2014 Grocery Challenge

[hopetoberich]

No hot deals yet this week.  Love the arm n hammer, it rinses out much better than tide.
I will go to WM tomorrow and grab the aldi flyer to PM. I have $40 in GC and will use some even though I was saving them for car stuff.
I found out our gas station gives 3 cents just for swiping their loyalty card. I can do that  
its a really nice night here in PA. Inside is too hot I have the new box fan on the balcony and I'm chilling with my free coke I got last week....oh yeah

[dancinmama]

Jul 12, 2014 20:03:24 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

No hot deals yet this week.  Love the arm n hammer, it rinses out much better than tide.
I will go to WM tomorrow and grab the aldi flyer to PM. I have $40 in GC and will use some even though I was saving them for car stuff.
I found out our gas station gives 3 cents just for swiping their loyalty card. I can do that  
its a really nice night here in PA. Inside is too hot I have the new box fan on the balcony and I'm chilling with my free coke I got last week....oh yeah

Maybe when you use the Tide, just use less.

I know that murphath likes the way Tide cleans her DH's greasy clothes, so I guess it works better for certain laundry problems.

That was a great score on the Arm & Hammer.  I'm glad you really like it!!

[Sam_2.0]

I am going to need Tide for diaper laundry. Are the CVS P&G deals any better price than, say, buying the large 150oz bottle from Walmart?

[dancinmama]

Jul 15, 2014 12:33:27 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I am going to need Tide for diaper laundry. Are the CVS P&G deals any better price than, say, buying the large 150oz bottle from Walmart?

You could check Walmart's site on line to find the price of the 150 oz. bottle and then break both down by price per oz.

[dancinmama]

My shopping today included:

peaches and plums for $.50/lb.

Butterball sliced turkey - 7 oz./$.97

I also stocked up on eggs from CVS using my $15 survey EB.

Cost of groceries this week:  $26

[skubikky]

At Wegman's found 8oz bottles of Pantene for $1.49.
Had (3) $0.75 MCs

(3)  $1.49 = $4.47 + $0.36 tax =  $4.86
             - (3) $0.75/1 doubled =  $4.47
                          Total OOP =   $0.39   for 24 oz of shampoo

[hopetoberich]

I saw Neutrogena soap for about $1.50 a bar in wegmans, by the checkouts. I got 4 but should have got more, its the only thing I can use lately.
I will look for pantene tonight I have $8 in mq somewhere here.
I made another$35 in wm GC so that will help out the grocery bill this week. 

[FreeSalsa]

I guess I haven't posted for a few weeks but I guess I haven't missed that much either.

Two weeks ago I found organic, grass-fed ground beef marked down half price to $3.50/lb. since they were coming up on the sell-by date.  That's the lowest I've ever seen.  I bought 6.  I would have bought a few more but we're trying to empty the freezer, not add to it.  I also got a few bread mark downs at Ralphs.

I saw in my e-mail that paper towels are 79c and there's a 79c CRT making them free at CVS this week.  Do I dare go get more paper towels  We have so many already and they take up space.  I could get one on each of my cards.

We're still looking for a rental house and we're packing up the apartment.  It's a disaster in here.  I have my eye on a place and I hope it works out because we've seen a lot of bad ones in our frugal price range.  It would be really close to work.  The houses are being snapped up in less than a week and this one's been listed for two weeks so I wonder what's wrong with it. Wish me luck.

[marvholly]

free salsa
I did do the towels at CVS in spite of having a BUNCH on hand already. Now have about5 rolls in the kitchen & more in the basement. PT do not expire.

[rubyslippers]

My best deal of the week so far was price matching bacon @ $2.50 lb.  Since a few months ago when I last stocked up, the new low has been $4.00 lb. around here.  I price matched mushrooms for $.59, lettuce for $.69 and green peppers for $.50 from the Aldi ads.

I will be getting my gasoline cards at Kroger this weekend that will give quadruple fuel points.

Things are slow at Rite Aid this week and I have to spend $5.00 in UPs by Friday or I'll lose them. They never take expired rewards. Next week there will be some decent deals.

I haven't shopped at Meijer all month.

I have been buying some produce from the farmers stand a little at a time as I don't want anything to go to waste. Love the peaches that I've been eating! I've also been getting a few vegetables from my garden, mainly lettuce, green beans, and peas. I have one zucchini that will be ready soon.

[marvholly]

I did shop a bit a Meijer last week but not much. i ONLY go if they have a few things I want & 5% off days w/o their credit card.

I am dying for my WallMart to open so I can do a LOT of price matching but I suspect it is 9-12 months away. I KNW I will need to 'train' their cashiers on that & carry in the ad copies in spite of what their 'policy' says.

My fav fruit/veg market has the BEST sale I have seen from them in MONTHS! Going there today.

[skubikky]

I did the $0.79 CRT PT at CVS too with the 2/$4 Dial soap => $2EB

I had a $1EB that had expired but they took and $2/2 Dial soap MC.
Cleared the balance with a GC.

Rolled the $2EB into $0.88 Ajax 11 oz dish soap and 2 pgs M&M's($0.77/1)
- BOGO M&M,  and cleared the rest with GC.

PT, 6 bars soap and 2 pkgs M&M's at no OOP.....I'm a happy girl 



 

[murphath]

Not much happening on the deal front, I see.  I just got back from a painting trip to San Diego.  DS and g/f just bought a cute, little (emphasis on little) house in desperate need of some new interior paint.  In 5 days, I managed to get the kitchen and living room done.  I'm cheap, but slow.   We gave them a $100 Home Depot gift card as a housewarming gift (besides the painting labor gift) so g/f and I went to get supplies.  I had a bunch of Harbor Freight 25% off coupons and we were able to use those on everything except the paint/primer.  They had to do the transactions one at a time but since they weren't all that busy, the cashier was happy to help us out.  All in all, the q's saved them @ $38.00 so our gift card was actually worth $138!  Didn't quite cover the entire cost as she had to buy a ladder (the one that looks like a scaffolding bench--great for painting); and it didn't include the actual paint!  But now they have the supplies in the event they ask me back to continue into other rooms.

I did do the paper towel deal with my card and DD's card.  Yea!

Went to Target Sunday to get some Raid ant traps and soap etc.  They had the $5/$15 Target q in last Sunday's Target insert.  While there, the power went out but I just continued shopping.  Most folks left.  They actually put tape/signs on all the refrigerated items so folks wouldn't open the doors.  Good thing I'd already gotten my cheese!  I bought:
2 raid:  $6.88  (minus $3/2 man q; minus 2 .75 Target q's)
1 Kraft cheese: $2.89 (minus free Kraft q--they took off $3.99 which was max value of q--I love that about Target!)
1 40 oz peanut butter: $4.19
2 6pk Olay soap:  $9.98 (minus $3/2 man q)
1 Nivea lotion: $5.93  (minus $5/$15 Target q for buying soap/lotion)
3 Grey Poupon mustard: $8.07 (minus 3/$1 man q's)
-$3.00 Target "power outage" q they gave everyone in line
-.10 own bag discount
-.77 Red card discount
oop: $14 plus change.  Not bad when you consider I was going in there to get the Raid and grey poupon.  W/o q's, just those items would have been $14.95 plus tax on the Raid!

The deals may not be what they used to be, but it still pays to use q's whenever possible.

Keep the game going!

[hopetoberich]

Good to see all the posts. 
I am trying to keep going with some deals.
I just ordered some almond milk mq I swapped some coke $2/4X 12 pack, I won't use allt the mq i have so might as well get some milk mq in a trade.

I ordered 3 more $3/ 12 pack coke from MCR. Soda would not be bought if I didn'tdo coke codes. I am trying to tighten up the budget agsin  

Waiting til I get $30 in WM GC from Swagbucks and Perk TV then I will do more shopping. Should have that by Sunday


 

[dancinmama]

I'll be getting a $5 GC from Smart & Final in the next week.  I went in today to get some tortillas that were on sale for $.99.  It's only the second day of the sale and they were OOS and would not substitute, nor did they offer me a rain check.  When I got home I called corporate CS cuz I was pretty sure they'd give me something.

I also went to CVS and got my free roll of PTs.  If I'm out again before Sunday, I'll pick up another free roll.  Don't need them at all, but free is free. 

At the GO today I picked up 1 lb. blocks of Velveeta for $.97.  I don't usually buy it, but I'm sure it will make decent home-made mac 'n cheese. 

I also picked up:
6 oz. Yoplait Fruitful yogurt @ 4/$.97
8 oz. spreadable cream cheese with chives @ 2/$.97

Fruit at the 99 Cent Store this week was slim pickings.  Last week I got peaches and plums for $.50/lb.

[emhalf]

I also picked up the free PT at CVS, and got the free shopping bag with 30% off cvs brands. I had some random CRTs to combine with it, so I got some cheap lotion and one of those back pain heat patch thingies.

My EBs were expiring on Monday, so I went back yesterday and bought:

4 x sally hansen nail polish
2 x dial body wash
2 x dial hand soap
2 x benadryl itch sticks
-4 x $1/1 sh nail color
-$2/$10 cosmetics CRT
-$2/2 dial bw IP
-$1/2 dial hand soap IP
-$2/$10 soap/bw CRT
-$1/1 benadryl topical (stupid computer died when I went to print a second one)
-$3 benadryl or aveeno CRT
-$17 EBs
= .27 OOP, got back $14 EBs

I was annoyed with myself because I thought the sally hansen deal was limit 2 and it was actually 1...otherwise I would have only gotten 2 nail polish. But at least I got to use a CRT, roll my EBs, and those will count for beauty club. I hope they continue to give me good scanner coupons, because my deals would be really limited without those.

[dancinmama]

DH and I had to go out today so we stopped by CVS and each got a roll of free paper towels.  I don't think we'll be going out tomorrow so that will be it on that freebie.

[marvholly]

Since there are 5 coupon inserts this weekend I had planned to buy a paper. Then I read the postings of 3 bloggers scanning the list(s) of included coupons provided. There is only about $4 in coupons I might use. Since our Chicago Tribune costs $3 (I can get it for $1 IF I spend the $ on gas) it is NOT worth it. Also, at least half the time there are internet printable versions available online.

On the other hand, I just might buy one since I do need newsprint for several things around home. Will see what happens w/the weather - possible HEAVY rain storms = staying home. Nice thing about being retired, if the weather is BAD (rain, hot, cold, snow) i do NOT have to go out.

[FreeSalsa]

Jul 21, 2014 5:45:40 GMT -5 marvholly said:

free salsa
I did do the towels at CVS in spite of having a BUNCH on hand already. Now have about5 rolls in the kitchen & more in the basement. PT do not expire.

I did get them.  DH said he refers them to napkins and we're almost out of those.

[hopetoberich]

Sat night cheese and coke run 

Cvs coke 4/$12 $1 ecb
i used
$3/1 12 pack mcr mq
$2/4x 12 pack
$5 ecb
Oop $2.12 got back $1 ecb 

Regional grocery store
Cracker bbarrel cheese 2/$5
Traded mq I got $2 off any cheese! X3
Plus $2/2 cracker barrel cheese.

DIY checkout took all 4 mq no problems so I paid $2 for 4 packs of cheese.

I also got 3 family packs of skittles for $1.50 on clearance.

The milk mq i have i didnt use, it was $3.39 a 1/2 gallon so im waiting for the sale price.

[marvholly]

Looking ahead both the CVS & WAG ads for 8/3 are BAD! At last for my needs/wants.

[dancinmama]

Jul 28, 2014 6:00:18 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Looking ahead both the CVS & WAG ads for 8/3 are BAD! At last for my needs/wants.

These days it seems like the only time I start looking at the drug chain ads is when I get close to needing eggs. 

When I was in CVS the other day to pick up my free paper towels, I wandered around wondering how much prices have increased.  Aveeno that used to be $7 something was priced at $9.99.  I used to see cheap deodorant for $1.99, but saw nothing priced less than $3.59.  The 32-load bottles of Tide and Wisk were $9.99 as opposed to the old $6.99. 

I hate to think of what the prices might be when I need to buy some of this stuff again.  

[princessleia]

I now got 8 lbs of Farmland bacon sitting in my freezer after doing the Walmart deal rebate (buy 2 pkgs from Walmart and do a electronic submission of receipt and get a $5 Walmart E-giftcard). So with price match, MQs, and giftcard in consideration, the price I paid for 8 lbs of bacon was $8.64. 

I am now hoping to do sth similar for Quaker products at Walmart - buy $15 and get back a $5 Walmart giftcard....just waiting for MQs and price match opportunity.

 

[chalupabatman]

Hello everyone! I just joined the WIR racers and would love to join you here as well!

Our biggest problem is our food and household portion of our budget.   In August I really want to stay on track and maybe even come in under.  It seems like by the 18th of the month we are left with little money and end up going over.

We have a freezer full of meat so all we need are sides, fresh produce, bread, dairy products and household products.
I think I will start buying the Sunday paper every week for the HBC coupons and split my shopping between 2 stores instead of 1.

[marvholly]

It is a BAD sign when there is nothing on the front page of a grocery ad that I want or need. However, one of my independent markets DOES have about $5 worth of produce & stuff I want & need if the quality is good. The ad for my big veggie market does not appear until VERY late tonight since that is a Thur start ad so there is still hope.

[dancinmama]

Jul 28, 2014 12:32:56 GMT -5 chalupabatman said:

Hello everyone! I just joined the WIR racers and would love to join you here as well!

Our biggest problem is our food and household portion of our budget.   In August I really want to stay on track and maybe even come in under.  It seems like by the 18th of the month we are left with little money and end up going over.

We have a freezer full of meat so all we need are sides, fresh produce, bread, dairy products and household products.
I think I will start buying the Sunday paper every week for the HBC coupons and split my shopping between 2 stores instead of 1.

Welcome!! 

Here are some tips for how to save money on groceries and household supplies:

1.  Avoid paying full price/regular retail for almost everything you buy.

2.  Start a price book.  It's simply a list of the items you buy frequently and the prices you see for them in the ads.  The prices will change from one ad to the next and soon you will see a pattern and know the lowest ad price (what we call rock bottom) for each item you track.

3.  When an item is at its rock bottom price, buy two, three, four, etc. instead of one.  In other words, buy in advance of need to save money down the road.

4.  Match coupons (manufacturers' coupons, store coupons, rewards, etc.) when you can to get extra savings, but ONLY when using them will get you a product at a lower price than any other brand or a generic.

5.  Menu plan around the ads.  In other words, you might want peaches.  If they're $1.99/lb. but plums are $.99/lb., buy plums that week instead of peaches.  Use the same approach for your fresh veggies, meats, etc.

6.  Whenever you're in a store look for items that are offered at clearance prices.  You might find them in a special section of the store or in their regular shelf space denoted by a special price tag.  These will be items that are approaching their "best if used by" date or that the store simply has decided to no longer carry.  Another reason for clearance is that the manufacturer has changed the packaging (the look or size of a product) and the stores need to clearance the old to make way for the new, sometimes offering discounts of up to 75%.  Again, use coupons to increase savings even further when you can.

7.  Always have a calculator with you when you shop to calculate the lowest priced product.  Bath tissue is a great example.  Calculate price per square foot rather than by the roll to find which package/brand is truly offered at the lowest price.

8.  You don't necessarily have to use the manufacturer's recommended amount.  Many of us have found that we can use less laundry soap, dishwashing detergent, etc. than what is recommended by the manufacturer and still get the job done.  

9.  Avoid being brand picky and train your family to do the same to take advantage of sales.  Crest vs Colgate, Dawn vs Palmolive, Wisk vs All, or a name brand vs generic.  Be willing to try almost anything.  If you buy something you find you really don't like, with the exception of allergies, use it up and never buy it again; but don't be afraid to branch out. 

Hope this helps. 

[dancinmama]

Got large watermelons for $.79/ea. today.  YUMMY!! 

Other than that, the regular stuff that I pick up at the 99 Cent Store.  Not much today at the GO.  I spent $20 between both stores, so that should be it for the week.

[chalupabatman]

dancinmama- Thank you so much!!  Your tips are great and I will definitely be using them  

In the past few months I have been buying more generic brands and I don't think that I have found something that we haven't liked yet.  I like the idea to use less detergent and will start doing that now!

We need to get better at menu planning. We have no excuses this month!!

[rubyslippers]

My best bargain of the week came from Kroger. I stocked up on Kraft shredded cheese. They were on sale for $2.99 minus $1.00 off each one when you buy 5.  I loaded a digital coupon for $1.50 and with my senior discount, I paid $2.33 for 5 packs.  I then did the deal on DH's card.

I price matched Aldi's sale on fruit, $.39 lb. bananas and $.89 lb. red grapes and Jif at $1.49 w/Kroger ad.  A local store had 3 packs of romaine hearts for $2.00 and I got a couple of them. 

Why I continue to shop at Rite Aid?  I kept track of everything I bought this month at Rite Aid and what I spent, what I saved and what rewards I earned.  I started the month with $5.99 in rewards and ended the month with $16.00 UPs.  I spent a total of $23.42 OOP (mostly tax) and saved $277.29 using sales, coupons and rewards.  I bought 92 items at an average cost of $.26 each.  I won't mention all 92 items, but some of my best ones were 7 dozen eggs, 1 12-pack Scott TP, 1 8-pack Scott paper towels, 1 lb. almonds, 2 boxes cereal, 2 6-pack Dove bar soap, 1 can Pledge furniture polish, 2 boxes cranberries and 6 boxes of Band-aids.  I try to keep my OOP to $5.00 or under a week and I went a little over this month, but I really got a lot of things we use.  

Chalupabatman: I agree with everything Dancinmama said and I would only add that if you shop at Walmart, you can price match and they do allow overage when using coupons.  I plan my meals 4 weeks at a time for a visual reference for what I have on hand that I can use and what I need to look out for at the stores.  I also stockpile whenever there is a really good item on sale.  Last week it was bacon at $2.50 lb. which we never have at that low price anymore.  I will be looking for the best prices on Rotel tomatoes and canned black beans in the next few weeks to stock up for the winter.  If I don't see any good deals, I will be stocking up at Aldi.

[marvholly]

Ruby
I am LAZY. However, black beans is the ONLY type I do from dry. It is fairly quick & I can freeze them for later use. A 1 lb pkg ($1.09-1.29) makes 12 servings (0.10/serving). An aldi can is 0.59 for 3.5 servings (0.17/serving).

At this time of year I don't use much in black beans but during the winter I use them in chilli & black bean soup quite a bit.