2013 Grocery Challenge

[dancinmama]

Jun 15, 2013 0:25:50 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Oh, hey, I made it page two, woohoo!!!

It's not just the Grocery Challenge that is slow; the participation on the national couponing message boards is way down too.   

Being able to shop for 100% free or really close to it was a temporary phenomenon - one that lasted a lot longer than I thought it would.   My shopping habits today feel almost like they did before there was any such thing as a drug chain reward only I don't have to shop for non-perishables any more.     Another difference is that I shop regularly at two different stores that don't even take coupons.  So far, I am able to stockpile pantry staples more often and cheaper at them right now than I can at any of the national grocers.  Coupon or no coupon; I don't care as long as I can get what I need for the lowest possible price. 

[marvholly]

ALL discussion boards are very sow these days - even the travel ones. In fact, they closed down the Grocery Game board completly 6/1.

In better news:
I’m a grammy again; born late Fri afternoon, Emily is 5# 4 oz. Plan to call DD2 around 9:30 to see when she wants me to drive out. This was actually a scheduled c-section but I did not want to say anything upfront as it could have been needed earlier or pushed off for some other emergency (which I was hoping for it to become Mon).

Strange how thing come together.
Town south of me is having a recycle event today. I have several pieces that need to go.
I want to go to a local arts n crafts & antique street fair today or Sun.
I had just looked up the closest location of a linen outlet place I like.
DD2 LOVES the Sat soup special at a place between the street fair & the linen place. Guess who is going to buy her a quart (one for me too).

I LOVE it when everything comes together even though today is likely to get $$$ plus it is currently raining. Will not do the fair in the rain.

[mrsdutt]

I got a 50.00 Kohl GC at CVS this week which gave me a 10.00 ECB.  Using that and a coupon I got my hair color free.

I'll use the GC when I get a 30% off coupon in the mail and they have cash back bucks.

Like DANCIN said, not the deals we use to get, but better than full price.

[rubyslippers]

We went to Meijer last night to take advantage of some weekly specials.  I rolled my $8.00 catalinas and got 4 Bob Evans roll sausage, 5 Kraft cheese chunks, 3 Oscar M bologna, and coffee for $1.64.  DH and I each got a pair of tennis shoes, buy 1 get 1 for $1.00.  I had a $10.00 mperks Q, a $5.00 off Q in their flyer so we got 2 pairs for $25.00.

DS1 is finally engaged!!!  Now I'll be looking for ways to save for the wedding.  My sister is cooking the meal and she is a couponer like me and will shop smartly for all the food.

[MonicaLee5186]

Stopped at CVS again to use the $4/1 Almay on an eyeliner that I ran out of. 

$5.79 eyeliner
-$4 MC
$1.79 eyeliner that gave me a $3 ECB


None of my ECBs were small enough to use on this purchase, but I didn't mind.  I also got a $5 ECB from the beauty club when I scanned my card today.  now I'm sitting on $13 in ECBs.


Does anyone plan on doing the B1G2 Purex deal at CVS this week?  I should have checked the shelf price while I was there but we were rushing to get to Father's Day brunch so I totally forgot.  I'm wondering if it's a good deal or not based on the shelf price ...

[constanz22]

Monica, I doubt the Purex deal is a great deal. I would guess cvs "regular" price is at least 6.79, maybe more. Purex goes on sale regularly around here for 1.99.

[MonicaLee5186]

Yeah I can get it for 1.99 here regularly too, so that's why I'm hesitant on the deal.  I'll stop by on my way home from work and check.

[marvholly]

CVS Red Machine gave a q fo $10 on the Shick Hydro 5 Mon. The 6/6 SS had a bunch of Shick q's. Should make for a FREE razor.

[rubyslippers]

Marvholly, how much are the razors at CVS?

Dollar General: I went in yesterday and got 2 Head and Shoulders, the smaller bottles, for $2.50 each and used the $5.00/2 MQ in 6-16 RP.  They only had 2 but the manager said she can order me some more.  I want to try combining it with a $5/30 Dollar General Q.

[emhalf]

In better news:
I’m a grammy again; born late Fri afternoon, Emily is 5# 4 oz. Plan to call DD2 around 9:30 to see when she wants me to drive out. This was actually a scheduled c-section but I did not want to say anything upfront as it could have been needed earlier or pushed off for some other emergency (which I was hoping for it to become Mon).

Congrats Grammy

I got a CRT at RA for $10 off olay prox and another for $5 off regenerist. I'm not sure I'll be able to use them because it seems like all the MCs exclude the cheaper items these days, but I'll have to see what the selection looks like.

[dancinmama]

Jun 17, 2013 1:52:55 GMT -5 MonicaLee5186 said:

Yeah I can get it for 1.99 here regularly too, so that's why I'm hesitant on the deal.  I'll stop by on my way home from work and check.

Don't forget, when it is on sale for <$2 and there are $1/1 coupons available - GO FOR IT.  If there are no $1/1 available at the time - RAIN CHECKS!!    This is EXACTLY how I built my FREE Purex stockpile.   I bought with $1/1s, paired the coupons with a $/$$, and paid the balance with "for profit" EBs = FREE Purex stockpile.  Currently I have over (30) bottles in my stockpile.

I haven't been shopping at CVS regularly for months now, so I'm not so sure about the "for profit" EBs part. 

[marvholly]

Ruby
The razor is 10.99 at CVS so FREE except for sales tax.

Made plans to get together w/a friend for dinner next week. Time to start watching/checking Groupon & resturaunt.com for good deals. Seems I cannot go anywhere, do anything w/o a coupon.

Well the Chicago Tribune did get 1 thing right in the 15 months I have subscribed. Sun was the last day for my subscription and sure enough no paper today so no grocery ads this week. I suspect it will be several weeks before they get their act together & I start getting the mail delivery version again. Not too terrible since I pretty much only want/need produce this week. Will need to just physically check 2 places.

[FreeSalsa]

Where are my tech wizards?  I need help printing anything that uses Java.  It keeps telling me it's not installed, or I need the latest version, and then I do that and it tells me the same thing.  We've tried giving all the permissions in the Java tab and allowing cookies.  Am I missing something?  This is at home and at work and I read that there is some kind of Java problem lots of people are having.  I want my coupons!!!  TIA to anyone who can help!!!

"It appears that Java is currently disabled on your computer. Please enable Java and try printing again.
For instructions on how to enable Java in your web browser please visit our help page by clicking..."  This gives instructions for Windows but I have a Mac.

[hopetoberich]

Congrats Marvholly. I hope things go well for them.
Reading here seems like I'm not the only one having problems at CVS trying to make a deal. Yup we were spoilt.

I above 6 FREE coupons for Mahatma rice as I bought that many and the bags were leaking rice. Also I have a couple of snuggle free coupons then a few mq's from a couple of RP and that is about it.
Pricerite has been helping our food budget.
I hope to find a few good deals here and there anything helps that is not full price.
Have a good week all

[marvholly]

Freesalsa
I'm having th same issue w/Java on my newish computer. That means NO smsrt source coupons. If we cannot get help here I will check w/DD2 & my SIL after things calm down a bit at their house.

Not getting the ads Wed was NOT so terrible. I had already bookmarked my 2 local fruit/veg markets. I have REAL slow internet service so I generally prefer to see the paper version but I can handle this for a week or 3. Turns out there is nothing I want at one market and no ad for the other. The no ad place ONLY runs ads about 1x/month & for holidays. I will check their window signs when I pass there. That keeps all my errands today in a single business area over about ½ a mile stretch. My local bloggers generally cover the natl chains and 1 local chain.

[dancinmama]

Jun 19, 2013 8:18:20 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Where are my tech wizards?  I need help printing anything that uses Java.  It keeps telling me it's not installed, or I need the latest version, and then I do that and it tells me the same thing.  We've tried giving all the permissions in the Java tab and allowing cookies.  Am I missing something?  This is at home and at work and I read that there is some kind of Java problem lots of people are having.  I want my coupons!!!  TIA to anyone who can help!!!

"It appears that Java is currently disabled on your computer. Please enable Java and try printing again.
For instructions on how to enable Java in your web browser please visit our help page by clicking..."  This gives instructions for Windows but I have a Mac.

I can't get Java to load on my computer and I have Windows.  I go through all the steps, it appears to load, but when I try to print it takes me right back to where I started telling me that I need to load the software, so I gave up. 

[emhalf]

Where are my tech wizards? I need help printing anything that uses Java. It keeps telling me it's not installed, or I need the latest version, and then I do that and it tells me the same thing. We've tried giving all the permissions in the Java tab and allowing cookies. Am I missing something? This is at home and at work and I read that there is some kind of Java problem lots of people are having. I want my coupons!!! TIA to anyone who can help!!!

The only thing I've found to work is to switch browsers. If you're using IE, try firefox and vice versa. It usually works for me, but I can't figure out rhyme or reason.

[dancinmama]

I've been meaning to post this question and just kept forgetting to.

When did RA change the expiration date on ALL of their UPs to two weeks after the purchase date of the product giving them?  That is one of the things I liked about RA.  No matter when you purchased the product - Sunday, Thursday....the expiration date on the UPs received was the same AND many times it was longer than two weeks.

I did the Home Improvement GC deal on my card, DH's card, DS's card, and DS's GF's card.  We will use the gift cards anyway so the UPs are absolutely free money, BUT the only thing I needed or wanted out of the ad this week was the 100 count Excedrin for $8.99 and returning a whopping $1UP.  I don't see anything in next week's ad that I need either.   I looked for clearance and the only thing I saw was $3.49 bags of Starburst that were 50% off with a $.50/1 Rite Aid peelie attached.  Long story short, I have a lot of Rite Aid money and nothing in the ads that excites me at all.  It probably would be a lot different if I didn't have such great stockpiles, but that's the way it is for me these days. 

I've couponed my way to the point where I just don't need or want for a lot of what the drug chains have to offer.  I guess that's a good problem to have. 

[marvholly]

Dancin
As we both have said MANY times recently the combo of ad items + coupons has been POOR for at least a year now. Like you, there is very little I want/need from WAG or CVS. I seldom wear make up and no longer need feminine supplies. The dollar store covers me MUCH cheaper on many items I used to get there.

I did buy the turkey bacon at WAG this week but that is a first in a LONG time. I will get 2L soda starting Sun at WAG since it will be 0.88 & I have 0.75 coupons.There are a couple maybe items I will want at CVS.

[murphath]

Hi Everyone!
I am back from my 17 day whirlwind European adventure with my 2 daughters and their friend.  It was awesome but I am glad to be home.  I thought we had left early enough in June to avoid huge crowds but I guess I was wrong.  Oh well...it's part of the fun.  We enjoyed our 3 days in London, 7 days in Paris, and the remainder in Barcelona.  I must admit, by the time we got to Barcelona, museums were pretty much off the list of things to do.  The beach was much more interesting!  We did bike tours in Paris and Barcelona, as well as the bus tour in Barcelona.  DD1 had recently been to London so she was the lead there.  It was my 7th time to Paris so that was my stomping grounds.  Still, we did some things I'd never done: climbed the towers of Notre Dame (great view) and the Arc de Triomphe, and visited the Rodin museum (we got drenched walking through the museum gardens but I could have stood in front of the Gates of Hell all afternoon.  So, if any of you are planning any trips to the above cities, I can give you the 411.

I'm so happy I was able to do this with the girls.  Who knows if it will ever happen again.  I have the time but now that they will be working full time--you know how it goes.

I knew this ahead of time having lived in France for a year, but the trip reminded me how expensive everything is over there (except beer, wine, champagne, and bread-the important stuff).  We stayed in a flat in London, an apartment in Paris and another small apartment in Barcelona.  London was a studio so that was a hoot.  At least the bathroom was large.  Paris was perfect (because I chose and paid for that week).  The Barcelona apt. had the smallest shower ever--you couldn't move in there.  So funny.  Girls don't realize it now, but those are the type of things you remember about travel.  Oh, and lest I forget, the Barcelona apt. was on the 4th floor: 86 steps up a narrow stairwell carrying our bags.  Being the vet, my bag was the smallest and lightest. 

We walked a ton, climbed a million stairs, got lost a few times, lost it a few times (each of the girls taking a turn) and enjoyed the food each place had to offer.  Sorry London, but your food was my least favorite.  I got to have my croissants, baguette, roast chicken and omlettes in France so I was a happy camper.  We even toasted our last night there with a bottle of the bubbly.

There was one downside to the trip, however.  My DH forgot to save the Sunday coupon inserts for me!!

[FreeSalsa]

CVS starting today

$4 ECB WYB ANY Gillette Venus or Fusion ProGlide razor 1 ct (excludes clearance) – Limit 1
-Venus 1 ct Razor + 1 Cartridge is $6.79 (price might vary)
Use $5/1 Venus Razor, excludes trial and travel 6/16 RP (x 7/31)
Pay $1.79 | Earn $4 ECB
Final Price: FREE + $2.21 Moneymaker

ETA:  I did not get a $5 Q, mine was $2.


$2 ECB wyb Colgate Max Clean, Max White, Max fresh toothpaste 6 oz or 360 toothbrush 1 ct, sale $2.99 – Limit 2
$2/2 Colgate Total, Max Fresh Toothpaste HERE
= 2 FREE after ECB + Coupons

$4 ECB WYB Crest Pro Health 1 L or 3 D Rinse 16 oz, sale $4.99 –Lim 2
$1.10 off 1 Crest ProHealth Rinse 458mL or larger
= $3.89 ea. | Earn $4 ECB (Lim 2)
Final Price: FREE + $.11 Moneymaker per each of 2

[FreeSalsa]

Jun 21, 2013 9:48:17 GMT -5 murphath said:

Hi Everyone!
I am back from my 17 day whirlwind European adventure with my 2 daughters and their friend.  It was awesome but I am glad to be home.  I thought we had left early enough in June to avoid huge crowds but I guess I was wrong.  Oh well...it's part of the fun.  We enjoyed our 3 days in London, 7 days in Paris, and the remainder in Barcelona.  I must admit, by the time we got to Barcelona, museums were pretty much off the list of things to do.  The beach was much more interesting!  We did bike tours in Paris and Barcelona, as well as the bus tour in Barcelona.  DD1 had recently been to London so she was the lead there.  It was my 7th time to Paris so that was my stomping grounds.  Still, we did some things I'd never done: climbed the towers of Notre Dame (great view) and the Arc de Triomphe, and visited the Rodin museum (we got drenched walking through the museum gardens but I could have stood in front of the Gates of Hell all afternoon.  So, if any of you are planning any trips to the above cities, I can give you the 411.

I'm so happy I was able to do this with the girls.  Who knows if it will ever happen again.  I have the time but now that they will be working full time--you know how it goes.

I knew this ahead of time having lived in France for a year, but the trip reminded me how expensive everything is over there (except beer, wine, champagne, and bread-the important stuff).  We stayed in a flat in London, an apartment in Paris and another small apartment in Barcelona.  London was a studio so that was a hoot.  At least the bathroom was large.  Paris was perfect (because I chose and paid for that week).  The Barcelona apt. had the smallest shower ever--you couldn't move in there.  So funny.  Girls don't realize it now, but those are the type of things you remember about travel.  Oh, and lest I forget, the Barcelona apt. was on the 4th floor: 86 steps up a narrow stairwell carrying our bags.  Being the vet, my bag was the smallest and lightest. 

We walked a ton, climbed a million stairs, got lost a few times, lost it a few times (each of the girls taking a turn) and enjoyed the food each place had to offer.  Sorry London, but your food was my least favorite.  I got to have my croissants, baguette, roast chicken and omlettes in France so I was a happy camper.  We even toasted our last night there with a bottle of the bubbly.

There was one downside to the trip, however.  My DH forgot to save the Sunday coupon inserts for me!!

Ooooh!  I loooooove Europe.  It sounds like you had a great time.  I have so many good memories of all my trips there.  Glad you havd fun!!

[FreeSalsa]

Jun 20, 2013 6:22:40 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Freesalsa
I'm having th same issue w/Java on my newish computer. That means NO smsrt source coupons. If we cannot get help here I will check w/DD2 & my SIL after things calm down a bit at their house.

Not getting the ads Wed was NOT so terrible. I had already bookmarked my 2 local fruit/veg markets. I have REAL slow internet service so I generally prefer to see the paper version but I can handle this for a week or 3. Turns out there is nothing I want at one market and no ad for the other. The no ad place ONLY runs ads about 1x/month & for holidays. I will check their window signs when I pass there. That keeps all my errands today in a single business area over about ½ a mile stretch. My local bloggers generally cover the natl chains and 1 local chain.

I have tried using other browsers and it hasn't really worked at work or at home.  I've read online that other people are having issues too.  Let me know if you hear anything more from your family.  Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

This week I've been to Sprouts, Target, CVS, and Trader Joe's.  Today it's the farm stand and Ralphs for the mega sale.  Tuna for 67 cents is pretty good.  This week coming up will be CVS, RA before my UP reward expires, and hopefully Dollar Tree.  We were out of everything!

[FreeSalsa]

Bought tons of stuff at Ralphs (Kroger) at the $4/4 items and B10G5 free sales.  Kraft mac and cheese 50c, Starkist tuna 65c, Ken's dressing 50c, my cabinets were really bare.

At the farm stand we got the most delicious plums.  Cucumbers were 4/$1.  The romaine lettuce is grown there and is really sturdy, it lasts two weeks.  They were selling 6-pks of flowers that were really sad-looking for $1.  The sign said, "Give me a new home soon! $1"  We spotted some marigolds and can always use more to keep away bugs.  We asked the lady why they were so sad.  She said they had just outgrown their containers and just needed some love and replanting.  Then she told us to just take them for free.  I think she recognizes us now (how's that for keeping a regular customer happy?) and that was nice of her.  So I picked all the dead stuff off and replanted them tonight and will keep my fingers crossed.

DH is making veggie soup stock from the ends of the veggies we cut off when cutting up the carrots, onions, celery, cucumbers, beets, etc.  It smells so good!  He made some delicious soup the other day from carrot tops.  For me it's not only about saving money but also not wasting the earth's resources.

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

[skubikky]

Picked strawberries for eating and making jam this weekend.  They let me fill my quart containers quite full.
Was not a great deal moneywise but for jam, I like the strawberries to be freshly picked.

DH and DD gave me two raspberry bushes for Mother's day.   They're taking really well.  We've been careful to water them everyday and with the rains they're doing well.
Hope to have a nice crop in a few years.   For now, will pick the wild ones out back where I board my horse.

[FreeSalsa]

Well I went to Rite Aid, Coupon Mom list in hand, and I swear it was off a completely different ad.  None of the stuff on my list matched, except for the B$10G$3UP grocery items.  So I bought $10 in Lindt and Ghirardelli chocolates (did I need them, not really, but they're yummy!) with the HI GC UP and got $3 Up.  DH had his eye on Deviled ham 2/$3 so maybe I'll go back for that.  I also got $1 sleep aid pills in the bins next to the line.  They had $1 acetam...generictylenol but I got a better price at Target the other day. 

I decided I have too much going on and have to abandon my collection of store ads since I have obviously not made a price book out of it yet.  Can you think of any reason to keep them?



   

[FreeSalsa]

I was at Trader Joe's last week and really noticed a difference in prices since 2008 or so when everything started to go up. These are some of the things I noticed an increase in:

2008 2013
0.99 1.69 dozen eggs =42% increase
1.19 1.99 white cheddar popcorn =48% increase
3.69 5.49 trail mix = 33% increase
2.29 3.49 turkey meatballs 35% increase

I had a price limit before I found this board and before I used coupons, such as, I only bought cereal when it went on sale for $2 a box or less. But I don't think those prices are even comparable or applicable anymore. In calculating how much money I'm saving, I do one calculation for savings over regular store prices, and one for how much I'm saving over what I would have paid before, because I never would have paid $5 for cereal, so I didn't think that was an even comparison. However, I have decided that I can't calculate based on what I would have paid because those prices are gone now. I'm also buying different (organic and natural) products so I can only feel better about trying to keep the total amount for the month between $150-200 for two people.

(Did I mention I'm also on the Declutter board? I'm trying to simplify my life, so fewer calculations and fewer store flyers.)

[FreeSalsa]

Hellooooooo?   Echo, echo, echo.....

Is anyone still here?

I'm so alone!    

[marvholly]

I'm still here and mostly just readig because the deals are just SOOO not there. I need to hit every place I can to find the best possibe $$ on stuff I need.

[rubyslippers]

I'm still here too and there hasn't been too many deals the past couple of weeks.  I got lettuce this week for $.69 and I have a couple of IPQ for free Lance crackers.  I'm hoping next week will have some good 4th of July specials.  I'm also holding some good rain checks at Kroger for the Venus razors which will be $.19 a piece after MQ's.