THE MARCH 2011 GROCERY CHALLENGE THREAD

[suziq38]

I went to CVS this morning and cashed in about 4 separate orders, one for each card.
I bought Phys Formula, Nature Made BOGOF, Oral B battery toothbrushes, Revitalens, and Crest toothpaste.
I am too tired to post the scenarios yet, but I did get to use the $4.00 off of $20.00 to help out.
One of the PF had a Try Me FREE sticker, so I will probably have it sent to my DS.

I came home somewhat tired, so I took a nap.
I had to use the motorized cart to get me around the store, LOL.

[dogmom]

P.S. Sorry for the rant Just feeling frustrated.

[mizbear]

Prices are getting soooo stupid. I am trying to be zen, so I will not rant but will instead drink my all ingredients bought on sale low sodium virgin V8 bloody mary!
Since I only buy TP, paper towels, etc every so often, I found that every once in a while I can cheapy deals through staples.com. Nothing freap or free, but better prices than what I am paying in the wally worlds, RAs and grocers, etc for the same products- and if I buy their brand 2 ply- which isn't that bad- I've had worse- it's actually pretty cheap. I still prefer free- but these places are starting to prevent deals.....

[murphath]

saveinla:
Thanks for the heads up on SW deal. I've been out of town a few days and actually just got back from SW. Haven't done the frozen food deal but did use the Dannon yogurt, Skippy, Simply Juice, Pepsi, RR meat q's plus some others. Saved 61%!
There are also $1 off $5 produce purchase. They were located by the Starbucks area (between Strabucks and produce area in a plastic holder on a big sign. Clear as mud, huh! MFA has a picture of the single card w/q. I took a bunch because produce is my fave purchase and I like to buy organic if I can. I think the exp. date is 8/11 so stock up!

We went to Vegas to see DD2 play in a basketball game between her med school and one in Vegas. I have to say, Vegas is definitely not my kind of town. Some of the hotels had some interesting things to see (Bellagio, Venetian), but all in all, it won't sadden me to not go back there. Besides, it was colder there than here! Whodda thunk!!?

Suziq: Glad you are back at it! Even if in an electric cart. Work it, girl!

[suziq38]

Feb 27, 2011 18:47:41 GMT -5 dogmom said:

P.S. Sorry for the rant Just feeling frustrated.

What rant??

[suziq38]

Feb 27, 2011 20:11:11 GMT -5 murphath said:

saveinla:
Thanks for the heads up on SW deal. I've been out of town a few days and actually just got back from SW. Haven't done the frozen food deal but did use the Dannon yogurt, Skippy, Simply Juice, Pepsi, RR meat q's plus some others. Saved 61%!
There are also $1 off $5 produce purchase. They were located by the Starbucks area (between Strabucks and produce area in a plastic holder on a big sign. Clear as mud, huh! MFA has a picture of the single card w/q. I took a bunch because produce is my fave purchase and I like to buy organic if I can. I think the exp. date is 8/11 so stock up!

We went to Vegas to see DD2 play in a basketball game between her med school and one in Vegas. I have to say, Vegas is definitely not my kind of town. Some of the hotels had some interesting things to see (Bellagio, Venetian), but all in all, it won't sadden me to not go back there. Besides, it was colder there than here! Whodda thunk!!?

Suziq: Glad you are back at it! Even if in an electric cart. Work it, girl!

Hi Murpath,
I hope that it was fun watching your DD2 play basketball.
I like to go as long as we are not paying for the hotel, LOL.
Thanks for the good wishes.

[jdnstl]

GDA - $1.50/1 Ben & Jerry’s (Facebook Coupon)–Load to Card?!

check out thecentsableshoppin.com for details!!!

[shelly527in]

Feb 27, 2011 10:09:35 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

Feb 27, 2011 1:14:10 GMT -5 shelly527in said:

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 many by then, but I'm sure he'll try! Thanks kitty!

Ooops...sorry! Didn't know some had expired! You are as "cruel" to your DH as I am to mine!

kitty LOL No problem, I think they just expired on 2/22 or so.

[saveinla]

Feb 27, 2011 20:11:11 GMT -5 murphath said:

saveinla:
Thanks for the heads up on SW deal. I've been out of town a few days and actually just got back from SW. Haven't done the frozen food deal but did use the Dannon yogurt, Skippy, Simply Juice, Pepsi, RR meat q's plus some others. Saved 61%!
There are also $1 off $5 produce purchase. They were located by the Starbucks area (between Strabucks and produce area in a plastic holder on a big sign. Clear as mud, huh! MFA has a picture of the single card w/q. I took a bunch because produce is my fave purchase and I like to buy organic if I can. I think the exp. date is 8/11 so stock up!

We went to Vegas to see DD2 play in a basketball game between her med school and one in Vegas. I have to say, Vegas is definitely not my kind of town. Some of the hotels had some interesting things to see (Bellagio, Venetian), but all in all, it won't sadden me to not go back there. Besides, it was colder there than here! Whodda thunk!!?

Suziq: Glad you are back at it! Even if in an electric cart. Work it, girl!

murphath, glad to help. I just came back from SW. Got the following items and tested the frozen food promo.

Skippy PB 2,
Kens salad dressing 2,
Eggo Waffles 2,
Lean pockets 3,
Quaker Instant oatmeal 1,
SW frozen Okra 2,
SW stir fry veggies 1,
Celesta pizza 1

and paid 8.80 for everything. My receipt says I saved 80%.

[saveinla]

Not sure who was looking for pampers kandoo wipes, but hip2save has a link on her site for requesting a 1$ Q that will be mailed to you. HTH.

[dancinmama]

Feb 27, 2011 18:13:51 GMT -5 dogmom said:

Reading everything you guys are saying almost makes me feel like I'm not alone on hounding "capers". There were a couple grocery items that we needed, and with gas prices as they are, I went to Jewel/Albertsons. Although with coupons, I cut the bill by 48%, but, I felt violated by the rising prices. And, I still couldn't get everything I was short on...but, I just couldn't justify their pricing... DH looked at me when I returned, and said "I guess you had to actually spend Money." Yes, I did, but, I did okay, but, I guess the great buys and the stockpiles are going to come in handy now. It didn't help that I had to burn EB this week at CVS. I know we'll use the coffee and the cereal, but neither was a great buy....UGH. Ms. Dancin, I guess that's how the coupon crumbles...

But, maybe you guys can come up with something special?

dogmom: Unfortunately, I think we all know that prices are going to get worse before they get better; but those of us who have worked hard to build stockpiles (and have at times been looked down upon for using coupons), will be the smart ones.

Don't feel bad about having to burn EBs. At least you got something that your family needs and will eat/drink, so you're still coming out ahead.

[marvholly]

I hit up assorted grocery stores and CVS/WAG several times per week. I always amazes me when I see LARGE orders w/NO coupons at the grocery stores. Case in point: was in Food4Less Sun am. Person in front of me had at least 4-6 different things I KNOW there were insert coupons on. I had not cut them as I do not use so no karma for me. I often see people at CVS just buying a cold drink. NO bag tag and they prob do this often. What a waste.

AFC had a thread that WAG has a warehouse distribution problem w/the Motrin. Sure. And I believe in Santa Claus, the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny at nearly 65 y/o. They ‘discovered’ the $6/2 coupon existed and were just unwilling to deal with the demand. I think it is time, when constant OOS on the first day of a sale and NO restocking during the sale happens, to start filing complaints with the FTC, BBB and my state attorney general. Complaints to corp or the mfg just get a tough $iXX response.

Suziq
NONE of the WAG or CVS here have the motorized carts, only the large chain grocers.

Dogmom
Actually, if you are talking about the Folger 11.5 oz at CVS this week and have the $1.50/1or the $2.50/2 (neither avail on coupons.com any more) coupon it is a pretty good deal.

[AJ CouponGG]

Just a reminder for everyone who does swagbucks. Today is the 3rd birthday, the codes will start relesing in about 45 minutes. I'm hoping to get enough todoay to earn another amazon gift card. If anyone is interested in joining let me know if you have questions and I'll get you a referral and I believe you can get 80 swagbucks today if you join. (It takes 450 to get a $5 amazon gift card), but who doesn't love free stuff Hope all is well for everyone it's rainy and wet here but at least it's not cold.

[nickyleey]

Feb 27, 2011 23:38:02 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Feb 27, 2011 18:13:51 GMT -5 dogmom said:

Reading everything you guys are saying almost makes me feel like I'm not alone on hounding "capers". There were a couple grocery items that we needed, and with gas prices as they are, I went to Jewel/Albertsons. Although with coupons, I cut the bill by 48%, but, I felt violated by the rising prices. And, I still couldn't get everything I was short on...but, I just couldn't justify their pricing... DH looked at me when I returned, and said "I guess you had to actually spend Money." Yes, I did, but, I did okay, but, I guess the great buys and the stockpiles are going to come in handy now. It didn't help that I had to burn EB this week at CVS. I know we'll use the coffee and the cereal, but neither was a great buy....UGH. Ms. Dancin, I guess that's how the coupon crumbles...

But, maybe you guys can come up with something special?

dogmom: Unfortunately, I think we all know that prices are going to get worse before they get better; but those of us who have worked hard to build stockpiles (and have at times been looked down upon for using coupons), will be the smart ones.

Don't feel bad about having to burn EBs. At least you got something that your family needs and will eat/drink, so you're still coming out ahead.

We were hanging out in our driveway Sunday (80 degrees !!) and our garage door was open. DH and DD were blowing bubbles and I was clipping coupons. Some neighbors stopped by and saw me clipping coupons and my little cereal stockpile in the garage and starting asking questions "You clip coupons?" "Wow - got enough cereal there?" etc etc. They thought I was a total WHACKADOO! We have about 16 boxes of cereal in the garage, which we'll probably go through in less than 8 weeks. I do not live in a wealthy area and I'm one of the few moms in the neighborhood that works outside the home. I know I don't have to make excuses for ya'll, but DH and I have very promising careers but we've been in school our whole lives and we have a mortgage and daycare to pay for. I dunno, I just felt like I got those "Oh you poor thing" looks from my neighbors, like I was homeless or something!

[saveinla]

Feb 28, 2011 9:18:32 GMT -5 AJ CouponGG said:

Just a reminder for everyone who does swagbucks. Today is the 3rd birthday, the codes will start relesing in about 45 minutes. I'm hoping to get enough todoay to earn another amazon gift card. If anyone is interested in joining let me know if you have questions and I'll get you a referral and I believe you can get 80 swagbucks today if you join. (It takes 450 to get a $5 amazon gift card), but who doesn't love free stuff Hope all is well for everyone it's rainy and wet here but at least it's not cold.

Code in the blog and is worth 10 bucks until 9 AM PST.

[jdnstl]

saveinla - is there a new blog post? all i see is the one from yesterday with the video as the latest.

[AJ CouponGG]

jdnstl: If you can't get the new blog post to open, pick an older one and then scroll down to bottom right side-you can sort the blogs by month now, so if you click on February it will show all February posts in row, and the top one is the latest-it has code near bottom of post....

[saveinla]

Feb 28, 2011 10:32:11 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

saveinla - is there a new blog post? all i see is the one from yesterday with the video as the latest.

jdnstl, It looks like they have a new blog page as part of the new look, but it keeps on timing out for me now. I got it just once and saw a code there and posted it. Just type in blog dot swagbucks dot com and you should get it. HTH

[GirlGreen]

Saturday I got free cranberry juice! Apparently if something rings up wrong (they had left last week's sale sign up) it's free at Acme!

And yesterday the Catalina print out (8) $1 off reach floss coupons for me. I'm not sure why it did that, but I'll be looking for a sale!

[mizbear]

I almost hurt someone over my Swagbucks- I use my mypoints alot- well apparently my sil took my swagbucks toolbar completely off the computer because "she doesn't like it."

[suziq38]

Suziq
NONE of the WAG or CVS here have the motorized carts, only the large chain grocers.

Marvholly,
Yes, I consider myself lucky.
The battery was even charged up, LOL.

[jdnstl]

ALERT - SB Code moved. checked the widget!

[suziq38]

At CVS:
First order, my card:
2 Oral B Crossaction Power toothbrushes $6.00 each
1 Revitalens contact lens solution $5.99
1 LA times $1.50

Total $19.49 plus $1.51 TAX $21.00
Minus $4.00/$20.00 store coupon
-$3.00 Oral B
-$6.00 Oral B BOGOF (YMMV)
-99 EB
-5.00 EB
4 items
Subtotal 50 cents plus the $1.51 tax, so I cleared out $2.01 with a Christmas CVS GC.

I received: $5.99 EB for the Revitalens and a $6.00 EB for the TWO power toothbrushes.
I had a GAIN for EB's on this one, but I had to pay the TAX.
I also liked getting a newspaper for the coupons.

[suziq38]

At CVS:
Second order MY Card:
2 Crest Toothpastes $3.29 each
2 Nature Made Vitamin C (500mg) $6.99 BOGOF
2 Mrs. Calls pecan carmels (33 cents each)
1 Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Correcting Primer Try Me Free sticker attached $10.99

Minus:
$4.00 off of $20.00 Store coupon
2 $3.00 off of Nature Made Vitamins
2 $1.00 off coupons for the Crest toothpastes
- $3.00 EB
-$10.00 EB

7 items

Subtotal 22 cents plus $2.02 Ca Tax
Total paid with my Christmas CVS GC: $2.24

Received: $6.58 EB for the two Crest toothpastes, plus a $7.00 EB for the PF makeup.
I also will download the form and use the TMF sticker plus original receipt to get $10.99 back in a check.

Yes I did spend $13.00 in EB's, but I received $13.58 in new EB's, PLUS I will get the $10.99 check in the mail.

I also got the vitamins, Crest, candy, and PF makeup as a side bonus for my ever-growing stockpile.

The only downside to this order is that I had to pay the $2.02 California Tax. Our tax is 9.75%!!!!!!
Something to consider, but still worth it for me because I had to "recycle" the EB's because of expiration dates anyway.

[dancinmama]

Feb 28, 2011 9:38:06 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Feb 27, 2011 23:38:02 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

dogmom: Unfortunately, I think we all know that prices are going to get worse before they get better; but those of us who have worked hard to build stockpiles (and have at times been looked down upon for using coupons), will be the smart ones.

Don't feel bad about having to burn EBs. At least you got something that your family needs and will eat/drink, so you're still coming out ahead.

We were hanging out in our driveway Sunday (80 degrees !!) and our garage door was open. DH and DD were blowing bubbles and I was clipping coupons. Some neighbors stopped by and saw me clipping coupons and my little cereal stockpile in the garage and starting asking questions "You clip coupons?" "Wow - got enough cereal there?" etc etc. They thought I was a total WHACKADOO! We have about 16 boxes of cereal in the garage, which we'll probably go through in less than 8 weeks. I do not live in a wealthy area and I'm one of the few moms in the neighborhood that works outside the home. I know I don't have to make excuses for ya'll, but DH and I have very promising careers but we've been in school our whole lives and we have a mortgage and daycare to pay for. I dunno, I just felt like I got those "Oh you poor thing" looks from my neighbors, like I was homeless or something!

nickyleey: Don't let it bother you. You're the smart one. My neighbors would be totally SHOCKED if they knew what I did in my spare time, but at this point (with prices continuing to increase) I look at my stockpiles like money in the bank.

[dancinmama]

Feb 28, 2011 10:53:13 GMT -5 GirlGreen said:

Saturday I got free cranberry juice! Apparently if something rings up wrong (they had left last week's sale sign up) it's free at Acme!

And yesterday the Catalina print out (8) $1 off reach floss coupons for me. I'm not sure why it did that, but I'll be looking for a sale!

If they did this at my Safeway, I'd be getting free products right and left and the error is almost always in THEIR favor. Yesterday when I bought (4) packages of chicken I thought my total seemed kind of high so I reviewed the receipt and sure enough they owed me $2.99.

This happens ALL THE TIME at Safeway and the way that everything shows on their receipts DOES NOT make it easy to figure out when, if, and where an error was made. If I had had a $50 receipt, I probably would not have caught it.

[AJ CouponGG]

Feb 28, 2011 11:01:44 GMT -5 mizbear said:

I almost hurt someone over my Swagbucks- I use my mypoints alot- well apparently my sil took my swagbucks toolbar completely off the computer because "she doesn't like it."

LOL I had the same issue with DH at the beginning....then he realized I felt the same way about my swagbucks as I do about coupons.....so he has a hands off policy now. But I let him use the amazon gift cards so he likes it. ;D

[hopetoberich]

I just earned the $3/$15 RA for taking the survey online at the bottom of the receipt. I think you can do it more than once so when i go today i will look out for it on my new receipt.
My plan is, 2 Tiny gain, one tide and $3 worth of fillers.That should get me to $15.
I was checking out my stock pile and things look good. I am heading towards 2 years worth of some things.
I will mail out the Huggies mq today.

[constanz22]

Interesting...went to two RA's at lunch for snacks. I bought 5 Combo's at store #1, got to store #2 and they had signs up saying there was a household limit of 4 on the snacks. I got all 5 Ups at store #1 and then bought 2 more at store #2 and got the Ups. Anyone else see these signs or have problems getting their Ups for the snacks? I got all of mine, but, thought the limit sign was odd. Either there is a limit and only that many Ups should print, or there isn't...

Then ran to Wags and pretty much left empty handed. Totally OOS of the Motrin PM. Of course...I didn't even bother to get a rain check. They probably won't restock. I did get 7 small bags of Purina One dog food that was free with the $2/1 coupon that expired today.

[saveinla]

Feb 28, 2011 12:33:42 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Interesting...went to two RA's at lunch for snacks. I bought 5 Combo's at store #1, got to store #2 and they had signs up saying there was a household limit of 4 on the snacks. I got all 5 Ups at store #1 and then bought 2 more at store #2 and got the Ups. Anyone else see these signs or have problems getting their Ups for the snacks? I got all of mine, but, thought the limit sign was odd. Either there is a limit and only that many Ups should print, or there isn't...

Then ran to Wags and pretty much left empty handed. Totally OOS of the Motrin PM. Of course...I didn't even bother to get a rain check. They probably won't restock. I did get 7 small bags of Purina One dog food that was free with the $2/1 coupon that expired today.

constanz,
My RA did not have any signs, but they don't have much of a stock anyways. I don't like any of the snacks that are on sale this week, except for the Stax and we already have a few cans of it which is all that will be used.
My WAGS had total of 5 of the 20ct Motrin PM. I rarely get to shop at Wags first thing on a Sunday, so I took 4 of them and used my 2 IPQs. They did not have the Pringles grab and go which is what I was actually shopping for. They said that I should come back on Thursday since the truck comes in on Wednesday.