THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[alphayankee]

Feb 17, 2011 10:40:35 GMT -5 kathyattraverse said:

Going to my mom's this weekend where there is a CVS and her paper has good Q's so maybe I can cash in on the Purex deal!!! How does CVS work with overage? If the Q is $3 and the soap is $2?

CVS usually doesn't give overage. At my stores, I usually just buy enough to get close to the coupon value, then they adjust it down to the actual price. For example, with the Purex, I would buy 3, use two coupons, and let them adjust the second coupon down by three cents.

I'm not sure that this q is meant to be used on the sale Purex, anyway. I saw a couple of previews, and it looks like it is meant for a new flavor (with Zout added) or on the 3 in 1 sheets. It may go through for the sale product, but you'll have to let your conscience be your guide. I usually stay away from deals if it is pretty obvious that the q is not meant for the particular product.

[mercee]

Quick Question - went to WAGS today & did the following:

Bought 2 lysol wipes & 2 lysol sprays (total 4 items). Used 2 $1/2 coupons & tried to use 2 RRs. The RRs wouldn't ring up, I guess the computer said I hadn't bought enough things? I bought two junk pieces of candy for $0.39 each & then everything went fine.

Was that correct? Since the coupon says $1/2, does that mean the coupon is actually "worth" 2 coupons?

I want to do the Kleenex deal on Sunday at WAGS & want to make sure I don't need to buy a ton of fillers if I do the following (found on wildforwags):

7 boxes of Kleenex
(2) $.50/3 coupons
(1) B3G1 coupon
(2) RR's worth $4

Will this work without fillers or do I need to get 2 fillers to bring my items purchased to 9 (assuming that the two $0.50/3 coupons are actual counted as 6 coupons instead of 2)?

Thanks!

[bluecluessubtlety]

Feb 17, 2011 8:37:59 GMT -5 kathyattraverse said:

Also, went to a fundraiser last night to hear Betty Mahmoody and her daughter Mahtob speak. Do you remember the movie with Sally Field, Not Without My Daughter. If not, youtube it and watch the trailer. The Mahmoodys lived in Michigan at the time and she and her daughter (now married) still do. It was 25 years on January 29 that they escaped from Iran. Quite a story.

I vividly remember that story and movie. And about 3 years after, my BFF just had a daughter with an Iranian man. They broke up but he wanted to take the little girl home to see his parents. I forced her to watch the movie and and say no way jose. Scared the crap out of us.

[mawmawandlovingit]

Feb 17, 2011 11:05:59 GMT -5 @alphayankee said:

Feb 17, 2011 10:40:35 GMT -5 kathyattraverse said:

Going to my mom's this weekend where there is a CVS and her paper has good Q's so maybe I can cash in on the Purex deal!!! How does CVS work with overage? If the Q is $3 and the soap is $2?

CVS usually doesn't give overage. At my stores, I usually just buy enough to get close to the coupon value, then they adjust it down to the actual price. For example, with the Purex, I would buy 3, use two coupons, and let them adjust the second coupon down by three cents.

I'm not sure that this q is meant to be used on the sale Purex, anyway. I saw a couple of previews, and it looks like it is meant for a new flavor (with Zout added) or on the 3 in 1 sheets. It may go through for the sale product, but you'll have to let your conscience be your guide. I usually stay away from deals if it is pretty obvious that the q is not meant for the particular product.

I also noticed the Q was for a specific "flavor". I passed on ordering them because I did not know if the stores with the great deals would carry this product. I also do not like the 3 in 1 sheets. Since I have 32 bottles of detergent currently in my stockpile, I was not too disappointed.

[mawmawandlovingit]

Feb 17, 2011 11:37:00 GMT -5 mercee said:

Quick Question - went to WAGS today & did the following:

Bought 2 lysol wipes & 2 lysol sprays (total 4 items). Used 2 $1/2 coupons & tried to use 2 RRs. The RRs wouldn't ring up, I guess the computer said I hadn't bought enough things? I bought two junk pieces of candy for $0.39 each & then everything went fine.

Was that correct? Since the coupon says $1/2, does that mean the coupon is actually "worth" 2 coupons?

I want to do the Kleenex deal on Sunday at WAGS & want to make sure I don't need to buy a ton of fillers if I do the following (found on wildforwags):

7 boxes of Kleenex
(2) $.50/3 coupons
(1) B3G1 coupon
(2) RR's worth $4

Will this work without fillers or do I need to get 2 fillers to bring my items purchased to 9 (assuming that the two $0.50/3 coupons are actual counted as 6 coupons instead of 2)?

Thanks!

Usually any coupon with $/3 (for example) will attatch to the number of items stated on the coupon. That is why you needed 6 items in the Wags transaction. The $1/2 coupon attached to 2 items therefore, you need a filler for each RR you tried to use.

You will need 9 items in your above transaction in order to use 2 RR's

[mercee]

Feb 17, 2011 12:02:39 GMT -5 @mawmawandlovingit said:

Usually any coupon with $/3 (for example) will attatch to the number of items stated on the coupon. That is why you needed 6 items in the Wags transaction. The $1/2 coupon attached to 2 items therefore, you need a filler for each RR you tried to use.

You will need 9 items in your above transaction in order to use 2 RR's

mawmawandlovingit Thank you!! That makes sense.

So my next question is this...
How does the WAGS ad coupon figure into this mix?
For instance - in my previously stated example, I will also be using an ad coupon for the kleenex to be $0.89/box. So do I need 10 items total?

[mawmawandlovingit]

Feb 17, 2011 12:15:40 GMT -5 mercee said:

Feb 17, 2011 12:02:39 GMT -5 @mawmawandlovingit said:

Usually any coupon with $/3 (for example) will attatch to the number of items stated on the coupon. That is why you needed 6 items in the Wags transaction. The $1/2 coupon attached to 2 items therefore, you need a filler for each RR you tried to use.

You will need 9 items in your above transaction in order to use 2 RR's

mawmawandlovingit Thank you!! That makes sense.

So my next question is this...
How does the WAGS ad coupon figure into this mix?
For instance - in my previously stated example, I will also be using an ad coupon for the kleenex to be $0.89/box. So do I need 10 items total?

No, the Wags coupons do not count into your total items/coupon figure. You can use as many as you want and not need fillers. I always give these last though.

[mercee]

Oh thank goodness or I would need even MORE fillers! Thank you mawmaw - KARMA!

[murphath]

saveinla:
Thanks for the suggestion re small, local ethnic fruit/veggie places. Unfortunately, we have none in our area other than some Asian markets. Believe it or not, they are the same price as the regular grocery stores, if not more. Norcal prices strike again!! I do go there for some of the spices the reg. stores don't carry.

Kathyattraverse, suziq, mawmaw:
I've been a lifetime WW member since 1979 and kept the weight off until menopause struck @ 2 yrs ago. Thought I could do it on my own---afterall, I walk between 3-10 miles/day--but it was stubborn. So, I went on the new PointsPlus program and it came off. The key for me was to really keep track of what I ate--used their paper tracker. So to keep myself "honest", I've started working for them!! I love that fresh fruit has no points. It's just a psychological boost to know I can have a banana and not use 2 points!!

Re Food4Less and overage: The computer beeps that the q is invalid. My checker just manually entered it when he couldn't get a manager over to ask. I told him to just enter it for $1.96 ea. q but he put in the full amount. Sweet!

[kathyattraverse]

Kathyattraverse, suziq, mawmaw:[/b]
I've been a lifetime WW member since 1979 and kept the weight off until menopause struck @ 2 yrs ago. Thought I could do it on my own---afterall, I walk between 3-10 miles/day--but it was stubborn. So, I went on the new PointsPlus program and it came off. The key for me was to really keep track of what I ate--used their paper tracker. So to keep myself "honest", I've started working for them!! I love that fresh fruit has no points. It's just a psychological boost to know I can have a banana and not use 2 points!!

Thanks Murpath. I am also a life time member. I am tracking and using the PP program. I like the fruit idea also. How many hours a week are you working? On an as needed basis?

[weaselfer]

I'm excited. Krogers online had something to do with the Box Tops for Education. I'm not sure where I found it but they were having a sweepstakes to enter and you could win your school 1000 box tops. You could enter once each week. Well, I won for this week (along with 9 other people)! I'm so excited to be giving my DD's (and soon to be DS's also) school $100 and it didn't cost me any extra.

[mizbear]

I hope we get that 3/1 Purex- My mother is such a Purex snob! LOL And to think people used to think that Purex was a cheapy brand!
TP- I know how everyone feels about the TP thing- my DGM has been known to pack her own roll of CHarmin depending on where we are going!
CVS overage- My CVS requires a filler for overage- you can't get money back.
I wonder if my DB will let me use his P90X since he doesn' use it... he bought it and it sits there- along with his weight bench and my extra exerball and exerbands that he borrowed....
Feeling a little better today, throat doesn't hurt as bad, but still really tired.

[jdnstl]

Re: free RA TP...if it's that bad why not donate it? if it was truly free & you dislike it so much donate it like you do free food items. i donated the extra rolls of free CVS TP i got when they were free after the red machine coupon. we tried 1 roll, hated it, so it got donated with other health & beauty stuff.

[debinwa]

Feb 17, 2011 9:23:45 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

Feb 17, 2011 8:53:35 GMT -5 kathyattraverse said:

MawMaw: I just started back at WW on Wednesday and I need to lose 15 pounds also. We could e-mail back and forth on our progress. Would you be interested in that? krichter at shrr dot com.

I decided not to buy the sweets even if they are free or close to it. WE DON'T NEED IT!!!

mawmaw and Kathy,
This has been my problem.
I have to lose some weight too.
Today I am eating Jello alone because of my surgery tomorrow.
When I return home and recuperate, I have to start going to WW again.

suziq: Best wishes for your surgery tomorrow. Rest up and recover. I'm sure all will go well.

[Sam_2.0]

I might just have preggo brain, but I thought I saw somehting about the Purex sheets being $3.99. With the coupon it comes out to $.99 each, but I have some BOGO sale rainchecks to use up (from FOREVER ago!). Depending on how they put those in, I should be able to buy 6 and use 4 coupons to get them all for free. I don't like them as much, but it makes DH help out more with the laundry. And with bambino coming, I want all the help I can get!

[upstatemom]

Hello Girls! you inspire me with all your savings. I had really gotten away from coupons but have been using them lately.
The big thing I learned from reading this board is that bargains can be found at Target. I was there today and really looked at their brand name, I had never shopped much at target except housewares and electronics. I was really pleased with the prices on the items I bought. I even was inspired to keep to my list!!

Thanks

PS: I did forget to use my coupons at BJ's but I can use them next week, they were for cereal and we go thru and enormous amount in our house with teen boys.

[alphayankee]

Feb 17, 2011 14:31:44 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I might just have preggo brain, but I thought I saw somehting about the Purex sheets being $3.99. With the coupon it comes out to $.99 each, but I have some BOGO sale rainchecks to use up (from FOREVER ago!). Depending on how they put those in, I should be able to buy 6 and use 4 coupons to get them all for free. I don't like them as much, but it makes DH help out more with the laundry. And with bambino coming, I want all the help I can get!

I'm not a huge fan of the sheets, either, but I have found a few instances where they come in handy:

1. On a cruise (if the ship has laundry facilities) - these are easy to pack and there is no risk of leakage in a suitcase. It saved us $$ because we didn't have to pay the $1-$2 for each single use detergent or fabric softener offered in the ships laundry room.

2. Camping (or any type of travel) - again, easy to pack and no mess.

3. Keep on hand for laundry-challenged DH's or kids - my five year old can help with the laundry and I don't have to worry about him making a mess trying to measure out specific amounts of detergent or fabric softener.

4. Great for college students or anyone who lives in a space challenged home or has to lug their laundry to a separate room, floor or building.

[debinwa]

Feb 17, 2011 11:37:00 GMT -5 mercee said:

Quick Question - went to WAGS today & did the following:

Bought 2 lysol wipes & 2 lysol sprays (total 4 items). Used 2 $1/2 coupons & tried to use 2 RRs. The RRs wouldn't ring up, I guess the computer said I hadn't bought enough things? I bought two junk pieces of candy for $0.39 each & then everything went fine.

Was that correct? Since the coupon says $1/2, does that mean the coupon is actually "worth" 2 coupons?

I want to do the Kleenex deal on Sunday at WAGS & want to make sure I don't need to buy a ton of fillers if I do the following (found on wildforwags):

7 boxes of Kleenex
(2) $.50/3 coupons
(1) B3G1 coupon
(2) RR's worth $4

Will this work without fillers or do I need to get 2 fillers to bring my items purchased to 9 (assuming that the two $0.50/3 coupons are actual counted as 6 coupons instead of 2)?

Thanks!

mercee: Whether a coupon for x/2 or x/3 actually attaches to two or three items depends on how it is coded (in the first two of the last three digits on the barcode). Sometimes they apply to multiples and sometimes they don't. I have heard people say that they can get around the RR/coupon issue in this case by using the RRs FIRST, and then giving the coupon. If you do that, you have to be sure you calculate very carefully, but then the coupon that is coded for more than one item will take as long as there is one item for it. My advice to you is to do your calculation, and have fillers ready for backup. Pay with the RRs first, then your coupons. If it doesn't work due to lack of items, you can then throw in a filler, but you won't need to buy them if it does work.

[mizbear]

alphayankee- The sheets are soooo great for the laundry challenged! My mom gets me some everytime I have surgery because I can't do my own laundry while on lifting/stretching restrictions. My 9 yo niece wants to help and my mother still has shades of the first time I tried to do laundry by myself at that age- think Brady Bunch and the overflowing washer! My father came home to bubbles coming around the corner of the laundry room and going under the wall into the 1/2 bath! Good thing he was the complex maintenance super!

[GirlGreen]

I got my $110 P&G coupons from the facebook thing yesterday!

It's 3 sets of identical coupons ($37/set) with different sets of expiration dates - Feb 28, Apr 30 & June 30.

[saveinla]

Ladies,
I know all coupons are regional, but did anyone in CA get the 1.50 Sucrets MQ in the 1/23 SS? Thanks

[mercee]

Feb 17, 2011 15:16:23 GMT -5 debinwa said:

mercee: Whether a coupon for x/2 or x/3 actually attaches to two or three items depends on how it is coded (in the first two of the last three digits on the barcode). Sometimes they apply to multiples and sometimes they don't. I have heard people say that they can get around the RR/coupon issue in this case by using the RRs FIRST, and then giving the coupon. If you do that, you have to be sure you calculate very carefully, but then the coupon that is coded for more than one item will take as long as there is one item for it. My advice to you is to do your calculation, and have fillers ready for backup. Pay with the RRs first, then your coupons. If it doesn't work due to lack of items, you can then throw in a filler, but you won't need to buy them if it does work.

debinwa Hmmmm...interesting...I could try that...THANKS! I'm always worried that I didn't calculate quite right though. There are some fillers next week that won't "hurt" me to buy (or be too wasteful like those 2 candies I bought today that I'll be throwing away) - like 20 cent jello or seed packets or 99 cent potting soil.

[rubyslippers]

kathyattraverse: I remember watching the movie and reading the book Not Without My Daughter. Do you care if I email you so you can tell me about what she had to say? That was quite a story and I always wondered what happened to them after escaping Iran.

[dancinmama]

Feb 17, 2011 15:48:04 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Ladies,
I know all coupons are regional, but did anyone in CA get the 1.50 Sucrets MQ in the 1/23 SS? Thanks

saveinla: We didn't get it here in Nor CA either.

[saveinla]

Feb 17, 2011 16:16:43 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 17, 2011 15:48:04 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Ladies,
I know all coupons are regional, but did anyone in CA get the 1.50 Sucrets MQ in the 1/23 SS? Thanks

saveinla: We didn't get it here in Nor CA either.

Thanks for confirming dancinmama. I don't need the sucrets, but just wanted to roll my Ups if I had the Q.

[bluecluessubtlety]

Feb 17, 2011 16:04:05 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

kathyattraverse: I remember watching the movie and reading the book Not Without My Daughter. Do you care if I email you so you can tell me about what she had to say? That was quite a story and I always wondered what happened to them after escaping Iran.

Ooh, instead can you start a thread on it?

[mizbear]

I have a sucrets $1.50- Do you need anything else?

[ooty1234]

DH took my q's to work with him today. I sent 4*3.00 Purex and 2*2.00 Dial lotion and a 3.00 CAT. ALL FREE after the 3.00 CAT. He actually only purchased those items. His total was 44.00 and after store card and q's....tax only of 1.23, but paid 1.17 OOP due to the .01 overage on each item.

[saveinla]

Feb 17, 2011 17:17:48 GMT -5 mizbear said:

I have a sucrets $1.50- Do you need anything else?

mizbear,

Thanks for the offer, but my RA sale week starts tomorrow and my store normally does not have any stock on sale items if I go a couple of days later. Maybe next time

[constanz22]

To all the ladies that PM'd me about the Wags Baby coupons, I will be mailing them tomorrow. I just got stamps today. I never noticed if anyone responded whether they are multiple use/IVC coupons, but they are pretty thick/heavy, so, I will likely only send one set per person due to postage cost.