagus   .97/lb!
Avocados- Hass   .77 each!
Bell Peppers- Red or Gold   .88 each!
Broccoli Crowns   .88/lb.!
Lettuce- Red, Green or Romaine   .88 each!
Oranges- Navel   .88/lb.!
Sqaush- Acorn, Butternut or Spaghetti   .88/lb.!
Tomatoes- Large Vine Ripe   .77/lb~!

MEAT
Certifified Organic Ground Beef $3.99/lb.!! (Great price- normally twice that!!)

Chicken- Breast Tenders $2.99lb
Chicken- Breasts, bone-in .97lb
Pork- Italian Sausage $2.99lb
Pork- Loin Chops or Roast $1.77lb

BULK
Granola Bonanaza – 18 varieties to choose from $2.49/lb.
Pecan Halves $5.99/lb.
Chocolate Coated Cashews $4.99/lb.
Pitted Dates $2.99/lb.
Gummi Worms or Bears $1.49/lb.
Oats .50/lb.
Antioxidant Trail Mix $5.99/lb.

Boulder Potato Chips, 5 oz. $1.50 each!

Envirokidz Organic Cereal, 10-14 oz.: $2.99/box

Organic Valley Orange Juice, Eggs, and Milk are 25% off. Don’t forget to go HERE and sign up to get free coupons! Also, if you have the Mambo Sprouts coupon catalog for Winter 2010, there are coupons for $1.00 off Organic Valley soy milk, orange juice, and cheese!

 

Sunflower Markets:

 PRODUCE
Apples- Red, Golden Delicious or Granny Smith .99/lb.!
Bell Peppers- Red Large .88 each!
Broccoli- Bunched .88/lb.!
Carrots- Baby Peeled 2lb $2.00 each!
Celery- Bunched .88 each!
Grapefruit- Texas Rio Red: 8/$1.00 or.13 each!!
Lettuce- Red or Green Leaf .88 each!
Onions- Mild Red .50/lb.!
Oranges- Navel .49/lb.!

 Potatoes- Red .50/lb.!

Spinach- Bunched .88 each!
Beefsteak Tomatoes- .99/lb.!
Seedless Watermelon- .50/lb.!
Russet Potatoes- 10lb. bag $2.00 each!
 

MEAT

Happy Shopping!

 

 

Since I am now personally buying more organic products, I thought it would be good to share links to coupons for these sustainable companies. Here is a list of some great organic companies who offer valuable printable coupons and coupon booklets you can receive in the mail. Like most companies, you will need to register but it will be worth it because you will be getting some great money saving coupons!

Mambo Sprouts  — I just received my coupon booklet in the mail and it has quite a few coupons with some that I will likely use.

Seventh Generation– Once you sign up you can print coupons for a variety of their products. I love their dish soap and after

coupon you can get it at Target for around $1.49/bottle. Pretty good!

Kashi – Join the Kashi community and you can receive free samples and coupons!

Organic Valley – This link is great! $1.00 off coupons for a variety of Organic Valley products!

Earth’s Best– This is a great company. They offer valuable coupons and I hear their diapers rock (Thanx C for the tip!)

Horizon – Sign up to get coupons for their dairy products.

Here are some few tips on how you can get coupons for organic foods and products. These tips can easily apply to finding any coupon not just organic ones:

1. Contact the manufacturer directly. If you like a company and/or its product, don’t be afraid to say so! Call them, email them or send them snail mail. Always leave your contact info and chances are you will get coupons sent to you. What company doesn’t like a sincere compliment of their product?

2. Just ask. Seriously. I love Method products however I never see coupons for their products. I wrote Method and told them I loved their products and if they could please send me some coupons. I received 10 in the mail! It never hurts to ask!

3. Check out your local health food stores such as Sprouts, Sunflower, and Whole Foods, etc. Often at the front of the store they have store magazines with coupons in them for various products within the store. Grab a couple and see what you can save!

4. Before going to the grocery store, check out their website to see if there are any special deals and/or printable coupons on their website. Here are links to: Sprouts , Sunflower, and Whole Foods.

5. Keep an eye out for “peelies” on the products you like on the store shelves and the “blinkies” where you can pull coupons and use them on the products advertised. **Just a note: If your store doubles coupons, you will more than likely not be able to double any “blinkie” coupons. Bummer, I know!

Happy Wednesday!

In case you are not sure what certain abbreviations mean here is a breakdown for ya:

DND = Do Not Double

DNT= Do Not Triple

WYB= When You Buy

SS= Smart Source

RP= Red Plum

PG= Proctor & Gamble

GM= General Mills

 Here are the DOTW (like that? ;]) for Tucson:

Bashas’ (Doubles Couponsup to $1.00):

Lettuce – Green or Red Leaf or Romaine, .77 each!

Large Slicing Tomatoes, .77lb.!

Beef Ground 80% Lean, Limit 2 , $1.37 lb!

Chicken Breasts Boneless Skinless , Limit 4, $1.37 lb.!

BC Dinner Helpers (Hamburger, Tuna, etc.)- .88 ea.! Use Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, or Chicken Helper, any three, DND DNT $1/3 (active) This Link-12/31 Print it twice. OR Use Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper or Chicken Helper Home Cooked Skillet Meals, any flavor .75/3 (2-27-10) SearsSS-1/3. Final Price: .55 each!!

Finish Dishwasher Detergent 12 to 20 ct or 75 oz. $3.99. **I don’t know if this variety is on sale but if it is, it is a great deal: Use Finish Quantum, Powerball Tabs or Gelpacs $2.50/1 (1-31-10) DirectTVSS-1/3. Final Price: $1.49 each!

January Deals at Bashas’:

Hunts Snack Pack 4 pk., .99 each. Use: Hunts Snack Pack Pudding or Gel, any .30/2 (2-28-10) SS-1/10. Final Price: .69 each!

McCormick Taco Seasoning or Grill Mates Marinades Mixes .71 to 1.5 oz. Use McCormick Spice or Herb, any .75/1 (2-7-10) LOrealRP-1/3. Final Price; FREE!!

Minute Ready To Serve! Rice Cups White or Chicken Rice 2 pk 4.4 oz. Use Minute Rice Product any .50/1 (3-6-10) RP-12/13. Final Price: .39 each!

Star Olive Oil 17 oz., $3.99 each!!

Safeway: All Coupons are $1.00! (limited time)

Blueberries 6 oz Limit 4 .99 each!

Broccoli Crowns, .99 lb.!

Texas Grapefruit Ruby Red, .33 lb.!

Yellow Onions,  .33 lb.!

7-UP 2 liter Saturday and Sunday Only!, .77 each!

Betty Crocker Specialty Potatoes 4.8 to 6.6 oz. .99 each. Use Betty Crocker Potatoes any Box or Pouch except Potato Buds .35/1 (2-6-10) GM-12/13. Final Price: FREE!

Progresso Traditional or Rich and Hearty Soup 18.5 to 19 oz., $1.11 each! Use: Progresso Rich and Hearty Soup .25/1 (1-30-10) SS-12/6. Final Price: .11 each!!

Rosarita Refried Beans 16 oz., .99 each. Use: Rosarita Beans, any .50/3 (1-31-10) SS-12/13. Final Price: .66 each!!

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers, Saturday and Sunday Only!, .88 each!

Annie’s Mac & Cheese, 6 oz., .99 each! UPDATE: Try this link HERE and see if this works for you. It is a .50 cent off coupon for Annie’s Mac N Cheese making it FREE after coupon! I could not print because I am on Windows 7 and it is not supported . I hope it works for you. Good Luck!

Fry’s (Doubles Coupons up to $1.00):

This week at Fry’s it appears that anything pork related is on sale at good prices:

Cook’s Spiral Sliced Half Ham, Bone In, .99/lb.

Pork Butt, Bone In, Sold Whole in the Bag
First 4. $1.49/lb.

Pork Loin Back Ribs
First 4. $2.99/lb.

Pork Loin, Half, Boneless, Sold Whole in the Bag
First 4. $1.77/lb.

Pork Picnic Roast, Sold Whole in the Bag
First 4. $.99/lb.

Pork Sirloin, Boneless, Sold Whole in the Bag
First 4. $1.69/lb.

Pork Spareribs
First 4. $1.49/lb.

Pork Tenderloin
First 4. $2.99/lb.

Fry’s Milk, 1 Gallon. Limit 2. $1.59 each!!

Hass Avocados, 2/$1!

Chilean Peaches and Nectarines, $.97 lb.!

Cara Cara Pink Navels or Arizona Grown Minneola Tangelos: .88 lb.!

3 lb. bag Red Delicious Apples, 3 lb. bag $2.57 (.85 lb!)

Navel Oranges or Texas Grapefruit, 4-5 lb. bag, $3.47 each (.69 -.86/lb.!)

Coke, 2 Liters. $1.13 each. Special Promo: Buy 4, Save 1.50. Final Price: .75 each WYB 4!!

** I will update as I get to the ads!**

 

 

One of the three major keys to saving money at the grocery store is coupons. The more coupons you have, the more you save. If you have multiple coupons of the same one you can really make a difference in your spending and stock. For instance, a couple of weeks ago, Downy softener was on sale for $2.99. If you had the $3/1 coupon you would get it for free. Now think about if you had multiples of that same coupon…you could stock up on fabric softener for free!

So, how do you get multiples of the same coupon? There are a few ways to do this. Obvious and first one is to get the Sunday paper which has coupons most Sundays of the year. Some couponers subscribe and get several duplicate papers delivered every Sunday. In Tucson, there are a couple of options to choose from. You can get the local paper and/or you can get the Phoenix paper delivered as well. The bonus to getting the Phoenix paper is that there are often more coupons available and at a higher value. One positive to living in a big city, huh? Often I am irritated because a coupon is advertised through various sites and after pilfering my ads I find I do not have it because I do not get the Phoenix paper. I digress . Anyways, getting the multiples of the Sunday paper is a great way to get more coupons whether it is the local paper or the one from a bigger city nearby.

**TIP: Here in Tucson on the NW side you can go to the Dollar Tree and get the Sunday paper for $1.00! I know some fellow couponers who do this especially when there are high value or popular coupons in that week’s paper. How cool is that?! You can stock up there if you want and  pay only $1.00 per paper (as opposed to $1.50). Check out the Dollar Tree near you to see if they offer this as I am not sure if every store does.

Another tip is to always check your local library and your local community paper. We get a community paper delivered every week called the Northwest Explorer and there are coupon inserts in it. How great is that?! I don’t have to pay for them and it is basically money in my pocket. Check to see if yours does too. Also, check your local library. The same paper is delivered to the library and you could pick up a couple copies there gratis!

Here are a couple of printable coupon sites. You can generally print two of each coupon and then you have to wait until it resets:

Coupons.com

RedPlum

Make sure to sign up for grocery cards. Not only will you get the sales the stores offer, there are two great sites that you use your grocery card number and you load coupons onto them to use:

Shortcuts.com

Cellfire.com

The sites above are great. They are easy to sign up to and once you register your card you can load savings with a click of your mouse . I hate clipping coupons so this is a nice bonus – Love it!

I am running on little sleep so I will try and post more as I remember. I will get the best deals up for the week soon too!

One of the smartest ways to save money is to find great products super cheap and then use a coupon. One great way to do this is to keep an eye out for clearance sections in your local stores. Often the clearance sections are in the back of stores closer to the warehouse or on the end caps of the aisles. You can generally find products that have either been discontinued and drastically marked down or damaged packaging where items are again significantly marked down, etc. You should be able to purchase the already reduced items and combine them with manufacturer coupons making for an even better deal!

Today, at Target, I scoured the cleaning section for clearance products. I need more laundry detergent and air fresheners. Voila! I found 2 boxes of Seventh Generation laundry detergent marked 50% off. I then had a coupon for $1 off 2 Seventh Generation products. With the items reduced and my coupon, I paid $3.96 for 2 boxes of laundry detergent which would have been $10.00 ( if I paid full price). That is a 60% savings! Also, I found a Febreze Noticables Scented Oil Freshener on clearance for $3.12 because the packaging was ripped apart. That is a great deal considering they are normally $6+ at regular retail. I had a coupon for $1 off the Febreze Noticeables Scented Oil Freshener so I paid $2.18 for a product normally priced at $6.24! So for a total of $6.08, I was able to buy products worth $16.22!

A good rule that I keep in mind when finding great bargains is to only buy what I will use no matter how good the deal is. It is very tempting to buy something that is so inexpensive simply because it is such a good deal. However, what good does it do me if it sits in my closet? It ends up being a money waster and not a good deal after all.