marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 3, 2013 8:47:54 GMT -5
Ok. I give up. Must be my turn to start things off.
On behalf of all of the gals here, WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge!!!
If you have never clipped a coupon, or even if you have been using coupons for years, we'd love to have you join us. We are a crazy, fun-loving, and very friendly group of gals just chatting with one another about how to save big money using coupons. We are willing to help anyone, at any level, in any way that we can.
Don't think that you have to read through the pages and pages of posts to join in - most of it will be old, out-of-date information anyway. Just go to the last page of the thread and introduce yourself. Tell us what area of the country you're from and where you shop (grocery stores, national chain stores, Target, WalMart, etc.).
We'd love to have you join us on a regular basis, so don't be shy - just jump right in, have some fun, and save a ton of money in the process!!
It is the third but better late than never.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 3, 2013 9:41:13 GMT -5
YEAH HOLLY!! Thanks for starting the thread.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 3, 2013 9:49:05 GMT -5
Yesterday I made one of the $2.09/lb. pot roasts that I snagged from Safeway. OMG, it was sooooo good. And there is one serving leftover for DH. I put the second one in the freezer and will make it in a couple of weeks. Geez, even the ads from the ethnic markets were a disappointment this week. They did not have a single thing that was a good enough deal to make me bite. I'm looking forward to summer fruit, but in the meantime we still have Fujis.
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on May 4, 2013 6:24:32 GMT -5
People on HCW are reporting getting a $10/10 cat at Dollar General that seems to be triggered by buying 3 34 ct. Bounce dryer sheets for $2 each AND using the $3/3 P&G coupon. I went yesterday and was going to try it, but there wasn't any in stock. A little surprising cuz there really aren't many couponers, that I've really seen, in my little town. But, if you have one, it's worth a shot.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 4, 2013 6:26:28 GMT -5
Dancin I am almost OUT of apples and most offered at decent $$ now are mealy so won't buy. None of my markets (2 natl chains, 2 independents, 2 local fruit/veg) have anything I want this week. I did stop at 2 fruit/veg because one had swiss for $4/lb and I wanted romaine (TERRBILE condition & small-not bought). Cheap is NOT always best.
Another example is kale: Good fruit/veg has been $1.79/bunch for weeks. Local fruit vege had sale of 0.79/bunch last week. This week SAME store is 0.89/lb and a LAGE bunch = 0.64-better deal.
I really need more fruit, other than strawberries like pineapple and/or cantelope. Been WAAAY too high for me for at least a month.
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on May 4, 2013 7:31:21 GMT -5
holly, our Aldi had Pineapples for 1.99 last week. I know their produce prices vary by region so YMMV.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 6, 2013 6:30:44 GMT -5
Where is everybody ? Wada you want to bet I have been waiting for WEEKS for Safeway (dominicks) to put their brand of 2 lb cheeses on $5 Friday sale. Last time it was on was 3/11. They ‘used’ to feature it about 1x/month. Now I am TOTALLY OUT of both grated cheddar & grated mozzarella. Same for the Jennie O Turkey burgers. It has been several months since Dominicks featured them BUT Aldi does carry them too for $5.50 for the same 3 lb and I suspect they are pkg by JO. I am SURE if I give in & buy the cheese elsewhere it WILL be go sale this week (Thur ad here). Will most likely hit Aldi unless someone can point me to a better deal. In addition to Dominicks & Aldi I have Jewel (no longer part of national Albertson's chain-venture capital firm bought it out about a month/2 ago and prices/ads are MUCH better),Target, Walmart (not a super & HATE the parking lot-impossibe) and Meijer.
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murphath
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Post by murphath on May 6, 2013 10:36:17 GMT -5
marvholly wrote: I have been waiting for WEEKS for Safeway (dominicks) to put their brand of 2 lb cheeses on $5 Friday sale.
Well, it's not the best price in the world but if you're desperate, Target has their shredded cheese for $2.25 each. There's a $1/2 Target q you can print from their site. I believe the price is $2.25 (8 oz) so $3.50 lb after the q. One would have thought the cheese would have been on sale for Cinco de Mayo--guess not.
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murphath
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Post by murphath on May 6, 2013 10:41:52 GMT -5
I had to use use my $3 UPs and $2.50 EB's yesterday so... CVS: 1 12 pk. diet papsi: $2.97 Minus $2.50 Paid $1.20 (.60 is CRV which I'll get back from recycling) Rite Aid Garnier hair styling paste $3.33 (for my DS-he loves this stuff and will be home the end of May for a visit) 1 Snickers .99 1 Peanut butter squared 2 M&M's peanut butter: $1.98 Minus $1 RA VV Garnier q Minus $1 Man Garnier q Minus B1 Snickers get 1 PB squared free Minus $3 UPs Paid .40 I still have a $2 EB from card #2 so will go back and get one more 12 pk. pepsi. These 12 pks. will help with the cost of our big time smash graduation party at the end of the month!
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 6, 2013 13:35:39 GMT -5
I have a J4U price on Safeway's raisin bread of $1.49 PLUS I have a J4U 30% off any bread of buns. In the past the 30% off has come off the regular price which is $2.99 which would mean $.59/loaf. IF that is the case, I'll be stockpiling and freezing. I tried to pick some up last night, but they were OOS and there are no rain checks on J4U, so I'll be going back today or tomorrow. UPDATE: Apparently the bread was on sale this week for $2, so only $.60 came off my J4U price instead of $.90, but was still a good deal @ $.89/loaf. I usually pick a loaf of this up when it's on sale @ $1.49-$2.00, so now I'll just grab a loaf from the freezer instead.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 7, 2013 6:01:36 GMT -5
Murpath Aldi is about the same price on the cheese & I don't have to fight the poor parking & badly laid out lot. In & out QUICK.
I am thinking I will hold off on the cheese until I REALLY need it for something, then hit Aldi since it is fairly close for me. Also, I 'could' just get what I need now & also buy the Friday special if it hit. Cheese freezes fine IF being used for cooking/melted.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 7, 2013 10:27:05 GMT -5
HOUND ALERT: $2/1 Purina (3/17 RP) You get a $5GC when you buy (2) of the 18.5 lb. bags at Target. If you have extras, I would REALLY appreciate your sending them my way. Buddy the Beagle and The Rocket Man will love you forever.
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skubikky
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Post by skubikky on May 8, 2013 6:35:55 GMT -5
Funny thing happened with a Crest Whitestrips rebate.
I bought the product at CVS for $48.99, used a $7 MC , a $10 CRT and $1 EB. Total was $30.99 before tax. The rebate form didn't say anything about other coupons but said something about not being able to use other "rebates". I sent it in. A month or so went by and I called the rebate status number to see if they were processing it. The CRS said that they hadn't received it. She told me to send a copy of the receipt(lucky that this time I copied the receipt) to her attention and she'd process I guess.
I get a letter in the mail with a copy of my receipt and a letter that tells me that they can't honor the rebate as "a previous rebate had been issued"? I guess they saw the coupon usage and that's a rebate? Oh well, figured that was that.
Yesterday I get a P&G envelope in the mail with a P&G GC for $30.99? I suspect that the lady that I sent the receipt to with my address just did the rebate for the balance after coupons? Weird but wonderful.
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rubyslippers
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Post by rubyslippers on May 8, 2013 7:09:26 GMT -5
The weather has been beautiful here this past week after all the rain we've had so I've mainly been working outside. My best deals have been at Dollar General and Kroger. Kroger has Van Camp beans for $.50 this week and I bought 4 using $.35 MQ on each. I was paid $.80 to take home 4 cans of beans and a gift card. I'm going to get 4 more today and some broccoli, hoping to pay $.20 for all.
CVS still hasn't got any Jif in stock and that's what I'm waiting on.
Aldi has pineapple for $1.29 and bananas $.29 lb. I've been price matching their hanging flower baskets for $5.99.
Rite Aid hasn't had anything but the Mentos which I was out of so I have a $1.00 UPs to use on eggs this week.
Dancin, I used your cheater beans recipe for the first time this year. Hopefully, I will have stockpiled enough of the beans to last till Labor Day.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 8, 2013 10:26:15 GMT -5
Dancin, I used your cheater beans recipe for the first time this year. Hopefully, I will have stockpiled enough of the beans to last till Labor Day. Isn't that an awesome money-saver!! A little bbq sauce, some sauteed onion, etc. I remember when you could get pork and beans regularly 3/$1. I don't think I've seen that price in a while. I have a fancier summer bean recipe that's always a big hit if you have more time: DANCINMAMA'S MIXED BEAN RAREBIT(4) slices bacon cooked and crumbled (1) onion diced and sauteed/browned in a little of the bacon grease 1/4 lb. cheddar cheese cubed 1/2 C. brown sugar 2 t. Worcestershire sauce 1/3 C. ketchup (1) can kidney beans (drained) (1) can pork and bean Mix all ingredients well then fold in: (1) can yellow lima beans - also called butter beans (drained) Put in a flat casserole and sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese (optional). Bake 30 min. @ 350. If I want a little big bigger dish of it, I'll add another can of pork and beans and/or a can of black beans. If you can't find yellow lima beans, you can just add white kidney beans or garbanzo beans or any other kind of bean you think will work (drained). If you want the beans to be less sweet, just cut back on the brown sugar.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 8, 2013 10:36:39 GMT -5
Funny thing happened with a Crest Whitestrips rebate. I bought the product at CVS for $48.99, used a $7 MC , a $10 CRT and $1 EB. Total was $30.99 before tax. The rebate form didn't say anything about other coupons but said something about not being able to use other "rebates". I sent it in. A month or so went by and I called the rebate status number to see if they were processing it. The CRS said that they hadn't received it. She told me to send a copy of the receipt(lucky that this time I copied the receipt) to her attention and she'd process I guess. I get a letter in the mail with a copy of my receipt and a letter that tells me that they can't honor the rebate as "a previous rebate had been issued"? I guess they saw the coupon usage and that's a rebate? Oh well, figured that was that. Yesterday I get a P&G envelope in the mail with a P&G GC for $30.99? I suspect that the lady that I sent the receipt to with my address just did the rebate for the balance after coupons? Weird but wonderful. The restriction is REALLY weird. At least you got your OOP back. I think there was a recent Olay rebate offer that noted that NO COUPONS could be used. I can understand them restricting MCs, but it was worded so that using any $/$$ or EBs would have been questionable.
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murphath
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Post by murphath on May 8, 2013 11:32:42 GMT -5
Dancin: How many folks does the above recipe serve (w/the extra can of beans). I'm thinking of making them for our grad party. We'll have @ 35-40 folks. @ 6 are little kids.
Also, I'll look for the Purina q's and send if I have any. We are now petess and I don't know when/if I'll be ready for a new one.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 8, 2013 12:49:49 GMT -5
Dancin: How many folks does the above recipe serve (w/the extra can of beans). I'm thinking of making them for our grad party. We'll have @ 35-40 folks. @ 6 are little kids. Also, I'll look for the Purina q's and send if I have any. We are now petess and I don't know when/if I'll be ready for a new one. I would say 6-8 per recipe. I think you'd be good if you made 4 recipes with an extra can of pork and beans in each one and maybe (2) cans of black beans thrown in for insurance. They are REALLY good leftover too. My DH made them for 300 for a company picnic!! TIA if you find and send the Purina Qs. Let me know if you need me to PM you my addie.
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murphath
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Post by murphath on May 8, 2013 16:34:35 GMT -5
Dancinmama wrote: TIA if you find and send the Purina Qs. Let me know if you need me to PM you my addie.
I looked in my 3/17 RPs: no Purina q's. Sorry. I looked at hotcouponworld and apparently there is also a Target printable q for $1 off. If you get some of the $2 man. q's, you can also use a $1 Target q. My Target will let me use more than one of their q's when I buy multiples. HTH.
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rubyslippers
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Post by rubyslippers on May 8, 2013 18:07:31 GMT -5
Dancin, I used your cheater beans recipe for the first time this year. Hopefully, I will have stockpiled enough of the beans to last till Labor Day. Isn't that an awesome money-saver!! A little bbq sauce, some sauteed onion, etc. I remember when you could get pork and beans regularly 3/$1. I don't think I've seen that price in a while. I have a fancier summer bean recipe that's always a big hit if you have more time: DANCINMAMA'S MIXED BEAN RAREBIT(4) slices bacon cooked and crumbled (1) onion diced and sauteed/browned in a little of the bacon grease 1/4 lb. cheddar cheese cubed 1/2 C. brown sugar 2 t. Worcestershire sauce 1/3 C. ketchup (1) can kidney beans (drained) (1) can pork and bean Mix all ingredients well then fold in: (1) can yellow lima beans - also called butter beans (drained) Put in a flat casserole and sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese (optional). Bake 30 min. @ 350. If I want a little big bigger dish of it, I'll add another can of pork and beans and/or a can of black beans. If you can't find yellow lima beans, you can just add white kidney beans or garbanzo beans or any other kind of bean you think will work (drained). If you want the beans to be less sweet, just cut back on the brown sugar. I have a similar recipe called Block Party Beans that calls for lots of different beans and hamburger. It's good for a potluck--everyone loves it. At Kroger today, I did spend $1.00 for a loaf of bread, 5 cans beans and 1 large crown of broccoli. The other day, I got $.80 overage so $.20 for all that isn't too bad.
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FreeSalsa
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Post by FreeSalsa on May 8, 2013 22:33:26 GMT -5
Sprouts this week: Brown Cow yogurt (happy cows) 2/$1 - $0.35 IP for any Real California Dairy = $0.15
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 9, 2013 5:22:25 GMT -5
Strange. My fav fruit/veg market has posted their weekly specials (begin on Thur) on facebook every early Thur am for MONTHS. Today it said to come back on Fri. NOT happy as that limits planning.
Equally strange: AFC usually publishes the 10 day ahead sale info on Wed afternoon/eve; like 5/8 for the 5/19 sale. NOT there this am. Again, I like to plan ahead, look for coupons and decide if I need to run out at 7am on Sun morning or if it can wait until a routine shopping/errand day. Will be checking another site or 2.
I checked the pineapple at Aldi on Wed and they were WAAAY under-ripe. Did NOT buy. Will check again on my next run.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 9, 2013 8:44:48 GMT -5
Dancinmama wrote: TIA if you find and send the Purina Qs. Let me know if you need me to PM you my addie.I looked in my 3/17 RPs: no Purina q's. Sorry. I looked at hotcouponworld and apparently there is also a Target printable q for $1 off. If you get some of the $2 man. q's, you can also use a $1 Target q. My Target will let me use more than one of their q's when I buy multiples. HTH. Thanks for looking; I appreciate it.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 9, 2013 8:55:39 GMT -5
Well, I looked through all of this week's grocery ads and again there is nothing too exciting. I'll be going to one of the ethnic markets to pick up onions for $.33/lb., but that's about it. We're still eating lots of apples.
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murphath
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Post by murphath on May 9, 2013 11:07:42 GMT -5
DH worked in catering for the a big concert last night. He was one of the closers so he was allowed to bring home any uneaten food. I'm now up to my eyeballs in chicken, pulled pork and Semifreddi's baked goods. Not to mention the chocolates and flowers. It's way more than we can eat so we will share with our neighbors. Most of the kids around here are all grown up--just two boys (12 and 9) across the street. They love it when I show up at their door with sweet things. They'll be happy when they get home from school today!
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murphath
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Post by murphath on May 9, 2013 11:08:04 GMT -5
DH worked in catering for a big concert last night. He was one of the closers so he was allowed to bring home any uneaten food. I'm now up to my eyeballs in chicken, pulled pork and Semifreddi's baked goods. Not to mention the chocolates and flowers. It's way more than we can eat so we will share with our neighbors. Most of the kids around here are all grown up--just two boys (12 and 9) across the street. They love it when I show up at their door with sweet things. They'll be happy when they get home from school today!
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 10, 2013 5:45:20 GMT -5
Murpath havew a fun weekend of NO cooking w/all the left overs. That is one of the reasons I batch cook so I have MANY no cook days.
My fav fruit/veg market still has NOT posted their sales for this week (usually posted Thur VERY early am) still claiming to be posting Fri but it IS now Fri & I will be shopping today so NOT going to them.
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murphath
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Post by murphath on May 10, 2013 10:44:23 GMT -5
marvholly, Yes, no cooking is the best! Just frees up my time even more since I've been working on some spring projects. Just got done sanding, priming and painting our 4 adirondack chairs. So many nooks and crannies! But they look beautiful. Now I have to do the same to my umbrella stands as the paint is chipping a bit and I've noticed some rust. Third will be my red mailbox. I'm just a busy little bee around here.
DD1 will be out your way @ May 20. One of her classmates is from Elgin and she will be driving back with her. My nephew is in Lincoln Park--anywhere near you? She'll stay with him a few days before flying back. She did a rotation in Chicago last year and loved it--of course, that wasn't during winter. No thanks--been there, done that. I'm a spoiled Calif. girl now--although I still love the Cubs and the Blackhawks.
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FreeSalsa
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Post by FreeSalsa on May 10, 2013 22:50:02 GMT -5
Where is everybody ? Wada you want to bet I have been waiting for WEEKS for Safeway (dominicks) to put their brand of 2 lb cheeses on $5 Friday sale. Last time it was on was 3/11. They ‘used’ to feature it about 1x/month. Now I am TOTALLY OUT of both grated cheddar & grated mozzarella. Same for the Jennie O Turkey burgers. It has been several months since Dominicks featured them BUT Aldi does carry them too for $5.50 for the same 3 lb and I suspect they are pkg by JO. I am SURE if I give in & buy the cheese elsewhere it WILL be go sale this week (Thur ad here). Will most likely hit Aldi unless someone can point me to a better deal. In addition to Dominicks & Aldi I have Jewel (no longer part of national Albertson's chain-venture capital firm bought it out about a month/2 ago and prices/ads are MUCH better),Target, Walmart (not a super & HATE the parking lot-impossibe) and Meijer. Indeed! It's very quiet around here. May 10 and still on page one! Was today the $5 cheese day? I missed it. I'm home already and not going back out. I could have used it too. We made homemade pizza tonight and it was so good! So we could use more mozzarella. That's a pretty good price around here but let me know if you find something better. Or when it comes around again in two months. Btw, I got the Brown Cow yogurt at Sprouts today (not Wednesday when I posted it, needed to print the Qs first.) I got in line with no one behind me. When I left there were 5-6 unhappy people behind me. 10 yogurts, 10 Qs. They BARELY scan but you have to fold the paper over to show just one bar code and then wave it about 5 times over the scanner before it reads it and then press two buttons. And the lady had to ask someone how to do it. My regular lady just enters them manually and very quickly. Sometimes she'll just enter one Q for the whole amount--fine by me. Whatever gets me my humanely-treated, no hormone yogurt for 15 cents apiece!
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 11, 2013 7:08:12 GMT -5
murpath Actually DD2 lives nearer to Elgin than I do. I am actually going there the 18th. She is in Aurora. I am prob about a 25-30 min drive from Lincoln Park. Live in the first ring of burbs outside the city. However, I no longer go into the city since the parking meters got sold to a private firm. The cost to park is comparable to the airport now and it is cheaper to limo to get there.
FreeSalsa NO-NOT $5 cheese dayat Safeway-not been one since 3/11, that was my point since it was something they had been doing about 1x/month-6 weeks.
All things come to s/he who waits. One of my independent markets (Certified affiliated) has Dutch Farm 8 oz pkg of cheese on sale for $0.99 = $2/lb. That is WAAAY cheaper than Aldi or even a Friday Safeway deal. I did have to buy the cheddar in brick form since I wanted sharp BUT will convert part to grated via food processor.
The more I think about it, the more I am convinced I should go back early next week to get more especially since I want to hit up Safeway again while the Fresh Express salad kits are still on sale AND there is a high value coupon for them ($2.50 less $2.00 q).
I have to make a trip down to my food stockpile this am since today is the post office’s food collection day. I KNOW I have plenty of pasta, dry cereal, some canned soup, mac & chesse and maybe some beans and/or lentils to share.
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