July 18th CVS & Walgreens Visits

I'm behind on typing up this week's savings but they were doozys so I don't want to miss writing about them! I love saving money! Stay tuned for tomorrow's Target post and Office Depot Money makers!

CVS VISIT

I started out with $24.98 in ECBs to use on my CVS trips...

I paid more up front with this order but I was buying diapers for my sister in law. It all works out in the end though with the ECBs. Also, for the sake of time, I'm grouping my two transactions together. I did 2 separate on 2 separate cards, to double my savings.

(2) Huggies Diapers (Orig. $11.99, sale $8.99)

used $1.50 coupon 7/11/10 SS

(2) Pantene Pro-V (Orig. 4.99, sale $2/$6.97)

used (2) $2.00 coupons 6/27/10 Parade Mag insert

(4) M&Ms (Orig. $.79, sale B1G1 free)

used B1G1 free coupon 6/27/10 RP

(2) Celsius 4 pks (Orig. $7.99)

used $2/1 coupon from Celsius (now expired)

(2) Nabisco Crackers (Orig. 1.99, sale $0.99)

used $1/2 coupon 5/16/10 SS 

(4) Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kits (Orig. $0.99)

used (2) $2/2 coupon here

Kiss Fake Nails (Orig. $7.99, clearance $2.00)

used $2/1 coupon here

(2) L.A. Gel (Orig. $0.99, clearance $0.25)

Spent OOP: $9.85 (used $21.98 ECBs to pay before this total)

Original Cost of Items: $71.01

Savings: $61.16

86% of Savings

ECBs - Rec'd $25.97 + $3.00 leftover (previous trip) = $28.97

Walgreens Visit

I didn't have any RR to pay with when I started. I was just like a newbie! hehe

Again, grouping all my transactions into one to save time.

(3) Colgate Total Toothpaste (Orig.$4.49, sale $3.49)

used $1/1 coupons 7/11/10 SS

(2) Dr. Scholls Massaging Gel Heel cups (Orig. $10.99)

used $5/1 coupon in Walgreens book (found in store)

used $2/1 coupon from here

(3) Pilot Pen 2 pk (Orig. $2.99, sale $1.19)

used $1/1 coupon in Walgreens book (found in store)

3 Ring Binder (Orig. $1.99, sale $0.39) - filler

(2) Bic Highlighter 5 pk (Orig. $2.99, sale $0.49) - filler

(2) 5 Tab Divider sets (Orig. $0.99, sale $0.39) - filler
Sharpie Marker (Orig. $1.99, clearance $0.49) - filler

Spent OOP: $4.98 - $3.00 mistake on their part = $1.98 (rolled RRs into each transaction to pay)

Original Cost of Items: $53.38

Savings: $51.40

96% of Savings

RR - $3.49 to use on future trip

Total savings for these 2 trips:

Spent: $11.83

Original Cost of Items: $124.39

Savings: $112.56

90% of Savings

ECBs - $24.98 for future use at CVS

RR - $3.49 for future use at Walgreens

They PAID ME To Shop!

I am most definitely a last minute type person. I couldn't resist getting in ONE MORE DEAL or three before the stores closed on Saturday. Also I found an old CVS card and it works so I was able to do some of the deals again. What fun! Here is the damage of those trips...

CVS Stop

I started out with $20 in ECBs to use on my CVS trips...

I did 2 transactions but for the sake of brevity, I'm combining them here.

(4) John Freida Hair Products (Orig. $6.49, sale 2/$10)

Bausch & Lomb Eyecare Solution (Orig. $9.99, sale $7.99)

Biotrue Eyedrops (Orig. $2.99)

CVS Hand Sanitizer (Orig. $1.19, replacement for free sanitizer pen)

Nestle Crunch Bar (Orig. $0.89) - filler

Frances Candy (Orig. $0.33) - filler

used 4 coupons totaling $10 + CVS coupon for free sanitizer pen

Spent OOP: $15.40 (used $6 ECB to pay before this total)

Original Cost of Items: $41.35

Savings: $25.95

63% of Savings
ECB $20.98 earned + $14 leftover (from previous trip) = $34.98 

So, if you subtract the ECBs from what I spent, essentially I MADE $5.58.

Oops, forgot I went to another CVS after we went to a birthday party. Yes, I'm an addicted shopper!

CVS STOP #2

 (Rings & 1/2 of SOBE not shown)

(2) boxes Book Rings (Orig. $1.00, clearance $0.25)

(24) SOBE drinks (Orig. $1.59, sale $0.77)
used 12 B1G1 free coupons I won playing the SOBE game here

CVS Green Bag tag (Orig. $1.00 - great tool to have. Bring in cloth bags for shopping, attach the tag and every 4 purchases, you get 1 ECB back)

Spent OOP: $0.74 (used $9.99 ECB to pay before this total)

Original Cost of Items: $41.16

Savings: $40.42

98% of Savings

ECBs - Rec'd no new ones but still have $24.99 to use in the future 

And then it was on to Walgreens for a few more goodies...

WALGREENS STOP

Again, for the sake of brevity, I'm combining 2 transactions into 1 post. I started my Walgreens shopping trip with no RR to spend.

(6) Salonpas Hot Patch (Orig. $1.99, sale $0.99)

used 6 of this coupon for $1 off (printed 6x), making them free

(4) Designer Pencils (Orig. $0.69, sale $0.09) - filler

(4) Splash Mini Highlighters (Orig. $0.69, sale $0.09) - filler

Spent OOP: $0.66

Original Cost of Items: $17.46

Savings: $16.80

96% savings

Total savings for these 3 trips:

Spent: $16.80

Original Cost of Items: $99.97

Savings: $83.17

83% of Savings

ECBs - $24.98 for future use at CVS

If you subtract my SPENT $16.80 from the EARNED $24.99 ECBs, I was paid $8.19 to take these items off the stores' hands. I call that a job well done!

July 12th Walgreens

My teen is a unlucky-charm. I took her out this week with me for dealin' instead of the little one who was at VBS. Every store we went to, I had problems! I told her she wasn't good-luck for me. In the end, it all worked out though.

I am really perturbed by the fact that there are monthly deals at stores like CVS and Walgreens that most of the time don't show up on the shelves so the people look at me like I'm crazy! I wish the store would just publish a list of these deals. What? Are they secret? Don't you want us to purchase your product? We're more apt to do so if we can get it on sale. Just sayin'.

Walgreens Visit

(3) Salonpas Hot Patch ($1.99, sale $0.99)

used this coupon for $1 off (printed 3x), making them free

Air Wick iMotion Set ($7.99, sale $3.99)

used $4/1 coupon from 6/20/10 SS insert

or you can find several Air Wick coupons here

(2) Act II Popcorn 3 mini pks $1.00

used (2) $0.40/1 coupon from 6/20/10 SS insert

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spent: $1.18

Original Cost of Items: $15.96

Savings: $14.78

93% Savings!

Every other iMotion kit showed up on sale except this one of course (always my luck.) But I showed her the ad saying all iMotion's 50% off and we double checked my coupon too so it was all correct. Just another thing not labeled in the store.

The Celsius Teas deal that everyone is talking about on their blogs is just not showing up in my store, not even when scanned by the manager. Nor is the Dr. Scholls Gel Insoles deal. I would love it if a store had universal sales across the country, making it easier for us consumers who are eager to buy their products and get good deals.

Clean, Regular and Read for School!

Yesterday I went to Walgreens. I was determined to get in on the deals early this time instead of waiting until Wednesday like normal and missing out. Figures it was a bad week for getting free money in return. But I still managed to pay almost nothing for the things I did buy. It just means next week I have to pay a bit out of pocket is all.  No biggie. I'm learning as I go along still. Tomorrow I will visit CVS and see what damage I can do there. Stay tuned for that...

Walgreens Transaction

(2)Salonpas Hot Patch ($1.99, sale $0.99)

used this coupon for $1 off (printed 2x), making them free

(4) Right Guard deodorant ($4.49, in store sale B1G1 free)

used this coupon for $3 off 2 (printed 2x), making them $2.98 for all 4

(2) Benefiber Drink Packets 16pk  ($7.99, sale $3 off in store = $4.99 ea)

used the Walgreens booklet coupon (pick up in the front of the store) for additional $2 off each

used this coupon for additional $2 off (printed 2x), making them $1.98 for both

(2) Renpure Organics Shampoo ($6.99, in store sale B1G1 free)

will use a $6.99 rebate form found on the bottles, making them both free

(4) Index card sets ($1.99, in store sale $0.39)

(3) Papermate Mechanical Pencils 10 pk ($2.99, in store sale $0.39)

Good-n-Plenty ($1.49, in store sale $1) - needed shopping fortification :)

Total before using Register Rewards (RR = free Walgreens money): $15.81 (includes tax)

- $8 RR

Total OOP: $7.81

I'll be getting a refund for $6.99 from the shampoo

Total after rebate: $0.82

Spent: $7.81

Original Cost of Items: $70.32

Savings: $62.51

89% of Savings

If you take into consideration the refund I'll be getting:

Spent: $0.82

Original Cost of Items: $70.32

Savings: $69.50

99% of Savings I think this is FABULOUS!

I NOW Have Shampoo Out The WAZOO!

The little one and I went to Walgreens yesterday to check out their deals. I had planned to go earlier in the week and pick up more of the Celsius Tea drinks (so yum) but of course they were all sold out! I came across an unadvertised deal for the shampoos. Pay $3.49, get $3 in Register Rewards back. Exciting right? Since I just said in this post that I was out of shampoo. I plop all my purchases on the counter, all set to do separate alternating purchases so I could get several of these for only $0.49 each. However, the computer wasn't pulling this deal up or shooting out Register Reward monies. The manager was called in and he couldn't fix it. He decided to just charge me the $0.49 each and I didn't have to do separate purchases! You can imagine I grabbed a couple more bottles to buy!

(9) Suave Shampoo/Cond (Orig. $3.99, sale $3.49)

(3) Pencils 10pk (Orig. $1.99, sale $0.19)

(5) Mechanical Pencils 5pk (Orig. $1.99, sale $0.19)

(5) Pens 10pk (Orig. $1.99, sale $0.19)

Colgate Max Toothpaste (Orig. $3.39, sale $2.99)

Colgate Max Toothbrush (Orig. $3.39, sale $2.99)

Crest Advantage Toothbrush (Orig. $3.39, sale $2.99)

* Used 3 Coupons for $ off sale prices* 

Spent: $1.20

Original Cost of Items: $81.95

Savings: $80.75

99% of Savings

$8 RR leftover for next time

(I started out with $20 in Register Rewards and used $16 on these purchases. Received $4 in return = $8 RR.)

July 2nd Walgreens Visits

Last Friday was a stellar day in Walgreens history, for me at least. 2 Walgreens, 16 separate transactions (found 2 fabulous cashiers and one nice manager) and an enormous pile-o-loot! I won't bore you (I don't really have any readers, just talking to myself, but I can pretend!) with all the details, coupons, etc... If you have a question about where I got a coupon or something, holler.

Walgreens #1

(4) Colgate Pro Clinical Toothpaste (Orig. $4.99 ea)

(2) Celsius Tea 4 pk (Orig. $7.99, sale $3.99)

(2) Pilot G2 Pens 2 pk (Orig. $2.99)

(7) Laffy Taffy (Orig. $0.10) used as fillers (must have one item for each coupon used, especially when you have 2 coupons for an item; manufacturer and store coupons)

(2) Silly Bands (Orig. $2.99, sale 2/$5) they're all the 'rage' these days

(2) Batteries 16 pack (Orig. $9.99, BIGI free)

* Used 10 Coupons for $ off sale prices*

Final Price: $17.64

RR: (Originally had $20, rec'd $6, used $8 in transactions, $18 left for next stop)

Retail Total: $68.58

Savings: $50.94

75% savings!

Basically, if I took the $18 in Register Rewards and had been able to pay my total bill of $17.64, technically they were paying ME to buy their product, paying me $0.36! 

Walgreens #2

(8) Crest Advanced Whitening ToothPaste (Orig. 3.79)

(24) Laffy Taffy (Orig. $0.10) fillers

(1) Reach Toothbrush (Orig. $1.99, sale $0.99)

(2) Men's Zone Razor (Orig. 6.99, sale $3.99)

(3) Sinful Nail Polish (Orig. $1.99, sale $0.99)

(2) Prell Shampoo (Orig. $2.99)

(1) VO5 Shampoo (Orig. $0.79, sale $0.69)

(1) Inkjet Cartridge Reill (Orig. $12.99, sale $9.99)

* Used 9 Coupons for $ off sale prices* 

 

Final Price: $3.85

RR: (Originally had $18, rec'd $34, used $38 in transactions, $14 left for next time)

Retail Total: $74.42

Savings: $70.57

95% savings!

 

TODAYS TOTALS:
Paid: $21.49
Saved: $121.51

(Orig Price: $143.00)
85% savings!

Plus I have $14 RRs left to use 

After subtracting the RRs from what I spent, my final total is: $7.49. Not bad for 61 items (although 31 were the little candies.)

The Late Bird Misses The Worm and Gets Only Small Bugs

So, this week I was slow to go to Walgreens for deals. Frankly, I was out of money except for the $5 I had in Register Rewards money. The problem with this is, they run out of many of their special items that you were planning on getting for free. I wandered around Walgreens for an hour having to plan and replan my strategies. I finally gave up on doing separate transactions, did it all as one and paid a bit more than I wanted. The upside to that is, I won't be paying anything next time because of all the Register Rewards money I have now!

Yesterday's Booty:

(2) Angel Soft Toilet Papers (not a huge deal, just needed it.) (Orig. $4 a pc)

(1) Airplus Aloe Socks (Orig. $3 special)

(4) Reach Toothbrushes (Orig. $2 a pc)

(4) Dove Deodorants (Orig. $3.99 a pc, sale 4/$15)

(1) Sure Deodorant (Orig. $2.99, sale $1.99)

(3) Twizzlers (Orig. $1.99 a pc, sale 2/$3)

(1) Gillette Fusion Razor (Orig. $12.99, sale $9.89)

(1) Epson Salt (needed for chigger ridden dog, $1.79)

Retail Cost: $58.70

Final Cost: paid $23.63 cash, used last week's $5 in RR = $28.63

RR: $20 to use next time

Total after RR: $8.63

Savings: $50.07

85% Savings!

The Reach toothbrushes were the biggest moneymaker. They were on sale for $0.99 and I had $1.00 off coupons. I made a penny each, right? Then, they end up printing $1 RR PER TOOTHBRUSH. That's a money maker right there. Wish I had more coupons!

DH says we have enough deodorant and toothbrushes and why do I need more than we'll use now? Apparently he doesn't understand the concept of stockpiling yet. I need to do some shampoo deals, we're out of shampoo entirely!

Today's stops: Target again, CVS and Walmart. Wish me luck!

P.S. The cashier was totally helpful and so was the manager who had to be called over twice! *oops*

Sunday June 20th Deals

(I just realized this post didn't post when it was supposed to, so I'm sharing it now.)

I spent more last Sunday at Walgreens than I wanted to but... besides the deals I was getting, I had to buy milk, trash bags, etc... (Forgot to take a pic before all the items disbursed through the house.)

June 20th's Payload:

(4) Old Spice Body Washes (reg: 4.49 ea)

(2) Gilette Body Washes (reg 4.49 ea)

(4) Gillette Fusion Proglide Shavers (reg 12.99 ea)

(1) Glad Trash Bags 45 bags (reg 7.99 ea)

(2) packs of Gum (reg 1.49 ea)

(2) boxes Cracker Jacks (reg .89 ea)

(1) 2 pack Cold/Flue Liquid Relief (reg 8.99 both/clearance 2.24)

(1) Gallon Milk (reg 3.49)

Spent: $27.13

Original Cost of Items: $112.81

Savings: $85.68

76% of Savings

$5 RR leftover for next time

June 13th Deals

I just love the internet and all the helpful souls out on the internet. 1 am in the morning on Saturday night I was able to see what the deals would be for Sunday before the paper even came! I sat down right then and there and planned my drugstore assault! Do you know about drugstore deals? I tried them  a year or so ago but didn't do them correctly. I didn't pile coupons with the store sales so I didn't save as much as I could. Then I forgot to use the 'free money' they give you, before it all expired. So, needless to say, my first drugstore saving plan was flawed. I did much better yesterday.

Sunday afternoon I went to CVS and Walgreens. I happened to find two helpful ladies who didn't mind doing separate transactions for me, so I could use the 'free money' I earned, to put towards the next transactions. My suggestion, check out at the makeup counter in Walgreens. In CVS, maybe try going when its not that busy?

CVS

Note: Always sign up for their card. When you walk in the door, scan it to see if there are coupons that will print for you right then and there. On specific items, CVS gives you ECB's: ExtraCare Bucks. You can use them on future purchases. I do separate transactions right in a row, thus not spending much out of pocket but paying for things with the ECBs I've earned.

1st Transaction:

Buy Old Spice Body Wash - Buy 2 OP= 5.98 SP= 4.00 C= B1G1 Free (PG 6/6)

ECB earned: $8 (used on next purchase)

Total Cost: $4

2nd Transaction:

Buy 3 GM Cereals OP= 4.28 ea SP= 3/$10 C= 0.75 ea (used 3 coupons SS 6/6)

ECB earned: $5 (used on next purchase)

Cost: $7.75

Buy 4 Right Guard Deodorants OP= 4.49 SC=B1G1 free C= $3/2 (had 2 coupons printed online)

Cost: $2.98

Used $8 ECB

Total Cost: $2.73

3rd Transaction:

Buy Gilette Fusion Proglide Razor OP= 10.99 , SP= 9.97 C= $4 (PG 6/6)

ECB earned: $5 (used on next purchase)

Used $5 ECB

Total Cost: $0.97

4th Transaction:

Buy Schick Hydro Razor OP= 9.99, SP= 8.97, C= $5 (SS 5/9)

ECB earned: $4 (save for future purchase)

Bought a couple incidentals (totaling about $1) to use up the $5 ECBs

Used $5 ECB

Total Cost: $0

Final Price: $7.70

(Retail Total: $64.74)

Savings: $57.04

88% savings!

Walgreens:

The lady at the makeup counter was so helpful and super impressed with the little amount I was spending. She knew all about how to use the coupons, suggested I do a certain item first to get the bigger rewards coupons back. That way I could use it on the next transaction and pay very little. One thing. I wish I had my coupon box with me.I saw several sales I didn't know about that I might have taken advantage of if I had had my coupons. I can always go back this week though.

 (Note: Nivea not shown, DH ran off with it.)

1st Transaction:

Buy 3 Neutrogena Products (I bought the cheapest soap) OP= 2.99 SP= 2.09 SC= Buy 3 Get $10 RR

RR earned: $10 (used on next purchase)

Total Cost: $6.27

2nd Transaction:

Buy 4 Reach Toothbrushes OP= 1.79 ea, SP= 0.99 ea, C= $2/2 (had 2 coupons printed online ) = +$0.04

Buy 2 Colgate Toothpastes OP= 3.49/2.99 SP= 2/$5, C=$1 & $0.75 off (can't remember which ad from) = $3.25

Buy 2 Colgate Pro-Clinical Toothpastes OP= 4.99, SC= B1G1 free, C= $1 (had 2 C instore by makeup) = $2.99

Buy Nivea Men Active 3 Body Wash OP= 5.99, C= $3 (RP 5/2) = $2.99

RR earned: $6 (save for future purchase)

Cost: $9.23

Added in $2 chips to be able to use the whole $10 RR from last transaction

Total Cost: $1.19

Final Price: $7.46

(Retail Total: $40.58)

Savings: $33.12

81.6% savings!

TODAYS TOTALS:
Paid: $15.16
Saved $90.16
85.6% savings!

Plus I have $4 ECBs and $6 ECBs left to use 

After subtracting the ECBs and RRs from what I spent, my final total is: $5.16. Not bad for all that I brought home!

** Next post: My couponing organization methods, or how I keep it all together without going insane.