THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[frugalsuz]

I have three extra Infant Care coupon booklets from Walgreens up for grabs. Anyone interested? Just PM me your address and I'll send them right out.

These are all spoken for.

[weaselfer]

debinwa, I am glad you answered too. I rather have two answer than none. I have to admit that I had to stare at the original scenario to figure it out as you only get 1 RR. It looks good though.

[mizbear]

ACME IS INCLUDED IN THE ALBERTSONS DEAL! LIMIT ONE PER TRANSACTION. Thank you DM.

[missourimommy]

NAG:

Hi. My name is missourimommy and I'm a 2nd grade math flunkie. I feel like I need some sort of support group for this!

My son brought home his homework and got thru all but one multiple choice math question. We're all stumped..including grandma in Indiana who used to work in the school system.. For crying out loud, I have my BS degree in ELEMENTARY EDUCATION!

This is exactly how his problem is stated:

"Which answer shows how you could regroup to make a ten from the ones to solve 36+8?

A) 6+6
B ) 7+7
C) 10+8
D) 6+4

He had no problem figuring out that 36+8 = 44. What's with regrouping? I'm not sure I like the way math is being taught. I remember learning to "Carry the one"...what's with "regrouping?" Why give kids more words to worry about than what's necessary or really makes sense?

Sorry. Off my soapbox now.

[Sam_2.0]

I would go with D on that one, Missourimommy, but who knows. I have a degree in Math, but I can't even figure out what they are talking about!!!

Here's why I guess that...they want to look at the one's place. 36 + 8 has 2 numbers in the ones place - the 6 and the 8. To re-group them, take away 4 from the 8 to pair up with the 6 to make an even 10. Then you are left with a 4... which I guess is the end of the "44".

Sorry if that made no sense. I could see using this kind of logic for younger kids when they first get the concept of addition/subtraction with counting objects. But using numbers like 36 seems way too high to still be using counting objects!!

[weaselfer]

Sam, I would then think of it as 6 + 4 + 4 as then it would make sense to me if I had 6 blocks and 8 blocks and wanted to rearrange them. I think you are right but I am not looking forward to when my daughter starts this type of math. I'm lucky though. My MIL lives in town and taught math for years and now is an education professor that teaches teachers how to teach math. Whew, that's a mouthful. My DD does know the important math....using coupons!

[lbmoore]

Feb 10, 2011 10:26:47 GMT -5 AJ CouponGG said:

Feb 10, 2011 10:17:05 GMT -5 @lbmoore said:

AJ COUPONGG: Congrats on winning the Cheerios Gift Pack. I sent you an email.

OMG LBMoore! That's definitely a pick me up.....today has been one of those days that started off bad and just went downhill from there. It's bad when it's 10:30am and I'm already contemplating which kinds of chocolate chippers to make tonight because it's been a crazy week and I just want some chocolate.....I love that chocolate chip cookie recipe book

I just sent you an email to yahoo and pm'd you here.

[lbmoore]

Feb 10, 2011 23:13:59 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

NAG:

Hi. My name is missourimommy and I'm a 2nd grade math flunkie. I feel like I need some sort of support group for this!

My son brought home his homework and got thru all but one multiple choice math question. We're all stumped..including grandma in Indiana who used to work in the school system.. For crying out loud, I have my BS degree in ELEMENTARY EDUCATION!

This is exactly how his problem is stated:

"Which answer shows how you could regroup to make a ten from the ones to solve 36+8?

A) 6+6
B ) 7+7
C) 10+8
D) 6+4

He had no problem figuring out that 36+8 = 44. What's with regrouping? I'm not sure I like the way math is being taught. I remember learning to "Carry the one"...what's with "regrouping?" Why give kids more words to worry about than what's necessary or really makes sense?

Sorry. Off my soapbox now.

I say the answer is C. You borrow (regroup) a ten from 36 and add to 8. 10+8

Let us know what the right answer is!

[shelly527in]

Feb 10, 2011 10:08:14 GMT -5 @lbmoore said:

Feb 10, 2011 9:16:49 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Oh goodness! So apparently o.b. discontinued one line of their tampons - the Ultra line. They're going for $15+ for a box on ebay! Can you imagine paying that much for a box of tamps? Wowzers.

SERIOUSLY? That's what I call brand loyal!

Wow! I can't imagine paying that much...very brand loyal...Maybe I'd pay that if it were the last case of Diet Coke on earth, but not for TAMPONS!!

[shelly527in]

Feb 10, 2011 9:16:49 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Oh goodness! So apparently o.b. discontinued one line of their tampons - the Ultra line. They're going for $15+ for a box on ebay! Can you imagine paying that much for a box of tamps? Wowzers.

someone has bid $41 for 54 tampons! That's not couting $16 for shipping! I have a harder time finding good deals on tampons vs. pads (thanks to StayFREE), but I wouldn't pay $57 for 54 tampons! Do they cure PMS or something???

[shelly527in]

Feb 10, 2011 17:51:36 GMT -5 @lbmoore said:

CHECK YOUR EMAILS! I receivd an email from BlueStem Brands (it was in my junk folder and not sure what prompted it) to complete a survey regarding Dazzle/Fingerhut and I MIGHT qualify for a $15 gift card from Applebee's Restaurant. It was a 5 minute survey, and I qualified! THey are sending me $15 gift card, hubby and I LOVE Applebee's. This will make a CHEAP date night for us!

That's been the highlight of my week! Is it just me or does anyone else think CVS and WAG's has really stunk the last several months. I did the Quaker oatmeal deal a few weeks ago, along with Pepsi deal and recently the Peanut Butter and Ragu deal all at CVS, but that's it. I havn't even stepped into WAGS...... and it's making me SAD!

I agree about WAGS...I got some free meters to donate since KY doesn't have tax on them. Other than that, WAGS has been a no-go. RA on the other hand is my new best friend!

Thanks to whoever posted about the Gain softner deal. I put a bid on Qs on ebay since I'll be lucky to find it in my paper. I still have some from the last Snuggle deal, but I'm trying to get my UPS and 20% off at RA.

[shelly527in]

Feb 10, 2011 23:13:59 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

NAG:

Hi. My name is missourimommy and I'm a 2nd grade math flunkie. I feel like I need some sort of support group for this!

My son brought home his homework and got thru all but one multiple choice math question. We're all stumped..including grandma in Indiana who used to work in the school system.. For crying out loud, I have my BS degree in ELEMENTARY EDUCATION!

This is exactly how his problem is stated:

"Which answer shows how you could regroup to make a ten from the ones to solve 36+8?

A) 6+6
B ) 7+7
C) 10+8
D) 6+4

He had no problem figuring out that 36+8 = 44. What's with regrouping? I'm not sure I like the way math is being taught. I remember learning to "Carry the one"...what's with "regrouping?" Why give kids more words to worry about than what's necessary or really makes sense?

Sorry. Off my soapbox now.

I like LB's answer so I choose C. I also have a Bachelor's in Elem. Ed., but I teach Special Ed (have a Master's in that). I'm relearning this with my second grade group. I guess it helps them understand where the 1 in 'carry the one" comes from. It's been a learning experince for me as well as them. I always check with the teacher to make sure I'm giving them the correct information.

[dancinmama]

Feb 10, 2011 23:24:36 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I would go with D on that one, Missourimommy, but who knows. I have a degree in Math, but I can't even figure out what they are talking about!!!

RANT: And this is the problem with our education system. Basic mathematics does not change - EVER!! The "way" that they teach it changes. Why? It's all about MONEY . New concepts in teaching require new textbooks which cost money - TAXPAYER MONEY to purchase new textbooks for the schools. When my DS went to high school they did not teach Algebra I, Geometry, and then Algebra II. They taught "Integrated Math". It was a mish mash of math concepts taught in no logical order whatsoever. It's a no wonder that the US is falling behind in math and science. Okay, RANT OVER.

[dancinmama]

Feb 10, 2011 23:24:36 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I would go with D on that one, Missourimommy, but who knows. I have a degree in Math, but I can't even figure out what they are talking about!!!

Here's why I guess that...they want to look at the one's place. 36 + 8 has 2 numbers in the ones place - the 6 and the 8. To re-group them, take away 4 from the 8 to pair up with the 6 to make an even 10. Then you are left with a 4... which I guess is the end of the "44".

I agree (D). If the ones add up to (9) or less, no "regrouping" is required. I get it, but geez, how are the poor parents supposed to help their kids?

I had a friend years ago and her son was in 4th grade. She was constantly calling me because she could not help him when he had questions with his math homework.

[ooty1234]

Feb 10, 2011 23:13:59 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

NAG:

Hi. My name is missourimommy and I'm a 2nd grade math flunkie. I feel like I need some sort of support group for this!

My son brought home his homework and got thru all but one multiple choice math question. We're all stumped..including grandma in Indiana who used to work in the school system.. For crying out loud, I have my BS degree in ELEMENTARY EDUCATION!

This is exactly how his problem is stated:

"Which answer shows how you could regroup to make a ten from the ones to solve 36+8?

A) 6+6
B ) 7+7
C) 10+8
D) 6+4

He had no problem figuring out that 36+8 = 44. What's with regrouping? I'm not sure I like the way math is being taught. I remember learning to "Carry the one"...what's with "regrouping?" Why give kids more words to worry about than what's necessary or really makes sense?

Sorry. Off my soapbox now.

My name is Ooty...and I also flunked 2nd grade math...We helped DD with homework once when you had to "guesstimate" the answer. we put the exact answers, the only F she ever got on homework!

My answer would be B: 7+7 =14

It is MATH for crying out loud, there is only ONE right answer!

[azucena]

Feb 10, 2011 17:25:39 GMT -5 luv2save said:

It looks like Motrin IB is going to be on sale at wags 2/27 20 count $3.00 with a $3.00 rr (free) but there is also a coupon on smart source that is $6.00 off any 2 Zyrtec, Pepcid, Motrin, Motrin PM, and Tylenol precise makes it a $3.00 money maker. Print your coupons now before they are gone.

Thanks for the tip, but I don't see this q. Can you tell me the zip code you used?

[constanz22]

Feb 11, 2011 8:37:43 GMT -5 azucena said:

Feb 10, 2011 17:25:39 GMT -5 luv2save said:

It looks like Motrin IB is going to be on sale at wags 2/27 20 count $3.00 with a $3.00 rr (free) but there is also a coupon on smart source that is $6.00 off any 2 Zyrtec, Pepcid, Motrin, Motrin PM, and Tylenol precise makes it a $3.00 money maker. Print your coupons now before they are gone.

Thanks for the tip, but I don't see this q. Can you tell me the zip code you used?

I don't know what zip they found it under, but, you could always try 90210. It seems people use that a lot. This was an insert Q too. You can check the HCW database to see what insert it was from. HCW should also have a link to the IP and sometimes tells you what zip it is under. HTH.

[carolinagirl]

Feb 11, 2011 8:46:41 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Feb 11, 2011 8:37:43 GMT -5 azucena said:

Thanks for the tip, but I don't see this q. Can you tell me the zip code you used?

I don't know what zip they found it under, but, you could always try 90210. It seems people use that a lot. This was an insert Q too. You can check the HCW database to see what insert it was from. HCW should also have a link to the IP and sometimes tells you what zip it is under. HTH.

I was able to get mine and used 28210 (Charlotte, NC area)

[carolinagirl]

I have never bought Coupons before but when I do the math of buying all the newspapers everymonth It may come out at the same price and just not have to worry over all the paper and waste. For those who do buy the inserts, who do you recommend and how many do you buy?

[alphayankee]

Feb 11, 2011 0:42:30 GMT -5 shelly527in said:

Feb 10, 2011 9:16:49 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Oh goodness! So apparently o.b. discontinued one line of their tampons - the Ultra line. They're going for $15+ for a box on ebay! Can you imagine paying that much for a box of tamps? Wowzers.

someone has bid $41 for 54 tampons! That's not couting $16 for shipping! I have a harder time finding good deals on tampons vs. pads (thanks to StayFREE), but I wouldn't pay $57 for 54 tampons! Do they cure PMS or something???

This makes me wish I had stocked up on OB instead of Playtex. Since having DS#2 and choosing a new BC method, I've no need of this stuff anymore (at least for the next five years). I've got a crazy stash of Playtex. I guess I can always donate it to the womens shelter when I send the next batch of Stayfree.

[mercee]

I don't understand this "new math" either. Thankfully, my daughter is only in kindergarten, but I know it's just a few short years away before I'll be dealing with it. *ugh* I agree - math is math - one answer 2 + 2 = 4 no matter what.

[alphayankee]

Feb 11, 2011 9:03:16 GMT -5 @carolinagirl said:

I have never bought Coupons before but when I do the math of buying all the newspapers everymonth It may come out at the same price and just not have to worry over all the paper and waste. For those who do buy the inserts, who do you recommend and how many do you buy?

This depends on the price of your papers and how many inserts you want each week. I like to get 4-10 inserts per week and my papers are $1.50 each ($3.00 for the double pack).

Mad Coupons seems to be the best deal, with 10 sets of inserts for $10.50. This includes shipping. This is $4.50 cheaper for me than buying 10 papers. However, I have heard that she is not accepting new orders because her supply can't keep up with demand. Her site is madcoupons.net.

If you want just a few inserts, I like CouponDede.com. Sometimes, when there is just one insert, I get a better deal by ordering through this site, even with shipping charges of $5+. I like this site because I can order whole inserts or clipped coupons, so I'll often do a mixed order. Keep in mind that the whole inserts are often not listed until Monday or Tuesday, so it may be difficult to get your inserts in time to do the sales that week, depending on where you live.

CollectableCoupons.com is another one that sells whole inserts, but I've never used them, so I can't offer any insight. Their prices seem to be cheaper than Dede and TheCouponClippers, but this may be due to the fact that they don't carry the same volume.

Another good source is ebay. This is often cheaper than most of the clipping sites, but be careful to check the list of coupons because they could be very different based on regional differences and are often missing key coupons.

[pubbler]

GAIN MM at Meijer - The Gain fabric softener will be $3.99 at Meijer next week. Buy 2 Gain detergent/softener, get $3 OYNO. So buy 2, use 2 x $3 Qs. OOP $1.98, get $3 OYNO. Profit of $1.02
Finish/Electrasol will be $0.75 (for those who still have the $2.25 Qs).
frugalsuz - I sent you a PM
Hi Ooty.I keep forgetting that you're no longer near Meijer. But you do live closer to me now
Someone posted about reusable shopping bags. I like to keep mine in the car too. I just saw that IN is proposing that people pay for grocery bags, if they don't bring any reusables. In my native country, this was implemented about 8 yrs ago. You either bring your own bags, or you pay. And they make you pay for every single grocery bag. I think its a great idea, cause I cringe whenever I see people use grocery bags. And they don't fill the bag to the brim, they only pack a few items in them - so wasteful. I'm not here to judge others, but come on. everyone needs to do their share to help the environment.

[Sam_2.0]

I agree - math is math - one answer 2 + 2 = 4 no matter what.

BAHAHAH. I could think of a way to show you that 2+2=1, but that's the COMPLETE nerd in me pulling out proofs & other garbage. I feel sorry for my poor kids when they start trying to learn math...good thing Baby Bean has while before I embarrass him/her with that one

[AJ CouponGG]

Feb 10, 2011 23:55:53 GMT -5 @lbmoore said:

Feb 10, 2011 10:26:47 GMT -5 AJ CouponGG said:

OMG LBMoore! That's definitely a pick me up.....today has been one of those days that started off bad and just went downhill from there. It's bad when it's 10:30am and I'm already contemplating which kinds of chocolate chippers to make tonight because it's been a crazy week and I just want some chocolate.....I love that chocolate chip cookie recipe book

I just sent you an email to yahoo and pm'd you here.

Hi Lbmoore-I replied to your PM and to your email. Sorry i went to bed early last night.

[dancinmama]

Here's why I guess that...they want to look at the one's place. 36 + 8 has 2 numbers in the ones place - the 6 and the 8. To re-group them, take away 4 from the 8 to pair up with the 6 to make an even 10. Then you are left with a 4... which I guess is the end of the "44".

Geez, so now we are teaching the kids that they need to subtract in order to add. Isn't double digit addition confusing enough without this? Once they understand the concept of tens and ones in a two-digit number, I still say "carry the one" (into the tens column) is an easier concept to grasp.

[Sam_2.0]

Pubbler - I wish the stores here would start charging for bags. Aldi & Save-A-Lot do, or people can scavenge the boxes throughout the store. I like charging for bags better than the discount for reusables, because it will force more people to bring their own. And even if you are not concerned about the environmental factors, its still a cost-savings issue for the store, which gets passed along to us one way or the other. It costs the store about $.01/bag for the plastic bags they use. It all adds up!

[murphath]

Here's why I guess that...they want to look at the one's place. 36 + 8 has 2 numbers in the ones place - the 6 and the 8. To re-group them, take away 4 from the 8 to pair up with the 6 to make an even 10. Then you are left with a 4... which I guess is the end of the "44".

Read more: notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wir&action=display&thread=2643&page=24#ixzz1DfHHyS2T

I remember when they started to shift math education to making everything "to the power of ten". I was an 8th grader and had been taught math the traditional way. The new method totally made no sense to us and I remember refusing to learn it! I was never so happy as to be in an algebra class the next year where things in the math world were as they should be!

I agree with dancin's assessment: too many administrators at both the district and state level who's sole purpose is to "update" curriculum. I do believe teachers can be taught new teaching skills to benefit the kids, and some subjects do have changes (science, for one; history for another), but elementary math is just that.

This was one of the reasons we sent our kids to the local Catholic school. In addition, our public elementary schools (most of them in California) decided that phonics wasn't necessary anymore and stopped teaching it. While phonics may not be the most fun thing out there, it is TOTALLY necessary to learning how to read, spell and understand English. Their "experiment" was a total flop and they went back to teaching phonics several years later.

Dancin: Do you remember when the Oakland school district wanted to teach ebonics? For those of you who don't know, ebonics is the form of English associated with some groups of African Americans. For example, instead of saying, "I am tired", the ebonics version would be "I be tired". That may be a poor example but you get the idea. I may be old fashioned, but school is where you learn proper English. I don't care how you speak to your friends or on the street, but if you want to get anywhere in life here in the U.S., you need to speak English correctly as well.

I'll get off my soapbox now, too!

[dancinmama]

Feb 11, 2011 10:45:59 GMT -5 murphath said:

This was one of the reasons we sent our kids to the local Catholic school. In addition, our public elementary schools (most of them in California) decided that phonics wasn't necessary anymore and stopped teaching it. While phonics may not be the most fun thing out there, it is TOTALLY necessary to learning how to read, spell and understand English. Their "experiment" was a total flop and they went back to teaching phonics several years later.

Dancin: Do you remember when the Oakland school district wanted to teach ebonics? For those of you who don't know, ebonics is the form of English associated with some groups of African Americans. For example, instead of saying, "I am tired", the ebonics version would be "I be tired". That may be a poor example but you get the idea. I may be old fashioned, but school is where you learn proper English. I don't care how you speak to your friends or on the street, but if you want to get anywhere in life here in the U.S., you need to speak English correctly as well.

I'll get off my soapbox now, too!

murphath: We sent DS to Catholic school too, but the lack of consistency in teaching reading is one reason why we pulled him out and I started to home school.

And yes, I do remember ebonics. What were they thinking?

[mercee]

Y'all are making me want to home school DD!

I think once DSD14 tried to ask me a math question & started talking about re-grouping & I gave her the glazed over look. I asked her to show me her book so I could read about it (sometimes I learn better by reading it myself). Course, she didn't have the book with her. *shakes head* How do you do homework without the book / notes from class? Esp when she is know for FORGETTING things easily - haha