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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/9/2009 5:56:48 PM
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CMT8808
Posts: 248
Joined: 9/4/2009
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quote:
ORIGINAL: writerchick
If I may, you've gotten some really good cost saving methods so far, but I'd like to throw in my two cents.
If you need the convenience, there are ways to buy the lunchables and whatnot for free or very close to it. Recently, I got a box of Capri Sun for free from Pavilions (Safeway). I don't eat yogurt, but if I did, I would've been able to get a pretty massive stockpile of the stuff for free over the last couple of months. All summer, I've seen free Oscar Meyer hot dogs and lots of good deals on lunchables.
On the surface, the store brands may seem like they are cheaper, but if you combine sales and coupons you can get the brand names for free or close to it. Earlier this year, I stocked up on Kraft Salad dressing for $.17 a bottle. I got Wishbone dressing for free. I almost got 10lbs of potatoes for $.09 on Sunday, but caught the cashier's mistake. Still, I only owed the store $1.10. This week, Campbell's Chicken Noodle or Tomato soups are free at Walgreens.
Getting your grocery bill down while still having the convenience is doable. You just need a little more know how.
If you don't already clip coupons, you might want to consider it.
Start with browsing the forums at Hot Coupon World or A Full Cup. They are broken up by store so you can see what people are buying for free or cheap this week at the stores in your area.
You can also check out Grocery Smarts if you're in California, Arizona, Washington or Idaho. This site posts printable grocery lists for local stores based on the weekly sales ad. The most helpful thing on it, for me anyway, are the stars to the left indicating the stock up scale. It helps you know if the advertised price is a good one or not. More stars = better price. It's helpful because if you're new to couponing, you might think that $1 for a tube of toothpaste is a good stock up price. In reality, you shouldn't pay more than $.24 for a tube of toothpaste barring special needs.
If you don't normally get a Sunday paper and wonder if it's worth buying one this week for the coupons, go to Taylortown Preview. They've already posted the list of coupons that will be coming out this Sunday. If you see something good that you can combine with a good sale, you might consider buying multiple copies of the paper. I buy 4 each week and 3 or 4 other people give me their coupons as well. It makes a huge difference. Keep in mind that the lists can vary by region, but not significantly.
These are just a few tips to get you started if you're interested. I highly recommend the forums, though. The shoppers there are simply amazing at putting together shopping scenarios. If you feel up to it, check out the sections for Walgreens and CVS to learn how to play the drug store game. Once you get good at it, you'll always have free toiletries and cleaning supplies which will help loosen up your budget to make other purchases.
Sorry, this got so long winded....
Hey WriterChick~
Cool thanx soo much, I saved the websites to my favorites. I generally don't do coupons, because I never seem to come across coupons for what I buy, but I will check out these sites and maybe I'll be blessed and discover some that I use.
I could have saved more at Bj's because they also accept coupons, but never came aross any, so this will be helpful and maybe lower my budget in this area.
Come next year I plan to cut prices in other areas, such as cell phone contract ending (Thank you Jesus) along with my cable contract that I can revise which will also add to my savings.
Thanx again
CMT
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/9/2009 7:12:22 PM
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writerchick
Posts: 368
Joined: 10/3/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: CMT8808
quote:
ORIGINAL: writerchick
If I may, you've gotten some really good cost saving methods so far, but I'd like to throw in my two cents.
If you need the convenience, there are ways to buy the lunchables and whatnot for free or very close to it. Recently, I got a box of Capri Sun for free from Pavilions (Safeway). I don't eat yogurt, but if I did, I would've been able to get a pretty massive stockpile of the stuff for free over the last couple of months. All summer, I've seen free Oscar Meyer hot dogs and lots of good deals on lunchables.
On the surface, the store brands may seem like they are cheaper, but if you combine sales and coupons you can get the brand names for free or close to it. Earlier this year, I stocked up on Kraft Salad dressing for $.17 a bottle. I got Wishbone dressing for free. I almost got 10lbs of potatoes for $.09 on Sunday, but caught the cashier's mistake. Still, I only owed the store $1.10. This week, Campbell's Chicken Noodle or Tomato soups are free at Walgreens.
Getting your grocery bill down while still having the convenience is doable. You just need a little more know how.
If you don't already clip coupons, you might want to consider it.
Start with browsing the forums at Hot Coupon World or A Full Cup. They are broken up by store so you can see what people are buying for free or cheap this week at the stores in your area.
You can also check out Grocery Smarts if you're in California, Arizona, Washington or Idaho. This site posts printable grocery lists for local stores based on the weekly sales ad. The most helpful thing on it, for me anyway, are the stars to the left indicating the stock up scale. It helps you know if the advertised price is a good one or not. More stars = better price. It's helpful because if you're new to couponing, you might think that $1 for a tube of toothpaste is a good stock up price. In reality, you shouldn't pay more than $.24 for a tube of toothpaste barring special needs.
If you don't normally get a Sunday paper and wonder if it's worth buying one this week for the coupons, go to Taylortown Preview. They've already posted the list of coupons that will be coming out this Sunday. If you see something good that you can combine with a good sale, you might consider buying multiple copies of the paper. I buy 4 each week and 3 or 4 other people give me their coupons as well. It makes a huge difference. Keep in mind that the lists can vary by region, but not significantly.
These are just a few tips to get you started if you're interested. I highly recommend the forums, though. The shoppers there are simply amazing at putting together shopping scenarios. If you feel up to it, check out the sections for Walgreens and CVS to learn how to play the drug store game. Once you get good at it, you'll always have free toiletries and cleaning supplies which will help loosen up your budget to make other purchases.
Sorry, this got so long winded....
Hey WriterChick~
Cool thanx soo much, I saved the websites to my favorites. I generally don't do coupons, because I never seem to come across coupons for what I buy, but I will check out these sites and maybe I'll be blessed and discover some that I use.
I could have saved more at Bj's because they also accept coupons, but never came aross any, so this will be helpful and maybe lower my budget in this area.
Come next year I plan to cut prices in other areas, such as cell phone contract ending (Thank you Jesus) along with my cable contract that I can revise which will also add to my savings.
Thanx again
CMT
You're welcome! I'm always thrilled to talk about couponing.
If you're concerned about never finding any for products you use, you should try Ebay. Just search for the product you want. You'll be able to buy multiples for around $1 depending on how hot the item is at the moment.
A couple months ago, I managed to make a $74 profit by buying coupons like this.
Another advantage of the forums is that you can find people to trade coupons with. That's worked out really well for me in the past, too. Earlier this year, there were coupons for Knox Gelatin which my swim team uses to keep our hair in buns while we swim our routines. I put out an ISO (in search of) to one of the groups and ended up getting enough coupons for free gel to last the team at least through Nationals next year. We have 22 swimmers going to Nationals this year and it's a light year member-wise, just to give you an idea of how much gel I was able to get.
You can also write to manufacturers of products you use a lot. Many times they'll send coupons for their products directly to you. Once you get in the loop, you'll be surprised at how many coupons are out there for items you need/want. I used to think the same way you do. I'm ecstatic to find out I was wrong.
One more thing...be careful about BJs and watch the prices. I'm a fan of buying in bulk, but I've recently learned that sometimes it's cheaper to buy the smaller packages with multiple coupons because they work out to be much cheaper overall.
For example...24 Mission Tortillas at a wholesale store run about $4.99 out here. I'm in California. If I used the $1 off coupon, I'd still have to pay $3.99.
The 8 count tortillas went on sale at Albertsons for $1.50 each. I bought 3 packages with 3 $1 off coupons which gave me 24 tortillas for $1.50 as opposed to $3.99. That's over 50% savings. Once you learn the system, you can do the same.
I must warn you, though. It does get addicting!
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/9/2009 9:20:28 PM
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Liv4Him06
Posts: 232
Joined: 12/6/2006
Status: offline
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It has been fluctuating a lot lately. But we're usually anywhere between $460.00 - $550.00 a month for two people. I really need to get in the habit of using coupons. It seems groceries keep getting higher and higher.
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/10/2009 12:27:21 AM
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W.O.F.
Posts: 1653
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: an ignoble beginning
Status: offline
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One thing that helps us (we are a family of 7 and spend between $450 to 600 a month...this includes all toiletries, and hygeine items. as well as a couple eat outs) is to make menus....for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I start with what I already have in my freezer, fridge and pantry. I then expand to include meals we might want. I also make sure that I have a couple quick meals (like spaghetti, or macaroni, or the makings for stir fry) available for those nights I just don't want to cook..this helps prevent the eating out bug from jumping on us too often. I plan breakfasts first, then supper/dinners, and then lunches are done by trying to incorporate leftovers into them....for example...baked chicken...cook 8 breasts instead of 7 and the leftover one is used to be shredded and make chicken salad sandwiches for myself and the 5 kids the next day (whose ages are 18g, 16b, 10g, 6b and 4g). Leftover beef and gravy from roast...it is either used to make vegetable beef soup for lunch, or pot pie later in the week for supper.
I do two weeks at a time..because that is how we get paid. I buy my milk and freeze it. I buy fresh produce and set aside some money to restock that produce as needed. In the summer, our produce cost go down because we do garden (and we put up those veggies so it does help over the winter as well).
My kids and hubby like knowing what is for dinner for the week (I admit...I often rotate off of my original plan...but the meals are all there...lol) and it keeps me from having to necessarily answer the age old question "What's for dinner..." and if I get sick...hubby knows, as well as older daughter, how to cook a lot of those meals and/or has the emergency fast meals to fall back on.
It really isn't that hard to keep grocery costs down, even without cutting coupons. I use coupons...but not religiously or regularly....but I will cut them particularly for things that are already on sale. My hubby's favorite story is of when we only had the 2 oldest, and money was really tight...we couldn't afford a lot of luxuries, in fact....we spent 100 to 150 a month on groceries then...but we did enjoy Barq's root beer. They had coupons on the 2 liter bottles for 95 cents off. We cut a few of them...and used them...the store literally had to pay us 5 cents a bottle because the price of them root beer was only 88 cents, and with tax only came to 90 cents.....
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Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh no, she's awake."
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/12/2009 2:10:03 PM
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writerchick
Posts: 368
Joined: 10/3/2008
Status: offline
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Just in case someone can use the information, here are a couple shopping scenarios that can get you cheap groceries:
Vons/Pavilions/Safeway
Classico Pasta Sauce 2/$4
2 boxes of Barilla pasta free when you buy 2 sauces.
Register here: http://www.classico.com/promotions/promointro.aspx for a $1 off 2 pasta sauce coupon.
Total out of pocket $3. Sale valid through Tuesday, 10/13.
There's also a catalina deal: buy 3 Pillsbury biscuits, get $2 off your next purchase. There were some small cans of Jr. biscuits for $1.29 each. Right in front of the display was a blinkie with $1 off 3 coupons. After factoring in the $2 coupon, you can get 3 cans of biscuits for $.87, 5 biscuits per can.
The deal does roll so you can use the $2 on another biscuit purchase or roll it into a ground beef purchase. 80% lean is on sale for $1.27 lb thru Tuesday. I think the biscuit deal runs through November 1st.
Hope this helps brings someone's costs down. Let me know if any of the terms are unclear. I tried to remove all the lingo for those who may not speak "couponing." Crazy that we have our own language, huh?
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/12/2009 3:40:37 PM
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mamajennleigh
Posts: 978
Joined: 12/6/2007
From: Fuquay-Varina, NC
Status: online
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I had to come on here and say that my hubby bought an entire weeks' worth of groceries for the 6 of us for $47.10 - he combined coupons, sales, 2 for deals, etc. Looking at the receipt, it looked like he would have spent around $200 for the groceries he bought without the deals.
Now, we get to go out to eat for a "date" this weekend YAY!!!
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We may not have arrived, but Praise the Lord we've set sail!
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/16/2009 9:32:43 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 8033
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
Status: offline
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Found this handy dandy link if anyone is interested.
Most are things that have already been mentioned, but it's pretty helpful. 
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When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/16/2009 1:48:38 PM
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Krislynx
Posts: 671
Status: offline
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Writerchick, places around here won't do the $1 off 2 coupon on a double pack unless it specifically states a multi-pack is acceptable. It seems odd to me that they would, no place I have ever worked has either. And I didn't know Target let you stack coupons, thanks. I just found out that CVS does also.
Kris
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/16/2009 2:12:23 PM
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MamaAng
Posts: 128
Joined: 4/20/2009
Status: offline
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Are there any other stores that stack coupons - where you can use manufacturer and store coupons at the same time?
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/16/2009 2:18:00 PM
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zoebob
Posts: 7962
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: land of limbo
Status: online
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Ours sort of lets you. I can print a coupon at the store that says "save $1 off of $10 of frozen food" and then if I also have a coupon for frozen pizza i can use them both. However, if I have 2 coupons for say land-o-lakes butter I cannot use them both on one package of butter.
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/16/2009 2:23:20 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5592
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MamaAng
Are there any other stores that stack coupons - where you can use manufacturer and store coupons at the same time?
Publix and Bi-Lo will let you do that here. And their BOGO sales are literally 50% off cause you don't have to buy both items to get the deal. Food Lion does not do that - you have to get both.
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They are consumed in twelve minutes.
Half-times take twelve minutes.
This is not coincidence.
~Erma Bombeck
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/16/2009 4:02:08 PM
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writerchick
Posts: 368
Joined: 10/3/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MamaAng
Are there any other stores that stack coupons - where you can use manufacturer and store coupons at the same time?
In general, you can stack coupons anytime you have one from the store and one from the manufacturer. Store coupons can range from anything like $1 off an item to $5 off a $10 purchase.
I don't know the specific stores in your area to give you a list of ones who stack, but you can add Walgreens to CVS and Target. You get Walgreens coupons from their weekly ads and they also put out a monthly booklet filled IVCs (Instant Value Coupons) that you can stack with MQs. In my area, S. CA, I can stack Qs at Vons/Pavilions. I haven't seen any store Qs from other grocery chains, but I may have just missed them.
BOGO sales are different. Depending on how the store rings up the item, you may be able to use two manufacturer coupons on the purchase and get the item you're buying for nearly free. Like doinkdom said, some stores ring up the items at 50%. Those are the ones where you can use a coupon on both items.
If the first item rings up at full price and the free item rings up at $0, you may or may not be able to use both coupons. The stores vary in their policy. This week, Ester C is on BOGO at Ralphs and I have multiple $5 off 1 Qs that I'm hoping will cut the out of pocket amount to as close to $0 as possible.
Another fun thing about BOGOs...you can combine a store BOGO with a manufacturer BOGO to get both items for free.
zoebob - in your Land-o-Lakes example, it doesn't work because you're trying to stack two manufacturer coupons.
krislynx - Yeah. me either. That section of the article really struck me wrong.
A little note about Target stacking...they can be a nightmare about accepting their own store coupons. It's totally bizarre. I recommend that you print a copy of their coupon policy and keep it with you at all times. Even then there's no guarantee that they'll follow it. Your mileage will definitely vary.
When I did the razor thing, the cashier saw my $42 total heading toward $0 and panicked. She called the manager over to tell me that they couldn't accept the coupons I'd presented. I pulled out their policy. With much attitude she followed it. However, I tried to buy Bic pens in the same transaction that was the same kind of price adjusting deal. She flat out refused to sell me the pens. She actually threw the pen coupons at me and walked away. I took them to another Target. That cashier pushed them right on through. This is what I mean about varying mileage.
And while I'm on a roll here  ....Don't forget about using register rewards from Walgreens at the grocery store. This is another situation where you have to find a coupon friendly store, but it can be done. I had a stack of like $15 in RRs earlier this year and used them at Albertsons to buy a ham and a turkey breast. They are manufacturer coupons so they're fair game at other retailers, but they do say "Walgreens" on them. Just ask the cashier first. Mine told me if they scan, they can take them. Every last one scanned just fine.
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/16/2009 7:50:59 PM
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Pamsy
Posts: 743
Joined: 5/4/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: BlessedMamaofmany
I spend about 200-350 a month. We have 5 children (one nursing only), 4 big kids, 2-3 adults (MIL is over at least every other day)
I get a lot of produce, and we eat plenty of protien, either beans or meat. I cook mostly from scratch.
Would you mind getting into some detail about what you eat and how/where you shop?
_____________________________
1 Chorinthians 13 vs. 4-8. Love is patient, love is kind.......Love never fails."
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/16/2009 8:10:30 PM
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danas_mom
Posts: 498
Joined: 6/17/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: writerchick
She says that a $1 off 2 coupon can be used on a 2 in 1 pack. I've never heard of that working before. It violates the spirit of the coupon as set by the manufacturer. I don't think stores will accept coupons used this way, but I'd have to research this more before I'd ever try it.
Yeah I don't think using a $1/2 coupon on one package that contains two items is correct either. I know it wouldn't fly at any of my stores, unless the wording of the coupon specifically said "$1 off two packages or one twin pack".
My Kroger store allows me to stack coupons as long as one of them is a store coupon and not a mfr coupon. You can look at the barcode to tell - Kroger store coupons will begin with a '1' while mfr coupons usually begin with a '5' (which will double at the register) or a '9' (which will not double). Kroger is GREAT about sending out homemailer coupons every few weeks in booklet form, and two or three times a year they also send out an envelope of coupons that are catered to what you buy often, so it's definitely worth it to sign up your shopper's card with your name and address.
_____________________________
I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. ~ 2 Samuel 24:24
Spirit of Ashes Creations
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/16/2009 9:38:09 PM
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mamajennleigh
Posts: 978
Joined: 12/6/2007
From: Fuquay-Varina, NC
Status: online
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I found it interesting that they will accept the "$1 off 2" coupons on items at our local BJ's warehouse store. Since so many things are packaged with multiple items within the package, the manager told my husband that he can use those there. That has saved us a bundle on things like TP, PT, and deoderant/shampoo items.
_____________________________
We may not have arrived, but Praise the Lord we've set sail!
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/17/2009 4:42:11 PM
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Mrs.Wifey
Posts: 3409
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The Gorgeous plains of Colorado
Status: offline
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This week is great at Walgreen's for stocking up on cold medicine, Zantac, Sure deodorant, and Vaseline lotion.
Let me know if you all want more details and I'm sure myself or writerchick can explain the Walgreen's couponing process.
_____________________________
Ryanne- trying hard to be my husband's girlfriend and my daughter's mother.
I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money- you can keep "the change."
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/17/2009 9:23:54 PM
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Pamsy
Posts: 743
Joined: 5/4/2005
Status: offline
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The only thing that happens around here concerning coupons and grocery stores is on Wednesdays at Pick and Save it is double coupon day up to doubling a one dollar coupon. The 'grocery game' doesnt happen around here either. I am grateful that we have an aldi's for things I trust buying there.
_____________________________
1 Chorinthians 13 vs. 4-8. Love is patient, love is kind.......Love never fails."
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/18/2009 7:51:06 AM
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MamaAng
Posts: 128
Joined: 4/20/2009
Status: offline
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I noticed that CVS and Rite Aid allow for manufacturer and store coupons to be used at the same time. Although Giant Eagle can be pricey, if I stick to the sale items and use coupons, I can find some pretty good deals. Yesterday I bought Progresso chicken broth for $1 (on sale for $2 and had $.50 coupon that was doubled). I like Progresso because there isn't MSG in it. I wish I had more coupons with me. I would have stocked up.
My difficulty with Aldi's is that a lot of their canned fruit has High Fructose Corn Syrup in it. I try to avoid that ingredient. They do have cheap dairy products though
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/18/2009 10:26:09 PM
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danas_mom
Posts: 498
Joined: 6/17/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Mrs.Wifey
This week is great at Walgreen's for stocking up on cold medicine, Zantac, Sure deodorant, and Vaseline lotion.
Let me know if you all want more details and I'm sure myself or writerchick can explain the Walgreen's couponing process.
Yeah it's a really good week at Walgreens. I had scenarios all worked up to get a bunch of stuff (Zantac, Triaminic, TheraFlu, olive oil, Puffs tissues, gum, cough drops, olives, don't remember what else) for less than $15 by rolling RR's, and then we had to put our last $20 in the gas tank instead. 
_____________________________
I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. ~ 2 Samuel 24:24
Spirit of Ashes Creations
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RE: Food Expenses - Monthly - 10/19/2009 9:30:58 AM
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CMT8808
Posts: 248
Joined: 9/4/2009
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
Publix and Bi-Lo will let you do that here. And their BOGO sales are literally 50% off cause you don't have to buy both items to get the deal. Food Lion does not do that - you have to get both.
FYI: Food Lion just recently bought Bi-Lo
CMT
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