THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[suziq38]

On behalf of Dancinmama and all of the gals here, WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge from me - Suzi Q!

This is the new change to our thread in response to many of you that requested that our thread be shorter and easier to follow. We will now create a new thread every month. We hope you like this change!
Please look through the last pages of January's thread if you wish. There are also some good deals posted.
Remember, this thread is not meant for you to read ALL of the pages. The information is fast and good, so just a few pages will do.
if you have repeated a question, one of us will just repeat the answer, or help you.
Everyone loves to help.

I have copied Dancinmama's message to you from January, 2011, when we started posting on Proboards:

If you have never clipped a coupon, or even if you have been using coupons for years, we'd love to have you join us. We are a crazy, fun-loving, and very friendly group of gals just chatting with one another about how to save big money using coupons. We are willing to help anyone, at any level, in any way that we can.

Don't think that you have to read through the pages and pages of posts to join in - most of it will be old, out-of-date information anyway. Just go to the last page of the thread and introduce yourself. Tell us what area of the country you're from and where you shop (grocery stores, national chain stores, Target, WalMart, etc.).

We'd love to have you join us on a regular basis, so don't be shy - just jump right in, have some fun, and save a ton of money in the process!!

NEWBIES/OLDIES: If you post a HOUND ALERT requesting coupons from others, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE also post which insert/where the coupon can be found (Example: 1/2 SS) so that we can find it easily without having to research it ourselves. ALSO, if you need the coupon for a specific deal, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE try to remember to post the deal with your HOUND ALERT so that someone who may have the coupon(s) can decide whether they want/need to do the deal before sending out any of their coupons. THANKS!!

POSTING ABOUT A DEAL / HOT COUPON: Some people get overwhelmed by the number of posts and only have time to skim the posts for the information that they need the most. If you are posting a deal, please post something that makes it stand out like "CVS DEAL ALERT" or if you are posting to tell us that there is a new, hot coupon avaiable, please post something like "$3/1 WHOLLY GUACAMOLE IP ALERT".

We want to make this thread as fun, friendly, and helpful as possible. These suggestions will save EVERYONE a lot of time when they are trying to "catch up" and read through past posts.

Now let's have fun!! [image]

Read more: notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wir&action=display&thread=51#ixzz1CbCcT3dW

[suziq38]

Hi Everyone! Time for bed!
Try to remember to post on this new thread this month and let the January thread go by the wayside, LOL.
I decided to make this thread a few days early because of the way the new sales are. They change every Sunday at the drug stores for most people.

Thanks, ladies.

[ooty1234]

Thanks SuziQ for starting the new thread! Happy hounding!

[carolinagirl]

Yea! I am here and love the idea of a new thread each month. It isnt so overwhelming.

[mercee]

It can be overwhelming...I miss too many posts to me when I'm not around!

Hoping to have fun at WAGS today - I increased my shopping list slightly - 2 transactions - might add more to it, depends on how much time I have to figure at work & the weather.
May stop at Target, but my bubble has been slightly burst - I found a scenario online that mentioned $1/2 Kraft shredded cheese in 1/23 SS, but I don't have those coupons - would have made Kraft shredded cheese at Target a really good deal on top of the $1/2 coupon from Target. *sigh* May have to re-think this one, though $1.50/bag is still pretty good, I suppose.
Have to stop at Copps (grocery) for sure - they have Tombstone on sale 4/$8 or 4/$10 and I have a $2/4 coupon so need to stock up on those - did that on Sat & another coupon spit out at us!
Well, off to get the littlest one ready, sit in car with the girls until the bus comes & head to the gas station & hope to score some coupons! I'll try to post later today some coupons I have to give away (prilosec for sure) - ones that we probably won't ever use....

[munjoyhill]

I have been reading the grocery thread, and was wondering if there is a list of what the abbreviations are? I know CVS, I think WAGS is Walgreens, but there are a lot of others that are used and I just don't know what they are.

thanks.

[frugalsuz]

munjoyhill - here's most of them. If you come across something that's unclear, just ask.

BOGO = Buy One, Get One...(usually free or 50% off)

Catalina = coupon that prints on a Catalina machine after your purchase

CRT/Cash Register Tape = CVS coupon that prints from the scanner machines or on the bottom of your receipt

CRS = an extremely common, yet rarely formally diagnosed ailment - Can't Remember Shit!!

EB = Extra Bucks (CVS) - use like cash on your next purchase

FAR = Free After Rebate

Filler = item purchased to bring your total to a certain amount or purchased so that you have the right number of items to match up to the number of coupons you're using

GM = General Mills coupon insert

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

MBG = Money Back Guarantee

MIR = Mail In Rebate

Moneymaker = deal where your OOP expense is lower than what you'll get back in EB's, RR's, rebates, etc. Essentially, you're making money.

OOP = Out of Pocket

Overage = using a coupon for more than the purchase amount of the item, ie. $2 item and $3 Q = $1 overage

NBPR/NWPR = No Beer/Wine Purchase Required

PSA = Prices Start At

Q = Coupon

P&G = Proctor & Gamble coupon insert

RA = RiteAid

Rinse and Repeat = doing the same sale over and over
RP = Red Plum Coupon Insert

RR = Register Rewards at Walgreens, use like cash on your next purchase (sort of -- its actually a manufacturer's coupon that you can use to buy almost anything in the store)

SCR = Single Check Rebate at RiteAid (their rebate program)

SS = Smart Source Coupon Insert

TMF = Try Me Free

UP+ Reward = RA money that prints at the bottom of your receipt for buying qualifying items. Can be used on most things in the store.

WAG = Walgreens

WYB = When You Buy

[gawgagranny]

Frugalsuz, thanks for the vocabulary list--just for that, I threw a karma your way!

Don't know about everyone else, but CRS is definitely a factor these days for me....

[misspt]

Yay! Frugalsuz, I was thinking about putting the abbreviations on the first page of this new thread, I'm glad you did it!

[misspt]

Kraft with touch of philly cream cheese printable:
bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=ya5gdbt45145147&bt=vg&o=80724&pt=&lang=&ws=&ct=&ci=&cl=&cp=&eb=1&c=KR&p=232833300&z=&r=&pc=&tc=

[mercee]

Didn't get ANY papers from the gas station this morning. Will stop there this coming Sunday & talk to whomever is working & see if we can strike a deal or something. LOL

Did alright at WAGS this morning. Did 2 transactions & spent OOP around $2. I can type up the scenarios later if anyone's interested. One involved Herbal Essance shampoo & the other involved the icy hot & colgate toothpaste.
Bought 5 papers there - had to pay full price ($2/each), but figured for $10 OOP, there were enough coupons to make up for that easily. Was a little disappointed that papers weren't discounted (since one woman said they would probably be $1 or $0.75, but she wasn't 100% sure since they kept changing the policy on them). I didn't want to use any RR on the papers.

[dancinmama]

Jan 31, 2011 8:59:23 GMT -5 munjoyhill said:

I have been reading the grocery thread, and was wondering if there is a list of what the abbreviations are? I know CVS, I think WAGS is Walgreens, but there are a lot of others that are used and I just don't know what they are.

thanks.

munjoyhill: WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge from me - dancinmama!! We love the fact that you came out of lurking mode, but we'd much rather have you as a regular poster!! Please come join the fun often.

[jkscott]

Hooray for the new thread! The other one was getting intimidating after missing it for 2 days. Im all caught up now!

The 1/30 sunday paper had 4 coupon inserts! I also got my hands on another one so 8 coupon inserts for me yesterday! Planning on grocery shopping today or tomorrow so Ill be posting on my total savings soon.

HAVE A GREAT MONEY MAKING MONDAY!

[herekittykitty]

Thanks for the reminder, everyone...I would have been hanging around January going "Where did everybody go?!"

[ohmomto2boys]

Good Monday Morning!
I totally screwed up Rite Aid yesterday, not totally, but I have to return a couple things today. Oh well - live and learn!
Winter is still here in Ohio - unfortunately. Supposed to get dumped on again, but we'll see.
Take care everyone!

[mandyms]

Ohmom, are you on the east side of the state? I'm in NW and everyone's freaking out...can't imagine what they're calling for over there...

[bobbysgirl]

If you are getting the BOGO Stayfree at RA this week, you can find a 1.00 Q on my blog. Don't ya love it! www.angiesfrugalhouse.blogspot.com

[bluecluessubtlety]

Smartphone Apps
I gave in bought a Droid. I already downloaded the barcode app (you scan a barcode and it tells you what other stores or websites have it and for how much.

What other apps do you guys use for couponing?

Is there one with a coupon database? That's what I really need so when I see a clearance I can check for a Q on the spot. I figure if I keep my boxes of Qs in the car, I won't miss out on good deals anymore.

[bobbysgirl]

Oh and there's a Zyrtec Q there too.
6.00 off 2

[ohmomto2boys]

mandyms - Yes, I'm on the east side....about an hour south of Cleveland so I don't think we will see as much as them. Looks like it is going to spread out so the snow trucks should be able to keep up.

[FreeSalsa]

Oooh! Did I make it onto page one???

Was it BluesClues that asked about a coupon database? There's one on hot coupon world dot com and it is very helpful. I am super low tech so I don't use apps but I know some of the ladies do to look up coupons while they are in the store.

FreeSalsa: What do you mean the Coricidin and Afrin UPs are fixed?

Sorry, I forgot who asked, but there were reports that these UPs were printing with a very short expiration date on Friday when the SoCal sale started. By Saturday in SoCal it was fixed and they were printing the longer date, same as the other UPs.

Dancin, thanks for posting the Skippy deal at CVS, I'm on my last jar. I'll try to run out at lunch to get some. I hope they have 9 in stock! If not, I'll get a rain check!

Dancin/Suzi, great page one intro! I'm not sure who wrote what but it's very informative and welcoming.

Happy Hounding, Ladies!

[murphath]

debinwa:
Turning in the $50 was definitely the right thing to do. You made that person's day. I once left my canvas bag in a shopping cart. It's my portable coupon warchest and has all my RR's, EB's, Ups, q's etc. I'd hate to start over. When I went back, some wonderful angel had turned it in.

dancin and suziq: I'll keep looking for the Neurogen this week. I'm just happy I didn't buy the wrong size!

[murphath]

dancin:
:oAlmost forgot--re Dreyers/Edys ice cream. There's still 6 RA shopping days left to succumb to temptation! I'm trying to keep my girlish hips!

[redwagon]

Oh, thank god. I'd given up on January haha.

I did grocery shopping and used some coupons and that was fun. Not at free food yet, but I'm pleased to be saving money. I went into King Kullen, where Friendship sour cream was on sale for 99 cents for the 16oz. I had an internet coupon for $1 off 2. KK doubles coupons. The register came up with $0.00 due and the clerk was so confused. I explained that it was on sale for 99 cents and they double coupons, and so free sour cream! He asked if I wanted a reciept, because he'd have to get a manager to do an override and I just said, no thanks! And skipped out of there. I think the people behind me were in awe. Felt great!

Hound Alert: I don't know how the coupon wishlist actually works, but I signed up for the Fancy Feast coupons, if anyone has extras. In the RedPlum#2.

alphayankee - I can send you most of those coupons you signed up for, if not all, if you give me your address.

Is that how this works? Or is there a database of addresses so people know where to send their extras?

[dancinmama]

Jan 31, 2011 11:47:35 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Dancin, thanks for posting the Skippy deal at CVS, I'm on my last jar. I'll try to run out at lunch to get some. I hope they have 9 in stock! If not, I'll get a rain check!

FreeSalsa (aka Hot Tamale ;D): Since that post is on the other January thread, I think it's worth a rinse and repeat. Thanks for the reminder.

CVS SKIPPY PB DEAL ALERT: This is a great deal especially if you have the $1/1 Skippy Qs from the Safeway coupon booklet.

$15.00 (9) Skippy @ 3/$5
- 9.00
6.00 OOP --> $5EB when you buy $15 worth

Final Price after EB: 9/$1

[hopetoberich]

Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:

RA.

Clairol Natural Instincts 75% off.
Selected colors only. $2.24-$2 in add coupon
.24 cents a box

[mawmawandlovingit]

Jan 31, 2011 12:56:43 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jan 31, 2011 11:47:35 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Dancin, thanks for posting the Skippy deal at CVS, I'm on my last jar. I'll try to run out at lunch to get some. I hope they have 9 in stock! If not, I'll get a rain check!

FreeSalsa (aka Hot Tamale ;D): Since that post is on the other January thread, I think it's worth a rinse and repeat. Thanks for the reminder.

CVS SKIPPY PB DEAL ALERT: This is a great deal especially if you have the $1/1 Skippy Qs from the Safeway coupon booklet.

$15.00 (9) Skippy @ 3/$5
- 9.00
6.00 OOP --> $5EB when you buy $15 worth

Final Price after EB: 9/$1

Beware: These Skippy Safeway coupons beep TERRIBLY....had a cashier actually tell me that she could push one through but CVS rule was to only accept ONE like MQ. WTH, I told her she was wrong and to void my order, she pushed them through "this one time" BS alert!!

[constanz22]

Jan 31, 2011 13:19:39 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:Deal Alert:

RA.

Clairol Natural Instincts 75% off.
Selected colors only. $2.24-$2 in add coupon
.24 cents a box

I just went at lunch and got the Perfect 10 that was free with $3 MC. I saw there were a bunch more on sale! Shoot, didn't even think to look for the in-ad Q!! I'll have to go back, they had a ton that were 75% off and I only had one Q with me for the Perfect 10! Thanks!

[mercee]

Quick Question (I think I'll be known for always typing that when I start - LOL)

WAGS - the Gillette deal - how much do the refill razors cost? I forgot to look this morn when I was there & am now trying to plan an afternoon trip (I'm heading that way anyway - LOL).

I have a $2 off for guy's refills ($3 off for ladies' refills at home), but WAGS online shows the cost to be $16.99 for guys...that's not worth $2 RR to me.

HELP! I realize the price is probably regional but a good ballpark will help me figure out if I should get the refills or not (& to know how many RRs I need to pay for this trip - LOL).

[mawmawandlovingit]

Just got back from a WONDERFUL RA trip, they actually paid me $20.20 for all of this:

2 - Osteo Bi-flex
2 - K-y warming gel
4 - Stayfree pads
7 - Lay's stax
3 - Hartz Crunch-n-Clean dog treats
1 - Huggies Little Movers
2 - Dixie plates

The K-Y, Dixie plates, Hartz dog treats, and Stayfree were all MM's. This also brought me over the $100 Winter Reward to earn my $20+up

So total oop was $5.80 (including tax) used $12 in ups and got back $38 in ups so a total profit of $20.20 ;D