2014 Grocery Challenge

[murphath]

Haven't done much shopping lately.  Made a return run to DS's house in San Diego to do more painting.  Just have the bathroom and spare bedroom left.  The walls were left in pretty bad shape and I think the past owner used the wrong kind of paint.  Lots of patching, sanding, and priming.  But all the prep makes for a beautiful paint job in the end.  Drove this time with BFF who spent time with her mom.  We went to La Jolla Shores one morning/early afternoon.  So beautiful and the water was scrumptious.  Can water be scrumptious?  I don't care--it was wonderful and a good little break from the painting.

As for bargains/deals:

Raley's "Something Extra" program gave me $1.25 off a $6 produce purchase and .25 off each lb.of bananas.  Peaches were on sale there for $1.99 lb (you read that right--they're usually $2.99 lb) so it was easy to get to $6.  Needed a red onion, too.  The discounts made it palatable and I have to say, their produce is lovely.

Safeway:  They were running the 4/$10 on certain GM cereals w/free gallon of milk (up to $5.99) wyb 4.  I needed some organic milk so I clipped 2 $1/2 cereal q's and 1 .35 REal Calif milk q (Organic Valley has the RCM logo on the bottle.  Organic milk is usually excluded from these promos (as stated in the ad) but NOT this time--thus the up to $5.99 price.  However, once again, the milk did not ring up free so the cashier took it off manually.  So, for $7.95 I got 4 boxes of Kix, which NEVER go on sale and my DH loves them, and a gallon of organic milk.  The milk is $6.29 and I was going to buy it anyway.  I look at it as paying $1.66 for 4 boxes of Kix.  Also bought some cat food for the kitty we're watching for a friend--Rachel Ray Noutrish.  $6.99 on sale and I used a $2 q.  Some nectarines on sale for $1.99 completed my purchases.

[murphath]

I've been on a Flatout bread kick lately.  It's $4.49 at Safeway for 6 pieces and I kept waiting for it to go on sale.  I was in Target this week and they have it 2/$5 so I got 2.  Their normal price is $3.49.  This stuff is great for making wraps and all the veggies I put in there stay there.  I think Trader Joe's has a similar item but no Trader Joe's less than 20 miles from us--or I have to cross a bridge to get to one and pay the $5 toll to get home.  Not happening unless I have to go across for another compelling reason.

[dancinmama]

Compared to Safeway and Nob Hill, I've been able to do pretty well at the GO and the 99 Cent Store, but I have noticed a definite decrease in the rate of killer clearance deals at the GO.  This week instead of going on senior discount day (Wed), I think I'll go tomorrow to see if the day of the week that I shop might increase my chances of snagging a great deal on something that we use. 

I have a $3/$20 at Safeway that doesn't expire until 9/28 and am hoping that something goes on sale that we need and that I cannot usually find cheaper elsewhere.  If not, I'll just let it go.

[dancinmama]

Well, my strategy panned out.  I went to the GO today and snagged (10) 12 oz. vacuum sealed packages of Jack Link's teriyaki sausage for $1.49/ea. 

[marvholly]

dacin
I,too, changed my shopping up this past week. Went on Tur vws my usual Thur or Fri. Stores were pretty much restocked, parking was good and checkout was quick everywhere except Dollat Tree. Their truck had just come on around 10 am Tue am. However, one of the staff dug out what I wanted/needed from the pallets.

I just might change to Tue (most of our ads start on Wed except Meijer, Target & the drug stores).

[dancinmama]

WOOHOO!!  DH and I had an errand to run near the GO so I stopped in and did I SCORE!!

I got a 5 lb. bag of Land O Lakes shredded cheddar cheese for $5.97 for the WHOLE BAG!!  I just opened it, repackaged it into more manageable quantities, and got it into the freezer.  What a deal that was!!

The checker told me they get delivery on Mondays and Thursdays so next week I'm going to try going on Tuesday to see what I might find.

[marvholly]

Due to my holidays being mid next week the amount of cooking I wil be doing I am going to do most of my grocery shops today. I have about 3 I will do on Sun if I go to DD2 or Mon/Tue.

I was debating about buying more chicken leg quarters this week. They have been on sale a lot in my area for around $0.69/lb or less. However, I am going to do it. With the shortages of beef & pork those have skyrocketed in price – pretty much WAAAY above what the average household can afford on a regular basis. As a result chicken is going up too as people HAVE to change their primary protein. NOT buying a ton as I am low on freezer space.

[hopetoberich]

Dh brought home 10 pomegranates from the garden! And I have two large Asian pears. These are the most expensive fruits we will ever eat out water bill is $100 a month. We have oranges and plums to come still, but the water bill...yikes. The water bill also covers our very inviting green pool... 
As the trees get bigger they will giveus more and iI told him I'll open a stand and sell it to cover the water
I clipped some mqs this past week and have a new source but i will be the last to get them. BUT from what was clipped these folks are not couponers and missed the bygo :oand other good ones too.
Ihave been the lazyist couponer now for so long. But i have to get back to it with fall deals.
The GO has me supplied with chips TGIF cheese n bacon big bag for 69 c  the cookies are a decent price too.

[dancinmama]

Sept 20, 2014 21:55:13 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

Dh brought home 10 pomegranates from the garden! And I have two large Asian pears. These are the most expensive fruits we will ever eat out water bill is $100 a month. We have oranges and plums to come still, but the water bill...yikes. The water bill also covers our very inviting green pool... 
As the trees get bigger they will giveus more and iI told him I'll open a stand and sell it to cover the water
I clipped some mqs this past week and have a new source but i will be the last to get them. BUT from what was clipped these folks are not couponers and missed the bygo and other good ones too.
Ihave been the lazyist couponer now for so long. But i have to get back to it with fall deals.
The GO has me supplied with chips TGIF cheese n bacon big bag for 69 c  the cookies are a decent price too.

Glad you found a new source for Qs. 

Don't be so hard on yourself about not couponing as much as you used to.  Times have changed and from what I read it seems as though it takes as much or more time and effort with only a fraction of the payoff.  In any case, I'd love to hear how it all works out for you - what types of coupons you use most (food vs non-perishables) and how much you're able to save using them. 

[marvholly]

Sunday I stopped at a new to our area charity resale shop – Savers. I was very impressed with the store layout, lighting & cleanliness. I was NOT impressed with the merchandise, its quality, condition or pricing (WAAAY over priced compared to Salvation Army). mNot sure if I will go again. May make it a 1x/month type stop just to check it out a bit. Most of those type places fall off my list pretty quick.

[FreeSalsa]

Yes, I think water can be scrumptious.

great deal on the cheese, DM!

we,ve moved and I,m doing a lot of unpacking.  I,m making a list of things I need and things not to buy. I think I,l start my fruit pickups again next week.  Gotta clear some room in the kitchen first.  Then I,ll start some veggies in the garden.  The previous renters left behind some big terra cotta pots and trash cans that will be free homes for veggies and compost bins.  It,s a bit overwhelming but i can,t to get started.  I,m not looking forward to a $100 water bill. I hope it,s not that high.

[skubikky]

Is $100 the monthly water bill?

[dancinmama]

Sept 22, 2014 22:58:43 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Yes, I think water can be scrumptious.

great deal on the cheese, DM!

we,ve moved and I,m doing a lot of unpacking.  I,m making a list of things I need and things not to buy. I think I,l start my fruit pickups again next week.  Gotta clear some room in the kitchen first.  Then I,ll start some veggies in the garden.  The previous renters left behind some big terra cotta pots and trash cans that will be free homes for veggies and compost bins.  It,s a bit overwhelming but i can,t to get started.  I,m not looking forward to a $100 water bill. I hope it,s not that high.

Congrats on the move.  It sounds like you're really going to enjoy the place.

Remember when you were a kid and thought water was free??!! 

[hopetoberich]

Am I in the right place? Not posting since the 23rd?

[marvholly]

I checked out my new Super Walmart a couple days ago mostly on grocery items. NOT likely I will shop there again at least in that category. EVERYTHING I looked at was cheaper either at Aldi, the dollar store or one of my independent markets. I will not play around w/ savings catcher because who know who they will ‘bother’ to match (stores are 2- 8 mi away) and I do not have a smart phone so egift card does NOTHING for me.

[hopetoberich]

I find wm expensive to Holly. But as I am using GC from Swagbucks it works out for me . 
I bought powdered milk
Hair tyes and bobby pins
Brown hair color...darn this grey stuff
And a couple other things used $5 in mqs was $26 paid $1.08 after gc and mq. I cant beat that.
I do need to spend more time making gc from swagbucks and perk tv though i have neglected it since my work hours were increased.

[marvholly]

I bought NOTHING at the drug stores last week. I will be buying NOTHING this week or (per ad previews) next. I ‘might’ have bought 1 item at WAG but the coupon(s) would not print for me. It was a want not a need.

[dancinmama]

Sept 27, 2014 21:21:50 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

Am I in the right place? Not posting since the 23rd?

It's hard to believe that at one time it wasn't unusual to have 100 posts a day.  

There are just a few of us stragglers left.  Will we even have a 2015 Grocery Challenge?  

[marvholly]

Dancin
Although I do not participate as much I still like the camradire of our grou so I would hope we go w/a 2015 thread.

I need to remind my 2 local CVS mgrs. My fav flavor of Sierra Mist, cranberry, is a special order (not on their plan-o-gram in diet) & ONLY available in the fall. They BOTH blew it last year. And I have coupons.

[murphath]

Well, I, for one, hope this thread survives.  I don't post much because the deals aren't that super.

If any uses Dr.Scholl's inserts, they are on sale this week at Target and there were great coupons a few weeks back.  You can find the exact insert at hotcouponworld.com.  I'd already cut them out because I was waiting for the right time to pounce.  The q's are $8/2 or $3/1.  The men's gel insoles are $9 and the women's flats gel insoles are $7.99.  You get a $5 Target gift card wyb 3.
My DH uses the insoles as he's on his feet a lot and I like the women's to extend the life of my athletic shoes.  Once that original insole is shot, I just replace it with the gel one (the flats one works for me) and it's like new shoes.  I go through walking shoes quickly since I do anywhere between 6-8 miles/day.  My deal looked like this:

2 Dr.Scholl's men's work gel insoles:  $18.00
1 Women's flats gel insole:  $7.99

Minus
$8/2 Dr. S q
$3 Dr. S q
$5 Target gift card (from a prior promo)
.50 5% discount from Red Card
.05 using own bag
 
My total was $15.45 plus tax and I got a $5 gift card back.

I needed some hair spray and hair gel so I did the Tresemme deal at Target:

2 T. hairspray:  $7.98
2 T. hair gel: $7.98

Minus:
$5/$15 hair care purchase Target q (last Sun inserts)
2/$5 off 2 Tresemme q's

Total was .96 plus tax


Safeway had a coupon in their ad for Blue Diamond almonds: $1.99 can.  There was a q for $1.50 off 2 awhile back.  Today is the last day so I'll stop there when out and about and get 4 cans:  $4.96 for 2.5 lbs of almonds is great!

[marvholly]

I am going to pass the REALLY good Dollar Tree on Sun. I have a LONG stock up list for there, to the point that I will probably take some extra money this week just to clean up that list.

[dogmom]

I stopped in CVS yesterday. I think the last time I was there was the beginning of July.  Some things just do not change.  Their price on milk was reasonable,   and I thought I would pick up some Folgers coffee on sale this week. (two transactions to apply the milk EB to the coffee and coupon)  They didn't have the coffee in stock.  CVS for me is not on my usual driving route, should have known better.  So, I guess another visit to another CVS is in order....

[marvholly]

dogmom
I KNOW the CVS mgrs order 3 months out for sales and a week out for routine stock That far in advance they have NO CLUE what items are going to be hot because the prices have gone up elsewhere and/or there is a good coupon available. Also, If I 'warn' my local mgr that an item is hot because of price and/or coupon VERY often the warehouse is OOS if he puts extra on his weekly order.

The new Marianos grocery store on my regular travel route is opening next Tue – 10/7. It is located about 5 miles from me but I pass it 1-2x/week. I am betting that my area will be deemed too far away to bother sending any kind of advertising. IMHO that is just DUMB. Stores have no clue where we travel on a regular basis to work, friends and/or family. I am sure I will get such advertising when the one actually in close to me(about 2 mi) opens BUT it is located in a TOTALLY wrong direction for me. I almost NEVER travel that way. It is a fluke that I even heard about the 5 mile location opening.

[marvholly]

dogmom
I KNOW the CVS mgrs order 3 months out for sales and a week out for routine stock That far in advance they have NO CLUE what items are going to be hot because the prices have gone up elsewhere and/or there is a good coupon available. Also, If I 'warn' my local mgr that an item is hot because of price and/or coupon VERY often the warehouse is OOS if he puts extra on his weekly order.

The new Marianos grocery store on my regular travel route is opening next Tue – 10/7. It is located about 5 miles from me but I pass it 1-2x/week. I am betting that my area will be deemed too far away to bother sending any kind of advertising. IMHO that is just DUMB. Stores have no clue where we travel on a regular basis to work, friends and/or family. I am sure I will get such advertising when the one actually in close to me(about 2 mi) opens BUT it is located in a TOTALLY wrong direction for me. I almost NEVER travel that way. It is a fluke that I even heard about the 5 mile location opening.

[dancinmama]

I had to run into CVS to spend my $10 survey EBs that will expire while I'm on vacation in Portland, OR.  I'm leaving tonight on Amtrak and am looking forward to the train ride.  I picked up (6) boxes of cheerios for $1.66/box.  Total was $9.96.

I sure hope I get another survey request soon.  I spent the last one stockpiling eggs and now this one stockpiling cheerios.  Free food always works for me. 

[rubyslippers]

Good job on free cereal, Dancin.

I've been too busy lately to post but DS1 got married last week and with my dad's poor health, it's been hectic. I made all the food for son's rehearsal dinner, planning for up to 50 people. I had all year to shop and I used every coupon strategy to get the food for a good deal. I bought coupons, used double coupons at a store that still offers them, used overage and price matching at Walmart, store rewards and sales and spent a total of $36.73. I made 90 lasagna rolls, 48 brownies, salad, salad dressing and 80 pieces of garlic bread. The salad and the bread were bought last and cost more than all the ingredients I got for the lasagna rolls, brownies and dressing. I made and froze the lasagna and brownies over a month ago and my sister helped get it cooked and ready for the meal. It was fun for me trying to get the cost down but I'm glad it's over.

Today I went to Dollar General and bought a 4 lb. bag of sugar and 1 Kool-Aid and walked out after paying $.06 OOP. There is a digital coupon for $2.00 off anything $2.01 or over. The coupon is good through Friday.

A friend gave us jalapenos and we canned 6 pints of candies jalapeno pepper rings.

DH and I went away last week and I bought 3 lbs. of butter for $2.99 at a farmers market. We were too far from home to bring back larger amounts as we had other stuff that needed chilled besides the butter. I can't believe how the price has gone up since the beginning of summer.

[marvholly]

Ruby
The price on ALL dairy is up: milk, cream cheese, cottage cheese, cheddar, swiss, american, yogurt..........and those are just the things I use no coffee or whipping creams in my house.

Right now eggs are even high. Usually I could get them on sale somewhere for 0.99/dz or less for at least large - sometimes XL or jumbo. Now the best I find is 1.49/dz.

[marvholly]

Didn't catch this on the ad but Albertson's (Jewel-Osco) had eggs for 0.99 so grabbed some Mon. Aldi was still 1.49.

[murphath]

Finally a freebie this week:  Wags has the 4ct AdvilPM on sale for $1.  There were $1 off any Advil PM q's in last Sunday's inserts.  I managed to scrounge up 4 of them so now have a 16 pill supply.  These are nice if you have a headache and want to go to sleep!

If you're going to do this deal, they are in a small box on the shelf next to the bigger containers.  Fortunately, my Wags had a sign.  There were quite a few (a shock!) so I think lots of folks have jumped off the q'ing bandwagon.

CVS also sent me a $3 EB so I'm going to use it to get two bags of Hershey mini-bars (like KitKats) for Halloween.  They are on sale 2/$5 and I have a $1.10 q/2 from coupons.com.  That will make them .90 and I get $1 EB back.

I find I have to get really creative to get more bang for my buck these days.  Seattle's Best coffee is on sale at Target this week at $5.39.  I have 3 $2 off q's (coupons.com) and will use my $5 Target gift card from a prior purchase .  Will probably buy two so:  $10.78 - $5 -$4= $1.78-.05 use own bag; -.09 5% red card discount = $1.64 for two bags of coffee

[dancinmama]

Oct 7, 2014 11:18:05 GMT -5 murphath said:

I think lots of folks have jumped off the q'ing bandwagon.

I find I have to get really creative to get more bang for my buck these days. 

I think there is a cause/effect relationship there.  It used to be relatively straight forward.  I remember that during the course of 2012, YMMV became the norm rather than the exception for A LOT of the deals that I wanted to do and that were posted on couponing websites.  I imagine that people just got tired of taking the time to find a deal and get to the store only to find that it didn't go their way at the register.  Have that happen a few times and you're going to get a little frustrated with it all. 

Maybe at some time in the future, getting a decent bang for you buck won't take so much creativity.  I'm not holding my breath for it to happen any time soon, but you never know.  I didn't think I'd ever see the kind of savings that we used to be able to get, so I'm not giving up hope.  As usual, I'm patiently waiting.