THÊ JÚLY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE

[sealy]

Went to CVS

Trans #1 OOP $3.28 saved $2 plus got an ECB for $2

Trans #2 OOP $20.63 saved $47.42 probably could have gotten a better deal on the cascade if I would have waited but I now have enough probably for the rest of the year.

Trans #3 OPP $3.69 saved $12

Trans #4 had to do this one because I read the coupon wrong. I thought it was a BOGO for body wash but it actually was buy body get spray for free

OPP $5.16 saved $15.76

total saved 77.18

s

[munjoyhill]

Good morning.

This morning I was cleaning up around my kitchen and I have two baskets where I just toss things if I don't know what to do with them, then take a few minutes here and there to go through them.

I was sorting through one of the baskets and found a strip of four coupons that I received in a package of Swiffer products -- I had opened the package a few months ago, just tossed them in the basket (and promptly forgot about them) and found them today, and luckily they don't expire until 12/31/11! Yes!

Does anyone know of any deals on Swiffer products? I'll be needing some in a month or so.

Thanks!

[marvholly]

Well, I just went back and checked the inserts for ALL of June and could not find the Claussen coupon either. Sorry, it must have been a printable that is no longer available.

[suziq38]

Hi
I haven't done much hounding, but I had t get rid of some ECB's yesterday because they were expiring.

I bought:
Hershey air candy bar $1.19
Oral B toothbrushes $3.00 each (2)
2 Biolage hair sprays $2.12 each (75% off )

Total: $1.19 + $6.00 (2) + $4.24 = $11.43
+ $1.05 tax = $12.48

Minus: $1.19 (CRT for the candy bar ~ free), - $4.00 for the $2.00 each toothbrush MQ's , - $3.00 for 2 regular sized Biolage (peelie on smaller travel sized biolage)

Balance is $4.29

Paid with $3.00 worth of EB's

New balance was $1.29, cleared out with a GC.

I received $2.00 in EB's for the toothbrushes.

I lost $1.00 in EB's plus the little bit on the GC, but I was able to get a fair amount of stuff for my stockpile AND recycle my expiring EB's.

I have 4 cards, one for each member of my family, so it is sometimes hard to keep track of it all, LOL.

My family relies on me to get their stockpiles at their apartments adequate.

[dancinmama]

Jul 6, 2011 7:53:08 GMT -5 munjoyhill said:

Good morning.

This morning I was cleaning up around my kitchen and I have two baskets where I just toss things if I don't know what to do with them, then take a few minutes here and there to go through them.

I was sorting through one of the baskets and found a strip of four coupons that I received in a package of Swiffer products -- I had opened the package a few months ago, just tossed them in the basket (and promptly forgot about them) and found them today, and luckily they don't expire until 12/31/11! Yes!

Does anyone know of any deals on Swiffer products? I'll be needing some in a month or so.

Thanks!

munjoyhill: IF you have a CVS, they have had the refills on sale for $4 (pads, liquid) fairly regularly (rock bottom for me). The last time they also offered a $3 EB (I think it was) if you bought $10 worth of products.

[nickyleey]

Jul 6, 2011 10:24:21 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jul 6, 2011 7:53:08 GMT -5 munjoyhill said:

Good morning.

This morning I was cleaning up around my kitchen and I have two baskets where I just toss things if I don't know what to do with them, then take a few minutes here and there to go through them.

I was sorting through one of the baskets and found a strip of four coupons that I received in a package of Swiffer products -- I had opened the package a few months ago, just tossed them in the basket (and promptly forgot about them) and found them today, and luckily they don't expire until 12/31/11! Yes!

Does anyone know of any deals on Swiffer products? I'll be needing some in a month or so.

Thanks!

munjoyhill: IF you have a CVS, they have had the refills on sale for $4 (pads, liquid) fairly regularly (rock bottom for me). The last time they also offered a $3 EB (I think it was) if you bought $10 worth of products.

I have a decent stockpile of swiffer wetjet refill pads, but I think that when those run out, I'll make my own reusable ones. It can be as simple as wrapping an old dish cloth or t-shirt around the bottom of the wetjet or perhaps I can cut up an old absorbent towel and sew some elastic around the edge to make a more fitted cloth. Then I can just throw it in washer when I'm done. It should work in a pinch until I can get more refill pads for freap or MM, which may be awhile considering the rate of inflation and stores cutting back on deals.

For the swiffer liquid, I've found that it attracts ants and also makes my floor sticky. What do they put in it, sugar? I prefer to make my own solution of vinegar and water and a few drops of dish soap and I just spray it on the floor before using the swiffer. That way, no ants, no stickiness and I'm more comfortable with DD getting exposed to vinegar/water solution compared to chemicals when playing on the floor.

[leanna]

This is how cheap I am...

I love that when I get free samples in the mail, they sometimes come in a padded envelope. At this moment I am re-using my latest padded envelope (after ripping off the labels) to send a gift to my Father-in-law. I love not paying for padded envelopes. lol

[dancinmama]

Jul 6, 2011 12:26:13 GMT -5 leanna said:

This is how cheap I am...

I love that when I get free samples in the mail, they sometimes come in a padded envelope. At this moment I am re-using my latest padded envelope (after ripping off the labels) to send a gift to my Father-in-law. I love not paying for padded envelopes. lol

leanna: Were we sisters in another life? I do the EXACT same thing.

I think we're being "thrifty". In addition to that, we're recycling which is good for the environment.

[dancinmama]

Jul 6, 2011 11:07:09 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

I have a decent stockpile of swiffer wetjet refill pads, but I think that when those run out, I'll make my own reusable ones.

For the swiffer liquid, I've found that it attracts ants and also makes my floor sticky. What do they put in it, sugar? I prefer to make my own solution of vinegar and water and a few drops of dish soap and I just spray it on the floor before using the swiffer. That way, no ants, no stickiness and I'm more comfortable with DD getting exposed to vinegar/water solution compared to chemicals when playing on the floor.

nickyleey: Were you able to use the P&G coupon booklet to buy yours? I have a ton of the pads stockpiled now. I did not stockpile as much of the liquid cleaner for the same reason - it seems to leave a residue. When I first started using Swiffer they had a separate product specifically for wood floors; now it seems that they are selling a multi-surface product and I do not think it is as good. When my liquid stockpile is gone, I think I'll copy your suggestion.

[babss74]

Leanna , Dancin'

We just might have been triplets! I do that all the time, good for the enviroment and good for the purse lol! If I can't use them at home I use them to ship things like keys and touch up paint at work.

[bluecluessubtlety]

Hound Alert: This is a Target IP. I've reached my limit. If you're able to print and scan to me that would be great.

Kroger Cheese 6-8 oz. 2/$3
$1/2 Market Pantry Cheese Target coupon
= $0.99 ea. wyb 2

[sealy]

www.facebook.com/Quaker?sk=app_162086303857861

free sample

[nickyleey]

Jul 6, 2011 12:47:15 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jul 6, 2011 11:07:09 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

I have a decent stockpile of swiffer wetjet refill pads, but I think that when those run out, I'll make my own reusable ones.

For the swiffer liquid, I've found that it attracts ants and also makes my floor sticky. What do they put in it, sugar? I prefer to make my own solution of vinegar and water and a few drops of dish soap and I just spray it on the floor before using the swiffer. That way, no ants, no stickiness and I'm more comfortable with DD getting exposed to vinegar/water solution compared to chemicals when playing on the floor.

nickyleey: Were you able to use the P&G coupon booklet to buy yours? I have a ton of the pads stockpiled now. I did not stockpile as much of the liquid cleaner for the same reason - it seems to leave a residue. When I first started using Swiffer they had a separate product specifically for wood floors; now it seems that they are selling a multi-surface product and I do not think it is as good. When my liquid stockpile is gone, I think I'll copy your suggestion.

I did use Q's from the P&G booklets. I think I got a few boxes from a CVS deal (probably a $3 ECB when you buy $10) but I also remember finding some on clearance somewhere (Target?) and the Q made them very cheap. I have over 4 boxes of them, but hard floors don't take up alot of square footage in our house, so I can use a whole pad for the whole house. I hate spending money on house-cleaning supplies when old towels, vinegar/water, baking soda, and elbow grease work just as well. I don't even find those things any less convenient to use, so I personally don't care to spend alot of OOP on anything else. The only exception is Clorox (or Lysol) wipes, which I found convenient for cleaning up DD's diaper pail and changing table after a messy diaper. I still have a nice stockpile of those from deals at Walmart and Harris Teeter.

Leanna - I reuse padded envelopes too! I also reuse shipping boxes, even if they have another store logo all over them. Just rip off the shipping label and put another one (that I usually make out of the back of an old envelope) on top of it.

[saveinla]

Hi Ladies,

Back from vacation and just got caught up. Hope everyone is fine. Had a great time and got to meet all my cousins living on the east coast, but I am too tired to even think of any deals. I have a couple of things to get at RA, but I think I can skip CVS this week. Glad to see that there's not too much to do this week.

[dancinmama]

Jul 6, 2011 18:12:58 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Hi Ladies,

Back from vacation and just got caught up. Hope everyone is fine. Had a great time and got to meet all my cousins living on the east coast, but I am too tired to even think of any deals. I have a couple of things to get at RA, but I think I can skip CVS this week. Glad to see that there's not too much to do this week.

saveinla: WELCOME HOME!! Hope you had a most excellent vacation.

[dancinmama]

This message has been deleted.

[saveinla]

Jul 6, 2011 19:09:14 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jul 6, 2011 18:12:58 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Hi Ladies,

Back from vacation and just got caught up. Hope everyone is fine. Had a great time and got to meet all my cousins living on the east coast, but I am too tired to even think of any deals. I have a couple of things to get at RA, but I think I can skip CVS this week. Glad to see that there's not too much to do this week.

saveinla: WELCOME HOME!! Hope you had a most excellent vacation.

I did. Thanks dancinmama. Met a lot of people who I have not seen in a few years and met all their families too. It was a lot of fun ;D
I just finished reading the stockpile thread and as usual it was very entertaining. I don't know why people who don't stockpile would even start answering since the question was related only to stockpiles . All the ladies from here had excellent points as always, but you know how close minded people are. Oh well, more stock for us

[leanna]

Well, I should have figured all you gals on here would do the same recycling as I do! It just seems like such a waste to throw packaging in the garbage, when it can be re-used.

My husband's family is great about re-using gift bags. We've had the same gift bags circulating throughout the family for quite a number of years now. Of course, I also, flatten out & re-use the tissue paper, which I KNOW all of you do as well.

[dancinmama]

Jul 6, 2011 19:15:04 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Jul 6, 2011 19:09:14 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

saveinla: WELCOME HOME!! Hope you had a most excellent vacation.

I did. Thanks dancinmama. Met a lot of people who I have not seen in a few years and met all their families too. It was a lot of fun ;D
I just finished reading the stockpile thread and as usual it was very entertaining. I don't know why people who don't stockpile would even start answering since the question was related only to stockpiles . All the ladies from here had excellent points as always, but you know how close minded people are. Oh well, more stock for us

saveinla: Did you open the link to the WSJ article 'Doing The Math On Coupons?' In all these "discussions" regarding coupons, I always stress how you can use a $1 bill or you can use a $1 coupon to pay for something and how the $1 coupon is so much better because you pay no payroll taxes or federal/state income taxes on it.

I have bookmarked the article and now EVERY SINGLE TIME the naysayers come out, I'm going to post a link to the article. ;D

[saveinla]

Jul 6, 2011 20:33:07 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jul 6, 2011 19:15:04 GMT -5 saveinla said:

I did. Thanks dancinmama. Met a lot of people who I have not seen in a few years and met all their families too. It was a lot of fun ;D
I just finished reading the stockpile thread and as usual it was very entertaining. I don't know why people who don't stockpile would even start answering since the question was related only to stockpiles . All the ladies from here had excellent points as always, but you know how close minded people are. Oh well, more stock for us

saveinla: Did you open the link to the WSJ article 'Doing The Math On Coupons?' In all these "discussions" regarding coupons, I always stress how you can use a $1 bill or you can use a $1 coupon to pay for something and how the $1 coupon is so much better because you pay no payroll taxes or federal/state income taxes on it.

I have bookmarked the article and now EVERY SINGLE TIME the naysayers come out, I'm going to post a link to the article. ;D

Yep. I have read that article a couple of times and also discussed it with my DH a couple of times to show him how it helps since it's not taxed.
I spoke with one of my cousins last week and she told me that she has also taken up couponing. Since she is a SAHM expecting a second child, she was hoping for good diaper deals. She does only CVS for now and was proud to show me her ECBs. I was really happy that I have someone to discuss the deals with IRL too.

[leanna]

I thought I was done w/RA for the week. But a friend told me about the sale on John Frieda, which I somehow neglected to notice. I love Frizz Ease products - they're my fave.

Purchases:

1 Frizz Ease Conditioner $6.49
1 Frizz Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist $3.24 (B1G1 1/2)
1 RA Tissues (10% discount) = .35

SubTotal = $10.08
(Note: We have no sales tax where I live.)

Less:
(2) $2 John Frieda mq's (SS 6/5/11)

Total: $6.08
Paid with $5 UP from Gillette Fusion Razor from earlier in the week and $1 RA VV q (good on anything) and a whole 8 cents OOP.

I received a $5 UP so, I paid .08 for 2 Frizz Ease items.



If you've already used your $1 RA anything VV, then it would be $1.08 for 2 Frizz Ease items, which is still great. But, I was being very cheap, because I have so much shampoo, conditioner & hair items. It's hard for me to part with my cash when I've got free stuff.

Side Note: I should have used other UPS that I have that will expire 7/16, rather than the $5 UP that I gave, which wasn't expiring until 7/23. But I was thinking in sort of straightforward terms - change one $5 up for another.

[bluecluessubtlety]

Yes I flatten the tissue paper and reuse. And we all regift the gift bags.

[suziq38]

Jul 4, 2011 23:37:44 GMT -5 sealy said:

Welcome back Suzi!

Thank you, Sealy!

[debinwa]

Jul 6, 2011 11:07:09 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Jul 6, 2011 10:24:21 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

For the swiffer liquid, I've found that it attracts ants and also makes my floor sticky. What do they put in it, sugar? I prefer to make my own solution of vinegar and water and a few drops of dish soap and I just spray it on the floor before using the swiffer. That way, no ants, no stickiness and I'm more comfortable with DD getting exposed to vinegar/water solution compared to chemicals when playing on the floor.

In case you haven't seen them, there are some great videos on youtube showing how to open the swiffer cleaner bottles to refill with your own cleaning mix. Basically, you submerge the bottle top in very hot water for a minute or two, and then it can be unscrewed with a little force. Before replacing, use an exacto knife to cut the little plastic tabs inside the bottle top, so it can be opened more easily the next time. If anybody is interested, I can probably find the videos...

[debinwa]

Jul 6, 2011 7:57:47 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Well, I just went back and checked the inserts for ALL of June and could not find the Claussen coupon either. Sorry, it must have been a printable that is no longer available.

I haven't seen any manufacturer's coupons for Claussen's pickles either, but Target has a $1/1 printable on their website. Not sure what their price is.

[dancinmama]

Jul 7, 2011 1:19:24 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Jul 6, 2011 11:07:09 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Jul 6, 2011 10:24:21 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

For the swiffer liquid, I've found that it attracts ants and also makes my floor sticky. What do they put in it, sugar? I prefer to make my own solution of vinegar and water and a few drops of dish soap and I just spray it on the floor before using the swiffer. That way, no ants, no stickiness and I'm more comfortable with DD getting exposed to vinegar/water solution compared to chemicals when playing on the floor.

In case you haven't seen them, there are some great videos on youtube showing how to open the swiffer cleaner bottles to refill with your own cleaning mix. Basically, you submerge the bottle top in very hot water for a minute or two, and then it can be unscrewed with a little force. Before replacing, use an exacto knife to cut the little plastic tabs inside the bottle top, so it can be opened more easily the next time. If anybody is interested, I can probably find the videos...

debinwa: I would definitely be interested - only if it's not too much trouble.

[constanz22]

The swiffer pads and refills are on sale for 3.99 at Rite Aid this week.

[frugalsuz]

The Jergens deal at Rite Aid is working now. Buy two 2 oz tubes of Jergens Natural Glow lotion (travel section) for $2.49 each ($1.99 with 20% discount) and you'll get back a $5 UP. The limit on the deal is two, so you can buy four bottles and get back a $10 UP - about a $2 profit. There's also a $1 coupon here: www.jergens.com/promotions/default.aspx (complete the glow survey)

[munjoyhill]

Thanks Constanz for the Swiffer info at Rite-Aid. For some reason I haven't yet ventured into RA, I think where I am still new at this I didn't want to overwhelm myself. I am now routinely going to CVS (and will check out the refills at $4.00), and once in a while to Walgreens.

For the Swiffer products, I also noticed that they leave my floor a bit sticky, so what I do is after I mop it I wash out the swiffer cloth, then wash it again with just plain water. I know it sounds like I duplicate it, but I only have the kitchen & bathroom floors to mop, so it doesn't take me long at all.

What I use regularly are the dusters and refills, I really like those.

[nickyleey]

Jul 7, 2011 9:58:45 GMT -5 munjoyhill said:

What I use regularly are the dusters and refills, I really like those.

Now the dusters are pretty awesome!! But I guess my duster stockpile should last me awhile considering I hardly ever dust.