THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[dancinmama]

Feb 11, 2011 10:56:50 GMT -5 mercee said:

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

mercee: One of the BIGGEST problems with the way the public schools are teaching is the impression that young people are getting regarding the intelligence of their parents. How many children who ask their parents for help in understanding a concept walk away thinking their parent is an idiot? I think it flows over and effects their impression of their parent's knowledge in other areas: values, morals, etc. After all, if they are not intelligent enough to figure out 8th grade math, why should they listen when their parents try to talk to them about drugs, underage drinking, sex, etc.

[suziq38]

Feb 11, 2011 10:56:50 GMT -5 mercee said:

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

I feel for all of you.
I just don't know the answer, LOL.

[missourimommy]

Thank you all for your help!! I really appreciate it!! My DD is in kindergarten, so if I can get thru this year, I should (hopefully) remember how to do it when her time comes! I really didn't mean to open that can of (FREE! worms..

ooty, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one in the support group for 2nd grade math flunkie! JUST KIDDING!!!

Dancin, you are so right. It DOES come down to parents and how we teach them. I see differences between the way my DH explains something vs the way mommy explains.
My DH way is just to tell him how to do. I take the long way around and help him figure it out on his own. I want to make sure he understands the concept and not just the answer. I may not be able to do 2nd grade math, but I have friends here and at work, if necessary, that I can ask.

Like last night, another one of the problems was something about a child who picked 17 daisies, 35 roses and 10 tulips. How many did they pick IN ALL? My son looked at me like he didn't have a clue and I worked with him to understand what they meant by "in all". Daddy, on the other hand, told him right away it means to add all the numbers together. I'm all for guiding them along the way to figure out the answer instead of just telling them. My telling them isn't going to help him down the road.

I really don't like this "new math." Thankfully we only have 3 more months of school. Although, this is the first problem I've come across that didn't make sense. I'll be curious to see what the teacher has to say or if he can explain it!

[mercee]

Feb 11, 2011 11:32:25 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

mercee: One of the BIGGEST problems with the way the public schools are teaching is the impression that young people are getting regarding the intelligence of their parents. How many children who ask their parents for help in understanding a concept walk away thinking their parent is an idiot? I think it flows over and effects their impression of their parent's knowledge in other areas: values, morals, etc. After all, if they are not intelligent enough to figure out 8th grade math, why should they listen when their parents try to talk to them about drugs, underage drinking, sex, etc.

I totally agree...I myself felt like an idiot cuz I couldn't explain it to her!! DH told her to ask me cuz I'm better at math than him, but clearly NOT in that case! So I felt like a doofus...now she doesn't ask me for help...

Oh well...

Back to our regular topic of finding DEALS...that we can't add up - hahaha

[dancinmama]

I had to go to the bank and CVS is right there, so I decided to do a "walk by" to see if they had some rain check items in stock and to scan my card(s).

On the very last card I got a $1.99 off any Excedrin CRT. The 24 count happens to be on sale for $1.99. I decided to check some packages to see if I could find one that was expired. JACKPOT!!

So I got the Excedrin for free AND a $2EB for finding an expired package.

That's $4 in EBs I "earned" this week from finding expireds.

I think after a couple of weeks of me doing this they MIGHT get a little bit more careful when they stock products.

[jdnstl]

Feb 11, 2011 11:54:55 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

Like last night, another one of the problems was something about a child who picked 17 daisies, 35 roses and 10 tulips. How many did they pick IN ALL? My son looked at me like he didn't have a clue and I worked with him to understand what they meant by "in all". Daddy, on the other hand, told him right away it means to add all the numbers together. I'm all for guiding them along the way to figure out the answer instead of just telling them. My telling them isn't going to help him down the road.

MOmommy - your DHs way is exactly how i learned math. so when i was studying for the middle school gen ed teaching test i couldn't remember a thing about the math section! my DH (from n. africa & much smarter than me) tried to help me using your method - have me re-learn to think through and work the problem. it frustrated me because i never learned how to actually DO the math. so keep doing it your way, your kids will truly learn it!!!

i want to homeschool, but i'm trying to get into teaching & don't have very long until DS will start school. 3 yrs will fly too fast! and there are other uncertainties that will affect the next couple of years meaning i may never be in a position to homeschool.

[mercee]

Would someone please walk me through this as I'm not understanding it. I apologize for not siting where I got the scenario from - it's either Wild for Wags or i heart wags.

At WAGS next week, you get a free airwick warmer w/ purchase of refills 2/$5. Why would I use a $1.50/1 air wick warmer or the air wick warmer free coupon when I'm already getting it for free? Wouldn't I just use the $1/1 coupons?

Scenario:
Get a FREE Airwick Scented Oil Warmer ($1.49 value) w/purchase of Air Wick Scented Oil Refill 2/$5
-$1.50/1 Air Wick Warmer
-$1/1 Air Wick Scented Oil twin refill pk or (2) single refills – 01-30-11 SS x3/13
-Air Wick Warmer Unit FREE wyb Air Wick Scented Oil refill fragrance – 01-30-11 SS – to $2.19 x3/13

[nickyleey]

Feb 11, 2011 10:16:00 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

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".

HUH!?!? No wonder our country lags behind so many others when it comes to math and science. Why would someone take such a simple concept and make it so complicated? I know it's a Friday afternoon, but I've had to read these posts about 3 times each to understand what on earth was going on. It scares me that I have a PhD in science and I will not be able to help DD with her elementary math if it's more complicated than this!

[dancinmama]

Feb 11, 2011 14:49:34 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Feb 11, 2011 10:16:00 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

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".

HUH!?!? No wonder our country lags behind so many others when it comes to math and science. Why would someone take such a simple concept and make it so complicated? I know it's a Friday afternoon, but I've had to read these posts about 3 times each to understand what on earth was going on. It scares me that I have a PhD in science and I will not be able to help DD with her elementary math if it's more complicated than this!

Ridiculous, isn't it? The schools keep saying that they want parents to get involved in the education of their children. Really? REALLY? It's obvious that the text book authors/publishers certainly do not

[jkscott]

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 think the answer is "C".

After you regroup the "10's there is an "8" left over.

[alphayankee]

NAG

Another completely NAG, but totally hilarious site!

hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2009/12/11-emoticons-for-advanced-writer.html

Most of the posts take a little more commitment than I am used to, but the payoff is worth it.

[rubyslippers]

Pubbler, thanks for the heads up on the Gain deals. I ordered my coupons from ebay yesterday and was planning on using them at Rite Aid, but the softener bottles are pretty little. Do you know if the catalinas at Meijers will roll? I'm thinking of doing my deals there.

[suziq38]

I just got back from Rite Aid:

I bought two Colgate Sensitive toothpastes and 8 Dove invisible whatever deodorants.

I used two 75 cent MQ's for the two Colgates, and 8 $2.00 MQ's for the Dove deodorants.

I think the Dove deodorants came out FREE, and I paid $2.75 each for the Colgates.

I received 4 $2.00 UPs for the Dove, and two $3.50 UPs for the Colgates
Since the Doves were free, I didn't lose any UPs there. I did have to pay about $5.00 in UPs for the 2 Colgates.

I ended up with an OOP of about 50 cents plus tax.

So I paid $5.00 in UPs to received about $15.00 in UPs, and some of it counted towards my Winter deal.
I am at $93.XX right now.

Thank you for the scenario, Dancinmama!

My next plan of action is to find more RA's with the Dove deoderants. Hopefully, I can find a few more coupons.

Unfortunately, the RA that I went to were almost out of Dove.
For those of you that start this sale on Sunday, GO early if possible, with your coupons cut and ready, LOL.

[missourimommy]

So I have an answer to the crazy math problem. The answer is ... THE TEACHER WAS CONFUSED and didn't have a CLUE what they were talking about either! I did attach the answer Sam gave,
" 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". ", which was on the same page as the teacher, but he didn't want to try and explain it to a group of 2nd graders. Thank you ALL for your help!! I appreciate that I can bring my crazy questions to you all and, while you may laugh at me behind my back, you all help!

I knew I was in trouble when I gave the question to some engineers and THEY couldn't figure out what it meant, either!

[mizbear]

I help my nieces with their homework a lot. It grates my nerves the way that the schools have done away with phonics (probably the reason my one niece can't spell worth you-know-what) and keep teaching "tricks" for basic operations in math without making sure the kids have the basic concept and base method down first. They are teaching 4 syllable words in spelling- but no definitions- grrr.
B
36+8= 44 B 30+(7+7)=44
B is the only choice that produces the correct answer.
A 30+(6+6)=42
C 30+(10+8)= 48
D 30+(6+4)= 40

[suziq38]

On a different, but related subject, one of the Ups that I submitted would not scan. To make matters worse, it was for an order that had already reached the UPs limit.
I had a "brain fart" and thought that I could buy TWO Colgates in TWO different orders. Needless to say, I did not get the two $3.50 X2 UPs for the Colgate the second time around.
The manager refused to scan the UPs, but I asked her to input it manually. She refused at first, but then relented.

LOL. The UPs understandably did not come out. MY error.

The cashier was about 60 something, and a tiny little woman, very timid. She was so worried that her boss was going to be a jerk, so she asked me to explain the situation to the boss. The situation was that now I needed a refund for the Colgate. Yes it was my fault, but I needed the refund to happen just the same.

She came over with a huge attitude and refused to give me my UPs, coupons, and money back.
I just told her that I understand but I am not leaving without my money and/or a GC for the UPs and coupons.
She let go of a huge sigh and gave me only part of my money back. I told her that she not only owed me $1.50, but the tax for the transaction as well.
I explained what her error was.

She finally gave me back the money and I went on my way.
I know that once she told me "no," it just wasn't enough. I knew that more could be done for me.

Asking for a GC was great, but she gave me all cash instead.
I thought of writing the main office because she was such a meanie, but I realized that it would do no good and in the end, I still got my money back.

That is all that matters.

[mizbear]

missouri- My question to the teacher is this- why not make it at least a little easy for the kiddos and put the entire correct answer on there if they want 6+4. See my prior post for mathematical explanation.

[saveinla]

Here is my transaction at RA today. I bought 2 of each item, to make sure that I got all my Ups and did not hit the limit.

Gas-X Prevention 20 ct - Use 4$ MQ
Maalox 12 oz or 90 ct - Use 5$ MQ
Colgate Total Advanced 5.8 oz or Sensitive 6 oz - Use 1$ MQ
Dove Deodorant (Get 2 Up WYB 2) - Use 2$ MQ
Hormel Chili - use 55c MQ and 1$/2 VVQ
Gain Dishwashing Liquid 11 oz - Use 1$ MQ from P&G booklet
Excedrin Migraine 50 ct (excludes PM) - Use free mailer Q
GE Soft White Light Bulbs - Use 1$ MQ

Used a 4/20 VVQ, 4 Up and 3 Up and paid 4.55 OOP out of which 4.22 was tax. I got back 20 $ in Ups which makes this trip profitable by
8$. My store had a ton of the Dove deodarants, but I had only 3 Qs. The Gas-X prevention 20ct scanned as 4.99, but shows in the receipt as 4.79 since regular price is 5.99 and with 20% discount comes to 4.79. This should also add 32 points towards my wellness account.

[dancinmama]

missourimommy: Apparently the curriculum for the math program being taught in your daughter's school is called "Everyday Math" or "Chicago Math". It is a PreK-6th grade curriculum that came out of the University of Chicago School Mathematics "Project". It's been around since 1998. It is currently being used in 185,000 classroom by 3,000,000 students.

The federal government's What Works Clearinghouse gave Everyday Mathematics the highest rating of any commercially published elementary mathematics curriculum.

It is part of the "reform mathematics" methodology for teaching math rather than "traditional mathematics".

I sure wish they would stop using our kids as guinea pigs for their crazy ass ideas of how to teach things.

When I homeschooled DS, we used Saxon math (traditional). When he went to public high school, they used integrated mathematics which was part of the reform mathematics movement and was a disaster.

[suziq38]

I realized that I had 3 more $2.00 off coupons for the Dove.
I went back to a different Rite Aid (I called first to make sure they had the Dove).
I bought 3 of the Dove invisible solid.
I bought 1 of the Degree for $2.00, because I still wanted the second UPs for the 4th deodorant.
The problem is that there is a coupon for the Degree, but it is only for 75 cents.
I went ahead with the deal and my OOP came to $1.25 plus tax.

I cleared out part of the OOP with $1.00 UPs.
The balance was now 25 cents plus tax.

I essentially paid with a $1.00 in UPS and 25 cents cash to get $4.00 in UPs back.
Still a good deal if you are a coupon short.

I have to check to see if Aunt Clara, my sisters and the handyman has given me any coupon flyers lately.

Maybe I can find more Dove coupons, LOL.

If you have them, hang on to them.
They are like "gold" this week at Rite Aid, LOL.

I finally hit the $100.00 mark with the Winter Rewards Program!!

I received my UPS for $20.00 this afternoon.

Now this is the problem:
I am having a hysterectomy a week from today.

The doctor says that I have to stay home for awhile after the surgery, LOL.

That is going to be a bit rough on me.

No hounding for about 2 weeks.

I am going to have to check on my expiration dates on my RR's, UPs, and EB's.
This could be a nightmare. I may have to "burn" store credit needlessly.

If you think of any great deals this week that I can do to "exchange" my store credit for cash or "refreshed" store credit, please post.

If you do not hear from me for a few days after February 18, I am probably in a bed somewhere, LOL.
I will think of all of you and all the deals that I am missing in my dreams.

Keep on hounding. It works.

[hopetoberich]

My RA had the Stax in stock today.

I did a great deal. I had $4/$20 VV $1.75 in MQ and i used $15 in ups and came out with
4 Stax,
2 Finness, Shampoo
Pam cooking spray,
I Doz eggs,
1 box Ritz Munchables,
2 boxes Triscuit

Paid 20 cents oop and got back $12 UP.

Check the dates though, my Ritz was Feb 6th 2011. Not sure what i will do, they are probably ok to eat.

I only wanted the Pam & Eggs so for losing $3 UP and 20c oop i got a few snacks added in too.

[jkscott]

I just got back from a frusterating trip to Publix.

Usually everything goes well with my Q'ing, tonight was the exception. I had a teenage girl ring me up and give me a problem.

First, she rang up two boxes of cereal that were supposed to be BOGO but did not ring up that way. I told her about it and she responded that I had the wrong size. I asked her to void it and she only voided one box. I saw this happen on the screen and asked her to void both boxes and she did with a hint of "how dare you correct me".
Then, she rang up my Quilted Northern bathroom tissue and two Brawny paper towels. Publix currently is giving you 2 Brawny paper towels for free with the purchase of Quilted Northern. She looked at my coupon, gave a big long sigh and took off 1 of the Brawnys. Again, I had to tell her that BOTH were free. She then mumbled something and took the other one off.
At this point my patience is running thin with her.
More scanning ensues, and now she is refusing my Nyquil coupon for 1.50 that I was using on the trial size. Note, on this coupon is doesnt say anything about trial size exclusions. I told her that I did this scenario all the time. She wouldnt scan the darn thing.

All in all, I had to correct her a number of times and she was very coupon unfriendly. I knew I would have experiences like this but WHY do I feel like a 2nd rate citizen for using coupons?? Its free money! Why would anyone not take advantage of that?? I felt like asking her to pretend like it was her money so she would scan more carefully.

Here is my trip summary.

Total Spent: 69.32

Total Saved: 30.43 (Bogo's and 12 coupons).

[suziq38]

Feb 11, 2011 20:04:51 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

My RA had the Stax in stock today.

I did a great deal. I had $4/$20 VV $1.75 in MQ and i used $15 in ups and came out with
4 Stax,
2 Finness, Shampoo
Pam cooking spray,
I Doz eggs,
1 box Ritz Munchables,
2 boxes Triscuit

Paid 20 cents oop and got back $12 UP.

Check the dates though, my Ritz was Feb 6th 2011. Not sure what i will do, they are probably ok to eat.

I only wanted the Pam & Eggs so for losing $3 UP and 20c oop i got a few snacks added in too.

Hopetoberich,
What did you get the $12.00 in UPS for?

Great scenario, by the way.

Thanks.

[suziq38]

All in all, I had to correct her a number of times and she was very coupon unfriendly. I knew I would have experiences like this but WHY do I feel like a 2nd rate citizen for using coupons?? Its free money! Why would anyone not take advantage of that?? I felt like asking her to pretend like it was her money so she would scan more carefully.


I would not even go back to her if she were the last cashier standing, LOL.

I have done that. I would look at the rude cashier, smile, and keep on pushing my cart until another cashier became available.

Once the cashier in question asked me why I didn't like coming to her register area.
I told her the truth. I said that she was rude and scrutinized every coupon I ever gave her and she just wasn't worth the hassle. That there are other cashiers that are far more accepting of my ways and the coupons that I submit.

[dancinmama]

Feb 11, 2011 20:01:55 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

I finally hit the $100.00 mark with the Winter Rewards Program!!

I received my UPS for $20.00 this afternoon.

suzi: YEAH!! Mission accomplished.

[hopetoberich]

I got $5 for the Shampoo's & one for everything else apart from the Pam & Eggs.

[ooty1234]

Feb 11, 2011 14:49:34 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Feb 11, 2011 10:16:00 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

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".

HUH!?!? No wonder our country lags behind so many others when it comes to math and science. Why would someone take such a simple concept and make it so complicated? I know it's a Friday afternoon, but I've had to read these posts about 3 times each to understand what on earth was going on. It scares me that I have a PhD in science and I will not be able to help DD with her elementary math if it's more complicated than this!

LOL...just wait untill they bring home division!! It looks like a basket weave, slanted tic tac toe, make your head explode, giving it the ole "dumb dog" head tilt look....and you still won't get it!!!

[hopetoberich]

One of the deals i am starting to put together myself now.
I really need more food things and less health & Beauty. It was on the fly as they didn't even have what i had planned but RA has been feeding us snacks well for the past few weeks.
I just printed a $1/2 Rice Krispies MQ from the Kellogg's site. Its on sale for $1.99 so i'll get some tomorrow, wait that makes it $1.50 a box, toooo much!

[ooty1234]

Feb 11, 2011 17:09:03 GMT -5 mizbear said:

I help my nieces with their homework a lot. It grates my nerves the way that the schools have done away with phonics (probably the reason my one niece can't spell worth you-know-what) and keep teaching "tricks" for basic operations in math without making sure the kids have the basic concept and base method down first. They are teaching 4 syllable words in spelling- but no definitions- grrr.
B
36+8= 44 B 30+(7+7)=44
B is the only choice that produces the correct answer.
A 30+(6+6)=42
C 30+(10+8)= 48
D 30+(6+4)= 40

This is exactly why I chose B as the answer, I just could not explain why! ;D

[hopetoberich]

Hound Alert................
RA Rice Krispies $1.99 a box get $1UP for each box.
so it will be .49cents a box.