THE GROCERY CHALLENGE

[suziq38]

I usually buy about 6 fliers every week with my "bucks." These are from the LA TIMES, so the coupons are good.
If the coupons are just OK, I will drop down and buy only 4 newspapers.

Ii also get about 6 more fliers from family, friends and neighbors. These fliers usually come a couple of weeks later, as they think to get them to me.
Also, there are smaller "throw away" papers that are in Spanish and delivered to most households in our area.

I never know what kind of coupons they will have, but I feel fortunate to have these as "extras."

[debinwa]

I noticed there is a $1 off coupon when you buy 1 Nabisco cookies and a gallon of milk on Facebook. I stopped printing at 5-- not sure how many it would let you print.

[dancinmama]

CHALLENGE TUSCAN STYLE BUTTER: DEAD DEAL

I printed (3) more coupons and did another trip at Safeway and CVS. When I checked the end-date for the sale on the Challenge butter it was TODAY (1/1). Kind of an odd time for something to go "off sale" at Safeway, but it is what it is.

I was able to get two more nail clippers at CVS. The food pantry is going to LOVE those.

[shelly527in]

Jan 1, 2011 11:02:39 GMT -5 @carolinagirl said:

Welcome Redruby! I am a newbie of only two weeks myself. I will recommend on page 3 or 7 of this post is a handbook. Print it off and read it. sounds boring but it opened my eyes to see how it is done. Next follow this everyday. and the other recommended site. I like Hot coupon world. seems easier for me to link coupons with flyers. Yesterday I went on my first excursion and spent 9.60 (more than most these girls, but very good for me) I got two boxes of name brand cereal, Dawn dish detergent, body wash, 4 cans of soup, and some chocolate. I know each week I will get better b/c of the gals here. Just take a deep breath and do one transaction at a time. Hope that helps some. My DH has been unemployeed since July and we went from a 100K household to a 40K household.

You can do it!

carolina girl Great advice! I exalted you.

[carolinagirl]

aw...thanks, Shelly!

[marvholly]

As a single person household I never need more than 2 copies of any weekly inserts. This week I will buy one paper (at Dollar Tree) and grab a set from my Dad's paper.

The Kraft cheese deal was (as I recall) sometime in early-mid Nov. I did the deal 2x for me and once for DD2. However, my Food4Less is a PITA re: internet (IP) coupons. Sometimes they let me use them and sometimes not. Mgr on duty told me "only up to $2 and NO freebies." However, half the cashiers have NO clue. Just have to watch for a young person.

Next time I have issues there I am filing an on-line complaint w/Kroger. EVERYTIME I have done this (2xCVS, 2xWAG, Jewel) I have gotten a significant gift card.

[constanz22]

I may have found a new resource for inserts! I used to have a local gas station that let me pull extra inserts on Sunday nights and I would generally get anywhere from 8-40 extra inserts per week. They stopped letting me do this several months ago, but, since I had already built SUCH a great stockpile, WHILE I COULD, it really wasn't an issue to only get a couple sets a week. I get one paper delivered, will buy one if the coupons are good and usually get 1-2 a week from co-workers (but I can't depend on this).
Well, there is a little "corner store" that just opened here, maybe 6 months ago, and I've been meaning to stop in and ask, cuz, we all know that "if you don't ask, the answer is already NO". I stopped this morning, bought a paper and asked about extra inserts and he said he'd be HAPPY to save extras for me and took my name and number! I don't think I'll get a ton cuz there were only 3 papers on the counter, unless he has more somewhere, but, he said he usually does have extras! Even a few a week would be AWESOME. I don't need a ton anymore. I am very happy

[ooty1234]

Since the move, the Red Plum comes with the grocery ads on weds. (bummer) but since I live in an apt bldg with all the mailboxes together, I dig a few out of the trash can. I am not obsessive about it just yet, but have rescued about six this week. Seems a waste of money to buy the paper for 2.00 for just one SS or PG. Haven't been out yet today to buy papers, but am off soon to do that.

[dancinmama]

Jan 2, 2011 9:43:49 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

I may have found a new resource for inserts! I used to have a local gas station that let me pull extra inserts on Sunday nights and I would generally get anywhere from 8-40 extra inserts per week. They stopped letting me do this several months ago, but, since I had already built SUCH a great stockpile, WHILE I COULD, it really wasn't an issue to only get a couple sets a week. I get one paper delivered, will buy one if the coupons are good and usually get 1-2 a week from co-workers (but I can't depend on this).
Well, there is a little "corner store" that just opened here, maybe 6 months ago, and I've been meaning to stop in and ask, cuz, we all know that "if you don't ask, the answer is already NO". I stopped this morning, bought a paper and asked about extra inserts and he said he'd be HAPPY to save extras for me and took my name and number! I don't think I'll get a ton cuz there were only 3 papers on the counter, unless he has more somewhere, but, he said he usually does have extras! Even a few a week would be AWESOME. I don't need a ton anymore. I am very happy

constance: Great job!! All it takes is one store to say "YES" and you're good to go. And I totally agree that once you have a decent stockpile of most of the items that you use regularly, you don't really need a ton of inserts anymore.

Before I was able to pull mega sets of inserts, one of the hounds that was able to, helped me out several times and saved me a boatload of money. I swore that if I ever got the opportunity, I would "pay it forward" so to speak. Sending out mega-multiples of a coupon or coupons to someone in answer to a HOUND ALERT was almost as fun as if I were clipping them for myself. SERIOUSLY!! Sadly, those days are gone. Thank goodness for my ma and pa liquor stores. Those guys are THE BEST!!

[bluecluessubtlety]

NAG - liquid for baby wipes?
My son left the container open on baby wipes. Anything I can add something to make them wet again? It's a new container.

[misspt]

From TipNut:
4 cups boiling water
4 TBS Johnson’s baby bath soap
4 TBS Johnson’s baby lotion
1 roll Bounty Paper Towels (cut in half)
2 airtight containers to fit paper towels

However, I have added a small amount of water to ready made wipes, then squeeze the water through them, then soak up the excess, and keep on adding water until the wipes are moist again and there is only a few drops of excess moisture in the container. I only use water b/c the wipes already have a moisturizing additive on them. If they were really dried out, I would try the mixture above.

[arkie]

Dec 31, 2010 10:48:03 GMT -5 misspt said:

Happy New Year, y'all (channeling Paula Deen's voice)! I'm off to do 1 hr 40 minutes of yoga in my P90X program.

I do P90X as well, but haven't had time since I'm now in EMT school..will pick it back up around March when I finish. The Yoga is a killer because my body just doesn't want to twist and hold like Tony does.

[misspt]

Arkie:I can twist and hold, it's just the sheer amount of yoga, by the time you get to the balance postures (the one-leg table), I am ready to fall to the floor. I love the challenge, though. Today is the brutal 17 minute ab workout with back and arms, I think.

[Sam_2.0]

The $2.25 Finish coupon is back!!! I just bought 40 on eBay to get me & my mom stocked up for the year on dish detergent At CVS 1/9, it will end up being a huge MM deal:

7 boxes of Finish = $21
-7 coupons = $5.25
4/20 (saving this for the deal!) = $1.25
And get back $10 EB!!

That makes it a $8.75 MM. I am so stinkin happy about this deal Going to max it out on both of my cards, and maybe even my sister's (she does not have a dishwasher).

[misspt]

Why I buy coupons:
My state has only one main set of inserts. The coastal papers get the pet food and huggies coupons, but I have to drive 15 minutes to a not-so-great part of town to get them. Otherwise, there is no difference in the coupons for the 3 metro papers in our state. I usually get 1-2 sets of our coupons from a friend and then buy the rest from madcoupons, b/c I subscribe to the monthly service and I usually get the inserts by Tuesday. Today, I bought 2 sets of papers and these are the coupons that we get (LOCC):
SS (only 1):
$1/1 Carnation Breakfast
$3/1 Boost
.60/2 V8 juice
.50/1 V8 lower sodium juice
.35/3 Chef Boyardee
1.50/1 Glucerna
.60/3 hunt's pudding
$1/1 Energizer batteries
$1/1 Ziploc big bags/totes
$1/1 Lysol spray
$1/2 lysol wipes
$1/2 toilet bowl cleaners (lysol)
$1/2 lysol bathroom cleaner
$1/2 Lysol pourable cleaners
$1/2 Lysol All Purpose cleaners triggers, or kitchen
$2/2 Malt-o-Meal Cereals
.75/1 colgate max white, max fresh, sensitive
.50/1 any colgate
BOGO airwick warmer unit WYB scented oil fragrance refill
BOGO Airwick freshmatic refill
$4/1 air wick freshmatic ultra starter kit
$1/1 Airwick scented oil twin refill pack or 2 single refills
$3/1 Airwick compace i-motion starter kit
$1/1 Blink tears
$1/1 12 oz or larger Complete multi purpose solution
$1/1 complete blink-n-clean
$1.50/1 Tena product
$5/1 hydroxycut
$1/1 Sargento Fridge pack
.50/1 Sargento Natural cheese pack
$1/1 Tyson frozen grilled & ready fillets
$1/1 Tyson frozen grilled & ready strips
$1/2 Tyson frozen grilled & ready strips
NO OTHER SMARTSOURCE IN OUR PAPERS

Redplum #1
$3/1 slimshots
$3/1 i-flex
$1/1 goodlife recipe food for cats
$1/1 Pedigree Goodbites

Redplum #2
$2/1 L'Oreal Cosmetic Face Product
$5/2 L'Oreal Cosmetic Face Products
$1/1 EverSleek, EverPure or EverStrong Shampoo
$1/1 Eversleek, EverPure or EverStrong Treatment
$2/1 L'Oreal Skincare product
$1/1 L'Oreal Root Rescue
$2/1 L'Oreal haircolor
$1/1 Jimmy Dean D-lights sandwich
.55/1 Jimmy Dean d-lights bowls
$1/1 Sensodyne ProNamel toothpaste
.75/1 Sensodyne (any)
$1/1 Goody's 16ct. headache powder
$1/1 BC 18 ct headaceh powder

General Mills:
.40/1 Fiber One chewy bars
.50 Fiber one yogurt
.40/6 yoplait cup yogurt
.50/8 yoplait cup yogurt
.75/2 gogurt, yoplait trix
.50/1 splitz yogurt
.75/2 nature valley granola bars or clusters
$1/3 GM cereals
.50/1 yoplus yogurt pack
.60/2 yoplait greek yogurt
.50/1 yoplait delights
$1/1 yoplait frozen smoothie
$1/4 progresso
.50/2 betty crocker fruit snacks
.75/2 frozen pillsbury grands
.40/2 pillsbury sweet rolls
.40/2 crescent rolls
.30/2 grands refrigerated biscuits
$1/2 cookie dough
.40/2 italian meal breads
.50/2 pillsbury toaster strudel
$1.50/1 Romano's macaroni grill
$1.50/1 Wanchai ferry
.60/3 GG frozen boxed vegetables
.75/2 hamburger helper
.50/2 chex mix
$1/2 Romano's mac grill, wanchai ferry, or good earth rest. favorites
.50/2 GG fresh steamers

That's it for my area's coupons on the "best coupon day of the year." That's why I buy my coupons, b/c I can't get the better coupons from anyone in my rural area.

[misspt]

P.S. No liquor stores are open on Sunday, so they don't sell papers. The drugstores do sell papers, but they only get 10 copies each, so they are sold out by 11 a.m. and the newspaper people won't let me get their extras from their newspaper bin, so no extras for free if we do happen to get a good coupon in our area.

[misspt]

Sam: I saw that coupon on madcoupons preview. I am excited to see that deal coming up, thanks for the heads-up on that deal. I exalted you.

[mizbear]

Hi everybody! I'm back. Things have been crazy.

On the grocery front:
I saved at my main grocery store alone in 2010- over $760! I think that is pretty good for just me. I haven't had to buy any toothpaste or toothbrushes since last January's stock up- in fact I had to give away some of the toothpaste because I over bought- lesson learned on BOGO toothpaste- but I had just enough toothbrushes.
My printer died, so I am looking for a new one because I can't print Q's right now and our local paper has very few good coupons. If I can stay in the newspaper guys' good graces I might be able to land Sunday coupon stuffers for awhile.
Getting ready to go get coupons from my grandmother's house and then go hit CVS and possibly WAGs.
Oh and I had to replace my truck- so I bought a new car, but I was able to get something fuel efficient- brand new car off the used car lot- got all the new car warranties at a used car price and will have it paid off early thanks to some feisty budgeting.

[dancinmama]

Jan 2, 2011 13:21:51 GMT -5 mizbear said:

Hi everybody! I'm back. Things have been crazy.

On the grocery front:
I saved at my main grocery store alone in 2010- over $760! I think that is pretty good for just me. I haven't had to buy any toothpaste or toothbrushes since last January's stock up- in fact I had to give away some of the toothpaste because I over bought- lesson learned on BOGO toothpaste- but I had just enough toothbrushes.
My printer died, so I am looking for a new one because I can't print Q's right now and our local paper has very few good coupons. If I can stay in the newspaper guys' good graces I might be able to land Sunday coupon stuffers for awhile.
Getting ready to go get coupons from my grandmother's house and then go hit CVS and possibly WAGs.
Oh and I had to replace my truck- so I bought a new car, but I was able to get something fuel efficient- brand new car off the used car lot- got all the new car warranties at a used car price and will have it paid off early thanks to some feisty budgeting.

mizbear: So glad you made it over. How are you feeling?

Good job on the car. I think this is probably going to be the cheapest time to buy a car for a very long time.

[dancinmama]

Sam: Good eye on the Finish Qs and CVS deal. I do not need any dishwasher detergent (I have been using the SAME 45 oz. bottle of liquid Cascade since 4/10/10), but DSis LOVES the gelpacks. I hope I get enough coupons tonight to do the deal at least one time for her.

[mawmawandlovingit]

Does anyone know if the Sinex is on sale and included in the RR deal at Walgreens?

[dancinmama]

FREE ELECTROSOL THIS WEEK AT WAGS: If you don't have a CVS, but DO have a WAGs, you can get it for FREE after Q and RR there.

$3.49 1 Electrasol 20ct
- 2.25 Electrosol MC (1/2 SS)
1.24 OOP --> $1.50RR

So it's a $.26 MM before tax.

[dancinmama]

Jan 2, 2011 14:11:47 GMT -5 @mawmawandlovingit said:

Does anyone know if the Sinex is on sale and included in the RR deal at Walgreens?

mawmaw: It is a month-long deal. YEAH!!

[mawmawandlovingit]

Dancin do you know what the deal is? I cannot seem to find it

[dancinmama]

Jan 2, 2011 14:19:49 GMT -5 @mawmawandlovingit said:

Dancin do you know what the deal is? I cannot seem to find it

I'm assuming that you want the Sinex?

$20.00 (4) Sinex @ $5.00 ea.
- 16.00 (4) $4/1 MCs (12/26 P&G)
4.00 OOP --> $10RR (when you buy $20 worth)

It's posted on iheartwags under January monthly RR deals.

[dancinmama]

$.50 LUNCHABLES @ TARGET: I have CRS so bad that it really ticks me off sometimes. I have sent Lunchables coupons to a couple of you gals (Ohio Sitter and/or mommyinmissouri). Anyway, if you go to myfrugaladventures and her post for this weeks Target deals, she has a link to a printable so that you can get the Lunchables for $.50. I know it is not as good as those that you've gotten for free, but if you need them it's better than full price.

[bella]

Redplum Q for EggBeaters. My husband eats this and boy, is it expensive. If anyone could send me Qs I would be happy to pass along any other Qs. Email me at boyette52 at hotmail dot com. Thanks. I just typed a paragraph about getting the reindeer ornaments at CVS yesterday and don't know where it went. Anyway, I had been wanting them and since I had a $5/$25 and then the red box gave me a $3.50 and I DID find all 9, well, just had to go for it! I also got Dawn for free.

[nickyleey]

Jan 1, 2011 22:19:20 GMT -5 @babyjay said:

yay! I hope this is true, most of my food stockpile items come from Harris Teeter, and I can't afford to shop there without coupons... their prices are outrageous!



Hey babyjay - USUALLY, the info on hcw is correct. Southern savers dot com is also a great resource. She has a printable grocery list where you can check off the items you want to buy and links to internet coupons and references to inserts. HT is super expensive, but their sales and coupon events are awesome!

[triciag]

Hi Ladies! I used to post a few years ago on the old grocery challenge. I followed you all over to the new boards, and decided to pop out of lurker status to say Hi and thanks for posting all your great deals!

Is anyone else doing the Wisk deal at CVS this week? I'm trying to stock up on HE detergent for my front load washer that I'll be getting when I move into my new home in a few weeks. $1 a bottle seems like a good price:

Buy 5 Wisk @ $5 each = $25
Use 5 $2 Q (1/2 RP) = $15
Get 10 EB wyb $25 = $5 after EB

I'm seriously hoping for a $5/$25 this week to make it free after EB, and praying that my stores have the HE "flavor" in stock!

[nickyleey]

bluesclues - this has happened to me before and I just open up the lid and hold the box under the running faucet for a second. Close the box and shake it and see if the wipes are sufficiently moist. Repeat if necessary! Easy and cheap and works like a charm!