THE GROCERY CHALLENGE

[weaselfer]

I was jsgoldsby on the MSN boards. I don't speak much but read almost everyday.

[dancinmama]

Hi js Glad you made it over here!!

[jdnstl]

HELP please - i just read about CVS not taking expired ECBs & i have a couple of high value ones i intended to roll before christmas but the holiday came & went too fast. what has been your response with trying to use any expired ones this last week?

ETA - what would you roll a $10 EB into this week?

[dancinmama]

Dec 29, 2010 14:21:50 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

HELP please - i just read about CVS not taking expired ECBs & i have a couple of high value ones i intended to roll before christmas but the holiday came & went too fast. what has been your response with trying to use any expired ones this last week?

ETA - what would you roll a $10 EB into this week?

jdnstl: Even though ONE cashier at my store has mentioned it, none of the others have. If your store has been taking them, they would not stop without some warning so go ahead and use it as if nothing has changed, but just be aware that it may be coming. I would start trying to roll as many as possible and burn the others on things that you need. The ad previews don't show a whole heck of a lot of rolling opportunities in the near future.

Have you done the AZO yet? It is $6.99 and get a $5EB. There WAS a $5 pdf for it, but I have no idea where to find it now. LIMIT: 3

The Tone is $3.88 and get a $3EB. There is a link for a $1 printable. I think it's on iheartcvs and frugalsuz's blog. LIMIT: 1

Also, all CVS brand stuff is BOGO 50% off so you might check out anything that you need to stockpile that would be included.

[jdnstl]

Dec 29, 2010 14:30:51 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Dec 29, 2010 14:21:50 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

HELP please - i just read about CVS not taking expired ECBs & i have a couple of high value ones i intended to roll before christmas but the holiday came & went too fast. what has been your response with trying to use any expired ones this last week?

ETA - what would you roll a $10 EB into this week?

jdnstl: Even though ONE cashier at my store has mentioned it, none of the others have. If your store has been taking them, they would not stop without some warning so go ahead and use it as if nothing has changed, but just be aware that it may be coming. I would start trying to roll as many as possible and burn the others on things that you need. The ad previews don't show a whole heck of a lot of rolling opportunities in the near future.

Have you done the AZO yet? It is $6.99 and get a $5EB. There WAS a $5 pdf for it, but I have no idea where to find it now.

The Tone is $3.88 and get a $3EB. There is a link for a $1 printable. I think it's on iheartcvs and frugalsuz's blog.

Also, all CVS brand stuff is BOGO 50% off so you might check out anything that you need to stockpile that would be included.

i may get the cheap fusion razor & TP. i'll try to print the tone coupon but if i can't get it to work i don't need anymore bodywash even if it is $0.88. i can always try to e-bay the razor.

[jdnstl]

dancin - BTW, i exalted you since you're so helpful & give great advice.

[dancinmama]

Dec 29, 2010 14:39:48 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

dancin - BTW, i exalted you since you're so helpful & give great advice.

jdnstl: Thanks, but no exaltation necessary. I love helping when I can.

[breezy]

dancin - thank you for the info. There is an art to saving money - and your pointers are greatly appreciated!

[dancinmama]

Dec 29, 2010 14:49:39 GMT -5 @breezy said:

dancin - thank you for the info. There is an art to saving money - and your pointers are greatly appreciated!

breezy: You're most welcome. That is what having this board is all about. We all pitch in to help each other out. One day very soon you'll be giving a newbie pointers too!!

[jeep108]

Whatever happened to 2manyshoes? I loved when she posted her Target deals.

[FreeSalsa]

Oh no! I had one CVS that would still take expired ECBs if they weren't too old. I guess I'd better burn those last 4 ECB. I've been trying to get rid of that card for months now anyway. Keep an eye out for deals where you can make money on a new card. (Not just for me, but for all the newbies who are and will be joining us!)

Hello jgoldsby!

How do I get a quote in a box, and how do I put a name in bold?

[dancinmama]

Hi jeep. There are a few of us who have been around forever, but sometimes people get busy and drop off for a while. Hopefully she will check in to the MSN boards and find us over here. It is always nice to have an "expert" at each store that can show us the ropes.

[dancinmama]

Dec 29, 2010 15:29:57 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Oh no! I had one CVS that would still take expired ECBs if they weren't too old. I guess I'd better burn those last 4 ECB. I've been trying to get rid of that card for months now anyway. Keep an eye out for deals where you can make money on a new card. (Not just for me, but for all the newbies who are and will be joining us!)

Hello jgoldsby!

How do I get a quote in a box, and how do I put a name in bold?

freesalsa: There is a "quote" button in the upper right hand box of any post that you want to respond to. This site automatically put the quote in the box for you so it saves a little time in cutting and pasting.

If you are the post originator, the only way I have found to put something in bold is to make the post and then go back and modify it. When you modify all the emoticons and the bold button are right above the post box for use. HTH

[FreeSalsa]

Jax and Breezy:

My DBF likes the same kind of shopping. He gets in a mood for something and will go out and get it even if there is plenty of food already in the house. He recently spent $10 on an organic rotisserie chicken when there where already two whole chickens in the fridge. The problem was that they were not cooked yet. Could you try cooking everything on Sunday and then having stuff cooked, portioned out, and ready for the week so that it's in the fridge, ready to eat? I like the idea of making a chicken in the crock pot. Baking a chicken is easy but sometimes mine are dry too. I have seen coupons for rotisserie chickens and deli items, usually in from the Catalina machine after you buy something else. They also have plenty of coupons for bagged salads and such.

I'm new and still working on getting the organics. But there are sales and coupons and I've been shopping at Henry's which generally has at least one organic item on sale per week for 88 cents. I've also seen organic, cage-free eggs at Target for less than they would be at Whole Foods. JennysMom is really the organic guru so she can help with that too, if that's what you mean by your SO being picky about food.

[FreeSalsa]

Dec 29, 2010 15:34:43 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Dec 29, 2010 15:29:57 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Oh no! I had one CVS that would still take expired ECBs if they weren't too old. I guess I'd better burn those last 4 ECB. I've been trying to get rid of that card for months now anyway. Keep an eye out for deals where you can make money on a new card. (Not just for me, but for all the newbies who are and will be joining us!)

Hello jgoldsby!

How do I get a quote in a box, and how do I put a name in bold?

freesalsa: There is a "quote" button in the upper right hand box of any post that you want to respond to. This site automatically put the quote in the box for you so it saves a little time in cutting and pasting.

If you are the post originator, the only way I have found to put something in bold is to make the post and then go back and modify it. When you modify all the emoticons and the bold button are right above the post box for use. HTH

I think it worked. Thanks, Dancin!

[constanz22]

I called Target this morning to see if they had gone to 75% on their Christmas. I was gonna do a lunch run, but they are still at 50% today. So, I ran to Walmart to see what they had left, since it's closer to work. They still had a TON of Christmas. They are still at 50% too. I spent a little over $40 but got some really decent deals. I will definitely try to hit it again at 75%.
Although I really didn't need more wrapping paper, I couldn't resist buying a few rolls. It was cheap and they had really, really pretty paper. It looks like they'll still have some at 75%. I found ONE of the Olay Winter gift sets, shoved behind some holiday stuff. It was $5 but I used the $2 MC from the P&G on it. It doesn't even beep. It also has the rebate in it, so, will likely send in for that, as well. They had TONS of candy, decorations, wrapping stuff, bags, bows, tags, lights, TOYS, really good prices on toys. I saw Barbie stuff, Lego stuff, etc...one whole aisle was all 50% off toys.
I also bought 2 nice quality fleece throws, solid cream, so I can use them all year, for 2.50.
A Wilton cake pan with a green cover for 4.50.
A massaging neck wrap, was around $3.50, I think.
A massaging bath pillow (Homedics) for $7.00.
Snoopy pj, pants and top, $5 and $4
My office closes at 3 tomorrow so I will stop at Target after work and keep my fingers crossed that they have gone to 75%! I asked a couple staff at Walmart when they would go 75% but neither claimed to know.

[mandyms]

Dec 29, 2010 15:40:24 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Dec 29, 2010 15:34:43 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

freesalsa: There is a "quote" button in the upper right hand box of any post that you want to respond to. This site automatically put the quote in the box for you so it saves a little time in cutting and pasting.

If you are the post originator, the only way I have found to put something in bold is to make the post and then go back and modify it. When you modify all the emoticons and the bold button are right above the post box for use. HTH

I think it worked. Thanks, Dancin!

If you're not quoting and just want to reply and add smilies and bold, there is an option to "reply" where you see the blue bar at the bottom of the posts (it has the page). If you click on the "reply" rather than entering in the "quick reply" box, you can add formatting.

[tsm3012]

Good Afternoon all! Thank goodness I checked the old boards on a whim today. I would have been so "bummed out" if I had lost you all. I like this format and love the thread so I am so excited to see you all.

I want to keep track of my savings and spending better this coming year. Who had the spreadsheet and if it is you would you mind explaining? Thanks a bunch.

[bobbysgirl]

Dec 29, 2010 15:34:43 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Dec 29, 2010 15:29:57 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

Oh no! I had one CVS that would still take expired ECBs if they weren't too old. I guess I'd better burn those last 4 ECB. I've been trying to get rid of that card for months now anyway. Keep an eye out for deals where you can make money on a new card. (Not just for me, but for all the newbies who are and will be joining us!)

Hello jgoldsby!

How do I get a quote in a box, and how do I put a name in bold?

freesalsa: There is a "quote" button in the upper right hand box of any post that you want to respond to. This site automatically put the quote in the box for you so it saves a little time in cutting and pasting.

If you are the post originator, the only way I have found to put something in bold is to make the post and then go back and modify it. When you modify all the emoticons and the bold button are right above the post box for use. HTH

[dancinmama]

tsm: Glad to see that you made it over. Are you on the hound list maintained by murphath? If not, you might want to get added. As long as you are on the list or have access to the list, you could always email someone to find out what happened.

[bobbysgirl]

I followed your directions to copy something, but can't see how to add my comment to it.

[dancinmama]

bobbysgirl: After you hit the "reply" button, do you see the words "quote" at the beginning and end of what you are trying to quote and reply to? Place the curser at the end of the quote and hit the enter button a couple of times and then start typing your reply. HTH

[bluecluessubtlety]

Dec 29, 2010 14:30:51 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Have you done the AZO yet? It is $6.99 and get a $5EB. There WAS a $5 pdf for it, but I have no idea where to find it now. LIMIT: 3

I know there was a $2 PDF for AZO. Never saw a $5 one.

[dancinmama]

bluesclues: You are right, it was a $2 pdf making it $5 after Q. Sorry about that. My brain was not working right.

[saveinla]

dancinmama or anyone else, If you guys need the AZO PDF, email me at screenname dot gmail and I can send the PDF

[herekittykitty]

Well, so far, the "Extreme Couponing" show is just annoying! Do 2 people really need 125 boxes of 1 variety of pasta? They have 9 carts and cleared the shelves...this is not about showing people how to shop smart and save money, it is about making people look foolish, IMO. Anyone else watching?

[constanz22]

Dec 29, 2010 20:11:02 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

Well, so far, the "Extreme Couponing" show is just annoying! Do 2 people really need 125 boxes of 1 variety of pasta? They have 9 carts and cleared the shelves...this is not about showing people how to shop smart and save money, it is about making people look foolish, IMO. Anyone else watching?

LOL! Yeah, I'm watching...this woman looks like a whacko, seriously. Talk about giving us a bad name...

[misspt]

herekitty: I totally agree, I hate shows like this, it tries to make couponers look like loonies...

[frugalsuz]

Dec 29, 2010 20:11:02 GMT -5 herekittykitty said:

Well, so far, the "Extreme Couponing" show is just annoying! Do 2 people really need 125 boxes of 1 variety of pasta? They have 9 carts and cleared the shelves...this is not about showing people how to shop smart and save money, it is about making people look foolish, IMO. Anyone else watching?

Seriously! I can imagine someone who wants to get into couponing watching that and getting so turned off. Then again, the show is called "Extreme Couponing"

[dancinmama]

Dec 29, 2010 19:49:26 GMT -5 saveinla said:

dancinmama or anyone else, If you guys need the AZO PDF, email me at screenname dot gmail and I can send the PDF

saveinla: YES, YES, YES; I knew that someone would have it. I don't need it myself. I have a copy on my couponing bulletin board in my pantry, but I'm sure that there is someone out there that could use it in the next two days.