http://terismessageboard.thegrocerygame.com/showthread.php?t=101971

Hi there, my name is Traci and I joined on the free trial this week. I've been busy absorbing the rules of GG and figuring out how to apply it to our lifestyle. I want to save money on the things we usually eat, and I dont usually care about brands, but I dont plan to drastically change the type of foods we eat just because some stuff is dirt cheap. The question thats nagging me the most is: just because its "rock bottom" at one store, is it really the LOWEST possible price? Safeway is the only list store available to me, yet itsone of the most expensive of the 3 grocery stores in my area. And that doesn't include drug/dept stores. Is it worth the trouble to compare THE LIST to the online or newspaper flyers for competing stores?

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First of all, let me welcome you Traci! I know it can all seem overwhelming when you first start out, but it will become more clear after you have a few list shops under your belt. You definitely do not have to alter the types of foods you eat, but you may find there are new things that you try and love because of the game. And as for your question about rock bottom between stores, you are correct that lists do not take prices at other stores into consideration. They are simply the best possible deals at that particular store. Since you have one grocery list store available, it might take you a while to determine if there are certain types of your needs items that might be consistently lower elsewhere, but trust me when I say that you will still be rocking those deals at your list store.
You also mention that the store is the most expensive of those you have available. What is funny about that is it seems to work the same way here in the states. When I lived in DC, the most expensive grocery store had the very best list deals. They tend to be able to afford to have unbelievable sales from week to week since they charge so much regularly (they make up the difference). So the loss leaders are supposed to get you into the stores so that you will pick up those amazing deals and then get the rest of your groceries there! Well, a good gamer will be sure not to get needs items there on a regular basis since that will blow your budget and not allow you to stockpile and reduce your overall budget.
So stick with it and pay attention to some of your main staple/needs items at both your list store and other places to see which one works for that type of shopping. But for list deals, you should still make out like a bandit using your list!
Again welcome!


MAY 22 2011

(Courtesy of Opera BOB)

1. Safeway had a reputation for being over-priced. That is in the past and you'll often find Safeway more than competitive especially when you include the average value of AirMiles offered on heavily discounted manufacturers weekly specials. In fact sometimes it is possible to get more in value in AirMiles than it cost to buy the product.

2. The average value of an AirMiles to the consumer is approximately $0.14. Using an average value helps one determine a comparative value to the same product in other stores. The most popular method of valuing AirMiles I find is to take a product and determine how much it cost to buy an AirMile with it.
This could lead to two products: A costing $0.20 and Airmile and B costing $2.00 an Airmile.

To my mind valuing AMs this way just encourages people to buy as much a product A rather than B. People could end up buying for the sake of getting AirMiles rather than products they use at good prices or can donate to charity cost effectively. But how do you know if A is a good deal.

In the following first number is sale price.
Second number is effective value based on $0.13/AM).
If there is a multiple offer, ie, B3G15 & B6G45
A third number corresponds to the value of the extra offer.

With effective valuing you can compare the relative prices of a product after accounting for the AirMiles against the same product in another store. For example,

If Coca-Cola is $2.00 with 10 Airmiles it has an effective value of $0.60 [$2 - (10 x $0.14)]. If another store is selling the same product for $1 you know the effect of the AirMiles beats that price.

P.1Coca-Cola 24 pack B2G25 6.49/4.86
Lay's Potato Chips B4G20 2.50/1.85
Saf. Hotdog & Hamburger Buns B2G15 2/1.02
Smart Ones B4G20 2.50/1.85
Nestle Real Dairy Ice Cream B2G30 5.99/4.04
Best Buy Cheese B2G25 7.99/6.36 (This used to be B2G50)

P.2
Prawns B2G20 6.99/5.69
Basa Fillets 7.77/6.47

P.3
NADA

P.4-5
Kellogg's Jumbos B5G100 6.99/4.39
McCain Super Fries B4G30 3/2.02
Maxwell House Coffees B2G30 9.99/8.04
Dad's Cookies B4G50 4/2.37
Lactantia Milk B2G10 2.50/1.85
Alcan Foil B2G30 4/2.05
GMS Burgers B2G30 8.99/7.04
GMS Stuffed Chicken Breast B3G20 3.33/2.46
LaGrille Seasoning B3G20 3.99/3.12
Laughing Cow VQR B1G10 & B2G30 Starting at 4.29 -1.30/1.95
Athenos Feta B2G10 4/3.35
Reser's Burritos (8s) B2G20 5.49/4.19
Piazza's Pizza B2G50 6.49/3.24
Van Houtte Coffee B2G25 7.99/6.36
LaGrille Marinade B4G25 2.50/1.69
Del Monte Cut Fruit B3G15 3.50/2.85
ER Turkey Burgers B2G35 10.49/8.17
Coast to Coast Rye Bread B4G15 1.25/0.76
Bakery Counter Pecan Brownie Tray B1G15 5.99/4.04
Mann's Packaged Veggies B3G15 50 cents off NPG -0.65/item
ER Salmon B2G40 12.49/9.89
Butcher's Cut Jumbo Weiners B2G20 5.99/4.69
Butcher's Cut Sliced Ham B2G20 3.99/2.69
Produce Stand Peanuts B3G15 4.99/4.34

P. 6 - 7
Duracell Batteries B2G50 6.99/3.74
Mr. Clean B2G30 2.99/1.04
Ivory Soap B3G30 2.99/1.69
Olay Soap & Old Spice BW B2G15 3.99/3.01
Fantastik Cleaners B2G20 2.99/1.69
Colgate Toothbrushes/Toothpaste B4G50 2.50/1.87
Crest Whitestrips B1G80 20% Off NPG -10.40
Old Spice Anti-P B3G30 3.99/2.69
Nicoderm B2G50 25% OFF NPG -3.25
Accucheck Test Strips B1G150 & B2G300 (Same Thing) 54.88/35.38/35.38
Campbell's Event B6G50:
12 packs/Pace Salsa 6.99/5.91
Prego 4.99/3.91
Tetra Broth/Goldfish 2.50/1.42
V8 3/1.92
Irving Tissue Event B4G100:
Royale TP/Towels/Tissues 6.99/3.74 (With Coupons this is OK)
L'Oreal Event (Not Mix and Match):
Preference B2G20 9.99/8.69
Skin Care B2G25 30% Off NPG -1.63
Hair Expertise B3G20 5/4.13
the L'oreal has a sweet deal, 3 for 14.99 plus 20 airmiles when you buy 3
I have 3 1.50-2 coupons making the price 3 for 10$ plus 20 airmiles.
Ever Hair Care B2G20 7.50/6.20
Men's Expert Skin Care B2G25 30% OFF NPG -1.63
Kid's Shampoo B3G10 2.99/2.56
Henkel Event B3G10 & B6G50:
Dial BW 3.50/3.07/2.42
Got2B 3.99/3.56/2.91
Dial Hand Soap 1.99/1.56/0.91
Soft & Dri Anti-P BOGO NPG -0.43/1.08
Right GUard Anti-P 2.49/2.06/1.41

P.8
Artisan French Garlic Bread B2G15 2.50/1.53
Bakery Counter HD & Hamburger Buns B2G15 2.29/1.31
Apple Fritter Doughnuts B2G15 2.99/2.01
Pizza Buns 3.99/3.01
Strawberry Bar Cake 9.99/8.04
Fruit Medley Pie 4.49/2.54
Lemon Meringue Pie 4.49/2.54
Saf. Slider Buns B1G10 1.99/0.69
OvenJoy Homestyle Thick Sliced Bread B3G15 1.29/0.64

Thanks to OB from a fellow coupon site for his help with my Safeway Game....

I always try to shop where I get the best deal for me, Safeway or Wal-Mart or ?????.
I treat it as a game between the marketers and my pocket. So far, I'm winning! LOL!
Safeway had a reputation for being high priced (they are unionized) but have improved over the years and are more middle of the road now.
I watch Safeway's prices like a Hawk. There are many items I will not buy there because I know even on sale they are always going to be over-priced. Coffee is an example. Mrs. Dash another.
I grab the Safeway, Save-on Foods, Wal-Mart, Fairway, RCSS , etc. flyers for quick cross referencing.
I often pre-shop (luckily I have 3 stores on one corner) and do a quick price comparison on items I might buy.

General Rules:

1. Look for advertisized brand-name offers that come with tons of AirMiles. They are often price discounted at the same time. Cereals often are.

2. Collect coupons

3. Buy bulk items that can be stored. Cereal, toothpaste.

4. Buy bulk for charities if you can wait for the tax credit.

5. Use my weekly analysis to determine if AirMiles give you a price advantage. Example: If Colgate toothpaste is $2 at Safeway but $1 at Wally World but after AirMiles Safeway is $0.50 Who ya gonna buy?

6. Don't become addicted to AirMiles. Some people buy products just to get AirMiles. In the above example If Colgate toothpaste is $2 at Safeway but $1 at Wally World but after AirMiles Safeway is $1.50 Who ya gonna buy?

7. Do not sign up up to exchange HBC/Z points for AirMiles. You lose exactly 50% of your purchasing power if you do.

8. My valuations can be played with a bit depending on what you exchange for. I tend to buy Best Western Gift Cards which have a real value of $0.133/AM so I could adjust the analysis down a bit further for me. If you buy 2 for 1 movie tickets a lot then you can get tremendous savings as these certificates clock in over $0.30/AM. Just don't go to more movies than normal. However, if you buy Shell Gas certs. they are only worth $0.1143/AM and you'd want to adjust my prices up a bit.

SS = Safeway Select
Saf = Safeway
Sig =Signature
Sch = Schneider's
GMS = Gourmet Meat Shop
OO = O Organics
ER = Eating Right
ML = Maple Leaf
BC = Betty Crocker
NPG = No Price Given


WEEK 1 GG TEST


Make a list and prepare,
The store in the area is Safeway & Air Miles Savings Program.
Using the USA Grocery Game to see how well those ladies on TLC EXTREME COUPONING (yup most are filmed at Safeway) and what we can do Canadian Style. This is a 30 days free trial period let's see what we can do. Follow my Grocery Game Canada Style

MEALS:
Sunday: Grilled Cheese - Veggie Stix and Dip

Monday: Hotdogs - Garden Salad

Tuesday: Lasagne - Garden Salad - Garlic Cheese Bread

Wednesday: Steak - K Dinner - Garden Salad

Thursday: Tuna Vegetable Pasta Salad

Friday: BBQ Chicken - BBQ Lemon Herb Potatos & Asperagus

Safeway Grocery List:
Black Diamond Cheese Slices
Reg $5.99 Sale $4.99 Coupon ($0.75) 46215550 OOP $4.24=33%

Maple Leaf Hotdogs 375g
Reg $5.99 Sale 3.69 Coupon ($1.00)12518861 (3.00)00605074 ($1.00WUB2) 06542896 $3.69=38%

French Mustard 325ml
Reg $3.19 Sale2/4.00 Coupon (1.00WUB2)06542896 $1.50=53%

HD Buns
Reg Sale Coupon ($1.00WUB) $ =

McCain Super Fries
Reg 4.29 Sale $ 2/6.00 Coupon (.75)04618948 $2.25=48%

Lays Chips
Reg $3.29 Sale 4/10.00 $10.00=24%

Pork Shoulder Blade Steak
Reg $4.79 Sale $2.59 = 46%

Tomato on vine
Reg $2.49lb. Sale $1.49 lb. =40%

Astro/Yoptimal Yogurt
Reg $ 3.79 Sale 2/5.00 Coupon ($0.50)29212095 = %
($1.00) 292111757

Garden Pasta Sauce 700ml
Reg $3.99 Sale 2/5.00 $2.50= 37%

Catelli Smart Pasta 300g
Reg 3.43 Sale $ 2/5.00 Coupon (.75)064200150033 $ 1.75=49%

EXTRA STOCKPILE Savings
Crest toothpaste 85ml
Reg $3.29 Sale 3/5.00 Coupon (.75) 63756265 $0.92=72%

Sensodyne Toothpaste 75 ml
Reg $ 5.39 Sale $3.99 Coupon (1.00)83828065 $2.99=45%

Purex Laundry Soap
Reg $ 6.99 Sale B1G1F 301252001 SS Coupon (3.00 Save.ca) $2.00=71% or 0.05 a load

Fantastik Surface Cleaner
Reg $ 4.45 Sale $2.99 Coupon (B1G1F) SS 33686396 $1.50=66%