***chat*** Shaw's Supermarket Chat Thread

Been a long time since I stopped in here and wanted to say hi to everyone. My son is five and a half months old now and well it has been pretty wonderful. I've been told by everyone that we are so lucky to have a baby as good as him. We have no frame of reference but we are enjoying it. Even his day care said they want to only accept babies like ours from now on. Lol. And yes he is in day care now because I started a new job in may which is pretty nice since its in the town we live in and the commute is great.

I have been managing to get out and do the deals. Jumped on wags for a few weeks. Got in on rite aid before qrs died. Wow that was some awesome times. Still visitning Ra weekly for the most part. back to cvs a bit more. I was visiting stop and shop for a bit but have at been in a few weeks. And like everyone else I don't go to shaws much. I did go for the great Razer deal from pg and for essentials since it is the closest store to me. But now I like to get most of my essentials at Costco. I love the cost of milk at Costco.

My house is bursting from all my buys. I find the time to buy the stuff but not always to put it away lol.

Has anyone read about the exception black market on eBay due to the recall earlier this year? It's crazy.

Quote from nofunname : Hello Shaws buddies. Haven't been in chat lately because I've haven't been to Shaws in forever!!! I'm a S&S girl now taking advantage of their gas deals like crazy!!!! Anyway - I know you guys are the best and shop all over so figured I'd ask here. My oldest son is starting school in August and while I've never really paid attention to the school stuff before, I need to start. I have no clue what he'll need as a kindergartener (probably a laptop), but which stores would you guys say have the best deals? Where should I be looking? I pretty much have every store around here, but don't take advantage of many of them (like staples). Any help is much appreciated.

Adding to what nounie said.... Staples.... Not laptop info, but for supplies: if you're willing to put some $$ out ahead of time....

This week's flier had a $5/$30 Q in it.
Sale: Spend $10, get Roseart crayons, Bic pens, and Staples school glue for 1c each, limit 2 of each.
Staples multipurpose 8.5x11 paper 6.99 with 6.74 easy rebate, limit 2.
Staples desk calendars (Jan 2013 - Dec 2013) 4.99 with 4.99 easy rebate, limit 2.
Superglue 2.99 with 2.99 easy rebate, limit 1.
HP photo paper 8.5x11 9.49 - 8.99 easy rebate, limit 2.

Deal idea:
13.98 two Staples multipurpose 8.5x11 paper
9.98 two Staples desk calendars
9.49 one HP photo paper 8.5x11
.06 two each 1c items
---------
33.51
-5.00 Staples 5/30
--------
28.51

Submit online for 32.45 in rebates (you can have these deposited to your PayPal account).
* Paper for printing coupons.
* Crayons and school glue for school supplies.
* If you don't use the photo paper, teachers often welcome donations.

I usualy wait until the end of the month to recycle cartridges, to see if they run any specials. Standard Rewards are $2/cartridge, maximum 10/month (unless you're a Premier member, then max is 20). Every so often they have double or even triple rewards wyb HP ink at least $50. If you don't use the ink, you can sell it on eBay. But as nounie said, it will take awhile to build up enough to pay entirely for a laptop in Rewards; but if you buy one in November during a BF sale, you could have 4 mos x $20 = $80 in Rewards by then.

Quote from yanx11 : Has anyone read about the exception black market on eBay due to the recall earlier this year? It's crazy.

Glad to her that your little guy is a gem!

What's this about eBay black market??? ETA: Oh -- Excedrin, yeah.

Quote from yanx11 : Has anyone read about the exception black market on eBay due to the recall earlier this year? It's crazy.

Hi and glad your son is very good to you and others.

What is this exception you're talking about?

Purple... I hope she was.

As for school supplies... Staples is also having penny deals on many things, so still check them out if you're not buying a laptop.

My DD needed glue sticks, crayons, scissors, pencils. They didnt ask for much school supplies it was more tissues, wipes, etc.
She is going in 1st grade this year and they have added postits, dry erase markers, etc to her list. Its never too early to start stocking up on the real cheap and freebies. My kids craft non stop for tape and glue sticks are like gold around here. I need to restock their supply....

Quote from LisaSd : My DD needed glue sticks, crayons, scissors, pencils. They didnt ask for much school supplies it was more tissues, wipes, etc. She is going in 1st grade this year and they have added postits, dry erase markers, etc to her list. Its never too early to start stocking up on the real cheap and freebies. My kids craft non stop for tape and glue sticks are like gold around here. I need to restock their supply....

Ugh, I know if we ever have a kid I am homeschooling. Not only do you have to worry if they are teaching your kids well enough, in between standardized testing which is often meaningless but you have to outfit everything but the furniture despite paying taxes to fund the school....the things they ask for and INSIST on getting these days is disgusting. Especially when you are the kid who would never use such things, cause you had your own in your backpack.

We try to fill a bag with local necessities for kids to bring to school. Its bad enough getting free lunch without getting crap for not bringing in the supplies listed. Poor little things.

thanks guys - and yes, I was kidding about the laptop (I think/hope).

My kids are going to the zoo with daycare tomorrow, so i can shop around a bit. I'm on a limited budget right now so the S&S thing isn't going to fly since I don't have the $100 to start with. I may be able to swing the Staples thing. How quick do you get your rewards back? Is it monthly or as soon as you submit for your rebate?

Quote from nofunname : thanks guys - and yes, I was kidding about the laptop (I think/hope). My kids are going to the zoo with daycare tomorrow, so i can shop around a bit. I'm on a limited budget right now so the S&S thing isn't going to fly since I don't have the $100 to start with. I may be able to swing the Staples thing. How quick do you get your rewards back? Is it monthly or as soon as you submit for your rebate?

Staples is pretty quick the .01 stuff is w a $5 purchase so you could just buy one of the rebate things to get them.

Quote from nofunname : thanks guys - and yes, I was kidding about the laptop (I think/hope). My kids are going to the zoo with daycare tomorrow, so i can shop around a bit. I'm on a limited budget right now so the S&S thing isn't going to fly since I don't have the $100 to start with. I may be able to swing the Staples thing. How quick do you get your rewards back? Is it monthly or as soon as you submit for your rebate?

Keep an eye on the CVS ad too. In the past, they have had promos on pencils, crayons, gluesticks, and notebooks that are FAECB.

coupon ethics question

if you see a tearpad and you know you won't see it again because whoever sees it next will just take the whole darn thing do you take just a couple coupons for yourself, or do you take a whole hunk of them before someone else comes along and just wipes them out?

I'm really curious what people's thoughts are. It's such a dilemma - tearpads are so rare around here now, that I know they'll be gone in a flash once whoever is taking them spots them. So I wonder what other folks do (or would do)

Quote from nofunname : Hello Shaws buddies. Haven't been in chat lately because I've haven't been to Shaws in forever!!! I'm a S&S girl now taking advantage of their gas deals like crazy!!!! Anyway - I know you guys are the best and shop all over so figured I'd ask here. My oldest son is starting school in August and while I've never really paid attention to the school stuff before, I need to start. I have no clue what he'll need as a kindergartener (probably a laptop), but which stores would you guys say have the best deals? Where should I be looking? I pretty much have every store around here, but don't take advantage of many of them (like staples). Any help is much appreciated.

In all seriousness, I can't believe how young they start the kids off in computers and such now! My daughter was using the laptop at school last year in kindegarten (not bringing home or anything) and in 1st grade they get to each use a tablet a few days a week. She loved those days. Wonder what 2nd grade will bring!? Of course, most of my older kids get to bring the laptops home but they mostly get their work done at school so leave them there since they each have their own laptop (their dad buys parts and pieces them together a nice but super cheap laptop so thats why they all have a laptop of their own, not because we have lots of money or anything).

Nofunname- last year we found deals and did as much as we could reasonably do at Rite Aid, Target, bit of CVS, Walmart, Staples. I saw that Walmart had the 17 cent notebooks out the other day already in Portsmouth! I love those because my kids are all artists and they go through notebooks scetching ideas like crazy! We bought 20 to start but I will get 10 or 20 each time I go in while they have that price since they have hundreds and hundreds of them. They have good deals on notebooks (here are last years prices and likely this years too) (17 cents), filler paper (50 cents), crayons (25 cents), rulers (20 cents), glue sticks (25 for the Rose Art I think and maybe 50 for the Elmers?). You can get great deals and stock up for the whole year for home and school, and if you can afford it is worth it! We are not even finished yet (almost) with last years stock, but almost. We have a few packs of pencils, pens, filler paper and a pack of crayons left. Target pricing was similar. I remember last year they had a few great coupons for Post Its, Bic items (I don't like using them myself but my kids LOVE Bic mechanical pencils), Sharpies. I hope they have similar this year.

Staples would be good for things that are more expensive, like if any binders are needed, though watch the fliers for deals on those too. Rite Aid had a deal on those last year. Also, after school started, the school stuff at some stores went on clearance. I know it did at Rite Aid. I remember when the glue sticks got to 75 off for the glue sticks, I bought them all and donated them to my kids school who was super happy.

The rules at Kittery school (at least my little ones teachers) are that kids bring in what they can and everything goes into a community bin of each supply. Everyone shares from the community supplies, not bringing their own from home. No one knows who brings in what or how much so the kids don't have to feel bad if they can or cannot bring any or much.

Hi everyone else! Long time no see!

P.S. Does anyone know is the CVS is Portsmouth or Newington in the mall does the Head and Shoulders auto deduct? We need some seriously bad and I want to get some but the budget this week is not good for spending unless we NEEEED it (just registered,etc. diff vehicle so of course thats never cheap). Otherwise, Kgerv, which CVS works for you with it, if you don't mind my asking?

Quote from purplefdu : Ugh, I know if we ever have a kid I am homeschooling. Not only do you have to worry if they are teaching your kids well enough, in between standardized testing which is often meaningless but you have to outfit everything but the furniture despite paying taxes to fund the school....the things they ask for and INSIST on getting these days is disgusting. Especially when you are the kid who would never use such things, cause you had your own in your backpack. We try to fill a bag with local necessities for kids to bring to school. Its bad enough getting free lunch without getting crap for not bringing in the supplies listed. Poor little things.

In Maine, the ^#$%#*#_*$*(^#!!! governor has cut state aid to schools, and there are local "anti-tax" old people who fight the school budget every year. (I often wonder who paid taxes when THEIR kids were in school Oh, yeah -- it was ME.) Many of our teachers pay oop for supplies (they get a tax deduction up to $250, I think). So I'm showing a few of them how to get stuff cheap. I've never had a teacher demand. I have had them put out lists of what they could use, for anyone who wanted contribute. Never seen any pressure here.

Quote from nofunname : thanks guys - and yes, I was kidding about the laptop (I think/hope). My kids are going to the zoo with daycare tomorrow, so i can shop around a bit. I'm on a limited budget right now so the S&S thing isn't going to fly since I don't have the $100 to start with. I may be able to swing the Staples thing. How quick do you get your rewards back? Is it monthly or as soon as you submit for your rebate?

Rewards are different from Rebates.
* Rewards can only be spent at Staples. They are available around the middle of the month following the month they were offered.
*Rebates are available depending on when you submit. Takes a few weeks but faster if you do the low-amount ones and request PayPal rather than an actual check. When there are high-value Rebates, though, PP is not an option.

Quote from PWP : coupon ethics question if you see a tearpad and you know you won't see it again because whoever sees it next will just take the whole darn thing do you take just a couple coupons for yourself, or do you take a whole hunk of them before someone else comes along and just wipes them out? I'm really curious what people's thoughts are. It's such a dilemma - tearpads are so rare around here now, that I know they'll be gone in a flash once whoever is taking them spots them. So I wonder what other folks do (or would do)

I take more than I used to. .

Quote from PWP : I'm really curious what people's thoughts are. It's such a dilemma - tearpads are so rare around here now, that I know they'll be gone in a flash once whoever is taking them spots them. So I wonder what other folks do (or would do)

Id say it would depend on the TP, the exp date, and how much of this item you buy. If its something I buy anyway Id grab what id know I would use by the exp date. Otherwise youll be kicking yourself if you dont and you have to buy more of it before the exp wo the coupon.
If its something that could make a good deal but only if it goes on sale id grab just a few (just incase). I agree on the lack of TP though, I think we shop at the same S&S right and there is never any TP there. I sure miss the chip ones im hoping once MB opens I will shop there more and will have better luck.

Quote from kgerv : In Maine, the ^#$%#*#_*$*(^#!!! governor has cut state aid to schools, and there are local "anti-tax" old people who fight the school budget every year. (I often wonder who paid taxes when THEIR kids were in school Oh, yeah -- it was ME.) Many of our teachers pay oop for supplies (they get a tax deduction up to $250, I think). So I'm showing a few of them how to get stuff cheap. I've never had a teacher demand. I have had them put out lists of what they could use, for anyone who wanted contribute. Never seen any pressure here. Rewards are different from Rebates. * Rewards can only be spent at Staples. They are available around the middle of the month following the month they were offered. *Rebates are available depending on when you submit. Takes a few weeks but faster if you do the low-amount ones and request PayPal rather than an actual check. When there are high-value Rebates, though, PP is not an option. I take more than I used to. .

My old neighbor was one of those anti-tax people. Her son went to school in NH and she paid tuition for him to go there, as well as tax if she let them take it from her. There was no reimbursement or "voucher" payment to help her...and he went there for discipline issues stemming from never being taught anything really....he never learned to read. So when he got bored and didn't pay attention because he couldn't they kicked him out. Needless to say I completely understood her argument. Nobody paid for her kid to go to school, and she would have gotten nothing for paying her tax share for schooling. And we lived in Berwick which is known for its high taxes compared to other towns in the same district even.

I remember when Traip Academy (not a private school despite the name) got wipe off boards instead of chalk boards. Markers for them showed up on our lists instead of chalk...which is a HUGE increase in cost. Chalk is like .35 and markers are in the $2-3 range even back then. And if you were in the airless math room I was we needed the ones without high fumes....or we'd be loopy by the end of class. Which are more like $4-5. I hear from the food pantry all the time that parents are shamed when they only bring in pencils/paper/notebooks since they are cheap and not tissues, wipes and markers, etc. I only saw a passing scowl when kids didn't bring in things they asked for, but I don't remember having much of a list in school-ever.

PWP as for the TP thing. When I see a good one I take the same I always did. A couple, maybe a couple to share if I know someone who will use them or adores the product. I refuse to live with the thought that I need to take while I can. If I can only be responsible for my own actions, I want them to be reflective of my nature. If the person behind me chooses to take the rest, then so be it. I believe in karma and that it will catch up. But I cannot prove they will take the whole pad and that the next five people won't take a few as well. I don't want to be the reason people go looking for TPs and find only glue or the cardboard backing. I also don't want to be the reason stores don't put them out or keep them behind the counter for passing out as they see fit, which is often unfair and targeted towards non-couponers.

Going blueberry picking with mom after work tomorrow. Need to check my pectin and empty jars. Have plenty of sugar and vinegar......time for some pickled blueberries...perfect with goat cheese as a vinegarette on a salad..... The girls at work are gonna want to steal my lunch.

The 13th Starbucks will be giving out free tall (12oz) refreshers. You saw the coupons for free cans, well now it comes in packets to make at home or fresh blended from your favorite barista. Lime and berry hibiscus. With green tea extract. Both are yummy....they had samples at work today.