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*

Shopping Day!

Today is shopping day. I am armed with my trusty coupon lunchbox, my list of things I want to buy for free (hehe), a semi-good pair of walking shoes and I have a plan. Today I'm heading off into the wild blue yonder of Walgreens, CVS and Walmart. Hoping I find wonderfullly kind helpful salespeople at the drugstores today. Crossing my fingers anyway.

Thought I'd share a book I'm reading right now. It pertained to this blog as a way to save money and live on less.

So far it's been a good read. Whenever I'm reading a book that has useful information I end up with a notebook and pen, taking notes. Always the learner I guess. The author has a blog: Suddenly Frugal that is worth a visit.

Okay, wish me luck and cross your fingers for nice sales people. They're not as common as you would think!

Target Practice!

Well! My first experience with shopping/saving & couponing at Target. I've learned a few things as well. After reading various blogs and posts about Target finds and troubles, I did the following when I went there last night:

1. I printed our Target's Coupon Policy in case I had to duke it out with a cashier. hehe

2. When I couldn't find something, I headed to the customer service where they have more doohickeys, scanners and phones to help you find things and will give you a list of other stores that carry that item if they don't have it in stock. They will also call the stores to confirm for you, if you're nice!

3. When the beeper scanner thingie goes off and the cashier looks confused, just smile. If she tries again and can't get it, kindly suggest maybe typing in the coupon number or maybe a manager could help make it work. Smile some more while the manager scrutenizes the 8 identical coupons you have for free items and skeptically signs off on all of them.

4. Above all, thank everyone multiple times and BE NICE!

I had the best time Target shopping & saving money! (Apparently my cat loves me saving money too since she couldn't get enough of my purchases...)

Target Treasures:

2 bottles Sobe Lifewater (Orig $1.50, on sale for $1.00 ea)

2 bottles BBQ sauce (Orig $1.75, on sale for $1.25 ea)

9 Axe trial size deodorants (Orig $0.97 ea)

6 Ziploc Steam In bag sets (Orig $2.49 ea)

8 Flamedisk Charcoal Alternative (Orig $4.99 ea)

Retail Cost: $70.09

Final Cost: $4.51

Savings: $65.58

94% Savings!

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

Couponing Partner

This is my coupon buddy, Pennington. He just LOVES to lay all over the newspaper while I'm trying to cut coupons. But seeing as he is the ONLY one who is 'helping' me cut coupons, he deserves a treat. Wonder if I have a coupon for that???

Late Night Finds!

Remember this post where I was off and running to Wally World at midnight?! (no, I didn't turn into a pumpkin.) The coupon I was desperate to use was for a birthday present. $10 off Alice in Wonderland Blu-Ray & DVD combo pack. The combo can run as high as $34.95 but Walmart had it for $29.95. See details below.

Alice in Wonderland OP: $34.95, SP: $29.95. C: $10. (DisneyRewards.com)

Littlest Pet Shop Toys (bought 4) OP: $6.94 ea, SP: $5, C: B1G1 free (Coupons.com)

Retail Cost: $62.71

Final Cost: $29.95

Savings: $32.76

52% Savings!

I'm loving this saving for a birthday gift! I can spoil my child and still save money! I would have bought the items anyway but would have probably only gotten the DVD because the Blu-Ray is so expensive. 

Another late night find was last night online. Remember this post, I purchased the Schick Hydro Razer on sale with coupons. I ended up spending $0 (that's counting the $4 of ECB). I'm glad I saved my receipt. (Okay, to be honest, I had not. But I was able to retrieve it from the trash bag outside. NOTE TO SELF: Save all receipts! lol) You can get a full refund by sending in for a rebate, found HERE.

You can only do the rebate once but you can do the deal again since there is a new coupon:

Buy 1 Schick Hydro 3 or Hydro 5 Razor at $8.97, Get $4 ECBs
Use $5/1 coupon from the 6/13 SmartSource insert

Plus a possibility of earning $20 if your shaver has a survey inside to take!  

(info from MoneySavingMom)

Because of the rebate notion, I've added 2 extra sections in my inset notebook. One section for receipts, one for rebate forms showing the date I mailed it off.

Oh, last post I forgot to tell the best part of when I first started my couponing. I had no coupons, no nothing. Then I saw someone's post about how they 'dumpster dive' into the local paper recycling bin. Well, I threw on my shoes, grabbed the teen and went up the street to mine. Being the short (and roundish) person I am, I'm glad I brought the teen. There is no way I would have gotten inside. I threw her in there and she sifted for a 1/2 hour. I came away with I think 6 weeks of different coupon inserts. I'm all set now! Yay! She was happy to grab all the crossword puzzles to do. That was her payment. That and a hot fudge sundae. :)