THE MARCH 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[suziq38]

On behalf of Dancinmama and all of the gals here, WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge from me - Suzi Q!

This is the new change to our thread in response to many of you that requested that our thread be shorter and easier to follow. We will now create a new thread every month. We hope you like this change!
Please look through the last pages of February's thread if you wish. There are also some good deals posted.
Remember, this thread is not meant for you to read ALL of the pages. The information is fast and good, so just a few pages will do.
if you have repeated a question, one of us will just repeat the answer, or help you.
Everyone loves to help.

I have copied Dancinmama's message to you from January, 2011, when we started posting on Proboards:

If you have never clipped a coupon, or even if you have been using coupons for years, we'd love to have you join us. We are a crazy, fun-loving, and very friendly group of gals just chatting with one another about how to save big money using coupons. We are willing to help anyone, at any level, in any way that we can.

Don't think that you have to read through the pages and pages of posts to join in - most of it will be old, out-of-date information anyway. Just go to the last page of the thread and introduce yourself. Tell us what area of the country you're from and where you shop (grocery stores, national chain stores, Target, WalMart, etc.).

We'd love to have you join us on a regular basis, so don't be shy - just jump right in, have some fun, and save a ton of money in the process!!

NEWBIES/OLDIES: If you post a HOUND ALERT requesting coupons from others, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE also post which insert/where the coupon can be found (Example: 1/2 SS) so that we can find it easily without having to research it ourselves. ALSO, if you need the coupon for a specific deal, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE try to remember to post the deal with your HOUND ALERT so that someone who may have the coupon(s) can decide whether they want/need to do the deal before sending out any of their coupons. THANKS!!

POSTING ABOUT A DEAL / HOT COUPON: Some people get overwhelmed by the number of posts and only have time to skim the posts for the information that they need the most. If you are posting a deal, please post something that makes it stand out like "CVS DEAL ALERT" or if you are posting to tell us that there is a new, hot coupon available, please post something like "$3/1 WHOLLY GUACAMOLE IP ALERT".

We want to make this thread as fun, friendly, and helpful as possible. These suggestions will save EVERYONE a lot of time when they are trying to "catch up" and read through past posts.

Now let's have fun!! [image]

Read more: notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wir&action=display&thread=2643#ixzz1F4k8yGx2

[mizbear]

I posted my shopping goal on the other thread, duh. Looking for deals on TP, wipes and paper towels this month.

[suziq38]

Hi Mizbear,
You are the first March poster.
Thanks for posting!

[suziq38]

It is pouring down rain here in California.
It has been a high of 44 or 45 the last couple of days, with rain!
We are "wimps" when it comes to cold weather in Southern California, LOL.

[4hatsandfrugal]

Suzi! So glad you are feeling better!

[suziq38]

Feb 26, 2011 11:05:32 GMT -5 @4hatsandfrugal said:

Suzi! So glad you are feeling better!

Thank you, Dhunny!

[4hatsandfrugal]

Whole coupon insert sales:

According to HCW, the sites that sell whole inserts are coupons and things by dede, the coupon master, and collectable coupons. Dede is located in Texas, collectable coupons is in Arizona and coupon master is in rhode island, so you'd have to figure out which area gets the best inserts to make your purchase worthwhile. The coupon master is also under the Q hunter. Go to that particular site for whole inserts.

I've only ordered whole inserts from dede. The value amounts are hit or miss for her.

[saveinla]

Suziq,
Glad to see that you are feeling better. Hope you feel upto par soon !

[Opti]

Does anyone know if there's a way to see the WAGS circular that starts Sunday today? Last week, I thought I was able to access both weeks on WAGS's website. I have a $2RR that expires next week and am wondering whether to hold it or just get a free can of salmon at $1.99 today.

[saveinla]

There is a link to the 1.25 SS Q for Arm and hammer laundry detergent on myfrugaladventures. In case you have not printed it yet and have Ups to burn, RA has it on sale this week for 3.99 and gives a 1$ Up. Is 1.74 a good price for detergent and does anyone have any opinion on A&H? TIA.

[saveinla]

Feb 26, 2011 11:36:13 GMT -5 Opti said:

Does anyone know if there's a way to see the WAGS circular that starts Sunday today? Last week, I thought I was able to access both weeks on WAGS's website. I have a $2RR that expires next week and am wondering whether to hold it or just get a free can of salmon at $1.99 today.

iheartwags normally has the ad previews early.

[constanz22]

Feb 26, 2011 11:36:13 GMT -5 Opti said:

Does anyone know if there's a way to see the WAGS circular that starts Sunday today? Last week, I thought I was able to access both weeks on WAGS's website. I have a $2RR that expires next week and am wondering whether to hold it or just get a free can of salmon at $1.99 today.

Yes, iheartwags has it up.

[ooty1234]

SuziQ: I am so glad you are feeling better and having friends to help you out! Honeybaked ham, huh?
Somebunny loves you!!! **hugs**

[hopetoberich]

WELCOME BACK Suziq. SO glad to hear you are doing well.

I have a question about storage. I have been using my Linen closet for extra storage. Now its getting warmer its about 77degrees in there. I have moved out anything that has chocolate in it. But i am wondering about TGIF snacks, Cereal, cake mixes and that type of food. I don't want to have anything ruined and only have a small place to live. So what would you do?

I am going to do the Loreal deal again today. 50% off Hair Color buy $15 worth and get $5UP. There is a $2 in add coupon for each and i have lots of $2mq that i found too. So it should come out to about free for 3 boxes.Maybe $3MM.
Thanks for the tip on Wags underwear. I will get some today. (cotton price increase)
I bake a cake and ice it once a week now (free). Its great to have a ready snack when we come in hungry.Great RA deal. I am not keen on the Sugar cookies though! I have about 10 bags. Has anyone added flavour to it or anything?

[Opti]

Thanks I did find it on iheartwags. Has anyone tried the Nivea lip products? I could use something like blistex.

[constanz22]

Feb 26, 2011 13:13:24 GMT -5 Opti said:

Thanks I did find it on iheartwags. Has anyone tried the Nivea lip products? I could use something like blistex.

I've tried most of them and am not a fan...I have a bunch that I usually put in gift baskets. It's not like blistex at all. I find them very waxy. My absolute FAVORITE lip stuff right now is the Carmex Moisture Plus. They go on a pretty good sale every once in awhile.

[suziq38]

Feb 26, 2011 11:31:33 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Suziq,
Glad to see that you are feeling better. Hope you feel upto par soon !

Thank you, SaveinLA!

[suziq38]

Feb 26, 2011 13:06:08 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

WELCOME BACK Suziq. SO glad to hear you are doing well.

I have a question about storage. I have been using my Linen closet for extra storage. Now its getting warmer its about 77degrees in there. I have moved out anything that has chocolate in it. But i am wondering about TGIF snacks, Cereal, cake mixes and that type of food. I don't want to have anything ruined and only have a small place to live. So what would you do?

I am going to do the Loreal deal again today. 50% off Hair Color buy $15 worth and get $5UP. There is a $2 in add coupon for each and i have lots of $2mq that i found too. So it should come out to about free for 3 boxes.Maybe $3MM.
Thanks for the tip on Wags underwear. I will get some today. (cotton price increase)
I bake a cake and ice it once a week now (free). Its great to have a ready snack when we come in hungry.Great RA deal. I am not keen on the Sugar cookies though! I have about 10 bags. Has anyone added flavour to it or anything?

Thank you, Hope2berich!

[suziq38]

Feb 26, 2011 12:02:28 GMT -5 ooty1234 said:

SuziQ: I am so glad you are feeling better and having friends to help you out! Honeybaked ham, huh?
Somebunny loves you!!! **hugs**

Thank you, OOTY!

[dogmom]

Suzi, welcome back!

[dancinmama]

suzi: I wondered when you were going to get your DH to take you out hounding!! ha ha ha So glad that you're doing so well.

Well, today is a sad day in the hounding world for me. I used to be able to get everything at CVS for almost FREE because they would allow my coupons to cut into the sales tax so my OOP was almost always a very minimal amount. I just got back from doing a couple of transactions and the cashier "watched" the subtotal to make sure that my manufacturer's coupons did not cut into the sales tax (even though I think the computer would have allowed it). This means that I am now going to have to pay sales tax in OOP on every transaction at CVS and our tax rate here is 9.25%. Now, buying stuff that I don't need just so that I can roll my EBs to keep them current is going to get pretty expensive.

I feel EXTREMELY fortunate that for about a year and a half, I have been able to stockpile a BOATLOAD of things that we DID NEED from CVS for very, very little in OOP. I do have a few gift cards that I got for Xmas that I can use to cover sales tax; but I know that at 9.25%, I will go through them rather quickly.

I am totally bummed, but I guess that's how the coupon crumbles.

[jdnstl]

GDA - did you guys who did the hill's science diet dog food also do the rebate? the rebate form was on the same page as the $5/1 mfc.

miss pt - i'll send one with the other q's i'm sending. i'll have a couple extra if anyone needs one.

[hopetoberich]

Thanks to my Friend in Texas for the envie I will use them for sure this week. The only time i am happy to see my mail is when i get a coupon gift!

[dancinmama]

Oh, I forgot to mention that it actually snowed here today in Nor CA. It was weird because the sun was peaking through some really gray clouds when it was coming down. It was a very light snow that melted the minute it hit the ground.

[bluecluessubtlety]

Feb 26, 2011 10:21:38 GMT -5 mizbear said:

I posted my shopping goal on the other thread, duh. Looking for deals on TP, wipes and paper towels this month.

Thecentsableshoppin.com usually has a section of "staples" and toilet paper is on that list each week.

Dancin, maybe it was that one cashier?

[ohiositter]

Suzi I'm so glad to hear you're doing well

kitty...... got your envie Thanks a bunch...... my noodle eating machine is home and it looks like he REALLY missed his noodles, since I only have a few left in my stockpile , I showed him the envie and he just had this goofy smile from ear to ear

Pssss. he said noodles and hot sauce...... what more do you need? LMAO only my kids would say something like that ;D and they were not raised on noodles.... LOL

[saveinla]

Feb 26, 2011 22:53:54 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Oh, I forgot to mention that it actually snowed here today in Nor CA. It was weird because the sun was peaking through some really gray clouds when it was coming down. It was a very light snow that melted the minute it hit the ground.

dancinmama,
We too had hail and snow that did not melt for a little while. The kids were all on FB sending pictures of the snow
Thankfully tomorrow's weather is supposed to be sunny and 55.

[herekittykitty]

Feb 26, 2011 23:02:47 GMT -5 ohiositter said:

Suzi I'm so glad to hear you're doing well

kitty...... got your envie Thanks a bunch...... my noodle eating machine is home and it looks like he REALLY missed his noodles, since I only have a few left in my stockpile , I showed him the envie and he just had this goofy smile from ear to ear

Pssss. he said noodles and hot sauce...... what more do you need? LMAO only my kids would say something like that ;D and they were not raised on noodles.... LOL

No problem...glad you can use them!

[debinwa]

In case you all haven't seen this posted, TGI Fridays, Burger King snacks, Stax, and Combos are all $1 this week at Rite Aid, and producing $1 Up only through Thursday. More free snacks!

Also, there are new coupon booklets out in Safeway! Be on the lookout!

[shelly527in]

Feb 26, 2011 23:02:47 GMT -5 ohiositter said:

Suzi I'm so glad to hear you're doing well

kitty...... got your envie Thanks a bunch...... my noodle eating machine is home and it looks like he REALLY missed his noodles, since I only have a few left in my stockpile , I showed him the envie and he just had this goofy smile from ear to ear

Pssss. he said noodles and hot sauce...... what more do you need? LMAO only my kids would say something like that ;D and they were not raised on noodles.... LOL

Ohiositter and Herekittykitty sounds like DBF when I showed him the stack of White Castle coupons! I was mean though.....first I seperated the ones that had already expired and gave those to him. Then I handed him the THIRTY that didn't expire until the middle of April. Not sure if he'll be able to buy that money by then, but I'm sure he'll try! Thanks kitty!