2013 Grocery Challenge

[marvholly]

Weather has been so cold here (-3 actual temp this am)that I have NOT done any deals for >a week. Except for a run to the library been staying home. There is nothing i want/need enough to brave the wind & cold. I do plan to go out tomorrow on a 9-10 stop shopping run - it is supposed to warm up to mid 20's.

[FreeSalsa]

I bought a few of the Old Navy/Gap GCs at RA.  $25 GC gives you $5 UP.  That to me is more manageable that having to buy a $50 for HI that is hard for me to use.  I bought 3 Old Navy so far.  One I used to buy gifts, the other two will be used as gifts. 

Tomorrow I plan to use my Ups.  I got a catalina for $6/$30 (I have to read the fine print) and will try to do the B$15G$5Up cold remedies deal to use some of them and still get some back.  It's been ages since I've gotten free cold remedies.

Gotta go to bed....zzzz.....

[murphath]

rubyslippers:

Thanks for the zip code info.  The q's say "redeem at your local Stop&Shop Supermarket", Giant Supermarket or Martin's supermarket".  Are they okay at other markets, as well?  I've used IP's that have said "Redeemable at Walmart" at other stores but these seem more specific.

Thanks.

[rubyslippers]

Murpath, yes, I've used them at Walmart with no problem.  They go through fine.  I'm getting my cheese stockpile built back up again.

[emhalf]

Question for those who are more familiar with the % off coupons at CVS. Do the coupons affect your totals when you have to spend a certain amount to earn EBs? For example, next week they have $10 EB wyb $20 excedrin. If I bought $20 and used a 20% off coupon, would I have to buy more to earn the EBs or does it count as a discount on the total order? TIA.

[FreeSalsa]

Used a lot of Ups this week.  Have to roll a few more next week.  It was terrible.  The manager had to void the order twice and ring it a third time.  She said she couldn't manually enter an UP that wouldn't scan (B.S.) then she did it.  I have never been so close to losing it with a checker.  I told her I was taking all my Q's and leaving
and then she tried harder.  So she did finally get all my Q's through.

The UPs I got using a different card were the ones that beeped, so I don't know if you can use them with any card anymore.  Maybe it was just coincidence or just that deal.  I got them for buying GAP/Old Navy GCs, and she said they couldn't have come from her store because they don't carry them.  That's crap, I got them there.  I don't know where they come up with this stuff.  Anyway it was in the middle of an already complicated deal so I didn't say anything and she didn't figure out what the problem was.  I don't think I like RA very much.  It's never been a comfortable place to coupon.  At least, not since the rebate days.

I don't know if you have these restaurants but The Counter is giving a $5 GC good for Jan and Feb with purchase of $25 in GCs.  Kabuki is giving a $15 when you buy $100.

[FreeSalsa]

Dec 14, 2013 17:41:06 GMT -5 emhalf said:

Question for those who are more familiar with the % off coupons at CVS. Do the coupons affect your totals when you have to spend a certain amount to earn EBs? For example, next week they have $10 EB wyb $20 excedrin. If I bought $20 and used a 20% off coupon, would I have to buy more to earn the EBs or does it count as a discount on the total order? TIA.

I'm not positive but I don't think the 20% Q would work since it's an Excedrin sale.  It doesn't work on sale items.

[marvholly]

It has been several weeks since either CVS or WAG had anything I wanted. This week I have 2 items I want from WAG but nothing at CVS again.

I need to hit a Doiminicks that has been sold because the closing stores are NOT stocking and nearly cleaned out. All I want/need is the FE spinach. Too bad all the sold stores are WAAAY off my standard travel routes. Got to think about how to handle this for the next 2 weeks.

[dogmom]

I stopped at the Walmart yesterday.  They had four packs of Libby's canned veggies for $2.00/package.  I used the insert (not sure which one) coupon for $1.00/4 (there is also a Bricks coupon available).  $1.00 for four cans of veggies.  (okay, got more than one package).  It beat the Dollar Store pricing..

[emhalf]

Dec 15, 2013 1:49:55 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Dec 14, 2013 17:41:06 GMT -5 emhalf said:

Question for those who are more familiar with the % off coupons at CVS. Do the coupons affect your totals when you have to spend a certain amount to earn EBs? For example, next week they have $10 EB wyb $20 excedrin. If I bought $20 and used a 20% off coupon, would I have to buy more to earn the EBs or does it count as a discount on the total order? TIA.

I'm not positive but I don't think the 20% Q would work since it's an Excedrin sale.  It doesn't work on sale items.

I've been reading online and trying to find info about the %-off coupons. From what I understand, the coupon should work on items like the excedrin because the product itself is not on sale, it only has EBs attached to a purchase requirement. This website has a good explanation:

thekrazycouponlady.com/2012/10/21/extreme-couponing-tip-learn-how-to-use-percent-off-coupons-at-cvs/

Although they still didn't answer my question. I THINK the % off is counted as a discount on the total order, so I should not have to buy extra to earn the EBs, but I'm not sure. CVS is not making it easy here

[FreeSalsa]

Dec 15, 2013 10:10:51 GMT -5 emhalf said:

Dec 15, 2013 1:49:55 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

I'm not positive but I don't think the 20% Q would work since it's an Excedrin sale.  It doesn't work on sale items.

I've been reading online and trying to find info about the %-off coupons. From what I understand, the coupon should work on items like the excedrin because the product itself is not on sale, it only has EBs attached to a purchase requirement. This website has a good explanation:

thekrazycouponlady.com/2012/10/21/extreme-couponing-tip-learn-how-to-use-percent-off-coupons-at-cvs/

Although they still didn't answer my question. I THINK the % off is counted as a discount on the total order, so I should not have to buy extra to earn the EBs, but I'm not sure. CVS is not making it easy here

I haven't seen the ad yet but I think you're right.  If the price of the item is not listed in the ad, it sounds like it should work.  I got one of these Qs this week but couldn't find anything to use it on.  

[FreeSalsa]

Don't try going to the farmer's market without a wallet.  This is what I get for cleaning out my purse!  I had to call home to get a credit card number so I could get out of the parking garage.  Stupid.  I knew my purse felt too light but I thought it was because it was clean!

[marvholly]

FreerSalsa
When my purse feels a bit too light it usually means I forgot to take my phone off the charger. NOT having my wallet (or coupon caddy) would make it IMPOSSIBLY light and a quick alert.

[rubyslippers]

For anyone needing Kohls gift cards, there's a $3.00/25.00 facebook IPQ and Kroger has a digital $10/$50.00 coupon.  The Rite Aid coupon is only good until today while the Kroger Q is good until the end of the month.

[constanz22]

SMOKIN' HOT SWIFFER DEAL AT TARGET
I don't know if anyone else saw this.  $10 Target GC wyb 3 participating Swiffer items.  They are all priced 8.59 to 9.99.  ONE of the 9.99 items is the sweeper, regular price 38.99!!!  There are some random MC's out.  I only had one $1/1 on me, but for that deal, I jumped on it while I was at the store!

[marvholly]

Wouldn’t you know it. There is a GREAT independent market-fruit/veg market just a bit further than my DD1. I won’t normally go there BUT if I am going to DD1’s I sometimes do shop there. However, they have NOTHING I want/need this week.

[murphath]

constanz22 wrote:
SMOKIN' HOT SWIFFER DEAL AT TARGET
I don't know if anyone else saw this. $10 Target GC wyb 3 participating Swiffer items. They are all priced 8.59 to 9.99. ONE of the 9.99 items is the sweeper, regular price 38.99!!! There are some random MC's out. I only had one $1/1 on me, but for that deal, I jumped on it while I was at the store!

Is this deal good on the liquid refills for the wetjet?

[constanz22]

Dec 18, 2013 11:37:42 GMT -5 murphath said:

constanz22 wrote:
SMOKIN' HOT SWIFFER DEAL AT TARGET
I don't know if anyone else saw this. $10 Target GC wyb 3 participating Swiffer items. They are all priced 8.59 to 9.99. ONE of the 9.99 items is the sweeper, regular price 38.99!!! There are some random MC's out. I only had one $1/1 on me, but for that deal, I jumped on it while I was at the store!

Is this deal good on the liquid refills for the wetjet?

Yep, the two packs were included.  They were like 9.59 I think.  They are tagged and I bought one.

[dancinmama]

Dec 16, 2013 16:09:59 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

SMOKIN' HOT SWIFFER DEAL AT TARGET
I don't know if anyone else saw this.  $10 Target GC wyb 3 participating Swiffer items.  They are all priced 8.59 to 9.99.  ONE of the 9.99 items is the sweeper, regular price 38.99!!!  There are some random MC's out.  I only had one $1/1 on me, but for that deal, I jumped on it while I was at the store!

That IS a smokin' deal for the sweeper!!  Hmm...I still have a spare.  I guess I'll pass on this one.

[dancinmama]

I stopped at the Grocery Outlet near my sister's home yesterday.  Boy, do I wish that one was in my town.  It's HUGE!!

I got Betty Crocker White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookie mix for $.79/pkg.  I also found bottles of 48 oz. bottles of Juicy Juice for $.99. 

[marvholly]

I don’t believe it but, for not once BUT twice, I called some food purchases right. Most of my stores change sales on Wed but my big, good fruit/veg market changes on Thur. Since I had an appt on Thur and the weather was going to be sloppy on Fri I shopped on Wed. Liked the price of pineapples at one store but not the fruit itself, so I passed and the good market is 10% cheaper. Needed both shredded and bar cheddar. Independent store had it for $1.50/8 oz pkg. Bought it. The good market is selling it for $2/8oz pkg. This VERY seldom happens. Guess I should have bought a lottery ticket.

Grocery, pet & household shopping is going to get ‘interesting’ over the next 6-12 months. Between new builds and conversions of Domincks stores I am getting a Super WalMart, Mariano, Trader Joe’s, And Whole Foods. I am hoping for some really GREAT competition = deals.

[hopetoberich]

Is this right the last post was the 19th?

[marvholly]

hopes
Yep. My post the 19th was the most recent. I at least check in here every or every other day. Honestly, deals have NOT been very good/exciting in my part of the world and I TOTALLY avoid big box stores like Target & Walmart during the holiday zoo.

CVS has had NOTHING I wanted/needed for several weeks. Did get a few things at WAG. Dominicks (Safeway) is kaput in metro Chicago. Jewel is WAAAY too $$ for me and they now consider themselves the ONLY game in town so not trying to be competetive at all. I have been doing all my shopping at independent stores or Aldi (if I can get there as they open-otherwise a ZOO!).

I think I posted a bit back. Sometime in the next 6-12 months I may have a new shopping route. I am getting a BIG Meijer, BIG Walmart and a Marianos about 2.5 mi from me. I think we may get a Trader Joes and/or Whole Foods too.

[hopetoberich]

I avoid the stores this time of year too. I have been getting Dh to do the shopping the last few weeks. He is fairly good at it buying what we are eating right now which is something I'm not as good at, he said we had cupboards of foods that we don,t eat often, he was right.
Merry Christmas hounds. I hope next year brings us great deals

[marvholly]

I don’t expect many/anyone to be around today BUT my holiday was a month ago.

Got my ad flyers on Tue for the next round of grocery sales as I most often do. However, neither of my local fruit/veg markets has a flyer in it. I cannot believe they are NOT running specials on a holiday week (NYE). I’ll have to check them online along w/my fav fruit/veg market and my 2 independent markets. That is a LOT of time online.

In spite of Donna’s post on MSN/saving-money tips on Tue I am undecided about hitting post holiday clearance sales. I HATE the mob scene but do tend to like the deals. I KNOW Target & Walmart will be zoos with returns, clearance shoppers and gift card spenders. Same for the electronics stores (might replace my kitchen tv) but tv deals will be here and maybe even better late Jan & early Feb after the CES & for superbowl.

Anyway, the 50% off deals are NOT good enough for me as many stores were running at least that over the last week or 2. I want 75% or even better 90%.

[973beachbum]

Hi everyone!!!  I haven't done much hounding lately but I was wondering how everyone has been doing? 

We had a nice Christmas.  And I will be doing our usual New Years Eve party again this year.  It is really more of a kids party but the kids are now mostly teens who really seem to love it.  I was thinking of doing a clam dip this year.  Was it dancinmama who had a wold famous recipe for it?  If you would be willing to share I would appreciate it greatly!

Happy hounding everyone!

[acemom]

Hi there.  I am new to this site, but am on a few of the other boards.  I need to really get my grocery budget under control.  I have realized that it is a HUGE budget buster and don't really know how to control it.  I will go back and read some of the past entries and hopefully get some ideas.  Thanks in advance.  

[dancinmama]

Dec 27, 2013 11:15:18 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

Hi everyone!!!  I haven't done much hounding lately but I was wondering how everyone has been doing? 

We had a nice Christmas.  And I will be doing our usual New Years Eve party again this year.  It is really more of a kids party but the kids are now mostly teens who really seem to love it.  I was thinking of doing a clam dip this year.  Was it dancinmama who had a wold famous recipe for it?  If you would be willing to share I would appreciate it greatly!

Happy hounding everyone!

It's so easy!!

1 garlic clove, peeled and cut in half
8 oz. cream cheese softened
1 6-6.5 oz. can of minced clams (if you buy chopped just cut them in smaller pieces)
3 + T. clam juice (add until you get it the consistency that you want)
1 t. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. lemon juice (optional)

Rub a glass mixing bowl with the garlic clove which has been cut in half.  Place the softened cream cheese in the bowl and mix with the clam juice until smooth.  Add the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and clams; blend well.  Chill before serving with dip chips.  Make a double recipe if you're having a large group.

I always save and freeze any extra clam juice and use it later to make home-made clam chowder. 

[dancinmama]

Dec 27, 2013 13:24:31 GMT -5 acemom said:

Hi there.  I am new to this site, but am on a few of the other boards.  I need to really get my grocery budget under control.  I have realized that it is a HUGE budget buster and don't really know how to control it.  I will go back and read some of the past entries and hopefully get some ideas.  Thanks in advance.  

Welcome to the Grocery Challenge, acemom!!  Since I don't have any idea where you're at with saving on groceries, I'll pass on some tips.  You may or may not already be aware of how they may help.

1.  Use the weekly grocery ads to do your meal planning.  Plan your meals based on what is on sale in a given week - meat for main dishes, fresh fruits and veggies, etc.  It might mean that you choose broccoli over green beans, pork chops over chicken, or oranges over apples, but it will help you reduce your grocery costs.

2.  When you find an item that you use regularly at a really low price, buy in advance of need.  For example, if whole chickens are on sale for $.79/lb., buy one to make this week and buy two or three extras and stick them in the freezer for future meals.  Rinse and repeat for ANY product that you use on a regular basis.  Once you have a well-stocked pantry, you can plan your meals around what you have on hand AND what is on sale.

3.  To increase savings, match a great sales price with coupons to get even better savings.  The more of a coupon that you have, the more that you can stock in your pantry at a low price for future use.  So if Skippy peanut butter is on sale at a really good price and you have coupons for Skippy, you can save on that jar you need now and save on two or three jars that you will use later.

4.  KNOW YOUR PRICES!!  Just because a product in featured in a store's sales ad does not mean that the price offered is a good price.  To know a really good sales price, start tracking ad prices for products that you use regularly.  For example, you might see Rice A Roni on ad for $1.19/box.  It's cheaper than the regular price, but not a price you'd want to pay to stock a half a dozen in your pantry.  By watching the sales ads, I know that Rice A Roni is offered periodically for $.88/box, sometimes even $.79.  That is when I buy a few extra for later use.  Use this strategy for almost everything you purchase on a regular basis and eventually you will have a well-stocked pantry at the lowest cost possible.  This same strategy can be applied to non-food products as well - bath tissue, laundry soap, etc.

5.  Pay attention to sales on household products as well as health and beauty products at the drug chains.  Purchase these at the drug chains ONLY when they are on sale, are offering rewards (Extra Bucks at CVS, for example), and when you have coupons for them.  Roll your rewards received from buying one product to purchase another product that is also offering rewards to reduce your out of pocket costs.

That's really all I can think of right now that might help you.  I don't post here nearly as much as I used to, but I'm sure that if you have questions, there are several gals who post here regularly that can help you!! 

[constanz22]

I have an in at one of my CVS stores.  Christmas will be going to 75% on Sunday.  They said it is quite a bit earlier/quicker than usual.  They didn't think it would go 90% but said they don't always know til the last minute about that.  I was in one store yesterday that already had almost NO Christmas left.  The one I was in today had lots left.