THE GROCERY CHALLENGE

[mrslynch]

weasel--thank you, thank you, thank you! my dh is extremely picky about the shampoo. i must have been having a moment because i didn't even think to go to the website! i don't mind registering for coupons. i did it for seventh generation products as well.
allysgrandma--thanks for the tip about the walgreen's version. i live in delaware and walgreen's for us is happy harry's. i'll have to check out if they have it.

[missourimommy]

Ok. I just signed up for a CVS EB card.. I like that I have more time to use the rewards than the WAGS RR's. While I like them, I have to agree they are a PITA.. I'm thinking that would be a good "field trip" for my kids and I after their play-date is over. It's back to work and school tomorrow, so no more late nights or sleeping in tomorrow morning.

I like Wisk for my HE washer.. Right now I'm using Xtra that I got for 67-cents each at a local grocery store last summer. I like to be brand specific, but when something else that works just as well is less, well, then that's what I do. HOWEVER, I'm with dancin'... I don't care for Hefty zip top bags. I prefer Ziploc or the Target or Walmart brand. To me Hefty doesn't work as well. Not sure what it is...

[constanz22]

I never made it to CVS or Wags today, so, I can't report what their Christmas is at. Rite Aid was 75% today. It was just one of those days...had a bunch of little errands to run, everything took longer than expected and was frustrated everywhere I went. Target was still 75% off but was pretty cleared out, other than a few ornaments, some cards and a couple misc. things. Walmart was also still 75% and pretty picked over. I had a curtain rod (that I needed) and a couple little Xmas things in my cart and ended up leaving it in the check out line and walking out.
I hate when I have $$ to spend (Gift Cards) and can't find anything! Old Navy was a bust too. I'm really annoyed that I wasted the time and gas money to go out, except that I did do several returns.

[AJ CouponGG]

Mandyms: I am in Northeast ohio-our division bought out all the competition and closed them. So all we have is Giant Eagle. When there was competition (Kroger, Tops, Daves Supermarkets) they would double above a $1 about once a month. Now it's only doubles coupons that have a start value at or below $0.99, but at least it is everyday. Something is better than nothing. Good for you for taking the initiative to call.

Dancinmama-I saw the CVS Deal. This is a pretty standard one for them in January. I for one plan to stock up, my DH drinks diet mt. dew like no other......one year we built a mountain of 12 pks in our garage.

[frugalsuz]

Jan 3, 2011 13:20:46 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

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.

Ooh, I am very excited! Thanks for posting this dancinmama!

[misspt]

Jan 3, 2011 13:20:46 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

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.

This is SO true, dancin. We won't see too many soda deals after this next two weeks.

[misspt]

weaselfer: I shared some karma with you for the neutrogena coupon, thanks!

[babyjay]

Jan 3, 2011 9:53:51 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

I am going to work today, I will be able to stop by a CVS on the way to see if the 75% off is on.

Thanks for checking on the others, Constance.

Reminder: The CVS coupons $4.00 off of $20.00, and $5.00 off of $25.00
expire today.

I am in NC and I can only speak for our district, but Cvs usually does all their markdowns at the beginning of the week. My store is still at 50 percent and will probably go 75% this coming Sunday!
So keep your eyes peeled this weekend! ;D

[rubyslippers]

Yesterday my CVS had Christmas 75% off. I snagged one of those big Santas for $6.50 and will donate it to our school for a raffle item. I got some jingle bell chocolates for free with coupons. My sister got a ton of the bathrobes and giftsets for her Christmas cupboard. I was returning an item and had to take the return on a $126.00 giftcard. That could last me a few years the way I shop, but I will be buying some perfume that I'm out of when I can use the new 10% beauty Q. Oh, and next week's Pepsi deal will be used on my gc as I'm all out of EB's.

[pudgybunny]

***wishes she had a CVS nearer to her***

[FreeSalsa]

HOUND ALERT: Does anyone have any Marcal coupons from yesterday that they can spare? I know a lot of people can't find these in the stores and I really wish I could get the toilet paper but I can get the paper towel free with them. Send an E-mail to hola lola salsa at hotmail, along with your wish list of what I can send you in return.

No problem, tam2243, I just Googled it.

[constanz22]

Jan 3, 2011 17:48:05 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

HOUND ALERT: Does anyone have any Marcal coupons from yesterday that they can spare? I know a lot of people can't find these in the stores and I really wish I could get the toilet paper but I can get the paper towel free with them. Send an E-mail to hola lola salsa at hotmail, along with your wish list of what I can send you in return.

No problem, tam2243, I just Googled it.

They have new wording on them now...they are only good on multi-packs...no more single rolls.

[Frugal Nurse]

Oooty- i haven't read all of the posts, so I don't know if you've gotten one yet, but I have one of the $4/Sinex coupons you can have.

[carolinagirl]

Posted by FreeSalsa on Today at 5:48pm HOUND ALERT: Does anyone have any Marcal coupons from yesterday that they can spare? I know a lot of people can't find these in the stores and I really wish I could get the toilet paper but I can get the paper towel free with them. Send an E-mail to hola lola salsa at hotmail, along with your wish list of what I can send you in return.


Is that toilet paper? I will check my supply but am unsure what that is and where to look.

[FreeSalsa]

Dec 31, 2010 10:20:24 GMT -5 @jax said:

Something just occurred to me that I thought I'd share while I wait for the Quicken software I just purchased to download (see how serious I am? ;D )

If you have an "international" type of grocery store near you (where your Asian, Hispanic and Indian neighbors stock up on their food staples), that's often a great place for exceptional quality & bargain on fresh fruits and veggies! I haven't been to the one near me since we moved here a couple years ago, and hope it still holds true. May check it out today.

Where I used to live, that's where I bought most of our fruits and veggies. Much cheaper, and much better, than a chain grocery store.

I have found this to be true for produce as well as spices. If you don't have a store like this, you can also try the ethnic aisle at the grocery store. I found the Knorr spices to be so much cheaper in the Hispanic aisle because they are written in Spanish, then English. You can also get spices in those little bags with the cardboard folded over and stapled to the top, and refill your spice jars for less than a dollar, instead of buying a new jar of McCormick for $4.

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 14:15:07 GMT -5 AJ CouponGG said:

Mandyms: I am in Northeast ohio-our division bought out all the competition and closed them. So all we have is Giant Eagle. When there was competition (Kroger, Tops, Daves Supermarkets) they would double above a $1 about once a month. Now it's only doubles coupons that have a start value at or below $0.99, but at least it is everyday. Something is better than nothing. Good for you for taking the initiative to call.

Dancinmama-I saw the CVS Deal. This is a pretty standard one for them in January. I for one plan to stock up, my DH drinks diet mt. dew like no other......one year we built a mountain of 12 pks in our garage.

It just seemed a little early to me this year.

[herekittykitty]

Jan 3, 2011 1:13:15 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

I am patiently waiting for the 90% off of the holiday stuff at Target and Wal-Mart.

CVS still has not marked down their holiday stuff to 75%!!
Please let me know if holiday stuff is marked down to 90% and 75% (CVS).

Thanks!

Unfortunately or fortunately, I have to go back to work tomorrow.

Wow, I'm surprised...my CVS was one of the first to go to 75%, and my Target is also there, not that there was anything left worth having. WAGS just went to 75% candy only.

[herekittykitty]

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? [/quote]

Mine were for the bigger bottles as well...

[herekittykitty]

Jan 3, 2011 10:56:37 GMT -5 ohmomto2boys said:

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.

Someone may have already answered this, but it is good on any purchase over $20.

[herekittykitty]

Jan 3, 2011 11:23:07 GMT -5 AJ CouponGG said:

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.

Coupongreengirl: fellow Ohioan...what part are you in?

[herekittykitty]

Any hounds interested in the Omega Factor deal at WAGS: I just read on wild for WAGS that the boxes have a $3 off q inside for Omegafactor (plus a few other supplements) making the deal a MM! There were q's in my boxes when I checked!

[pudgybunny]

ditto to here kitty! I didn't think to ask if I could open the box during purchase to use the $3 on the current box, but then again I would have had to do that for each box, so maybe it's better. I have $9 rr from the kids flu med and $10 rr from the Omega Factor, but now I need to figure out how to get more Omega Factor (with the $9 rr) as my stores have quite a few of them!

[ooty1234]

Jan 3, 2011 18:22:54 GMT -5 Frugal Nurse said:

Oooty- i haven't read all of the posts, so I don't know if you've gotten one yet, but I have one of the $4/Sinex coupons you can have.

Frugalnurse: Thank you, but I think Dancinmama has me covered, but I do really appreciate it!

Dancinmama: I took the ads to work with me today to write my lists and I think I have to buy 5 this week instead of 4. I may be looking at the completely wron g thing, so do I buy 4 or 5??

[ooty1234]

Jan 3, 2011 14:15:07 GMT -5 AJ CouponGG said:

Mandyms: I am in Northeast ohio-our division bought out all the competition and closed them. So all we have is Giant Eagle. When there was competition (Kroger, Tops, Daves Supermarkets) they would double above a $1 about once a month. Now it's only doubles coupons that have a start value at or below $0.99, but at least it is everyday. Something is better than nothing. Good for you for taking the initiative to call.

Dancinmama-I saw the CVS Deal. This is a pretty standard one for them in January. I for one plan to stock up, my DH drinks diet mt. dew like no other......one year we built a mountain of 12 pks in our garage.

Would you share any Giant Eagle deals you find? I just moved to NE Ohio and am having a heck of time finding free/cheap at GE.

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 19:55:07 GMT -5 ooty1234 said:

Jan 3, 2011 18:22:54 GMT -5 Frugal Nurse said:

Oooty- i haven't read all of the posts, so I don't know if you've gotten one yet, but I have one of the $4/Sinex coupons you can have.

Frugalnurse: Thank you, but I think Dancinmama has me covered, but I do really appreciate it!

Dancinmama: I took the ads to work with me today to write my lists and I think I have to buy 5 this week instead of 4. I may be looking at the completely wron g thing, so do I buy 4 or 5??

Good question, ooty. I didn't realize that they were having a sale on them this week. You might have to buy (5) if they are on sale for $4 this week. I already did the deal last week buying (4) at a time and THAT worked slick as snot. Is the SINEX included in this week's sale?

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 19:32:05 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

Any hounds interested in the Omega Factor deal at WAGS: I just read on wild for WAGS that the boxes have a $3 off q inside for Omegafactor (plus a few other supplements) making the deal a MM! There were q's in my boxes when I checked!

herekitty: I just may have to check that deal out. I have a $10RR that I can roll into this AND with the Q in the box, I could get $3 worth of other stuff for free. Just pay tax and get another $10RR. Hmmm.....sounds good.

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 18:22:54 GMT -5 Frugal Nurse said:

Oooty- i haven't read all of the posts, so I don't know if you've gotten one yet, but I have one of the $4/Sinex coupons you can have.

frugalnurse: WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the Grocery Challenge from me - danicnmama!!

Your very first post and you're offering to send someone a coupon. You're AWESOME!!

What part of the country do you live in and where do you shop? Are you a coupon newbie or have you been using them for a while?

Let us know if we can help you in any way. Don't be shy. Just jump into the discussion any time - deals you've found, new printables that gals might be interested in, etc.

We look forward to your posts.

[dancinmama]

Jan 3, 2011 17:42:53 GMT -5 pudgybunny said:

***wishes she had a CVS nearer to her***

pudgybunny: I feel your pain!! For years, I had to read all the awesome posts for deals at CVS and then guess what happened? CVS bought out Longs Drugs.

The gals here will tell you how excited I was. I started studying the 'CVS for Dummies' thread on Hot Coupon World long before I could even start shopping there. I was taking notes and asking questions right and left here on the GC and the gals were really helpful in teaching me the ropes. When my Longs became a CVS, I hit the ground running!! And I've been running ever since from home to CVS and back!!

[Frugal Nurse]

Dancin- wow, what a welcome! Thanks for being so kind!

About me: I'm 26, currently an LPN in school to be an RN (I'll be finished in May, yippee!). I have a husband and a dog. No kids, but we're workin' on that one I live in Kentucky. We don't seem to get as many great deals as some other areas of the country (like we don't get the rite aid Airwick deal this week), but I still do pretty well.

I have been couponing off and on for years, but recently ramped it up in August after reading a story about a man that lived on $1.00 worth of groceries per day by using drug store overages (so he ate more than $1.00/day, but only spent $1.00 OOP). Anyway, that got me really interested in couponing and now I'm hooked!

I lurked the MSN boards for years, but didn't post. I decided since I'm now an pretty active couponer it was a good time to jump into the group! I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone!

[Frugal Nurse]

Oh, I wanted to add that my Rite Aid FINALLY cut christmas down to 75% off.
I got a stainless steel heated travel mug for $1.99 woohoo!