THÊ JÚLY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE

[nickyleey]

Jul 7, 2011 1:36:15 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

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

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.

Me too!

[nickyleey]

Anyone use a bread machine for making your own bread/rolls, etc? Do you think it's worth the time and money you put into it? We already buy pretty cheap sandwich bread (but I know it's probably not very good for us with all the high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, etc) but I wonder how much time it would take to make my own loaf every week. I know it would taste better (assuming I do it right!).

[emhalf]

Jul 7, 2011 10:39:23 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

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.

I noticed that Staples had imitation swiffer dusters and refills in their dollar section when I was there recently. I don't know about the quality, but I might check them out next time I have rewards to burn.

I am a dusting slacker too.

[frugalsuz]

Jul 7, 2011 12:37:16 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Anyone use a bread machine for making your own bread/rolls, etc? Do you think it's worth the time and money you put into it? We already buy pretty cheap sandwich bread (but I know it's probably not very good for us with all the high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, etc) but I wonder how much time it would take to make my own loaf every week. I know it would taste better (assuming I do it right!).

I love my bread machine! It takes about 5 minutes or so to throw the ingredients into the machine and then you set it and let it do its thing. In a couple hours, your bread is done and you just have to slice it. You can use it to make pizza dough, homemade pasta, etc. I'm trying to branch out now and use it for other things too, like rolls and coffee cake. It does all the hard work with the dough and then you just pop the goodies into the oven. Love it!

[constanz22]

Jul 7, 2011 13:26:57 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Jul 7, 2011 12:37:16 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Anyone use a bread machine for making your own bread/rolls, etc? Do you think it's worth the time and money you put into it? We already buy pretty cheap sandwich bread (but I know it's probably not very good for us with all the high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, etc) but I wonder how much time it would take to make my own loaf every week. I know it would taste better (assuming I do it right!).

I love my bread machine! It takes about 5 minutes or so to throw the ingredients into the machine and then you set it and let it do its thing. In a couple hours, your bread is done and you just have to slice it. You can use it to make pizza dough, homemade pasta, etc. I'm trying to branch out now and use it for other things too, like rolls and coffee cake. It does all the hard work with the dough and then you just pop the goodies into the oven. Love it!

I love mine too! I had one that I got rid of several years when I moved, cuz I didn't feel like I used it enough. That was the ONLY thing, out of about 8 million things, that I got rid of when I moved that I missed. I picked one up from a friend who was selling hers in a yard sale last year for $15. I don't use it A LOT, but I love having it, love making fresh bread, etc. I've never made any that could be really used as sandwich bread. It's usually a much more dense kind of bread, but you probably could experiment. I think it's really easy too...just make sure you are vigilant about the ingredients. You HAVE to put them in in the right order and you HAVE to have the liquids at the right temp or 3 hours later you will have a cooked pile of goo

[frugalsuz]

This is a great recipe for rolls that I made over the weekend - allrecipes.com/recipe/bread-machine-rolls/detail.aspx. They're nice and light, unlike bread machine bread which like constanz said can be kinda dense. Delish! Although, it helps if you add in the right amount of yeast. The recipe calls for a 0.25 oz package of yeast. I buy the jars of yeast, but I did have a strip of pizza dough yeast. I checked the package size, saw that it was 0.75 oz and it said on the back that it was 2 1/4 teaspoons worth. So...I divided the 2 1/4 by three and threw in under a tsp of yeast. After making fun of my puny rolls (which still taste great!) my sister asked me what I did. When I showed her the pizza yeast package, she pointed out that the total of the three packages equaled 0.75 oz and EACH was 0.25. So I added a third of the yeast I should have! Oh well, they still taste good to me!

[leanna]

Jul 6, 2011 13:02:43 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

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

BluesClues - I printed & scanned 2 in for you. Now, how do I send it to you?

EDIT: Just realized I had your e-mail address in my msgs, so I sent you the Target IP's to your e-mail. Enjoy!

[weaselfer]

Jul 7, 2011 12:37:16 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Anyone use a bread machine for making your own bread/rolls, etc? Do you think it's worth the time and money you put into it? We already buy pretty cheap sandwich bread (but I know it's probably not very good for us with all the high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, etc) but I wonder how much time it would take to make my own loaf every week. I know it would taste better (assuming I do it right!).

I love mine because I love the bread I make with it. I use it to make the Hillbilly Housewife's honey wheat bread. It disappears so quickly. This bread would be at least $3 at the store but it is denser, but that is what we like about it. My bread machine is going in that the thermostat is off, so I use mine to make the dough and then transfer it to two smaller pans to rise then bake. It is still worth it to me, but I feel that I have to stick around while it bakes. The great thing is higher fiber (but no wood pulp), no preservatives (so it will mold) and I can pronounce everything in it!

[nickyleey]

Jul 7, 2011 13:40:58 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Jul 7, 2011 13:26:57 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

I love my bread machine! It takes about 5 minutes or so to throw the ingredients into the machine and then you set it and let it do its thing. In a couple hours, your bread is done and you just have to slice it. You can use it to make pizza dough, homemade pasta, etc. I'm trying to branch out now and use it for other things too, like rolls and coffee cake. It does all the hard work with the dough and then you just pop the goodies into the oven. Love it!

I love mine too! I had one that I got rid of several years when I moved, cuz I didn't feel like I used it enough. That was the ONLY thing, out of about 8 million things, that I got rid of when I moved that I missed. I picked one up from a friend who was selling hers in a yard sale last year for $15. I don't use it A LOT, but I love having it, love making fresh bread, etc. I've never made any that could be really used as sandwich bread. It's usually a much more dense kind of bread, but you probably could experiment. I think it's really easy too...just make sure you are vigilant about the ingredients. You HAVE to put them in in the right order and you HAVE to have the liquids at the right temp or 3 hours later you will have a cooked pile of goo

Thank you! We don't eat a ton of bread, we do buy sandwich bread, raw pizza dough, english muffins, and occasionally I'll make a coffee cake on the weekends. It would be nice to be able to make cinnamon raisin bread or something for DD in the mornings instead of the normal toast and jelly. I would need to find a recipe for sandwich bread to make it worthwhile, I think, though DH will eat anything!

What brand of breadmakers do you use? Any features you'd recommend for a someone who is baking-challenged like me?

[leanna]

Jul 7, 2011 8:21:03 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

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)

Thanks FrugalSuz for this deal! The coupon was gone, but I didn't mind, because I am just happy to get self-tanner for free!

I really like your blog - I've sent the link to my sister and a friend. It's so great how you just have the "best of" the deals at the 3 major drug stores. It's so helpful for people who are busy.

In case this helps anyone, here's how I did this Jergens deal:

Purchases:

(4) Jergens 2 oz (I have 10% discount - reg price $2.49 ea, disc price $2.24) = $8.96
(1) Kit kat = .50

Total = $9.46
(Used a $5 UP, and (2) $2 Ups to pay plus .46 OOP.)

I added the candy bar, so that I could spend less OOP. And, the husband and I both eat a lot of candy, so this is a normal purchase for us.

Received: (2) $5 Ups (so actually I guess I did make a little proft - .54)

[nickyleey]

Jul 7, 2011 13:13:32 GMT -5 emhalf said:

Jul 7, 2011 10:39:23 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

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

I noticed that Staples had imitation swiffer dusters and refills in their dollar section when I was there recently. I don't know about the quality, but I might check them out next time I have rewards to burn.

I am a dusting slacker too.

Thanks emhalf! I gotta get myself to a Staples to get the cheap tp and use my 75% off coupon on HP paper.
I understand the need to dust, but I never do it unless I walk by something that is exceptionally dusty. DH is a little more anal about it, and he loves those Swiffer dusters. So I figure if I can get him to do the work, I should make it easy for him and supply him with plenty of dusters!

[saveinla]

Jul 7, 2011 15:07:03 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Thanks emhalf! I gotta get myself to a Staples to get the cheap tp and use my 75% off coupon on HP paper.
I understand the need to dust, but I never do it unless I walk by something that is exceptionally dusty. DH is a little more anal about it, and he loves those Swiffer dusters. So I figure if I can get him to do the work, I should make it easy for him and supply him with plenty of dusters!

nickyleey,

Can you tell me where that 75% off Q for paper is from? TIA

[nickyleey]

Jul 7, 2011 15:40:15 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Jul 7, 2011 15:07:03 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Thanks emhalf! I gotta get myself to a Staples to get the cheap tp and use my 75% off coupon on HP paper.
I understand the need to dust, but I never do it unless I walk by something that is exceptionally dusty. DH is a little more anal about it, and he loves those Swiffer dusters. So I figure if I can get him to do the work, I should make it easy for him and supply him with plenty of dusters!

nickyleey,

Can you tell me where that 75% off Q for paper is from? TIA

Sure. I got it from hip2save.com. Here's the link:

hip2save.com/2011/07/staples-75-off-paper-envelopes-more.html

I haven't tried it and I'm not sure if you have to have a Rewards account. I need to find my local Staples so I can get some of these good deals!

[FreeSalsa]

Just driving by to say hello! I still have some stuff in the stockpile but am running out of some things. I had to go to Target last week (I hate Target!) and I spent $75, mostly on stuff I used to get for freap. I can't wait to get back to couponing. I spent $6 on concealer! Ugh! No BOGO coupon or anything. Oh well, another day. Three months to go....

In good news, they had cage-free, organic eggs for $1.80/dozen. I've never seen such a good price! They're usually $3-5 so that made it worth the trip. I've been bragging about it for days. I feel so out of my element spending on wedding things that don't have coupons. It's tough to talk DF into making wedding plans that save money. He's already declared that he wants to stay in the nicest place possible on our honeymoon (i.e. $$$)

My company has some furnished apartments that it's getting rid of and they're letting us have anything in them for free before they sell the rest on e-bay. They'd rather we take it than have to go through the trouble of selling it. So I got three floor lamps and a desk lamp for free. I wish I could take more but we just don't have room.

Miss you ladies!! --Salsa

[saveinla]

Jul 7, 2011 15:47:09 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Jul 7, 2011 15:40:15 GMT -5 saveinla said:

nickyleey,

Can you tell me where that 75% off Q for paper is from? TIA

Sure. I got it from hip2save.com. Here's the link:

hip2save.com/2011/07/staples-75-off-paper-envelopes-more.html

I haven't tried it and I'm not sure if you have to have a Rewards account. I need to find my local Staples so I can get some of these good deals!

Thank you. I have some rewards dollar to spend and need to buy paper and folders. So hopefully this will work.

[bluecluessubtlety]

Thanks Leanna!!

[frugalsuz]

Jul 7, 2011 15:05:06 GMT -5 leanna said:

Jul 7, 2011 8:21:03 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

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)

I really like your blog - I've sent the link to my sister and a friend. It's so great how you just have the "best of" the deals at the 3 major drug stores. It's so helpful for people who are busy.

Thanks so much! ;D

[973beachbum]

HOUND ALERT

If anyone has the B1G1F coupons from last weeks P&G insert for Head and Shoulders and doesn't want them I do.

The only sale going on right now that I know about is CVS has them on sale for 4.99 get $2 ecb limit 1.

It is the only shampoo that DH will use is the reason I want them. Plus it is soooo expensive for shampoo.

I hope everyone has a great day!

[bluecluessubtlety]

Jul 8, 2011 7:58:44 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

HOUND ALERT

If anyone has the B1G1F coupons from last weeks P&G insert for Head and Shoulders and doesn't want them I do.

The only sale going on right now that I know about is CVS has them on sale for 4.99 get $2 ecb limit 1.

It is the only shampoo that DH will use is the reason I want them. Plus it is soooo expensive for shampoo.

I hope everyone has a great day!

I have them but you wouldn't get them by tomorrow. Are you getting rainchecks?

[973beachbum]

Jul 8, 2011 10:07:15 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

Jul 8, 2011 7:58:44 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

HOUND ALERT

If anyone has the B1G1F coupons from last weeks P&G insert for Head and Shoulders and doesn't want them I do.

The only sale going on right now that I know about is CVS has them on sale for 4.99 get $2 ecb limit 1.

It is the only shampoo that DH will use is the reason I want them. Plus it is soooo expensive for shampoo.

I hope everyone has a great day!

I have them but you wouldn't get them by tomorrow. Are you getting rainchecks?

I already did the sale this week with my one coupon. I wanted them because it is the only shampoo that dH will use and it is normally wicked expensive so B1G1F is still way cheaper than normal. And this is something that I would have to buy the next month anyway and this is way better than burning all my ECB's. ;D

That is if you won't use it yourself of course.

[bluecluessubtlety]

Jul 8, 2011 10:21:58 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

Jul 8, 2011 10:07:15 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

I have them but you wouldn't get them by tomorrow. Are you getting rainchecks?

I already did the sale this week with my one coupon. I wanted them because it is the only shampoo that dH will use and it is normally wicked expensive so B1G1F is still way cheaper than normal. And this is something that I would have to buy the next month anyway and this is way better than burning all my ECB's. ;D

That is if you won't use it yourself of course.

I won't. PM me your address and I'll send them. Then hope they're out of stock and go get some rainchecks.

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2011 15:47:09 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Jul 7, 2011 15:40:15 GMT -5 saveinla said:

nickyleey,

Can you tell me where that 75% off Q for paper is from? TIA

Sure. I got it from hip2save.com. Here's the link:

hip2save.com/2011/07/staples-75-off-paper-envelopes-more.html

I haven't tried it and I'm not sure if you have to have a Rewards account. I need to find my local Staples so I can get some of these good deals!

Nickyleey, THANK YOU so much for posting this!

When I printed out the HP coupon I was thinking of picking up a pack of paper because I THOUGHT it would be limited to that. However, I read the comments posted by someone on Hip2Save. Her husband suggested she buy a CASE of paper. So what would have been around $32, she got for 9. That's the deal I'm going to do!

[sealy]

beachbum PM me also and I'll send you mine.

i wish we had a staples near I'd buy a case too

[p8nt]

Hello friends - I've been MIA because I have been playing an online Mafia game. I'm sucked in.
Beachbum - you're welcome to my Head & Shoulders coupons. PM me your address if you want 2 more.

[jdnstl]

sealy - i read that you can price match at office depot or office max with the staples q's!!!

[saveinla]

Jul 8, 2011 14:25:50 GMT -5 @texasjunebaby said:

Jul 7, 2011 15:47:09 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Sure. I got it from hip2save.com. Here's the link:

hip2save.com/2011/07/staples-75-off-paper-envelopes-more.html

I haven't tried it and I'm not sure if you have to have a Rewards account. I need to find my local Staples so I can get some of these good deals!

Nickyleey, THANK YOU so much for posting this!

When I printed out the HP coupon I was thinking of picking up a pack of paper because I THOUGHT it would be limited to that. However, I read the comments posted by someone on Hip2Save. Her husband suggested she buy a CASE of paper. So what would have been around $32, she got for 9. That's the deal I'm going to do!

Thanks nickyleey & texasjunebaby. I was able to buy a case of HP all purpose paper - 34.99 (75% off is 8.75) and one expanding document folder - 15.99 (75% off is 4.00) . Paid with 10$ Staples rewards and 2.99 in cash, including tax. Now I don't need to buy any more paper for a year and hopefully there will be a sale on school bags with 75% off Q that I can use to finish my shopping for the year.

[nickyleey]

Jul 8, 2011 14:25:50 GMT -5 @texasjunebaby said:

Jul 7, 2011 15:47:09 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Sure. I got it from hip2save.com. Here's the link:

hip2save.com/2011/07/staples-75-off-paper-envelopes-more.html

I haven't tried it and I'm not sure if you have to have a Rewards account. I need to find my local Staples so I can get some of these good deals!

Nickyleey, THANK YOU so much for posting this!

When I printed out the HP coupon I was thinking of picking up a pack of paper because I THOUGHT it would be limited to that. However, I read the comments posted by someone on Hip2Save. Her husband suggested she buy a CASE of paper. So what would have been around $32, she got for 9. That's the deal I'm going to do!

No problem!! I just got back from Staple where I also got a case of paper for 8.75. I also got the 16 double roll Charmin basic for 4.99 a pack, which passes the "toilet paper rule" with flying colors since each pack is over 500 sq feet so it's less than 1 cent a square foot. I haven't found tp that cheap in a long time. Also got a 25 pack of CD-R's for DH for $5. He dropped his nearly new ipod last November and destroyed it. So now he just burns the music that he downloads on itunes and listens to the cd's in his car.I thought about getting him a new ipod for his b-day, but I'd really like for us to get iphones in the near future, and it would be silly to have both.

Also picked up some organic cherries from Whole Paycheck for $2.99/lb. Not a bad hounding day at all!

[beyondthered]

Hello Suzi ... Dancinmama and the rest of the gals from the Grocery Challenge !!! I am so happy I finally found you all. You helped me so much when I was going through a tough financial time ... Can't wait to get back in the swing ;D ... Missed you all!!!

[beyondthered]

Jul 7, 2011 10:40:07 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Jul 7, 2011 1:36:15 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

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

Me too!

it works ladies ... I've done it ... I have re-used the same bottle for the last 6 months!!! I refil it with cleaner which and I cut some with water to make sure there is no residue !!! I didn't have to soak mine in hot water either !!! its Great !!! I love it

[dancinmama]

Jul 8, 2011 22:36:41 GMT -5 @beyondthered said:

Hello Suzi ... Dancinmama and the rest of the gals from the Grocery Challenge !!! I am so happy I finally found you all. You helped me so much when I was going through a tough financial time ... Can't wait to get back in the swing ;D ... Missed you all!!!

beyondthered: WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge from me - dancinmama!!

Were you a poster on the old board (sorry, I don't recognize your screen name ) or maybe you were a lurker. In any case, I am so glad that we have been able to help you in the past and am very glad that you've found us over here on ProBoards.

Things are a little slow these days (drug chains pulling back on the freebies/huge MMs), but we're slogging along doing the best that we can to save money for our families.

Please remind us what part of the country you're from and where you shop. It's great to have another gal on board.