Bargain Hunter: Find out where to go for savings in new column

Who doesn't love a bargain? Come on, even folks with gads of disposable income get a kick out of a good deal. In this recurring feature, we'll root out some of the bargains in the Modesto area -- coupons, sales, regular features -- and maybe even warn you of the occasional red herring.

Today's tip comes from the pages of The Bee's Wednesday advertisements. Safeway is offering a Mix & Match special: Buy any 10 of the selected items on sale and get $5 more off at the checkout. There's a solid list of products to choose from, such as $1.25 cans of Rosarita refried beans, Chicken of the Sea tuna and four-roll packs of Angel Soft tissue (all 75 cents after additional discount) to $2.50 packs of Ball Park franks ($2 after discount).

Deals must be tested and, yes, it took some gumption to walk up to the register with nothing but 10 packs of toilet paper and a smile, but investigative journalism knows no embarrassment.

Indeed, I paid $7.50, pretax, for 40 rolls. You can mix and match selected items at will. Scan the ad and go in armed with a plan to maximize your savings.

There are caveats, such as: You have to use a Safeway Club Card (free at checkout for filling out a brief form), it's limited to stock on hand, no rain checks and no combinations with other coupons or offers.

The Mix & Match deal runs through Tuesday.

-- Pat Clark

Have a tip for other bargain hunters in the region? Send it to pclark@modbee. com and include the words Bargain Hunter in the subject line.