2013 Grocery Challenge

[mawmaw]

Hi everyone,  just popping in to say hello.  I haven't been doing a whole lot of couponing since we have been so busy.  One of my twin sons is getting married in November and the other one will be getting married next October.  It has been nothing but wedding planning, engagement parties, and showers.......but we love both of the young women that they are marrying so that makes it all worth it.  

With that being said, all the money I've been spending on the wedding, I definitely need to get my butt in gear and start looking for deals.  I haven't been to CVS in a while so they cut off my weekly e-mal coupons I was getting on my 2 cards.  I don't do RA anymore and only go into Wags every once in a while.  I did do a few deals at Dollar General yesterday and will be going out cherry picking the LD sales at some of the local grocery stores.  

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer!

[constanz22]

mawmaw, great to see you!  Unfortunately, the deals are pretty slim everywhere.  Cherry picking is about as good as it gets these days.

Wish I'd known about the Sparkle deal at FD.  I was there Thursday afternoon and I am definitely low on paper towels.  Is the FD Q in the circular?  I could maybe run over today.  It's only a mile or so away.  I'm home nursing a sick pup though so will have to see how he's doing    Yesterday was horrible.  Woke up with a migraine, had to take new little girl pup to the vet at 9 am to get her stitches out from being spayed 2 weeks ago.  He first week of recovery was ROUGH.  Went to vet 30 min south of home.  We get home around 10 and my Maltese starts vomiting uncontrollably, so call the vet hospital and rush him there, 30 min north of home.  What a day

[mawmaw]

The $1.45 FD paper towel deal was a one day sale on the 29th.  

[dancinmama]

Aug 31, 2013 7:12:08 GMT -5 mawmaw said:

Hi everyone,  just popping in to say hello.  I haven't been doing a whole lot of couponing since we have been so busy.  One of my twin sons is getting married in November and the other one will be getting married next October.  It has been nothing but wedding planning, engagement parties, and showers.......but we love both of the young women that they are marrying so that makes it all worth it.  

With that being said, all the money I've been spending on the wedding, I definitely need to get my butt in gear and start looking for deals.  I haven't been to CVS in a while so they cut off my weekly e-mal coupons I was getting on my 2 cards.  I don't do RA anymore and only go into Wags every once in a while.  I did do a few deals at Dollar General yesterday and will be going out cherry picking the LD sales at some of the local grocery stores.  

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer!

mawmaw!!  So good to see you post!!  Congratulations to both your boys.

Can you believe that I STILL have the stockpile of Cottonelle from the deal you posted way back when??  It is stored way up high in our office closet.  Space that would otherwise be completely wasted.  When I have to break into it, I'll know it's time to start looking for TP deals.

[constanz22]

Aug 31, 2013 7:59:26 GMT -5 mawmaw said:

The $1.45 FD paper towel deal was a one day sale on the 29th.  

Thanks, that saves me a trip out today.  Never would've gotten there yesterday with all that was going on here.  My dogs are way more important than cheap paper towels.

[jdnstl]

i have box tops & campbells labels for education. i've sent them to misspt previously but i think she has moved since then. Anyone want them? send me a PM with your addy & they'll go out tuesday.

[dancinmama]

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

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.

There are newbies signing up on coupon forums everyday and they are asking about how to get free products all the time (i.e. laundry detergent, bath tissue, etc.).    In the "good old days" of drug chain rewards, many of us didn't even pay the $7.94 for the All because we had a "stockpile" of drug chain rewards from MM deals to absorb the OOP.  Rolling for no OOP was possible almost on a weekly basis.  And if you somehow found yourself out of drug chain rewards, it didn't take long to find a no OOP deal to get the ball rolling again.  Playing the game to build stockpiles of free products was definitely worth the time, effort, and cost of coupons and gas.

There is no doubt that buying (6) bottles of All for $17.94 (after coupons) still beats paying $40+, but is it stockpile worthy beyond those (6) bottles?  This is exactly the way it was when you shopped for non-perishables back in the day, EXCEPT that you were not FORCED to buy more than one to get the good price.  You'd buy a couple of something for convenience, maybe three; but rarely more because it just didn't make any sense.  On the very, very rare occasion when you could stockpile a non-perishable for free, you certainly did; but I can only recall 2 occasions when that happened and both were created using a "TRY ME FREE" insert coupon.  In those days, it was food items that were free and/or cheap after coupon.

In the not too distant future, I doubt people will be posting pictures of "stockpile porn"; building extreme stockpiles makes more sense when you can do it for free or next to nothing.

[dancinmama]

DH and I went to run errands today. 

We both picked up two more rolls of free Charmin at CVS, so that's (14) rolls of free TP for DS. 

When we went to Costco, 1.75L of Jose Cuervo Gold was "on sale" for $14.99.  $19.99 is the standard price at Costco and a pretty common sale price on the outside, so I picked up (4).  Those of you who remember my posts in days of old will recall the many cyber margarita parties I hosted here on The Grocery Challenge.    Johnny Walker Red Scotch was $22.99 so we picked up (2).  DH checked the price of the same size Johnny Walker scotch at CVS and was shocked to see that it was $43 and change.  He is starting to see for himself how expensive things can be when you don't shop sales. 

Kirkland (Costco's generic brand) is now making flea and tick meds for dogs and cats.  Their price is $19.99 vs $64 and change for Frontline.  The effective ingredients in the two were very similar, so I'm hoping it works just like the Frontline.  What a great savings if it does!!

Swung by The Grocery Outlet, but there were no killer deals today.  That's the way it seems to be there....hit or miss.  I had a $5/$25 coupon ready to use just in case it was a good day.

[marvholly]

GC
I will NOT buy milk at Meijer again. Bought a gallon on 8/16 with a sell by date of 8/30. That ‘usually’ means it is good for another 7-10 days. It went bad by 8/31. Actually, a 2 week long until sell by date is pretty long so it prob s/b a use by date. Guess I will not complain to corp.

Got a nice surprise when I hit a local fruit/veg market Sat. Raspberries were 0.99/6 oz pkg. This was NOT on their ad but I bought some anyway. I’ll probably go back Tue for more and more of the 0.49/lb romaine – that is a price I have NOT seen in MONTHS.

[constanz22]

I hardly even look at IP's anymore, unless I am looking for something specific.  I happened to check coupons.com this morning, looking for something.  Forgot it's the first of the month so there were some good, high value, IP's.  Worth taking a look!

[FreeSalsa]

I burned my last UP rewards on TUMS at RA last week.  Used a $1 Q (I didn't get the $3/2) and UPS and now I'm out of all the drug stores.  Still have plenty of CVS GCs I'm earning for when the next deals comes.  Went to a CVS that wasn't on my route and they were very coupon friendly.  I meant to ask them for a new card at a place they don't know me but I forgot.  I got TP on all three cards.  I only had 1 MC so I paid the 25c plus tax.

I get tired of checkers not knowing what the hell is going on.  I asked a guy at RA where to find the free plastic hooks, he didn't know and suggested aisle six.  They weren't there.  After I bought the Tums at the next register I saw the big box of them not three feet from where he was standing.  I really think that place is bad for my health.  My blood pressure goes up with every RA purchase.

I got a lot of meat this week at Sprouts for less than the usual price.
100% grass fed organic ground beef $4.99 (reg. 6.99/b)
Rosie's organic chicken legs $1.99/lb (reg. 3.49)
Italian sausage, no nitrates added, made in-store $1.99 (reg. 2.99/lb.)
Pork (for pulled pork) $1.79 (reg. $3+) with raincheck

It's been so hot here that a lot of the fruit in the free fruit box molded on the dining room table, including a watermelon that leaked down through the two tablecloths and heat pad onto the wood, leaving white marks on grandma's antique table.  I am not pleased.  Poor DH had to clean it all up before I got home.  But managed to save plums, tomatoes, mangoes, bananas, and pineapples, all of which are now chopped, some cooked, and drying or frozen as we speak.

Freezer is full again.

[marvholly]

Heads up. Coupons.com has 0.75 coupons for Butterball Turkey bacon. I was able to print 2. It is on sale this week at WAG for 0.99. Not as good as regular bacon BUT not $5-7/lb either. Still good on a burger or in a turkey sandwich.

[marvholly]

Hit it lucky at Dominicks on Mon. They had prepared pesto on 50% off end of code sale. I also had a $1 coupon a few days short of expiring. I had planned pasta for dinner so sauced it w/pesto.

My charity shop sale run was not productive. Got my Puffs at CVS.

I need to hit a fruit/veg market today, pick up some wine and get my WAG stuff while it is Senior day. KNOW I will prob have issues w/the cashier as I no longer belong to AARP BUT I do have a Drivers licens and Medicare card that show/mean I am over 55.

[constanz22]

Free Puff's tissues at CVS this week with red machine coupon.  It actually gives a little overage as they are .88 and the coupon is for 1.00.  I also bought a can of Campbell's soup with another red machine Q, .50 off of 1.00 sales price, so with the .12 overage from the Puff's, it made for some cheap soup.  I will hopefully be able to do it on all 3 cards this week.

[marvholly]

My CVS NEVER gives any overage on coupons. I was ble to do it on both my Dad's card & mine.

Aldi has their seasonal fit & active yogurt (pumpkin spice) in per the ad. Bought 1 last year to try and LOVED it. None left when I went back a week later at either store so plan on getting a BUNCH. Need to plan on getting there.

[constanz22]

Sept 4, 2013 5:34:31 GMT -5 marvholly said:

My CVS NEVER gives any overage on coupons. I was ble to do it on both my Dad's card & mine.

Aldi has their seasonal fit & active yogurt (pumpkin spice) in per the ad. Bought 1 last year to try and LOVED it. None left when I went back a week later at either store so plan on getting a BUNCH. Need to plan on getting there.

Thanks for the tip about the pumpkin spice yogurt.  I ended up running to Aldi today and grabbed a few to try.  I don't usually like Aldi yogurt.  It has a very odd aftertaste to me, but, I bought some pumpkin spice yogurt at Target a couple years ago and it was really yummy and I've never seen it again.  Aldi also had flour for .89.  Haven't seen that price in awhile.  And 4lb bag of sugar was 1.49, also a decent price.  

[saveinla]

Safeway shoppers - check your J4U . My PP on FE salad kits are 2.44 and there is a coupon in the tony tantillo magazine for 2$ off FE salad kits- cheap salad especially during these hot days.

[marvholly]

saveinla
I will have to 'stock up' on the Tony coupons this month. LOVE it when i can catch a salad kit for 0.50ish.

I’m thinking this is going to be a fill in and stock up week at Aldi. I have checked the ads at the natl chains, my BIG fruit/veg market, my local fruit/veg market and 1 of my regular independent stores. NADA. I have done the coupon center & my J4U pages and have only 3 reasons to hit Dominicks (Safeway): get the new produce booklet, use a raincheck and check for clearance pork since I have a $1 coupon. The coupon is good for a month. Surely in that time I WILL find a decent clearance deal on some cut of pork I use.

[murphath]

I'd ordered 3 "free" 12 pk. coke q's from My Coke Rewards and they finally arrived.  I usually wait until Safeway has their mix/max B2Coke get 3 Coke/Pepsi free.  Even though the q is max $4.99 and the 12 pks. are $6.59, it's still a pretty good deal.  Problem is they didn't have that deal so I went to CVS instead.  $2.98 per 12 pk:  bought 4 and 2 of the large Dove candy bars which were 2/$2.98.  Got the overage on the $4.99 Coke q's and used $1/2 Dove IP.  Paid $2.42--I'll get the $2.40 back from recycling the cans.  And I get another 48pts. from the boxes.

Also went to CVS and got the 6 pk snack size Hershey bars on sale 2/$2.  Used $1 IP and $1/2 VV q.  Rinse and repeat using DDs card.  It was a hassle though as the RA q kept beeping.  The gal kept telling me I couldn't use both q's, which, as we know, is incorrect.  She called the manager and he showed her how to do it.  It's confusing for new cashiers because the RA q's say "manufacturers coupon" on the top but the code below is different.  I'm wondering now if that q was only to be used on the bigger bars??  But it didn't say that so....free chocolate!  I like this smaller size--just enough chocolate to satisfy that occasional craving.

I'm going to WAGS today because they have the Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal on sale for $1.67.  That is the cheapest I've ever seen that cereal and it is one of my favorites.  On sale at Target means $3.49 per box. Regular price at Safeway is $5.49!!! I have 2 $1/2 Quaker q's from 8/4 RP so I'll get 4 boxes at $1.17 ea.  Yippee!  Will also get 2 of the turkey bacon: have 1 .55 q and 1 $1.00 q.  If the $1 q doesn't beep (price of bacon is .99), I'll get 2 pkgs (6 OZ EACH) for .43.  Keep your fingers crossed.

C&H sugar is on sale at Safeway this week (thru Tuesday) for $1.99 with in ad q.  There's supposed to be a .40 or .50 q in this Sunday's insert.  Good time to stock up for holiday baking.

[emhalf]

Free Advil at target this week. In the ad they list 40 ct "film coated" variety at 5.99, with $5 GC wyb 2. In the store, they also included other varieties, including 20-24 ct tablets/gelcaps at 3.49 each.

2 advil: 6.98
-2 x $1/1 8/25 RP
=4.98, receive $5 GC

There's also a $1.50/1 IP for the film-coated variety on coupons.com, along with a $1/1 Target IP that makes it a good deal as well. You can also save additional money using Target Cartwheel on your smartphone. I'm not entirely sure how it works, but they scanned mine and it took off another $1-something. I think I got 6 bottles in total, and sent off for the $6 Pfizer rebate.


Thanks for the heads up on the puffs at CVS. I've been sick this week, so I could stand to replenish some of my tissues. 

[suziq38]

Hi Everyone!
Yes, It is Suzi Q.
I feel so bad that I just haven't been in the "coupon game mode" since my medical problems.
I had a cervical dissection (very risky neck surgery) because I was on my way to becoming a quadriplegic without it.
They had to rule out MS....quite frankly one doctor said that he thought my problems stemmed from a virus that entered my spinal cord in the unfortunate neck area.
He thinks it could be transverse myelitis. Who knows.
I also have Ovarian cancer. A tumor was removed in my left ovary a couple of years ago, but the tumor was of low malignant potential, so I was lucky.

I have recovered, but not fully. I can walk, but I am weaker.
I am happy that I am alive.


I miss you all. My stores don't double anymore, and I am strictly on fruit, veggies, and protein.

I get a few things at Costco (mangoes, pineapple, rotisserie chicken, easy salad kits), then I go to Winco for milk, bread, and other things.

I also go to this fabulous Farmer's Market that has a huge array of produce and other foods.

I got 3 cantaloupes for  99 cents each, and grapes that were so sweet for 99 cents a pound.
They also have different veggies like okra and Chinese eggplant (they are so tender!).

My food bill is no longer $40.00 a week like in the good old days. I spend...dare I say it....$65.00 a week or less, as there are only 2 of us now.
I stay away from restaurants. 

I miss all of you and Frugal Suz's blog.
You are all an extraordinary group of women and occasional males....LOL.

I still have a large stockpile. The shampoo and conditioner may last me another 3 years, LOL.
Ditto for body wash, 81 mg of aspirins, and Motrin PM. My makeup pile from CVS is finally small, just one average sized bin.
 I still have pencils, crayons, and glue. The heavy duty scotch tape will last me a lifetime.
The Post it notes fill a big drawer. 

I am working at giving away my hoard or stuff, but in reality, I find people that need it, LOL.
I loved to good old days of getting stuff for free. I miss it and all of you...I already said that...LOL.

I will try to check in from time to time.

Are there any good deals this week?

I would have to start all over again. 

Is CVS any good anymore? Rite Aid? Walgreens??

Hugs and love to all of  you!

Suzi

[suziq38]

Sept 5, 2013 11:40:34 GMT -5 emhalf said:

Free Advil at target this week. In the ad they list 40 ct "film coated" variety at 5.99, with $5 GC wyb 2. In the store, they also included other varieties, including 20-24 ct tablets/gelcaps at 3.49 each.

2 advil: 6.98
-2 x $1/1 8/25 RP
=4.98, receive $5 GC

There's also a $1.50/1 IP for the film-coated variety on coupons.com, along with a $1/1 Target IP that makes it a good deal as well. You can also save additional money using Target Cartwheel on your smartphone. I'm not entirely sure how it works, but they scanned mine and it took off another $1-something. I think I got 6 bottles in total, and sent off for the $6 Pfizer rebate.


Thanks for the heads up on the puffs at CVS. I've been sick this week, so I could stand to replenish some of my tissues. 

Good Job, Emhalf!

[murphath]

suziq38:

So good to hear from you!  Sounds like you have had a rough go medically speaking.  Hope you get your strength back soon.  Are you still working?  Or did you retire?  I hope you are happy and enjoying life.  Your diet sounds a lot like mine except I don't eat too much protein.  I can spend $ like crazy on fresh fruit/veggies.  Love that stuff.

Truth is, there aren't too many deals out there.  Kind of hit or miss.  I remember happening on one of your posts way back when and being intrigued by the whole strategic couponing thing.  You, Jennysmom, and Dancinmama helped me save so much money!  So, thanks to you all. 

Speaking of: anyone hear from Jennysmom (aka JMO)?

[marvholly]

Got my pumpkin spice yogurt at Aldi on Fri. Already ate one. Guess I am NOT the only one around here that likes that flavor. There was ONLY 1 tray of 12 left after I bought 6. This is much like the Wed meat specials. I happen to hit Aldi rith as they opened the week they had boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $1.84. There were only 4 pkg out in the meat counter.

I have been shopping at Aldi for about 40 years. The store layout has been pretty much the same ALL thru the years. Imagine my consternation when my local store was TOTALLY changed on Fri. Had a hard time finding anything.

[dancinmama]

Sept 5, 2013 11:54:33 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

Hi Everyone!
Yes, It is Suzi Q.

Is CVS any good anymore? Rite Aid? Walgreens??

Hugs and love to all of  you!

Suzi

HI Miss Suzi Q!!

So so sorry to hear that you are still struggling with your health.  I pray they find the reason for your mobility problems.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As for the drug chains, I am a cherry picker rather than a roller these days.  Last week at CVS you could get (2) single rolls of Charmin basic for free after CRT and insert coupon.  The red machine only spit out one CRT during the week per card.  DH helped me do the deal at a couple of CVSes; we're giving the TP to DS.  The best part was that I didn't receive any EBs that require me to return to the store. 

This week I guess there is a similar deal on Puffs tissues (today is the last day).  Maybe someone can give you the details.  I am taking a pass because I have a huge stockpile of Kleenex and it isn't something that we use everyday.

I did a Splenda MM a while back at WAGs.

The last deal that I did at RA was the Home Improvement GC deal they offered for Father's Day.

I am sure shopping the drug chains is still probably the cheapest way to get HBA and household products, but from what I've read, rolling from week to week for free is a thing of the past.

These days, most of my best buys have come from The Grocery Outlet and they don't take manufacturers' coupons.

[dancinmama]

Sept 6, 2013 10:31:21 GMT -5 murphath said:

suziq38:

So good to hear from you!  Sounds like you have had a rough go medically speaking.  Hope you get your strength back soon.  Are you still working?  Or did you retire?  I hope you are happy and enjoying life.  Your diet sounds a lot like mine except I don't eat too much protein.  I can spend $ like crazy on fresh fruit/veggies.  Love that stuff.

Truth is, there aren't too many deals out there.  Kind of hit or miss.  I remember happening on one of your posts way back when and being intrigued by the whole strategic couponing thing.  You, Jennysmom, and Dancinmama helped me save so much money!  So, thanks to you all. 

Speaking of: anyone hear from Jennysmom (aka JMO)?

murphath:  Those were THE ABSOLUTE BEST days for couponing - ever!!    I had never seen soooo many ways to get stuff for free.  I feel giddy just thinking about it!!     And there was never a day that went by here on the Grocery Challenge when there was not some awesome hidden deal being posted, great scenarios listed, and so many laughs being shared along the way.  I think we'll all remember those days and all the women that we had the privilege of meeting, all because of coupons. 

[FreeSalsa]

Sept 5, 2013 11:54:33 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

Hi Everyone!
Yes, It is Suzi Q.
I feel so bad that I just haven't been in the "coupon game mode" since my medical problems.
I had a cervical dissection (very risky neck surgery) because I was on my way to becoming a quadriplegic without it.
They had to rule out MS....quite frankly one doctor said that he thought my problems stemmed from a virus that entered my spinal cord in the unfortunate neck area.
He thinks it could be transverse myelitis. Who knows.
I also have Ovarian cancer. A tumor was removed in my left ovary a couple of years ago, but the tumor was of low malignant potential, so I was lucky.

I have recovered, but not fully. I can walk, but I am weaker.
I am happy that I am alive.


I miss you all. My stores don't double anymore, and I am strictly on fruit, veggies, and protein.

I get a few things at Costco (mangoes, pineapple, rotisserie chicken, easy salad kits), then I go to Winco for milk, bread, and other things.

I also go to this fabulous Farmer's Market that has a huge array of produce and other foods.

I got 3 cantaloupes for  99 cents each, and grapes that were so sweet for 99 cents a pound.
They also have different veggies like okra and Chinese eggplant (they are so tender!).

My food bill is no longer $40.00 a week like in the good old days. I spend...dare I say it....$65.00 a week or less, as there are only 2 of us now.
I stay away from restaurants. 

I miss all of you and Frugal Suz's blog.
You are all an extraordinary group of women and occasional males....LOL.

I still have a large stockpile. The shampoo and conditioner may last me another 3 years, LOL.
Ditto for body wash, 81 mg of aspirins, and Motrin PM. My makeup pile from CVS is finally small, just one average sized bin.
 I still have pencils, crayons, and glue. The heavy duty scotch tape will last me a lifetime.
The Post it notes fill a big drawer. 

I am working at giving away my hoard or stuff, but in reality, I find people that need it, LOL.
I loved to good old days of getting stuff for free. I miss it and all of you...I already said that...LOL.

I will try to check in from time to time.

Are there any good deals this week?

I would have to start all over again. 

Is CVS any good anymore? Rite Aid? Walgreens??

Hugs and love to all of  you!

Suzi

Oh, Suzi!!!  I am so sorry to hear about all your medical problems.    But I am glad to hear that you are eating well and getting the treatment you need.  A nice stockpile sure helps a person get through the difficult times.  And you have one of the biggest stockpiles around.  Take care of yourself and feel the good wishes from here!!!!

[FreeSalsa]

And thanks everybody for the heads up on the Charmin, Puffs, Advil, salad, everything.  Every little bit helps.  

This week at Dollar Tree I got a two pack of Dial soap for $1 and used an IP for $1/2 so free!  Rinsed and repeated.  Have to try to print some more of those.

Jons (local chain) has Challenge butter (1 lb., whole package, not wrapped in 4 sticks) for $1.79.  No hormones.  There's a 55c Q on the man. web site so i got them for $1.24.  There are also $1 Q's on the same site but I wasn't able to print them.

[suziq38]

Thanks for your good wishes, everyone!
When it rains, it pours.
I hope I stay "on the mend" for awhile.

Murpath, I am still working! I only work part time, but I can still do it if I sit every 30 minutes.

I probably will retire when this body gives out.

Dancinmama!
It is great to hear from you. Thanks for the tips!
I am living on my stockpile, too.
Remember the triple coupons?

Free salsa: How are you doing?
The Dollar Tree seems like a good deal with coupons.
Good job on the Dial soap.

It is so great to hear from all of you.
I am glad that in spite of not many deals, you all are still living the "frugal life."

I saved my money and we went to Europe this time last year. It wasn't easy to go with my health issues, but I made it.

I needed a pair of shorts so I stopped by Steinmart's. They were having a big sale.
I am very particular. I found a pair of Sanctuary brand shorts regularly $29.99 marked down to $6.95. I then asked if there were any coupons, and the cashier had one for me for 25%off. The total was $4.24 plus tax. 

Yay.

[rubyslippers]

Hi Suzi!  Glad to hear from you and it's nice to know you have such a good stockpile to rely on.

My cherry picking today included the following at Walmart:
   $5.94 Gillette Satin Care (6) price matched Kroger 
       .69 mushrooms-price matched Aldi
       .99 peppers-price matched Aldi
      1.00 broccoli-price matched Kroger
        .42 garlic
      6.04 subtotal
     -6.00 MQ
     + .43 tax
     = .47 OOP

Kroger's mega sale started last Tuesday and goes on through this week.  Last week I cherry picked and spent under $20.00 for $117.00 worth of groceries.  I'm trying to keep my total this week $20.00 or under.