THE MARCH 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[jdnstl]

Mar 7, 2011 16:53:26 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Skippy PB recall - for those who have not checked your stash yet, here are the details - www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm245897.htm

CRAP!! i have some of the reduced fat super chunk (all that was in the store during the sale) so i'll have to check my stock.

[dancinmama]

Mar 7, 2011 16:08:01 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Cashier: "Fine." (does it, then pauses and looks me in the eye). "I may be stupid but at least I don't have to use coupons to buy my groceries."

nickyleey: I can't believe that she ACTUALLY said that!! Yes, she certainly IS stupid.

[leanna]

Mar 7, 2011 16:10:42 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

Mar 6, 2011 16:29:09 GMT -5 leanna said:

I think the only reason I care is that I've had a mild cold this week, and I generally only crave vitamin c when I'm sick. So I really wanted to try it. The other items I didn't need. Oh wait, I desperately needed the Reeses!

Reese's is a perfectly acceptable substitute for vitamin C. HTH

LOL!

[dancinmama]

Mar 7, 2011 16:53:26 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Skippy PB recall - for those who have not checked your stash yet, here are the details - www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm245897.htm

None distributed to CA.

[leanna]

Mar 7, 2011 16:08:01 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Mar 7, 2011 7:30:49 GMT -5 marvholly said:

This is another place that seems to have trouble hiring people who can actually read.

I tend to have similar experiences at several of the stores in my area, not just WM! I was at Harris Teeter (a local grocery store) yesterday. I bought one box of Mrs. Paul's fish sticks and 1 bag of bird's eye steamfresh veggies. I had a Q from All You that said you get 1 BE steamfresh veggie FREE (up to $2) when you buy 1 Mrs. Paul's OR 1 Van Camp's and had a picture of all 3 products on the Q. So the cashier rang it all up and I handed over the Q. Here's how it went down:

Without even reading she said "you didn't get everything pictured on the Q".

I said "I fulfilled the necessary requirements to get the free bag of birdseye veggies and that was buying the Mrs. Paul's. You only have to buy either Mrs. Pauls OR Van Camps, not both. Here's the price of the birdseye veggies so you just scan the Q and enter than in."

Cashier: "Ugh, I know how to do it. What I"m saying is that you didn't get everything in the picture."

Nickyleey: "If you read the Q, it clearly says that you get one free Birdseye when you buy Mrs. Paul's or Van Camp's."

Cashier: "Ugh, I don't HAVE to read the Q. The picture clearly shows 3 items and you didn't get all 3."

Nickyleey: (grabs coupon and reads it to her) "Please ring this up correctly"

Cashier: "Fine." (does it, then pauses and looks me in the eye). "I may be stupid but at least I don't have to use coupons to buy my groceries."

Nickyleey: "You're right, I suppose you are the lucky one. Have a great day."

A. I seriously worry about the intellectual abilities in our country when people can't read English.

B. Holy Cow! I can't believe she said that to you! It's actually kind of funny. THAT was her best retort? Laaaaaame!

[leanna]

Mar 7, 2011 16:14:04 GMT -5 bluecluessubtlety said:

Mar 7, 2011 16:08:01 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Cashier: "Fine." (does it, then pauses and looks me in the eye). "I may be stupid but at least I don't have to use coupons to buy my groceries."

Nicky, at least she's self aware.

You're killing me!

[leanna]

Mar 7, 2011 16:53:26 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Skippy PB recall - for those who have not checked your stash yet, here are the details - www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm245897.htm

Thanks Savinla for the tip. I was quaking in fear, thinking about my stash of pb in the pantry.

But -whew- it's only a recall on the reduced fat version. I always knew my full fat diet would pay off.

[hopetoberich]

Mar 7, 2011 16:08:01 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Mar 7, 2011 7:30:49 GMT -5 marvholly said:

This is another place that seems to have trouble hiring people who can actually read.

I tend to have similar experiences at several of the stores in my area, not just WM! I was at Harris Teeter (a local grocery store) yesterday. I bought one box of Mrs. Paul's fish sticks and 1 bag of bird's eye steamfresh veggies. I had a Q from All You that said you get 1 BE steamfresh veggie FREE (up to $2) when you buy 1 Mrs. Paul's OR 1 Van Camp's and had a picture of all 3 products on the Q. So the cashier rang it all up and I handed over the Q. Here's how it went down:

Without even reading she said "you didn't get everything pictured on the Q".

I said "I fulfilled the necessary requirements to get the free bag of birdseye veggies and that was buying the Mrs. Paul's. You only have to buy either Mrs. Pauls OR Van Camps, not both. Here's the price of the birdseye veggies so you just scan the Q and enter than in."

Cashier: "Ugh, I know how to do it. What I"m saying is that you didn't get everything in the picture."

Nickyleey: "If you read the Q, it clearly says that you get one free Birdseye when you buy Mrs. Paul's or Van Camp's."

Cashier: "Ugh, I don't HAVE to read the Q. The picture clearly shows 3 items and you didn't get all 3."

Nickyleey: (grabs coupon and reads it to her) "Please ring this up correctly"

Cashier: "Fine." (does it, then pauses and looks me in the eye). "I may be stupid but at least I don't have to use coupons to buy my groceries."

Nickyleey: "You're right, I suppose you are the lucky one. Have a great day."

NO!! She did NOT say that. OMG I would have slapped her. MY mouth dropped open just like omg. I don't believe this. You were nice to her. wow. Self control. lol

[herekittykitty]

Nickyleey: OK, I just thought of a retort: "I don't have to use coupons to buy my groceries, either, but I prefer to spend my money buying birth control for people who shouldn't reproduce. Where should I send yours?"

[herekittykitty]

Hopetoberich: thanks for the RA Almay tip...heading there tomorrow!

[dancinmama]

Mar 7, 2011 16:41:37 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

Hound Alert.

MM at RA.

Almay Bright eyes Eye Shadow @ 75% off. $2.12. Use $2 MQ from this week SS =0.12.Submit for SCR rebate $1 per item MAX 6. Also got a $2 UP for buying 3. ;D

Today i use $3/$15, VV's & ups to get a nice order together and submitted my first scr for Keri and Almay. I spent $8 in UP's, got back a $2 UP and will get a check for $9 at the end of the month.I came home with 4 boxes of Kleenex, 1 Keri,3 Almay, 2 Kotex and 1 doz eggs.

hopingtoberich: Great scenario!! This also must have been a regional Q cuz I didn't get them (Nor CA). Oh well. I don't really use eye shadow that much.

[hopetoberich]

Mar 7, 2011 18:42:42 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Mar 7, 2011 16:41:37 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

Hound Alert.

MM at RA.

Almay Bright eyes Eye Shadow @ 75% off. $2.12. Use $2 MQ from this week SS =0.12.Submit for SCR rebate $1 per item MAX 6. Also got a $2 UP for buying 3. ;D

Today i use $3/$15, VV's & ups to get a nice order together and submitted my first scr for Keri and Almay. I spent $8 in UP's, got back a $2 UP and will get a check for $9 at the end of the month.I came home with 4 boxes of Kleenex, 1 Keri,3 Almay, 2 Kotex and 1 doz eggs.

hopingtoberich: Great scenario!! This also must have been a regional Q cuz I didn't get them (Nor CA). Oh well. I don't really use eye shadow that much.

Thanks Dancin. I have been making my own deals alot lately and its fun!
I am down to $6UP's I need to buy some almay to get a few new ones. I have about 8 $2 MQ. Does anyone have other ideas to get more UP's using coupons?

No problem Herekittykitty! ;D

[mizbear]

nickyleey- You guys would have been using RRs to foot my bail because I would have bopped her with the Van de Camps I didn't buy!

No Xtra or Marzetti's qs here- sorry. My brother didn't get to keep the extra papers this week. Starts next Sunday.

[nickyleey]

Mar 7, 2011 18:31:27 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

Nickyleey: OK, I just thought of a retort: "I don't have to use coupons to buy my groceries, either, but I prefer to spend my money buying birth control for people who shouldn't reproduce. Where should I send yours?"

LOL!! I literally had the look on my face after she said that. I tried hard to be nice to her at first, but I'm sure she caught on that I was losing my patience by the time I had to read the dang Q to her.. She seemed to be in a hurry so maybe she was about to get off. She acted like a total spoiled brat and I couldn't help but wonder if her parents made her get a job to accept some responsibility. She really acted like she did not want to be there. We live in an area where there is a high concentration of wealthy people and I could tell by her jewelry, highlights, clothing etc that she came from money.

I used to know someone who believed that there should be a "stupid tax". On occasions like this, I agree with him.

[nickyleey]

Mar 7, 2011 18:58:00 GMT -5 mizbear said:

nickyleey- You guys would have been using RRs to foot my bail because I would have bopped her with the Van de Camps I didn't buy!

No Xtra or Marzetti's qs here- sorry. My brother didn't get to keep the extra papers this week. Starts next Sunday.

LOL! I would say that at least 80% of the cashiers I have are great. Some are even happy for me that I save alot with coupons. All I can do is focus on those good ones and try to get a laugh (and make ya'll laugh!) from my interactions with the bad ones. And she really wasn't even unpleasant (just frustrating as all get-out!!) until she made that last comment. I thought about telling her manager but I figured that, since she insulted herself more than she insulted me, I wasn't gonna bother!

[Opti]

Thanks Frugalsuz the receipt obviously confuses me as well. Maybe I'll go to the customer service counter one of these trips and try to get a translation.
I was just trying to figure what my "store savings" are for my tracking spreadsheet and failed.

[misspt]

Nickyleey: I would definitely call her manager, email corporate, and email the district manager. Harris Teeter would not want a cashier representing their store like she did to you. I would have had a "teachable moment" with her and her manager right there, line behind me be damned.

[mizbear]

Most of the cashiers at my fave store are wonderful too- it's the baggers I could strangle.

[misspt]

p8nt and herekitty: Thank you ladies so much for the awesome coupon envies that were waiting for me when I got home this weekend! Herekitty and constanz, I have some envies headed your way!

[mizbear]

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[kathyattraverse]

Not sure if any of you read Precious' Frugal Makes Cents blog but she has decided to end it because of personal issues; one being the sudden loss of her dearest cousin. She is going to prioritize her life and focus on what is important. Lo and behold, I just wanted to share that I, me, KathyatTraverse, ended up in the ER yesterday in the middle of having a heart attack. I am still in shock and cannot believe that I am sitting in the hospital after having two stints put in an artery and two other arteries with blockage. I feel that I eat mostly healthy, exercise (yoga, pilates, hot yoga, walking) and am not overweight (or maybe 10 lbs). It is recommended that you have a colonoscopy at 50, mammograms at 40; they should have tests for checking clogged arteries (that is covered by insurance). Fortunately, I am feeling fine but have to stay in the hospital until Wed (72 mandatory hours). Thank goodness that I did not have to have my chest cracked open and that I am still here breathing and able to spend time with my children and grandchildren and dearest friends and my hound friends! Looking forward to going home and getting back to work. Haven't asked the doctor yet about work but I can't imagine that I have to be off. We'll see. So ladies take care of yourselves!!! Talk at ya soon.

[saveinla]

Mar 7, 2011 21:01:29 GMT -5 kathyattraverse said:

Not sure if any of you read Precious' Frugal Makes Cents blog but she has decided to end it because of personal issues; one being the sudden loss of her dearest cousin. She is going to prioritize her life and focus on what is important. Lo and behold, I just wanted to share that I, me, KathyatTraverse, ended up in the ER yesterday in the middle of having a heart attack. I am still in shock and cannot believe that I am sitting in the hospital after having two stints put in an artery and two other arteries with blockage. I feel that I eat mostly healthy, exercise (yoga, pilates, hot yoga, walking) and am not overweight (or maybe 10 lbs). It is recommended that you have a colonoscopy at 50, mammograms at 40; they should have tests for checking clogged arteries (that is covered by insurance). Fortunately, I am feeling fine but have to stay in the hospital until Wed (72 mandatory hours). Thank goodness that I did not have to have my chest cracked open and that I am still here breathing and able to spend time with my children and grandchildren and dearest friends and my hound friends! Looking forward to going home and getting back to work. Haven't asked the doctor yet about work but I can't imagine that I have to be off. We'll see. So ladies take care of yourselves!!! Talk at ya soon.

Kathy,
Glad to see that you are fine and posting so soon. Please rest and take care of your health and don't rush back to work.

[mizbear]

kathy- So glad you are ok! I will hop on the soapbox with you about colonoscopies and mammos- I will be 35 this year (laugh, I know somebody here will tell me I'm just a baby)- but 3 years ago my doctor sent me for a colonoscopy because I was having stomach problems and my uncle was diagnosed at 35 with stage 4 colon cancer (and lived following surgery, radiation and chemo)- they found a polyp- benign luckily- but they found a polyp in the exact same place where they found his cancer- if I had waited until 50- it would be bye-bye Bear. The same year, right after my grandfather's death from lung cancer, I got sent for an early mammo because we found a lump. We were lucky- it was a benign cyst cluster- but now I have one of those catch and release chips. Please listen to kathy and have your tests done. Many places still have reduced fee or free screenings available.

kathy- Take care of yourself!!

[CaptainDuck]

Awwww, Kathyattraverse, so sorry to hear about your heart attack, but so glad you are here and doing well. You're right, there should be an age when they start doing some tests just to check for clogged arteries. Take care and do what the Doc says.

[misspt]

Wow, Kathy, I am so glad you are OK. Please take it slow, and take care of yourself.

[nickyleey]

Mar 7, 2011 21:01:29 GMT -5 kathyattraverse said:

Not sure if any of you read Precious' Frugal Makes Cents blog but she has decided to end it because of personal issues; one being the sudden loss of her dearest cousin. She is going to prioritize her life and focus on what is important. Lo and behold, I just wanted to share that I, me, KathyatTraverse, ended up in the ER yesterday in the middle of having a heart attack. I am still in shock and cannot believe that I am sitting in the hospital after having two stints put in an artery and two other arteries with blockage. I feel that I eat mostly healthy, exercise (yoga, pilates, hot yoga, walking) and am not overweight (or maybe 10 lbs). It is recommended that you have a colonoscopy at 50, mammograms at 40; they should have tests for checking clogged arteries (that is covered by insurance). Fortunately, I am feeling fine but have to stay in the hospital until Wed (72 mandatory hours). Thank goodness that I did not have to have my chest cracked open and that I am still here breathing and able to spend time with my children and grandchildren and dearest friends and my hound friends! Looking forward to going home and getting back to work. Haven't asked the doctor yet about work but I can't imagine that I have to be off. We'll see. So ladies take care of yourselves!!! Talk at ya soon.

OMG Kathy - that is some serious stuff. Soooo glad you're OK and it wasn't too serious. My dad have to have a quadruple bypass about 15 years ago and the recovery was difficult. You are so lucky to get a second chance, but I'm sure you know that already. Take care and follow dr's orders!

[herekittykitty]

Good Lord, Kathy! So sorry to hear about this! You're living proof that you can do most of the right things and still have problems...I think genetics play a big part in some cases. Can they do anything about the other arteries, or are they not blocked enough to require interventions other than medication? I'll send some prayers up for a speedy recovery!

[jdnstl]

kathy - that is crazy! i'm so thankful you are OK & on here letting your virtual family know. heart attacks are serious issues.

[frugalsuz]

Mar 7, 2011 16:41:37 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

Hound Alert.

MM at RA.

Almay Bright eyes Eye Shadow @ 75% off. $2.12. Use $2 MQ from this week SS =0.12.Submit for SCR rebate $1 per item MAX 6. Also got a $2 UP for buying 3. ;D

Thanks for the deal hopetoberich!

Kathy - I'm so glad to hear you're ok! Take it easy and get some rest. We'll be thinking of you.

[dancinmama]

Mar 7, 2011 18:49:21 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

I am down to $6UP's I need to buy some almay to get a few new ones. I have about 8 $2 MQ. Does anyone have other ideas to get more UP's using coupons?

hopingtoberich: Starting 3/13 the Bumble Bee Chunk White Tuna will be $1.50 ea. You will buy (10) and get $1 UP for each and a $5 bonus UP for buying $15 worth. The limit is (2) so you can do the deal twice and you don't need ANY coupons (well, except UPs to pay your OOP). HTH