2013 Grocery Challenge

[constanz22]

I have done very little shopping, at drug stores, grocery or otherwise. I am out of all the drug stores except a $4 EB at cvs that expires Thursday. I am planning to cash it out on dog food and a couple bottles of diet coke.

I've done almost no couponing. I went to Price Chopper today for the first time in probably 6-8 weeks. They had four $1 doubler coupons in the ad. I cut a whole bunch of .75/1 coupons I could find since they double anything under .99. I can't tell you how many I stuck right back in my wallet cuz even $1.50 off was not a good deal. Holy crap. Regular prices on stuff are insane. The Cheerios Medly Crunch I like was 3.99. And they are small boxes. Mazola oil was 5.99 for a regular size bottle. that was me today. I still spent $30 after coupons, including a $5/40 store coupon and got pretty much nothing. No meat, no fruit, no veggies.

I do about 50% of my grocery shopping now at Price Rite. They don't take coupons, but their prices on staples are really good. I go every couple weeks, buy almost the exact same things (produce, yogurt, bread, oatmeal, bacon, usually a treat like mini cupcakes, and any other random things I'm low on) 99% of the time, it is under $20.

[FreeSalsa]

Ah, the old days.  I'm cleaning out my inbox and finding some seriously old e-mails.  Here's a bit from one I sent my mom on 3/5/10.

"This week's great deal...I bought 12 bottles of vitamins (including melatonin and tea tree oil) and three of the bigger bottles of honey for about $2. And for my trouble, they're going to send me a $25 Rite Aid gift card."

[rubyslippers]

It is slow around here too.  DH went to Meijer yesterday and got 3 bags of Oreida potatoes and used a $2.00/3 Oreida MC and a $4.00 catalina and paid zero.  I got 2 bottles of ketchup at Family Dollar and paid $.50 after using a catalina.  I spent $1.60 at Rite Aid and got Scott TP, Colgate mouthwash and some Cover Girl on clearance.  My big purchase for the week was a ham that I baked and picked off the bone in order to have in the freezer.  I paid $12.66 for the ham.

[mrsdutt]

Farm Fresh has Dole pineapple 5/5.00.  A Catalina spits our for .75 on the next shopping trip.  My next shopping trip was right then and there.  The Catalina tripled and my item was .05.

[hopetoberich]

Nothing going on here sorry to say.
Apart from DH might be losing his job. He was a bad boy using the internet at work and its looks like big trouble. Can't imagine how we will cope but we will. Just have to wait and see what punishment they give him.
Now I am using up everything I can in the freezer in case we have to move in s couple of weeks. I took a turkey breast from the freezer, its 14 lb and was a special I got for $12. That will do us for a week...he is a big eater.
What ever happens my stockpile or what's left of it goes with me, its still worth $800 ish I would think.its been a year or more since I bought anything much to add to it and I still have 5 years worth of laundry soap.

I am selling a couple of small things on eBay just to add to the PayPal account.
I just printed some business cards with my new home cleaning service info on. I did a 3500sf home the past weekend, well some of it anyhow and it was a lovely home...once it was cleaned up some. I'd like to pick up a few more clients if possible. I'd like to travel to other area's and do this I if its worth it, we'll see how it goes.

[murphath]

hopetoberich wrote:
Apart from DH might be losing his job. He was a bad boy using the internet at work and its looks like big trouble. Can't imagine how we will cope but we will. Just have to wait and see what punishment they give him.

I don't know of anyone who works in an office that doesn't use the internet at some point during the day.  There all some lulls in work, ya know!  Unless, of course, it either gets to the point of non-productivity work wise or inappropriate sites.  Not suggesting this is what happened with your DH, but termination seems a little harsh to me.  Especially if he's been a good employee otherwise.  Keeping my fingers crossed for you--when will you know for sure?

[murphath]

My bargains this week were:
2 free paper towels at CVS using the CRT from red machine (mine and DH's cards)
2 free boxes of cereal and 2 free M&M candies (the small size) at WAGS using my $5 Balance Rewards and a $1/2 Gen.Mills cereal q.  I haven't bought anything at WAGS to earn the Balance Rewards--I just log my walks and weigh-ins on their site and they give me points.  Finally got a bit over 5,000.  Good thing, too, because we're almost out of cereal!

[rubyslippers]

Today I had an excellent day of cherry picking. I got a free roll of paper towels and bandaids at CVS.  At Meijer I got two 2 liter bottles of pop free with mperk coupons.  At Walmart I brought home 1 bread, 2 buns, 1 celery, 1 tortillas, 1 taco sauce, 1 taco seasoning, 1 jar of artichoke hearts, 2 lb. butter, 1 lb. sour cream, 1 Wesson oil, 1 pk. paper plates, 4 Three Muskateer candy bars and 22 Almay makeup removers, all for a total of $1.96 OOP.  At Menards I used a rebate to get a windshield wiper and some Murphy cloths and paid zero.  I'll get $5.00 back in another rebate check.

Hopetoberich, I'll keep your family in my prayers and hope everything turns out nicely.  I'm impressed with your laundry soap stockpile.

Mrsdutt, good job on the triple coupon.  We're lucky that some stores are still doubling coupons here, but I think our days are numbered.  I will enjoy the savings while it lasts.

Frugalsuz: Has anyone heard from her lately?

[FreeSalsa]

Safeway starting tomorrow:

"http://www.tonytantillo.com/newsletters/ncal0713.pdf
If you haven’t picked up the Fresh Ideas Magazine for July you can print it below – the magazine has a $.75/1 Fresh Express Spinach coupon that will not double – but, will make for $.24 bags of spinach:
Fresh Express Spinach or Garden Plus Salad 9-12 oz $.99
$.75/1 Fresh Express 9 oz. Spinach (x 8/31)
= $.24"

"Check your Email | Possible $3 ECB from CVS
JULY 22, 2013 CVS
Check your CVS account this morning or, your email, for a possible emailed offer for $3 ECBs – valid through 7/24 for the intended recipient only. The offer was sent to select CVS shoppers – not all! It cannot be shared, and is redeemable in-store only."

I got this Q and I just found that they've been sending me 20% off coupons that are already expired.

[FreeSalsa]

And for Target:

"Here’s a great deal at Target! You can pick up FREE Right Guard Xtreme Deodorant or Body Wash – great deal for the guys in the family.
Right Guard Xtreme Deodorant or Body Wash $3.49
$2/1 Right Guard Wash or Deodorant Target Coupon (x 9/18)
Stack with: $1.50/1 Right Guard Xtreme Personal Care 7/14 RP (x 8/3)
= FREE
You can print two Target coupons to pick up two, but the limit is 1 like Target coupon per transaction."
www.thecentsableshoppin.com/target-free-right-guard-xtreme-deodorant-or-body-wash/#.Ue9HqBazcUU

"This week at Target, through Saturday 7/27, pick up Bayer 36 ct Chewable for $.01 – not a bad deal at all.
Bayer 36 ct Chewable $2.01 ea.
$2/1 Bayer Aspirin, 20 ct+ 06/23/2013 RP Insert (exp 08/15/2013)
= $.01 after coupon
www.thecentsableshoppin.com/target-bayer-36-ct-chewable-just-01-thru-727/#.Ue9IDRazcUU"

"http://www.thecentsableshoppin.com/target-mens-degree-deodorant-just-54-ea/#.Ue9JOxazcUU
Here’s a great deal at Target – and you won’t even need coupons to grab it. We have many new Target coupons this morning that popped up – one of them is for $.75/1 Degree or Dove Deodorant (x 8/24)
There is a gift card offer for “Buy 4 Unilever Items and score a FREE $5 Target Gift Card” – combine (1) coupon with the Gift Card deal and score deodorant for $.54 ea.
Buy 4 Unilever Items and score a FREE $5 Target Gift Card
–Degree Men $1.97
Deal Idea: Buy 4 Degree Men Deodorant $1.97
= $7.88
Use 1 – $.75/1 Dove or Degree Target coupon (x 8/24)
Pay $7.13 + tax and earn $5 in a gift card from Target
Making each deodorant just $.54"

[marvholly]

Cluck, Cluck, Cluck. It is a good thing I like chicken. It was just 2ish ads ago I was REAL happy w/the price (0.59, 0.69?) of leg quarters. They are on sale again this week at 2 of my markets for 0.49. AND, it is going to be cool enough to cook them up any way I want (oven fried, soup, BBQ…..).

Screwed up yesterday (again). Ran to CVS (free paper towels) and Aldi. TOTALLY forgot my FREE $3 in ECB. I had not planned on any shopping/errands as I am meeting a friend for an early dinner today but NO WAY am I blowing this kind of FREE.

[frugalsuz]

Jul 23, 2013 16:41:32 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

Frugalsuz: Has anyone heard from her lately?

I'm still here, just lurking with nuthin' much to say.    Getting married next Friday so I've been wrapping up the final plans.  Still have to find shoes.  We're not doing anything fancy, just pictures, the ceremony and then going to a nice restaurant for dinner. Very excited!  My sister is making us a cake, so I can't wait to see how that turns out.

[Sam_2.0]

Congrats on the upcoming wedding, frugalsuz!!!!!

[constanz22]

Jul 24, 2013 10:27:25 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Jul 23, 2013 16:41:32 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

Frugalsuz: Has anyone heard from her lately?

I'm still here, just lurking with nuthin' much to say.    Getting married next Friday so I've been wrapping up the final plans.  Still have to find shoes.  We're not doing anything fancy, just pictures, the ceremony and then going to a nice restaurant for dinner. Very excited!  My sister is making us a cake, so I can't wait to see how that turns out.

I knew you were getting married but couldn't remember when!  Congrats!!

[murphath]

Frugalsuz:
Congratuations!  So happy for you!  Share a few photos (especially of the cake) with us.

[frugalsuz]

Thanks ladies!  I'll definitely share some pics. 

[dancinmama]

Jul 24, 2013 10:27:25 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Jul 23, 2013 16:41:32 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

Frugalsuz: Has anyone heard from her lately?

I'm still here, just lurking with nuthin' much to say.    Getting married next Friday so I've been wrapping up the final plans.  Still have to find shoes.  We're not doing anything fancy, just pictures, the ceremony and then going to a nice restaurant for dinner. Very excited!  My sister is making us a cake, so I can't wait to see how that turns out.

Congrats Miss Frugalsuz!!  I'm so happy for you two. 

[marvholly]

Dancin
VERY surprised to see you ‘brave’ the P & M forum. While I regularly read, I VERY seldom post there. And then your very thoughtful post totally degenerated into a weird semantics discussion.

I tried, I REALLY tried to buy the 0.49/lb leg quarters on Sat. When I hit the meat counter it was OOS. I asked the meat guy about it and he said they were coming right out. Since the last time he told me that about a meat sale item it was a 20 minute wait I said, When-Christmas? His reply was maybe New Years. I am sure it was a joke BUT it ticked me off. Went to CS-waited for the gal to come back from wherever & had the store mgr paged. Told him I REFUSE to deal with RUDE service staff & was walking out w/o buying any of the 4 items on my list. I will just get them from the place near my DD on Mon or Tue. It is not a though I NEEDED them right now for this week's menus.

[dancinmama]

Jul 28, 2013 5:20:40 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Dancin
VERY surprised to see you ‘brave’ the P & M forum. While I regularly read, I VERY seldom post there. And then your very thoughtful post totally degenerated into a weird semantics discussion.

I usually a lurker too.

[FreeSalsa]

Jul 24, 2013 10:27:25 GMT -5 frugalsuz said:

Jul 23, 2013 16:41:32 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

Frugalsuz: Has anyone heard from her lately?

I'm still here, just lurking with nuthin' much to say.    Getting married next Friday so I've been wrapping up the final plans.  Still have to find shoes.  We're not doing anything fancy, just pictures, the ceremony and then going to a nice restaurant for dinner. Very excited!  My sister is making us a cake, so I can't wait to see how that turns out.

...oh, nothing much, just GETTING MARRIED!!!  Congratulations!!!!  Let us know how it goes!  Hooray!

[FreeSalsa]

Rite Aid this week.  I'm not doing the gift card but maybe someone else is interested.

Applebees , Chilis, Bass Pro or AMC Theater $50 Gift Cards
Price is after $10 Up Rewards. Limit 2 offers.
1 $50.00 - - = $50.00 - $10.00 with 1 = $40.0

Crest ProHealth Rinse 250ml 1 $2.99 - - = $2.99 - $2.99 with 1 = FREE 100%
Price is after $2.99 Up Rewards. Limit 2 Crest/Oral B Offers. This is a good item to donate to charity.

Scope 250ml 1 $2.99 - - = $2.99 - $2.99 with 1 = FREE 100%
Price is after $2.99 Up Rewards. Limit 2 Crest/Oral B Offers. This is a good item to donate to charity.

Back To School Items: Eraser Caps, Poly or Paper Portfolios, Sliding Pencil Case, 70 ct notebook, Pencil Sharpener, Rulers and more 3 $0.33 - - = $0.33 - $0.99 with 3 = FREE 100%
Price is after $.99 Up Rewards on 3. Limit 1 offer. This is a good item to donate to charity.

Reach Manual Toothbrush 1 ct
Printable Coupons
1 $1.99 - - = $0.99 - $1.00 with 1 = $0.01 profit 100%
Price is after $1 Up Reward and printable coupon. Limit 2 offers. Printable coupon is for $1.00 off any REACH Brand toothbrush. This is a good item to donate to charity.

07-28 PG Crest Toothpaste 3D White 4 oz, ProHealth 4-4.2 oz, Complete 4-6.2 oz or kids 1 $2.99 - $0.50 - = $2.49 - $2.99 with 1 = $0.50 profit 114%
Price is after $2.99 Up Rewards. Earn $.50 after coupon. Limit 2 Crest/Oral B Offers. This is a good item to donate to charity.

07-28 PG Oral B Manual Toothbrush Complete or Kids 1 ct
Other Newspaper Coupons: 07-07 PG
1 $2.99 - $0.50 - = $2.49 - $2.99 with 1 = $0.50 profit 115%
Price is after $2.99 Up Rewards. Earn $.50 after coupon. Limit 2 Crest/Oral B Offers. This is a good item to donate to charity.

07-07 PG Clairol Herbal Essences Conditioners or Stylers 5.7-13.5 oz
Other Newspaper Coupons: 07-28 PG
2 $3.00 - $5.00 - = $0.50 - = $0.50 87%
Single purchase price is $3.49. Coupon expires 7/31.

07-14 RP Right Guard Deodorant
Printable Coupons, Electronic Coupons
2 $2.50 - $1.50 - = $1.00 - $1.00 with 2 = $0.50 86%
(Xtreme shown in ad ). Single purchase price is $3.29. Price is after $1 Up Rewards on 2 and 2 newspaper coupons. Limit 2 Old Spice, Secret, Right Guard or Dry Idea offers.

07-14 RP Dry Idea Deodorant
Electronic Coupons
2 $2.50 - $1.50 - = $1.00 - $1.00 with 2 = $0.50 86%
Single purchase price is $3.29. Price is after $1 Up Rewards on 2 and 2 newspaper coupons for Gel or Roll On. Get 2 FREE after $1 added to your Savingstar account. Limit 2 Old Spice, Secret, Right Guard or Dry Idea offers.

[FreeSalsa]

All right, Ladies.  Since there is so little happening here these days and because the good old days were better...as I mentioned, I've been cleaning out my e-mails and found this.  I few years back Dancinmama had me over for lunch when I was visiting her neck of the woods.  I told my mom I was going and when I wrote to the ladies about it I copied and pasted it to Mom so she could also read how it went (she's not on this thread.)  So I just found it in the old e-mail and thought I would share.  Dancin, I hope you don't mind the re-posting.  It's all compliments!  (There seemed to be some surprise at one point to find out that she was blonde.)



"I haven’t read the board or been able to catch up for a week, so I don’t know what’s already been posted, or what she’s said, but I’m here to give you all the lowdown on DancinMama. We met at her house yesterday, which is huge, beautiful, and immaculate. I met her very nice DH, DS, and the very famous, Buddy the beagle.

She is full of energy for life and for coupons and is one good-lookin’ dancin’ mama! She made me a yummy shrimp Caesar salad and her DH made a really good Almost-Free-Salsa in honor of my screen name. I was going to be on the road for 5 hours (it turned out to be 6 ½, darn that traffic!) after our lunch so instead of 'ritas we had Santa Cruz organic lemonade, courtesy of Go Organic coupons from Curtie-poo.

I was very glad to meet her and we had a great time discussing our couponing methods and store policies, various members of the board, and how we would enjoy a Pound gathering in Las Vegas if one ever happened. She sent me off with my own bottle of Santa Cruz lemonade, tons of Horizon yogurt coupons, and a cute wine and cheese set (cutting board, cheese knife, etc.) with little salsa peppers on it, that she got for free, again, in my honor.

So finally, I’d like to be the witness to a few things on behalf of the rest of the board:

1. She really does have a big stockpile and tons of cabinets still left to fill.
2. She was very proud of having found the Safeway rally deal when no one at HCW did (and she had a PILE of grocery bags full of Kleenex and cookies from this deal in the garage, waiting to be put away.)
3. Curt (with a C) really did write her a note telling her to stay cool in the **** capital of the world.
4. Couponing really does make a difference. She told me how much money she had saved over the years with coupons and you could really see it because her home was amazing (with grape arbor and gorgeous views from every room, even the bathroom and garage!) So everyone, stick with it and you too can have a home like hers, cabinets stuffed with goods, and so much energy because you have no worries about debt!

Oh, and did I mention she is blond?"

[rubyslippers]

Freesalsa, I remember when you went to visit Dancinmama.  Nice note going down memory lane.

Rite Aid:  I did the Crest TP, Reach TB, Colgate MW and the pop deal.  I printed out a lot of RA coupons to pair with MQ's to take part of the eye makeup extravaganza this week.

Family Dollar:  They had Schick Quatro razors clearanced for $4.80.  I had a couple of $4.00 IPQ's from a couple weeks ago, so I got 2 razors, a pair of garden gloves for next year 30% off and used a $3.00 cat and two $4.00 IPQ's.  I paid $.56 OOP.

Walmart:  Yesterday I price matched milk @ $1.49 gal., 2 dozen eggs @ $.49 gallon, 3 green peppers @ $.25 each, 4 lbs. sugar @ $.79 and string cheese $3.58, regular price.  I also bought 8 Almay makeup removers at $1.14.  I used 8 coupons @ $2.00 each and paid a total of $1.05 OOP.

Aldi: 2 lb. bags of sweet onions for $.69 each and I bought 3.  We chopped 2 bags up and packaged them in 1/2 cup bags for the freezer.

I've been cherry picking most of the summer and will be trying to use up the meat in the freezer as our beef will be ready end of August.

[hopetoberich]

Catching up with you all.
I never had any doubt dancing was the real deal...she knows too much to be struggling. The views sound wonderful though.

As for our little scare with DH spending too much time on the internet, we are hoping it will blow over. They did fire someone years ago but he was visiting err question able sites. My DH was on you tube. So we are hoping this will pass and he will not go on you tube anymore.

Still no coupons here, but like Connie I am using pricerite more often. I have plenty in the stockpile to keep us going.
Like I said we are using the food from the freezer. That turkey was good.
Congrats on the wedding frugalsuz and thanks for the prayers all.
Keep posting....one day they may be a killer deal again....we can live in hope.

[murphath]

hopetoberich wrote:
As for our little scare with DH spending too much time on the internet, we are hoping it will blow over. They did fire someone years ago but he was visiting err question able sites. My DH was on you tube. So we are hoping this will pass and he will not go on you tube anymore.

Good to hear this!


For any of you Target shoppers, you can probably use the Gillette shaving cream q from Sunday's paper to get some free.  The blue can is priced $1.97 at my Target (NorCal) and the q is $2.  I always stock up when this happens because DH and DS shave every day!  Now the q says $2 off Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide (orange can) but it also has a pic of the less expensive blue can.  It's worked in the past so hopefully that has not changed.

Also, a technical question:  I cannot get the coupons.com to print.  I bought a new computer that has Windows 8 and it needs to be in "classic" mode instead of "metro mode".  Metro is the default mode apparently.  I have searched and searched and cannot find where I can make this change.  Any computer gurus out there?  HELP!

[emhalf]

If you're shopping RA this week, check your receipt for a $3 CRT coupon for venus razor. They are on sale 8.99 with $2 UPs, and MM with the $5/1 coupon expiring tomorrow.

Venus razor: 8.99
-$5/1 MC
-$3/1 CRT
= .99 + $2 UP, 1.01 MM    

[FreeSalsa]

Got another $3 ECB in my e-mail.

[marvholly]

Jul 31, 2013 0:13:03 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Got another $3 ECB in my e-mail.

Strange but me too. 

I hate it now that I no longer get a newspaper by 6 am, esp on grocery ad day. My ads now come via snail mail. My mail comes between 2 p and 6 p. So, I am going to the library, passing Aldi and a local fruit/veg market & have NO idea what the specials are this week.

[murphath]

Hound Alert!

Been awhile since I've used that!

For those that printed the $3/2 Kaboom q (can't remember from where), it is on sale this week at Safeway BOGOF.  Don't know the regular price at Safeway but this could make for an inexpensive bathroom cleaner.  I've been using baking soda, and the Dawn cleaner recipe for my bathroom cleaning but might get some of this for emergency purposes.

[MonicaLee5186]

I ran to Target tonight and bought:

1 can of Gillette shaving cream @ 1.97
1 bottle RightGuard shower gel @ 3.49
2 old spice deodorant @2.49 each
1 old spice body spray @3.99

Used:
$2.00/1 Gillette shaving cream
$2.00/1  RightGuard product Target Q
$1.50/1 RightGuard manufacturers Q
$2/2 Old Spice product
B2G1 Old spice body spray (3.99)

Paid $3 for all 5 items ... I will end up going back and doing more shaving cream and bodywash if I can round up more coupons as those were totally free!