THE MARCH 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[leanna]

Mar 4, 2011 14:48:37 GMT -5 AJ CouponGG said:

Mercee/mommax/leanna-wow I never really followed up with anyone who was in the wags test market.....and a lot of the ladies fell off when the board switched from MSN Money so to be honest I'm really disappointed to hear Wags' new system isn't as great as I had hoped. I'm hopeful that maybe corporate will take the complaints to heart from the test markets. What are the points for on the Wags card? Is it like riteaid where you eventually get 20% off orders?

Nah, AJ, unfortunately it's nothing like that. How it works is that you accumulate points, and then you can redeem the points for things like a $5 Walgreens gift certificate or $5 gift cards to other stores. The best deal is the $5 Wags gc's - they "cost" 2,000 points. The other gc's cost more.

They also send out these special coupons, like $7 off of an order of $45. I think those are based on how much you spent on previous months.

It's all pretty much a mystery, truthfully.

I imagine that they think that people will want to build up points, and will faithfully shop at Walgreens. So they've modeled it similar to the department stores. For example, I have a Sears card that does something similar.

But I guess they don't seem to realize that for drugstore shopping, we all want immediate gratification. I can't wait 6 months to get an item for free. Sheesh. Not when I can get something free from Rite Aid.

[leanna]

Mar 4, 2011 15:10:29 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

[We never know when something is going to change. I remember when there were NO drug chain rewards and getting non-perishables for free was EXTREMELY rare. Getting free food was more common for me due to sales and double coupons. Now things are completely the opposite - rarely do I get free food (unless I get it with drug chain rewards) because I no longer have anywhere that offers double coupons, but I can get non-perishables for free all the time.

My rule of thumb is that if it is something that my family uses, is free or a MM, and non-perishable I most likely will do the deal. If I find that I have over-stockpiled something, I can always donate it later cuz there is no expiration date.

How long will the major drug chains compete with each other via rewards? How long will the newspapers continue to offer MCs in the Sunday edition? (In some areas the RP is already only delivered via USPS.) Could it be that eventually all coupons will be printables and thus limited in quantity?

When changes occur we just have to adjust. (When WAGs discontinued the ESR program, my shopping strategy there changed in a HUGE, HUGE way.) In the meantime, when it comes to free non-perishables, my strategy is "get it while the gettin' is good" cuz you never know how long this "gravy train " is going to last.

Well said, Dancinmama. My husband encourages me to stock up, because you never know if that particular deal will come around again. As long as it's free I mean!

[dancinmama]

Mar 4, 2011 17:29:44 GMT -5 leanna said:

Mar 4, 2011 15:10:29 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

[We never know when something is going to change. I remember when there were NO drug chain rewards and getting non-perishables for free was EXTREMELY rare. Getting free food was more common for me due to sales and double coupons. Now things are completely the opposite - rarely do I get free food (unless I get it with drug chain rewards) because I no longer have anywhere that offers double coupons, but I can get non-perishables for free all the time.

My rule of thumb is that if it is something that my family uses, is free or a MM, and non-perishable I most likely will do the deal. If I find that I have over-stockpiled something, I can always donate it later cuz there is no expiration date.

How long will the major drug chains compete with each other via rewards? How long will the newspapers continue to offer MCs in the Sunday edition? (In some areas the RP is already only delivered via USPS.) Could it be that eventually all coupons will be printables and thus limited in quantity?

When changes occur we just have to adjust. (When WAGs discontinued the ESR program, my shopping strategy there changed in a HUGE, HUGE way.) In the meantime, when it comes to free non-perishables, my strategy is "get it while the gettin' is good" cuz you never know how long this "gravy train " is going to last.

Well said, Dancinmama. My husband encourages me to stock up, because you never know if that particular deal will come around again. As long as it's free I mean!

leanna: I love hearing about other DH's that are on board. Even though I have a ton of storage space in the house, DH says that when he retires he is going to build some shelves for me in the garage. He doesn't want to do the deals himself, but he loves the idea that we have a stockpile of toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, cleaners, Ziplocs, etc.

[mizbear]

The RP we get via USPS has NO MC in it- it's worthless- fast food Qs and advertisements.

[dancinmama]

Mar 4, 2011 18:14:09 GMT -5 mizbear said:

The RP we get via USPS has NO MC in it- it's worthless- fast food Qs and advertisements.

mizbear: I get an RP like that too and then I get the regular RP in the Sunday paper. Some areas have started including the RP that most of get in the Sunday paper in the US mail.

[mizbear]

I can only hope we start getting the regular RP in the mail- the local paper is LOCC central. Hopefully DB will remember to save me his coupon inserts from his new gig.

[dancinmama]

Mar 4, 2011 18:24:49 GMT -5 mizbear said:

I can only hope we start getting the regular RP in the mail- the local paper is LOCC central. Hopefully DB will remember to save me his coupon inserts from his new gig.

mizbear: I believe the coupons that you will get will be the same as what you would have gotten in the newspaper, only you won't be able to buy extra newspapers to get more of them - good or bad.

Good luck on getting the extra Qs; I hope it works out for you.

[debinwa]

Mar 4, 2011 13:13:55 GMT -5 leanna said:

P.S. I like your dancing frog!

[AJ CouponGG]

I live in OH and in my area they dropped RP insert-we only get a very paired down version in the mail on Tuesdays. It's 90% fast food, hair color, pet items. Sometimes there are 2 Q's I will use maybe.....My sweet mom lives in indy and the Indianapolis start comes out on Saturday with their Q's which are usually higher than mine, so she will get the q's & mail them same day I ususally get them on the Tuesday after. Everybody finds a way to work around to still get Q's. I was disappointed today I signed up for cellfire.....because they have a $3 off next purchase Q and 90% of the major grocery chains (kroger family, safeway family, smith, dominicks etc) of course my store wasnt included and no where near me takes cell coupons yet. They still struggle with internet printables.....oh how interesting it will be to see what the future of couponing will bring. I still have several glad wrap no expiration date Qs my mom had from the 90s.....luckily the store still takes them and they still make the product. It helps at christmas time. I have not seen a no expiration date coupon come out in maybe 8-10 yrs.

[hopetoberich]

I just scored 14 SS inserts for this coming week. They have some high value coupons in. Some of the buildings in the complex get free papers every friday, up to 5 in a building. We have never got any in mine so i only found this out on a get fit walk. I could have been getting these free for over a year! OMG. I have no guilt taking them, i found the same amount on the floor last week it seems that nobody even looks in them. I have just paid for my paper delivery but when it finishes thats it. NO more paying for coupons! ;D

[AJ CouponGG]

congrats hope to be rich that's amazing!!!

And to everyone commenting about wanting the drug chain instant gratification instead of the points....I agree whole heartedly..... That's why I started to like RA so much, it was always my last stop and only for the rebate items. Now it's amazing!

[hopetoberich]

YUP. Didn't they raise the price to $14 a week for 10 inserts?
Now i just have to try and use some of them. The philly cooking cream looks good $1.50/1. I see some of that free pasta being used up soon. I love to have coupons for real food.

[pubbler]

Walmart now accepting CATS (RRs). Just saw this posted on passionforsavings
www.passionforsavings.com/2011/03/new-walmart-coupon-policy-342011/
I'm not really a WM shopper, but I'd rather use my RRs to purchase food at WM than have to worry about fillers etc at WAGS
HOUND ALERT - can anyone please print & scan the 75c/1 Jello Q on coupons.com (if you don't need it). Meijer has a great CAT deal on this item next week. Swaggers, you can earn 10 SB when you print this Q from swagbucks.
For Meijer shoppersBuy 4 Jello refrigerated items, get $4 OYNO. Next week, buy 1 Jello gelatin/pudding, get free Jello temptations/cheescake.
Scenario:
2 x Jello gelatin/Pudding $5.00
2 x Tempation/cheesecake FREE
Less 2 x 75c/1 IPs (1.50)
OOP $3.50, get $3 OYNO

[leanna]

dancinmama -

Believe it or not, my husband is now actually USING coupons himself! Not often, since I do most of the shopping, but he uses coupons for his haircuts and for Quizno's. It's hard to say who is cheaper - hubby or me.

P.S. #1 How do I make things bold?
P.S. #2 To anyone - What does LOCC mean? I can't find that acronym on the list. My silly guess based on the context would be "lots of crappy coupons" but maybe that's crazy!

[debinwa]

Mar 4, 2011 19:23:18 GMT -5 leanna said:

dancinmama -

Believe it or not, my husband is now actually USING coupons himself! Not often, since I do most of the shopping, but he uses coupons for his haircuts and for Quizno's. It's hard to say who is cheaper - hubby or me.

P.S. #1 How do I make things bold?
P.S. #2 To anyone - What does LOCC mean? I can't find that acronym on the list. My silly guess based on the context would be "lots of crappy coupons" but maybe that's crazy!

leanna: instead of replying in the box at the bottom left of the screen, hit reply at the bottom right of the last post. There are lots more options available for your post there.

People often say they live in the LOND (land of no doubles) or LOCC (land of crappy coupons).

[leanna]

Thanks debinwa - at least I was right about the crappy coupons part!

[dancinmama]

Mar 4, 2011 18:53:30 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

I just scored 14 SS inserts for this coming week. They have some high value coupons in. Some of the buildings in the complex get free papers every friday, up to 5 in a building. We have never got any in mine so i only found this out on a get fit walk. I could have been getting these free for over a year! OMG. I have no guilt taking them, i found the same amount on the floor last week it seems that nobody even looks in them. I have just paid for my paper delivery but when it finishes thats it. NO more paying for coupons! ;D

hopetoberich: AWESOME!! The best coupons are free coupons!!

[leanna]

Good job hope to be rich!

[mizbear]

hope- Tell me how that philly cooking creme tastes- unless DB comes up with inserts I won't be buying it until it is on sale

[leanna]

I have a coupon/deal question that I would love to get some advice on from you all, my new coupon friends

I just now printed out that $1.25 off Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent.
I can get it at Rite Aid (the 45-50 oz) for $1.75 (after coupon and +up).

We have been buying Tide for the last couple years, because that's what we need to get my husband's clothes clean.
However, I could use something "not as good" on my items that I wash in cold water.

So, my questions are:
a. Do you know if it's a decent detergent?
b. I am VERY well stocked with Tide, so I definitely don't "need" detergent. However, the price seems pretty darn good. So I was wondering if I should pick this up or just pass and wait for when I actually need detergent.

All advice is welcome.

[dancinmama]

Mar 4, 2011 20:21:23 GMT -5 leanna said:

I have a coupon/deal question that I would love to get some advice on from you all, my new coupon friends

I just now printed out that $1.25 off Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent.
I can get it at Rite Aid (the 45-50 oz) for $1.75 (after coupon and +up).

We have been buying Tide for the last couple years, because that's what we need to get my husband's clothes clean.
However, I could use something "not as good" on my items that I wash in cold water.

So, my questions are:
a. Do you know if it's a decent detergent?
b. I am VERY well stocked with Tide, so I definitely don't "need" detergent. However, the price seems pretty darn good. So I was wondering if I should pick this up or just pass and wait for when I actually need detergent.

All advice is welcome.

deanna: I think Arm & Hammer is just is good as any other - Purex, Wisk, All, etc.

As to whether or not you should go for the Arm & Hammer - it depends on many factors. First, $1.75 is still a little high (to me), but if you have UPs that you have to get rid of and there is nothing else that you see that you can use them on, then I'd go for it. I don't remember what other drug chains you have, but I have been able to get Purex for free at WAGs and All and Wisk for free at CVS after Qs, CRT, and EBs.

It's really hard to advise someone else on when to do a deal or when not to do a deal cuz it all depends on your own circumstances.

[pudgybunny]

what zipcode are you guys putting in to get the arm and hammer $1.25 coupon? I had gotten a $1.00 off 2 a while back but I can't find the $1.25... anyone who doesn't want to use it want to print and scan it for me? thestalker AT hotmail dot com with COUPON as subject please!!! I could use some laundry soap and I have some RR to burn.

[mizbear]

I can land free Purex, all and either wisk or era usually- every once in a while Arm and Hammer. They are not always large bottles, so that may be a consideraton. Sometimes I can land free Gain- but they are also little bottles- I myself prefer Purex and ALL because I can afford them if I have to pay full price OOP!!
Purex, All and Wisk are usually the big freebie contenders though. Purex and All also have excellent free and clear detergents.

[pubbler]

CVS Revlon MM (3/6 - 3/12). the Revlon nailpolish will be a MM, for those who got the $3 Revlon CRT this week. Polish is $4.99, get $3 EB. Use $3 CRT + $1 or $2 Q (SS 3/6) (not sure what the value will be. Profit of $2.01/$3.01

[leanna]

Thanks Dancinmama and Mizbear.

Sorry for such a general question - like you said Dancinmama, it's hard to advise me on something so specific.

I don't have CVS and my Wags is part of the test area, so it's almost impossible to get free stuff at Wags these days. Well, I did get a small box of Cream of Wheat free today, but that's small potatoes.

Nah, I don't have up's to burn. That's why I was hesitant about buying the Arm & Hammer. I have a LOT of Tide in the house (got the best price I could on it, so I'm happy with those purchases.)

I think I'll just let the coupon sit here next to me at the computer for the next day and think about it. Since you're saying that's not such a great deal (nothing to write home about), I think I could probably wait until I have much less detergent in the house to buy some more.

PudgyBunny - I got the link to the $1.25 coupon from Krazy Coupon Lady's website. I never had printed it before, so it may not print for you if you've already printed it.

[debinwa]

Hey all,
Wallmart has a new coupon policy. They take competitors' cats and the policy clearly says they allow overage, even if it means they give you cash. Check it out.

walmartstores.com/7655.aspx

[pudgybunny]

Mar 4, 2011 22:03:44 GMT -5 leanna said:

Thanks Dancinmama and Mizbear.

Sorry for such a general question - like you said Dancinmama, it's hard to advise me on something so specific.

I don't have CVS and my Wags is part of the test area, so it's almost impossible to get free stuff at Wags these days. Well, I did get a small box of Cream of Wheat free today, but that's small potatoes.

Nah, I don't have up's to burn. That's why I was hesitant about buying the Arm & Hammer. I have a LOT of Tide in the house (got the best price I could on it, so I'm happy with those purchases.)

I think I'll just let the coupon sit here next to me at the computer for the next day and think about it. Since you're saying that's not such a great deal (nothing to write home about), I think I could probably wait until I have much less detergent in the house to buy some more.

PudgyBunny - I got the link to the $1.25 coupon from Krazy Coupon Lady's website. I never had printed it before, so it may not print for you if you've already printed it.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Karma your way!

[dancinmama]

Mar 4, 2011 22:11:11 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Hey all,
Wallmart has a new coupon policy. They take competitors' cats and the policy clearly says they allow overage, even if it means they give you cash. Check it out.

walmartstores.com/7655.aspx

WOW!! That is awesome. I can now take my RRs to WalMart. I book-marked the page so that when/if I decide to do that OR I have coupons that will give overage, I can print it quick like a bunny before I go.

This means that I can get RRs cheaply with coupons at WAGs and use them at WalMart for food!!

[pudgybunny]

Mar 4, 2011 22:11:11 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Hey all,
Wallmart has a new coupon policy. They take competitors' cats and the policy clearly says they allow overage, even if it means they give you cash. Check it out.

walmartstores.com/7655.aspx

I kept meaning to post on here that I used RR at Walmart twice now. Once I used one $10 RR and my last trip was $51 in RR! They only looked twice the first time ($10 trip). I have also had DH thry them at Pick n Save and he had to explain a few times that they were mfg coupons not wags coupons. eventually they tried it and it worked, of course! Yahoo for other ways to use RR without having to worry about fillers!

[suziq38]

At Rite Aid:
I bought 12 Mentos for free. They are 2/$1.00 and there is a coupon for 50 cents in the 2/6 SS. It was from a little "throw away" paper delivered to the neighborhood with very few coupons in the flyer.

I also bought the Thermacare and Colgate.
I used a few UPS with 3/5 expiration dates.

The Comtrex and Keri lotion is for 3/6. They are giving SCR's.