Joanna asks:
"...I was wondering if you have a certain time that you recommend shopping. The frustrating thing about couponing for me is when I spend the time collecting my coupons and then I get to the store and that item is totally sold out. Do you have this problem? I've been trying to buy Charmin toilet paper for two weeks but every Krogers I go to is sold out. Same thing happened today with dryer sheets. So is there a best time to shop or is this one of the downfalls to trying to get deals?"
I do run into that problem from time to time, Joanna! And it is frustrating. Last week I had a really good coupon for Charmin, but the shelf was cleared. I haven't been there this week yet, so I don't know. Sometimes it's just a matter of who gets to it first.
Soon after I started shopping at "my" Kroger store, I asked one of the nice stocker guys when they restock their shelves. Now I know that they get their truck in Wednesday evenings and restock early Thurs. mornings (sometimes if we stop there after church Wed. they are already working on it). After I learned that, I switched my shopping day from Tuesdays (when it seemed they were always sold out of what I wanted!) to Thursdays - and now it doesn't happen so much. I would suggest finding out when your store restocks, and plan your shopping for soon afterwards if you can.
Another thing you can do is to ask if they have any more in the back (a hot item like that, I doubt it, but you never know), or ask for a raincheck. You want to make sure the raincheck price is for the final sale price - if it's a Mega Sale item, it needs to be for the "after reward" price, if that makes sense? They may write on it that you have to buy the certain number of items to get the price, I'm not sure.
I hope you're able to get what you're going for, and with the low sale price! Couponing can be tricky sometimes :)
Showing posts with label Couponing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Couponing. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Getting Coupons to Work For You
In her comment on this post about using coupons, Maria said:
"...It seems that all the coupons I get my hands on are for gum, dog food, or products that are still more expensive than store brand, even after coupons. I'd love to know how you get your coupons to work for you, and where you get the useful ones."
Hmm... she got my wheels turning, thinking through how to offer some suggestions and help her out!
First off, I'd recommend making sure you're getting the largest newspaper you can for your area. Oftentimes the smaller papers will have less (and less desirable) coupons in them, even though they're still the "same" inserts. If that doesn't help, then your options would be internet printable coupons (IPQ's) from places like Smartsource, Redplum and Coupons.com, and also watch for "blinkies" (the little blinking coupon dispencers hanging on the shelf) and tearpads in the store. If your store has a loyalty card, see if you can load e-coupons onto it from Shortcuts and Cellfire.
Another option if your coupon selection still stinks would be to get them from clipping sites, or from e-bay. When getting coupons this way, you are not paying for the coupons, but for the person's time spent clipping, and the postage. I will sometimes get extras this way when it's a seasonal sale on something I want to stock up a year's supply of.
"...products that are still more expensive than store brand..." Are you making sure to combine the coupon with the sale? It does take a while to learn the sale cycles, and to know when something is really a sale and not just a flashy sign (WalMart comes to mind with that one... they often advertise"Rollback Prices" but if you look under the big tag, the "Rollback" price is the same as the original shelf price.). If you use the coupon with the regular price, then yes, most of the time the item will still be more expensive than store brand. When combined with a good sale, though, most things are cheaper - at least for me.
And in the end, it might just all boil down to your location and the stores available to you. My Kroger will take however many coupons you have... my sister's Kroger (2 hrs away) will only take 2 like coupons per transaction. A big part of my savings comes from the doubled coupons, and some places you just can't find a store that will double coupons - that is often referred to as LOND, or Land Of No Doubles :)
My trick to getting my coupons to "work for me" it to hang on to them until a good sale comes around, and then stock up as much as I can (within reason - and "within reason" is different for each family). I can usually stockpile enough to last until the item goes on sale again - with more coupons. If it is something that we need, I will buy it even if it doesn't have a coupon or isn't on sale, but I try to plan ahead as best I can so that I don't have to pay full price if I don't have to.
I also recommend reading couponing blogs such as MommySnacks and MoneySavingMom where they post sale and coupon matchups each week. I use their blogs and also subscribe to The Grocery Game, where they provide a complete list of the best sales and coupon matches each week. The Grocery Game offers a FREE 4 week trial, so maybe give them a shot... it might be worth it :) I know it's very worth it for me.
How about you... do you have trouble finding coupons and good deals? What do you do to make your coupons work for you?
"...It seems that all the coupons I get my hands on are for gum, dog food, or products that are still more expensive than store brand, even after coupons. I'd love to know how you get your coupons to work for you, and where you get the useful ones."
Hmm... she got my wheels turning, thinking through how to offer some suggestions and help her out!
First off, I'd recommend making sure you're getting the largest newspaper you can for your area. Oftentimes the smaller papers will have less (and less desirable) coupons in them, even though they're still the "same" inserts. If that doesn't help, then your options would be internet printable coupons (IPQ's) from places like Smartsource, Redplum and Coupons.com, and also watch for "blinkies" (the little blinking coupon dispencers hanging on the shelf) and tearpads in the store. If your store has a loyalty card, see if you can load e-coupons onto it from Shortcuts and Cellfire.
Another option if your coupon selection still stinks would be to get them from clipping sites, or from e-bay. When getting coupons this way, you are not paying for the coupons, but for the person's time spent clipping, and the postage. I will sometimes get extras this way when it's a seasonal sale on something I want to stock up a year's supply of.
"...products that are still more expensive than store brand..." Are you making sure to combine the coupon with the sale? It does take a while to learn the sale cycles, and to know when something is really a sale and not just a flashy sign (WalMart comes to mind with that one... they often advertise"Rollback Prices" but if you look under the big tag, the "Rollback" price is the same as the original shelf price.). If you use the coupon with the regular price, then yes, most of the time the item will still be more expensive than store brand. When combined with a good sale, though, most things are cheaper - at least for me.
And in the end, it might just all boil down to your location and the stores available to you. My Kroger will take however many coupons you have... my sister's Kroger (2 hrs away) will only take 2 like coupons per transaction. A big part of my savings comes from the doubled coupons, and some places you just can't find a store that will double coupons - that is often referred to as LOND, or Land Of No Doubles :)
My trick to getting my coupons to "work for me" it to hang on to them until a good sale comes around, and then stock up as much as I can (within reason - and "within reason" is different for each family). I can usually stockpile enough to last until the item goes on sale again - with more coupons. If it is something that we need, I will buy it even if it doesn't have a coupon or isn't on sale, but I try to plan ahead as best I can so that I don't have to pay full price if I don't have to.
I also recommend reading couponing blogs such as MommySnacks and MoneySavingMom where they post sale and coupon matchups each week. I use their blogs and also subscribe to The Grocery Game, where they provide a complete list of the best sales and coupon matches each week. The Grocery Game offers a FREE 4 week trial, so maybe give them a shot... it might be worth it :) I know it's very worth it for me.
How about you... do you have trouble finding coupons and good deals? What do you do to make your coupons work for you?
Friday, July 23, 2010
Eight Reasons Why You Shouldn't Use Coupons... and my arguments against them.
This article has stirred up the she-bear in a lot of my coupon-savvy blogging friends. Just for kicks, I thought I'd go ahead an post my $.02 worth.
The article says... "You have to buy a newspaper."
I say... Yep. I subscribe and have 2 delivered every Sunday. But I get a LOT more coupons for free, because my MIL gets her neighbors inserts. Each week, the savings I get using coupons is FAR greater than the expense of the papers.
The article says... "Clipping coupons takes time."
I say... and what doesn't take time? I could stop nursing Susannah because that takes time. Or I could stop folding the laundry (*ahem*) because that takes time. I spend maybe an hour on average each week clipping my coupons.
The article says... "Getting the newspaper invites lots of additional advertising into your home."
I say... that's what the trash can and self control is for. We don't browse through the ads, or even read the newspaper (because we don't want to). I open the the papers, pull out the coupon inserts and maybe the grocery store fliers, and the rest goes straight to the trash. I know I can't afford all the pretties that are advertised, so I don't even look.
The article says... "Many coupons are for things you neither need nor want."
I say... I sure do need or want: Toilet paper! And toothpaste! And Miracle Whip (or Mayonnaise if you're Daniel)! And Nestle's Chocolate Chips! And cheese! And eggs! And bodywash (you use some type of bodywash, right??)! Not to mention other baking goods, meats, canned fruits and vegetables, toiletries and I could go on and on!
The article says... "Coupons can tempt you to spend your grocery dollars on things you shouldn't."
I say... Yes, I admit there are times where I will splurge on something because I have a coupon for it when I normally wouldn't buy that item... but again it's about self control. Just because there's a coupon for Oreos or Ice Cream, I don't buy those items. Would I like to? You bet! Those are yummy, yummy things!! That's where self control comes in again.
The article says... "The same coupons tend to be offered over and over again" with the idea that you might want to try different things or experiment other items.
I say... Ummm....yup, we still use toilet paper here daily! And Daniel still gets his egg & cheese sandwich every morning... and his lunch sandwich every day... and we still take baths :) Oh, and I don't always buy the same brand of toilet paper every time. It depends on what's cheapest when combining the sale and current available coupon. Same with Mayonnaise... sometimes it's Kraft, sometimes it's Dukes, sometimes it's Hellmans. I think we experience variety while using coupons!
The article says... "You might become a slave to coupons" mentioning that you might not buy something if you don't have a coupon for it.
I say... I do not starve or inconvenience my family because there is not a coupon. If it is a splurge item (say... bacon) or a convenience item (like... paper towels), I will probably not buy it if I don't have a good coupon and a sale. And really, it's not often that I have to buy something without a coupon (that I would normally buy w/ a coupon) because I stockpile.
And last but not least:
The article says... "Shopping takes longer."
I say... Eh, not really. Yes, the first couple times I went with coupons it did take me longer... but everything takes longer the first time you do it.
The article's bottom line is that if you don't clip coupons, don't bother with starting.
My bottom line is I have no doubt that I have saved us piles and piles of money by clipping coupons. For instance, this week's shopping trip, in just the paper coupons alone, I saved $25.06, not counting the coupon doubles, store promotions or sales. I'd say $25 savings in one week because I spent $3 on newspapers and maybe 45 min. clipping? Yup... if you haven't started yet, what are you waiting for? Besides, the "couponing high" you get when the numbers drop like flies at the register? Worth it :)
The article says... "You have to buy a newspaper."
I say... Yep. I subscribe and have 2 delivered every Sunday. But I get a LOT more coupons for free, because my MIL gets her neighbors inserts. Each week, the savings I get using coupons is FAR greater than the expense of the papers.
The article says... "Clipping coupons takes time."
I say... and what doesn't take time? I could stop nursing Susannah because that takes time. Or I could stop folding the laundry (*ahem*) because that takes time. I spend maybe an hour on average each week clipping my coupons.
The article says... "Getting the newspaper invites lots of additional advertising into your home."
I say... that's what the trash can and self control is for. We don't browse through the ads, or even read the newspaper (because we don't want to). I open the the papers, pull out the coupon inserts and maybe the grocery store fliers, and the rest goes straight to the trash. I know I can't afford all the pretties that are advertised, so I don't even look.
The article says... "Many coupons are for things you neither need nor want."
I say... I sure do need or want: Toilet paper! And toothpaste! And Miracle Whip (or Mayonnaise if you're Daniel)! And Nestle's Chocolate Chips! And cheese! And eggs! And bodywash (you use some type of bodywash, right??)! Not to mention other baking goods, meats, canned fruits and vegetables, toiletries and I could go on and on!
The article says... "Coupons can tempt you to spend your grocery dollars on things you shouldn't."
I say... Yes, I admit there are times where I will splurge on something because I have a coupon for it when I normally wouldn't buy that item... but again it's about self control. Just because there's a coupon for Oreos or Ice Cream, I don't buy those items. Would I like to? You bet! Those are yummy, yummy things!! That's where self control comes in again.
The article says... "The same coupons tend to be offered over and over again" with the idea that you might want to try different things or experiment other items.
I say... Ummm....yup, we still use toilet paper here daily! And Daniel still gets his egg & cheese sandwich every morning... and his lunch sandwich every day... and we still take baths :) Oh, and I don't always buy the same brand of toilet paper every time. It depends on what's cheapest when combining the sale and current available coupon. Same with Mayonnaise... sometimes it's Kraft, sometimes it's Dukes, sometimes it's Hellmans. I think we experience variety while using coupons!
The article says... "You might become a slave to coupons" mentioning that you might not buy something if you don't have a coupon for it.
I say... I do not starve or inconvenience my family because there is not a coupon. If it is a splurge item (say... bacon) or a convenience item (like... paper towels), I will probably not buy it if I don't have a good coupon and a sale. And really, it's not often that I have to buy something without a coupon (that I would normally buy w/ a coupon) because I stockpile.
And last but not least:
The article says... "Shopping takes longer."
I say... Eh, not really. Yes, the first couple times I went with coupons it did take me longer... but everything takes longer the first time you do it.
The article's bottom line is that if you don't clip coupons, don't bother with starting.
My bottom line is I have no doubt that I have saved us piles and piles of money by clipping coupons. For instance, this week's shopping trip, in just the paper coupons alone, I saved $25.06, not counting the coupon doubles, store promotions or sales. I'd say $25 savings in one week because I spent $3 on newspapers and maybe 45 min. clipping? Yup... if you haven't started yet, what are you waiting for? Besides, the "couponing high" you get when the numbers drop like flies at the register? Worth it :)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Big Grocery Shopping Trip 7-22-10
Well, this was a very big grocery shopping week. A couple things were so very low-low priced that it only made sense to stock up. I haven't totalled everything up yet, so we'll see how I did!
(and because it's kinda hard to see, I'll just subtly point out that the bottom layer of Gatorade is 3 wide, and the Mayo is stacked 2 deep :P )
Food:
(25) 32oz. Gatorade - $.49 ea.
(14) 22oz. Mayonnaise - $.94 ea.
(6) 22oz. Miracle Whip - $.94 ea. (1 not pictured)
(3) Ghiradelli Brownie Mixes - $1.49 ea.
(5) Cream Cheese - $.49 ea.
(5) Shredded Mozzarella Cheese - $.49 ea.
Large Rolled Oats - $2.50
(4) lg. Baby Cereal - $2.95 ea.
(4) 2pk. Baby Food - $.78 ea.
4lb. Sugar - $1.99
1lb. Raisins - $1.99
Tombstone Pizza - $2.49
Orange Juice - $2.99
Applesauce - $2.69 (Baby Food :) )
(2) lb. Turkey Sausage - $1.79 ea. - Manager's Special
B/S Chicken Breasts - $3.52 ($1.99/lb.)
Beef Shoulder Roast - $9.90 ($2.99/lb.)
Non-Food:
(2) Large Roasting Pans - $.50 ea. (NYD 2011 :) )
(2) 2pk "Lasagna" Pans - $.50 ea.
12pk. double roll TP - $3.99
(6) Shaving Gel - $.94 ea.
Softsoap Hand Soap - FREE
(4) Crest Toothpaste - FREE
Totals:
(Since everything pictured plus a couple other items are all on one receipt, these are roughly what the totals are.)
Food: $88.20
Non-Food - $14.48
Total OOP(ish) - $102.68
Total Savings for Food & Non-Food: $146.70 / 59%
Plus I got $7 back in coupons for my next purchase!
A couple things didn't go quite as planned with this trip. The Kraft cheeses that I bought are supposed to be part of a Kraft promotion where I should've gotten (2) $5 catalinas (coupons for $ off your next order) and I only got one. I may or may not research that one. The other $2 in Cats were nice surprises from Gerber. Speaking of Gerber and baby food... yes, I plan to make most of Susannah's baby food (unless I can get it free!), but I had coupons and these will be good for the trips we make. The pizza would've been $.49 but the local Kroger stores no longer take IPQ's over $1.00 b/c of high fraud activity :( Since it was part of the 40 items I was getting for the Mega Event sale, I left it in as opposed to trekking back through the store to get another Mega Event item.
How'd'ya like the Mayo stockpile?? After stock-piling last summer and running out, I didn't want to pay full price again! I acquired coupons from e-bay (that coupon wasn't in our paper) and stocked up! We'll see if we run out till next summer ;) Daniel figures this Gatorade supply should last for most of the remaining hot season.
I did talk to Daniel before spending so much on groceries. Because we are now stocked up on Gatorade I should be able to lower our weekly grocery budget back down to $30-$35, and I know there will be weeks that I won't go at all, or will only get a couple items. In the end, I think it'll all even out. I'm realy happy with how it all turned out :)
(and because it's kinda hard to see, I'll just subtly point out that the bottom layer of Gatorade is 3 wide, and the Mayo is stacked 2 deep :P )Food:
(25) 32oz. Gatorade - $.49 ea.
(14) 22oz. Mayonnaise - $.94 ea.
(6) 22oz. Miracle Whip - $.94 ea. (1 not pictured)
(3) Ghiradelli Brownie Mixes - $1.49 ea.
(5) Cream Cheese - $.49 ea.
(5) Shredded Mozzarella Cheese - $.49 ea.
Large Rolled Oats - $2.50
(4) lg. Baby Cereal - $2.95 ea.
(4) 2pk. Baby Food - $.78 ea.
4lb. Sugar - $1.99
1lb. Raisins - $1.99
Tombstone Pizza - $2.49
Orange Juice - $2.99
Applesauce - $2.69 (Baby Food :) )
(2) lb. Turkey Sausage - $1.79 ea. - Manager's Special
B/S Chicken Breasts - $3.52 ($1.99/lb.)
Beef Shoulder Roast - $9.90 ($2.99/lb.)
Non-Food:
(2) Large Roasting Pans - $.50 ea. (NYD 2011 :) )
(2) 2pk "Lasagna" Pans - $.50 ea.
12pk. double roll TP - $3.99
(6) Shaving Gel - $.94 ea.
Softsoap Hand Soap - FREE
(4) Crest Toothpaste - FREE
Totals:
(Since everything pictured plus a couple other items are all on one receipt, these are roughly what the totals are.)
Food: $88.20
Non-Food - $14.48
Total OOP(ish) - $102.68
Total Savings for Food & Non-Food: $146.70 / 59%
Plus I got $7 back in coupons for my next purchase!
A couple things didn't go quite as planned with this trip. The Kraft cheeses that I bought are supposed to be part of a Kraft promotion where I should've gotten (2) $5 catalinas (coupons for $ off your next order) and I only got one. I may or may not research that one. The other $2 in Cats were nice surprises from Gerber. Speaking of Gerber and baby food... yes, I plan to make most of Susannah's baby food (unless I can get it free!), but I had coupons and these will be good for the trips we make. The pizza would've been $.49 but the local Kroger stores no longer take IPQ's over $1.00 b/c of high fraud activity :( Since it was part of the 40 items I was getting for the Mega Event sale, I left it in as opposed to trekking back through the store to get another Mega Event item.
How'd'ya like the Mayo stockpile?? After stock-piling last summer and running out, I didn't want to pay full price again! I acquired coupons from e-bay (that coupon wasn't in our paper) and stocked up! We'll see if we run out till next summer ;) Daniel figures this Gatorade supply should last for most of the remaining hot season.
I did talk to Daniel before spending so much on groceries. Because we are now stocked up on Gatorade I should be able to lower our weekly grocery budget back down to $30-$35, and I know there will be weeks that I won't go at all, or will only get a couple items. In the end, I think it'll all even out. I'm realy happy with how it all turned out :)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Weekly Grocery Trip 3/27/2010
Go ahead and call me crazy. I agree, it was a crazy thing to do. I was pretty tired, but the deals were too good to pass up, and several of them were on things that I've been waiting to go on sale so I could replenish my supplies. The sale that Kroger was running was already on it's second week and I didn't want to risk missing out if it didn't go for a third week.
Daniel (and Susannah - we have to teach her young!!) went with me, and we each pushed a grocery cart - Daniel with Susannah in her carseat, and I had the cart with the groceries. It was the first time I'd gone coupon-grocery shopping on a Saturday, and late in the evening at that. I was surprised that we were able to get everything we went for - everything was pretty well stocked. I was a little worried that some of the stuff would've been cleared off the shelves, but it wasn't too bad!
We did combine all the non-grocery and grocery stuff together in the transaction to get the 8-item sale prices, so it's all in the picture together. We had about 2 weeks worth of grocery money to spend on grocery-stuff, and while I haven't checked the receipt with a fine-tooth comb, I'm confident that we remained under budget for groceries.
Daniel (and Susannah - we have to teach her young!!) went with me, and we each pushed a grocery cart - Daniel with Susannah in her carseat, and I had the cart with the groceries. It was the first time I'd gone coupon-grocery shopping on a Saturday, and late in the evening at that. I was surprised that we were able to get everything we went for - everything was pretty well stocked. I was a little worried that some of the stuff would've been cleared off the shelves, but it wasn't too bad!
We did combine all the non-grocery and grocery stuff together in the transaction to get the 8-item sale prices, so it's all in the picture together. We had about 2 weeks worth of grocery money to spend on grocery-stuff, and while I haven't checked the receipt with a fine-tooth comb, I'm confident that we remained under budget for groceries.
Non-Food:
(2) Lysol Pourable All-Purpose - $.99 ea.
(2) Lysol Toilet Cleaner - $.99 ea.
(1) Dial Foaming Hand-soap - $.30
(1) Satin Care Shave Gel - $1.45
(2) 32-load Tide - $4.88 ea.
(6) Gillette Fusion Shave Gel - $1.50 ea.
(6) Gillette Body Wash - FREE (WYB Shave Gel)
(1) Trash Bags - $2.19
Food:
Food:
(4) Betty Crocker Brownie Mix - $1.44 ea.
(1) Betty Crocker Warm Delights - FREE
(1) Bread Flour - $1.77
(2) Oscar Mayer Lunchables - FREE
(2) Kraft American Cheese - $.99 ea.
(1) Cara-Cara Orange - $1.00 (never tried this kind before??)
(1) Pear - $.58
(2) Kroger Orange Juice - $2.50 ea.
(10) Sargento Shredded Cheese - $.59 ea.
(1) All Purpose Flour - $1.59
(2) Apples - $1.65
(1) Chocolate Chex Mix - FREE
(1) Powerade - $.49
(1) Romaine Hearts - $1.49 (Markdown)
(1) Wesson Oil - $1.99
(7) Buddig Lunchmeat - $1.50 ea.
(16) Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes - $.24 ea.
(7) Tuna - FREE
(1) 18ct. Eggs - $2.37
For everything (82 items) :
For everything (82 items) :
Shelf Price - $249.16
Total OOP - $76.32
Saved - $172.84 / 69%
I used 49 coupons :) The cashier was a young dude who liked to talk and he joked that scanning so many coupons was making his elbow and wrist hurt :P He was pretty impressed with how much I saved, though. I was, too!! I knew it was going to be some huge savings, but I always get anxious when I see the really high total before the discounts and coupons come off. I think I was grinning all the way home :P
Daniel was great and offered to unload, stage and photograph the loot for me since I needed to feed Susannah when we got home. He even put away the groceries after he was finished with that! He's such a great guy :) Grocery shopping isn't really his cup-o-tea, but even he gets impressed - and I think has fun - when we make off like bandits :P
I used 49 coupons :) The cashier was a young dude who liked to talk and he joked that scanning so many coupons was making his elbow and wrist hurt :P He was pretty impressed with how much I saved, though. I was, too!! I knew it was going to be some huge savings, but I always get anxious when I see the really high total before the discounts and coupons come off. I think I was grinning all the way home :P
Daniel was great and offered to unload, stage and photograph the loot for me since I needed to feed Susannah when we got home. He even put away the groceries after he was finished with that! He's such a great guy :) Grocery shopping isn't really his cup-o-tea, but even he gets impressed - and I think has fun - when we make off like bandits :P
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Grocery Report 12/09/09
This was a nice week :) Kroger didn't have any super-awesome deals that I wanted to get, I was feeling very lazy yesterday and didn't want to drive to Kroger, so I went to WalMart instead. And while I was there I was able to get some Christmas shopping done - using coupons! I also went to Ukrops (local chain) to get my FREE veggies on their double coupon Wednesday. Thanks, Ann, for doing the coupon matchups for Ukrops!
5lb. Pillsbury Bread Flour - $2.14
5lb. Great Value All Purpose Flour - $1.58
(2) Club Crackers* - $1.79 ea.
Baking Powder - $1.47
Mushrooms - $.58
Tapioca - $2.68
1lb. Velveeta - $1.98
Mayonnaise (his) - $1.32
Miracle Whip (hers) - $2.14
(2) 1lb. Hillshire Farms Li'l Smokies* - $1.50 ea.
(2) BirdsEye Steamers (corn) - FREE
(5) BirdsEye Veg. (peas) - FREE
1lb. Great Value Butter - $1.50
18ct. Eggs - $2.17
1 tangerine - $.69 (not pictured, I ate it)
Shelf Price: $36.23
Total OOP - $25.15
Saved - $11.08 / 31%
The Li'l Smokies should have been $2/ea, but the coupon beeped when she rang it through. She said it hadn't taken and entered it manually. Just today I noticed that it did go through the first time, so it ended up coming off twice.
*The crackers and Li'l Smokies are for our special Christmas Day munchies :)
5lb. Pillsbury Bread Flour - $2.145lb. Great Value All Purpose Flour - $1.58
(2) Club Crackers* - $1.79 ea.
Baking Powder - $1.47
Mushrooms - $.58
Tapioca - $2.68
1lb. Velveeta - $1.98
Mayonnaise (his) - $1.32
Miracle Whip (hers) - $2.14
(2) 1lb. Hillshire Farms Li'l Smokies* - $1.50 ea.
(2) BirdsEye Steamers (corn) - FREE
(5) BirdsEye Veg. (peas) - FREE
1lb. Great Value Butter - $1.50
18ct. Eggs - $2.17
1 tangerine - $.69 (not pictured, I ate it)
Shelf Price: $36.23
Total OOP - $25.15
Saved - $11.08 / 31%
The Li'l Smokies should have been $2/ea, but the coupon beeped when she rang it through. She said it hadn't taken and entered it manually. Just today I noticed that it did go through the first time, so it ended up coming off twice.
*The crackers and Li'l Smokies are for our special Christmas Day munchies :)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Grocery Roundup 12/3
Whew, it's been a busy week! Just doing the same-old, same-old every day! Wednesday I went with my MIL and we ran some errands and got a few groceries that were specifically good deals on Wed. only, but my main run was yesterday, Thursday, when Kroger had select Kashi cereal for 50% off. I used my VocalPoint coupons and got several boxes for almost free! If you haven't signed up for VocalPoint coupons yet, you are missin' out! Every so many weeks they send you a packet with mulitple high-value coupons for a certain product. The expiration date is usually long, so you have a really good chance at getting some great products for a low price.
Kroger, Ukrops, WalMart:
6 Gatorade - $1.00 ea.
7 Kashi Cereal - $.13 ea.
3 Chex Cereal - $.50 ea.
Milk - $2.99
4 (8oz) Kraft Cheese - $1.16 ea.
All Purpose Flour - $1.66
10oz. Pecan Halves - $2.99
Cooking Spray - $1.49
Pint Heavy Cream - $1.62
Parkay Margarine - FREE ($.50 MoneyMaker)
4 Oscar Mayer Ham - $1.99 ea. (Markdown)
18ct. Eggs - $2.49
Total Shelf Price - $95.64
Total OOP - $36.94
Saved - $58.70 / 61%
On a different note, I did spend a whoppin' $48.88 on Wednesday at Costco. We were down to 1 1/2 lbs. of hamburger, I needed cheese for a MOPS activity (we're making a bunch of freezer meals for the expectant moms), we needed more OJ concentrate and more RinseAid for the dishwasher.
The hamburger was $2.49/lb for less than 12% fat lean ground beef, and the 2lb. blocks of cheese are cheaper than it ever goes on sale - unless, of course, I have coupons that make it super-duper cheap. Their orange juice is also cheaper than any store brand (unless there's a sale!) and it taste pretty good. I had a coupon for JetDry rinse aid, but at the reg. store it was a MASSIVE $4+ for a teeny tiny bottle!!! I paid $11 for a huge bottle of the stuff that will last us a very long time. So yes, it was a lot of money to shell out at once, but it was all very low priced things when it came down to it. I could not afford to shop there weekly, and not everything is cheaper there, but the rare trips I make are very worth it.
Kroger, Ukrops, WalMart:
6 Gatorade - $1.00 ea.
7 Kashi Cereal - $.13 ea.
3 Chex Cereal - $.50 ea.
Milk - $2.99
4 (8oz) Kraft Cheese - $1.16 ea.
All Purpose Flour - $1.66
10oz. Pecan Halves - $2.99
Cooking Spray - $1.49
Pint Heavy Cream - $1.62
Parkay Margarine - FREE ($.50 MoneyMaker)
4 Oscar Mayer Ham - $1.99 ea. (Markdown)
18ct. Eggs - $2.49
Total Shelf Price - $95.64
Total OOP - $36.94
Saved - $58.70 / 61%
On a different note, I did spend a whoppin' $48.88 on Wednesday at Costco. We were down to 1 1/2 lbs. of hamburger, I needed cheese for a MOPS activity (we're making a bunch of freezer meals for the expectant moms), we needed more OJ concentrate and more RinseAid for the dishwasher.
The hamburger was $2.49/lb for less than 12% fat lean ground beef, and the 2lb. blocks of cheese are cheaper than it ever goes on sale - unless, of course, I have coupons that make it super-duper cheap. Their orange juice is also cheaper than any store brand (unless there's a sale!) and it taste pretty good. I had a coupon for JetDry rinse aid, but at the reg. store it was a MASSIVE $4+ for a teeny tiny bottle!!! I paid $11 for a huge bottle of the stuff that will last us a very long time. So yes, it was a lot of money to shell out at once, but it was all very low priced things when it came down to it. I could not afford to shop there weekly, and not everything is cheaper there, but the rare trips I make are very worth it.
Monday, November 23, 2009
FREE Dole!
Kroger has Dole Canned Fruit 12-15oz. on sale this week for $1. Print the Dole $.50 coupon from my coupon sidebar that will make it FREE when the coupon doubles! You should be able to print 2 of this coupon. Hurry before they reach the print limit!Thursday, October 29, 2009
Grocery Trip 10/28 ... 74% Savings!!
I really couldn't believe it when this was all said and done. I knew I was potentially going to spend "a lot", but that I would also save "a lot." I just hadn't realize how much the "save a lot" part was going to be!!! Kroger has a 10-item Mega Event Sale going on this week where for every 10 participating items you buy (you can mix and match) you get $5 off your total (or $.50 off each of the 10 items). When combined with their double coupon policy (up to $.50 in my region), some pretty amazing things can happen! I don't think I could have come away with this much stuff for so little if it wasn't for two things: My mother-in-law getting coupon inserts from her friends and neighbors for me, and The Grocery Game. I tell you, if you haven't checked out TGG yet, you really should. I've yet to come across any blog that covers the sales in as much detail as TGG. I know there are other free services that are similar to TGG, but I don't care for them as well. The best thing about TGG is that what used to be the $1 four week trial is now FREE!! If you've been couponing, have a good stash of coupons on hand, and a Kroger nearby enough that it's worth it, you should really check it out this week! My favorite thing about TGG is that they list UN-advertised sales - the ones you don't see in the sale paper and wouldn't know about unless you walked up and down every aisle looking at the shelf tags. To me it is all worth the $1.25/week (after the trial period it's $10 for 8 weeks) to know this "inside information" without spending hours of my time trying to do the same thing. Anyway, enough rambling... (but if you do sign up for The Grocery Game, please let me know either in a comment or via the "Contact Me" button so I can give you my email address and get the referral, because referrals = free weeks for me :P )
Here's the loot:
(7) Yukon Gold Instant Potatoes - $.37 ea. (these are for New Year's Day)
(9) 32oz. Gatorade - $.49 ea.
(2) 64oz. Welch's 100% Juice - $1.49 ea.
(1) Cornstarch - $.79
12 double rolls Quilted Northern TP - $4.49
(2) Cat Treats - FREE
(12) Carnation Evaporate Milk - FREE (I can use this in cooking or baking or whatever)
(20) Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes - $.29 ea.
(12) Campbell's Cream Soup (Chic. & Mushroom) - $.68 ea.
(1) Reynold's Parchment Paper - $1.74
(4) 32 load Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener - FREE
(2) 18 ct. Eggs - $1.49 ea.
(4) BirdsEye Steamfresh Corn - $.49 ea.
(1) Pillsbury Simply Cookie Dough - $.74
(1) Lettuce - $1.45
(1) 5lb. Bread Flour - $2.49
(4) Chex Mix Special Dark - FREE (gave one to my MIL)
(4) Pepperidge Farms Garlic Bread - $.69 ea.
(3) 8oz. Land'O'Lakes Spreadable Butter - $.19 ea.
(5) Hall's Cough Drops - FREE
(2) 8oz. Cheese - $1.50 ea.
Sirloin Tip Roast - $4.31 ($2.49/lb)
1.45 lb. Ground Beef - $3.56
(3) Dental Floss - FREE
(1) Nestle's Mini's - $.99
Shelf Price - $223.33
OOP - $58.62
Saved - $164.71 or 74%!!!!!!!!
And here's my receipt to prove it :D This is the longest receipt I've gotten YET, and the biggest "real food" savings I've EVER had! Ok, with the exception of the TP, cough drops, cat treats and parchment paper... but STILL!
Both Daniel and I were both pretty excited about all of this! He was wonderful and helped me put everything away. My cupboard that was crammed full of summer sale things like BBQ Sauce, Salad Dressings and Condiments is now crammed full of winter sale things like canned stuff :) There's still plenty of condiments and salad dressings to last a while yet, but we've put a decent hurting on it since summer!
Here's the loot:
(7) Yukon Gold Instant Potatoes - $.37 ea. (these are for New Year's Day)(9) 32oz. Gatorade - $.49 ea.
(2) 64oz. Welch's 100% Juice - $1.49 ea.
(1) Cornstarch - $.79
12 double rolls Quilted Northern TP - $4.49
(2) Cat Treats - FREE
(12) Carnation Evaporate Milk - FREE (I can use this in cooking or baking or whatever)
(20) Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes - $.29 ea.
(12) Campbell's Cream Soup (Chic. & Mushroom) - $.68 ea.
(1) Reynold's Parchment Paper - $1.74
(4) 32 load Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener - FREE
(2) 18 ct. Eggs - $1.49 ea.
(4) BirdsEye Steamfresh Corn - $.49 ea.
(1) Pillsbury Simply Cookie Dough - $.74
(1) Lettuce - $1.45
(1) 5lb. Bread Flour - $2.49
(4) Chex Mix Special Dark - FREE (gave one to my MIL)
(4) Pepperidge Farms Garlic Bread - $.69 ea.
(3) 8oz. Land'O'Lakes Spreadable Butter - $.19 ea.
(5) Hall's Cough Drops - FREE
(2) 8oz. Cheese - $1.50 ea.
Sirloin Tip Roast - $4.31 ($2.49/lb)
1.45 lb. Ground Beef - $3.56
(3) Dental Floss - FREE
(1) Nestle's Mini's - $.99
Shelf Price - $223.33
OOP - $58.62
Saved - $164.71 or 74%!!!!!!!!
And here's my receipt to prove it :D This is the longest receipt I've gotten YET, and the biggest "real food" savings I've EVER had! Ok, with the exception of the TP, cough drops, cat treats and parchment paper... but STILL!
Both Daniel and I were both pretty excited about all of this! He was wonderful and helped me put everything away. My cupboard that was crammed full of summer sale things like BBQ Sauce, Salad Dressings and Condiments is now crammed full of winter sale things like canned stuff :) There's still plenty of condiments and salad dressings to last a while yet, but we've put a decent hurting on it since summer!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Weekly Shopping Trip 9/15/09
What a week! Just take a look...
(8) Philadelphia Cream Cheese - $.49/ea.
(12) Barilla Pasta - $.39/ea.
(3) 8oz. Bar Cheese - $.49/ea.
(3) 8oz. Shredded Mozz. Cheese - $.49/ea.
(2) lb. butter - $1.68 (!!!)
(6) 16ct. 2% Cheese Singles - $.49/ea.
4oz. Organic Mushrooms - $1.09
16oz. Sour Cream - $1.20
(5) 12oz. Chocolate Chips - $1.19/ea.
(5) Choc. Chip Cookie Dough - $.99/ea. (can't make 'em cheaper!)
lb. Turkey Breast - $3.73
lb. Strawberries - $2.10
4 Apples - $3.96 ($1.99/lb)
3 Peaches - $1.55 ($1.24/lb)
3 Nectarines - $2.38 ($1.65/lb)
3.11lb Boneless Bottom Round Roast - $6.19 ($1.99/lb!!!!!)
(3) 1.5 - 2.5lb. London Broil Roasts - $11.68 ($1.99/lb!!!!!)
18ct. Eggs - $1.73
Shelf Price - $173.81
Spent - $66.49
Saved - $107.32 / 62%
(8) Philadelphia Cream Cheese - $.49/ea.(12) Barilla Pasta - $.39/ea.
(3) 8oz. Bar Cheese - $.49/ea.
(3) 8oz. Shredded Mozz. Cheese - $.49/ea.
(2) lb. butter - $1.68 (!!!)
(6) 16ct. 2% Cheese Singles - $.49/ea.
4oz. Organic Mushrooms - $1.09
16oz. Sour Cream - $1.20
(5) 12oz. Chocolate Chips - $1.19/ea.
(5) Choc. Chip Cookie Dough - $.99/ea. (can't make 'em cheaper!)
lb. Turkey Breast - $3.73
lb. Strawberries - $2.10
4 Apples - $3.96 ($1.99/lb)
3 Peaches - $1.55 ($1.24/lb)
3 Nectarines - $2.38 ($1.65/lb)
3.11lb Boneless Bottom Round Roast - $6.19 ($1.99/lb!!!!!)
(3) 1.5 - 2.5lb. London Broil Roasts - $11.68 ($1.99/lb!!!!!)
18ct. Eggs - $1.73
Shelf Price - $173.81
Spent - $66.49
Saved - $107.32 / 62%
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Gatherin' the Groceries 9/2
From a multitude of places...
FOOD:
1.5 doz. Med. Eggs - $1.50 (Manager's Special)
1/2 Gal Milk - $1.89
Bread Flour - $2.14
(2) Pasta - $.98 each
lb. Butter - $1.92
(2) Shamrock Farms Mmmilk - FREE
Soy Sauce - $1.72
Oyster Sauce - $1.78
3lb. Onions - $1.50
Romaine Lettuce - $1.49
Chickpeas - $.68
Iceburg Lettuce - $1.00
Mushrooms -$1.88
(3) Neufchatel Cheese - $1.00 each
28oz. Brown Rice - $1.09
2lb. Carrots - $1.66
1lb. LOF Ham - $2.45
(2) Kraft Singles - $1.00 each
Atlantic Salmon - $4.76 (Manager's Special)
lb. Strawberries - $2.20
(2) Kraft Cheddar - $1.00 each
(6) Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - FREE
Shelf Price - $58.15
OOP - $38.20
Saved - $19.95 / 34%
NON-FOOD:
(4) Chinet Plates - FREE
(3) Schick Quattro Razors - $.33 each
Shelf Price - $36.53
OOP - $1.82
Saved - $34.71 / 95%
FOOD:1.5 doz. Med. Eggs - $1.50 (Manager's Special)
1/2 Gal Milk - $1.89
Bread Flour - $2.14
(2) Pasta - $.98 each
lb. Butter - $1.92
(2) Shamrock Farms Mmmilk - FREE
Soy Sauce - $1.72
Oyster Sauce - $1.78
3lb. Onions - $1.50
Romaine Lettuce - $1.49
Chickpeas - $.68
Iceburg Lettuce - $1.00
Mushrooms -$1.88
(3) Neufchatel Cheese - $1.00 each
28oz. Brown Rice - $1.09
2lb. Carrots - $1.66
1lb. LOF Ham - $2.45
(2) Kraft Singles - $1.00 each
Atlantic Salmon - $4.76 (Manager's Special)
lb. Strawberries - $2.20
(2) Kraft Cheddar - $1.00 each
(6) Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - FREE
Shelf Price - $58.15
OOP - $38.20
Saved - $19.95 / 34%
NON-FOOD:
(4) Chinet Plates - FREE
(3) Schick Quattro Razors - $.33 each
Shelf Price - $36.53
OOP - $1.82
Saved - $34.71 / 95%
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Grocery Roundup: 8/19/09
Wow, summertime and running out of beef sure hike up the grocery bill! Even though I'm doing my best to get Gatorade/Powerade when it's on sale, it still adds up. (Yes, I know that the powdered mix is much cheaper. We tried it one summer and something about powdered drink mixes make Daniel sneeze. I know, it's weird, but it does :) )
From Kroger & WalMart:
8 Powerade - $.79/ea.
2 Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix - $.74/ea.
Chex Mix bars - $.39
FiberOne Chewy Bars - $.79
Nature Valley Trail Mix Bars - $.59
Planter's Mixed Nuts - $3.98
3 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (8 ct.) - FREE plus $.13 overage
Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes - $.29
Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters - FREE
Baking Powder - $.99
Betty Crocker Warm Delights Bowl - FREE
6 Van Camps Pork & Beans - $.40/ea.
7.14lbs Peaches - $6.27 ($.88/lb.)
4.5lb. Bottom Round Roast - $9.40 ($2.09/lb, original price was $21.10)
1.5lb. Ground Sirloin - $4.01
18 ct. Eggs - $1.99
24 ct. 2% String Cheese - $5.58
White House Applesauce - $2.22
Marshmallows - $1.00
Shelf Price - $88.34
Total Spent - $49.12
Saved - $39.22 / 44% (doesn't include the markdown on the meat)
I was really tickled pink to find a couple coupons online that weren't listed on my grocery game list. One was for the Baking Powder. I'm almost to the bottom of the can I'm using now, and decided to hunt for a coupon. And found one! And one that would double, no less! I had trouble finding all of the e-coupons for the snack stuff that were supposed to be out there, but by going to alternate e-coupon sites, I was able to come up with every one, and even an extra one! It pays to do research and not just say "oh well, I guess I missed it" and pay more.
I don't know that I would've done the Kroger 10 Item Mix'n'Match deal except that the snacky items will be great to take along in my pocketbook for in-between-meal munchies. Those are pretty important to me right now, and they provide enough "umph" to tide me over till I can eat real food, and they were pretty cheap.
And the biscuits! I looooove Pillsbury flaky biscuits :) This is the first time since I started couponing that I've seen them cheap enough to merit buying instead of making homemade - they would've been $.29/can which is still just about as cheap as I can make a batch, but FREE is even better!!
Baby George still loves Applesauce and String Cheese. The string cheese is another good snack item that I can take with me if I'm going somewhere. The mixed nuts... they are expensive, but I wanted some to mix with the M&M's I loaded up on last week, along with some raisins, to make my own trail mix of sorts as another take-along snack option. It's probably more healthy/nutritious than commercial granola bars anyway.
Whew, being pregnant sure changes the whole way I look at food these days! While I don't specifically like the extra $$ it is costing, neither do I like being so hungry I think there's a hole growing in my back, or looking for a filling, quick nibble and there not being anything easily totable, or even easy to eat discreetly (kinda necessary in the middle of church...).
From Kroger & WalMart:
8 Powerade - $.79/ea.2 Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix - $.74/ea.
Chex Mix bars - $.39
FiberOne Chewy Bars - $.79
Nature Valley Trail Mix Bars - $.59
Planter's Mixed Nuts - $3.98
3 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (8 ct.) - FREE plus $.13 overage
Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes - $.29
Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters - FREE
Baking Powder - $.99
Betty Crocker Warm Delights Bowl - FREE
6 Van Camps Pork & Beans - $.40/ea.
7.14lbs Peaches - $6.27 ($.88/lb.)
4.5lb. Bottom Round Roast - $9.40 ($2.09/lb, original price was $21.10)
1.5lb. Ground Sirloin - $4.01
18 ct. Eggs - $1.99
24 ct. 2% String Cheese - $5.58
White House Applesauce - $2.22
Marshmallows - $1.00
Shelf Price - $88.34
Total Spent - $49.12
Saved - $39.22 / 44% (doesn't include the markdown on the meat)
I was really tickled pink to find a couple coupons online that weren't listed on my grocery game list. One was for the Baking Powder. I'm almost to the bottom of the can I'm using now, and decided to hunt for a coupon. And found one! And one that would double, no less! I had trouble finding all of the e-coupons for the snack stuff that were supposed to be out there, but by going to alternate e-coupon sites, I was able to come up with every one, and even an extra one! It pays to do research and not just say "oh well, I guess I missed it" and pay more.
I don't know that I would've done the Kroger 10 Item Mix'n'Match deal except that the snacky items will be great to take along in my pocketbook for in-between-meal munchies. Those are pretty important to me right now, and they provide enough "umph" to tide me over till I can eat real food, and they were pretty cheap.
And the biscuits! I looooove Pillsbury flaky biscuits :) This is the first time since I started couponing that I've seen them cheap enough to merit buying instead of making homemade - they would've been $.29/can which is still just about as cheap as I can make a batch, but FREE is even better!!
Baby George still loves Applesauce and String Cheese. The string cheese is another good snack item that I can take with me if I'm going somewhere. The mixed nuts... they are expensive, but I wanted some to mix with the M&M's I loaded up on last week, along with some raisins, to make my own trail mix of sorts as another take-along snack option. It's probably more healthy/nutritious than commercial granola bars anyway.
Whew, being pregnant sure changes the whole way I look at food these days! While I don't specifically like the extra $$ it is costing, neither do I like being so hungry I think there's a hole growing in my back, or looking for a filling, quick nibble and there not being anything easily totable, or even easy to eat discreetly (kinda necessary in the middle of church...).
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Giant Grocery G______
I couldn't think of a "G" word to go along with the rest of my title.
I won't be doing much grocery shopping the next two weeks, so I had fun, fun, fun today!! Ah, it was so nice to get all the really great deals, and get as many of them as I had coupons for! It felt like a wonderful "stock-up" day. I only went to Kroger, which has a really nice "10 item mega event" sale going on this week.
Food:
10 (32oz) Powerade - $.79 ea.
6 big boxes Rice Krispies - $.99 ea.
6 Yoplait Yogurts - $.33 ea.
5 Cheerios Snack Mix - $.49 ea.
5 pkgs. Tyson Split Chic. Breasts - $10.64/all (roughly $.66/lb)
7 French's Mustard - $.49 ea.
4 gal. Orange Juice - $1.25!!! Manager's Special I couldn't pass up!
2 Kraft Salad Dressing - $.19 ea.
2 Tombstone Pizzas - $2.49 ea.
3 Sargento Cheese - $.49 ea.
2 Oscar Mayer lunchmeat - $2.49 ea.
Fiber One Yogurt - FREE
Lettuce - $1.05
3 Apples - $1.55
4 Nectarines - $1.42 (oops, he rang them up as peaches, $.10/lb more. Oh well)
18 ct. Eggs - $1.48
2 Cream Cheese - $.79 ea.
Shelf Price: $148.78
Spent: $58.86
Saved: $89.92 / 60%
Non-Food:
8pk. Brawny Paper Towels - $4.49 (a $1 Cellfire Q was supposed to come off but it didn't??)
3 L'Oreal Vive Pro - $.69 ea
6 Cat Treats - FREE (yes, for our dog :P )
Shelf Price: $30.73
Spent: $7.33
Saved: $23.40 / 76%
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daniel is my hero. He helped me figure out my veeerrrry long receipt. He's the one that found that one pack of chicken that hadn't been taxed, causing a $.07 difference in my total! I have been going to the "other" Kroger the past several weeks, and the people there have been really nice, and the cashiers amazing. I am much more comfortable with them, and don't mind having a conversation with the people there, which is very different from the other Kroger (with the super-friendly male cashier). I'm just really glad that all the cashiers have been so great so far! This is the store that I had serious trouble at a couple times with my coupons. I had 40 coupons today! Thankfully no one got in line behind me until we were almost done, and I made sure the cashier was ok with it before he started. When we got to the coupons I told him that since I had so many I wanted to hand them to him in batches. He did really great at scanning them, and when he was done he said he's had people in there with an even bigger pile than I had! I like it when the cashiers seem to be excited over my savings :)
When Daniel saw all the Rice Krispies he asked if I was going to make Rice Krispie Treats :) I might have to get some marshmallows and make some for him.
I won't be doing much grocery shopping the next two weeks, so I had fun, fun, fun today!! Ah, it was so nice to get all the really great deals, and get as many of them as I had coupons for! It felt like a wonderful "stock-up" day. I only went to Kroger, which has a really nice "10 item mega event" sale going on this week.
Food:
10 (32oz) Powerade - $.79 ea.6 big boxes Rice Krispies - $.99 ea.
6 Yoplait Yogurts - $.33 ea.
5 Cheerios Snack Mix - $.49 ea.
5 pkgs. Tyson Split Chic. Breasts - $10.64/all (roughly $.66/lb)
7 French's Mustard - $.49 ea.
4 gal. Orange Juice - $1.25!!! Manager's Special I couldn't pass up!
2 Kraft Salad Dressing - $.19 ea.
2 Tombstone Pizzas - $2.49 ea.
3 Sargento Cheese - $.49 ea.
2 Oscar Mayer lunchmeat - $2.49 ea.
Fiber One Yogurt - FREE
Lettuce - $1.05
3 Apples - $1.55
4 Nectarines - $1.42 (oops, he rang them up as peaches, $.10/lb more. Oh well)
18 ct. Eggs - $1.48
2 Cream Cheese - $.79 ea.
Shelf Price: $148.78
Spent: $58.86
Saved: $89.92 / 60%
Non-Food:
8pk. Brawny Paper Towels - $4.49 (a $1 Cellfire Q was supposed to come off but it didn't??)3 L'Oreal Vive Pro - $.69 ea
6 Cat Treats - FREE (yes, for our dog :P )
Shelf Price: $30.73
Spent: $7.33
Saved: $23.40 / 76%
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daniel is my hero. He helped me figure out my veeerrrry long receipt. He's the one that found that one pack of chicken that hadn't been taxed, causing a $.07 difference in my total! I have been going to the "other" Kroger the past several weeks, and the people there have been really nice, and the cashiers amazing. I am much more comfortable with them, and don't mind having a conversation with the people there, which is very different from the other Kroger (with the super-friendly male cashier). I'm just really glad that all the cashiers have been so great so far! This is the store that I had serious trouble at a couple times with my coupons. I had 40 coupons today! Thankfully no one got in line behind me until we were almost done, and I made sure the cashier was ok with it before he started. When we got to the coupons I told him that since I had so many I wanted to hand them to him in batches. He did really great at scanning them, and when he was done he said he's had people in there with an even bigger pile than I had! I like it when the cashiers seem to be excited over my savings :)
When Daniel saw all the Rice Krispies he asked if I was going to make Rice Krispie Treats :) I might have to get some marshmallows and make some for him.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
This Week's Grocery Store Raid
This is a day late, but I just now got everything in the picture. The broccoli and meat are in "home" packaging for the freezer: 6 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, 6 leg quarters, 6 wings, 1 1/2 cups cooked/chopped chicken, 2 cups broth, 9 pints broccoli.
2 gal. Kroger Orange Juice - $1.99/ea
(1 for now, 1 for in the freezer for after the sale ends so I don't have to pay full price)
71-90 ct. Shrimp - $4.49
1.07 lb. Provolone Cheese - $2.99/lb
2 (36 ct.) Chinet Lunch Plates - FREE
Miracle Whip Light - $1.50
Salad Dressing - $.17
4.77 lb. Broccoli Crowns - $.57/lb
3 fryer chickens - $.69/lb
Shelf Price (before sales/coupons) - $56.67
Spent - $26.15
Saved - $30.52 / 54%
This trip was a little tricky :) I knew I wanted to get the broccoli because it was on sale for $.99/lb. Then I remembered that I had grabbed some coupons off of a display last week that were for $2 off a produce purchase. To use the coupon I had to buy 2 of certain Kraft items. So I looked, and sure enough, they had those Kraft items on sale. I checked, and I did still have a coupon for 1 salad dressing and 1 for the Miracle Whip! Oh joy!! I was able to get all three things for super-rock-bottom prices!
When I got home I cut up and froze the chickens and cooked the bones down overnight. I was able to pick off about another 1 1/2 cups of meat, and then had 2 cups of broth. This evening I cut up and blanched the broccoli and it is in the freezer :) Well, except for what we ate fresh last night and the 1 crown that I cut up to eat fresh this weekend.
2 gal. Kroger Orange Juice - $1.99/ea
(1 for now, 1 for in the freezer for after the sale ends so I don't have to pay full price)
71-90 ct. Shrimp - $4.49
1.07 lb. Provolone Cheese - $2.99/lb
2 (36 ct.) Chinet Lunch Plates - FREE
Miracle Whip Light - $1.50
Salad Dressing - $.17
4.77 lb. Broccoli Crowns - $.57/lb
3 fryer chickens - $.69/lb
Shelf Price (before sales/coupons) - $56.67
Spent - $26.15
Saved - $30.52 / 54%
This trip was a little tricky :) I knew I wanted to get the broccoli because it was on sale for $.99/lb. Then I remembered that I had grabbed some coupons off of a display last week that were for $2 off a produce purchase. To use the coupon I had to buy 2 of certain Kraft items. So I looked, and sure enough, they had those Kraft items on sale. I checked, and I did still have a coupon for 1 salad dressing and 1 for the Miracle Whip! Oh joy!! I was able to get all three things for super-rock-bottom prices!
When I got home I cut up and froze the chickens and cooked the bones down overnight. I was able to pick off about another 1 1/2 cups of meat, and then had 2 cups of broth. This evening I cut up and blanched the broccoli and it is in the freezer :) Well, except for what we ate fresh last night and the 1 crown that I cut up to eat fresh this weekend.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Huge Shopping Trip(s)
Wow, what a week for grocery shopping. Since this past weekend was Memorial Day weekend, The Grocery Game list maker for the local Kroger area didn't put out a list, so I had to make one myself, just like old times. I only went by the salepaper, so I don't know what other great deals there were to be had, but I spent plenty of money just fine without knowing. Check it out.
These items are brought to you by:
Food Lion (2 trips), Kroger (2 trips), WalMart and CVS.
Gal. Kroger Milk - $1.99 (Manager's Special)
Gal. Kroger OJ - $1.99 (I hope this sale goes on and on!)
3 Daisy Sour Cream - FREE
1lb. block Kroger Butter - $1.99
"Processed Cheese Product" - $1.28
(Better known as "breakfast cheese" at this house)
8oz. bottle Shamrock Choc. Milk - FREE
18ct. Kroger Eggs - $1.19
Vitamin10 Water - FREE
Doritos - $1.98
2 Apples - $.87
4 boxes Dr. Pepper/Pepsi - $10.00
(Had to buy 4 to get the sale price)
4 Weber Creations Seasonings - FREE
5lb. Bread Flour - $2.14
5lb. GV All Purpose flour - $1.74
2 GV Strawberry Jello - $.38 ea.
Pint GV Whipping Cream - $1.62
7 (36ct) Chinet Lunch Plates - FREE
4 (24ct) Chinet Lunch Napkins - FREE
1.05lb. Roast Beef - $3.14 ($3/lb)
7 lb. Sara Lee Honey Smoked Chicken Breast - $21.12 ($3/lb)
*2 Colgate Toothpaste - ($1.99 ea.) $.37 ea.
*Men's Speedstick Pro Deoderant - ($3.99) $.37
*Altoids - ($.50) $.37
*Butterfinger Crunch - ($.22) $.37
Shelf Price - $157.90
OOP - $54.71
Saved - $103.19 / 65%
Earned $5.99 in Extra Care Bucks
* These are the things from CVS. I used my ECB's so I just divided the OOP by number of items to get the "each" price. The price in the ( ) is the after coupon price. After my CVS savings and regular coupons, my total was $7.07. I had $7 in ECBs, but after he scanned the $4 and $2 ones, it was only $1.86 and wouldn't take the $2 one. I got befuddled and was thinking backwards, so I grabbed another toothpaste and used another coupon on the toothpaste. It did bring my total up enough to use the $2 ECB but I ended up paying more OOP. I should've just grabbed another $.22 candybar and gotten it all for free. Oh well. I came home with more ECB's :)
I had some exciting shopping trips this week! The first trip to Food Lion was to the one in town. I had torun some errends pay a bill that was due that day so we were in town anyway. On that trip we got 3 pkgs of the Chinet plates and 1 lb. of roast beef that was on sale. While we were waiting in line at the deli counter for the roast beef , I nonchalontly looked at the date stickers on the pieces of meat in the display case. I noticed the Sara Lee chicken breast (originally $6.99/lb) dated for Monday (it was now Tuesday). When it was our turn, I asked the lady about the date and if I bought the whole thing, how much would she discount it. She was able to discount it to $3.99/lb, but not any lower. I told her I couldn't buy it for that much, but I would take it for $3.00/lb. Then she thought I wanted the whole thing for just $3!!! She started to get a little huffy, and then calmed down and said that the computer wouldn't let her mark it down any lower, but she was sure the manager would let me have it for $3/lb. So we walked over to CVS and picked up a salepaper (it was next door) and then came back. While we were gone the manager had gotten back from her lunch break and had to take the piece of meat to the main office or something and actually lower the price in the computer. We (Glen and I) had to wait several minutues, but we got it!! I was a little nervous bargaining/bartering like that, but I wanted it and knew that they wouldn't sell it later anyway whenever they would find it. I actually got my nerve to do it from seeing a short TV blurb on Terri Gault, the founder of The Grocery Game, doing it on TV a couple weeks ago. I figured it she can do it and get results, I can, too! When we checked out there the first time (with the Chinet and beef), the price rang up to close to the price of the beef. The cashier asked me if all those coupons were for the Chinet, which they were. Then she said "Wow! You made out like a bandit today!" :)
After we got home from that trip, we went to pick strawberries. On our way back from that, we stopped at the Food Lion that is right down the road from us because I had more Chinet coupons and wanted to see if they had any left on the shelf. They did! That's where we got the other 4 pkgs of plates and the clearance napkins. The napkins were $.77 ea. and the coupons I had for them were for $1. I told the cashier that she might have to lower the amount of the coupon since it was for more than the shelf price. She just scanned them in at $1. She hit "the button" and the screen showed -.47. She got a weird, confused look on her face and hit the button again, and it still showed -.47. Her eyes got big and she said "it's showing me that I owe you money!" then she turned to the lady that was bagging and asked what she should do. The lady that was bagging said "oh yeah, we just credit the amount". So they gave me $.47!! I didn't know that any stores did that, so I was about ready to jump outa my skin, I was so excited!! We were walking out of the store and Glen said "I've never seen anyone get paid to buy groceries!!" He talked about it all the way home, asking about the List, coupons, etc. I showed him the list and explained how it works and all. He was pretty excited over it! I had to laugh, because at the first Food Lion stop he bought some oreos. I offered to put them in with my order and he could pay me back and he was very adamant that "he had plenty of money". I asked if he had an MVP card, "no, I don't need one, I have enough money!". When his order rang up the cashier asked if he had an MVP card and I gave her mine and it took off $.58. After we were out of the store he was telling me how it was "only $.58!!" and I shouldn't have used my MVP card on him because he has enough money! And then a couple hours later he's so excited over the things you can do with coupons! Ha ha.
Yesterday afternoon I sliced up the Sara Lee chicken and bagged it up. I know it put me WAY over my weekly budget this week, but I won't have to buy sandwich meat for at least a month, maybe a month and a half now. Plus, with my brother, Glen, being here for 10 days, he's about eating me out of house and home! Instead of having leftovers from supper to eat for lunch, the whole meal is consumed at supper. Then we eat sandwiches for lunch, which means more bread to make. I just bought bread flour last week and had to buy more this week! It did make a difference that the last batch I made (3 loaves) I made all white instead of multi-grain (which uses alot less white flour). Oh well. Minus the Sara Lee meat I only spent $33.06, so for 3 people, I don't think that's too bad :) He is definitely putting a hurtin' on our meat supply, though! I think I'll need to start restocking beef next week and chicken before too long.
These items are brought to you by:Food Lion (2 trips), Kroger (2 trips), WalMart and CVS.
Gal. Kroger Milk - $1.99 (Manager's Special)
Gal. Kroger OJ - $1.99 (I hope this sale goes on and on!)
3 Daisy Sour Cream - FREE
1lb. block Kroger Butter - $1.99
"Processed Cheese Product" - $1.28
(Better known as "breakfast cheese" at this house)
8oz. bottle Shamrock Choc. Milk - FREE
18ct. Kroger Eggs - $1.19
Vitamin10 Water - FREE
Doritos - $1.98
2 Apples - $.87
4 boxes Dr. Pepper/Pepsi - $10.00
(Had to buy 4 to get the sale price)
4 Weber Creations Seasonings - FREE
5lb. Bread Flour - $2.14
5lb. GV All Purpose flour - $1.74
2 GV Strawberry Jello - $.38 ea.
Pint GV Whipping Cream - $1.62
7 (36ct) Chinet Lunch Plates - FREE
4 (24ct) Chinet Lunch Napkins - FREE
1.05lb. Roast Beef - $3.14 ($3/lb)
7 lb. Sara Lee Honey Smoked Chicken Breast - $21.12 ($3/lb)
*2 Colgate Toothpaste - ($1.99 ea.) $.37 ea.
*Men's Speedstick Pro Deoderant - ($3.99) $.37
*Altoids - ($.50) $.37
*Butterfinger Crunch - ($.22) $.37
Shelf Price - $157.90
OOP - $54.71
Saved - $103.19 / 65%
Earned $5.99 in Extra Care Bucks
* These are the things from CVS. I used my ECB's so I just divided the OOP by number of items to get the "each" price. The price in the ( ) is the after coupon price. After my CVS savings and regular coupons, my total was $7.07. I had $7 in ECBs, but after he scanned the $4 and $2 ones, it was only $1.86 and wouldn't take the $2 one. I got befuddled and was thinking backwards, so I grabbed another toothpaste and used another coupon on the toothpaste. It did bring my total up enough to use the $2 ECB but I ended up paying more OOP. I should've just grabbed another $.22 candybar and gotten it all for free. Oh well. I came home with more ECB's :)
I had some exciting shopping trips this week! The first trip to Food Lion was to the one in town. I had to
After we got home from that trip, we went to pick strawberries. On our way back from that, we stopped at the Food Lion that is right down the road from us because I had more Chinet coupons and wanted to see if they had any left on the shelf. They did! That's where we got the other 4 pkgs of plates and the clearance napkins. The napkins were $.77 ea. and the coupons I had for them were for $1. I told the cashier that she might have to lower the amount of the coupon since it was for more than the shelf price. She just scanned them in at $1. She hit "the button" and the screen showed -.47. She got a weird, confused look on her face and hit the button again, and it still showed -.47. Her eyes got big and she said "it's showing me that I owe you money!" then she turned to the lady that was bagging and asked what she should do. The lady that was bagging said "oh yeah, we just credit the amount". So they gave me $.47!! I didn't know that any stores did that, so I was about ready to jump outa my skin, I was so excited!! We were walking out of the store and Glen said "I've never seen anyone get paid to buy groceries!!" He talked about it all the way home, asking about the List, coupons, etc. I showed him the list and explained how it works and all. He was pretty excited over it! I had to laugh, because at the first Food Lion stop he bought some oreos. I offered to put them in with my order and he could pay me back and he was very adamant that "he had plenty of money". I asked if he had an MVP card, "no, I don't need one, I have enough money!". When his order rang up the cashier asked if he had an MVP card and I gave her mine and it took off $.58. After we were out of the store he was telling me how it was "only $.58!!" and I shouldn't have used my MVP card on him because he has enough money! And then a couple hours later he's so excited over the things you can do with coupons! Ha ha.
Yesterday afternoon I sliced up the Sara Lee chicken and bagged it up. I know it put me WAY over my weekly budget this week, but I won't have to buy sandwich meat for at least a month, maybe a month and a half now. Plus, with my brother, Glen, being here for 10 days, he's about eating me out of house and home! Instead of having leftovers from supper to eat for lunch, the whole meal is consumed at supper. Then we eat sandwiches for lunch, which means more bread to make. I just bought bread flour last week and had to buy more this week! It did make a difference that the last batch I made (3 loaves) I made all white instead of multi-grain (which uses alot less white flour). Oh well. Minus the Sara Lee meat I only spent $33.06, so for 3 people, I don't think that's too bad :) He is definitely putting a hurtin' on our meat supply, though! I think I'll need to start restocking beef next week and chicken before too long.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
BIG Shopping Trip This Week
It took several stops to get everything, but there were items that I needed and some that I wanted. I went over budget, but I chalk that up to my brother, Glen, coming to spend 10 days with us :P
Food Lion, Kroger, WalMart and Ukrops:
*Gal. Orange Juice - $1.99
*Gal. Orange Juice - $1.99
*Gal Milk - $1.99, Markdown
3 bottles Shamrock's MMMMMilk - FREE
*2 CoolWhip - $.50/ea.
4 Condensed Soups - $.50/ea.
3 Handsoap - $.30/ea.
3 Wacky Mac Pasta - $.59/ea.
Bananas - $.45 ($.29/lb!!!)
Mango - $.50
Tomato - $.62
2 Doz. Eggs - $1.00/ea, Markdown
*Lays - $1.88
*Pancake Syrup - $1.60
*Shortening - $2.53
Gal. Ice Cream - $4.99
3 Weber Seasonings - FREE
*Vegetable Oil - $2.84
*.54 lb. Provolone Cheese - $1.61
*.98 lb. Canadian Maple Ham - $2.93
*1.04 lb. Black Forest Ham - $3.11
3 Kraft Salad Dressing - FREE
Shelf Price: $78.33
Shelf Price: $78.33
OOP: $34.41
Saved: $43.92 / 56%
*"need" items. The ice cream was definitely a splurge. But it will sure taste good with fresh strawberries this weekend :) The cool whip is for the dessert I'm making for a party tomorrow :)
*"need" items. The ice cream was definitely a splurge. But it will sure taste good with fresh strawberries this weekend :) The cool whip is for the dessert I'm making for a party tomorrow :)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Weekly Grocery Store Raid - 75% Savings!!
Hee hee, I got my first "wow!" from a cashier!!!!! I went to Food Lion yesterday with my list from The Grocery Game and saved 84%!!!! Her comment was "Wow! Those coupons really made a difference! You're a good shopper."
All this from Food Lion, Kroger and WalMart:
3 Kitten Chow - FREE
All Purpose Flour - $1.74
Bread Flour - $2.14
Sugar - $2.38
1 Gal. Orange Juice - $1.99
2 Ketchup - $.60 ea.
5 BBQ Sauce - $.10 ea.
3 A.1. Steak Sauce - $.50 ea.
6 Electrasol - $.27 ea.
4 BirdsEye Steamfresh Corn - $.50 ea.
Sandwich Singles Cheese - $1.28
Lettuce - $1.38
24oz. Block Cheese - $3.99
2 apples - $.48 (1 not pictured because I ate it :P )
5 Grillmates Marinade Seasonings - $.19 ea.
Shelf Price: $98.61
Total OOP: $25.03
Saved: $73.58 or 75% (woop-woop!)
Daniel asked if I was going to start buying steaks to go with all the BBQ sauce and marinade I've been getting the last couple weeks. I told him no, but it will give us different ways to eat chicken other than "just chicken"! And who knows, with The Grocery Game I might just be able to buy a steak or two now and then :)
This week the flours, sugar, Orange Juice, Cheese and lettuce were on my needs list.
Aaaaayaaand, while I was in town I got my watch battery replaced!! It died 2 weeks ago and I've felt naked and lost without it. I seriously don't know how people who don't wear watches stand it. I even made sure to carry my cell phone around with me more, but I hated having to fumble with it to simply look at the time. Now I have time on myhands wrist again :)
All this from Food Lion, Kroger and WalMart:
3 Kitten Chow - FREEAll Purpose Flour - $1.74
Bread Flour - $2.14
Sugar - $2.38
1 Gal. Orange Juice - $1.99
2 Ketchup - $.60 ea.
5 BBQ Sauce - $.10 ea.
3 A.1. Steak Sauce - $.50 ea.
6 Electrasol - $.27 ea.
4 BirdsEye Steamfresh Corn - $.50 ea.
Sandwich Singles Cheese - $1.28
Lettuce - $1.38
24oz. Block Cheese - $3.99
2 apples - $.48 (1 not pictured because I ate it :P )
5 Grillmates Marinade Seasonings - $.19 ea.
Shelf Price: $98.61
Total OOP: $25.03
Saved: $73.58 or 75% (woop-woop!)
Daniel asked if I was going to start buying steaks to go with all the BBQ sauce and marinade I've been getting the last couple weeks. I told him no, but it will give us different ways to eat chicken other than "just chicken"! And who knows, with The Grocery Game I might just be able to buy a steak or two now and then :)
This week the flours, sugar, Orange Juice, Cheese and lettuce were on my needs list.
Aaaaayaaand, while I was in town I got my watch battery replaced!! It died 2 weeks ago and I've felt naked and lost without it. I seriously don't know how people who don't wear watches stand it. I even made sure to carry my cell phone around with me more, but I hated having to fumble with it to simply look at the time. Now I have time on my
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Coupon Sidebar
There are some really nice coupons over in my sidebar right now***. My guess is that stores will be running sales on condiments over the next while as we are heading into the summer-time-for-grilling-and-picnics season. I made sure to print them off so I'm ready and waiting when the sales come around :)
The ones that caught my eye are:
$1 Kraft Velveeta Cheese, 1lb. or larger
$1 any Kraft Miracle Whip
$1 any RITZ cracker variety (13.6 - 16oz)
$1 any Kraft Mayonnaise
$1 any Kraft Salad Dressing
$1 any A.1. Steak Sauce*
$1 any Kraft BBQ Sauce**
*A.1. Steak Sauce, 10oz, is on sale at Kroger this week for $2.99. Use this printable coupon and it's $1.99.
**Kraft BBQ Sauce, 18oz, is on sale at Kroger this week for $1! Use this printable coupon and it's FREE!
***You can scroll through the coupons to see the pictures/values and "quick print" (which is 1 coupon per page), or you can select to see them all, and then select all the ones you want to print and it will print up to 3 coupons per page. It does print in color, so if you don't want to use your color ink, you can either change your printer settings or pull the color cartridge out while the coupons print. The coupons I printed today expire 6/11.
The ones that caught my eye are:
$1 Kraft Velveeta Cheese, 1lb. or larger
$1 any Kraft Miracle Whip
$1 any RITZ cracker variety (13.6 - 16oz)
$1 any Kraft Mayonnaise
$1 any Kraft Salad Dressing
$1 any A.1. Steak Sauce*
$1 any Kraft BBQ Sauce**
*A.1. Steak Sauce, 10oz, is on sale at Kroger this week for $2.99. Use this printable coupon and it's $1.99.
**Kraft BBQ Sauce, 18oz, is on sale at Kroger this week for $1! Use this printable coupon and it's FREE!
***You can scroll through the coupons to see the pictures/values and "quick print" (which is 1 coupon per page), or you can select to see them all, and then select all the ones you want to print and it will print up to 3 coupons per page. It does print in color, so if you don't want to use your color ink, you can either change your printer settings or pull the color cartridge out while the coupons print. The coupons I printed today expire 6/11.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Grocery Game
Early last week the curiosity got the best of me. I have several blogs that I follow faithfully for grocery store deals. I get great information from them and love how much I save using their sale/coupon match ups.
But I kept hearing great things about The Grocery Game, too. I wasn't sure how different it could be from the blogs that I follow, but I decided that for $1 I would try it. And if I didn't like it I could always cancel my subscription.
I am still very new to TGG (as it's called), but so far I have really liked it. Since for my trial period I can sign up for as many stores as are in my area, I am getting lists for Kroger, Food Lion and CVS.
In the 1 1/2 weeks that I've been using TGG here's what I've learned:
The store lists that get posted each week are lists of advertised and UNadvertised sales, along with coupon matches.
TGG also tracks sales cycles and rock-bottom prices. The idea of using TGG is the same as other couponers: Stock up when it's low so you don't have to buy things at full price. One of my problems is knowing "is this the lowest price??" The list does it all for me :) Each list is color coded with the items in either black, blue or green.
~Black items are on sale, but only buy them if you need them.
~Blue items are on sale at the lowest prices for that store - it's time to stock up! Coupons sweeten the deal :)
~Green items, my favorite, are FREE when you combine the sale and coupon.
So far, there have been several things on the lists that I wouldn't know about unless I went looking in the store... and my goal isn't to spend hours in the store but to get in, get my stuff and get out.
Like I said, this is only my second week, but I've already scored some really great deals :) I'm not sure that I will keep all 3 stores after my trial period. After my trial period is over, it costs $10 for 8 weeks ($1.25/week) for the 1st store and $5 for each store that I subscribe to after that. I know I want to keep Kroger for sure, I'll have to wait and decide about the other two.
As I learn more, I'll share more.... just not my lists :P
If you want to sign up for The Grocery Game, please let me know. I'll give you my reference information so that you can put me in as having referred you. For every so many referrals I give, I get free weeks of TGG :D
Here is Teri Gault, founder of The Grocery Game, explaining how it works:
What is The Grocery Game?
But I kept hearing great things about The Grocery Game, too. I wasn't sure how different it could be from the blogs that I follow, but I decided that for $1 I would try it. And if I didn't like it I could always cancel my subscription.
I am still very new to TGG (as it's called), but so far I have really liked it. Since for my trial period I can sign up for as many stores as are in my area, I am getting lists for Kroger, Food Lion and CVS.
In the 1 1/2 weeks that I've been using TGG here's what I've learned:
The store lists that get posted each week are lists of advertised and UNadvertised sales, along with coupon matches.
TGG also tracks sales cycles and rock-bottom prices. The idea of using TGG is the same as other couponers: Stock up when it's low so you don't have to buy things at full price. One of my problems is knowing "is this the lowest price??" The list does it all for me :) Each list is color coded with the items in either black, blue or green.
~Black items are on sale, but only buy them if you need them.
~Blue items are on sale at the lowest prices for that store - it's time to stock up! Coupons sweeten the deal :)
~Green items, my favorite, are FREE when you combine the sale and coupon.
So far, there have been several things on the lists that I wouldn't know about unless I went looking in the store... and my goal isn't to spend hours in the store but to get in, get my stuff and get out.
Like I said, this is only my second week, but I've already scored some really great deals :) I'm not sure that I will keep all 3 stores after my trial period. After my trial period is over, it costs $10 for 8 weeks ($1.25/week) for the 1st store and $5 for each store that I subscribe to after that. I know I want to keep Kroger for sure, I'll have to wait and decide about the other two.
As I learn more, I'll share more.... just not my lists :P
If you want to sign up for The Grocery Game, please let me know. I'll give you my reference information so that you can put me in as having referred you. For every so many referrals I give, I get free weeks of TGG :D
Here is Teri Gault, founder of The Grocery Game, explaining how it works:
What is The Grocery Game?
Grocery Stockup
Wow. I did pretty good this week! We're stocked up on cereal, bbq sauce and mayo for awhile :)
Here's the breakdown:
Food Lion
4 Kraft BBQ Sauce (BIG bottles!)
3 Mayo
2 Choc. Chips
5 GrillMates
5 lbs. Potatoes
Kroger
Milk - Manager's Special :)
Orange Juice - this is yummy stuff and when it's on sale it's cheaper per gal. than concentrate :)
2 Corn Pops
2 Frosted Flakes
1 Mini-Wheats
Kitten Chow*
2 VitaminWater10 (thought it was free, ended up being $.50/ea - what I get for not paying attention)
Mustard
Cheese
Bananas
Tomato
WalMart
Bread Flour :)
Totals
Before Sales/Coupons: $69.17
Total OOP: $24.75
Saved: $44.42 or 64%
I had coupons for everything but the produce, dairy and flour.
*So last week I got cat food, too, and a couple people wondered what I was doing with cat food since we don't have any cats. My original plan was to find somebody to give it to that had cats. The cat food was free, why not get it (he he, it helps my savings, too :P )?? Daniel had an even better idea... just mix it in with Rascal's dog food. Hmm... I like that idea. Stretching our dog food with free cat food. We only do a little bit at a time and so far he's not meowing or purring or anything. He's a dog... he would eat human food if we let him, so I'm not worried about feeding him cat food. I can understand that straight cat food for a length of time might not be the best for him, but a little bit watered down with his reg. dog food shouldn't hurt him at all.
Is anybody missing the prices? It takes a little more time to list the items with the prices so it's a bit easier to not list them. I think last week I didn't even list all of the items. I'm just wondering if my faithful readers have a preference :) You're the ones reading, not me :P
Here's the breakdown:
Food Lion
4 Kraft BBQ Sauce (BIG bottles!)
3 Mayo
2 Choc. Chips
5 GrillMates
5 lbs. Potatoes
Kroger
Milk - Manager's Special :)
Orange Juice - this is yummy stuff and when it's on sale it's cheaper per gal. than concentrate :)
2 Corn Pops
2 Frosted Flakes
1 Mini-Wheats
Kitten Chow*
2 VitaminWater10 (thought it was free, ended up being $.50/ea - what I get for not paying attention)
Mustard
Cheese
Bananas
Tomato
WalMart
Bread Flour :)
Totals
Before Sales/Coupons: $69.17
Total OOP: $24.75
Saved: $44.42 or 64%
I had coupons for everything but the produce, dairy and flour.
*So last week I got cat food, too, and a couple people wondered what I was doing with cat food since we don't have any cats. My original plan was to find somebody to give it to that had cats. The cat food was free, why not get it (he he, it helps my savings, too :P )?? Daniel had an even better idea... just mix it in with Rascal's dog food. Hmm... I like that idea. Stretching our dog food with free cat food. We only do a little bit at a time and so far he's not meowing or purring or anything. He's a dog... he would eat human food if we let him, so I'm not worried about feeding him cat food. I can understand that straight cat food for a length of time might not be the best for him, but a little bit watered down with his reg. dog food shouldn't hurt him at all.
Is anybody missing the prices? It takes a little more time to list the items with the prices so it's a bit easier to not list them. I think last week I didn't even list all of the items. I'm just wondering if my faithful readers have a preference :) You're the ones reading, not me :P
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