THÊ JÚLY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE

[leanna]

New Scotch (tape, scissors, etc) coupons. They don't expire until 9/30/11. You can save these to your computer since it's a PDF file:

www.3m.com/brands/scotch/promos/welcomecoupon.pdf

Enjoy

[leanna]

Jul 1, 2011 12:55:53 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jul 1, 2011 12:50:05 GMT -5 leanna said:

Yeah, DancinMama, I also am not too excited about this weekends deals. I don't even see myself rushing out on Sunday to go to RA, like I often do.

But, next week, 7/10, there's going to be a good deal on Softsoap bodywash, so that's what I'm waiting for!

leanna: Sometimes I don't mind when there aren't a lot of deals cuz it gives me time to take a break and recharge my batteries a bit. Right now I'm out of WAGs (holding no RRs) and RA (holding no UPs). Rite Aid doesn't bother me too much because it is across town and, in general, a bit of a PITA; but I sure would love another great RR deal. I kind of miss seeing the staff if I'm outta there for too long.

Yeah - I've had a number of GREAT hounding weeks in a row, so I'll just chill this weekend. I may still pick a few things up (RA & Wags are very close to me) but I don't have that need to rush out. Nothing's urgent. It's not like I need more toothpaste or toothbrushes.

[emhalf]

Jul 1, 2011 11:47:32 GMT -5 leanna said:

NEW Staples coupon - good today & tomorrow only.

20% off

A few people this past week were looking for a Staples q, hence this post.

Thanks leanna

I'm crossing my fingers that my staples rewards come in by tomorrow. I was holding $20 worth from May because I was planning to use them to buy party stuff for DM's retirement party. When I logged in a couple of weeks ago to spend them...they weren't there anymore There was a listing on my account where they had been spent at a store in Nashville...except that I don't live in TN and haven't been to Nashville in over 10 years.

After speaking with Staples they figured that someone had somehow managed to access my account and spend my rewards Of all the seriously random things to hack. They set me up with a new account and they said they would reissue the stolen rewards. That was nice of them, because they could have told me that I was SOL, but now I'm waiting for them to mail out replacement rewards. I'd really like to be able to pick up a cover for my kindle while there's a coupon out!

[leanna]

Wow - that IS really bizarre Emhalf! Sheesh, people will steal anything, won't they?

[skubikky]

Jul 1, 2011 12:55:53 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jul 1, 2011 12:50:05 GMT -5 leanna said:

Yeah, DancinMama, I also am not too excited about this weekends deals. I don't even see myself rushing out on Sunday to go to RA, like I often do.

But, next week, 7/10, there's going to be a good deal on Softsoap bodywash, so that's what I'm waiting for!

leanna: Sometimes I don't mind when there aren't a lot of deals cuz it gives me time to take a break and recharge my batteries a bit. Right now I'm out of WAGs (holding no RRs) and RA (holding no UPs). Rite Aid doesn't bother me too much because it is across town and, in general, a bit of a PITA; but I sure would love another great RR deal. I kind of miss seeing the staff if I'm outta there for too long.

Are you going to have to start from scratch with WAGs? Because I would be very interested to see your scenarios when you decide to jump back in.

I usually just do RA. I have the 20% discount, they do SCRs(love turning MCs and UPs into cash) and I have one close to hit on Sunday mornings.

[dogmom]

Jul 1, 2011 12:45:21 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jul 1, 2011 12:04:38 GMT -5 dogmom said:

I lurked for two years on MSN and learned from everyone there, Yes Dancin' you too. I put couponing into practice about a year or two ago. When the company I work for put on furlough days and pay cuts went through where DH works, what I learned absolutely came into play. I got un-shy on this thread because everyone is so helpful and nice. Because of that process, we do have a stockpile of items we use all the time, we donate more than we used to and I spend less doing this. I'm grateful for the knowledge.

dogmom: And we're all so glad you came out of lurking mode to join us. The success on this thread totally depends on networking, sharing information, trading coupons, etc., especially these days as the deals just aren't as good as they used to be. The more eyes and ears we have out there, the better for everyone.

I just took a look-see at frugalsuz's blog to see if I missed anything and there is absolutely NOTHING to get really excited about. It's a real bummer.

So my "big deal" this week will be Stolichnaya vodka (1.75 ltr/$17.49). I will be stockpiling at least a half a dozen bottles cuz I have not seen it this cheap in years.
[/quote]

Thanks. From reading all of the boards, I learned so much. Some I agree with, some, not so much. I guess the boards are somewhat of a hobby. From Grocery Challenge, I found I could CONTROL some of the costs. I used to be one of those shoppers that didn't pay attention to coupons and threw whatever we needed or thought we wanted into the cart. Our grocery bill was WAY out of control. Add health and beauty, it was very much out of control. I surprise myself when now I shop for groceries for DH and I (and of course Sierra) and, it's now TOPS, with adding to the freezer $50.00 per week. It used to be over $150. per week.

On another note, thanks Leanna for the buy on Pantene. I just got back from getting a haircut. Wow, I haven't had hair this short since grade school. It's now collar bone length in the back and shorter and layered in front. That Pantene will last quite some time.

[973beachbum]

"So my "big deal" this week will be Stolichnaya vodka (1.75 ltr/$17.49). I will be stockpiling at least a half a dozen bottles cuz I have not seen it this cheap in years."

So are you going to share where you are going to get that price???

Emhalf what a strange thing for someone to steal.

[sealy]

a break sounds good to me

I actually got something completely free yipppeee no taxes or anything.
I got a $3 EB from CVS and used it to buy oreos. That was before I read
that I should use my EBs for basics well i'm still crawling thank you all so
much for helping us newbies.

[sealy]

OPP $80.75 Saved $159.04 wish my OPP was lower but
it will be soon.

[bluecluessubtlety]

For all those who answered my rant:

No, I am not a nicer person than you. My patience is wearing super thin.

The $500+ FS is for her, loser babydaddy and toddler. They get WIC checks on top of that.

Background - I flew them out here last week (mom and baby - daddy stayed behind) because my niece is addicted to drugs. I've spent the last week detoxing her at home. So I am not indulgent or tolerant. She had this week and possibly next to detox, then she starts getting her life together. Job, savings, her own place. She can do what she wants but the baby will not leave my house until she's truly ready (ala Dave Ramsey - not that she gets one check and goes and rents a place - I want her to have some preparation for life). So she will probably be with me a couple of months at least.

Like religion, I don't try to talk anyone into couponing. I will show if asked and if they don't follow through, more for me. But while she's with me, she will learn it and take part. What she does when she leaves is her business. But I am going to teach her the ropes and make her do it so when she moves she has a stockpile to start with.

And I am not offended. Trust me, I am Ms. Tough Love. I will give help and guidance all day long while someone is asking and trying. Once they stop, kindness is out the window. I couldn't imagine not being responsible, especially with a baby. Those days are over. Time to put on the big girl panties and get it together.

[dancinmama]

Jul 1, 2011 13:55:12 GMT -5 skubikky said:

Jul 1, 2011 12:55:53 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

leanna: Sometimes I don't mind when there aren't a lot of deals cuz it gives me time to take a break and recharge my batteries a bit. Right now I'm out of WAGs (holding no RRs) and RA (holding no UPs). Rite Aid doesn't bother me too much because it is across town and, in general, a bit of a PITA; but I sure would love another great RR deal. I kind of miss seeing the staff if I'm outta there for too long.

Are you going to have to start from scratch with WAGs? Because I would be very interested to see your scenarios when you decide to jump back in.

I usually just do RA. I have the 20% discount, they do SCRs(love turning MCs and UPs into cash) and I have one close to hit on Sunday mornings.

skubikky: Yes, I will be starting from scratch at WAGs WHEN they have a deal good enough to bribe me back in. I usually only "get in" when something is free after coupons AND is giving a RR, so it could be a while; but when it happens I ALWAYS let all my hound friends know what to buy and where to get the coupon.post the scenario for my hound friends.

[dancinmama]

Jul 1, 2011 16:16:02 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

"So my "big deal" this week will be Stolichnaya vodka (1.75 ltr/$17.49). I will be stockpiling at least a half a dozen bottles cuz I have not seen it this cheap in years." So are you going to share where you are going to get that price???

Nope. It's my secret.



















Just kidding. Costco.

When I bought a bottle last Monday, the register took $4 off automatically; today the guy asked for my coupon. Luckily, I happened to have brought it with me despite not needing it earlier in the week. hiccup ;D

Oh, and the senior citizen's buffet today was REALLY good. A lot of stuff for barbecues: Italian sausage, rosemary tri tip, a chicken patty with artichoke dip on it, ice cream, red potato salad, Doritos (like I didn't know what those taste like, but I "tasted" them anyway - hee, hee, hee). I had planned to get a coffee frosty thingie for the ride home, but I was too full after the great buffet. ;D

[leanna]

Jul 1, 2011 16:22:54 GMT -5 sealy said:

a break sounds good to me

I actually got something completely free yipppeee no taxes or anything.
I got a $3 EB from CVS and used it to buy oreos. That was before I read
that I should use my EBs for basics well i'm still crawling thank you all so
much for helping us newbies.

I thought Oreos WAS a necessity!



You won't get criticism from me!

[leanna]

Jul 1, 2011 17:00:30 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

For all those who answered my rant:

No, I am not a nicer person than you. My patience is wearing super thin.

The $500+ FS is for her, loser babydaddy and toddler. They get WIC checks on top of that.

Background - I flew them out here last week (mom and baby - daddy stayed behind) because my niece is addicted to drugs. I've spent the last week detoxing her at home. So I am not indulgent or tolerant. She had this week and possibly next to detox, then she starts getting her life together. Job, savings, her own place. She can do what she wants but the baby will not leave my house until she's truly ready (ala Dave Ramsey - not that she gets one check and goes and rents a place - I want her to have some preparation for life). So she will probably be with me a couple of months at least.

Like religion, I don't try to talk anyone into couponing. I will show if asked and if they don't follow through, more for me. But while she's with me, she will learn it and take part. What she does when she leaves is her business. But I am going to teach her the ropes and make her do it so when she moves she has a stockpile to start with.

And I am not offended. Trust me, I am Ms. Tough Love. I will give help and guidance all day long while someone is asking and trying. Once they stop, kindness is out the window. I couldn't imagine not being responsible, especially with a baby. Those days are over. Time to put on the big girl panties and get it together.

BluesClues - - Is this something you're familiar with (helping someone detox from drugs?)

[weaselfer]

Jul 1, 2011 16:34:49 GMT -5 sealy said:

OPP $80.75 Saved $159.04 wish my OPP was lower but
it will be soon.

You saved 50%! That's great in my book.

[rubyslippers]

Bluesclues: Your niece is so fortunate to have someone like you take her under your wing. I hope she appreciates all you are doing for her. God bless you and I will keep you both in my prayers.

Rite Aid: Today I spent $2.09 OOP in 3 transactions. I got the Veet, 2 little kids' sunglasses and eggs. I used $17.00 in VV, MQ's and $2.00 in UPs. I increased my UPs to $4.00 but the best part is, I got a SURVEY CODE!!!

[herekittykitty]

Jul 1, 2011 12:56:12 GMT -5 leanna said:

New Scotch (tape, scissors, etc) coupons. They don't expire until 9/30/11. You can save these to your computer since it's a PDF file:

www.3m.com/brands/scotch/promos/welcomecoupon.pdf

Enjoy

Thanks Leanna! I love me some "freap" tape! ;D

[herekittykitty]

Jul 1, 2011 16:22:54 GMT -5 sealy said:

a break sounds good to me

I actually got something completely free yipppeee no taxes or anything.
I got a $3 EB from CVS and used it to buy oreos. That was before I read
that I should use my EBs for basics well i'm still crawling thank you all so
much for helping us newbies.

Hey, Oreos can be a basic, especially if you eat them with milk!!

[bluecluessubtlety]

Leanna, specifically detoxing at home, no. Drug addiction, unfortunately yes. Lots of experience in my family. And i have law enforcement training and experience. So I felt like I could tackle it.

Thank you Ruby.

[mizbear]

blues- HUGS. That baby will thank you when they are big enough. Hopefully your niece will too.

[shelly527in]

Jun 30, 2011 12:56:45 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Mom Arrested for Stealing Coupon inserts:

news.yahoo.com/blogs/dallas/denton-couponer-clipped-lifting-newspaper-inserts-135830716.html?bouchon=623,tx

Sybil Hudson sits on her living room floor with a pair of scissors and her coupons. It's what she does hoping to save her family a few dollars.

She's been clipping coupons for the past year, but she never thought it would land her in jail. "I think it's ridiculous. I'm a single mom and I do this to save money," says Hudson as she flips through one coupon after another looking for a deal "Here is one for free toothbrushes."

Hudson, 37, was arrested Monday. Denton Police say it was a case of 'extreme couponing.'

Investigators tell CBS 11 News a witness caught her stealing the Sunday coupon packets from a coin-operated newspaper stand at a Whataburger in Denton. "I have done it before, I have taken newspapers when I was like moving," explains Hudson.

But this time she insists she only took the coupons from the newspapers she bought.Hudson was originally ticketed for theft under $50, but then the charge was upgraded. "I stayed in jail for 24 hours over I still don't know what I the charge is," says Hudson.

She's charged with Fraudulent Destruction or Removal or Concealment of writing for taking more coupon inserts than she purchased. "As silly as it may sound to us or a common person it's still a serious charge," says Officer Ryan Grelle with the Denton Police Department "In Denton you can face serious charges."

If convicted Hudson could face up to a year in jail and $4,000 fine. Hudson is planning on fighting it. "What a waste of somebody — taxpayers money is what I'm thinking," says Hudson.

She hopes to fight it with what she saves clipping her coupons.

The newspaper distributor says he can't sell the newspaper without the coupon inserts. Denton Police say several distributors have reported a spike in coupon thefts in the last several months.

WOW. She is so non-nonchalant about it.

Newspaper makes a good point about not being able to sell papers without inserts.

Wow! Good thing I buy newspapers from inside the store to make sure coupons are in the papers.

[dancinmama]

Jul 1, 2011 16:34:49 GMT -5 sealy said:

OPP $80.75 Saved $159.04 wish my OPP was lower but
it will be soon.

sealy: Rome wasn't built in a day!! I am looking forward to following your posts in the future.

[shelly527in]

Jul 1, 2011 9:13:37 GMT -5 ooty1234 said:

Jul 1, 2011 8:43:40 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

Ranting vent ahead. My niece is staying with me due to her poor choices in life. No job, baby in tow. What a prime candidate for hounding right? I haven't pushed bc I know how people feel about coupons. I figured I would lead by example. So we go shopping and I get my $119.23 shopping down to $27.23 oop. That is buying lots of extras since I have a house full of guests right now. Cashier and two customers were full of awe and praise. My niece proudly proclaims how she gets $500+ in food stamps and doesn't need to coupon; she just swipes her card. I wanted to slap her. Food stamps is nothing to be ashamed of. But it shouldn't make one puff out with pride either. I responded if I had that much in FS I would still shop with coupons and at the end of the month back my trunk up to the food bank full of donations for needy people who maybe couldn't get FS bc other selfish people took advantage. I just want to shake people like her.

Blue: O-M-G!!! I would have been furious! I just don't understand how some people are "ok" with a life of "just enough" Yes, FS will get you "just enough" food for the month, and public assistance (welfare) will get you a roof over your head....for awhile. But to not want more out of life just baffles me? It was never meant to be a way of life, and yet generation after generation make it their life!
I have cousins who, while in H.S., couldn't wait to get pregnant so they could get welfare and a place of their own. I was horrified! Really? I couldn't wait to get a real job and buy my own house! I never wanted to have a life where I was dependent on somebody else to take care of me.

WOW on both accounts!!

[dancinmama]

On my way home from Costco, I was able to pick up a dozen bottles of KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce a Raley's/Nob Hill for free. While I was there, I also picked up (3) jars of Mt. Olive bread and butter pickles @ $1/jar. They are on sale for $2.50 ea. I used a $.75/1 MC (6/26 SS) AND the register took another $.75/1 automatically with an EZ pic coupon.

I don't know ANYTHING about these EZ pic coupons. I read about the deal on myfrugaladventures and I needed bread and butter pickles, so I decided to give it a try.

If you didn't get the Mt. Olive coupons, I had also read that a lot of the jars had $.75/1 hangtags on them, but there were none to be found at my store, otherwise I may have picked up a couple more jars.

I'm on my last $.29 jar that I got at the Grocery Outlet a while back.

[sealy]

thanks dancinmama that's true it took a long time to make Rome.

leanna and herekittykitty My babies love oreos and milk so it was a good buy.

weaselfer I never even looked at it that way. I was only thinking about how much I spent. My stockpile is growing.

thank you all for your support and positive attitude and outlook.

s

[marvholly]

Jul 1, 2011 12:56:12 GMT -5 leanna said:

New Scotch (tape, scissors, etc) coupons. They don't expire until 9/30/11. You can save these to your computer since it's a PDF file:

www.3m.com/brands/scotch/promos/welcomecoupon.pdf

Enjoy

I am downloading & saving this coupon for the back to school sales. Should make for FREE or REAL cheap office supplies.

I have a $5 off at Super Cuts pdf (exp 7/31) and another pdf for polygrip products (buy for my Dad) saved if anyone wants/needs.

[973beachbum]

dancinmama wrote: "Just kidding. Costco."

Rats! They can't sell liquor in anything but a liquor store here in NJ. Not that there is a Costco withing a couple of hours either.

I did get a bottle of 1.75L of Svedka yesterday though. the lady handed me a rebate for the bottle I bought for $21.99. It says that If I buy a small bottle of any flavor vodka also, I will get a $10 rebate. I am pretty sure they were $10.79 so that means I have to do it right?

[dancinmama]

Jul 2, 2011 8:18:53 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

dancinmama wrote: "Just kidding. Costco."

Rats! They can't sell liquor in anything but a liquor store here in NJ. Not that there is a Costco withing a couple of hours either.

I did get a bottle of 1.75L of Svedka yesterday though. the lady handed me a rebate for the bottle I bought for $21.99. It says that If I buy a small bottle of any flavor vodka also, I will get a $10 rebate. I am pretty sure they were $10.79 so that means I have to do it right?

Only if you want cheap vodka!! ;D

[973beachbum]

Jul 2, 2011 8:31:21 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jul 2, 2011 8:18:53 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

dancinmama wrote: "Just kidding. Costco."

Rats! They can't sell liquor in anything but a liquor store here in NJ. Not that there is a Costco withing a couple of hours either.

I did get a bottle of 1.75L of Svedka yesterday though. the lady handed me a rebate for the bottle I bought for $21.99. It says that If I buy a small bottle of any flavor vodka also, I will get a $10 rebate. I am pretty sure they were $10.79 so that means I have to do it right?

Only if you want cheap vodka!! ;D

Who doesn't want cheap vodka?

[dancinmama]

Jul 1, 2011 21:28:16 GMT -5 sealy said:

thanks dancinmama that's true it took a long time to make Rome.

sealy: You're off to a good start and it will only get better as you fine tune your couponing skills.