THE GROCERY CHALLENGE

[weaselfer]

Jan 3, 2011 9:10:58 GMT -5 mrslynch said:

i am so glad that the topic of brand loyalty came up. i'm starting to plan for my first couponing trip and there are certain hba that i cannot buy anything other than specific brands. for instance, due to a medical condition, my dh must use a certain type of shampoo or his condition flares up. this particular brand of shampoo is never on sale and i have never seen a coupon for it. ever. how do you reconcile these types of situations?

on the plus side, i've read through the entire handbook and have started combing websites for coupons. i've also: figured out a coupon-tracking system that, for now, will work; cleared out a pantry closet to start the stockpile; and completely outlined how i'm going to document the adventure on my blog (i've found that if i write about it, i'm more apt to follow through). additionally, i'm trying to keep up with this thread but does it move fast! oy!

Also, never be so sure that I coupon will not exist. My FIL likes to use T-Gel shampoo which would never have a coupon but about 2 years ago there were several so I stocked up on it for him. DH is picky about his bodywash and shampoo, so I stock up for him when I can get Q and sale on his items, but I'm less picky, so I take what I save on me and spend that on him. So, I am still spending a lot less than I used to.

[jdnstl]

Jan 3, 2011 9:39:10 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

The coupons I got were for the 20 oz. bottles...not the small ones that are always on sale for $1 or less. Did everyone get the same coupons?


OMG! Constance! This may be true. Will someone else check? I have already used the coupons and done the deal, but if it does say 20 oz....OOPS!
If so, I will delete my post. No wonder the deal was so good. The picture was exactly like the bottles I bought.
This goes to show you that errors can be easily made.
Look at the size if it looks too good to be true.

Thanks, Constance.

suzi q - many times you can use a coupon on a product in the same family even if it's not specifically what is on the q. for example, one of my cashiers taught me that huggies diaper coupons work for huggies wipes. the coupon says specifically diapers but they are coded for any huggies brand item. so far every one i've used for wipes has scanned with no beeps whatsoever. if you didn't realize it was for the large bottles & the coupon didn't beep, this coupon is coded for any size bottle of palmolive. and you got lucky with a good cashier.

[jdnstl]

re: brand loyalty...yes, there are a few things i am brand loyal about. examples: i ONLY use fresh step scoopable cat litter. don't like clay litter & nothing else keeps the smell in check as well as FS. also, tried a couple of different litters and one of my cats hated them all & decided the couch was the best place to tinkle & the rug in the bathroom was the best place to go #2. so NEVER again will i stray from FS. DH really likes the axe deo & spray. he'll use the other stuff but if i can get him axe that's what he really wants. he is extremely picky about pasta sauce. i can't get ragu or any old sauce. he finally found one he likes where they do have coupons once in a while so last time it went on sale ($1 ea) i bought 30 jars (back in sept. i think) we are down to 5-6. according to the dentist i need to be more picky when choosing toothpaste for me. i need "sensitive" kinds, not any certain brand but as long as it helps strengthen the enamel. there's probably more but don't need to write a whole chapter on our likes & dislikes. LOL.

[allysgrandma]

Hello everyone. I am new and admit being overwhelmed by all the pages at the other board, so when I found out the boards were closing and you all were moving over here, I decided to try to keep up! But you are up to 21 pages already!

I just recently started couponing and paying attention more to ads. I have become unexpectedly disabled, so I have more time since I am not working anymore. However, with only my DH and myself, I already have enough shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash and deodorant to last an entire year. I will still be watching closely and making donations to the local homeless or women's shelters.

I live in Northern Coastal California, LOND!! We only get smartsource 1 in our local paper. The last time I bought a SF Chronicle, it had no PG insert. I spent Christmas in Reno (my two older daughters live there) and was lucky enough to score the latest while there. I am thinking of bribing my daughters to buy the Sunday Reno paper and mailing me the inserts!

I think my favorite bargain so far as Secret Clinical in CVS at the end of the aisle for 99 cents! I think they changed the box style. This was just this last month. I bought 3 and then went back and bought the last 5. All three of my daughters like to use it, but found it so expensive. I used them as stocking stuffers. Luckily the girls are used to my nutty bargain gifts.

So I am looking foward do 2011 and working on my couponing efforts along with the rest of you.

I have a blog that I intend to contribute more to this year if anyone is bored silly:

[jdnstl]

ohiositter - i'm sending an evie today. i'm very sorry if any of the q's expired. i was waiting for my stamps to arrive, then went out of town for Christmas, then got back & had a lot of adjustments with the DH's new schedule & DS going back to daycare.

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 9:25:12 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Jan 3, 2011 9:10:58 GMT -5 mrslynch said:

i am so glad that the topic of brand loyalty came up. i'm starting to plan for my first couponing trip and there are certain hba that i cannot buy anything other than specific brands. for instance, due to a medical condition, my dh must use a certain type of shampoo or his condition flares up. this particular brand of shampoo is never on sale and i have never seen a coupon for it. ever. how do you reconcile these types of situations?

on the plus side, i've read through the entire handbook and have started combing websites for coupons. i've also: figured out a coupon-tracking system that, for now, will work; cleared out a pantry closet to start the stockpile; and completely outlined how i'm going to document the adventure on my blog (i've found that if i write about it, i'm more apt to follow through). additionally, i'm trying to keep up with this thread but does it move fast! oy!

mrslynch So glad you have joined us and that is a great question! If the shampoo your DH needs is sold at the drug stores or other stores that you are going to be couponing at, what I would do is buy it with excess "rewards", EB's, RR's, +Ups that you have earned from other deals. It is perfectly ok to burn these on things you NEED but don't want to pay a lot for!
The other thing you can do, is if/when you have a coupon like at $5/25 purchase, get the shampoo with that order since you are essentially getting $5 worth of free products. I'm sure some of the other ladies will also chime in with ideas for you!

Nope, constanz, you STOLE my idea.

mrslynch: Seriously, what constanz suggested is EXACTLY what we do when we use something regularly that never/rarely goes on sale and/or coupons are never printed for.

Once you get your coupons and start playing the game regularly, there will be many, many opportunities to get any health, beauty, hygiene, household, and some food items for free at the major drug chains.

One additional suggestion which may or may not work, but is worth a try. Call the 1-800 number for the manufacturer of the product (usually found on the package) and ASK if they might have some coupons that they can send you. Also, if a doctor recommended the product, and you find yourself out or really low (some DHes forget to tell us when they are low on things ) call the dr's office and see if they might have a sample or two that you can pick up.

[dancinmama]

allysgrandma: WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge from me - dancinmama!!

One total misconception about participating here is that you need to "keep up". Most of the things that we discuss from day to day are the deals for that week. Those discussions are totally meaningless after the sale ends.

Another is that we are "intimidating". If we are, we really don't mean to be. Yes, some of us (okay, that probably includes me ) are pretty hard-core, but we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to teach ANY newbie that has the desire to learn and in no time it seems like they've been part of the group forever.

So please stick around and have fun with us while we ALL (thinking of hatoo here) save a boatload of money.

[mrslynch]

suziq/weasel--yes, it is t-gel. and it is a freaking fortune! i have seen it go on sale once or twice but that is few and far between.
constanz/dancinmama--thanks for the suggestions! i'm going to add "call neutrogena" to my to-do list.
jdnstl--i, too, am in the "i can only use certain toothpaste" category. i must use colgate brand and i get even pickier after that. it's frustrating because i see crest on sale a lot more often than colgate and i cannot use crest at all.

[hatoo]

Jan 2, 2011 19:55:59 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jan 2, 2011 19:52:26 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

I think Hatoo deserves an "exalt" for that one!!

Trust me, she got more than that!!

Dancinmama took good care of me with a rebate check. Generous, and not necessary but sooooo sweet! There are really good people on this board.

Hi to all the newbies! So nice to see everybody participating.

[hatoo]

OSCAR MEYERS: hey all, I got to the Oscar Meyers printables too late, and they're no longer available. I was going to send some to Carolinagirl, so if any of you have some to spare, please send 'em her way.

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 9:51:11 GMT -5 mandyms said:

Hi all,

I had a great deal opportunity at Giant Eagle this weekend. They had Sundown vitamins BOGO AND are they are doing double coupons ($1 and up = $2). I would end up getting about 5 bottles for free. So I went on Friday, the SECOND day after the ad came out and they were OUT! I went and asked for a raincheck and asked about having the coupons double as well. Got a big fat no..."we're only on our second day of ad." Yes, I was well aware of that, and was expecting to having items in stock.

It's frustrating, b/c I have very limited time to grocery shop and it's on the weekends. So trying to hound at a store I don't usually is SUPER frustrating if things don't work out. I will have to call this afternoon to see if they got anymore over the weekend and hopefully pick some up after I pick up DD from daycare.

mandy: WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge from me - dancinmama!! It sounds like you are super busy, but hopefully you'll be able to check in with us from time to time.

You have every right to be frustrated. Time is a critical issue in what we do - both in the time we spend clipping, planning, and shopping and the time any particular deal is available.

How long do rain checks last before they expire at Giant Eagle? What is the expiration date on the coupons that you have? And how often do they do a double coupon promotion like the one they're having now?

Sometimes if it is a killer deal, it is worth the time to get to another Giant Eagle. OR sometimes going in and asking for the same "favor" (not really, but we'll call it that) from a different manager works too.

Another tactic is to call customer service and explain to them that the store was out and did not want to give you a rain check on the item AND the double coupon promotion. Sometimes customer service will "give you the hookup" (okay, I admit it - I have a son in his 20s - ha ha ha) and sometimes they won't.

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 10:42:54 GMT -5 @hatoo said:

Jan 2, 2011 19:55:59 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Trust me, she got more than that!!

Dancinmama took good care of me with a rebate check. Generous, and not necessary but sooooo sweet! There are really good people on this board.

Hi to all the newbies! So nice to see everybody participating.

hatoo: I never forgot ALL (ha ha ha) that you had done for me. I patiently waited for a time when I could do something nice for you in return. I was so glad to hear that you had not done that rebate so that I could send it for you and not only repay you for your kindness and generosity, but for all that darn postage!! Sheeshk!!

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 10:40:15 GMT -5 mrslynch said:

suziq/weasel--yes, it is t-gel. and it is a freaking fortune! i have seen it go on sale once or twice but that is few and far between.
constanz/dancinmama--thanks for the suggestions! i'm going to add "call neutrogena" to my to-do list.
jdnstl--i, too, am in the "i can only use certain toothpaste" category. i must use colgate brand and i get even pickier after that. it's frustrating because i see crest on sale a lot more often than colgate and i cannot use crest at all.

mrslynch: I THINK I may have seen a coupon for $/ANY Neutrogena product. I believe most recently there may have been some in a Safeway coupon booklet that they distributed in-store. I used them on a MM soap deal at WAGs.

I suffer from CRS something awful, but will try to remember that you're looking for Neutrogena Qs and will pass some on to you if I find them.

[ohmomto2boys]

Good morning and Happy 2011!!!
RA question - the $4/$20 we got for watching the Beauty VV's - is that Q ONLY for Beauty items or can I use it on anything over $20??
Thanks for your help.

[AJ CouponGG]

Mandy- I also have Giant Eagle. Rainchecks at Giant Eagle do not have an expiration date. Unfortuantely I have had a similar situation to yours at my store in Ohio. I'm not sure which state you are in but a friend from the old pages had one in west virginia and she and I had similar experiences. My guess is that the staff at the customer service was probably overwhelmed this weekend and confused about the deals. I would suggest calling back and asking to speak to the manager. Explain the deal you wanted, when you were there and what you were told by the employees. Explain that you do not have time to make multiple trips to the store in one week when there is no stock and that you want a raincheck. They can and will write you a raincheck, and they can write on their that coupon doubles (I have made them staple the ad or flier that states double coupons and I put my coupons with it. Once I contacted the manager I have never had a problem. The key is sometimes going up wrung in the ladder if you have to. Unfortunately sometimes you have to go so far as call the customer service number on your giant eagle card. I had to do it once or twice but I have always gotten my issue resolved and I usually get a $15 giant eagle gift card too.

[AJ CouponGG]

Suzi-
Thanks for the welcome back. I will keep my eyes peeled for 75% off and 90% off drops on holiday decorations for you. I stopped at CVS this morning but they were still at 50% at mine at 7am in Ohio.

[murphath]

HOUND ALERT! I've been bad and not reading the posts every day. To make matters worse, I did not get any of the Finish q's in my paper. I went out to buy one and there were no SF Chronicles anywhere!!! Apparently there are more couponers in my little town than I knew.

So, I'm wondering in all hound humbleness, if any of you might be able to spare 1 or 2 of those q's? Please let me know if you need any q's in return.

Merci bien!

[Deleted]

Apparently one of the mods - Virgil - created a bot that can move entire threads for MSN over to proboards. Is anyone interested in that?

[mandyms]

Dancin and CouponGG; thanks for the tips. I just called and spoke to someone in HBC; they said they should be getting another shipment tonight, so it should be stocked by the time I get off work tomorrow. If they don't have them tomorrow, I plan on trying to speak to a manager or call CS.

I did get rainchecks, but specificallly asked if they can put the coupon special on there. It's the first I have seen Giant Eagle double more than $1. I'm in Ohio too (northwest), do you know how often GE doubles more than $1?

[missourimommy]

I just read over at www.centsableshoppin.com/ that the Finish will possibly be a MM at CVS next week?

From centsableshoppin:

"
"Deal Idea:
Buy 7 Finish $3 ea.
= $21
Use (7) $2.25/1 (01/02 SS)
= $4.25 out of pocket | Earn $10 ECB
Final Cost? FREE + $4.25 MM!


This may be a better deal for those of you who don't want to mess around with Walgreens & their Register Rewards, fillers, etc. I know I'll do this for that much of a Moneymaker!"


I'm really jealous of those with a CVS close by!

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 12:05:23 GMT -5 mandyms said:

Dancin and CouponGG; thanks for the tips. I just called and spoke to someone in HBC; they said they should be getting another shipment tonight, so it should be stocked by the time I get off work tomorrow. If they don't have them tomorrow, I plan on trying to speak to a manager or call CS.

I did get rainchecks, but specificallly asked if they can put the coupon special on there. It's the first I have seen Giant Eagle double more than $1. I'm in Ohio too (northwest), do you know how often GE doubles more than $1?

mandy: Awesome, it looks like it's going to work out for you. Since the rain checks that you DID get never expire, just hold on to them. They might come in really handy at some time in the future - maybe a better coupon will come out at the same time that they are offering double coupons - you never know.

[allysgrandma]

Mrs Lynch: May I add my 2 cents worth? Wags equivalent of T-gel worked for my DH's condition of psoriasis. He has a full beard also, which he washes with the same. Wags has had it BOGO and a large bottle lasts almost a year! I am trying CVS' version because they had a B1get 50% off so we are trying it.

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 12:50:37 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

I just read over at www.centsableshoppin.com/ that the Finish will possibly be a MM at CVS next week?

From centsableshoppin:

"
"Deal Idea:
Buy 7 Finish $3 ea.
= $21
Use (7) $2.25/1 (01/02 SS)
= $4.25 out of pocket | Earn $10 ECB
Final Cost? FREE + $4.25 MM!


This may be a better deal for those of you who don't want to mess around with Walgreens & their Register Rewards, fillers, etc. I know I'll do this for that much of a Moneymaker!"


I'm really jealous of those with a CVS close by!

missourimommy: IF you don't have a CVS close by, the WAGs deal might be a better option for you. The cost of gas can easily eat into that EB profit.

CLARIFICATION: The deal on the Finish at WAGs is THIS WEEEK. Buy (1) for $349, use a $2.25 MC and get a $1.50RR. It's not as good as the one at CVS (which is NEXT WEEK), but an awesome alternative if you don't have a CVS closeby or you don't have (7) Finish coupons.

[dancinmama]

allyysgrandma: Hey, I totally missed that you are in Nor CA. So am I!!

[weaselfer]

Mrs Lynch, there is a $2 coupon on the neutrogena website. You have to register but if your DH is picky like mine, it is worth it. www.neutrogena.com/sp/specialoffer/th_hair_save2/coupon-register.do Hopefully the link will work for you.

[missourimommy]

The closest one is maybe 10 miles from me, if that far. I guess it's not that far, and it's just off the highway, so not too bad. Hmmm... may have to see if I can run out there tonight after hubby gets home so he can have the kids for a bit......Hmmm.......I'm down to 5 bottles of laundry detergent, so maybe the Wisk at CVS would be good to start this week?

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 13:07:44 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

The closest one is maybe 10 miles from me, if that far. I guess it's not that far, and it's just off the highway, so not too bad. Hmmm... may have to see if I can run out there tonight after hubby gets home so he can have the kids for a bit......Hmmm.......I'm down to 5 bottles of laundry detergent, so maybe the Wisk at CVS would be good to start this week?

Geez, that's not THAT far. If you need laundry soap, the Wisk is a decent deal.

[missourimommy]

It's not that bad... I guess I'm just lazy and wish there was one closer... I THINK I might have to "dive in" to CVS and see what I can do??

[dancinmama]

PEPSI (6) 12-PKS FOR $10 AFTER EB AT CVS NEXT WEEK: No one has talked about this, but did you all notice the Pepsi deal at CVS next week. You buy (6) 12-pks of Pepsi products for $20 and get a $10EB, so it's like getting 6/$10. That's a pretty decent deal. This "appears" to be their Super Bowl Sunday promo and if they don't run another one before Super Bowl Sunday, this is about as good as it gets until Memorial Day.

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 13:19:28 GMT -5 missourimommy said:

It's not that bad... I guess I'm just lazy and wish there was one closer... I THINK I might have to "dive in" to CVS and see what I can do??

There are several benefits to CVS over WAGs. First, and probably most importantly, the EBs don't expire for 30 days vs WAGs' 14 days which means that you don't HAVE TO go back so quickly to spend your rewards. Also, if you plan your scenarios well, you can use your EBs to absorb some of the sales which lowers your OOP (give the EBs first, BEFORE any manufacturer's coupons).

On the negative side, there are limits per card, but when you can get (5) Wisk or (7) Finish or (6) Pepsi on a card, you still can build a nice little stockpile with just a single deal.