2014 Grocery Challenge

[skubikky]

Tops had  Reynolds Heavy Duty tin foil 2/$4,  used (2) $0.75 Q that doubled.
With tax was $1.32 for two rolls....not bad.   Not like the old days with $1/1 Reynolds wrap W's and 0.99 rolls of Reynolds at WM.

[murphath]

dancinmama wrote:
I'm just kicking myself for not buying more of the Hebrew National all beef franks last year when they were $.50/pkg. I thought I was getting a boatload. They are so much better than other hot dogs that I guess we ate more than we normally would have. I bought them last year toward the end of the summer; hopefully I'll see something similar this year. I priced them at Safeway and they were $5.99 for the same package - a package of (7) dogs!!


Hebrew National or the kosher ones sold at Sam's Club (can't remember name) are the only hot dogs we've ever eaten here.  Once I read what was in regular hot dogs, that was it for me.  I'm always on the lookout for deals on HN.  They are less expensive at Target (@4.29 which is up from the $3.99 price a few months back).  I've also gotten a J4U price of $2.99 and when combined with b1g1f, which Safeway sometimes does), it makes for a not so bad deal.  Coupons are few and far between--All You magazine used to have $1 q's during summer but I don't have that subscription anymore.  Discontinued it once couponing had that major shift.

[murphath]

I went to WAGS are bought some candy:
2 M&M pretzel  $1.00
2 M&M peanut butter $1.00
4 Snickers squared $2.00
2 Skittles $1.00

Minus:
2/.75 off 2 Snickers squared= -$1.50
.50/2 Skittles
2 BO M&M Pretzel GO M&M product free= -$1.00

Total OOP: $2.00 or .20 each


I FINALLY got the rebate check for the Finish products.  There's another rebate in last Sunday's insert and I'm debating doing it.  Probably will but now understand that it takes forever for the check to come in.

I did buy 3 boxes of Raisin Bran at Rite Aid at $1.97 each.  Used a $1/3 q so paid $4.91.  The boxes have the $5 Healthy Start rebate label so I submitted those online and will get $5 back.  I did this one time before and the rebate check was here within a week!  Tried to enter the codes but they kept coming back "invalid".  I called CS and they emailed me 3 new codes.  Gal said they are having problems with some of the codes.  I'd guess someone in IT is in a bit of trouble.

[rubyslippers]

I had a little fun at CVS today.   I did 4 transactions and spent $4.33 OOP and got back $5.00 in EB's.1

1) 1 Colgate toothbrush @ $2.99-$1.00 MQ=$2.20 w/tax and earned $2.00 EB's

2) Rinse and repeat and earned another $2.00 EB's

3) 2 Right Guard deodorants @$3.00 each=$6.00-2/$2.00 IPQs-$2.00 EB's=$.41 tax and got $2.00 EB's

4) 1 Venus razor @$7.29+2 rolls Charmin Basic TP @ $1.57-$3.00 MQ-$3.00 Charmin CRT-$1.49 (20%)-$2.00 EB=$1.51 OOP and I got a  $5.00 EB from a rain check.

Next week I'll spend my EB's on the olive oil as I am very low on that.  I forgot how nice it is to be able to roll your rewards the same day you receive them, unlike Rite Aid. 

At Kohls, I got a couple of bath rugs on sale for 50% off and used a 30% coupon.  I spent $18.66 and saved $8.01

I spent $.99 at Kroger and got a Bear Naked Bar (Friday freebie) and a jar of Herdez salsa verde.  There was a $1.00 MQ attached to the salsa.  I did the Kroger survey and will receive 50 fuel pts.

At Meijer I spent $8.69 and saved $1.00 on 11 items like I had planned.  I forgot about tax on the pop so my OOP was a little higher than I thought, but not a bad deal over all.

DH and I used a gift card he received at Christmas and had burrito bowls at Chipotle so very little OOP.

We had a pretty cheap evening

[dancinmama]

Jun 20, 2014 10:28:41 GMT -5 skubikky said:

Tops had  Reynolds Heavy Duty tin foil 2/$4,  used (2) $0.75 Q that doubled.
With tax was $1.32 for two rolls....not bad.   Not like the old days with $1/1 Reynolds wrap W's and 0.99 rolls of Reynolds at WM.

$1.32 for two rolls of heavy duty Reynolds is an excellent deal these days.

Thank goodness for those $1/1 coupons.  It never made sense to me that they excluded the 25 sq. ft. rolls, but not the 20 sq. ft. rolls.    Every time they came out I bought as many as my coupons and/or stock would allow. 

I won't be running out of foil any time soon!! 

[dancinmama]

My latest GO acquisition:

(5) 12 oz. bags Seattle's Best coffee @ $1.99/bag

I didn't really need the coffee, but couldn't pass it up.

[dancinmama]

Jun 20, 2014 21:21:55 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

At Kohls, I got a couple of bath rugs on sale for 50% off and used a 30% coupon.  I spent $18.66 and saved $8.01

I took advantage of my 30% off coupon today too !! 

I bought:
(4) large kitchen area rugs 
(2) men's print Ts
(6) baby outfits (for a double baby shower)

I spent $100.61 plus tax, got $20 in Kohl's cash and I think I'll get $5 in Kohl's rewards.  My receipt says I saved $215.35.  I think that is based on the regular retail prices which I, of course, would NEVER pay!! 

[marvholly]

ok. I give up. With all the price increases (actual shelf and downsize pkg) I am having to increase my grocery budget. I am going to try to limit it to 25% but it appears it is only going to get worse. Now pork is going WAAAY up due to illness (es?) in hogs.

Dancin
I have to get over to babies R us for 2 gift certs. Had a new grand neice and 2nd cousin born in the last couple months. Both are out of town so no shower invites but I do need to send something.

[hopetoberich]

If you have a price rite near you chicken thighs Tyson brand is only 79c lb!
I bought 4 big packs for around $13.
Anjou pears are 79c lb too.

The animal shelter had a yard sale so I looked at the clothes. Name brand all washed and ironed for $1 or shorts for 50cents each. Igot 2 nice tops, i pair of very fancy capries, and 3 shorts for house/yard. I gave them $5

I seem to be in a 12 ish these days and they had a good selection of that size. I could this as a very good day

[FreeSalsa]

Jun 16, 2014 9:48:35 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jun 15, 2014 17:45:28 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I got out because it changed so much and our stores bcame so hostile to couponers. And with the kiddo + working FT with a non-flexible schedule, by the time I could get out deals were always gone. Target seems to be ok right now in the coupon game and Walmart online has a decent price on diapers so I can just order there when needed

Sent from my SPH-L710 using proboards

I have one CVS in my town and I was having the same problem during the last 6 months (or so) that I shopped there.  I had an incident where I spoke to both the manager and the district manager who both claimed that things would change, but they didn't.  Within a month or two after that incident, CVS stopped issuing $/$$ on a regular basis (which is what made most of my scenarios free), so I decided it was time to bow out.  There was no reason to put up with the negativity toward couponers and/or pay OOP for what I had already stockpiled in abundance for free.

Since I've stopped shopping there (which was 18 months ago), I've read that things have changed in terms of how much stacking the computers allow, so it you've been out of it for a while, you might want to bone up on what they allow and what they don't before you start putting together scenarios.

I thought about returning the cheese but it seemed like more of a headache to go back.  If I end up there again for some reason maybe I'll ask for it then.  I'm sure I still have the receipt somewhere.

[FreeSalsa]

Jun 18, 2014 7:32:05 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

I bought a wide-mouth vacuum sealer from amazon for $9.99 using my swagbucks to pay for it. I vacuum packed 8 jars of salad that I had cleaned and cut up last week and they stayed fresh and green for 8 days. I noticed (too late) that one of the jars wasn't sealed and was visibly discolored after 5 days.  I'm trying to cut down on food waste, especially with my greens.   I got lettuce on sale for $.69 a head and I mixed that in with my romaine and some of the lettuce from my garden.  I have enough salad made for over a week and it really simplifies the salad-making process by making one mess at one time.   I also used it to vacuum pack many of the dry ingredients in my pantry.

Dancin, you got a really great deal at your grocery outlet!   I have one package of bacon left that I got awhile back that was $2.49 lb.  The sale prices aren't near that good lately.  

Hopetoberich, I save my "can money" all year and use it to help pay for gardening expenses.  

I will be going to Meijer this weekend to do the buy 10 get 1 free deal.  I will be using a $1.00 MQ and a 5% mperk to get 11 items for $8.50.  Since bread is part of the deal, I will stock up and get bread for the freezer.  Items will end up costing $.77 each.

That's a great idea to get the vacuum sealer with swag bucks.  I'll have to take a peek to see what else is out there.

[Opti]

Thursday night I discovered Target had some McCormick spices on clearance

and bought a small container of poultry seasoning for $1.58. I'm debating

on whether I want to go back for some Thyme or something else.

It appears the Market Pantry line is putting out a line of spices in the small

containers so they are selling off the McCormick spices even though the dates

(exp or best by) were 2015 and 2016.

[FreeSalsa]

I got 6 free Crest toothpaste (Be, Sensi-whatever, and another one) with 3 cards, IPs, MCs, ECBs, GCs.
I bought 2 finish, BOGO1/2off, used 2 $2qs and a CRT, paid 50c plus tax and will submit the rebate for a MM, I hope.
Went back for 2 more, used 2 75c Qs, paid $3.xx and will send to my brother's for the rebate. 
Got 2 Dry Idea free after MC, CRT, and ECB.
This was all at CVS.

I had a a hard time with my Qs again at Sprouts this week.  I chose another checker and she wouldn't let me use a store Q with an MC, even though my favorite checker has always done it no problem.  I asked about her and it seems she's doing the morning shift now, so I may not see her again.  It would be a big hassle to go in the morning or on my lunch hour, and there's no guarantee she'd take the Qs I wanted to use, but if I had a tricky scenario I might be willing to make the effort.  I wonder if she works Saturdays.  Then I could hit Sprouts and the farmer's market with the good eggs, but I'd have to factor in the cost of gas.  There's still one other checker I'll try to see if she'll take them.  She's younger and might not care.

[marvholly]

Did my major weekly shop on Sat. At Meijer (midwest chain)bought the 12 pk of 7Up TEN using a coupon. Did NOT realize the REALLY good price required the purchast of 5 12 packs. That is more soda (60 cans) than I drink in a year. It was NOT worth paying $3/12 pk after coupon to me, esp since the 2L are o.88 ea at WAG starting today (o.38fter coupon). I immediatly returned it.

Got some nice deli meat deals:
balogna $1/16 oz
roast beef $1/8 oz (end of code clearance)
ham & turkey $2/16 oz (ends clearance-she pkg exactly what I wanted from the bin of ends)

Paid WAAAY too much (0.98/lb) for some brocolli & o.89/lb for romaine



Was real happy w/a head of boston for 0.50 & Jennie O turkey burgrs on sale for $6 less a $1 coupon

[dancinmama]

Jun 21, 2014 5:50:47 GMT -5 marvholly said:

ok. I give up. With all the price increases (actual shelf and downsize pkg) I am having to increase my grocery budget. I am going to try to limit it to 25% but it appears it is only going to get worse. Now pork is going WAAAY up due to illness (es?) in hogs.

Dancin
I have to get over to babies R us for 2 gift certs. Had a new grand neice and 2nd cousin born in the last couple months. Both are out of town so no shower invites but I do need to send something.

We all know how hard you were trying to maintain your spending level.  There's not much any of us can do if the prices keep going up and the deals keep getting worse.

OMG, there were so many people at the shower yesterday.  It was a brunch.  I ate a ton of fresh fruit.  Since there was a lot of family from out of town, all the guys were invited too (although none of them watched the gift opening LOL).   

[dancinmama]

Jun 21, 2014 20:19:14 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

I got 6 free Crest toothpaste (Be, Sensi-whatever, and another one) with 3 cards, IPs, MCs, ECBs, GCs.
I bought 2 finish, BOGO1/2off, used 2 $2qs and a CRT, paid 50c plus tax and will submit the rebate for a MM, I hope.
Went back for 2 more, used 2 75c Qs, paid $3.xx and will send to my brother's for the rebate. 
Got 2 Dry Idea free after MC, CRT, and ECB.
This was all at CVS.

I had a a hard time with my Qs again at Sprouts this week.  I chose another checker and she wouldn't let me use a store Q with an MC, even though my favorite checker has always done it no problem.  I asked about her and it seems she's doing the morning shift now, so I may not see her again.  It would be a big hassle to go in the morning or on my lunch hour, and there's no guarantee she'd take the Qs I wanted to use, but if I had a tricky scenario I might be willing to make the effort.  I wonder if she works Saturdays.  Then I could hit Sprouts and the farmer's market with the good eggs, but I'd have to factor in the cost of gas.  There's still one other checker I'll try to see if she'll take them.  She's younger and might not care.

Great job at CVS.  I'm glad to hear that you can still pick up an item here and there for free. 

Sorry to hear that you're having trouble at Sprouts.  It's frustrating when what used to work no longer does.  I can't see why they wouldn't accept a store Q with an MC since they get reimbursed for the MC.  It makes no sense.

[dancinmama]

Speaking of dishwasher detergent....has anyone had any problems with storage of the gel tabs?  I read somewhere that someone was having problems with them sticking together in the package and had to throw them out.  I started using a box, but they'd be easier to pack and move if we ever had to do that.  On the other hand, I think the bottled liquid and the boxed powder will last forever with no problems, so I'm not sure what to use next. 

Any thoughts?

BTW, I really dislike all the pre-measured, "drop-in-the-dispenser" products.  I can only use 1/2 a gel tab at a time so I have to cut a slit in it, squeeze out half the goo, and store the rest for the next load.  I would imagine other people would be having the same problem, but I've never read anyone else complaining.

[FreeSalsa]

I never thought to use just half of it.  Do you have a small dishwasher?  Or just trying to save product?  I use half the recommended laundry soap but I didn't think of that for dishwasher.

My gel tabs do sometimes stick together a little but you can pull them apart carefully and still use them.  I've always used them within a year.  Maybe they should be stored in a cool dry place instead of under the sink where there there is moisture, heat, and humidity from the hot water pipes, if it becomes an issue.

[dancinmama]

Jun 22, 2014 22:51:45 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

I never thought to use just half of it.  Do you have a small dishwasher?  Or just trying to save product?  I use half the recommended laundry soap but I didn't think of that for dishwasher.

My gel tabs do sometimes stick together a little but you can pull them apart carefully and still use them.  I've always used them within a year.  Maybe they should be stored in a cool dry place instead of under the sink where there there is moisture, heat, and humidity from the hot water pipes, if it becomes an issue.

No and no.  Using half the product is out of necessity because we have soft water.  If I use a whole gel tab, a boatload of soapsuds remain in the bottom of the dishwasher.  I was going to just give them away and then I thought about cutting a slit in the gel tab and only using 1/2 the product per load...and it worked!!    

I have enough of those power ball things alone to do 130 loads, but I think I'll save them for if/when we move cuz I'd probably cut myself trying to cut them in half with a knife.

I haven't had the gel tabs stick together yet, but I am a little concerned about long-term storage.  I guess the problem is more common in more humid weather and after you've opened the box.  I currently have them stored in the laundry room, but that can get humid (from the dryer) so I'll relocate them to be on the safe side.  They'd be easier to move than the powder or the liquid so hopefully they'll hold up.

[hopetoberich]

I just put the rest of the chicken thighs in the freezer, I used one pack and made curried chicken.
I shopped my freezer for meat and found $10 pack of sirloin. It looks more brown than red I hope it will cook up okay. the crockpot is what I'll cook it in.
so we have

4 8lb packs of chicken, 
1 14 lb turkey
2 1lb packs of mince beef
and cooked turkey ready for the microwave.
I never check out the freezer and am glad I have a few standbys to use this month.

[Sam_2.0]

I finally ran out of laundry detergent so I've been making my own (borax + washing soda + zote soap). I was using the $5 Ace hardware coupons to buy the ingredients and mixing it up as I needed it. Awhile back SIL and I went in together and made an entire 5gal bucket of the powder for $26. It only takes 1T/load so this will last us a good long time! I plan to make dishwasher soap once I run out of the Finish, which I still have 5 boxes or so from doing the deal 2 years ago!!

[Blonde Granny]

The easiest dishwasher tablets to cut in half are the ones with the little power ball on top. Sharp paring knife works wonders. I got lazy and went to some prepackaged ones...and yes they are easy. I read sometime ago what causes etching on glassware is using too much dishwasher detergent.

[marvholly]

Nothing exciting but I need 1 post to hit 3800 posts.

[973beachbum]

Jun 22, 2014 8:48:28 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Speaking of dishwasher detergent....has anyone had any problems with storage of the gel tabs?  I read somewhere that someone was having problems with them sticking together in the package and had to throw them out.  I started using a box, but they'd be easier to pack and move if we ever had to do that.  On the other hand, I think the bottled liquid and the boxed powder will last forever with no problems, so I'm not sure what to use next. 

Any thoughts?

BTW, I really dislike all the pre-measured, "drop-in-the-dispenser" products.  I can only use 1/2 a gel tab at a time so I have to cut a slit in it, squeeze out half the goo, and store the rest for the next load.  I would imagine other people would be having the same problem, but I've never read anyone else complaining.

That was me.  I live in NJ so storing anything in a place with low humidity is a real problem.  They glued together and were almost impossible to separate.  I just tried to use them up and then never get them again.  It turned out though that it actually cost me money.  The plastic outside didn't totally melt in the dishwasher.  All of a sudden the dishwasher wasn't draining properly.  DH took it apart and found a ball of the plastic outer coating stuck in the line to let the water out.

My take away was to never use those things again!!!!!

[skubikky]

Did this deal at RA:

ROC face wash                          $10.49
(2) Right Guard deodorants (2/$4)   $8.00
Altoids                                       $1.50
                                         tax   $1.60
- $5 in-ad Q ROC product
-$3/1 ROC MC
-$3 VV ROC
-(2) $2/1 Right Guard MC
-$4/$20 Rite Aid CRT
                            Total OOP = $2.59 and got $2 UP Right Guard

[dancinmama]

Jun 25, 2014 7:39:06 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

Jun 22, 2014 8:48:28 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Speaking of dishwasher detergent....has anyone had any problems with storage of the gel tabs?  I read somewhere that someone was having problems with them sticking together in the package and had to throw them out.  I started using a box, but they'd be easier to pack and move if we ever had to do that.  On the other hand, I think the bottled liquid and the boxed powder will last forever with no problems, so I'm not sure what to use next. 

Any thoughts?

BTW, I really dislike all the pre-measured, "drop-in-the-dispenser" products.  I can only use 1/2 a gel tab at a time so I have to cut a slit in it, squeeze out half the goo, and store the rest for the next load.  I would imagine other people would be having the same problem, but I've never read anyone else complaining.

That was me.  I live in NJ so storing anything in a place with low humidity is a real problem.  They glued together and were almost impossible to separate.  I just tried to use them up and then never get them again.  It turned out though that it actually cost me money.  The plastic outside didn't totally melt in the dishwasher.  All of a sudden the dishwasher wasn't draining properly.  DH took it apart and found a ball of the plastic outer coating stuck in the line to let the water out.

My take away was to never use those things again!!!!!

Wow, it never occurred to me that the outer coating wouldn't dissolve.  I have been squeezing out half the goo for the first usage and then dropping what remains (coating and all) in the dispenser for the second usage.  From now on, I'm going to squeeze the remaining goo out for the second usage and throw the coating in the trash.

Thanks so much for the tip.  

[marvholly]

I don't remember veggies EVER being so expensive this early in the season, especially salad stuff. Salad gets pricy in real hot weather which we are just getting into. Fruit hasn't been much better. What happened to strawberries and raspberries at 2 or 3 pkg for $1? This IS season for them.

[Blonde Granny]

Jun 25, 2014 11:01:45 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jun 25, 2014 7:39:06 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

That was me.  I live in NJ so storing anything in a place with low humidity is a real problem.  They glued together and were almost impossible to separate.  I just tried to use them up and then never get them again.  It turned out though that it actually cost me money.  The plastic outside didn't totally melt in the dishwasher.  All of a sudden the dishwasher wasn't draining properly.  DH took it apart and found a ball of the plastic outer coating stuck in the line to let the water out.

My take away was to never use those things again!!!!!

Wow, it never occurred to me that the outer coating wouldn't dissolve.  I have been squeezing out half the goo for the first usage and then dropping what remains (coating and all) in the dispenser for the second usage.  From now on, I'm going to squeeze the remaining goo out for the second usage and throw the coating in the trash.

Thanks so much for the tip.  

I have been using Tide Pods, and I love the convenience....but!  I was changing the sheets one day and as I flipped the sheet out onto the bed there was gloppy type stains on it.  Investigating further, the stuff was really stiff.  I finally figured out it was from the pods not dissolving correctly.  It has also happened on my lingerie with parts of them sticking together.

I have resorted to poking a hole in the pod and squeezing the liquid into the dispenser.  Problem solved, but not what I was expecting to happen.  I did a quick search on the problem and found I wasn't the only one experiencing this problem.

[FreeSalsa]

Jun 22, 2014 8:19:16 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jun 21, 2014 20:19:14 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

I got 6 free Crest toothpaste (Be, Sensi-whatever, and another one) with 3 cards, IPs, MCs, ECBs, GCs.
I bought 2 finish, BOGO1/2off, used 2 $2qs and a CRT, paid 50c plus tax and will submit the rebate for a MM, I hope.
Went back for 2 more, used 2 75c Qs, paid $3.xx and will send to my brother's for the rebate. 
Got 2 Dry Idea free after MC, CRT, and ECB.
This was all at CVS.

I had a a hard time with my Qs again at Sprouts this week.  I chose another checker and she wouldn't let me use a store Q with an MC, even though my favorite checker has always done it no problem.  I asked about her and it seems she's doing the morning shift now, so I may not see her again.  It would be a big hassle to go in the morning or on my lunch hour, and there's no guarantee she'd take the Qs I wanted to use, but if I had a tricky scenario I might be willing to make the effort.  I wonder if she works Saturdays.  Then I could hit Sprouts and the farmer's market with the good eggs, but I'd have to factor in the cost of gas.  There's still one other checker I'll try to see if she'll take them.  She's younger and might not care.

Great job at CVS.  I'm glad to hear that you can still pick up an item here and there for free. 

Sorry to hear that you're having trouble at Sprouts.  It's frustrating when what used to work no longer does.  I can't see why they wouldn't accept a store Q with an MC since they get reimbursed for the MC.  It makes no sense.

More trouble this week.  I figured out the issue.  I thought it was because I was trying to use a store Q with an MC on a product that the store Q was not ringing up.  But it's just the store Q that won't ring up because this week I tried using just that.  They had a bunch of store Qs in their monthly booklet and they keep scanning 0.  I had to get a manager to come over again to add it up.  Also, the free cookie Q is not showing up on the receipt, it's just not charging for it--very strange.  Next Wed is the last week of that coupon book so hopefully that will be the end of that.  I wonder how many other people tried to use those Qs and they didn't work.

[FreeSalsa]

I'm trying not to buy much more food and to eat everything from the pantry and freezer.  Now that we have less food it seems easier to find something to eat.  I think before we'd open the freezer door and couldn't find the forest for the trees.  Now we can actually find stuff and identify it and eat it.  We should really do this every six months or so.

We had so many canned goods when I moved in that I put the canned fruit and jellies on a higher shelf away from the rest of the canned goods, and they've been there mostly ignored all this time.  Today I brought them down and put them with the rest and we'll try to eat those, though I don't know how much jelly I can eat in the next few weeks.