Does anyone use the grocery game list to save money on groceries?

[anitame]

I've been using The Grocery Game for about 8 or 9 months now and I LOVE IT! I usually save around 50% off the retail prices. It's kind of a game with me; I get really excited when I hit the 50% mark. The checkers in the store are often amazed and I've had a few ask how in the world I did it.
It's definitely worth the cost of the website and the Sunday paper.

mrsbornkuntry, you do need to shop weekly on the program. The shopping days are Sun-Tue and to benefit from all the ads you really do need to shop most weeks.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Well, here's my report. This was my first time using it and I don't have most of the coupons they were saying to apply. I guess it takes a little while to get the coupons accumulated. I bought a paper today but it only had one coupon insert and was missing one insert that the website said I should have. That kind of messed with the potential savings but I assume it will build on a weekly basis. I also bought stuff that wasn't listed on the website because I did need other stuff. Here's how I did: Winn Dixie got $90.39 worth of groceries for $60.11. Saved $30.28 Publix: got $21.50 worth of groceries for $13.42. Saved $8.08Now, ordinarily I wouldn't have gone over to Publix and would have bought those other items at Winn Dixie thus I would have paid more, I only went over to Publix for the really great deals and bought everything else at Winn Dixie. So, a savings but not fabulous yet. We'll see how it goes over the next few weeks.

I'm not sure what the ING thing is but I get nothing out of you joining thecoupongame.

She was talking to me because I said I'd put in someones email address to give them referral credit and she didn't want the moderators/webmasters to shut down this subject due to people looking for referrals which happened with the ING bank accounts people talk about.

Either way, I'm very glad somebody mentioned this because I think it will help me. So THANKS!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

ING I believe referrels get money and on the grocery game--you can earn 12 weeks free...so in essence earning about $15 or $5 per referral (3 qualifying referrals = 12 weeks free). So i'd love to hear success stories....but not requests for referrals and such as I don't know how ING turned the way it did--but topics are limited to one thread that discusses it and strict rules on the referrals.

cruisnfamily--in my game rule$ it said that it will take about 12 weeks to develop the backlog of coupons--and unless you do need an item--it was suggested to hold off on purchasing. Also-with the sunday ads..for publix, for the sunday list, it said that it was necessary to shop between Sunday and Tuesday--glad I noticed that!

I guess you signed up for both WD and Publix--were the items different between the two? I have both and I know that WD does have some B1G1 free sales more often--so wasn't sure if it would warrant the extra subscription. WTG on your deals!!!

 

[sln88]

for those of you that can't find grocery stores in your area on the grocery game, I have a free suggestion

This is what I do- it takes a bit more time, but it works

Go to the coupon mom:http://www.couponmom.com/index.php?cid=10

find the virtual coupon organizer for your area. I live in Milwaukee, and it is not listed, so I use Chicago, because our coupons are similar.

When I get the ad, I put a product that is on sale in the seach box, and the website will tell me what insert a particular coupon was in. I get multiples of inserts(family, friends, begging-LOL), and file them by insert(I don't cut out very single coupon- only those I need), so then I just pull that insert and cut my coupons for the sale.
Example, this coming week, my store that doubles has sweet baby ray marinade for $2. I was pretty sure there was a $1 coupon out for that, so I looked it up on couponmom, found which insert it was in and cut them all out, and will be able to get a bunch of free marinade next week(I always share extra with the folks that give me their coupons).
I go thru and do this for any item I might want to buy, or think might be a good deal. After awhile you will know what coupons are out so it gets easier.

I have, on good days, paid 10% of my grocery bill after my coupons. It really is a game!

I don't get the paper either. I found that I felt like I had to read the whole thing, and they just ended up piling up. You can go to places like cutncoupons and pay a handling fee for them to cut the coupons and mail them to you. So, you can maybe get more coupons that you would actually use for that $1.25. There are also many people that don't coupon(I used to be one of them) and will be happy to give you their inserts.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I guess you signed up for both WD and Publix--were the items different between the two? I have both and I know that WD does have some B1G1 free sales more often--so wasn't sure if it would warrant the extra subscription. WTG on your deals!!!

Well, since it was only a buck for both for the trial I thought I'd try it.

Honestly, I LOVE Publix but they are more expensive than WD so I mostly shop at WD. WD also almost always has B1G1 sales and sometimes even B1G2 sales. We are fortunate that our WD is very new, nice and clean. They also carry a wide variety of stuff. Some of the WDs in town are kind of icky and don't carry much and I wouldn't shop there no matter the savings but ours is very nice. Anyway, they're right across the street from each other so what I decided to do for this trial is buy all my groceries at WD as usual using the info on the website and then run over to Publix only for those items which are green or blue that I might use. There were different items at Publix that weren't at WD so it made it worth it to drive across the street. I'll have to see whether it's worthwhile or not and will probably just do WD once the trial is over.

Let's keep this thread going and see how we all do.

The only thing I'm wondering about is are they expecting you to only need the stuff they list? Because obviously, every single week, I'm going to need stuff that doesn't happen to be on sale. I'm a little confused on that part of it.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Just wanted to mentin that the WD savings I got, I probably would have gotten most of that anyway because I do shop the flyer every week, I just don't combine with coupons or have the computer program to tell me what rock bottom prices are and when to buy. But the $8.08 at Publix can be credited 100% to the coupongame website because I wouldn't have gotten that.

 

[SarahandPaul]

I usually shop at our local Win-Co which is totally cheap (think it might be only on the West Coast though...). I am wondering if the savings are worth going to the Albertson's (more expensive) store that it recommended? We have done cost comparison and we usually already save about 25% by going to WinCo over Albertson's without any coupon use. Thanks for your advice to those who are already saving with the coupongame!

 

[cruisnfamily]

You can go to places like cutncoupons and pay a handling fee for them to cut the coupons and mail them to you. So, you can maybe get more coupons that you would actually use for that $1.25.

I went to this website because I wouldn't be against paying for some coupons to get a little backlog going but all of the coupons on there are expiring in the next 3 weeks or so. Very NOT worth me purchasing. I wish you could search by exp date or something. Are there other websites like that one?

 

[lbgraves]

Yes, if you track the preview for the weekly coupons you will know what is coming out. Sign up on the sites to get the emails for when they update their site with the new coupons. I usually shop on Saturday night between 10 & 12. It is definitely worth it to me to pay $4 for coupons that I can use to save alot more! You can do this without paying for a site. The one mentioned before coupon mom http://www.cutouthunger.com/ is one that gives you the coupons to use with the sales too. I managed to learn this with help from a coupon board 4 years ago & have been stockpiling ever since. My best year I saved 8000 & spent 1120 on everything except clothes & I had 2 kids in diapers. It does take effort. I consider it my job. Some of the programs that helped me make that total don't exist anymore like valupage. I use to get paid to buy tyson chicken nuggets. Also ballpark use to have a rewards program with their upcs where I got coupons for free hotdogs & would save them to use on BOGO sales so I actually got two packs of free hotdogs per coupon. Gerber graduates has a great rebate program too. I got free babyfood for a couple years with that...diced fruit & vegies, small juice packs, toddler dinners. You send in 5 upcs & get a coupon book with great coupons. If your store doubles & you wait for the sales, they are free. I work with the store manager too & place an order on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning for large quantities so that I don't clear the shelves & get the amount that I want.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The only thing I'm wondering about is are they expecting you to only need the stuff they list? Because obviously, every single week, I'm going to need stuff that doesn't happen to be on sale. I'm a little confused on that part of it.

I think the key is stockpiling, I think. But if I can at least save lots of money with what I can this way--the other stuff will be okay.

You shop weekly and eventually--you are just replenishing what is no longer in stock in your home.

Granted--you'll still have to pick up milk and stuff like that.

I'm very picky and didn't think I could use it--and I saved almost 50% today due to B1G1's.

I will seriously consider adding WD. I suppose they could use the help to stay out of bankruptcy . I don't really care for them though. Worked for the company a while back and that's all I'll say about that.

 

[DeirdreTours]

Wow!!! You fed a family of 4 on less than a hundred bucks a month! You should write a guidebook to shopping cheap!

Reading everyone's experiences makes me think I may have dismissed the Grocery Game too quickly-- I will have to check back and see if they ever make it to Louisville.

 

[cruisnfamily]

The best part is that it is so easy and quick. You aren't searching through tons of coupons, trying to figure out if this coupon works for this sale. Everything is spelled out in black and white! You pull the coupons before you hit the store, zoom through with your list and coupons and save money. Once you are "stockpiled" the list grows rather short.

I had to quote this and say that this is the selling point for me. After going to some of the other sites you guys have mentioned (and some of them I had seen before) I see that I could do this for free by myself but this method is so much quicker and easier. Which means I'm more likely to keep doing it. If it's too much "work" I will stop using it but this looks easy to me so far....and I dont' mind paying for convenience.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

don't forget when you get your membership to download gamerules--it explains the whole stockpiling process (For example--how many tubes of toothpaste should be in your stockpile....how is a need different from a blue or green good deal (if you aren't stocked and use them item--then you need it if you wish to get it!).

 

[lbgraves]

Yes, stockpiling is the key! I normally only buy what is on sale & I have a coupon for...well many coupons for. Most things I get at least 10 of. You will learn when you start paying attention that the stores run sales in 8-10 week cycles. These sales are for the loss leaders that get you in the store. You can get these things free or cheap with coupons. If you buy enough of that item to get your family thru until the next time it is on sale in 8-10 weeks you save alot of money. Right now since the kids are out of school & I find it too tiring to take them to the store often enough to keep up with the deals I have taken a summer break from couping. Still, I have a full pantry...and several other places...stocked with the basics so I only need to buy milk, cheese, & yogurt each week. I have a freezer full of meat that was bought with coupons & good deals so I don't even have to get much of that. If something has been marked down when I glance over the meat counter I will pick it up. I even stockpile cheese & freeze it if I am able to get more at a great price. My goal now is to save at least 70% over the course of a year. When our HD crashed I lost my spreadsheet with UTD totals so I can no longer give you a number for what I have saved.

You will also learn when special months are each year...frozen food month, dairy month, etc. The stores run great deals for those months & that is when you will stock up big time on those items. Most freeze very well. The second year that I did this I insisted that we get a chest freezer in the garage before frozen food month. It turned out that there was a triple dollar coupon sale that month & I drove 1 1/2 hours to the area that had this. I dropped DH & the kids off at Chuck E Cheese & went to the five stores in that area for the next three hours with my binder in hand. I had coolers in the car for the frozen foods. After taking an order to the car I would sit in the van & "process" the food. LOL! The frozen food in boxes with bags inside were opened & the bags went into the cooler, just like they do at home to save space. When I picked up DH I had over $600 worth of food in the car & it cost me a total of $15. Definitely worth the trip!

There is alot to learn & remember. I look at it as my job...that & buying everything else at a great discount on clearance for clothing & gifts to save us even more money. Once you get into it the whole thing becomes second nature.

 

[cruisnfamily]

When I picked up DH I had over $600 worth of food in the car & it cost me a total of $15. Definitely worth the trip!

Wow! I can't understand how this is possible. You hear stories like this...you know, $300 worth of groceries for $20 or something. I just can't imagine how this is done. Your tale is pretty huge, how exactly did you do it? Not that I'm doubting you, I really can't imagine it is all. I'm kind of a detail person and I guess my brain craves the details.

 

[sln88]

I just noticed there is another area on the couponmon(used to be cutouthunger) that lists grocery deals by state. This may be similar to the grocery game(I have never used the grocery game, so I am not sure). Again, there are limited states and stores, but maybe some of you can find yours.

http://www.couponmom.com/index.php?cid=4

Someone asked about other coupon services- there are a bunch, I will have to look and get back to you.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I just noticed there is another area on the couponmon(used to be cutouthunger) that lists grocery deals by state. This may be similar to the grocery game(I have never used the grocery game, so I am not sure). Again, there are limited states and stores, but maybe some of you can find yours.

http://www.couponmom.com/index.php?cid=4

Someone asked about other coupon services- there are a bunch, I will have to look and get back to you.

I daresay the grocery list looks almost the same--EXCEPT....they just list when a coupon or sale is available...but not necessarily the best time to buy it. But hey--if you are just looking to save a little money...it could work.

It also doesn't list the original prices of the items.

Other than that--they are nearly identical...but it seems less stores available.

Worth a shot!

 

[InstImpres]

I am a single Mom with DD10. Does anyone who yses this find it as effective for a "small family"

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am a single Mom with DD10. Does anyone who yses this find it as effective for a "small family"

I don't know--I'm an adult with a 5yo and almost 3yo....and it is our first day and it looks quite effective. They explain the stockpiling to do it per person--so you'd "stockpile" 1 tube of toothpaste per person--so in your home that would be 2 extra.

It didn't appear too much required bulk purchases. For $1 you can try it. The bill date is on your page after you login--so if you don't like it....you just cancel before then. If you take advantage of at least $1 in savings...you at least break even.

 

[lbgraves]

Taylortowncoupons is the site I use to find out what will be coming out in the papers in most of the country on the weekend. I use to use the cutouthunger site to help me plan my Kroger trips on double dollar sales since the store is an hour away.

OK, I don't have the receipts from three years ago anymore. I did just throw them away this past spring. It's good for inspiration to look at totals like that. That grocery experience was during triple dollar days. This means that for those three days the store triples the dollar value of your coupon up to $3.00!!! The coupon boards have people posting who work in these stores so they give us a heads up so we can order coupons in time to get them for the sale. There are MANY items that would be free with $3.00 off the price. One item that I remember fondly is the 24 count Angel Soft TP. I found some wonderful 1/1 coupons during a double dollar days weekend. The TP was on sale BOGO, reg 7.99. That means that each 24 pack cost me 4.00....but not really. With those 1/1 coupons I actually only paid $2 per 24 pack. I had 20 of those coupons. That is a 75% savings!!! $16 worth of TP for $4. There are time when deal actually pay you to buy the product. Tyson chicken nuggets were BOGO 2.50 and I had .55 coupons so 2.50 - 2.20 coupons (2 55/1x2). Valupage printed out a 2.00 webbuck when you bought 4 boxes. When I bought 4 boxes I made $1.40. That's right! If you match up all the deals at the right time it really helps out. I think that over the course of the 3-4 weeks that deal was running I bought 120 boxes of nuggets = $42 in webbucks over what I paid for those nuggets to use on other items that don't normally have coupons.

My all time favorite deal was at Food Lion in 2002. I did actually find some of those receipts. Juicy Juice Score was out and there were 1/1 coupons available. There were also 1/1 coupons inside the lable of the bottles. I only needed 20 of the insert 1/1 coupons to get started on this deal. The manager at FL ordered 6-8 extra cases for me on each truck. I kept 50. The other 250 that I got went to the local soup kitchen. They were all free...and I "made" .50 for each bottle in webbucks = $150 to buy whatever I wanted to at Food Lion!!! They were BOGO at FL reg 1.99 so with 2 of the 1/1 coupons they were free. What was so great was that the manager would open a register when I picked them up & stood there with a box cutter taking the coupons off each bottle so that they could be rung up with that purchase. I used those webbucks to stock up on all kinds of meat & chicken to fill my freezer.

One of those receipts has 11.879 lbs boneless chicken breast at a total of 23.64 (that was on sale & I saved 20.07 just with that), 40 bottles of Juicy Juice 79.60, Store sale - 40.00 for JJ, coupons used - 103.00 = balance due 1.50.

One deal at our store this week is popsicles. They are BOGO reg 2.69. There are 50/1 coupons out. 2.69 - 2 50/1 x2 = .69 so .35 each box of 14 count popsicle brand juice pops. I can't complain about that.