THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[jdnstl]

WAGS today...

veripur 3.99
gain dish x3 3.00
dawn dish x2 2.00
oceanspray cranberry pomegranite 2.99
skippy x6 9.00
lipton tes x2 5.00
hellmans lite mayo 2.99
mars candy x6 2.94
subtotal 31.91
less 1.20 (0.60/1 x2 tea)
-.25 (hellmans)
-3.00 (1.00/2 mars candy)
-3.00 (1.00/1 gain)
-2.00 (1.00/1 dawn)
-6.00 (1.00/1 skippy)
used $8 RR from last week
paid 8.46 OOP (no tax either!) received $4 RR (veripure), $5 RR (unilver for skippy, mayo & tea), $1 RR (dishsoap) & $2 RR (oceanspray).
i paid $16.46 including the RR used; got back $12 in RRs so true cost to me is $4.46. the value of everything (including advertised savings) was $55.87, so i had over 92% savings this trip!

[suziq38]

I also thought that the CVS dinner napkins (huge, soft and #40 to a pack) were great for $1.99 (BOGOF).
If you need a "filler" try two of those!

[dogmom]

Don't know about anyone else, but the coupons in the inserts are beginning to look like rinse and repeat. Do you think so too? I don't think I'm burned out, but, same Lysol, same Glade, same Nivea, same Vitamins...Nothing exciting. I guess it's time to do some scouting around. I think the only thing I'm going to get will be at Wags for the $2.00 RR on cranberry juice. (It's something I buy all the time anyway)

[suziq38]

Feb 6, 2011 13:48:48 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

WAGS today...

veripur 3.99
gain dish x3 3.00
dawn dish x2 2.00
oceanspray cranberry pomegranite 2.99
skippy x6 9.00
lipton tes x2 5.00
hellmans lite mayo 2.99
mars candy x6 2.94
subtotal 31.91
less 1.20 (0.60/1 x2 tea)
-.25 (hellmans)
-3.00 (1.00/2 mars candy)
-3.00 (1.00/1 gain)
-2.00 (1.00/1 dawn)
-6.00 (1.00/1 skippy)
used $8 RR from last week
paid 8.46 OOP (no tax either!) received $4 RR (veripure), $5 RR (unilver for skippy, mayo & tea), $1 RR (dishsoap) & $2 RR (oceanspray).
i paid $16.46 including the RR used; got back $12 in RRs so true cost to me is $4.46. the value of everything (including advertised savings) was $55.87, so i had over 92% savings this trip!

WOW, JDNSTL
A 92% savings. Congratulations!

[suziq38]

Feb 6, 2011 13:50:43 GMT -5 dogmom said:

Don't know about anyone else, but the coupons in the inserts are beginning to look like rinse and repeat. Do you think so too? I don't think I'm burned out, but, same Lysol, same Glade, same Nivea, same Vitamins...Nothing exciting. I guess it's time to do some scouting around. I think the only thing I'm going to get will be at Wags for the $2.00 RR on cranberry juice. (It's something I buy all the time anyway)

Dogmom,
If the deals are not good for you, don't buy them.
That is what I do. I take my time and decide if I need the product or not, and what the coupons pay, etc.
Sometimes it works out well, but sometimes I have to "sit out a quarter."
That is Superbowl talk, LOL.

When in doubt, "sit it out," rather than part with your cash.

[jdnstl]

ooty - the kroger mega sale going on now had a few freebies with the right coupons but nothing too exciting. i got a few of those but i mostly stocked chocolate graham cracker goldfish. DS didn't have any for about a month because i told DH "i'm NOT spending $1.75/bag (sale price at target) when they will be on sale for 0.99/bag!!" i bought 25 bags!! i had previously bought 20 bags of the regular cheddar goldfish when they were on sale for 0.88/bag at safeway a couple of weeks ago. now, i need a good sale on francisco rendaldi pasta sauce for DH, we're down to 5 jars!

[hopetoberich]

I am now baking the first batch of cookies that were free at RA today. Betty Crocker deal, but 2 got 1UP on each, + a $2 bonus UP for something. So i have enough to last all year and some for the food bank too. They smell good.
The deal is also for the yellow cake mix but only gave 2 UP's on 2 boxes of Fudge brownies so i had oop on those. All in all, a great deal again from RA.

[mercee]

Took DH & DD5 to WAGS today - did pretty good, though DH wanted the Hershey Mini's & I didn't realize until we got home that I had another $2 off coupon! Oh well, still only spent like $6 OOP on that transaction - I didn't use any RRs since I wasn't going to get any RRs for buying the 2 bags of minis & 4 cans of progressive.

Anyone know how long the candy would last, unopened? Could I freeze it?

[ooty1234]

I guess I found the answer to my own question.

Rite Aid this week, the Finnesse products are 2/6.00 get 5.00 up back, so 2/1.00! No coupons needed. just rinse and repeat. (hhahahaha...I made a funny )

Also the small cans of RA coffee and powdered creamed are almost free again if you print the coupon off slickdeals.

[rubyslippers]

Rite Aid has Scrubbing Bubbles on sale BOBOF @ $3.49. I was lucky enough to print off two $2.00 last week, so a little overage. They were out of the Betty Crocker cookie mixes but got a raincheck. I'm going to help the manager by writing down the best deals from future ads so she knows to order extra. She asked if I would do that. I told her next week's best seller will be the Dove deodorant which is a money maker. Hopefully she'll be able to order extra.

[dancinmama]

OMG, another busy hounding day!!

WAGs
$15.00 (10) Skippy PB
5.99 (1) Arnicare
.20 (1) Valentine Pencil (filler)
.57 Sales Tax
21.76 Subtotal
- 8.00 $8RR (Blink)
- 10.00 (10) $1/1 Skippy (Safeway Coupon Booklet)
- 2.00 Arnicare PDF
1.76 OOP --> $6RR (Arnicare) / $5RR (Skippy)

$44.99 (1) Polo Cologne ($10 off fragrance sale)
.99 (1) Jolly Rancher Chew (should have rung up at .49)
.60 (3) Valentine Pencils
4.22 Sales Tax
50.80 Subtotal
- 30.00 (3) $10RR (Neuragen)
- 16.00 (2) $8RRs (Blink)
4.80 OOP

Rite Aid

My Card
$6.99 Cold Calm (Children's)
5.99 Cold Calm (Adults)
4.99 Revitalens
9.98 (2) Mini Drops
2.00 Sugar Cookie Mix
2.49 Brownie Mix
2.27 Sales Tax
34.71 Subtotal
- 4.00 $4/$20 VV
- 4.00 $1 VV/ $1 VV/ $2 VV
- 1.00 $1/2 Better Crocker VV
- 19.00 UPs
- 2.00 (2) $1/1 Mini Drops IPs
- .40 (1) $.40/1 Better Crocker Cookie Mix IP
- 3.00 (1) $3/1 Children's Cold Calm IP
1.31 OOP--> $25.97 in SCRs / $20 UPs (Winter Rewards) / $2 in other UPs.

On Mom's Card
$6.99 Cold Calm (Children's)
5.99 Cold Calm (Adults)
4.49 Revitalens
9.98 (2) Mini Drops
13.47 (3) Bio True
2.00 Sugar Cookie Mix
2.24 Brownie Mix
3.79 Sales Tax
48.62 Subtotal
- 4.00 $4/$20 VV
- 4.00 $1 VV/ $1 VV/ $2 VV
- 1.00 $1/2 Better Crocker VV
- 31.00 UPs (don't ask me how but the cashier double scanned $5 worth)
- 2.00 (2) $1/1 Mini Drops IPs
- .40 (1) $.40/1 Better Crocker Cookie Mix IP
- 3.00 (3) $1/1 BioTrue (in previously purchased package)
- 3.00 (1) $3/1 Children's Cold Calm IP
.22 OOP--> $25.97 in SCRs / $20 UPs (Winter Reward) / $14 in UPs

DS's Card
$6.99 Cold Calm (Children's)
5.99 Cold Calm (Adults)
4.99 Revitalens
4.99 (1) Mini Drops
2.12 Sales Tax
25.08 Subtotal
- 21.00 UPs
- 1.00 (2) $1/1 Mini Drops IPs
- 3.00 (1) $3/1 Children's Cold Calm IP
.08 OOP--> $21.97 in SCRs / $20 in UPs (Winter Reward)

CVS
$25.47 (6) Wisk @ $8.49 and BOGO
3.00 (2) Sobe Lifewater
.99 (1) Trident Vitality Gum
.10 CA Recycling Tax
1.96 Sales Tax
31.52 Subtotal
- 5.00 $5/$30 (Received through email)
- 10.00 EB (Pepsi Deal)
- 12.00 (6) $2/1 Wisk (1/2 RP)
- 3.18 (2) Get Sobe Free coupons
1.34 OOP --> $.99EB (Trident) / $10EB Wisk (Buy $25/Get $10EB Rain Check)

I'M POOPED!! (Sorry Ooty ;D)

[ooty1234]

I'M POOPED!! (Sorry Ooty )

[dancinmama]

My RA sales ad did not include either Chestal or the Oscilliccilum (or whatever it is) on sale, so I had to skip those SCRs.

OMG, I can't believe how good RA has been this month. I have spent almost nothing in OOP there and will be getting back $157.85 in rebates and have $103 UPs for next month's SCRs. I must admit, however, that RA is A LOT more work than WAGs and CVS just because I have not figured out EXACTLY how the VV Qs effect sales tax. I DID figure out that if you give all your VV Qs and UPs and THEN your MCs, the very last MC that you use will allow you to cut into the sales tax - but after you have cut into it, the register will not allow you to use any more coupons, so calculating the scenario to get my OOP as low as possible has taken a bit more effort than at CVS.

[dancinmama]

Feb 6, 2011 16:00:38 GMT -5 ooty1234 said:

I'M POOPED!! (Sorry Ooty )

I just can't help myself. For the rest of my life when I say "I'm pooped", I'll fondly think of you!!

[ooty1234]

Feb 6, 2011 16:14:59 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 6, 2011 16:00:38 GMT -5 ooty1234 said:

I'M POOPED!! (Sorry Ooty )

I just can't help myself. For the rest of my life when I say "I'm pooped", I'll fondly think of you!!

I guess that makes me simply UNFORGETABLE

[mizbear]

ooty- do you have a preferred brand of mousse? I can check my stash of qs and see what is filed under that category.
I keep 2 coupon files these days. Since I just shop for me, I put the coupons that I use for myself, DM & DGM in a portable coupon carrier- including my EBs, RRs, etc. All of my "trading qs" go into a file box sorted by category- baby items, diabetic supplies, etc. when I see someone needs qs, I check to see if they want what I have and pull. I also allow my D ex-SIL to pull from that box because I found she wasn't utilizing the envies I was giving her
Speaking of which I am living in the LOCC lately and my DB did not get the newspaper job. So no extra inserts...

[Sam_2.0]

CVS hot clearance deal:

The CVS brand diapers size NB and 3 are clearanced out at 75% off!!! I got 8 of the NBs ($2.32 ea) and 5 of the size 3s ($3.20 ea). I cleaned out three stores For $26 I got 600 diapers!!!!!

[saveinla]

SuziQ, Freesalsa, dancinmama and other SW hounds,
Deal Alert -
Tostitos Chips are 1.44 today only and with the .55 MQ from last week's insert doubles, comes to 44c per packet.

SW salsa is also 1.44 and comes to 69c after the 75c Joy of FB Q.
This deal is only for today.

[ooty1234]

Feb 6, 2011 18:20:46 GMT -5 mizbear said:

ooty- do you have a preferred brand of mousse? I can check my stash of qs and see what is filed under that category.
I keep 2 coupon files these days. Since I just shop for me, I put the coupons that I use for myself, DM & DGM in a portable coupon carrier- including my EBs, RRs, etc. All of my "trading qs" go into a file box sorted by category- baby items, diabetic supplies, etc. when I see someone needs qs, I check to see if they want what I have and pull. I also allow my D ex-SIL to pull from that box because I found she wasn't utilizing the envies I was giving her


MizBear: Nope! I use so much of it, softball size ++, everyday, so I go through a can a week. Now DD is using it too, but just on her ends to tame her frizzies. I prefer the ones that hold the "poof" after rubbing between my hands. The ones that just disappear are a waste!
Speaking of which I am living in the LOCC lately and my DB did not get the newspaper job. So no extra inserts...

[dancinmama]

Feb 6, 2011 19:54:12 GMT -5 saveinla said:

SuziQ, Freesalsa, dancinmama and other SW hounds,
Deal Alert -
Tostitos Chips are 1.44 today only and with the .55 MQ from last week's insert doubles, comes to 44c per packet.

SW salsa is also 1.44 and comes to 69c after the 75c Joy of FB Q.
This deal is only for today.

No doubles for me.

[nickyleey]

Feb 6, 2011 16:14:59 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 6, 2011 16:00:38 GMT -5 ooty1234 said:

I'M POOPED!! (Sorry Ooty )

I just can't help myself. For the rest of my life when I say "I'm pooped", I'll fondly think of you!!

Ooty and Dancin - I joined the board right after Ooty got herself in deep *&%^ and "I'm pooped" was a running joke. So ever since then, I also think of Ooty when someone says that!

[jkscott]

Had a "pro" day at Publix!

Total OOP: 15.43 Total Saved: 20.13

[dancinmama]

Feb 6, 2011 20:30:53 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Feb 6, 2011 16:14:59 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

I just can't help myself. For the rest of my life when I say "I'm pooped", I'll fondly think of you!!

Ooty and Dancin - I joined the board right after Ooty got herself in deep *&%^ and "I'm pooped" was a running joke. So ever since then, I also think of Ooty when someone says that!

I know that it was a pretty serious matter for Ooty for a while, but hopefully we added a little levity to the situation.

[ooty1234]

Feb 6, 2011 20:42:39 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 6, 2011 20:30:53 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Ooty and Dancin - I joined the board right after Ooty got herself in deep *&%^ and "I'm pooped" was a running joke. So ever since then, I also think of Ooty when someone says that!

I know that it was a pretty serious matter for Ooty for a while, but hopefully we added a little levity to the situation.

Yes, I lost my cool and wrote a nasty letter to the sewage/water dept, cried in front of customers at work. I never mailed the letter, but one of the plumbing pros heard my plight (while I cried in front of him) Apparently he made a few phone calls and knocked some sense into those people. Remember the army of men that showed up on my porch just after that? Well, they didn't fix the problem, but did alleviate some of the problems. We haven't **knock on wood x3** had any problems since then.
Oh, and anyone who actually read my letter, probably had a pretty good LOL....I know I did ;D

[ooty1234]

I am heading off to bed. I have been fighting a bug for a few days now, but the sinus pressure in my head is just too much. I feels like my head is in a vise and can almost feel it oozing out of my ears and eyes.......Ugh....I am going to take some of that lover-ly free Sinex\Nyquill and call it a night. Maybe tomorrow I will be too sick to go into work? Hmmmm?

[nickyleey]

Feb 6, 2011 20:42:39 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 6, 2011 20:30:53 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Ooty and Dancin - I joined the board right after Ooty got herself in deep *&%^ and "I'm pooped" was a running joke. So ever since then, I also think of Ooty when someone says that!

I know that it was a pretty serious matter for Ooty for a while, but hopefully we added a little levity to the situation.

I know I'd be mad as hell about it if it happened to me! But I knew I had found a great group of girls when I saw that ya'll were helping to make light of such a bad situation!

[suziq38]

Feb 6, 2011 19:54:12 GMT -5 saveinla said:

SuziQ, Freesalsa, dancinmama and other SW hounds,
Deal Alert -
Tostitos Chips are 1.44 today only and with the .55 MQ from last week's insert doubles, comes to 44c per packet.

SW salsa is also 1.44 and comes to 69c after the 75c Joy of FB Q.
This deal is only for today.

Thanks SaveinLA!
I need a few bags.
Off I go!

[dancinmama]

LYSOL TOILET BOWL CLEANER COUPON HOUND ALERT ANSWERED

Thanks to suzi, dogmom, and mercee; misspt has me covered. Thanks misspt!!

[p8nt]

Rubyslippers - The photo album idea will work perfect for me at this time. I probably have 3 or 4 of them sitting empty in my scrapbooking stuff. Thanks for the great idea.

Dancinmama- I see what you are saying about multiple inserts to get good. I realized that this afternoon when I went to Wags on my way to work. I really needed 2 of the Head & Shoulders $1.00 off coupons when the WAGS sale was BOGO 1/2 off. I usually get off of work at 5am Sunday morning and stop and get my Sac Bee on the way home. But I didn't today and when I got there in the PM, all I could get was the SF Chronicle. All it had was one insert, Smartshopper I believe. I won't make that mistake again. My SO is down in Sac this weekend so I will have him pick one or two up for me.

Thanks again for all the wonderful advice ladies and gentlemen. How do I make things bold here?

[debinwa]

Feb 6, 2011 22:33:02 GMT -5 p8nt said:

How do I make things bold here?

Rather than doing a quick reply at the bottom, click on the reply button at the bottom right. That gives you lots more options for your post.