THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[nickyleey]

For all you hounds with a Harris Teeter nearby - Super Doubles is happening now! Coupons with a face value of 1.98 or less can be doubled. Go to southernsavers.com for shopping lists and matchups.

For all those who think that coupons are a waste of time - I got over $109 worth of good healthy food (whole wheat pasta, juice, lots of frozen veggies, cheese, butter with olive oil, English tea, Ken's salad dressing) for $27! OK, I did get some cookie dough too, but it was free with Q's and when 3yo DD looked up at me this morning with those big brown eyes and asked "mama, when are we gonna make cookies to-ged-er?" I just had to say "this weekend!".

[frugalsuz]

Feb 16, 2011 10:51:56 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Feb 16, 2011 10:45:27 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

momof2 - I just looked through the online circular and don't see them listed. I'm almost positive its a sale price of some kind, but maybe its longer than just this week. I'm going to pick them up Friday so I can report back then, unless someone else is able to check out the tags in the store.

This is what I got from totally target - you can go to her site and on the right hand side she has a search feature. Just type in what you need and it brings back all pages related to that product.
www.totallytarget.com/2011/02/10/last-of-the-new-price-cuts-pet-department/

Thanks saveinla! For some reason, her site is blocked here at work so I didn't think to check there. It opens for a second and then I get an error message and the screen grays out. So annoying! HCW sometimes does that too.

[saveinla]

Feb 16, 2011 11:22:44 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Feb 16, 2011 10:51:56 GMT -5 saveinla said:

This is what I got from totally target - you can go to her site and on the right hand side she has a search feature. Just type in what you need and it brings back all pages related to that product.
www.totallytarget.com/2011/02/10/last-of-the-new-price-cuts-pet-department/

Thanks saveinla! For some reason, her site is blocked here at work so I didn't think to check there. It opens for a second and then I get an error message and the screen grays out. So annoying! HCW sometimes does that too.

frugalsuz, Do you use IE or Firefox? I find that sometimes the version of IE that I have is not good for some sites and so I have started using Firefox. For example iheartriteaid comes up on IE for a few moments and shows an error, but on FF it works fine.

[carolinagirl]

Feb 16, 2011 10:53:51 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 16, 2011 10:45:27 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

momof2 - I just looked through the online circular and don't see them listed. I'm almost positive its a sale price of some kind, but maybe its longer than just this week. I'm going to pick them up Friday so I can report back then, unless someone else is able to check out the tags in the store.

RATS!! I didn't get the Q.

I am 98% sure I got the Q. You want me to send what I have to you? I am on the east coast so not sure the time line for it to get to you. Just let me know. My finicky dog is allergic!

[dancinmama]

Feb 16, 2011 11:14:49 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

For all those who think that coupons are a waste of time - I got over $109 worth of good healthy food (whole wheat pasta, juice, lots of frozen veggies, cheese, butter with olive oil, English tea, Ken's salad dressing) for $27! OK, I did get some cookie dough too, but it was free with Q's and when 3yo DD looked up at me this morning with those big brown eyes and asked "mama, when are we gonna make cookies to-ged-er?" I just had to say "this weekend!".

nickyleey: Awwww....that's too cute. It has been a loooong time since I had a 3yo and I sooooooo LOVE that age.

Great job on your shopping. It is a great testament to the fact that coupons CAN help you get good, healthy foods for very little OOP.

[frugalsuz]

Feb 16, 2011 11:27:00 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Feb 16, 2011 11:22:44 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Thanks saveinla! For some reason, her site is blocked here at work so I didn't think to check there. It opens for a second and then I get an error message and the screen grays out. So annoying! HCW sometimes does that too.

frugalsuz, Do you use IE or Firefox? I find that sometimes the version of IE that I have is not good for some sites and so I have started using Firefox. For example iheartriteaid comes up on IE for a few moments and shows an error, but on FF it works fine.

Oh that's a good idea! I use IE here at work, but I'll have to try Firefox. I use Firefox at home and like it better anyway.

[dancinmama]

Feb 16, 2011 11:44:33 GMT -5 @carolinagirl said:

Feb 16, 2011 10:53:51 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

RATS!! I didn't get the Q.

I am 98% sure I got the Q. You want me to send what I have to you? I am on the east coast so not sure the time line for it to get to you. Just let me know. My finicky dog is allergic!

carolinagirl: Please wait until we find out how long the sale on the $2 ones will be (from frugalsuz on Friday). If it ends on Saturday, I wouldn't be able to use them and you will have wasted your postage. If it goes into next week, you could send them on Saturday and I'd still get them in time to get them for free. Sound good?

[murphath]

RE Food4Less:
We just started getting their weekly special flyer in the mail. I'm in Norcal so don't know if this deal is everywhere:
Malt-O-Meal Frosted Flakes and/or Frosted Mini Spooners are on sale (limit 4) for .98. There is a $2/2 q in the 1/2/11 SS which would make these free with a little overage. Don't know their policy on that. My Food4Less will only take circular q's--no IP's--but, again, maybe yours is different. There's a link to $1/2 on HCW if you don't have the 1/2 SS.

They also have bell peppers on sale .88 lb; zucchini .67 lb. Good prices for our area.

[saveinla]

Feb 16, 2011 12:30:28 GMT -5 murphath said:

RE Food4Less:
We just started getting their weekly special flyer in the mail. I'm in Norcal so don't know if this deal is everywhere:
Malt-O-Meal Frosted Flakes and/or Frosted Mini Spooners are on sale (limit 4) for .98. There is a $2/2 q in the 1/2/11 SS which would make these free with a little overage. Don't know their policy on that. My Food4Less will only take circular q's--no IP's--but, again, maybe yours is different. There's a link to $1/2 on HCW if you don't have the 1/2 SS.

They also have bell peppers on sale .88 lb; zucchini .67 lb. Good prices for our area.

murphath, If you have any ethnic food stores in your area check them out for lower prices on produce. We have some small stores here where the produce is very fresh and prices are low. I also shop smaller stores for certain spices, rice and other stuff that is much cheaper than anywhere else.

[bobbysgirl]

I'm sure we all know the name Amy Dacyczyn, of Tightwad Gazette fame. I asked her if she minded if I told a few of my friends that I spoke to her. She said that was fine. So I'm telling ya'all! I will put something on my blog about the conversation, I'm just not sure what. I don't want to go back on my promise to not promote her. She is the guru though.

There's a Q on my blog for Velveeta 1.00/1 and .50 off 2 eggs. www.angiesfrugalhouse.blogspot.com

[AJ CouponGG]

Feb 15, 2011 19:31:41 GMT -5 ooty1234 said:

I got the REDPLUM today for 2/20/11. LOTS of high value Q's. 3.00/1 Purex detergent, 1.00/1 Purex softener, 2.00/1 Dial lotion?

Noticed that Purex is BOGO at Giant Eagle, save 5.98/2, so FREE purex?? Any Giant Eagle pros know if that works in Cleveland are stores? (2 Q's on BOGO?)

ooty- I did that deal last year and it works fine at Giant Eagle and I'm on east side cleveland.

[carolinagirl]

Feb 16, 2011 11:51:40 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 16, 2011 11:44:33 GMT -5 @carolinagirl said:

I am 98% sure I got the Q. You want me to send what I have to you? I am on the east coast so not sure the time line for it to get to you. Just let me know. My finicky dog is allergic!

carolinagirl: Please wait until we find out how long the sale on the $2 ones will be (from frugalsuz on Friday). If it ends on Saturday, I wouldn't be able to use them and you will have wasted your postage. If it goes into next week, you could send them on Saturday and I'd still get them in time to get them for free. Sound good?

will do! ;D

[oreo]

I've noticed that at our Target stores (there are several in our area) one Target might have a "temporary price cut" but other Targets near by don't. For example, a few weeks ago my local Target had the Annie's Mac and Cheese on sale for $1 (regularly around $1.50 I think) but when I went to other Targets, they were just the regular price. I did find out that you can take the tag up to the register and they can print out a rain check for up to 9 (at least that is the max she claimed). I didn't find that out until after some of the ones that had been on sale were off sale but I still got a BUNCH of it for around $1 which is a good price. I have a 2-year-old who loves it and wants it nearly every day.

Have you noticed the same thing? It makes it very hard to buy the item when only 1 store has it on sale (and of course, everyone wants it so they clear the shelves).

[bluecluessubtlety]

Rant - Went to Fry's last night. I was out of all the fresh stuff and had some stockpile items to get. I get to the register at 757 and the cashier gets off at 800. So he starts off in a good mood but then the manager wouldn't let him turn his light off until 800. In those three minutes, his line got like 10 people in it. So he gets an attitude.

I am extremely organized with my purchases and Qs. So ringing me out should be a pleasure. But since he had an attitude, it turned into a cluster. He starts putting Qs aside because if he uses them, the item is free. Um, yeah. So? So he can't take them. OK sweetie, I know you're barely 12 and it's past your bedtime, but I'm telling you you can so call a manager.

Manager comes and okays everything. I mean, even the ones that would give me an overage. He doesn't care. Just says yes to everything. And Punky Brewster is still stewing about how it isn't right that I get items for FREE. This is now 15 minutes in and I want to slap him but stay totally sweet and polite. Fry's policy allows it, your manager is telling you it's ok, just ring the dang coupons.

Lady behind me asks if it's worth it. Well when all was done, my $157 order cost me $48. So yes, it was worth it. She said hell yes. When we were in the parking lot she came over to congratulate me. I said if Punky wants to hand me $109 a week to do my shopping, I'll be happy to stay out of his line with my coupons. ;D

[frugalsuz]

Feb 16, 2011 14:01:09 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

Rant - OK sweetie, I know you're barely 12 and it's past your bedtime, but I'm telling you you can so call a manager.

Love it!

[debinwa]

Feb 16, 2011 0:15:05 GMT -5 shelly527in said:

RITE AID ADVICE NEEDED I love my nearest RA---30 miles away---but hate that they are often out of stock. Should I call the manager and explain my situation? I'd hate to have to comp their ad and give Wal-Mart my money instead of RA. I spoke to one employee (thought she was the manager at first) and she knew nothing about the iheartriteaid!

shelly: Maybe it would help to talk to the manager. Explain that you live quite a distance from the store and you'd like to take advantage of the promotions, but you can't afford to make the trip if you don't know you'll get at least some of the stuff. Maybe he would agree to let you call the day before the new ad and ask for a few items to be held for even a couple of hours while you get there. Can't hurt to try...

[shelly527in]

Feb 16, 2011 14:30:41 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Feb 16, 2011 0:15:05 GMT -5 shelly527in said:

RITE AID ADVICE NEEDED I love my nearest RA---30 miles away---but hate that they are often out of stock. Should I call the manager and explain my situation? I'd hate to have to comp their ad and give Wal-Mart my money instead of RA. I spoke to one employee (thought she was the manager at first) and she knew nothing about the iheartriteaid!

shelly: Maybe it would help to talk to the manager. Explain that you live quite a distance from the store and you'd like to take advantage of the promotions, but you can't afford to make the trip if you don't know you'll get at least some of the stuff. Maybe he would agree to let you call the day before the new ad and ask for a few items to be held for even a couple of hours while you get there. Can't hurt to try...

debinwa That's what I was thinking. I'll have to give it a try!

[jdnstl]

Feb 16, 2011 13:57:20 GMT -5 oreo said:

I've noticed that at our Target stores (there are several in our area) one Target might have a "temporary price cut" but other Targets near by don't. For example, a few weeks ago my local Target had the Annie's Mac and Cheese on sale for $1 (regularly around $1.50 I think) but when I went to other Targets, they were just the regular price. I did find out that you can take the tag up to the register and they can print out a rain check for up to 9 (at least that is the max she claimed). I didn't find that out until after some of the ones that had been on sale were off sale but I still got a BUNCH of it for around $1 which is a good price. I have a 2-year-old who loves it and wants it nearly every day.

Have you noticed the same thing? It makes it very hard to buy the item when only 1 store has it on sale (and of course, everyone wants it so they clear the shelves).

Oreo - have you price checked the items NOT marked on sale at the other stores? if you follow totally target's blog her motto is PRICE CHECK EVERYTHING. lots of times items aren't tagged with their sale price because the employees get lazy or busy or both. so if you see something on sale, especially at a target in the same city, do a price check!

[oreo]

Do you have a link to Totally target's blog? I'd love to read it.

I was thinking I price checked the item but I'm not 100% sure. So do you think if they do a "temporary price cut" that it is usually at all of the stores? I thought maybe 1 store had older stock and wanted to get rid of it or something.

I know that Targets in our area have different prices on some items. I was buying the Toddler meals (Graduates maybe?) and they were $.99/each. My local Target started selling them for $1.45/each (or something very close to that--WAY more expensive). I looked around and most other Targets still have them at $.99/each (and one had them at $1.24/each). It is very strange how different the prices can be on the same items. I mean these Targets are fewer than 10 miles apart.

I DO know that at Target you have to check the smaller versus larger containers of the same thing because sometimes the smaller one is actually less per oz or qty.

Sorry to get off topic talking about Target...

[dancinmama]

Feb 16, 2011 15:35:26 GMT -5 oreo said:

Do you have a link to Totally target's blog? I'd love to read it.

I was thinking I price checked the item but I'm not 100% sure. So do you think if they do a "temporary price cut" that it is usually at all of the stores? I thought maybe 1 store had older stock and wanted to get rid of it or something.

I know that Targets in our area have different prices on some items. I was buying the Toddler meals (Graduates maybe?) and they were $.99/each. My local Target started selling them for $1.45/each (or something very close to that--WAY more expensive). I looked around and most other Targets still have them at $.99/each (and one had them at $1.24/each). It is very strange how different the prices can be on the same items. I mean these Targets are fewer than 10 miles apart.

I DO know that at Target you have to check the smaller versus larger containers of the same thing because sometimes the smaller one is actually less per oz or qty.

Sorry to get off topic talking about Target...

oreo: Different prices at different stores are not unusual. I have two Targets that are 15-20 miles apart and the "normal" prices are different between them. I have found, however, that when something is advertised on a "price cut", my local Target seems to follow suit.

[saveinla]

Feb 16, 2011 15:41:10 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 16, 2011 15:35:26 GMT -5 oreo said:

Do you have a link to Totally target's blog? I'd love to read it.

I was thinking I price checked the item but I'm not 100% sure. So do you think if they do a "temporary price cut" that it is usually at all of the stores? I thought maybe 1 store had older stock and wanted to get rid of it or something.

I know that Targets in our area have different prices on some items. I was buying the Toddler meals (Graduates maybe?) and they were $.99/each. My local Target started selling them for $1.45/each (or something very close to that--WAY more expensive). I looked around and most other Targets still have them at $.99/each (and one had them at $1.24/each). It is very strange how different the prices can be on the same items. I mean these Targets are fewer than 10 miles apart.

I DO know that at Target you have to check the smaller versus larger containers of the same thing because sometimes the smaller one is actually less per oz or qty.

Sorry to get off topic talking about Target...

oreo: Different prices at different stores are not unusual. I have two Targets that are 15-20 miles apart and the "normal" prices are different between them. I have found, however, that when something is advertised on a "price cut", my local Target seems to follow suit.

oreo,

The blog is called totallytarget dot com.

I agree with dancinmama. My target's schedule of doing price cuts is also much later than what is mentioned on her site. I usually go in a couple of weeks after I see a deal on her site and they tend to be marked down, but my prices tend to be higher by at least 50 cents than what she has. If they are not marked down, I always price check just in case they have forgotten to tag it.

[carolinagirl]

Whoohoooo! Just got my very first rebate check in the mail today. it is $8.49 for the "world's best cat litter" ;D Yeah! I am so stoked about free money! ;D

[ohiositter]

NAG..........
But just had to tell everybody about my surprise!!!!!!!!!!
My DS is home!!!!! I had no idea he was coming home..... he wanted to surprise me Im just soooooooooo happy!!!!!!!!!! even if it is for just 2 weeks....

[dancinmama]

Feb 16, 2011 17:49:30 GMT -5 ohiositter said:

NAG..........
But just had to tell everybody about my surprise!!!!!!!!!!
My DS is home!!!!! I had no idea he was coming home..... he wanted to surprise me Im just soooooooooo happy!!!!!!!!!! even if it is for just 2 weeks....

ohiositter: That's WONDERFUL!! Give him a big hug and kiss from dancinmama and tell him how much I appreciate his service....puleeeeease!!

[mizbear]

YAY ohio!

2 rants- Has anyone else tried to use their 20% off at CVS things from FB? Not worth the paper it's printed on. Even if they wouldn't allow it to be used on the TP I bought because it was on sale this week, it still should have taken money off the gallon of Arizona tea I bought. GRRRR
2nd rant- I swear I am going to shove all of my extra coupon clippings down my DBs throat! He picked the girls up from school- great, their his kids. because I am contagious and his ex-wife is trying to get straight to move. Well, his 11yo told him that if they went to RA they could get tea for 67 cents if they gave the cashier my phone number because I have a wellness card. He called me and ripped me up one side and down the other saying that I was teaching the kids bad habits because I make them pick things that are on sale or the dollar menu or that we have coupons for- their mother on the other hand loves the fact that I am instilling some concept of budget and saving money in them because she is broke like me. He just doesn't get it.
I will probably not be superactive on the boards for a few weeks- my ex-SIL is going to be moving in 2 weeks and right now I am confined to bed (yeah right- I told the doctor I would confine myself to my apartment, but make no other guarantees).

[rubyslippers]

This is a first for me. Today in the mail I got a rebate back from Bee MD and it was a one dollar bill. I forgot I even sent in for it and I never got cash from a rebate before today.

Meijers shoppers: The Gain $3.00 catalina doesn't roll. I did two deals and used the cats to help pay for some of my other groceries.

[ooty1234]

Feb 16, 2011 14:53:06 GMT -5 shelly527in said:

Feb 16, 2011 14:30:41 GMT -5 debinwa said:

shelly: Maybe it would help to talk to the manager. Explain that you live quite a distance from the store and you'd like to take advantage of the promotions, but you can't afford to make the trip if you don't know you'll get at least some of the stuff. Maybe he would agree to let you call the day before the new ad and ask for a few items to be held for even a couple of hours while you get there. Can't hurt to try...

debinwa That's what I was thinking. I'll have to give it a try!

You told the store employees about "IHeartRA??? **gasp** I prefer to keep that tidbit to myself! After I get to know the employees like I did at MY wags, I would share my info. but until then...no way, no how!!

[ooty1234]

Feb 16, 2011 13:03:06 GMT -5 AJ CouponGG said:

Feb 15, 2011 19:31:41 GMT -5 ooty1234 said:

I got the REDPLUM today for 2/20/11. LOTS of high value Q's. 3.00/1 Purex detergent, 1.00/1 Purex softener, 2.00/1 Dial lotion?

Noticed that Purex is BOGO at Giant Eagle, save 5.98/2, so FREE purex?? Any Giant Eagle pros know if that works in Cleveland are stores? (2 Q's on BOGO?)

ooty- I did that deal last year and it works fine at Giant Eagle and I'm on east side cleveland.

Thanks for your responses everyone!! FREE detergent coming right up!!

I was able to rescue 2 more RP's from the can by the mailboxes tonight....that brings my total to 6.

[ooty1234]

OK...so I was whining at my hubby the other day Before I started using Q's I used to buy GAIN detergent and softener (it is my happy place ) and now have become too frugal to actually pay OOP for any laundry soap or softener. That was the first item slashed from our budget. Y'all know the drill, no brand preference!! So, I was whining at him that I was going to splurge one of these days and get me some GAIN and wash all my bed linens in them them crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head and be in my happy place! Then lo and behold the gain Q's came out a few days later. I think I am going to use some UPS to get a few bottles just because We have also been using the free TP from RA and I am not happy with it. FREE is good but this stuff is awful! LOL, next thing ya know I will be splurging on Charmin!

[mizbear]

ooty- I love your story about the gain! I'm not partial too much about detergent- but I don't like to smell like flowers when I get done washing everthing unless it's chamomile or lavender. I also had to laugh about the CHarmin- I bought the 97 cent Angel Soft 2 ply TP at RA and made sure I disposed of all evidence. My 9 year old niece comes out of my bathroom holding a roll of it- I keep most of it in the hall closet and a couple rolls in the vanity- and tells me "This is not the stuff with the bears on it."
Now we know.