2014 Grocery Challenge

[Deleted]

Feb 17, 2014 12:18:58 GMT -5 murphath said:

I went cherry picking yesterday and did pretty well at Safeway:
6 boxes Ritz crackers:  $1.79 minus 3/$1 off 2 q's (on the package)
4 Coke Diet w/lime (B2G2 free): $6.29 ea minus 2 Coke rewards q's. 
FE Asian salad: $3 minus $2 Tony T newsletter q
FE Spinach: $1.49 J4U price
4 Tillamook greek yogurt .89 JFU price: minus 2 B1G1F q's (for some reason the computer took $1.25 off 1 and $1 off the other)
Danimals strawberry greek yogurt 4 pk:  Free JFU
I Can't Believe it's not butter Simply delicious: $2.49 minus $1 J4U q
3 lbs. granny smith apples (my fave!)  $2.92
Precious string cheese  $3.50 minus $1 q

All told, I paid $24.59 which was a 72% savings ($59.18).  I then stopped at Raleys to buy 4 boxes of Cherrios: $1.49 (wyb4) minus 2/$1.00 off 2 q's.  So .99 each.

Since I technically spent more than $40 at Safeway (before q's), I also now have .30 gallon credit to use at their gas station.

It all adds up, right?!!!

I really does, doesn't it?
Between sales, and online coupons are spending is really low and when you add in our income, our rental and all my little tricks (swagbucks, mypoints, savingstar etc) we do really well.  I wish more people would try instead of just give up.

[dancinmama]

Feb 17, 2014 12:18:58 GMT -5 murphath said:

I went cherry picking yesterday and did pretty well at Safeway:
6 boxes Ritz crackers:  $1.79 minus 3/$1 off 2 q's (on the package)
4 Coke Diet w/lime (B2G2 free): $6.29 ea minus 2 Coke rewards q's. 
FE Asian salad: $3 minus $2 Tony T newsletter q
FE Spinach: $1.49 J4U price
4 Tillamook greek yogurt .89 JFU price: minus 2 B1G1F q's (for some reason the computer took $1.25 off 1 and $1 off the other)
Danimals strawberry greek yogurt 4 pk:  Free JFU
I Can't Believe it's not butter Simply delicious: $2.49 minus $1 J4U q
3 lbs. granny smith apples (my fave!)  $2.92
Precious string cheese  $3.50 minus $1 q

All told, I paid $24.59 which was a 72% savings ($59.18).  I then stopped at Raleys to buy 4 boxes of Cherrios: $1.49 (wyb4) minus 2/$1.00 off 2 q's.  So .99 each.

Since I technically spent more than $40 at Safeway (before q's), I also now have .30 gallon credit to use at their gas station.

It all adds up, right?!!!

Dang, you're a lucky dog!!  I hoped that the couponing gods would be with me and I'd find some peelies on the Ritz, but no such luck.  I see a peelie MAYBE a couple times a year at my Safeway....and I'm talking about ANY peelie. 

[FreeSalsa]

Feb 16, 2014 23:24:47 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

I went to get the TP and got another $5/$15 to use with my $5 ECB.  Yay!  It expires tomorrow so I might get some stuff for DH.  I have to look into the razor thing now.  I doubt I have many coupons.  ETA:  I just looked.  Razors are at Kroger, not CVS.  ETA again:  My razors are $7.99 at Kroger/Ralphs.  Darn HCOL!!!

Yesterday, before I used my $5/15 that expired yesterday and was loaded to my card, I scanned my card at the red machine and got another $5/15 that expired today.  I thought they were two different ones but now I think they were the same one and it was giving me another day to use it.  I went today to use the "second" one and the checker said it should be on my card but it wasn't.  He didn't try to scan it but looked very confused and punched it in manually.  Either way I got to use it twice.

2 Bayer low-dose 32 ct.
2 Honey Maid Graham crackers
4 Barilla pasta
Tax
-$5/15
-$5 ECB
-$2 Bayer (40 ct + but it worked)
- $0.75/2 Nabisco cookies or crackers
=$2.80 OOP

[FreeSalsa]

Feb 16, 2014 23:43:17 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Feb 16, 2014 23:24:47 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

I went to get the TP and got another $5/$15 to use with my $5 ECB.  Yay!  It expires tomorrow so I might get some stuff for DH.  I have to look into the razor thing now.  I doubt I have many coupons.  ETA:  I just looked.  Razors are at Kroger, not CVS.  ETA again:  My razors are $7.99 at Kroger/Ralphs.  Darn HCOL!!!

Freesalsa,

Did you get the Angelsoft TP? If so, can you PM me which store? I checked a couple stores here and they don't carry the Angelsoft. Thanks

Done!

[hopetoberich]

Well I'm jumping right back on the bandwagon if these deals keep going. CVS was hit by us all not going in for the past year or so. Fingers crossed we all get back to something like the old days.
My stockpile has been wonderful at holding me over so I didn't pay anything for the past year HBA wise but dh just told me he was caught in a trip without his HBA bag and Walmart got $$ from him
I'm in reno this week and will look out for a cvs

[marvholly]

Checked some store out of my immediate area ads online this am. Not seeing any GREAT deals.

[skubikky]

Did the 3/$15 TP deal at CVs.  There was a pad of $0.55/1 Quilted Northern. 
Turns out the corporate computers were having issues so the store manager gave me a $5 GC instead of the $5EB....I like that.

[mizbear]

I need to get back into a routine with my qs. I stopped doing swagbucks because it was costing me too much time and honestly, I am disillusioned with mypoints right now too sinxe they are pushing google. Right now I am trying to use up all if my stockpile so that I can start fesh, pare down, and save space. This will be especially important when I move.

[marvholly]

Good thing stores I checked Wed were nothing special. My big, good fruit veg mkt is GREAT again this week. Looks like I'll spend about $10 there which is 2x normal: broccoli, cauliflower, romain, head, clementines, pea pods, pasta and boneless, skinless chicken breasts (just took last of chicken breasts out of freezer).

[rubyslippers]

I spent my $7.00 in UPs at Rite Aid this week and got 2 dozen eggs, 1 huge can of mixed nuts and a nail polish. I spent $.49 OOP.

Yesterday at Kroger I spent $8.44, saved $17.58 after coupons and received $10.00 in catalinas.  I got canned tomatoes, 2 PowerAde drinks, bread, hamburger buns, hoagie rolls and 8 Neutragena facial bars.  At Walmart, I got produce, almonds, pie crusts, crackers, and protein shakes and also got over $4.00 in overage which I used to buy 2 more things for DS's rehearsal dinner.  Finally, I saved over $25.00 in gas by using my Kroger fuel points.  A local store has bags of chicken breasts on sale for $3.99 and if I get a chance, I might pick up a couple of bags.  I didn't find anything at Staples but my rewards are good for another month so I will wait to see what sales they have in the next few weeks.

[constanz22]

I had 12 $2/1 Garnier shampoo coupons that were expiring this weekend.  There weren't any GREAT deals this week, but wags had them 2/6, so I decided $1 each wasn't a terrible deal to use them up.  It's my preferred brand and what I don't use, I can sell for more than I paid  I spent $12.xx after coupons for 12 Garnier s/c, 2 stylers, and 2 fillers.  They said I saved $40+.

Had some time to kill so went cherry picking at Price Chopper.  Didn't have a list but browsed around and found a few good deals.  
2 ready to eat salads with chicken, etc. $2.50 ea. 
1 bag spinach with 1.50 freshness peelie (cheap)
2 8 packs of PC paper towels (I'm low) 7.25 both
I also got 2 Prego sauce, angel hair, 4 boxes Cheerios (4/8 with in ad coupon and had 4 .75/1 that double to 1.50 ), Minute rice (needed, not on sale, but had .50/1 that doubled) and 2 family size Oreos (2/7 - .75/2 doubled to 1.50)
I think that was it.  I spent right around $25 so thought that was pretty good for no plan

[marvholly]

The first Mariano’s converson of a Safeway in metro Chicago, in a town 20ish minutes from me, opened couple days ago. I did NOT go but a friend did. He was NOT impressed. Prices seemed VERY high to him (he did work for Dominick’s until about 10 years ago) which is unusual for a grand opening. I will wait until one opens MUCH closer to me. They are actually building a new one about 2 mi from me.

[Deleted]

Feb 16, 2014 11:43:34 GMT -5 murphath said:

gin1985:
Sent you a PM, too, but you forgot to give me your name.  Right now the enevelope is addressed to Ms. Gin?.  Will send out this afternoon when I run errands.  Hope you get it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!  I got it and will be shopping tomorrow morning!

[Deleted]

Feb 20, 2014 7:14:35 GMT -5 mizbear said:

I need to get back into a routine with my qs. I stopped doing swagbucks because it was costing me too much time and honestly, I am disillusioned with mypoints right now too sinxe they are pushing google. Right now I am trying to use up all if my stockpile so that I can start fesh, pare down, and save space. This will be especially important when I move.

Pushing google?  What did I miss?

[mizbear]

I keep getting the "earn points for using google to search" messages.
Even though they makw great products, I really hate their privacy policies- because they mean nothing. You have no privacy using Google.

[marvholly]

Mizbear
I have had my points since spring 2005 and am NOT having the google issue you describe.

WOW!! Has the price of eggs gone CRAZY. It is still CHEAP protein but 0.10/serving to 0.134-a 30+% increase. Guess we will be luckey if the sale price going into Easter is now $1 which was the price I was regularly paying a month ago. Also, when I was in Aldi on Sat they had a note posted on the freezer apologizing for the price increase on shrimp. I think it went up $1/12 oz bag-a 20% increase. I foresee a LOT of veggie meals in my future. I also am seeing discussion that ALL dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese….) are going to take a BIG price increase hit.

My fav fruit/veg mkt had all the veggies I LOVE at good prices again this week: broccoli (0.29), cauliflower(0.39), brussel sprouts(0.79) and asparagus (0.98). Will be making a large batch of roasted veggies again this week.

[Blonde Granny]

Holly, do you roast the veggies and then freeze them for future meals?

CVS is going to be opening a store in our town, but it's quite a drive for us to get there, plus it's not in the greatest part of town.  I also would have to drive past a super WMT or a WMT Neighborhood market to get there.  As confusing as their point system is for things, I likely will just keep shopping at WMT, especially when they open their new Super Walmart just 1/2 mi from our house.  180K square feet of stuff to choose from.

[dancinmama]

Got another $5/$20 from Safeway.  I didn't see anything on ad that I wanted to use it on, but did notice that JC strawberry margarita mix was on sale for $4.99, so I picked up (4) and used a banana as a filler.  I needed margarita mix for the summer and with the sale and $5/$20 the price was comparable to Costco.

[marvholly]

Blond Grannie
i do NOT freeze most roasted veggies. Tomatoes, bell peppers and hot peppers are my only exceptions but will eat all I did yesterday in about 3 days. Way I figure, I did 5 servings. used 2 servings Sun + salad + fruit = the reccommended 5/day.

[mizbear]

marvholly- I am glad someone is not having that problem. I really like mypoints, but when I started getting that message, it was like Really?!

Hoping to make some deals this week on some things I need

[FreeSalsa]

Looks like it will be Jons this week (local somewhat ethnic store)

Foster Farms bone in breast, drumstick or thigh, $1/lb.
Jennie-O ground turkey 20 oz. 2/$5
Spinach 2/$1
Valley Ranch canned hummus or fava beans 2/$1
Michelina's Zap 'ems $0.89
Bulk pinto beans 2 lb./$1 Thursday only
80% family pack ground beef $2.49/lb. Thursday only (I guess that's good these days)
5 lb. bag carrots $1 Thursday only
Whole tilapia or whiting, bulk, previously frozen, $1.19/lb., Friday only.  Not sure I want a whole fish but maybe DH will take care of it.

[hopetoberich]

I saw a few things @ 50% off in CVS today. 
I got a crt $3/$9 on soaps and needed one that does NOT give me a rash. Many of my stockpile soaps I am not able to use anymore.Irish spring and red softsoap are guilty of causing my rash god kmows what they put in them. It is cheaper to buy another few bars than pay oop for a doctor visit. I try and go to the doc no more than once a year

[marvholly]

Yahoo!! Been trying to find a watch for DGD’s bday since I got it for the boys. Have even hit Target, Walmart & Kmart B & M stores but they were WAAAY too $$$ ($10-20) as this is just part of her gift. A Hello Kitty one (a fav of hers) came up on Amazon today for $3.75 shipped. REAL happy camper here.

[973beachbum]

Hi everyone!  It is nice to see the GC so active!  We have been crazy busy.  It seems every time I turn around we have another college something for DD and DS is getting a little annoyed at being drug along most of the time.

I have gotten out of the habit of looking for deals.  This past two weeks I have tried to get back on the program with Shoprite's dollar days sale.  It isn't as good as years past but there were a few things I needed that were pretty good deals and they did roll like always.
 
And incase anyone else recycles ink carts at Staples and like me procrastinates this is your reminder for Feb to get them in. 

[FreeSalsa]

Feb 25, 2014 22:03:03 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Looks like it will be Jons this week (local somewhat ethnic store)

Foster Farms bone in breast, drumstick or thigh, $1/lb.
Jennie-O ground turkey 20 oz. 2/$5  ($1/2 coupons. com and $1 1/5/14 SS)
Spinach 2/$1
Valley Ranch canned hummus or fava beans 2/$1
Michelina's Zap 'ems $0.89  (IP I couldn't print)
Bulk pinto beans 2 lb./$1 Thursday only
80% family pack ground beef $2.49/lb. Thursday only (I guess that's good these days)
5 lb. bag carrots $1 Thursday only
Whole tilapia or whiting, bulk, previously frozen, $1.19/lb., Friday only.  Not sure I want a whole fish but maybe DH will take care of it.

[FreeSalsa]

Oooh!  I hit the jackpot on markdowns and BOGO at Sprouts today!  They must have been resetting the baking/sweetener aisle because there were markdowns a plenty!

Organic maple syrup $2.99!!!!! (reg. $8.99)  I bought 5, they're good for a year and a half!
Arizona honey $1.99 (reg. $3.99)
Agave nectar $.99 (not sure the reg. price but for a buck, I'll try it)
Organic, fair trade semi-sweet chocolate chips $.99
BOGO Sabra hummus = $1.99 ea
BOGO Nature's Path crackers (including organic) - Sprouts IP = $1.50 a box
BOGO Michael Angelo's frozen dinners - IP = $1.30 ea.
Organic yams .99c/lb.
I forgot to get a rain check but I'll check again next week, organic grape tomatoes $1.99/clamshell

I couldn't believe my luck on the syrup.  That stuff is so expensive!!!

[marvholly]

Some really good $$ on strawberries, romaine hearts, green beans & asparagus this week IF the weather gets warm enough and NOT too snowy to go shopping.

[chicg]

hi ladies, I've been popping in on this thread now and then to see what kind of coupon deals people are still getting. I was on a very tight grocery budget when paying off my cc's, but I got them paid off right around the time coupons started declining and for the most part stopped using coupons and just shopped sales. I've been spending a fortune on grocery again, but I'm having trouble finding couponing worthwhile now aside from CVS.   Anyhow, thanks for all the insight, I'm still learning a lot here even though it's not like it used to be with deals  : )

Marvholly - I live in Chicago and have been a Mariano's shopper for a while now.  Dominick's was my primary, for years I've felt Jewel's prices were rising. I went once after Dom's closed and will never shop there again, I spent a fortune on a similar trip compared to Dominick's and Mariano's. I actually love Mariano's and am looking forward to the conversion opening in about a month by my house, but I don't think their prices were as good as Dominick's when you factored in J4U coupons and such.  I do think their pricing and overall quality are much better than Jewel, at least downtown.  I also shop a variety of ethnic and a local produce store, and grow my own in the summer to help with prices.

Hopetoberich - I also have reaction to soaps and have to use gentle/sensitive ones.  If you mean body soap vs.  hand soap, Dove and Olay are usually the gentlest of the brands with frequent coupons.  Cetaphil bars are very gentle, but pricey.  Hope that helps, skin care for sensitive skin can get so expensive

[marvholly]

Marianos has a new build going up in a nearby burb. There is also a super WalMart near there. I plan to do a LOT of price matching when that opens. I mostly shop 3-4 fruit/veg markets (all have meat, dairy & deli), 2 local only chains, CVS, & WAG. I think I have been in jewel 1-2x in the 2 months since Dominick's closed. I DO have several things I want there this week and they are across the street from my best fruit/veg market.

[rubyslippers]

Marvholly, I do a LOT of price matching at Walmart. For instance, last month had I gone into Walmart and got everything on my list without price matching or using coupons, I would have spent $54.10. By price matching, I took it down to $25.62 and after coupons, my total OOP was $14.87.

This week my best cherry picking deals were 2 boxes of Mueller spaghetti for $.25 each after IPQ.  At Kroger I got 5 bags shredded cheese, 4 taco seasoning packs, 1 box South Beach bars, 1 box rotini, 4 yogurts and 2 bags of Gorten fish for $5.41 after coupons, catalinas, freebie, and senior discount, saving $26.76.

At Walmart this week I got 1 pineapple ($.99), 1 lb. grapes (.99), 1 candle set ($1.00), 1 Maxwell House ($.99), 1 bread ($.69), 1 doz. eggs ($1.29), 1 bag onions ($.99), 2 boxes Raisin Bran ($2.00 each), 1 gal. milk ($2.69), 5 Philly cheese ($.99 each), 4 bologna ($.99 each), 4 shredded mozzarella ($.99 each), 1 Parmesan cheese ($3.49), 1 paper bowls ($.97) and 10 boxes protein bars for $14.12 after coupons and overage, saving $58.69.  I was especially stocking up on the cheese deals this week and there are some good Kraft IPQ's that came out today which helped.