THE GROCERY CHALLENGE

[dancinmama]

Jan 29, 2011 17:25:18 GMT -5 momof2 said:

Good news! I talked to the store manager about my mistake and she said to bring in the ad and they'll return it and re-ring it tomorrow My brain is gone hah!

How do you know about things that aren't in the ad? Is it any Lays that are giving $1 UP? Need to stock up for superbowl since my boys got into my chips already for it....grrr

It was reported that the Lays Stax (packaged like Pringles) are $1 and giving a $1 UP.

I am lucky because I live on the west coast. I can get up early on Sunday morning and check out the drug chain threads on HCW (hotcouponworld.com) before I head out. Many of the east coast shoppers will come directly home from their shopping and post any problems or glitches that make the deals better than were anticipated.

[constanz22]

I think I am going to try to go to Rite Aid tomorrow. With such good deals, I am afraid to wait until Monday and risk them being OOS all week. I am totally overwhelmed with ALL of the deals at Rite Aid this week! So far, I only have scenario #1 ready to go, but, boy, is it good!!
Fingers crossed for good stock...here is my plan!
4 Colgate, 2.99, -1/1 MC, get 2 ups
1 Coricidan, 5.99, -2/1 MC, - 2/1 VV, get 4 ups
3 Viactiv, 6.99, -3/1 MC, get 3 ups
2 Afrin, 5.99, - 3/1 MC, -2/1 VV, get 4 ups
My total will be 50.72 before coupons. I will use a 4/20, bringing it down to 46.72, minus all Q's, 21.72. I will pay with 21 ups and get back $20 ups (for spending 50 Heart Healthy), as well as 8 for Colgate, 4 for Coricidan, 9 for Viactiv and 8 for Afrin. This is 49 Ups!!
I will then use some of those for the "Spend 15, get 5", probably turn the $20 one into cash by buying the Neuragen (NO, I don't have a coupon! Darn! I threw the one in the trash that came with the rebate!!), and will also throw a bunch of FREE Stayfree in there towards the "Spend 100, get 20". I think this week is worth the gas to drive the 18 miles there!

[Opti]

Jan 29, 2011 17:57:10 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jan 29, 2011 17:48:01 GMT -5 Opti said:

Today while grocery shopping I did a price check on Welch's Healthy Start juice. I noticed someone had let a couple coupons by it. Do you think that was a good thing to do or should they be recycled?

I agree with whomever left them as $3.69 -$1 off coupon is still too much.
I forgot to get vinegar so I'll probably be back at the store before my coupon expires. Should I leave mine by the juice too?

This is what we call being a "coupon fairy". If you KNOW that you will not be using the coupon it is really nice to leave them because someone will see them and be buying the product anyway and it will help them out. IF your coupon will not be expiring for another week or two, you might want to hold on to it because MAYBE they'll have a killer sale next week that when combined with your $1/1 Q will be a much better deal.

HTH

Thanks Dancinmama. It expires Monday the 31st so I guess I'll be a coupon fairy tomorrow when I pick up my vinegar.

[kathyattraverse]

ohmomto2boys: got your envie. Thanks again.

[debinwa]

Jan 29, 2011 12:37:49 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

TARGET/KRAFT SHREDDED CHEESE DEAL ALERT: This start TOMORROW.

$4.00 (2) Kraft Shredded Cheese (8 oz)
- 1.25 (1) $1.25/2 Kraft Shredded Cheese (Target IP) - 1 print per computer www.target.com (scroll down to "Coupon Savings" on the left hand side of the page)
- 1.00 (1) $1/2 Kraft Shredded Cheese (1/23 SS) or Safeway Booklet
1.75 OOP or $.88/bag or $1.76/lb.

This is not as good as when suzi was able to get them for free at Food 4 Less, but it's about as good as I can do where I live.

HAPPY HOUNDING!!

If you set up another profile on your computer, and give that profile admin rights, you can print more Target coupons. I have several profiles on my laptop (Deb1, Deb2, etc.) and I can print more by logging off one and logging into the next. The first time you use a new profile it makes you install the software again, but then it works fine.

[picghaw]

Jan 29, 2011 17:51:06 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

picghaw: You've got it!! The sales go in cycles and many times the same products will be featured at all of three of the drug chains within a week or two of each other. A lot of times the manufacturers will put out a REALLY GREAT coupon (one that is far better than norm) about once or twice a year. At the same time, the stores will offer a great sale on that item. That is the time to stockpile that item for the year. An example would be the recent $2.25/1 Finish/Electrosol coupon which gave us a great MM at CVS and was free at WAGs. If you noticed, the very next week there was a coupon for the SAME item and it was $.50/1 or something like that - not very good at all relative to the $2.25.

So you are exactly right. You do not need to jump on every sale, but you DO want to try to do the very best ones - those that involve an unusually good coupon or those that are the best MMs.

And that is why I try to NAG the newbies about going slowly. If you try to "force" the deals, you'll end up spending a lot more in OOP than you need to. There will ALWAYS be another coupon and another deal.

HTH

dancinmama. Yeah, its sinking in. So do I just continue to buy like I used to ...just 1 or maybe 2 items(with Qs) that I need for now as I bide my time? I must say the TP CVS deal from 3 weeks back is the best I've seen so far, so I may have missed that. If I had a lot of RRs or Vicks Q, I believe the Wags sale at Cottonelle would be good.

[debinwa]

Jan 29, 2011 8:37:44 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

Takes you to zero either way.

I tried it with the WAGS coupon first. The WAGS coupon worked, but then the MQ's from SW (Von's) glitched several times for me (I am in California). It could also be that the cashier was not a good one

Suziq38: So sorry if I goofed you up! My sister in Chicago said the order of coupons at Wags on the Chex deal messed her up too. Theoretically, it shouldn't, and it didn't affect my deal in Seattle, but we all know how weird Wags registers can be, right? So if anybody else is still doing this deal at Walgreens this week, use the SW coupons FIRST.

[debinwa]

Jan 29, 2011 12:08:02 GMT -5 FreeSalsa said:

ETA: I see now that the coupon is only good at Safeway
I printed a RA Dixie Q about a week ago during the TP deal. Can I print another or is it one per customer?

The RA Dixie coupon is one per VV account. If you set up another account for someone else, you can watch videos there and get another uniquely coded coupon to print. It will work with your Wellness card just fine.

[debinwa]

Jan 29, 2011 17:25:18 GMT -5 momof2 said:

Good news! I talked to the store manager about my mistake and she said to bring in the ad and they'll return it and re-ring it tomorrow My brain is gone hah!

How do you know about things that aren't in the ad? Is it any Lays that are giving $1 UP? Need to stock up for superbowl since my boys got into my chips already for it....grrr

If you have boys, you should stock up big time! I remember having a teenage son in the house and when his friends came over they could decimate a week's worth of groceries in one night. Yikes!

[ooty1234]

I made my first big shopping trip with coupons at Giant Eagle. We haven't needed anything since we went to Aldi's the first week of Jan (3rd or 4th?) At Aldis we spent 75.00 and I was still collecting inserts and reading about GE sales. Finally able to get my feet wet.
Hubs went with me, so of course I spent about 20.00 more with him in tow, LOL. You should have seen his face at c/o.....$250.00 (priceless!) handed over GE card, dropped to 184.00, handed over coupons...... Total OOP $113.00 I figure spread out over 3 weeks since we last went shopping is not bad. I am just going to list highlites here:
3* Crest TP FREE
4*Breakstones sour cream .40 ea
4*Kraft singles 3.00/4
4*kraft shreds 6.00/4 (would you believe we were out of chz?)
2*Philly crm chz 1.50/2
2*Grands cin rolls FREE
2*Crescent rolls ?
oodles of yogurts, Dannon and Yoplait greek cups
18 eggs saved 1.00 wyb Kokkoman soy sauce
Kikkoman soy sauce 1.00
2*rolls Bounty .50/2
Meats, chicken breasts, 80/20 Gr Chuck, Smoked sausages, Bob Evans sausage, bacon, pork ribs (did I mention DH was with me?) grapes 1.00/lb
4*Super Pretzels 4.00/4 (FOR dd)
Chi Chi Salsa and tortillas
Ortega taco seasonings and taco sauce
tomato saces, Spaghetti O's
Dole frozen strawberries
I am sure I am forgetting lots of stuff, but off the top of my head this is it.
I still need to do the Unilever deals, but didn't have those Q's with me.

I was pleased with my trip. I didn't do as well as I did at Kroger's and Meijers.

[suziq38]

4 Colgate, 2.99, -1/1 MC, get 2 ups
1 Coricidan, 5.99, -2/1 MC, - 2/1 VV, get 4 ups
3 Viactiv, 6.99, -3/1 MC, get 3 ups
2 Afrin, 5.99, - 3/1 MC, -2/1 VV, get 4 ups
My total will be 50.72 before coupons. I will use a 4/20, bringing it down to 46.72, minus all Q's, 21.72. I will pay with 21 ups and get back $20 ups (for spending 50 Heart Healthy), as well as 8 for Colgate, 4 for Coricidan, 9 for Viactiv and 8 for Afrin. This is 49 Ups!!
I will then use some of those for the "Spend 15, get 5", probably turn the $20 one into cash by buying the Neuragen (NO, I don't have a coupon! Darn! I threw the one in the trash that came with the rebate!!), and will also throw a bunch of FREE Stayfree in there towards the "Spend 100, get 20". I think this week is worth the gas to drive the 18 miles there![/quote][/b]

Constanz,

Thank you for the great scenario!
There are Neuragen coupons in the new Diabetic Booklet from WAGS (I just found this!) It is the big booklet (about 8 X11) and the coupon is at the bottom in the middle of the booklet. The coupon says: Available at Walgreens or redeemable at Walgreens, but I just cut it iff at the top because it is a bona fide manufacturer's coupon rather than a store coupon.

[nickyleey]

Dumb question - for the RA deal with the Dixie Plates, since they're BOGO would the cost of both packages count towards the $15 if you bought 2, even if 1 is free?

I'm excited about the RA deals tomorrow because I have a $10 GC from an UP deal a few months ago where my UPs didn't print and the manager gave me a GC instead. I'm going to apply it toward the Edy's/Dixie Plates/Chex Mix and use those UP's to buy the neuragen. My goal is to convert that $10 GC to ice cream, plates, chex mix and $20 in cold hard cash for very little OOP! Since my closest RA closed down, I have to drive to one further away so I hope they're well stocked.

[dancinmama]

Jan 29, 2011 20:12:43 GMT -5 nickyleey said:

Dumb question - for the RA deal with the Dixie Plates, since they're BOGO would the cost of both packages count towards the $15 if you bought 2, even if 1 is free?

NO!! (Sorry, didn't mean to yell at you. It will only count $3.99 toward the $15.00.

[constanz22]

suzi Thanks for the info! I will stop by Wags and look for the Diabetes book before I go to RA!

nicky Unfortunately, in my experience at RA, the "free" item from a BOGO does not count toward the purchase...

[AJ CouponGG]

Ooty-Way to go at Giant Eagle! You did great!

Dancinmama-Lol it is good to be back....I was sad on msn when I lost AJ440 because someone hacked into my account. Then I got married so I became greengirl Shakespeare put it best-a rose by any other name.....but I'm glad you recognize me now I am very excited for RiteAid this week after seeing all the deals everyone has been discussing You are in northern Cali right? DH and I are thinking about visiting Napa Valley in late June/early July I'm not sure how close you are to wine country I just wondered how "touristy" it is in the summer. I can't find anything on line that says if it is or not during that time.

[rubyslippers]

Pubbler: My coupon file for Meijers is bulging at the seams. If the stars are all aligned just right, then I should get $86.00 worth of groceries for $21.90. I'm getting low on cheese.

I've been anxiously waiting this week's Rite Aid sale and have about 10 transactions. I love those $1.99 UPs from the lightbulbs and that helps keep the OOP lower. DH is anxiously waiting on some Edy's icecream.

[dancinmama]

TODAY I HIT THE MOTHER LODE!!

I went into Safeway. Now I bet you're thinking that I scored 100 coupon booklets; but nope, that's not it ;D

I just brought home $15.4 lbs. of Rancher's Reserve FILLET MIGNON for $31.88 or $2.07/lb.

I was scouting around and spied the packages of meat. They were in their regular spot in the meat section. Then I noticed that they were dated Jan 29th. I thought, "Wait, what is today?" This is when my heart started to beat a little faster (you know - the way it does when you think you've come upon something REALLY GREAT)? At Safeway if it is after 4:00 and you find a package of meat marked with today's date, you can ask the butcher for a 50% off sticker. I was able to add to that (9) $2/1 any package Rancher's Reserve meat coupons from the Safeway booklets for an additional $18 in savings.

I have to thank suzi and her post about the pot roast because that's what prompted me to nose around a little bit beyond just checking out the meat clearance section. THANKS SUZI!!

When I brought them home and showed DH he about fell over. He is VERY used to my getting really good deals from time to time, but of all that I've done (and I've been at this a VERY LONG time), I think this is his favorite!!

[dancinmama]

Jan 29, 2011 20:55:17 GMT -5 AJ CouponGG said:

Ooty-Way to go at Giant Eagle! You did great!

Dancinmama-Lol it is good to be back....I was sad on msn when I lost AJ440 because someone hacked into my account. Then I got married so I became greengirl Shakespeare put it best-a rose by any other name.....but I'm glad you recognize me now I am very excited for RiteAid this week after seeing all the deals everyone has been discussing You are in northern Cali right? DH and I are thinking about visiting Napa Valley in late June/early July I'm not sure how close you are to wine country I just wondered how "touristy" it is in the summer. I can't find anything on line that says if it is or not during that time.

All I can tell you is that wine country is pretty popular year round. I can't personally say that I know whether it's touristy cuz we haven't been up that way since we moved here. The last time we went to Napa was in the late 80s.

[dancinmama]

Jan 29, 2011 19:01:37 GMT -5 picghaw said:

Jan 29, 2011 17:51:06 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

picghaw: You've got it!! The sales go in cycles and many times the same products will be featured at all of three of the drug chains within a week or two of each other. A lot of times the manufacturers will put out a REALLY GREAT coupon (one that is far better than norm) about once or twice a year. At the same time, the stores will offer a great sale on that item. That is the time to stockpile that item for the year. An example would be the recent $2.25/1 Finish/Electrosol coupon which gave us a great MM at CVS and was free at WAGs. If you noticed, the very next week there was a coupon for the SAME item and it was $.50/1 or something like that - not very good at all relative to the $2.25.

So you are exactly right. You do not need to jump on every sale, but you DO want to try to do the very best ones - those that involve an unusually good coupon or those that are the best MMs.

And that is why I try to NAG the newbies about going slowly. If you try to "force" the deals, you'll end up spending a lot more in OOP than you need to. There will ALWAYS be another coupon and another deal.

HTH

dancinmama. Yeah, its sinking in. So do I just continue to buy like I used to ...just 1 or maybe 2 items(with Qs) that I need for now as I bide my time? I must say the TP CVS deal from 3 weeks back is the best I've seen so far, so I may have missed that. If I had a lot of RRs or Vicks Q, I believe the Wags sale at Cottonelle would be good.

Yes, until you can find items that you use/need that are FREE or are at super rock bottom prices and you have a really good coupon that you can apply to sweeten the deal. Then you take no prisoners and stockpile all that you have coupons for.

And your idea about the Vick's is EXACTLY right. Do the better MMs and then take those RRs and buy something that is a pretty decent deal even if you didn't have ANY RRs.

Just do what you're doing. Collect your coupons and be patient; it will pay off in HUGE SAVINGS.

[pubbler]

Yay, AJ's back! ;D
rubyslippers - Awesome. Would you minds sharing your scenarios? I do know that OH Meijer will double 55c Qs. Our's only double up to 50c, but there's still quite a few deals to be had.
Ooty - I'm out of cheese too. Just told DH that 30+ bags I bought at the last sale, are all done. Time to restock

[debinwa]

Jan 29, 2011 21:00:22 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

TODAY I HIT THE MOTHER LODE!!

I went into Safeway. Now I bet you're thinking that I scored 100 coupon booklets; but nope, that's not it ;D

I just brought home $15.4 lbs. of Rancher's Reserve FILLET MIGNON for $31.88 or $2.07/lb.

I was scouting around and spied the packages of meat. They were in their regular spot in the meat section. Then I noticed that they were dated Jan 29th. I thought, "Wait, what is today?" This is when my heart started to beat a little faster (you know - the way it does when you think you've come upon something REALLY GREAT)? At Safeway if it is after 4:00 and you find a package of meat marked with today's date, you can ask the butcher for a 50% off sticker. I was able to add to that (9) $2/1 any package Rancher's Reserve meat coupons from the Safeway booklets for an additional $18 in savings.

I have to thank suzi and her post about the pot roast because that's what prompted me to nose around a little bit beyond just checking out the meat clearance section. THANKS SUZI!!

When I brought them home and showed DH he about fell over. He is VERY used to my getting really good deals from time to time, but of all that I've done (and I've been at this a VERY LONG time), I think this is his favorite!!

Holy cannolli, that was one heck of a deal!! I too went to SW this afternoon looking for a deal on meat following suziq's post about hers. I didn't think about the 'used meat' section, but I did find some small packages that were around $3 or $3.50 and used four $2 off coupons to get them at a great price. I will try to duplicate your 'caper' next!

[debinwa]

Good Deal Alert for RA NEXT week (starting 2/6): Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes are on sale 2 for $4, and will be giving a $2 Up when you buy 2, plus two monthly $1 Ups. Free cookie mix without coupons, and a little money-maker if there are coupons available.

[dancinmama]

Jan 29, 2011 21:40:31 GMT -5 debinwa said:

Jan 29, 2011 21:00:22 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

TODAY I HIT THE MOTHER LODE!!

I went into Safeway. Now I bet you're thinking that I scored 100 coupon booklets; but nope, that's not it ;D

I just brought home $15.4 lbs. of Rancher's Reserve FILLET MIGNON for $31.88 or $2.07/lb.

I was scouting around and spied the packages of meat. They were in their regular spot in the meat section. Then I noticed that they were dated Jan 29th. I thought, "Wait, what is today?" This is when my heart started to beat a little faster (you know - the way it does when you think you've come upon something REALLY GREAT)? At Safeway if it is after 4:00 and you find a package of meat marked with today's date, you can ask the butcher for a 50% off sticker. I was able to add to that (9) $2/1 any package Rancher's Reserve meat coupons from the Safeway booklets for an additional $18 in savings.

I have to thank suzi and her post about the pot roast because that's what prompted me to nose around a little bit beyond just checking out the meat clearance section. THANKS SUZI!!

When I brought them home and showed DH he about fell over. He is VERY used to my getting really good deals from time to time, but of all that I've done (and I've been at this a VERY LONG time), I think this is his favorite!!

Holy cannolli, that was one heck of a deal!! I too went to SW this afternoon looking for a deal on meat following suziq's post about hers. I didn't think about the 'used meat' section, but I did find some small packages that were around $3 or $3.50 and used four $2 off coupons to get them at a great price. I will try to duplicate your 'caper' next!

It was one of those really rare times when the stock and coupon stars aligned just right. I guess whoever did the meat clearance this morning didn't have enough coffee or MAYBE they were hoping that no one would notice that it was the last date of sale and planned to come back and snag it for themselves. IF it had been marked down as it should have been and placed in the meat clearance, I am SURE that it would have been gone long before I found it.

[jdnstl]

repeat hound alert - if you aren't going to use your quaker oatmeal q's that were in the 1/2 RP i'd really appreciate them!! the instant oatmeal will be on sale at CVS starting next sunday & i want to be prepared!!

TIA!

[mizbear]

I hit the ulimate coupon deal on SLimFast!
OKay- ladies, you hooked me up with some awesome buy 2 6 packs of Slimfast (or other product listed on coupon) get 1 box of snack bars FREE! Well, I started doing the math and my DM and DGM bet me the total of my grocery order that I was WRONG!
Giant had SLimFast 6 packs 2/$10 (Reg. $6.99)
SlimFast Snack Bars on Sale $3.99 (Reg. $4.49)
You lovely ladies hooked me up with 5 coupons.
So I figured $50 + sales tax (6% here).
We get to the store and I had a thought- the last time I used those Qs- they rang up for $5 (max amount is $4.99).
DM needed cream cheese (Philly loyal) and sour cream (Breakstone B1G1F)- I told her to put it all together because I had a feeling I was going to need filler.
Sure enough, the first 4 Qs rang up at $5 leaving a $4.04 overage- paid for part of DM's shopping order!
So- to the nuts and bolts-
10- SLim Fasts 6 packs @ 2/10
5- SLim Fast Snack Bars @ 3.99
2- Breakstone Sour Cream @2.49 (B1G1f)
2- Philly Cream Cheese Whipped Tub @ 6.98 (3.49 ea)
Total before savings: 104.31
Total savings: 49.08 (includes $.20 for bringing my own bags)
Total after savings: $55.23
DM and DGM paid for my shopping because I won the bet! GO ME! GO ME!

[AJ CouponGG]

All I can tell you is that wine country is pretty popular year round. I can't personally say that I know whether it's touristy cuz we haven't been up that way since we moved here. The last time we went to Napa was in the late 80s.[/quote]


Thanks Dancin- I assumed it would be somewhat touristy, I was in Sacramento last year end of May for business....and I ignorantly expected nice warm weather but it was downright chilly and I needed a jacket that far north. DH has never been so I am excited. We've still got an "experience" gift card from when we got married a few years ago so we're going to use it for private car wine tasting tour, hot air balloon, and dinner cruise. I figure we need some kind of normal activities in between the winery drinking.....and I've never been one to sneeze at free!!!!

[mizbear]

Oh- to make my deal even sweeter- I landed a total of 20 additional slimfast snack and meal bar coupons out of the boxes- all good Qs- thank you for spreading good coupon juju my way.
If my DB gets the job he has applied for, I may be able to land free extra coupon inserts (everyone cross their coupon shears).
And now a quick NAG- warning- good news ahead- read with caution- I have an A classes still so far and found out I can stay in my apartment until I meet the max income. So if I stay frugal, I can save plenty for a house. All advice on looking for a house appreciated- place my ex and I bought was horrid- if I put my inline skates in te front bedroom, they rolled all the way from one wall to the other

[suziq38]

Jan 29, 2011 21:00:22 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

TODAY I HIT THE MOTHER LODE!!

I went into Safeway. Now I bet you're thinking that I scored 100 coupon booklets; but nope, that's not it ;D

I just brought home $15.4 lbs. of Rancher's Reserve FILLET MIGNON for $31.88 or $2.07/lb.

I was scouting around and spied the packages of meat. They were in their regular spot in the meat section. Then I noticed that they were dated Jan 29th. I thought, "Wait, what is today?" This is when my heart started to beat a little faster (you know - the way it does when you think you've come upon something REALLY GREAT)? At Safeway if it is after 4:00 and you find a package of meat marked with today's date, you can ask the butcher for a 50% off sticker. I was able to add to that (9) $2/1 any package Rancher's Reserve meat coupons from the Safeway booklets for an additional $18 in savings.

I have to thank suzi and her post about the pot roast because that's what prompted me to nose around a little bit beyond just checking out the meat clearance section. THANKS SUZI!!

When I brought them home and showed DH he about fell over. He is VERY used to my getting really good deals from time to time, but of all that I've done (and I've been at this a VERY LONG time), I think this is his favorite!!

You're welcome, Dancinmama!

NAG: I have a question about the rebate for the Blink I bought in January.
I logged on to the RA website, and it looks like the rebate opportunity is gone!

[suziq38]

I went to Rite Aid today and they were out of the Neuragen.

I did buy 6 Stayfree pads for FREE BOGOF with BOGOF coupons.

I also bought 10 bags of Chex Mix. I paid $5.00 in UPs plus the tax of $1.17. I received $10.00 in UPs in return, so it was a MM.

[suziq38]

If I can't get the rebate for the Blink at Rite Aid, can I return it?
If I do, will they give me a GC?
I still have the receipt.