2013 Grocery Challenge

[marvholly]

Unusually, my biggest list this week is at Meijer. Have NOT been there in weeks. NOTHING at Dominicks (Safeway) again this week. Guess I will NOT miss them too much when they close down. Not too much at my fav fruit/ve market or either of the other 2 I frequently hit.

I’ll hit Aldi (produce) on Fri since I plan to be 2 blocks away.

[gailbon]

Nov 5, 2013 12:43:06 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Nov 5, 2013 12:13:21 GMT -5 gailbon said:

Hi All!  I haven't been on in quite some time due to personal reasons, so I apologize if this topic has already been addressed.  I went back a few pages, and didn't see anything.
ANYWAY....I went online to CVS.com, and noticed that the local ad is no longer posted.  The prompts bring me to something called "My Weekly Ad", but will not allow me to see the page-by-page circular, only things that CVS thinks I may be interested in buying.  What's up with that?!  I called to confirm that the ad is no longer available online, and they confirmed that this is true.  Is anyone else having this problem?  Thanks for your help!

This "My Weekly Ad" thing is new at CVS.  From what I have read, most CVS couponers are not happy with it.  They will buy lotion at the beginning of the week and then get a CVS CRT for lotion later in the week - type of thing.

Since I am not shopping at CVS these days, I have no clue what is up with the site not providing the weekly circular on-line.  All I can suggest is going to the iheart site and checking out the ad that they have posted.  MOST OF THE TIME, BUT NOT ALWAYS, the ads are universal.

Thank you, dancinmama.  It appears that CVS is one-upping their quest to rid couponers from shopping in their stores! 
 

[constanz22]

Kmart deal on Cottonelle tp
If you have a SYWR card, there is a great deal this week on Cottonelle (good deal on some other items too like Kleenex and Viva).  Cottonelle 12 packs are 3.99.  SYWR members get $3 off instantly wyb 3 participating products.  AND there is a Cat deal of $3 OYNO on 3 Cottonelle.  There are $1/1 MC from a recent insert or .55/1 IP.  I only had 2 IP's but still made for some really cheap TP.  I didn't NEED it, still have about 6 12 packs of Scott from a deal I did ages ago, but since deals are few and far between, I thought this was a good deal to do.  I don't know if the cat rolls or not, but I had some other stuff in my cart so used it toward that.  They had a TON of Halloween stuff.  Candy was 50% off and costumes and decor was 70-75% off.

[dancinmama]

Nov 7, 2013 12:58:08 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Kmart deal on Cottonelle tp
If you have a SYWR card, there is a great deal this week on Cottonelle (good deal on some other items too like Kleenex and Viva).  Cottonelle 12 packs are 3.99.  SYWR members get $3 off instantly wyb 3 participating products.  AND there is a Cat deal of $3 OYNO on 3 Cottonelle.  There are $1/1 MC from a recent insert or .55/1 IP.  I only had 2 IP's but still made for some really cheap TP.  I didn't NEED it, still have about 6 12 packs of Scott from a deal I did ages ago, but since deals are few and far between, I thought this was a good deal to do.  I don't know if the cat rolls or not, but I had some other stuff in my cart so used it toward that.  They had a TON of Halloween stuff.  Candy was 50% off and costumes and decor was 70-75% off.

Wow, that's a pretty darn good deal on the Cottonelle.  Anyone who needs TP and has a K-Mart should jump on that one. 

Is there a limit on how many times you can do the deal?

[dancinmama]

Nov 6, 2013 9:43:22 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Nov 6, 2013 9:38:56 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

What was the free paper towel deal?

CVS - scan your card to get a 79c CRT for Just the Basics PT. It's on sale this week for 79c, so free. 

DH and I both picked up a free roll today.   Getting them was a no-brainer, even though I need them like a hole in the head. 

Get it?  No-brainer....hole in the head? 

[dancinmama]

Nov 7, 2013 10:44:59 GMT -5 gailbon said:

Nov 5, 2013 12:43:06 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

This "My Weekly Ad" thing is new at CVS.  From what I have read, most CVS couponers are not happy with it.  They will buy lotion at the beginning of the week and then get a CVS CRT for lotion later in the week - type of thing.

Since I am not shopping at CVS these days, I have no clue what is up with the site not providing the weekly circular on-line.  All I can suggest is going to the iheart site and checking out the ad that they have posted.  MOST OF THE TIME, BUT NOT ALWAYS, the ads are universal.

Thank you, dancinmama.  It appears that CVS is one-upping their quest to rid couponers from shopping in their stores! 
 

They rid themselves of me several months ago. 

[hopetoberich]

I'll try and get a roll of pt tonight and then again tomorrow. Thanks for the info.

[dancinmama]

Nov 7, 2013 19:29:49 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

I'll try and get a roll of pt tonight and then again tomorrow. Thanks for the info.

It's not very exciting, but it is FREE!! 

[skubikky]

Nov 6, 2013 9:43:22 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Nov 6, 2013 9:38:56 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

What was the free paper towel deal?

CVS - scan your card to get a 79c CRT for Just the Basics PT. It's on sale this week for 79c, so free. 

yeah, did this deal yesterday.....what was cool was that there wasn't any tax....total freebie. 

[hopetoberich]

Got my two free packs of PT again thanks to the GC. I would have missed this if I hadn't been reading.
 I saw a good to me deal on Scott tp in CVS. $6.99 /12 pack spend $20 + get ecbs. I just bought 36 from amazon @37c a roll but this could be better.
Picked up another $4.80 for my cans today. I am @ $25 + now

[hinil]

Does anyone know if Walgreens tracks limits on your Wags card?  I know it does not track the way CVS does when you need to reach a certain $ (i.e. cannot be done over multiple transactions).

This week Libby's pumpkin was something like $2.39, but $2 if you have a Wags card, and there is a coupon in their ad for $0.99 pumpkin (limit 3) with coupon and card.  I bought 3, using .49/1 and .75/2 coupons, as well as the 0.99 Wags coupon.  Just wondering if the 0.99 Wags ad coupon would work per transaction or if the limit applies to all week.  (Getting mentally harder to get decent deals, lol).

I also got the free Lindt bars and free paper towels at CVS, didn't see anything else.

[saveinla]

One of my stores ran out of the free PT and the manager substituted with one roll of better variety whihc also seems to be bigger than the free one. 

On Wags, it used to be per transaction limit, but not sure if its the same now. 

[marvholly]

Since WAG does NOT track purchases the way CVS does you could easily go store to store or daily to buy a well priced item. Just look at your receipts and you can see the difference. NOT sure how that works for RRor BR stuff.

I have had cream of mushroom soup on my shopping list for WEEKS. However, I will be buying cream of chicken. It is on sale at WAG for 0.75 (w/ IAC) and I have a 0.40/2 coupon. I ALWAYS have fresh mushrooms on hand so it is very easy to add them.

Interestingly, over the last 3-4 weeks I have found myself spending WAAAY more (before coupons) at WAG than CVS. Used to be the other way for me. Also, I am NOT seeing exactly the same items on special at the same price within weeks of each other like I once did. Example: Lindt bars are more $$ at CVS being $5/2 vs WAG $4/2.

Since I had such good luck getting the items I wanted at WAG on Sun am I am going out at 8 am this morning.

[mawmaw]

weeklyad.cvs.com will still get you to the regular ad.  You can choose your own ad from this page.  Hope this helps!  

[dancinmama]

Nov 10, 2013 9:50:13 GMT -5 mawmaw said:

weeklyad.cvs.com will still get you to the regular ad.  You can choose your own ad from this page.  Hope this helps!  

  Hi mawmaw!! 


How the heck are ya?

I still have not used a single roll of the Cottonelle TP stockpile from the scenario you shared with all of us way back when.  It is stacked shelf to ceiling (what would otherwise have been dead space) in the office closet - 240 glorious rolls!!    

It will be the TP that we use last.  We most likely will not have to break into it for AT LEAST another 5 years, probably more!! 

[MonicaLee5186]

I changed the name to just 2013 Grocery Challenge -- it most certainly not the summer any longer!

[rubyslippers]

Starting today at Rite Aid, $25.00 Applebee gift cards are giving back $6.00 in UPs.  I got one of those, so another Christmas gift can be checked off.  I also rolled some UPs on the Cover Girl eye shadows 25% off and NY nail polish 40% off.  My $21.00 in UPs will be good to go on the freebies starting the 24th.

Using the best produce deals of a few stores, I price matched mushrooms for $.69, lettuce $.97, cabbage $.48 lb., powdered sugar 32 oz. and 32 oz. brown sugar for $1.00 each.  I spent $5.04 OOP.  I'll get a pineapple for $.99, bananas for $.39, green peppers for $.69 and eggs for $.50 later in the week.

Marvholly: If you need any baking items, you might want to wait till the 30th as Meijer is having an awesome sale that day only.  Buy 5 and save $5.00.  Domino sugar will be $1.29, GM flour $1.19, Nestle morsels $.99, Betty Crocker cookie pouches $.69, and there are other items too.  I haven't seen the chocolate chips that price since when I was first married, a good time ago.   Savingaddictiondotcom has the black Friday ads on her site.

Dancin: Home Improvement cards $50.00 will be generating $10.00 in UPs starting on Thanksgiving Day.  I believe the limit is 2.

[dancinmama]

Nov 10, 2013 12:38:01 GMT -5 MonicaLee5186 said:

I changed the name to just 2013 Grocery Challenge -- it most certainly not the summer any longer!

Thanks!!  I was hoping you'd do that.

[dancinmama]

Nov 10, 2013 16:27:40 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

Dancin: Home Improvement cards $50.00 will be generating $10.00 in UPs starting on Thanksgiving Day.  I believe the limit is 2.

Yep.  I'll be stockpiling those suckers!! 

[dancinmama]

WalMart gave me candy for free today because it rang up wrong at the register. 

10.5 oz. bags of Twizzlers were on clearance for $.50, but rang up for $.57.  I bought (4) bags.   I debated going to customer service for the $.28, but there was no one in line so what they hay? 

The CS gal told me that if something rings up wrong and it's under $3, they give it to you for free.  If something rings up wrong over $3, they give you $3 back.

Does anyone else have a WalMart that does that?

So today I got (2) C&H Light sugar packets, (2) Gold Bond hand cream (travel size), and (4) bags of Twizzlers for FREE!! 

[marvholly]

Accidently learned something. The BIG bags of cat food (13-16 lb) are a better value to me than the standard bags (3-3.5 lb). Bought one at target in early July as it was o sale + 5% Target cc discount + a $1 coupon. I am JUST finishing it now after about 5 months.

This week’s trip to the 24 hr WAG was a bust. They didn’t have a couple items. The bill was WAAAY higher than I had figured & no one could explain why. Walked out. Stopped at another store. Got EVERYTHING I wanted and bill was within 0.30 of what I expected.

Ruby
I will NOT go near a grocery store on 11/20. It will be crazy. Everyone tired of leftovers and many still w/houseguests. I would rather hit a cheap buffet or fast food place. The only thing I ‘might’ want would be the morsels so no deal for me.

Dancin
I was NOT aware of a wrong ring policy at WalMart. However, might this be a ‘match’ to Safeway and Albertsons?

[dancinmama]

Nov 11, 2013 6:29:07 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Dancin
I was NOT aware of a wrong ring policy at WalMart. However, might this be a ‘match’ to Safeway and Albertsons?

I asked about it on WUC and apparently it used to be WalMart corporate policy.  I live in a rural area so maybe my WalMart didn't get the memo that the policy is no longer in effect. 

[FreeSalsa]

I missed the CVS PT deal and the Kmart TP deal.  Bummer!!

I'll get the Angel Soft deal this week,  I have a few $3/15 to add to the deal.

Mom is out of commission for a bit as far as shopping so now Dad is in charge.  They've been going to Walmart and price matching everything to make it easier on themselves.

Marvholly, Ralphs/Kroger has Campbell's cream soups for sale this week.  50c I think.

[FreeSalsa]

I live in a HCOL area. Serious differences in regional prices. Mom's Fry's ad vs. my Ralphs ad (both Kroger):

                                 Fry's/Ralphs
Bone in/no bone steak $2.99/$4.99 lb.
Swanson broth 29c/49c
Challenge butter $1.88/2.49

I can't remember the rest but you can see how the difference can add up.

[marvholly]

FreeSalsa
I see the same price differences at Safeway w/an AZ blogger I follow. CVS is having another PT deal on Sparkle brand in the next couple weeks. No Kroger in my area (metro Chicago).

Reviewed the Target & Walmart BFri ads this am. There are several things I want from each and there is a nice Target just slightly off my route home from my cousin’s. Will probably try for Walmart online since what I want there is for the youngest grand’s bday in June.

I must be suffering from CRS again. Went to get the mail TOTALLY forgetting there was NO mail on Mon.

[murphath]

Hi All!  Decided to go on the J4U Safeway site yesterday just to see what I had in there.  Bingo!  My fave organic valley milk was J4U priced at $4.94 (reg. $5.99).  I had a .55 Real CAlif. milk q so got it for $4.39.  They also gave me 2 Sparkle pts or  Angel Soft (4 roll) for $1.49 (mix & match).  My account already had .35 q's on each so I bought 1 Sparkle and 1 Angel Soft for .79 plus tax.  Box, the 4 roll tps sure are small!  The Sparkle was a decent size.  About a week ago, I found a Safeway CRT for $1 off Clorox bleach and my J4U price was $1.99 for the quart size so I got that for .99.  I also stopped at CVS to get 2 large bags of the M&M peanut butter for $1.98 each.  There was a $1 q in this week's RP so $1.48 each.  DD2 came home yesterday to pick up her mail and spend some time with us.  Translation:  get a free dinner .  So, I gave her one of the bags and she raided MurphMart for a few other things.

I'll be finished with the downstairs painting today and then on to the upstairs.  DH has 3 days off so he's on wallpaper removal.  Don't think he'll get the 2 bedrooms completely done but anything is a help.  I should be able to finish priming the walls leading upstairs, and priming/painting the upstairs hallway.  The stair walls are really, really high.  I can do one using our little giant ladder but the other two are trickier.  DD2 will be home for a few days soon so I may have an assistant--or I may end up getting a pro in for those two walls. 

The guy came to measure for the flooring.  I'm hoping to schedule that for mid-December or after.  I really want to get the painting all done first.  I was going to install the flooring myself but Home Depot has a $397 whole house basic installation promo going on.  I know it will end up costing more than that because we have stairs and we're going to have them move the heavier furniture.  I've already boxed up a bunch of stuff.   DH and I will be removing carpet, padding and all those nails/staples ourselves.  Good exercise!

[dancinmama]

Nov 11, 2013 23:56:37 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

I live in a HCOL area. Serious differences in regional prices. Mom's Fry's ad vs. my Ralphs ad (both Kroger):

                                 Fry's/Ralphs
Bone in/no bone steak $2.99/$4.99 lb.
Swanson broth 29c/49c
Challenge butter $1.88/2.49

I can't remember the rest but you can see how the difference can add up.

I live in a HCOLA too.  The difference in prices is ridiculous.  Glad I have hounding skills that keep my costs low. 

[saveinla]

Nov 12, 2013 11:46:57 GMT -5 murphath said:

The guy came to measure for the flooring.  I'm hoping to schedule that for mid-December or after.  I really want to get the painting all done first.  I was going to install the flooring myself but Home Depot has a $397 whole house basic installation promo going on.  I know it will end up costing more than that because we have stairs and we're going to have them move the heavier furniture.  I've already boxed up a bunch of stuff.   DH and I will be removing carpet, padding and all those nails/staples ourselves.  Good exercise!

murphath,

Can you point me to this deal from Home Depot? Thanks

[marvholly]

I am beginning to rethink my BFri shop on my way home Thur plan. The MOST important item(s) to me are from Target. IF I come home, order online using my Target card I get FREE shipping and the item I want the most is pretty heavy.

Because Mon was a postal holiday I got a boatload of mail on Tue BUT not my grocery ads. Prob won’t get those until late this afternoon & most sales start today. I did check a couple of stores online.

[murphath]

saveinla wrote:

murphath,

Can you point me to this deal from Home Depot? Thanks


It runs through 11/15 and is on the Quick Ship laminate flooring only.  I think if you book the measuring before the 15th, you should get the deal.  If you want a laminate that is "in stock", then it's $1.99 per sq ft for basic installation.  I don't know about your neck of the woods, but $1.99 is the least expensive installation price I've found so that's even a good deal.  Everything up here is way more expensive than in SoCal.