2013 Grocery Challenge

[murphath]

Speaking of cotton swabs, I did get 3 small pkg. (30 swabs) at CVS last week using the $1 off cvs cotton item CRT.  Small potatoes, I know.

HOUND ALERT!
Wow, it's been awhile since I posted one of these!   If any of you got the $3 off Huggies q in last weeks (8/18) SS (I think it was SS), I would appreciate 3 of them.  Going to a baby shower in September and I've decided to give her 4 pkgs. of diapers (sizes 1-4).  She's already gotten a ton of stuff from her parents and the in-laws so I'm going practical here.  You can never have enough diapers.  I did get one q so I bought one pkg. already.  I'll get the other 3 this week at CVS if I can get 3 q's.  That will also give me a $10 EB which I'll use to get her some baby lotion and/or diaper ointment.

Thanks.  PM me if you need my address.

[constanz22]

Ok ladies! Awesome clearance at CVS. All of the dollar spot items in seasonal are ringing 75% off and are NOT marked in most stores. I got a TON of stuff. Band aids, zippy bags, sponges, trash bags, for .25 each. I got a HUGE bag full of stuff for work for $7 and another huge bag for myself for $7. And if you got the $1 CRT last week for CBS cotton balls, they ate free this week!

[MonicaLee5186]

Aug 25, 2013 12:37:29 GMT -5 murphath said:

Speaking of cotton swabs, I did get 3 small pkg. (30 swabs) at CVS last week using the $1 off cvs cotton item CRT.  Small potatoes, I know.

HOUND ALERT!
Wow, it's been awhile since I posted one of these!   If any of you got the $3 off Huggies q in last weeks (8/18) SS (I think it was SS), I would appreciate 3 of them.  Going to a baby shower in September and I've decided to give her 4 pkgs. of diapers (sizes 1-4).  She's already gotten a ton of stuff from her parents and the in-laws so I'm going practical here.  You can never have enough diapers.  I did get one q so I bought one pkg. already.  I'll get the other 3 this week at CVS if I can get 3 q's.  That will also give me a $10 EB which I'll use to get her some baby lotion and/or diaper ointment.

Thanks.  PM me if you need my address.


I figured I would at least respond, since the last two hound alerts I posted no one even bothered to respond to.  I have a few but my girlfriend can only put her son in Huggies -- let me see if she wants them and otherwise I will send them out to you.  I always buy diapers/creams/powder etc. for showers too!

[constanz22]

Monica, I don't think anyone was purposely ignoring your request.  If you haven't noticed, participation in this thread is pretty much null anymore.  We don't even have one post a day most days and have MAYBE 5-6 people still posting here regularly and much of it is not really about coupon deals anymore....

I rarely use a coupon or do a "deal" anymore and I couldn't tell you the last time I had more than the one inset in my one weekly paper.  Sorry if you felt slighted that nobody responded, but it's really just another testament to where things are at now with couponing...

[marvholly]

most of the coupon values have shrunk soooo much that I am no longer buying that brand - even on sale w/a coupon. Aldi or Dollar tree is a better deal. My stockpile of deoter, toothpaste, shampoo will see me several more years. Have not needed female stuff in 10 years. Do not have young kids so mostly nix to toys, art or craft stuff.

I am clipping and using VERY little in coupons. Nail polish is about it these days in HBA as I update annually.

[rubyslippers]

Dollar General:  Jello and Pudding deal, buy 3 @ $.75 each for $2.25 minus instant $2.00 off equals 3 for $.25 OOP.

Murpath:  I didn't respond either but I did look for the coupons.  We only got $2.00 off and it was for the larger pull-ups.  If you want those, PM me.  I didn't recognize the coupons.  When my boys were babies, the Huggies package was red and white.  I had to look several times to make sure the coupon was actually for Huggies.

[saveinla]

Aug 26, 2013 19:15:30 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Monica, I don't think anyone was purposely ignoring your request.  If you haven't noticed, participation in this thread is pretty much null anymore.  We don't even have one post a day most days and have MAYBE 5-6 people still posting here regularly and much of it is not really about coupon deals anymore....

I rarely use a coupon or do a "deal" anymore and I couldn't tell you the last time I had more than the one inset in my one weekly paper.  Sorry if you felt slighted that nobody responded, but it's really just another testament to where things are at now with couponing...

This is so true. I don't even buy the paper anymore, so cannot respond to hound alerts. If I find very great deals like my personal price for some stuff at SW, I just order 10/20 Qs (even then I cannot use all of them in time) and I am done. I have been decluttering and just using up stuff from my stockpile. The only deals that I have been doing are - buying the various GCs from RA and rolling the Ups into things needed for home/school. I have not stepped into CVS for more than 3 months until this week and that was just to get the cheap Charmin.

[emhalf]

Aug 27, 2013 7:40:38 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Aug 26, 2013 19:15:30 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Monica, I don't think anyone was purposely ignoring your request.  If you haven't noticed, participation in this thread is pretty much null anymore.  We don't even have one post a day most days and have MAYBE 5-6 people still posting here regularly and much of it is not really about coupon deals anymore....

I rarely use a coupon or do a "deal" anymore and I couldn't tell you the last time I had more than the one inset in my one weekly paper.  Sorry if you felt slighted that nobody responded, but it's really just another testament to where things are at now with couponing...

This is so true. I don't even buy the paper anymore, so cannot respond to hound alerts. If I find very great deals like my personal price for some stuff at SW, I just order 10/20 Qs (even then I cannot use all of them in time) and I am done. I have been decluttering and just using up stuff from my stockpile. The only deals that I have been doing are - buying the various GCs from RA and rolling the Ups into things needed for home/school. I have not stepped into CVS for more than 3 months until this week and that was just to get the cheap Charmin.

Oh, that reminds me, for those who still get coupons, don't forget there are .25/1 charmin in the 7/28 PG to make the rolls free. The one time those pathetically small values might actually be of use. I'm also doing the tums deal this week because I could use them. After EBs and $3/2 coupon, they are 1.79 each, which is less than walmart and I have EBs to roll. I keep thinking I'm just going to cash out of CVS altogether, but I'm still dribbling along...

[murphath]

Thanks for looking--I knew it was probably a long shot due to the lack of participants but thought I would try. 

I'm going to try and use some .25 Charmin product with the CVS CRT to see if I can get the rolls for free.  I don't think they are "trial size", are they?

I did go to Target yesterday to get the Brita pitcher filters.  They are B1G1 50% off.  $14.99 for a pack of three.  Coupons.com has a $5 IP so I used two of those.  With using my own bag and the Target red card, I paid $13.69 for six filters ($1.88 was tax).  So, less than the normal cost of 1 package.  Needed them because I was down to my last two filters.  This gives me six more which will last us 2 years.

That's how my couponing has been going these days.  Little deals here and there--sometimes a freebie, but usually not.

[murphath]

MonicaLee: 
Thanks for checking.  I'm sure your friend will love your sharing those q's.   I didn't see your requests--some days I don't get on here at all.  I'm currently scraping off the popcorn ceilings in our house.  Almost done with downstairs and then we can head to the second floor.  I'll try to be better about reading everyone's posts!

[MonicaLee5186]

I'm just saying that because the deals are so scarce, this is exactly the time that we should all be looking to help each other out.  I wasn't doing this when couponing was huge, I only started about 3 years ago maybe.  I also lived in a small apartment and was in college so there wasn't much storage room for me to stock up like some of you were able.  Obviously posting has slowed down a ton, but people are still reading and sharing here and there.

There is a great sense of community here on this board and I'm sad to see that dwindling with the reduced traffic but ... what can you do.  I'm sticking around and reading so please keep sharing any good deals that you're finding!

[hopetoberich]

I get one  insert a week now, someone I know throws it out I save it. I saw a $3 dog food mq this week, I'd love to find something for the charity up the street.
There was also a logans steak house mq in there, bogo entree..dh has been dropping hints he wants to go there so maybe....if I feel generous
Giant PA is doing buyb5 coke 2 liters, get them for 79c each. Yeah i csn do that! Prolly one per card but dh has a card too.
Err what else, I have still been shopping less. I went tonight and nearly had a heart attack at the prices, I can and will eat less, so will dh  :Pmaybe.....
Thanks for the heads up on cvs. I hsven't been in there for a month or more but need a few bits and pieces.i'll have to mske a note of what to buy, my memory is shot.
I live in hope that the laundry detergent, shampoo, and toothpaste lasts for a long time. I am still happily skipping past those sections in the grocery store.so long as it doesn't go bad i am good for at least 2 more years i think, 5 on detergent. I do hsve a couple of FREE mq's to use before the end of the year, snuggle and mahstma rice.

[marvholly]

Nearly forgot that since this is a holiday weekend there are NO Red Plum or Smartsource coupon inserts. There is only a P & G. Personally, I can (prob will) skip the paper since the P&G coupons are usually such low value it is NOT worth spending on the paper.

Reviewed my grocery ads and, AGAIN, I am NOT impressed. Really was hoping for some good deals on a last holiday of summer/grilling weekend. I will need to do my big fruit/veg market and the one closest to my house. Also I need a few routine items from Aldi but run all over for . Prob NOT.

Murpath
The Charmin coupon worked fine at CVS for me on Sun. Generally, if you check hot coupon world and/or a full cup they will have posts on what is/not working fairly early on since some stores activat early (sometime on Sat).

[murphath]

Murpath
The Charmin coupon worked fine at CVS for me on Sun. Generally, if you check hot coupon world and/or a full cup they will have posts on what is/not working fairly early on since some stores activat early (sometime on Sat).

Thanks, marvholly.  I generally don't read hotcouponworld--just check their database for q locations.  But I did go to CVS and the .25 Charmin q's worked just fine.  I'll get two more with DD2's card today.  Just had to pay the .15 tax.

[murphath]

Monicalee:

As I've mentioned before, I've had some luck matching man. q's with Target q's.  Nice thing: if the amount of the two q's exceeds the actual sales price, you'll get overage.  There's a $6.00/3 Gilette shaving q that was in an insert a few weeks back.  The shaving cream was on sale for $1.77 so I got .23 overage on each can. 
If you like OreIda frozen potatoes, there's a $1.00 Target q for the OreIda Simply frozen potatos.  There's also a $1.00 man. q in the 8/25 RP.  Don't know the price, but $2 off would give you some inexpensive frozen potatoes.  We don't eat these too frequently but they're nice to have around in a pinch---or when the kids come home for a visit.

[dancinmama]

Aug 27, 2013 19:32:06 GMT -5 MonicaLee5186 said:

I'm just saying that because the deals are so scarce, this is exactly the time that we should all be looking to help each other out.  I wasn't doing this when couponing was huge, I only started about 3 years ago maybe.  I also lived in a small apartment and was in college so there wasn't much storage room for me to stock up like some of you were able.  Obviously posting has slowed down a ton, but people are still reading and sharing here and there.

There is a great sense of community here on this board and I'm sad to see that dwindling with the reduced traffic but ... what can you do.  I'm sticking around and reading so please keep sharing any good deals that you're finding!

I agree.  I think, however, everyone has to weigh the time, effort, and cost to coupon (gas + the cost to get coupons) vs savings. 

From 2008-2011, there were many debates on the Your Money forum about the benefits, or lack thereof, of using coupons.  In those days, the weekly freebies were abundant; spending the time and effort to play the game paid off handsomely and we attempted to spread the word.   Serious couponing equated to saving thousands of dollars a year.  

Unfortunately, with the advent of EC, stockpiling takes more time and effort than it EVER has in the past.  Couponers who wanted their 15 minutes of fame sold us out and the manufacturers did not like what they saw one little bit.  The big money in couponing comes with being able to use multiple coupons to stockpile at rock bottom prices; most manufacturers have limited our ability to do that via restrictions.  I can no longer stockpile (6-8) bottles of Dawn in a single transaction/trip.  This equates to more time, effort, and cost (gas) to get the same amount of product; the economic principle of diminishing returns comes into play and the payoff is just not great enough to keep people in the game.

Over the last 2 1/2 years, as the deals have declined, the participation on The Grocery Challenge has dropped accordingly.

[constanz22]

Ha!  Walgreen's is being sued for overcharging customers and having misleading advertisement and signage.  Said 1 in 6 items in the average order rings up more than advertised!  I can count on one hand how many times I've shopped there this year...

[saveinla]

Check your coupon center on the J4U site - Safeway has 16oz Resers Deli salad (certain varieties only) for 99c and there are 55c eQ and 55c IPQ. I don't think you can use both, but cheap side dishes for those that shop at SW.

[dancinmama]

Overachiever that I am, with the help of DH and trips to two different CVSes that were right off the highway (stopping on the way and on the way back from our little day outing), I was able to pick up (10) rolls of the Charmin using DM's card, DH's card, DS's card, DS's GF's card, and my card.  I still have enough coupons to get (4) more rolls.

Does anyone know if the coupon is printing every day or is it just once for the week?

DS's tushy is going to be much happier.  When he came to visit last weekend, he asked for TP and confessed that he had been using PTs to wipe his butt.  That's a bachelor for ya. 

[hitenney]

Hi all;

Had a laugh today - MSN had an article about people complaining how long their receipts are these days, especially at CVS!  Saying they are cutting down trees, etc.  Makes me wonder how many Extra Bucks get thrown away instead of used, although I admit I hardly use the CRT coupons.  They always want you to spend $10 in some category (like facial treatments or vitamins) that I only buy once in awhile.  But every so often there's a winner!  Aloha!

[hitenney]

Incidentally, including me, there's 10 different members on this page.  I lurk a lot, as I think quite a few people do.  My latest grocery deal was Fruttare at Safeway.  Regular price was $5.49 ! Sale was $3.99. My Just4u price was $2.25, and a friend at work gave me several coupons for $1 off, so $1.25 each for 3 boxes.  Gave my other two q's to a guy who said he would have paid full price !  Other than groceries, I went to Macy's to get DS some clothes he could wear to job interviews - "No, you can't wear basketball shorts to an interview".  Found a few dress shirts, including one Polo brand marked down from $89.50 to $29.99, and then I used a 25% off fund-raiser coupon. Does anybody really pay those prices?  Also bought some nice Dockers, but those were a FAIL - too tight in the calf area from weightlifting. Good grief!

[constanz22]

Aug 28, 2013 20:23:54 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Overachiever that I am, with the help of DH and trips to two different CVSes that were right off the highway (stopping on the way and on the way back from our little day outing), I was able to pick up (10) rolls of the Charmin using DM's card, DH's card, DS's card, DS's GF's card, and my card.  I still have enough coupons to get (4) more rolls.

Does anyone know if the coupon is printing every day or is it just once for the week?

DS's tushy is going to be much happier.  When he came to visit last weekend, he asked for TP and confessed that he had been using PTs to wipe his butt.  That's a bachelor for ya. 

It's just one per week...

i pulled out a couple OLD cards to get a couple more rolls.  .25/roll is a good price, AND most stores here have been OOS since Tues so they have substituted Scott single rolls.  Even better

[dancinmama]

Aug 28, 2013 20:44:46 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Aug 28, 2013 20:23:54 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Overachiever that I am, with the help of DH and trips to two different CVSes that were right off the highway (stopping on the way and on the way back from our little day outing), I was able to pick up (10) rolls of the Charmin using DM's card, DH's card, DS's card, DS's GF's card, and my card.  I still have enough coupons to get (4) more rolls.

Does anyone know if the coupon is printing every day or is it just once for the week?

DS's tushy is going to be much happier.  When he came to visit last weekend, he asked for TP and confessed that he had been using PTs to wipe his butt.  That's a bachelor for ya. 

It's just one per week...

i pulled out a couple OLD cards to get a couple more rolls.  .25/roll is a good price, AND most stores here have been OOS since Tues so they have substituted Scott single rolls.  Even better

I have a couple of those my own darn self.  I've thought about dusting them off and bringing them out of retirement for this deal.  My store was not OOS today, but pretty darn close to it.  If the schedule hasn't changed, the truck comes tomorrow.  

One of the stores that we went to today had a special display with about 50 rolls on it.  Just shows you how big a difference good ordering can make.

[marvholly]

I am debating re: getting more Charmin myself. I still have Dad's card & my old work card. Prob should.

[murphath]

I got another 2 rolls last night with DD2's card.  Just paid tax of .15.  I actually purchased the last two rolls on the shelf!

Dancinmama:
There still are folks out there getting into the couponing game.  The lady ahead of me had her raincheck for a $10 EB wyb 6 bottles of All.  They were $3.99 each and she had six $1 man q's which brought her total (before tax) to $17.94.  Here's the difference between her and "us".  In the old days, the q's would have been for at least $2 and there probably would have been a $4/$20 CRT thrown into the mix.  So, if we were just starting out in couponing, we would have shelled out $7.94 + tax to get that $10 EB for future use.  That $10 EB, with another $4/$20 CRT (they were quite plentiful back then) and man q's would have kept the ball rolling for some time.  Not to mention the .25 earned with each bag tag swipe.

When you're used to paying next to nothing, it's hard to spend that $17.94!  Although, when I run out of detergent, that may just be the best deal.

[saveinla]

Aug 29, 2013 11:06:43 GMT -5 murphath said:

When you're used to paying next to nothing, it's hard to spend that $17.94!  Although, when I run out of detergent, that may just be the best deal.

murphath,

You may get cheap detergent & softener now if you can print redplum Qs - 

myfrugaladventures.com/2013/08/target-all-mighty-pacs-and-snuggle-fabric-softener-for-87/#comments

[murphath]

murphath,

You may get cheap detergent & softener now if you can print redplum Qs -

myfrugaladventures.com/2013/08/target-all-mighty-pacs-and-snuggle-fabric-softener-for-87/#comments


Thanks, saveinla.  I just did see this deal.  I printed the man. q's just fine but for some reason, my printer didn't think it had paper loaded and I was only able to print 1 Target q.  Oh well, still a good deal.

[rubyslippers]

Yesterday Family Dollar had Sparkle paper towels 6 pk. for $4.45.  I used a $1.00 IPQ and a $2.00 FDQ for $1.45 OOP.  I did the deal twice.

Meijer: Shredded mozzarella cheese $1.88, 5 cream of chicken soup $4.25, 5 Mentos gum $5.00 = $11.13 - $6.00 Q - $5.00 mperk = $.13 OOP and received 500 Labels for Education.  I did the deal twice and paid $.26 OOP.

Kroger: 4 Diet Pepsi 12 packs, 2 liters Dr. Pepper 10 - $2.00 Q on Pepsi, minus buy 1 get 1 free Dr. Pepper (auto deducted $1.99)- free ecoupon for Dr. Pepper 10 = $7.73 OOP.

Staples: 1 photo paper, 1 printers paper, 1 pastel paper, 1 box Bic pens, 2 erasers, 10 folders and 2 notecards and I used $18.00 in rewards and $1.00 IPQ off Bic.  I'll receive over $19.00 back in rebates.  I paid $2.03 OOP. I also got a couple of good catalinas, $10/30 Kohls and $10/20 cleaning supplies.

Walmart:  I spent $14.49 and saved $64.00 getting overage on the Almay and Gillette.  I bought a really big pork butt to make pulled pork and also got a bunch of produce and canned goods.  The pork alone was over $16.00 so I came home happy.

I didn't do the TP deal at CVS but I did look at my account online.  I spent a grand total of $.33 this summer.  I haven't been there in a long time and won't be back until there's a really good sale.  I'm glad everyone else got free toilet paper. 

Our beef came in today and our freezer is full.

[MonicaLee5186]

I also did the Family Dollar Sparkle deal but my FD is such a pain!  They made me do two separate transactions but I could only use my CC for one of them.  I rarely have cash on me so it was lucky that I had $5 on me to do the second deal.  I held up the line while they figured out why the register wouldn't take my CC and I was just really aggravated.  Oh well, got some cheap PT!

[marvholly]

A friend is having her annual summer bash next Sat. She provides some wine, some beer, soft drinks and main course. Everyone brings something to share: appetizer, side or dessert. EVERY year I make/bring something different. As we have all gotten older I decided it should be reasonably healthy.

did a fruit tray a few years agol.

Last year it was Mediterranean Salad with cuke, tomato, olives & feta dressed with olive oil and wine vinegar. This year it is Minestrone Pasta Salad: pasta, beans, tomatoes, zucchini, carrot, parmesan cheese and light Italian dressing. Bought the beans at Aldi & my big fruit/veg market has the zucchini on sale this week. LOVE it when a plan works so well.