THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[dancinmama]

mercee / picghaw: I'm so glad that the warning to GO SLOW and SLOW DOWN has sunk in. In the years that I have been on the GC, I have seen too many newbies jump in with both feet and THINK that paying $1 plus tax OOP on something is a great deal, so they'll stockpile (10). In a month or two they'll be able to stockpile the EXACT SAME ITEM for tax only having wasted $10 in OOP. If you do that a half a dozen times with various products the extra money spent in OOP can add up pretty quickly and is just money down the drain as far as I'm concerned (but I'm pretty hard-core ).

The goal FIRST and FOREMOST to save money; in the process of doing that you will "end up" with a stockpile.

That's why whenever a newbie comes on, I TRY, TRY, TRY to warn them.

[dancinmama]

Feb 8, 2011 13:46:35 GMT -5 picghaw said:

Feb 8, 2011 13:20:25 GMT -5 mercee said:

I hear dancinmama in my head a lot saying this. LOL That's why I carefully make a short list of each scenario that I want to do b/4 heading to store - in case a scenario / deal that I saw wasn't valid for me or if store doesn't have a particular item, I grab a different paper-clipped scenario (with all the coupons needed) & fulfill that one instead. I found if I put too many items on my scenario, I get all jumbled up & thrown off if I can't find one of the items.

Yeah, I have stories to tell..... I kept on getting hung up on the taxes so 1 of my RR wouldn't go through. Apparently there is no way to avoid paying taxes in IL......learned the hard way, plus I don't really like getting $2.00 in pencils, so my unplanned fillers cost me a bit more OOP (e.g Cottenelle TP with Qs==$3.50). Anyway, its definitely a learning experience.

picghaw: I can cut into my sales tax at both CVS and RA, but there is absolutely no way to do it at WAGs. That is why the deals that I do at WAGs have to be pretty darn good MMs for me to do them. For example: the Neuragen "costs me" over $1.50 in sales tax. I am happy if I have to get fillers that are a good price and I would have paid money for them anyway (i.e. this week I like the eggs @ $.99; last week I liked the Van Kamp pork and beans @ 2/$1), but that doesn't always happen. The sales tax causes me to take a pass on A LOT of deals.

Here's an example:

$14.99 Neuragen
.99 Eggs
.20 Pencil
1.41 Sales Tax
17.59 Subtotal
- 10.00 (1) $10/1 Neuragen (Diabetes & You)
- 6.00 (2) $3/1 RRs (Natrol)
1.59 OOP --> $10RR (Neuragen)

Since I need eggs anyway and $.99 is a great price (for my area), I feel like I'm really only "losing" $.59 to roll my (2) $3RRs into a $10RR. I guess it's a psychological/rationalization thing for me. Anyway, it's a lot better than throwing in $.99 worth of something that I have absolutely no use for.

[mercee]

dancinmama or anyone - where in WAGS (approximately) is the Neuragen located? I need to get off my tail feathers & get some. I got the Diabetes & You book on my 1st trip to WAGS earlier this month...

[dancinmama]

Feb 8, 2011 14:46:32 GMT -5 mercee said:

dancinmama or anyone - where in WAGS (approximately) is the Neuragen located? I need to get off my tail feathers & get some. I got the Diabetes & You book on my 1st trip to WAGS earlier this month...

mercee: It is a product for diabetics, so you can find it in the section with all the diabetic products (usually near the pharmacy).

[dancinmama]

$2 EB FOR FINDING EXPIRED PRODUCTS IS STILL IN EFFECT AT CVS
I went in to get some Zantac and found one that expired 11/10 and they gave me a $2EB. YEAH!!

If I'm not in a huge hurry, I most always look for a product that has the longest expiration date. In the process, I often find ones that are expired. I haven't asked for the EB in a while, but since we are not getting too many good CRTs, a gal's gotta do SOMETHING!!

Note: When the cashier went to print the EB, I asked her if she needed to scan my card and she said no. Then she promptly asked me for my phone number so YMMV on getting the EB on a non-registered card.

[rubyslippers]

Dancin: Thanks for posting the J & J phone number. I called this afternoon and should find a couple of $1.00 coupons in the mail soon. I just passed the info on to my sis.

Whoever asked about expired UPs, my Rite Aid pushed two expired ones through the other day. They were only expired by a day, so don't know if that counts or not.

[suziq38]

At CVS:
Nature Made Vitamins, huge bottles of Vitamin C and a big box of multivitamins, Ginko whatever, Magnesium.

The big bottles were $2.00 or less, and I paid for them with the $3.00 off of any Nature Made MQ's from the Re-inventing Beauty books.

I filled in with MQ's for $1.00 from 1/30 SS.

It was fun!

[mizbear]

Neuragen in all of my local stores is in the diabetic area. If not there, though, try the pain relief area where the capsaicin and those type products are.
Lining up my deals for CVS, Target, and the grocery store for this week.
And my DGM is treating me to sushi tonite before NCIS because I got a letter stating- I made the DEAN'S LIST!!

[herekittykitty]

Feb 7, 2011 21:56:17 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 7, 2011 20:47:52 GMT -5 @mommy2twoal said:

Question about rebates When you do them to someone else's address, do you use your name or theirs? How do you work it out. Please share.

When I mail away for rebates, I most always do DH's name at our addie, DS's name at sis's addie (he lived with them for 6 months for school stability while we were relocating), and my name at my mom's addie. Sometimes I'll do my mom's name at her addie, but she knows what is mine and what is hers so she'll deposit and then write me a check.

I NEVER use the same name at more than one address, but then my last name is very uncommon. Having a name like "Smith" sure would come in handy when doing rebates.

Dancin: does this work? I thought most of them say "one per household", so I was always afraid to try...

[dancinmama]

Feb 8, 2011 17:25:23 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

Feb 7, 2011 21:56:17 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

When I mail away for rebates, I most always do DH's name at our addie, DS's name at sis's addie (he lived with them for 6 months for school stability while we were relocating), and my name at my mom's addie. Sometimes I'll do my mom's name at her addie, but she knows what is mine and what is hers so she'll deposit and then write me a check.

I NEVER use the same name at more than one address, but then my last name is very uncommon. Having a name like "Smith" sure would come in handy when doing rebates.

Dancin: does this work? I thought most of them say "one per household", so I was always afraid to try...

herekittykitty: Slick as snot. Each addressed used is a different household. There have been times when I have had extra receipts for a rebate offer and have even sent rebates in for gals here on the board. I buy and pay for the product, but fill out the form for them - in their name and address and they get the check. It all comes from me, but is submitted under another household's address.

[pudgybunny]

I checked THREE stores for Neuragen and they ALL were out. I asked at one if I could order/have some set aside when the next delivery came in (deal goes until 2/25 or 26) and they said sure!! I also asked at my favorite store if they could order me some. They both have my name and number so I am holding my breath that this actually works!! I really need a MM again to build up my RR stock

I asked at one WAGs if I have a rain check and there is now a BOGO sale going on do they join the two or is it one or the other... they said they combine! Yahoo!!! oh shoot... I just realized it was BOGO 1/2 off... not sure how that will work. dang. lol

[doobie]

Hi, newbie here. I have used coupons for awhile, but never at a drug store...so looking forward to learning from you all!

[misspt]

Welcome doobie! If you have any questions, don't be shy, we love sharing our tips!

Dancin: You have a PM from me.

Viactiv coupons: someone wanted some of these, did you get them? I'm sorry, I don't have time to scroll back thru the 3 pages from today and last night.

[dancinmama]

Feb 8, 2011 17:58:48 GMT -5 @doobie said:

Hi, newbie here. I have used coupons for awhile, but never at a drug store...so looking forward to learning from you all!

doobie: WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge from me - dancinmama!! Wow, if you haven't played the coupon game at the major drug chains, you have a real treat in store for you. I save more money shopping at the drug chains BY FAR.

Which stores do you have? Rite Aid, CVS, WAGs?

If there is ANYTHING that we can do to help you, please let us know.

[dancinmama]

Feb 8, 2011 18:41:31 GMT -5 misspt said:

Welcome doobie! If you have any questions, don't be shy, we love sharing our tips!

Dancin: You have a PM from me.

misspt: Right back atcha!!

[misspt]

And now back at you, dancin. P.S. the video I referred to is in the thread, "I can't find that thread"

[dancinmama]

Here's an interesting factoid. I went into WAGs to do a couple of transactions and thought I'd check the stock on the Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner that will be BOGO starting Sunday.

When I checked it last week after the 2/13 ad preview first broke, the price was $1.99. I looked today and the price tags have been changed. Now the price is $2.99!! Instead of them being $1 each with the BOGO sale, they will now be $1.50!! I will still be stockpiling them (as I am down to my last bottle); but needless to say, I'm just a little bit peeved.

[picghaw]

Feb 8, 2011 14:11:30 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

picghaw: I can cut into my sales tax at both CVS and RA, but there is absolutely no way to do it at WAGs. That is why the deals that I do at WAGs have to be pretty darn good MMs for me to do them. For example: the Neuragen "costs me" over $1.50 in sales tax. I am happy if I have to get fillers that are a good price and I would have paid money for them anyway (i.e. this week I like the eggs @ $.99; last week I liked the Van Kamp pork and beans @ 2/$1), but that doesn't always happen. The sales tax causes me to take a pass on A LOT of deals.

Here's an example:

$14.99 Neuragen
.99 Eggs
.20 Pencil
1.41 Sales Tax
17.59 Subtotal
- 10.00 (1) $10/1 Neuragen (Diabetes & You)
- 6.00 (2) $3/1 RRs (Natrol)
1.59 OOP --> $10RR (Neuragen)

Since I need eggs anyway and $.99 is a great price (for my area), I feel like I'm really only "losing" $.59 to roll my (2) $3RRs into a $10RR. I guess it's a psychological/rationalization thing for me. Anyway, it's a lot better than throwing in $.99 worth of something that I have absolutely no use for.

dancinmama Yes, this is what I learned after-the-fact on Sun. In order to roll, I was spending $2.00 for each roll, so I wonder if I inadvertently spent all the Neuragen MM that I was supposed to make.

I did do the deal..... found Arnica on my way to work. I figured out that I can pass 4 Wags if I take a certain route and called each one on my way to work. The last one had it, yes I was late for work

Stated with $10 RR Neuragen + $3 RR RightGuard
Trans 1:
$5.99 Arnica
$3.99 RightGuard
$3.99 Sanitizer
0.89 Sales Tax
14.86 Subtotal
- 1.00 $1/1 RightGuard
- 2.00 (1) $6 Arnica
- 10.00 (1) $10 RR Neuragen
---------
1.86 OOP --> $6RR Arnica, $4RR Sanitizer, $3RR RightGuard

Trans 2:
$14.99 Neuragen
$6.99 (2) All Free&Clear
0.20 Pencil
1.02 Sales Tax
23.20 Subtotal
- 10.00 (1) $10/1 Neuragen (Diabetes & You)
- 1.00 $1/1 All
- 6.00 (1) $6 Arnica
- 4.00 (1) $4 Sanitizer
---------
2.20 OOP --> $10RR (Neuragen)

Left with $10 RR Neuragen + (2) $3 RR RightGuard

How do I calculate stuff? Was this good enough to repeat? Decent, , but hold still? I know I essentially spent $4.06 (2.20 + 1.86), left an extra with $3RR and got 100oz detergent that I normally pay $11 for. I hope I like All (Tide-user here). I may have to start looking at CVS more. Thanks.

[picghaw]

Feb 8, 2011 13:58:52 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

mercee / picghaw: I'm so glad that the warning to GO SLOW and SLOW DOWN has sunk in. In the years that I have been on the GC, I have seen too many newbies jump in with both feet and THINK that paying $1 plus tax OOP on something is a great deal, so they'll stockpile (10). In a month or two they'll be able to stockpile the EXACT SAME ITEM for tax only having wasted $10 in OOP. If you do that a half a dozen times with various products the extra money spent in OOP can add up pretty quickly and is just money down the drain as far as I'm concerned (but I'm pretty hard-core ).

The goal FIRST and FOREMOST to save money; in the process of doing that you will "end up" with a stockpile.

That's why whenever a newbie comes on, I TRY, TRY, TRY to warn them.

dancinmama So in other words, I may have spent a bit too much on Sunday. Well, I got a lot of stuff, but the whole "rolling" Wags RR thing did get me via tax+fillers. I know better now.

[doobie]

Thank you...I have cvs and wags...no rite aid....but I do have 3 grocery stores that double coupons up to 99 cents (Krogers,Giant Eagle and Meijers)...and a few that double 50 cents....sometimes up to 1.00 or triple...which is why I probably never thought of the drug stores.

[nickyleey]

Feb 8, 2011 20:13:07 GMT -5 picghaw said:

Feb 8, 2011 13:58:52 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

mercee / picghaw: I'm so glad that the warning to GO SLOW and SLOW DOWN has sunk in. In the years that I have been on the GC, I have seen too many newbies jump in with both feet and THINK that paying $1 plus tax OOP on something is a great deal, so they'll stockpile (10). In a month or two they'll be able to stockpile the EXACT SAME ITEM for tax only having wasted $10 in OOP. If you do that a half a dozen times with various products the extra money spent in OOP can add up pretty quickly and is just money down the drain as far as I'm concerned (but I'm pretty hard-core ).

The goal FIRST and FOREMOST to save money; in the process of doing that you will "end up" with a stockpile.

That's why whenever a newbie comes on, I TRY, TRY, TRY to warn them.

dancinmama So in other words, I may have spent a bit too much on Sunday. Well, I got a lot of stuff, but the whole "rolling" Wags RR thing did get me via tax+fillers. I know better now.

picghaw - you're doing awesome! . I'm working mom so I just don't have time and energy for multiple transactions/trips to stores, so it's RARE that I have tax only OOP. Not only do I not know when a certain deal will roll around again (that's an unknown for all of us), but I never know if I'll be able to devote any time to hounding in the future because my job can be very demanding at times. We all do what we can. I've been doing this for 2 years and I'm still learning but I've accumulated quite a stock pile and I've saved a ton of money. Maybe I misunderstood your scenarios, but it looked to me that you got alot of stuff you need for just a few bucks, right? And got RR's in return to roll into other items? You should be very proud of yourself. You can only get better from here on out, but if you've done the best you can and saved money in the process, then you're doing a great job already!

[missourimommy]

mizbear,
CONGRATS on making the Dean's List!!!! Way to go!! Keep it up!

[redwagon]

mizbear- awesome job! You're almost there!

doobie - just had to comment on your name. That was the name of my dog growing up (real name was DuBois but that was too formal for him; he passed in 2007) and he was beloved and crazy and fun. Seeing your name made me think of him and smile, so thanks! and welcome to the thread!

[dancinmama]

Feb 8, 2011 20:13:07 GMT -5 picghaw said:

Feb 8, 2011 13:58:52 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

mercee / picghaw: I'm so glad that the warning to GO SLOW and SLOW DOWN has sunk in. In the years that I have been on the GC, I have seen too many newbies jump in with both feet and THINK that paying $1 plus tax OOP on something is a great deal, so they'll stockpile (10). In a month or two they'll be able to stockpile the EXACT SAME ITEM for tax only having wasted $10 in OOP. If you do that a half a dozen times with various products the extra money spent in OOP can add up pretty quickly and is just money down the drain as far as I'm concerned (but I'm pretty hard-core ).

The goal FIRST and FOREMOST to save money; in the process of doing that you will "end up" with a stockpile.

That's why whenever a newbie comes on, I TRY, TRY, TRY to warn them.

dancinmama So in other words, I may have spent a bit too much on Sunday. Well, I got a lot of stuff, but the whole "rolling" Wags RR thing did get me via tax+fillers. I know better now.

picghaw: If what you did on Sunday was similar to what you posted that you were going to do this week to get the All, I think you're doing really well. It will only get better and better.

[mommy2twoal]

mizbear Congrats on making the dean's list. Yahoo!

I heard from my interview last week that I am definitely in the running, but it will be a couple of weeks before any decisions are made. That is perfect for me as I really want that time to see what happens with my current job. In the last 8 weeks, we have lost VP and Director and a few months before that lost a Pres. of out company. VP & Director are leaving to start own company that will compete with us in some markets. Should have made them sign no compete agreement (VP's wife is a lawyer so maybe that is why they did not). Makes me a little hesitant about stability of company as a whole, but I guess you can never really tell in this economy. Sorry for the long post, NAG.

Welcome Doobie and all the newbies.

[mizbear]

dancin- I thought it was illegal to raise a price for a sale item....
Thanks everyone!

[mommy2twoal]

Feb 8, 2011 11:04:22 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 8, 2011 10:02:47 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

I am not sure if I have any more MQ's, but what a great deal!
I have some GC from a past promo, so if I have the coupons, off to Target I go!

Thanks, Dancinmama.

suzi: I thought it might be a great way to use those stray $2.25/1 Electrosol Qs for those who still have a couple left and want to add to their stockpiles.

For those who did not get the Q, last year it came out again in the summer. No guarantees though.

I checked this out on Saturday at my store and price cut price was $3.29. Not a great deal evern after q. There was a $1.50 (?) Target q a few weeks back, don't know if still available. I am saving my $2.25 q's for raincheck at CVS but still have some $1 ones thanks to a hound friend. Maybe I will check at Target again this weekend, after out snow storm tomorrow.

[dancinmama]

Feb 8, 2011 20:09:53 GMT -5 picghaw said:

Feb 8, 2011 14:11:30 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

picghaw: I can cut into my sales tax at both CVS and RA, but there is absolutely no way to do it at WAGs. That is why the deals that I do at WAGs have to be pretty darn good MMs for me to do them. For example: the Neuragen "costs me" over $1.50 in sales tax. I am happy if I have to get fillers that are a good price and I would have paid money for them anyway (i.e. this week I like the eggs @ $.99; last week I liked the Van Kamp pork and beans @ 2/$1), but that doesn't always happen. The sales tax causes me to take a pass on A LOT of deals.

Here's an example:

$14.99 Neuragen
.99 Eggs
.20 Pencil
1.41 Sales Tax
17.59 Subtotal
- 10.00 (1) $10/1 Neuragen (Diabetes & You)
- 6.00 (2) $3/1 RRs (Natrol)
1.59 OOP --> $10RR (Neuragen)

Since I need eggs anyway and $.99 is a great price (for my area), I feel like I'm really only "losing" $.59 to roll my (2) $3RRs into a $10RR. I guess it's a psychological/rationalization thing for me. Anyway, it's a lot better than throwing in $.99 worth of something that I have absolutely no use for.

dancinmama Yes, this is what I learned after-the-fact on Sun. In order to roll, I was spending $2.00 for each roll, so I wonder if I inadvertently spent all the Neuragen MM that I was supposed to make.

I did do the deal..... found Arnica on my way to work. I figured out that I can pass 4 Wags if I take a certain route and called each one on my way to work. The last one had it, yes I was late for work

Stated with $10 RR Neuragen + $3 RR RightGuard
Trans 1:
$5.99 Arnica
$3.99 RightGuard
$3.99 Sanitizer
0.89 Sales Tax
14.86 Subtotal
- 1.00 $1/1 RightGuard
- 2.00 (1) $6 Arnica
- 10.00 (1) $10 RR Neuragen
---------
1.86 OOP --> $6RR Arnica, $4RR Sanitizer, $3RR RightGuard

Trans 2:
$14.99 Neuragen
$6.99 (2) All Free&Clear
0.20 Pencil
1.02 Sales Tax
23.20 Subtotal
- 10.00 (1) $10/1 Neuragen (Diabetes & You)
- 1.00 $1/1 All
- 6.00 (1) $6 Arnica
- 4.00 (1) $4 Sanitizer
---------
2.20 OOP --> $10RR (Neuragen)

Left with $10 RR Neuragen + (2) $3 RR RightGuard

How do I calculate stuff? Was this good enough to repeat? Decent, , but hold still? I know I essentially spent $4.06 (2.20 + 1.86), left an extra with $3RR and got 100oz detergent that I normally pay $11 for. I hope I like All (Tide-user here). I may have to start looking at CVS more. Thanks.

picghaw: I see exactly what you did and think it was beautiful. You could have used another $1/1 All coupon in your second transaction bringing your OOP to $1.20. If you can't find the Arnicare again, you could roll your $3 RRs into the Neuragen. Then use the Neuragen RR to buy the All and another RR item (Veripure, Right Guard, etc.), but I really like what you did.

[lbmoore]

Feb 7, 2011 22:02:58 GMT -5 mizbear said:

lbmoore- I still have my Kens coupons.

Thank you so much for the offer but I've been taken care of.

[lbmoore]

Feb 7, 2011 23:09:16 GMT -5 weaselfer said:

lbmoore, I have 10 Ken's Q cut out and addressed and ready to go. Thanks for the offer in return. I may need help later, but right now I'm doing okay.
redwagon, I have 4 of the $6 and 4 of the $4 Zyrtec Qs addressed and ready to mail. I'm just glad I can help.
Now if only I could figure out where I left 4 of the $1/1 Kraft singles Qs, I would be set. I put them somewhere very safe, even safe from me.

Weaselfer thank you so much!