ASHLAND — Kroger stores in the Cincinnati area are eliminating double couponing. They would take a 55-cent coupon on up to $1, and any other coupon over 50 cents. This will hurt couponers there. We’re hoping it doesn’t happen here, too.

The Kroger Co. promises noticeable price reductions, and will still honor coupons at face value. For the time being, our Kroger stores will still double-coupon. How long? We don’t know.

I will continue to let you know how to save the most and the best places to shop on a thrifty budget. We want to get the most bang for our buck. Times are hard, and we need to keep as much money as we can, and still feed our family nutritious meals.

Here’s a tip: Buy meat when it’s the cheapest. Each week, a different meat will go on sale. It might be chicken, pork or beef. For instance, when hams go on sale around Easter, stock up. Have the store butcher slice it for you. Freeze three-quarters of it, and use the rest. You’ll get tired of a whole ham before it’s gone. Chop some into cubes for beans or stews. Slices are great for dinner or sandwiches.

Invest in a freezer. Even a half freezer will help you save. The freezer will pay for itself the first year.

For a Valentine’s Day dinner, buy a good-quality steak. Cut it into two pieces and share it; this is what the holiday is about. It will be enough if your meal also features salad and baked potatoes. Make a chocolate dessert, and you’ll be full and happy.

Rent a movie from the Red Box, and you are set for a nice, affordable evening. And you won’t have to deal with long lines at the restaurants. Get your honey to grill the steak outside for a no-mess kitchen.

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Take your coupon binders to local stores, cruise the aisles and look for great deals. Walmart is a fun place to shop for bargains. Here are Walmart’s free, nearly free or moneymakers this week:

‰Glade Plug-Ins: $1.38; use $1 coupon on one and pay 38 cents.

‰Wolf Brand Chili: $1.25; use 40-cent coupon on one and pay 85 cents.

‰Little Debbie “Be My Valentine Snack Cakes”: $1.50; use 75-cent coupon on one and pay 75 cents.

‰Chicken of the Sea Light Tuna: 83 cents; use 50-cent coupon on one and pay 33 cents a can.

‰Kikkoman Panko Bread Crumbs: $1.94; use $1 coupon on one and pay 94 cents.

‰Neosporin Lip Health: $2.50; use $2 coupon on one and pay 50 cents.

‰Aleve 6 Count: 97 cents; use $1 coupon from All You magazine and it’s a 3-cent moneymaker.

‰Kikkoman Seasoning Mix: $1; use $1 coupon on one and it’s free.

‰Poise feminine products: $2.97; use $3 coupon and it’s a 3-cent moneymaker.

‰Purina One Beyond Catfood: $2.57 for 16 ounces; use free Purina One Beyond Catfood coupon and it’s free.

‰Carmex Lip Balm: 98 cents; use 55-cent coupon and pay 43 cents.

CVS

‰Schick Hydro 5 Razors: $5 Extra Bucks, $5 off two manufacturer’s coupon in today’s Independent; limit one.

‰Schick Hydro 5 Razor: $4 EB, $4 coupon in today’s Independent; limit one.

‰Colgate Max Fresh, Max White or Max Clean coupon from the CVS Coupon Machine: $2.50; use 50-cent manufacturer’s coupon (stacking); free.

‰Poise: $3.99 minus $3 coupon equals 99 cents.

‰Pledge or Scrubbing Bubbles: two for $8; use buy-one-get-one coupon equals two for $4.

‰Nivea Lip Balm: two for $5 coupon; $3 off two equals two for $2.

‰EB of $10 when you spend $30 on select Proctor and Gamble Products; limit one.

I would suggest buying six bottles of Tide. Use the $3 for three coupon; use two of these and pay $35.64; coupons bring it down $6 and it equals $29.64. You receive $10 EB.

‰Coke products: three for $10; get $5 EB; limit one.

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A couponing class at Ashland Community and Technical College will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 21 and 28 and April 4 and 11. We will take three class trips to local stores and have special guests. You’ll more than pay for the class with your first trip to the store.