THE FEBRUARY 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[herekittykitty]

Feb 2, 2011 15:44:34 GMT -5 mercee said:

Feb 2, 2011 15:39:09 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! It's so chiiiiillllly outside. Why, it must be 60 degrees out!!

Ha ha. Sorry, I couldn't resist!

I should "smite" you for that!

Yeah, where's the "smite" button when you need it! I guess this will have to do-

[herekittykitty]

I don't know what CVS typically charges for a 26-32 load bottle of whisk, but they are BOGO next week. If you have any of the $2 off 1 Whisk q's from about a month ago (exp 2-13-11), you should get a decent price on it if you can use one on each bottle.

[gardenergirl]

I messed up somehow on my shopping trip to WAGS today. I wanted to get the Vicks deal - buy $20 in Vicks & get $10 RR. I got $21.50 in merchandise together, but I had Qs totalling $5.50. So is that maybe why I did not get my RR? Does it have to be $20 after Q?

I was happy though they took my online $2 Q for Arnicare. It was $5.99 and I got $5.99 in RR. Also got the Icy Hot Vapor Gel for $3.99. Had a $1 Q and got $3 in RR.

[herekittykitty]

I am just Chatty Cathy today, but I have a question for the RA experts: Old Spice and Gillette products are 2/$8 with a $3 + up next week, and I have BOGO q's. Would they take $4 off for one product? This would lead to getting each one for .50 after + up. I am concerned they would factor in the + up and only take off $2.50...has anyone ever done this, and how did it work for you?

[saveinla]

Feb 2, 2011 16:08:23 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

I am just Chatty Cathy today, but I have a question for the RA experts: Old Spice and Gillette products are 2/$8 with a $3 + up next week, and I have BOGO q's. Would they take $4 off for one product? This would lead to getting each one for .50 after + up. I am concerned they would factor in the + up and only take off $2.50...has anyone ever done this, and how did it work for you?

herekitty, They should take the 4$ off. This week SF is BOGO - the sale price is 3.99, and they are taking 3.99 off when we use the BOGO Q. The cashiers normally do not know about the Ups and so you don't have to worry. HTH

[marvholly]

I am having MAJOR issues w/my computer locking up while I am in this site.

My Safeway (Dominick’s) has not had decent meat clearance prices for a while now (about 2 months). This is the only store even close to my normal travel pattern. I did check my next closest store on Sun & this must be a corp/district policy as they are marking the same. All clearance is now priced at ½ off regular shelf price no matter if it is on sale that week or not.

Did have a great stop on Sat. Got a boneless NY strip, 2 Kraft dressing, 2 bags NY style bagel crisps and 2 (small) crescent rolls all at sale prices for a Grand Total of $13.9x but after coupons it was $3.27. Where is Jmo when I could use some bones?

Suziq
I am checking going VERY carefully on the meat at my Safeway store (Dominicks) 2-3x.week. I just have hit only the 1 thing above. Thur our chuck roast was $3.49/lb in saver pkg only so all are >3 lb. However, the Sun supplemental ad has $2.29 price but when I checked nothing was on clearance. Also, not been to Food 4 in several weeks – just nothing for me on their ads.


I am sitting here listening to the wind howl. The prediction is 1-3 inches/hour for 24 hours for a total of 12-24 inches. I have lived thru 4 of the last 5 major snowfalls in metro Chicago. We are likely to become one of them and if we do get 24 inches become the top of the list. Actually as of 9 am Wed we had >18 inches and its supposed to go another 6 hours. All 3 of my doors my doors are blocked by drifts. My town plowed down the middle of my street and I figure I ‘might’ get my car out by mid-Mar except I just hired a guy to snowplow me out. The snow has stopped and we totaled 20.2 inches.

[herekittykitty]

Feb 2, 2011 16:13:23 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Feb 2, 2011 16:08:23 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

I am just Chatty Cathy today, but I have a question for the RA experts: Old Spice and Gillette products are 2/$8 with a $3 + up next week, and I have BOGO q's. Would they take $4 off for one product? This would lead to getting each one for .50 after + up. I am concerned they would factor in the + up and only take off $2.50...has anyone ever done this, and how did it work for you?

herekitty, They should take the 4$ off. This week SF is BOGO - the sale price is 3.99, and they are taking 3.99 off when we use the BOGO Q. The cashiers normally do not know about the Ups and so you don't have to worry. HTH

Thanks!

[alphayankee]

I messed up somehow on my shopping trip to WAGS today. I wanted to get the Vicks deal - buy $20 in Vicks & get $10 RR. I got $21.50 in merchandise together, but I had Qs totalling $5.50. So is that maybe why I did not get my RR? Does it have to be $20 after Q?

This deal is supposed to be good until the end of March, and counts the price BEFORE Q's, so you should get the RR, if you bought the correct items. What products did you buy? I bought the 20 ct box of Sinex and used the $4 q's (these expired Monday, I did the deals on Sunday).

[GirlGreen]

Has anyone had problems with UPs not scanning? It's been happening at both RAs I've been to. The cashiers entered them manually, but I hate holding up the line with my stacks of coupons & UPs.

[weaselfer]

NAG, but the cold weather has caused rolling blackouts in Texas. Yup! Woke up this morning to no power. So even though we didn't get snow or ice, just cold, we had no power. DH said the power went out 3 times this morning, each time for about 45 minutes a piece. Needless to say, many people were late this morning. At least Spring is to come early according to the groundhog. ;D

[dancinmama]

Feb 2, 2011 16:38:30 GMT -5 GirlGreen said:

Has anyone had problems with UPs not scanning? It's been happening at both RAs I've been to. The cashiers entered them manually, but I hate holding up the line with my stacks of coupons & UPs.

This has only happened to me when the UP was scanned, but then I ended up not using it. Now when that happens, I have the cashier write on the UPs that it is still good and initial it.

[missourimommy]

mercee and others:

I agree!! We need to find a "smite" or some other button for FreeSalsa !! JUST KIDDING!!!!

Tonight it's supposed to be a "balmy" -6, with wind chills of -15 to -20! I have a dollar that says the kids don't go to school because of it!

herekittykitty, you are more than welcome! I've done that for someone else and it worked just fine.

I also managed to pick up 6 "NBPR MIR for $7.00 wyb $14.01 worth of "salty snacks, ice, charcoal, propane, windshield wiper fluid, dips, condiments, buns, coolers, meat snacks, deli sandwiches, bottled water and prepared foods from the deli (including sandwiches, chicken wings/drums or pizza)" Valid in AL, AR, CT, HI, IN, KY, MA, ME, MN, MO, NC, NJ, RI, SD,UT,VA and WV only".

Please let me know if you are interested. mommy2twoal, you have pm from me!

[missourimommy]

I also managed to snag a different coupon book....Not the greatest, but something, at least..

$1/2 Cheez-it (7.5 oz or larger)
$2/2 Town House Crackers (9.5 or larger, any flavor, mix or match)
$1/2 Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies (8.5 oz or larger, any flavor, mix or match)
$1/2 Wheatables and/or Wheatable Nut Crisps Crackers
$1/2 New York Brand frozen garlic bread products
$2/2 Wholly products (guacamole, salsa, etc)
$1/3 Bumble Bee crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, or sardines
$1.50/2 Kaukauna or WisPride Cheese Spread
$1/2 Hefty plates, cups or bowls

Please let me know if anyone would like any.

[missourimommy]

NAg:

UGH!! I swear my kids will be going to school until July 4!! School has been canceled again... Oh well....

ooty, you have pm.

[saveinla]

Feb 2, 2011 18:07:22 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

I also managed to snag a different coupon book....Not the greatest, but something, at least..

$1/2 Cheez-it (7.5 oz or larger)
$2/2 Town House Crackers (9.5 or larger, any flavor, mix or match)
$1/2 Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies (8.5 oz or larger, any flavor, mix or match)
$1/2 Wheatables and/or Wheatable Nut Crisps Crackers
$1/2 New York Brand frozen garlic bread products
$2/2 Wholly products (guacamole, salsa, etc)
$1/3 Bumble Bee crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, or sardines
$1.50/2 Kaukauna or WisPride Cheese Spread
$1/2 Hefty plates, cups or bowls

Please let me know if anyone would like any.

missourimommy, Is this the one with Guy Fieri on the cover? Thanks

[missourimommy]

saveinla,
This one is not. THis one says "Catch a Taste of The Big Game" and has a picture of Jerry Rice on the front.

[misspt]

freesalsa: you have an email from me.

[FreeSalsa]

Feb 2, 2011 15:50:00 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

Feb 2, 2011 15:44:34 GMT -5 mercee said:

I should "smite" you for that!

Yeah, where's the "smite" button when you need it! I guess this will have to do-

I like your little fighting guys. What emoticons will they think of next?

I only kid because I imagine you all toasty and warm inside your houses, snuggled up next to a fireplace with no worries for the next 24 hours except which book to read next. It's how I'd like to remember those blizzard days. It's been a while so I've conveniently forgotten about the loss of power, shoveling, being stranded. Luckily you have your stockpiles to keep you going! Stay safe, ya'll!

[GirlGreen]

Feb 2, 2011 17:27:21 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 2, 2011 16:38:30 GMT -5 GirlGreen said:

Has anyone had problems with UPs not scanning? It's been happening at both RAs I've been to. The cashiers entered them manually, but I hate holding up the line with my stacks of coupons & UPs.

This has only happened to me when the UP was scanned, but then I ended up not using it. Now when that happens, I have the cashier write on the UPs that it is still good and initial it.

They definitely hadn't been scanned before. Both cashiers said they'd noticed some have trouble being scanned, so I hope it's not just me.

[jkscott]

Diapers are 8.99 at CVS right now and you get a ECB on top of it. Add in a $2Q and you have a good deal.

[mommy2twoal]

Feb 2, 2011 17:58:29 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

mercee and others:

I agree!! We need to find a "smite" or some other button for FreeSalsa !! JUST KIDDING!!!!

Tonight it's supposed to be a "balmy" -6, with wind chills of -15 to -20! I have a dollar that says the kids don't go to school because of it!

herekittykitty, you are more than welcome! I've done that for someone else and it worked just fine.

I also managed to pick up 6 "NBPR MIR for $7.00 wyb $14.01 worth of "salty snacks, ice, charcoal, propane, windshield wiper fluid, dips, condiments, buns, coolers, meat snacks, deli sandwiches, bottled water and prepared foods from the deli (including sandwiches, chicken wings/drums or pizza)" Valid in AL, AR, CT, HI, IN, KY, MA, ME, MN, MO, NC, NJ, RI, SD,UT,VA and WV only".

Please let me know if you are interested. mommy2twoal, you have pm from me!

Right back at you missourimommy

[mommy2twoal]

Feb 2, 2011 18:07:22 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

I also managed to snag a different coupon book....Not the greatest, but something, at least..

$1/2 Cheez-it (7.5 oz or larger)
$2/2 Town House Crackers (9.5 or larger, any flavor, mix or match)
$1/2 Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies (8.5 oz or larger, any flavor, mix or match)
$1/2 Wheatables and/or Wheatable Nut Crisps Crackers
$1/2 New York Brand frozen garlic bread products
$2/2 Wholly products (guacamole, salsa, etc)
$1/3 Bumble Bee crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, or sardines
$1.50/2 Kaukauna or WisPride Cheese Spread
$1/2 Hefty plates, cups or bowls

Please let me know if anyone would like any.

Oh and cheezits are bogo at Publix starting today. Yahoo for me.

Missourimommy, I think that about mine. They already have 4 days to make up and I am sure we will get more bad weather.
Stay safe to all you in the blizzard/winter weather path.

[mizbear]

Feb 1, 2011 8:46:32 GMT -5 @jax said:

Aaaahhhhhh...... You sneaky, sneaky gits! ;D

I've been paying close attention to the grocery challenge and I kept thinking, "...but I don't NEED 5 bottles of vitamins!"

It all comes together now.

Feb 1, 2011 8:31:22 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Yes, that makes sense!
If you haven't started with Wags yet, just wait and be patient. Several times a year, there will be a really great deal when you can jump in and get started without paying much, if any, OOP. Watch for their items that are free after RR (register reward) AND that there is a good coupon out for. Some deals we have gotten have been Natrol vitamins, $3 with a $3 RR and there was a $3 MC, so, most of us paid nothing OOP and got a bunch of $3 RR's to use later. They also had a similar deal on Ecotrin. If you don't use these products, you can always donate them. Then, you can use your RR's and "roll" them into other products in the next 2 weeks that are giving RR's or just "burn" them on products your family uses and needs. You can usually see the ads for 1-2 weeks ahead on i heart wags, so, you can do your planning for how to use those RR's. I would NOT pay very much OOP just to get an RR and get started unless it was something that you use/need anyway. Just be patient...make sure you read here daily. There will be another great deal.

jax- I hope I am not misunderstanding you. I tend to agree with the advice you have been given by constanz. That said, when you see a deal on a product you use- for instance I take several different vitamins and supplements daily- you scoop it up if you can- in my case, that may mean 5 or 10 bottles of vitamins. I shop what will get me what I need for the lowest OOP over the long run. For instance, there is a B1G1F sale on one of my preferred brands of vitamins this week at CVS, plus I have coupons, plus I have a CVS 5$ off $15 coupon for that vitamin, plus I have a $5 off $30 rebate. I will stock up now and not have to buy anything until next year- and with the nice long expiration dates, that is wonderful.

[mizbear]

Mommy2- I have some huggies coupons if that would help. Theres diapers, wipes, pul ups, goodnites.
Mandy- Nature Made has the rebate- it is $5 off $30 after all coupons. Nature Made is B1G1F this week at CVS where I am in the MidAtlantic.

[debinwa]

Feb 2, 2011 15:57:37 GMT -5 gardenergirl said:

I messed up somehow on my shopping trip to WAGS today. I wanted to get the Vicks deal - buy $20 in Vicks & get $10 RR. I got $21.50 in merchandise together, but I had Qs totalling $5.50. So is that maybe why I did not get my RR? Does it have to be $20 after Q?

gardenergirl: You can always call Wags customer service to see if you should have gotten the RR. Have your receipt in hand when you call. If so, they can send it out. If it turns out that you bought the wrong items, take them back to the store and see if you can return the items. Sometimes they are not accommodating with return of your coupons/RRs used, but sometimes they will make it work out.

[debinwa]

I did some shopping at Safeway today and bought four small packages of meat and some other items. When I handed the cashier my four SW coupons, they rang up at 1c each. Cashier didn't even notice until I pointed it out. She said there was nothing she could do. I told her it was Safeway's own coupon from the coupon book, and she said they were not meant to be used 'like that'. When I asked what she meant, she said they were supposed to be used one at a time; however, NONE of the coupons rang up right, including the first one. Frustrating to me, because I don't appreciate them trying to blame me for the fact that their hosed up coupons don't work. Is anybody else having the same issues with this coupon? I'm thinking about calling their customer service to see what they say.

[debinwa]

Walgreens is having a sale next week on Conagra foods. Buy $15, get $5 RR. Skippy peanut butter is part of this deal, and they are on sale 2 for $3. If you buy 10 jars for $15 subtotal and use ten of the $1 Skippy coupons from the Safeway book, you will pay $5 cash or RR, and get back $5 RR. Ten free jars of Skippy!

BUT BEWARE: These coupons are beepers, even at Safeway! They are apparently coded weird, so make sure you go to a coupon-friendly store.

[dancinmama]

Feb 2, 2011 22:09:52 GMT -5 debinwa said:

I did some shopping at Safeway today and bought four small packages of meat and some other items. When I handed the cashier my four SW coupons, they rang up at 1c each. Cashier didn't even notice until I pointed it out. She said there was nothing she could do. I told her it was Safeway's own coupon from the coupon book, and she said they were not meant to be used 'like that'. When I asked what she meant, she said they were supposed to be used one at a time; however, NONE of the coupons rang up right, including the first one. Frustrating to me, because I don't appreciate them trying to blame me for the fact that their hosed up coupons don't work. Is anybody else having the same issues with this coupon? I'm thinking about calling their customer service to see what they say.

deb: Yes, that's the way that they are ringing up at my store too; but they work perfectly fine at my mom's store. Each time that I have used one the cashier has had to push it through. The first time I used it I bought (2) packages and the manager rang me out. He told me that they probably were a limit of one per transaction (which didn't make sense since the first one rang up $.01 just like it did for you), but I pointed out to him that the coupon states one per package.

Anyway, I have just profiled my cashiers and picked the ones that I know will push them through. It has allowed me to use them on the packages of ground beef which I'm sure is ground up Rancher's Reserve, but do not have a RR tag on them.

[debinwa]

Starting next Sunday, Rite Aid will have Betty Crocker cookie mixes on sale 2 for $4, with $2 Up on 2. There is also a monthly deal on these for $1 Up on each one, so they will be free.

Below are several links to coupons for BC cookie mix, so you can get these better than free. Print your coupons fast, because they will run out! You should be able to print two at each site. There is also a small Rite Aid Video Values coupon that can be paired with one purchase.

www.bettycrocker.com/

www.coupons.com/

www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=14875&nid=10&zid=al23

www.couponnetwork.com/

[dancinmama]

Feb 2, 2011 21:19:08 GMT -5 mizbear said:

I will stock up now and not have to buy anything until next year- and with the nice long expiration dates, that is wonderful.

mizbear: Good point and one that is worth a rinse and repeat.

NEWBIES: When you are stockpiling ANYTHING, make sure to look at expiration dates. Not all the same items will have the same expiration dates. Items that are stocked later will have later dates. I always look for the latest dates possible. If the people who stock are good, they will be toward the back. I notice, however, that a lot of stock clerks are lazy and don't rotate the products like they should. Sometimes there will be a 6 month to a 1 year difference in expiration dates for the same item on the shelf.