dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Dec 1, 2012 7:35:39 GMT -5
It's another new month Grocery Challengers!! I decided that the standard "intro" was probably no longer needed since we haven't had a "new" challenger in months. Please remember to post coupon sources to make it easy for people to emulate a scenario or find a coupon that you might be requesting. Let's put our noses to the ground, hound out those deals, and have some fun!!
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Post by bluecluessubtlety on Dec 1, 2012 7:55:02 GMT -5
Happy December.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Dec 1, 2012 8:08:17 GMT -5
The couponing world has definitely changed since the Grocery Challenge was born almost 6 years ago.
It has been reported this week that the BOGO Gillette disposable razor coupon from the 11/25 P&G Brand Saver is attaching to both razors which means that it is VERY YMMV whether you will be allowed to stack it with a $/1 coupon, even if you present the $/1 coupon first. saveinla was allowed to do it at her CVS and after some finagling by the cashier, I was able to do it at my CVS (I suspect because that is CVS policy); but many couponers this week were denied. This may be a HU of things to come in the future in terms of stacking a P&G BOGO with a cents off coupon to get a great deat deal, so user beware.
And who can blame P&G? Without being allowed to stack the $2/1 any Gillette disposable from the 11/18 Parade and without the $11.99 auto-deduct on the BOGO Gillette Disposable from the 11/25 P&G, the Buy $30/Get $10EB using the Gillette Custom 3, that saveinla posted, would have cost me an additional $11.40 in OOP or in the loss of EBs. If you multiply that by the number of couponers that would have wanted to do it this week, it adds up to A LOT of money from P&G.
That is the problem that is occurring in the couponing world in a nutshell. The couponing market has become saturated. Since the advent of EC the number of couponers has been and still is growing exponentially. There are way too many people all trying to do the same thing which is why more and more manufacturers are imposing limits, lowering the value of their coupons, and why stacking and other couponing strategies that we now use could very easily become extinct. It is also why some retailers have discontinued their double coupon programs, have or are changing their rewards programs, and why some retailers are not as coupon friendly as they used to be. Our sheer numbers is what is killing us.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Dec 1, 2012 8:11:06 GMT -5
Hi blues!! Yep, it's hard to believe that December is here and that we're at the end of another year.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Dec 1, 2012 9:27:35 GMT -5
With every "change" that I see, I tend to get a little bit "uncomfortable" about what the future might bring. Food items used to be the products that were easily free from using coupons; in recent years the pendulum has swung to non-perishables being easier to get. It could swing back or worse, it could get to the point where it is difficult to get anything for free. I know most of us who are still here have "been around the block" so to speak when it comes to couponing and stockpiling; but I can't stress enough how important I think it is to evaluate your stockpiles on a regular basis and fill in the holes to create a balance among the products you use regularly. If you're like beachbum and have very limited storage space, evaluate how much of your real estate is being used to store expensive products vs cheaper ones. Perhaps bulkier products like paper towels or toilet paper could be stored in an attic or stored in garbage bags and placed in a crawl space. If you have bulk packages of TP that are "flat" (like the Cottonelle a while back from WAGs), pull a bed out just enough to make room and store them behind a headboard. The same could be done with a dresser or armoir (sp.). Some people don't mind exposing some of their stockpiles. Personally, I would not like that option, but it's still an option. At this point, I wouldn't say "the sky is falling", but it seems like every time we turn around, it's something else that is not positive for couponers. << dancinmama now steps down from her soapbox >>
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p8nt
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Post by p8nt on Dec 1, 2012 10:22:43 GMT -5
Wow, December already? How'd that happen?
I haven't looked at tomorrow's CVS ad, I'm hoping to roll my TG week EBs. I will be getting the $25 iTunes GCs with the $5 EB - I need 4 of those and think I have 3 redbox coupons for the $5 EB back.
A grocery hound friend of mine found Stove-Top for $.88/box. I know that isn't great, but pretty good for around here with so few grocery stores. I got 10 boxes so that will last me a while since I don't use it often.
What deals are everyone looking for in December? I'll try to keep my eyes open for you all.
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p8nt
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Post by p8nt on Dec 1, 2012 10:47:01 GMT -5
www.woundedwarriorproject.org/download-coupons.aspxThere are some decent coupons here. $.25 on clorox (Clorox Qs seem hard to find in CA) $1.00 on All $1.00 on Dog Chow (I know a lot of you get free dog food, but I can't change my dog's food and this is what we use)
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Dec 1, 2012 12:53:16 GMT -5
www.woundedwarriorproject.org/download-coupons.aspxThere are some decent coupons here. $.25 on clorox (Clorox Qs seem hard to find in CA) $1.00 on All $1.00 on Dog Chow (I know a lot of you get free dog food, but I can't change my dog's food and this is what we use) Message deleted
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rubyslippers
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Post by rubyslippers on Dec 1, 2012 13:22:28 GMT -5
With every "change" that I see, I tend to get a little bit "uncomfortable" about what the future might bring. Food items used to be the products that were easily free from using coupons; in recent years the pendulum has swung to non-perishables being easier to get. It could swing back or worse, it could get to the point where it is difficult to get anything for free. I know most of us who are still here have "been around the block" so to speak when it comes to couponing and stockpiling; but I can't stress enough how important I think it is to evaluate your stockpiles on a regular basis and fill in the holes to create a balance among the products you use regularly. << dancinmama now steps down from her soapbox >> I did that today at Rite Aid, evaluating my stock of Advil, and decided to get a large bottle 150 ct. With gold discount it was $11.83 less $3.00 in-ad Q less $2.00 flu book Q less $2.00 MQ less UPs, so tax only. I also got 2 bags Hershey candy for free using $2.00 IPQ, $1.00 flu Q, $2.00 UPs and got back another $2.00 in UPs. I also used my rewards to get pop so I don't have to use grocery money. My CVS never allows coupons to auto deduct so I rarely do those kind of deals there. I'm still trying to find away to burn up my ECB's before they expire this month. I will have to go around and look carefully at all my stockpiles. I think they have a deal on Neutragena moisturizer, which is what I use, and I also have a couple of $2.00 MQ's I cut out of a Meijer ad awhile back. I'd also like to stock up on batteries and need to research a good deal. I would've done the deal at Staples, but I don't want to put out any cash. My best deal today was getting gas for $1.36 a gallon using Kroger fuel points, saving me $58.35. My second best deal was getting $30.00 knocked off the price of a small piece of furniture by offering to pay cash instead of using my Discover card. " If you don't ask, the answer is always no," has become one of my favorite sayings this year.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Dec 1, 2012 14:28:43 GMT -5
Hi blues!! Yep, it's hard to believe that December is here and that we're at the end of another year. I managed to forget that also. Is there anything good at CVS starting tomorrow?
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Dec 1, 2012 14:48:40 GMT -5
Hi blues!! Yep, it's hard to believe that December is here and that we're at the end of another year. I managed to forget that also. Is there anything good at CVS starting tomorrow? I've been struggling to cobble together a $10/$50 scenario. Two of the items I want to get are the Right Guard Body Wash $2.99/Get$1 EB. The ad says limit of (1) but it is also a December monthly deal with a Limit of (6). There are $3/2 coupons on coupons.com (new ones since Black Friday), so it will be $.50/ea. after coupons EBs. I'm also going to get a couple of the Dial Nutriskin Lotion since a couple of the gals on here said that it had a long shelf life. So far it looks like I'll lose over $10 of EBs on my scenario, but I'm going to end up having to burn them anyway, so I might as well get an extra $10 worth of stuff for free by coming up with $50 worth. I am not excited about the 12/9 ad or the 12/16 ad either. I am noticing several deals (i.e. the Duracell batteries) that are Buy $15/Get $5EB, but the products offered are all $11.99 ea. which means that the deal is actually Buy $21.98 / Get a $5 EB. That's $6.98 extra to get the reward!! When I see those deals, I get quite a bit irritated - yes, me dancinmama!! What the hell kind of deal is that!!
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rubyslippers
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Post by rubyslippers on Dec 1, 2012 15:14:34 GMT -5
I managed to forget that also. Is there anything good at CVS starting tomorrow? I am not excited about the 12/9 ad or the 12/16 ad either. I am noticing several deals (i.e. the Duracell batteries) that are Buy $15/Get $5EB, but the products offered are all $11.99 ea. which means that the deal is actually Buy $21.98 / Get a $5 EB. That's $6.98 extra to get the reward!! When I see those deals, I get quite a bit irritated - yes, me dancinmama!! What the hell kind of deal is that!! Rite Aid has 8 pks. Duracell next week for $6.97 with $2.00 in UPs. I could buy 2 pks. using a $4.00/2 MQ and basically burn up $6.00 in UPs plus tax.
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p8nt
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Post by p8nt on Dec 1, 2012 15:20:09 GMT -5
Does anyone know if I can buy iTunes cards with EBs? I don't have mine with me to look at them.
That's about the only great deal I see. I like the $10/$20 Schick deal, but I can't find any good coupons for that. My BOGOF razor ones expired last week and I can't seem to find any more online.
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Dec 1, 2012 16:11:10 GMT -5
Does anyone know if I can buy iTunes cards with EBs? I don't have mine with me to look at them. That's about the only great deal I see. I like the $10/$20 Schick deal, but I can't find any good coupons for that. My BOGOF razor ones expired last week and I can't seem to find any more online. No, you can not buy gift cards with EB's....sorry... I don't see anything in the 12/2, 12/9 or 12/16 CVS ad either...figures...I think they do it on purpose after the big BF deals. I'm holding $100ish EB's and nothing to roll them on. Will have to just spend them.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Dec 1, 2012 16:18:18 GMT -5
Does anyone know if I can buy iTunes cards with EBs? I don't have mine with me to look at them. That's about the only great deal I see. I like the $10/$20 Schick deal, but I can't find any good coupons for that. My BOGOF razor ones expired last week and I can't seem to find any more online. Unfortunately, no, I don't think you can.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Dec 1, 2012 16:20:40 GMT -5
Does anyone know if I can buy iTunes cards with EBs? I don't have mine with me to look at them. That's about the only great deal I see. I like the $10/$20 Schick deal, but I can't find any good coupons for that. My BOGOF razor ones expired last week and I can't seem to find any more online. No, you can not buy gift cards with EB's....sorry... I don't see anything in the 12/2, 12/9 or 12/16 CVS ad either...figures...I think they do it on purpose after the big BF deals. I'm holding $100ish EB's and nothing to roll them on. Will have to just spend them. Message deleted.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Dec 1, 2012 17:38:47 GMT -5
Message deleted.
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FreeSalsa
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Post by FreeSalsa on Dec 1, 2012 20:54:01 GMT -5
CVS tonight on the last day of the sale.
Card #1 Duracell hearing aid batteries $6.99 -$3 MC (expired yesterday) 2 EOB small scented lotion $1.99 ea. - 2 IP -$2.37, - $2.71 Anchor glass dish $5.29 -$5/15 CRT Tax $0.54 = $3.72 cash OOP ===> $1 ECB green bag tag
This would be a very good price for the batteries alone and I basically got the lotion and the glassware free. We've been trying to use less plastic, especially for heating up food. Not a profit but the best I could do with my limited coupons and ECBs.
Card #2 EOB small scented lotion $1.99- $1.99 IP Tax $0 = 0 OOP ===> $5/15 and $10/50!!!
The small Essence of Beauty lotions (I hope they are good) should be interesting. I got the PDF off Facebook, I think, and it does not say anywhere that there is a limit so I printed a whole bunch. The first one was no problem. When I tried to use the second and third, an error came up on the screen that it had already been scanned. I explained what I had done and that there is no stated limit and they all put it through manually, however, each took off a different amount. It says maximum discount is $2.37 so that was taken off one, I don't know where the $2.71 came from but it gave me overage I was happy for. The third took off the exact amount, somehow eliminating the tax I was expecting to pay.
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FreeSalsa
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Post by FreeSalsa on Dec 1, 2012 20:58:46 GMT -5
Message deleted by FreeSalsa.
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twinmama85
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Have a blessed New Year!
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Post by twinmama85 on Dec 1, 2012 21:25:05 GMT -5
Hey ladies...barely coupon much anymore but my grocery budget is still pretty low considering, I switched to organic milk & eggs and now I pretty much everything from scratch. I do like to get coupons for things I use when I can, but I usually print em
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leanna
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Post by leanna on Dec 1, 2012 23:00:45 GMT -5
I am not excited about the 12/9 ad or the 12/16 ad either. I am noticing several deals (i.e. the Duracell batteries) that are Buy $15/Get $5EB, but the products offered are all $11.99 ea. which means that the deal is actually Buy $21.98 / Get a $5 EB. That's $6.98 extra to get the reward!! When I see those deals, I get quite a bit irritated - yes, me dancinmama!! What the hell kind of deal is that!! Rite Aid has 8 pks. Duracell next week for $6.97 with $2.00 in UPs. I could buy 2 pks. using a $4.00/2 MQ and basically burn up $6.00 in UPs plus tax. For those who have a nearby Staples store...Duracell batteries AAA or AA (16 ct) are free after rewards. 2 packs per week throughout December! This is probably only useful for those who "do" Staples, because the best deal is to roll the rewards into rebate items.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Dec 2, 2012 5:58:30 GMT -5
Rite Aid has 8 pks. Duracell next week for $6.97 with $2.00 in UPs. I could buy 2 pks. using a $4.00/2 MQ and basically burn up $6.00 in UPs plus tax. For those who have a nearby Staples store...Duracell batteries AAA or AA (16 ct) are free after rewards. 2 packs per week throughout December! This is probably only useful for those who "do" Staples, because the best deal is to roll the rewards into rebate items. I try to roll them by getting things with easy rebates but sometimes that is not available for something I want or comes up before the rewards expire. They will even deposit your easy rebate into your paypal account so it is real easy. But sometimes I just use my rewards to get things like ink. That way I get the ink I need. I am paying for the batteries and getting that amount off the transaction I use them in, in my case the ink, for anyone who hasn't done staples. Staples rewards can still eat into the tax for some reason. ;D What it really ends up as is me buying the ink and getting the batteries for free really, but for some reason I like that. I also think Staples is a pretty easy reward program to understand and use if you have any need for office supplies.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Dec 2, 2012 6:47:00 GMT -5
Dancin From testing back in my lab worker days I KNOW bleach is one of those products that DOES deteriorate RAPIDLY. Good shelf life is 6-12 months depending on brand.
Looking at the CVS ads a couple weeks out I am GLAD I burned my EB a few weeks ago. I just have $2 & $1 on my/Dad’s cards which I will probably spend on 2L Sierra Mist this week.
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suziq38
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Post by suziq38 on Dec 2, 2012 9:30:21 GMT -5
It's another new month Grocery Challengers!! I decided that the standard "intro" was probably no longer needed since we haven't had a "new" challenger in months. Please remember to post coupon sources to make it easy for people to emulate a scenario or find a coupon that you might be requesting. Let's put our noses to the ground, hound out those deals, and have some fun!! Thank you, Dancinmama! You are who is keeping this thread going. We love you! Suzi
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suziq38
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Post by suziq38 on Dec 2, 2012 9:38:51 GMT -5
Hi All!
I am so sad about Frugal suz's decision to stop blogging about deals. She simply is "the best." I will miss her.
Thank you, Frugalsuz, for all the deals you have posted for the last 4 years. I enjoyed each and every post.
Yes, the deals are just not there as much.
I hate that.
On the other hand, our frugal ways will never "die" unless we allow it to.
I still scrutinize every grocery tab.
Have a Happy Holiday and check in with us from time to time. Your blog was an example of how to best do what we do. I will miss it.
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p8nt
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Post by p8nt on Dec 2, 2012 11:08:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the info on the EBs and iTunes cards. I have four Spend $25 get a $5EB from the red box, and they are buy $50 get a $10 EB this week. So, I'm hoping that it works out that I spend $100 real cash and get $30 $40 in EB's back for the 4. Not super fantastic, but I need the iTunes cards so I may as well take advantage of that. Still trying to put something together for the razors. If I go in this evening and they have the Hydro Silk blades, I will blow a gasket!! I even politely asked the clerk if they were holding off on reording until after the coupons expired. She assured me they weren't, but over a month of an empty shelf is unreasonable.
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rubyslippers
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Post by rubyslippers on Dec 2, 2012 11:40:07 GMT -5
I will probably burn $3 ECB's at CVS this week on either the All laundry or the Dry Idea deodorant. I will be holding on to $29.00 in ECB's and will do the Scott TP and paper towels in a couple of weeks. I have a couple of coupons to get it free and then will have $10.00 in ECB's for after Christmas. DH has $4.00 on his card so I might pick up an 8-pack of Irish Spring soap on sale this week as it's the brand he prefers. I can't seem to put anything else together. If I had a $10/50.00 CRT, I would get a bottle of my favorite perfume but I haven't had one of those in a long time.
Pubbler: If you are still holding on to some Visa cards from Meijer's BF sale, you could buy giftcards at Kroger and earn quadruple fuel points. Just a suggestion. I used one of mine to do that which earned me $.40 off a gallon.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Dec 2, 2012 12:51:59 GMT -5
do you ladies share coupons? I've wandered in here a few times, but haven't quite mastered the lingo so I never stay long. I'm happy to share whatever coupons I'm not using, in trade for spare Whiskas coupons y'all might have. a good friend has a very senior kitty (basically a hospice case) that after months of barely eating anything, will now only eat Whiskas food. she's asked her circle of friends to save up coupons, as that brand isn't cheap and she's on a tight budget. this week's local papers didn't have any.
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hopetoberich
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Post by hopetoberich on Dec 2, 2012 13:05:43 GMT -5
I came over to see what I can do with my ecb's this week and it looks like the answer is not much. What a load of carp! their prices have been going up so much so even if I blow the ecb's its very expensive to do that. Someone on WUC said HD has Husky trash bags on clearance for $2.50ish if anyone is looking for those. I am using some I got from them and they are okay, not the strongest ever but they do the job. I believe its for the 100 count. I am do from scratch cooking all the time now. All the processed foods that were so cheap have dried up so its back to the old way of eating. But I just made up a box of mac n cheese from CVS BF sale. With some pepper and whipping cream its not so bad. Glad to see more posters lately on here. I know I can get the real deal on here about what's going on coupon wise. Does anyone think in a couple of years it will be back to normal? I don't know what's happening with coupons. I do know it looks fairly bad right now.
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p8nt
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Post by p8nt on Dec 2, 2012 13:25:52 GMT -5
do you ladies share coupons? I've wandered in here a few times, but haven't quite mastered the lingo so I never stay long. I'm happy to share whatever coupons I'm not using, in trade for spare Whiskas coupons y'all might have. a good friend has a very senior kitty (basically a hospice case) that after months of barely eating anything, will now only eat Whiskas food. she's asked her circle of friends to save up coupons, as that brand isn't cheap and she's on a tight budget. this week's local papers didn't have any. We certainly do! Do you know of any recent ones we could check our inserts for? It's very helpful if you put the insert and the date. I don't have cats so I'm not familiar with what coupons are usually out there for Whiskas, but that's good because you could always have mine.
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