Here's a printable coupon for a free $25 Rite Aid gift card when you fill a prescription. It says its for a "transfer," but I actually used one at CVS last weekend on an antibiotic (which had no refills) for MER. I heard that CVS would honor competitors coupons for this particular offer, so I just asked and they did! Yippee!
If you have two prescriptions to fill at the same time, you can get TWO $25 gift cards! Sad as this is, I'm kinda hoping well need some before it expires on 11/30.
And I just realized that I didn't post my CVS deals for this week. I'll have to do that later...
Showing posts with label coupons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coupons. Show all posts
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A Rite Aid Diaper Deal for Beginners
A friend asked me to help her understand the Rite Aid Rebates program. But she has a baby, so I'm assuming she really just wants some diaper deals! I think the best way to explain it is to give an example of a deal (for this week).
I look at BabyCheapskate to find out about the deals each week. Right now there's one for Huggies & one for Pampers, but the Pampers is actually the better deal.
If you buy $30 worth of P&G products (including Pampers) before 10/24, you get a $10 Rite Aid gift card. There's also something called the Rite Aid "Fall Gift of Savings" going on right now where you get another $10 for spending over $50 (or $5 for spending over $25, or $20 for spending over $100 - and it's all before coupons!), but it must be done before 10/17.
You can purchase two big packs of Pampers diapers in separate transactions, using two $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupons & any Pampers coupons you have, and pick up $5.01 worth of other stuff as filler items (the diapers are $19.99).
Here's step by step what I'd do. (I probably will do it later this week, before 10/17):
1. Print off two $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupons.
2. Print off four $2 off Huggies diaper product coupons (You can only print two per computer, but hopefully you have access to multiple computers or friends who'll do it for you. Once it prints the first time, hit the "back" button on your browser & it should automatically print off another coupon.)
3. Find the two highest value Pampers coupons you have. I have a $2 off and a $1.50 off.
4. Gather up these coupons (I put mine in an envelope or use a paper clip), and head to the store.
5. Pick up 2 value boxes of Pampers. Pick up 4 boxes of Huggies wipes (if you only printed out 2 Huggies coupons you'll have to pick up enough items (that you need) so that the total after tax will be over $25 for the two transactions. Maybe some gum or something.)
6. At the register, do the following:
Transaction #1:
1 box of Pampers
2 boxes of Huggies wipes
Give the cashier the $5/25 Rite Aid coupon first, then Pampers & (2) Huggies coupons.
Transaction #2:
Do the same thing again with the rest of your items, giving $5/25 coupon before the other coupons.
You will be paying about $30 out of pocket for all of these items (not a bad deal by itself), but then you can get the $10 gift card and the other $10 gift certificate by doing the following:
7. Go to this site & become a member of the Rebates system:
https://riteaid.rebateplus.com/fall/newmemberpage.asp
8. Then enter your receipts (you should see a link that says "Enter Your Receipts").
In a few days you'll get an email (check your junk mail) saying that you've qualified for a $10 Gift Card (for your P&G purchases) and also a $10 Gift Certificate (for the Fall Gift of Savings program). It'll also tell you that you have to "Request your Gift Card" by a certain day - probably in November. You can go ahead and do it, or you may want to wait to see if there are any other deals at Rite Aid you want to get before the month is over. (I'm not sure about the gift cards, but I know that if it were a "Single Check Rebate" deal, you'd have to wait till ALL your receipts were entered for the month before you request the check, or you won't get all your rebates.)
So bottom line (after your gift cards come), you've spent about $10 for 2 Big Packs of Pampers (size 4 has 82 diapers per box) & 4 boxes of wipes!
Oh, and:
9. When they come, use the gift cards on other great diaper deals at Rite Aid!
I look at BabyCheapskate to find out about the deals each week. Right now there's one for Huggies & one for Pampers, but the Pampers is actually the better deal.
If you buy $30 worth of P&G products (including Pampers) before 10/24, you get a $10 Rite Aid gift card. There's also something called the Rite Aid "Fall Gift of Savings" going on right now where you get another $10 for spending over $50 (or $5 for spending over $25, or $20 for spending over $100 - and it's all before coupons!), but it must be done before 10/17.
You can purchase two big packs of Pampers diapers in separate transactions, using two $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupons & any Pampers coupons you have, and pick up $5.01 worth of other stuff as filler items (the diapers are $19.99).
Here's step by step what I'd do. (I probably will do it later this week, before 10/17):
1. Print off two $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupons.
2. Print off four $2 off Huggies diaper product coupons (You can only print two per computer, but hopefully you have access to multiple computers or friends who'll do it for you. Once it prints the first time, hit the "back" button on your browser & it should automatically print off another coupon.)
3. Find the two highest value Pampers coupons you have. I have a $2 off and a $1.50 off.
4. Gather up these coupons (I put mine in an envelope or use a paper clip), and head to the store.
5. Pick up 2 value boxes of Pampers. Pick up 4 boxes of Huggies wipes (if you only printed out 2 Huggies coupons you'll have to pick up enough items (that you need) so that the total after tax will be over $25 for the two transactions. Maybe some gum or something.)
6. At the register, do the following:
Transaction #1:
1 box of Pampers
2 boxes of Huggies wipes
Give the cashier the $5/25 Rite Aid coupon first, then Pampers & (2) Huggies coupons.
Transaction #2:
Do the same thing again with the rest of your items, giving $5/25 coupon before the other coupons.
You will be paying about $30 out of pocket for all of these items (not a bad deal by itself), but then you can get the $10 gift card and the other $10 gift certificate by doing the following:
7. Go to this site & become a member of the Rebates system:
https://riteaid.rebateplus.com/fall/newmemberpage.asp
8. Then enter your receipts (you should see a link that says "Enter Your Receipts").
In a few days you'll get an email (check your junk mail) saying that you've qualified for a $10 Gift Card (for your P&G purchases) and also a $10 Gift Certificate (for the Fall Gift of Savings program). It'll also tell you that you have to "Request your Gift Card" by a certain day - probably in November. You can go ahead and do it, or you may want to wait to see if there are any other deals at Rite Aid you want to get before the month is over. (I'm not sure about the gift cards, but I know that if it were a "Single Check Rebate" deal, you'd have to wait till ALL your receipts were entered for the month before you request the check, or you won't get all your rebates.)
So bottom line (after your gift cards come), you've spent about $10 for 2 Big Packs of Pampers (size 4 has 82 diapers per box) & 4 boxes of wipes!
Oh, and:
9. When they come, use the gift cards on other great diaper deals at Rite Aid!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Publix, take two
I printed out more coupons and made another Publix trip yesterday.
I purchased:
Mary Ellen was jealous that I was taking more pictures of my groceries!
(8) Yoplait Fiber One yogurts (4 pk) for 1.25 ea
(4) 1.25/1 Qs = free
(4) 1.001 Qs = .25 ea
(4) Hunts tomatoes for .69 ea
(2) .50/1 Qs (doubled) = .19 ea
(4) Knorr sides (pasta & rice) for .79 ea
(4) .45/1 Qs (doubled) = free + overage
(4) Betty Crocker potatoes for .84 ea
(4) .40/1 Qs = .08 ea
Lipton tea (family bags 24 ct) for 2.00
Publix coffee for .01
(the penny item!)
Grand total: $1.95
I did use a $3/$15 CVS coupon. Receipt says I saved $45.35! Definitely my best Publix trip.
I know 8 packs of yogurt seems like a lot, but MER & I each eat a cup every day, so it's only 16 days worth. If we don't like the instant potatoes or the Knorr sides, we can always give the unopened ones to charity. I bet we'll like them, though.
This trip was definitely worth it for the yogurt alone. Or the tea alone. Or the tomatoes alone (Ben loves my taco soup in the winter!).
I think I need a bigger pantry!!
I purchased:
Mary Ellen was jealous that I was taking more pictures of my groceries!(8) Yoplait Fiber One yogurts (4 pk) for 1.25 ea
(4) 1.25/1 Qs = free
(4) 1.001 Qs = .25 ea
(4) Hunts tomatoes for .69 ea
(2) .50/1 Qs (doubled) = .19 ea
(4) Knorr sides (pasta & rice) for .79 ea
(4) .45/1 Qs (doubled) = free + overage
(4) Betty Crocker potatoes for .84 ea
(4) .40/1 Qs = .08 ea
Lipton tea (family bags 24 ct) for 2.00
Publix coffee for .01
(the penny item!)
Grand total: $1.95
I did use a $3/$15 CVS coupon. Receipt says I saved $45.35! Definitely my best Publix trip.
I know 8 packs of yogurt seems like a lot, but MER & I each eat a cup every day, so it's only 16 days worth. If we don't like the instant potatoes or the Knorr sides, we can always give the unopened ones to charity. I bet we'll like them, though.
This trip was definitely worth it for the yogurt alone. Or the tea alone. Or the tomatoes alone (Ben loves my taco soup in the winter!).
I think I need a bigger pantry!!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Publix, week of 10/7-10/13
I made my Publix trip early this week. Yogurt is on sale, and from past experiences I know it tends to sell out quickly when it's marked down. Me and MER both eat a cup of yogurt every day, so I wanted to make sure I got some while they had it! But if can get the coupons to print & I happen to have time on Sunday or Monday I might pick up $10 worth of the free-ish items so I can get the penny item.
Here's what I got:
(5) Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt (4-pk) for 1.25 ea
(2) $1.25/1 Qs = free
(3) $1/1 Qs = .25 each
(2) Ronzoni Pasta for .69 ea
(2) Classico Pasta Sauce for 1.25 ea
(2) Knorr Sides for .67 ea
(I didn't know what this was before finding it in the store; it's flavored rice or pasta packets)
(2) .45/1 Qs (doubled) = free + overage
Betty Crocker potatoes for .88 ea
(1) .40/1 Q (doubled) = .08
(6) Hunt's Tomatoes (14.5 oz can) for .69 ea
(2) .50/1 Qs (doubled) = 4 for .19 ea
Bear Creek Chicken Noodle soup mix for 3.89
I was going to get some elsewhere but found it cheaper here - we're feeding soups to the college class next Sun. I add egg noodles, chicken, veggies, etc and make it really hardy. It's one of Ben's faves!
Red Baron Pizza for 2.89 ea
(1) .75/1 Q = 2.06
(2) Keebler Club Crackers 1.99
My total with tax was $12.80. The receipt says I saved $41.25.
Hopefully I can get some more yogurt (if Publix will re-stock), Hunt's tomatoes, and Betty Crocker coupons to print out from another computer (you can only print 2 per computer of some coupons) and get the penny item! We'll see.
Here's what I got:
(5) Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt (4-pk) for 1.25 ea
(2) $1.25/1 Qs = free
(3) $1/1 Qs = .25 each
(2) Ronzoni Pasta for .69 ea
(2) Classico Pasta Sauce for 1.25 ea
(2) Knorr Sides for .67 ea
(I didn't know what this was before finding it in the store; it's flavored rice or pasta packets)
(2) .45/1 Qs (doubled) = free + overage
Betty Crocker potatoes for .88 ea
(1) .40/1 Q (doubled) = .08
(6) Hunt's Tomatoes (14.5 oz can) for .69 ea
(2) .50/1 Qs (doubled) = 4 for .19 ea
Bear Creek Chicken Noodle soup mix for 3.89
I was going to get some elsewhere but found it cheaper here - we're feeding soups to the college class next Sun. I add egg noodles, chicken, veggies, etc and make it really hardy. It's one of Ben's faves!
Red Baron Pizza for 2.89 ea
(1) .75/1 Q = 2.06
(2) Keebler Club Crackers 1.99
My total with tax was $12.80. The receipt says I saved $41.25.
Hopefully I can get some more yogurt (if Publix will re-stock), Hunt's tomatoes, and Betty Crocker coupons to print out from another computer (you can only print 2 per computer of some coupons) and get the penny item! We'll see.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Rite Aid
Rite Aid became my dear friend in September.
I had a $25 Rite Aid gift card from July's purchases (from buying $50 worth of Kimberly-Clark products - the maker of Huggies), and I determined I would spend it either on great diaper deals or items we actually use that would give me a rebate.
After a few weeks and 5 transactions, I used up the gift card & paid $39.07 out of pocket, getting over $125 worth of products. I'll be getting $26.69 in rebates for some of those things and will also get a $20 gift card. So essentially, I got PAID $7.62 to shop there.
Here are the items I got paid to "buy":
1 Huggies Big Pack diapers
3 Huggies jumbos diapers
4 Huggies wipes (travel size)
5 Johnson's baby washes
2 CG foundations
2 CG eyeshadows
3 boxes of Kleenex
1 canister of Wet Ones
1 Crest toothpaste
2 Tylenol extra strength (24 ct)
1 Suave lotion
2 Stayfree products
As I've said before, I don't love Rite Aid's rewards program because you do have to pay up front with real money & can't roll it over like with CVS. I guess I could cash out my rebate & put it in an envelope specially marked "for Rite Aid" or something, and then it'd basically be the same. Maybe I'll do that.
For now, I'm waiting on my rebate & keeping my eyes on the Rite Aid ads for Huggies or Pampers deals.
If you want to save $ on diapers (but maybe not wait for a rebate), Rite Aid always has their Huggies & Pampers "big packs" for $19.99. You can use this coupon ($5 off $25 - print it out however many times you want! - and pick up something else you need to make your subtotal $25) and paired with a manufacturer's coupon get a pretty good deal. (But if you do this, just go ahead on to RiteAid.com & enter your receipt to get a $5 gift card for spending $25 this fall.)
I had a $25 Rite Aid gift card from July's purchases (from buying $50 worth of Kimberly-Clark products - the maker of Huggies), and I determined I would spend it either on great diaper deals or items we actually use that would give me a rebate.
After a few weeks and 5 transactions, I used up the gift card & paid $39.07 out of pocket, getting over $125 worth of products. I'll be getting $26.69 in rebates for some of those things and will also get a $20 gift card. So essentially, I got PAID $7.62 to shop there.
Here are the items I got paid to "buy":
1 Huggies Big Pack diapers
3 Huggies jumbos diapers
4 Huggies wipes (travel size)
5 Johnson's baby washes
2 CG foundations
2 CG eyeshadows
3 boxes of Kleenex
1 canister of Wet Ones
1 Crest toothpaste
2 Tylenol extra strength (24 ct)
1 Suave lotion
2 Stayfree products
As I've said before, I don't love Rite Aid's rewards program because you do have to pay up front with real money & can't roll it over like with CVS. I guess I could cash out my rebate & put it in an envelope specially marked "for Rite Aid" or something, and then it'd basically be the same. Maybe I'll do that.
For now, I'm waiting on my rebate & keeping my eyes on the Rite Aid ads for Huggies or Pampers deals.
If you want to save $ on diapers (but maybe not wait for a rebate), Rite Aid always has their Huggies & Pampers "big packs" for $19.99. You can use this coupon ($5 off $25 - print it out however many times you want! - and pick up something else you need to make your subtotal $25) and paired with a manufacturer's coupon get a pretty good deal. (But if you do this, just go ahead on to RiteAid.com & enter your receipt to get a $5 gift card for spending $25 this fall.)
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Publix
The past couple of weeks have been the best for me at Publix. I think I'm slowly learning the ropes.
Last week (9/28) I spent $31.83 (with tax) and, according to the receipt, saved $75.04 (using about $33 worth of coupons & saving the rest with their sales).
Some of my best deals were:
*4 Dole fruit cups (6-pack) for 25 cents each
yogurts (4-pack) for 25 cents each
*2 jars of pickles for 9 cents each (even though we don't really snack on pickles, I couldn't pass it up)
*a large bottle of olive oil for $4
All of these items were BOGO, & I had manufacturer coupons for them as well.
This week (10/5) I made out even better! I spent (with tax) $34.74 and saved $97.49 (using $48 worth of coupons & the rest sales)!
My best deals included:
*6 free boxes of General Mills cereal
*a free Publix reusable bag
*4 free cans of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls
*2 free cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls & 2 for .50 each
*2 cans of Pillsbury biscuits for .50 each
*4 bags of Chex mix (9 oz) for .17 each
*2 boxes of Cascadian Farms cereal for .99 each
*3 packages of Toll House cookie dough for .59 each
*10 Green Giant frozen veggies (10 oz packs) for .50 each
*a loaf of bread for a penny (the penny item!)
I bought mainly from the BOGO items; used manufacturers & Target coupons; and used a $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupon.
Our Publix sale runs from Wednesday to Tuesday, so maybe this week I'll plan my trip early & go ahead and post it. But I like waiting till Sunday or Monday to shop so I get the penny item!
Last week (9/28) I spent $31.83 (with tax) and, according to the receipt, saved $75.04 (using about $33 worth of coupons & saving the rest with their sales).
Some of my best deals were:
*4 Dole fruit cups (6-pack) for 25 cents each
yogurts (4-pack) for 25 cents each
*2 jars of pickles for 9 cents each (even though we don't really snack on pickles, I couldn't pass it up)
*a large bottle of olive oil for $4
All of these items were BOGO, & I had manufacturer coupons for them as well.
This week (10/5) I made out even better! I spent (with tax) $34.74 and saved $97.49 (using $48 worth of coupons & the rest sales)!
My best deals included:
*6 free boxes of General Mills cereal
*a free Publix reusable bag
*4 free cans of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls
*2 free cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls & 2 for .50 each
*2 cans of Pillsbury biscuits for .50 each
*4 bags of Chex mix (9 oz) for .17 each
*2 boxes of Cascadian Farms cereal for .99 each
*3 packages of Toll House cookie dough for .59 each
*10 Green Giant frozen veggies (10 oz packs) for .50 each
*a loaf of bread for a penny (the penny item!)
I bought mainly from the BOGO items; used manufacturers & Target coupons; and used a $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupon.
Our Publix sale runs from Wednesday to Tuesday, so maybe this week I'll plan my trip early & go ahead and post it. But I like waiting till Sunday or Monday to shop so I get the penny item!
Sunday, October 04, 2009
CVS Success, 10/4/09
I am loving SouthernSavers. This site is very helpful when planing my purchases. Of all the sites I've used, I think they have the most thorough lists of all the deals (for the drugstores & grocery stores). I'm using it this evening to plan my Publix trip for tomorrow, but I wanted to take a break to tell you about my CVS experience today.
Hot Pocket for $3
$5 ECBs when you buy $10 in participating Nestle products (the ice cream & hot pocket)
Revlon fingernail polish for $3.99 earning $3 in ECBs
Tone bar soap (2-pack) for $1.88 earning $1 in ECB
Total before tax = $15.87
I used:
$3 off $15 CVS coupon (printed out from a previous purchase)
(2) $1 off Edy's coupons
$0.50 off Hot Pocket coupon
$1 off Revlon Color Cosmetic Product coupon
$1 off Tone Coupon $9 ECBs (collected from previous weeks)
And (somehow) with tax I paid 46 cents and got back $9 in ECBs!
Transaction #2
I bought:
Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste for $2.99 earning $2 in ECBs
(2) Schick 2-ct (trial sized) razors for $1.29 each = $2.58
a Montgomery Advertizer (our newspaper, for the coupons!!) for $1.50
Total before tax: $7.07
I used:
$1 off Colgate Total coupon
(2) $1 off Schick coupons
$3 off any CVS purchase coupon (got it in an email for Ben's birthday!)
$1 in ECBs (from Transaction #1)
And with tax I paid 38 cents and got back $2 in ECBs.
In summary, I purchased $22.94 worth of products, paid 84 cents out of pocket, and received $11 in ECBs. I didn't use all of my ECBs from last week though, so next week I have $17 in ECBs to work with!
I kept an eye on the clock last night and it took one hour to totally plan & organize for my CVS trip. I know that sounds like a lot of time, but I think it's not so bad to earn over $20 worth of free products for my family. And I keep telling myself that it'll take less time the more familiar I am with the process.
Side note #1: I'm really happy with my new method of coupon organization (alphabetical by brand name, in a large index box). I think it cut out a lot of time, too.
Side note #2: The manager was my cashier today, and he was super friendly. I asked again this week if it was okay if I made two transactions and he, with a big grin, asked me if I was "working the system." As I checked out, we chatted & laughed about other people we each know who have also drank the coupon koolaid.
Okay, here's all that I got:
Transaction #1
I bought:
Hot Pocket for $3
$5 ECBs when you buy $10 in participating Nestle products (the ice cream & hot pocket)
Revlon fingernail polish for $3.99 earning $3 in ECBs
Tone bar soap (2-pack) for $1.88 earning $1 in ECB
Total before tax = $15.87
I used:
$3 off $15 CVS coupon (printed out from a previous purchase)
(2) $1 off Edy's coupons
$0.50 off Hot Pocket coupon
$1 off Revlon Color Cosmetic Product coupon
$1 off Tone Coupon $9 ECBs (collected from previous weeks)
And (somehow) with tax I paid 46 cents and got back $9 in ECBs!
Transaction #2
I bought:
Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste for $2.99 earning $2 in ECBs
(2) Schick 2-ct (trial sized) razors for $1.29 each = $2.58
a Montgomery Advertizer (our newspaper, for the coupons!!) for $1.50
Total before tax: $7.07
I used:
$1 off Colgate Total coupon
(2) $1 off Schick coupons
$3 off any CVS purchase coupon (got it in an email for Ben's birthday!)
$1 in ECBs (from Transaction #1)
And with tax I paid 38 cents and got back $2 in ECBs.
In summary, I purchased $22.94 worth of products, paid 84 cents out of pocket, and received $11 in ECBs. I didn't use all of my ECBs from last week though, so next week I have $17 in ECBs to work with!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
CVS Success, 9/27/09
I'm not going to back-blog about my previous weeks' successes at CVS, but I'll summarize by saying that through a couple of weeks of shopping I grew my ECBs to $13.98.
This week was my first time to try two transactions. I actually ended up doing four because I kept forgetting things, but for time's sake I'll combine them on here & show you what I should've done.
Transaciton #1:
(2) Tides (50 oz) for $6 each = $12
(2) Bounce Bars for $4 each = $8
Tide Stain Release (20 oz) for $4
(2) Dawn dish soaps for $1 each = $2
Total before tax = $26
I used:
$5 off $25 CVS coupon (MoneySavingMom has links to those)
(2) $1 off Tide coupons
(2) $1 off Bounce coupons
$1.50 off Tide Stain Release coupon
$9.98 ECBs (collected from previous weeks)
With tax I paid $5.62 out of pocket & got back $10 in ECBs. (Looking back I see some things I should have done differently to save more money ... like handing the cashier the (2) $1 off Dawn coupons I was holding in my hand. But, you live & learn, right?)
Transaction #2:
Gillette Fushion Razor for $9.99
Vasoline Sheer Infusions lotion $7.99
(2) Chex Mix (8.75 oz) bags BOGO @ $2.99
Frutopia shampoo for $1.99
Viologie Shampoo for $1.99
Total before tax: $24.95
And I used:
$3 off $15 CVS coupon
(2) 50 cents off Chex mix coupons
$1.50 off Sheer Infusions coupon
$2 off Gillette Fusion coupon
$1 off Viologie coupon
$1 off Frutopia coupon
$14.00 in ECBs ($10 from the first transaction, & $4 that I had from previous weeks)
And with tax I paid 27 cents out of pocket!
So all together, my total OOP at CVS was $5.89 (would've been a dollar less if I'd given the Dawn coupons) and I have $12 in ECBs to spend next week! Not too bad considering all that I got!!
I still have NO idea how they calculate tax or why sometimes I'm not allowed to use ECBs to pay for tax (as in the first transaction) & other times they'll let me (like the second one). Same lady, same night. I think I'll stop trying to compute the tax and just be thankful for the great deals.
This week was my first time to try two transactions. I actually ended up doing four because I kept forgetting things, but for time's sake I'll combine them on here & show you what I should've done.
Transaciton #1:
(2) Tides (50 oz) for $6 each = $12
(2) Bounce Bars for $4 each = $8
Tide Stain Release (20 oz) for $4
(2) Dawn dish soaps for $1 each = $2
Total before tax = $26
I used:
$5 off $25 CVS coupon (MoneySavingMom has links to those)
(2) $1 off Tide coupons
(2) $1 off Bounce coupons
$1.50 off Tide Stain Release coupon
$9.98 ECBs (collected from previous weeks)
With tax I paid $5.62 out of pocket & got back $10 in ECBs. (Looking back I see some things I should have done differently to save more money ... like handing the cashier the (2) $1 off Dawn coupons I was holding in my hand. But, you live & learn, right?)
Transaction #2:
Gillette Fushion Razor for $9.99
Vasoline Sheer Infusions lotion $7.99
(2) Chex Mix (8.75 oz) bags BOGO @ $2.99
Frutopia shampoo for $1.99
Viologie Shampoo for $1.99
Total before tax: $24.95
And I used:
$3 off $15 CVS coupon
(2) 50 cents off Chex mix coupons
$1.50 off Sheer Infusions coupon
$2 off Gillette Fusion coupon
$1 off Viologie coupon
$1 off Frutopia coupon
$14.00 in ECBs ($10 from the first transaction, & $4 that I had from previous weeks)
And with tax I paid 27 cents out of pocket!
So all together, my total OOP at CVS was $5.89 (would've been a dollar less if I'd given the Dawn coupons) and I have $12 in ECBs to spend next week! Not too bad considering all that I got!!
I still have NO idea how they calculate tax or why sometimes I'm not allowed to use ECBs to pay for tax (as in the first transaction) & other times they'll let me (like the second one). Same lady, same night. I think I'll stop trying to compute the tax and just be thankful for the great deals.
My Job
Where have I been? I have a newly renovated bathroom that kept me out of my house for a month, a walking one-year-old, and a sickly grandmother-in-law. Maybe soon I'll blog pictures & videos of the former two. But this is going to be another post is about couponing! Our blogger-friend Jenna has a funny list about "how to know if you're obsessed with coupon deals"! You should read it.
Well, I have had a great month with deal-shopping and couponing, thanks to our pastor's wife, a few websites, & the Lord from whom all blessings flow!
Rite Aid is going to be paying us for diapers, wipes, etc. that we've bought there this month (once they send the September rebate & another gift card). And yesterday I had my best ever Publix trip and a pretty successful CVS trip too. But I think I'm almost burned out on deal-shopping for the week. I can only handle so many hours of coupon clipping & trip planning. I'll blog about my deals individually, but for now I just wanted to share what I usually do, since several people have asked me.
1. I get a newspaper every week & clip all the coupons. I'm in the process of transferring my coupon collection to a large index card box with alphabetical dividers. My mother & MIL have been saving some coupons for me (thanks!) & I feel like my collection has recently grown quite a bit. I think this will save time for me in the future to just have to sort through the 12 "S" coupons rather than through my whole "toiletries" stack.
2. I sign up for free samples & save the high-value coupons that usually come with them. (MoneySavingMom regularly informs her readers of new freebies to sign up for. Of course, you have to disclose your address & sometimes other info, but it's worth it for me. I love receiving things via snail mail, and we get some kind of sample or coupon almost every day!)
3. I regularly look through coupon websites like Coupons.com or Smartsource.com & go ahead and print out some for the items that I know will be on sale or I know I'll want to purchase.
4. I weekly check BabyCheapskate for her weekly Top Diaper & Formula Deals to see if there's a "Stockupportunity". She has other resources I use, like her chart telling how many diapers are in each size pack for Huggies or Luvs or Pampers, and what's the price to beat per diaper. And I like her reviews of other diapers, too.
5. I weekly check out the CVS deals at MoneySavingMom & DealSeekingMom. Sometimes one blogger finds better deals than the other, so I read them both. My goal in planning a CVS trip is to purchase items for which I have coupons that will produce ExtraCareBucks, so that I'm spending minimal out of my pocket and getting lots of items for free or almost free. Sometimes I'll get things we don't really need (how many shampoos do we really need in storage?) so that I can get other items that we do need. But nothing is going to be wasted. Just this afternoon I was able to share out of our bounty with a friend in need by making a little gift basket of household items, and that was the most rewarding part of all this couponing/deal-seeking yet!
6. I weekly consult SouthernSavers for the Publix deals. I really like SouthernSavers because they recently added little boxes to check so you can print off your list without copying & pasting. And I just noticed they have CVS & Rite Aid too so I'll probably be looking there too in the future when I'm planning. The goal in my grocery deal planning is to buy items for which I have a coupon AND are on sale. Publix is great because when an item is buy one get one free (BOGO), you only have to buy one to get the deal (and it's half off). This is good when I can only find one coupon for the product. Publix also doubles any manufacturer that is 50 cents or less, and takes any competitor store coupons (Target, Winn Dixie, Rite Aid, CVS). Yesterday I used a printable Rite Aid $5 off $25 coupon, and they accepted it!
7. When I've made a shopping plan, I'll print it out, collect all the coupons that have been clipped or printed out, & put all the coupons in an envelope. At the store I carry my list & my envelope of coupons (and sometimes the sales flyer to reference so I can make sure to get right item). I have to purpose in my heart not to veer off my list & pick up anything else.
Right now, I only hit CVS & Publix on a weekly basis. I don't love Rite Aid's program because they give rebates, and you do have to spend money up front to get it back (you can't keep it rolling like CVS). My only experiences at Walgreens have ended with disappointment because the one closest to me refused to accept internet coupons.
I only buy diapers where I can get them the cheapest & I tend to stock up when I can get a good deal. I always have enough on hand for at least a few weeks just in case there are no really good deals. I don't ever want to pay full price for diapers!!
MoneySavingMom has a few posts about planning your menu based on the sales/coupons and buying to stock up. These are some posts I need to read again & implement even more into my planning!
I've not kept track of exactly how much time it takes me to go through the whole process -- maybe a few hours per store..? I'm hoping to get more efficient the more I do it, but I view all this work (and it IS work) as my job. A penny saved is a penny earned, right? And for us with law school, "Every dollar saved is a dollar + interest that we don't have to pay back to Jones Law School in 2011." This has been on our fridge for the last two years. It's pretty motivating!
Well, I have had a great month with deal-shopping and couponing, thanks to our pastor's wife, a few websites, & the Lord from whom all blessings flow!
Rite Aid is going to be paying us for diapers, wipes, etc. that we've bought there this month (once they send the September rebate & another gift card). And yesterday I had my best ever Publix trip and a pretty successful CVS trip too. But I think I'm almost burned out on deal-shopping for the week. I can only handle so many hours of coupon clipping & trip planning. I'll blog about my deals individually, but for now I just wanted to share what I usually do, since several people have asked me.
1. I get a newspaper every week & clip all the coupons. I'm in the process of transferring my coupon collection to a large index card box with alphabetical dividers. My mother & MIL have been saving some coupons for me (thanks!) & I feel like my collection has recently grown quite a bit. I think this will save time for me in the future to just have to sort through the 12 "S" coupons rather than through my whole "toiletries" stack.
2. I sign up for free samples & save the high-value coupons that usually come with them. (MoneySavingMom regularly informs her readers of new freebies to sign up for. Of course, you have to disclose your address & sometimes other info, but it's worth it for me. I love receiving things via snail mail, and we get some kind of sample or coupon almost every day!)
3. I regularly look through coupon websites like Coupons.com or Smartsource.com & go ahead and print out some for the items that I know will be on sale or I know I'll want to purchase.
4. I weekly check BabyCheapskate for her weekly Top Diaper & Formula Deals to see if there's a "Stockupportunity". She has other resources I use, like her chart telling how many diapers are in each size pack for Huggies or Luvs or Pampers, and what's the price to beat per diaper. And I like her reviews of other diapers, too.
5. I weekly check out the CVS deals at MoneySavingMom & DealSeekingMom. Sometimes one blogger finds better deals than the other, so I read them both. My goal in planning a CVS trip is to purchase items for which I have coupons that will produce ExtraCareBucks, so that I'm spending minimal out of my pocket and getting lots of items for free or almost free. Sometimes I'll get things we don't really need (how many shampoos do we really need in storage?) so that I can get other items that we do need. But nothing is going to be wasted. Just this afternoon I was able to share out of our bounty with a friend in need by making a little gift basket of household items, and that was the most rewarding part of all this couponing/deal-seeking yet!
6. I weekly consult SouthernSavers for the Publix deals. I really like SouthernSavers because they recently added little boxes to check so you can print off your list without copying & pasting. And I just noticed they have CVS & Rite Aid too so I'll probably be looking there too in the future when I'm planning. The goal in my grocery deal planning is to buy items for which I have a coupon AND are on sale. Publix is great because when an item is buy one get one free (BOGO), you only have to buy one to get the deal (and it's half off). This is good when I can only find one coupon for the product. Publix also doubles any manufacturer that is 50 cents or less, and takes any competitor store coupons (Target, Winn Dixie, Rite Aid, CVS). Yesterday I used a printable Rite Aid $5 off $25 coupon, and they accepted it!
7. When I've made a shopping plan, I'll print it out, collect all the coupons that have been clipped or printed out, & put all the coupons in an envelope. At the store I carry my list & my envelope of coupons (and sometimes the sales flyer to reference so I can make sure to get right item). I have to purpose in my heart not to veer off my list & pick up anything else.
Right now, I only hit CVS & Publix on a weekly basis. I don't love Rite Aid's program because they give rebates, and you do have to spend money up front to get it back (you can't keep it rolling like CVS). My only experiences at Walgreens have ended with disappointment because the one closest to me refused to accept internet coupons.
I only buy diapers where I can get them the cheapest & I tend to stock up when I can get a good deal. I always have enough on hand for at least a few weeks just in case there are no really good deals. I don't ever want to pay full price for diapers!!
MoneySavingMom has a few posts about planning your menu based on the sales/coupons and buying to stock up. These are some posts I need to read again & implement even more into my planning!
I've not kept track of exactly how much time it takes me to go through the whole process -- maybe a few hours per store..? I'm hoping to get more efficient the more I do it, but I view all this work (and it IS work) as my job. A penny saved is a penny earned, right? And for us with law school, "Every dollar saved is a dollar + interest that we don't have to pay back to Jones Law School in 2011." This has been on our fridge for the last two years. It's pretty motivating!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
CVS Success! (August 3rd)
I like blogging about my CVS savings because:
1. it doesn't require a lot of creativity or wit
2. I regularly (weekly or biweekly) have new content to post
3. maybe it'll help someone learn of a deal he or she wants to hit up
4. it's good accountability to keep my ECBs rollin'
But maybe I'll write about other things sometimes -- probably just as often as I did before my CVS adventures began: almost never.
After briefly scanning the CVS weekly circular I wasn't planning to go this week, but I noticed that my ECBs expire next week (while we're at the beach) so I knew I needed to use them. It ended up being a wonderfully successful week at CVS.
I purchased:
2 jumbo packs of Pampers, on sale 2 for $20 (not the best price, but $5 ECBs when you buy two)
I used:
$3 off when you spend $15 CVS coupon (it printed out with my ECBs last week)
$2 Pampers coupon
$1 Pampers coupon
$5.88 in ECBs from my last shopping experience
I paid OOP (out-of-pocket):
$8.12 + our 10% sales tax somehow making $1.70 = $9.82
Not bad at all for 72 diapers of any brand, much less Pampers. Including the weird tax, that's about 14 cents per diaper (and the price to beat for Pampers is 23 cents per diaper before tax).
Oh, and I have $5 ECBs to spend on our next adventure of CVS Success!
(I just realized how they got that $1.70 tax: CVS apparently charges tax on your subtotal before all their coupons. Kinda cheap of them. And I would complain about it except that I'm getting great deals. I'll have to look at that tax discrepancy from 2 weeks ago and see if I can get it to add up.)
1. it doesn't require a lot of creativity or wit
2. I regularly (weekly or biweekly) have new content to post
3. maybe it'll help someone learn of a deal he or she wants to hit up
4. it's good accountability to keep my ECBs rollin'
But maybe I'll write about other things sometimes -- probably just as often as I did before my CVS adventures began: almost never.
After briefly scanning the CVS weekly circular I wasn't planning to go this week, but I noticed that my ECBs expire next week (while we're at the beach) so I knew I needed to use them. It ended up being a wonderfully successful week at CVS.
I purchased:
2 jumbo packs of Pampers, on sale 2 for $20 (not the best price, but $5 ECBs when you buy two)
I used:
$3 off when you spend $15 CVS coupon (it printed out with my ECBs last week)
$2 Pampers coupon
$1 Pampers coupon
$5.88 in ECBs from my last shopping experience
I paid OOP (out-of-pocket):
$8.12 + our 10% sales tax somehow making $1.70 = $9.82
Not bad at all for 72 diapers of any brand, much less Pampers. Including the weird tax, that's about 14 cents per diaper (and the price to beat for Pampers is 23 cents per diaper before tax).
Oh, and I have $5 ECBs to spend on our next adventure of CVS Success!
(I just realized how they got that $1.70 tax: CVS apparently charges tax on your subtotal before all their coupons. Kinda cheap of them. And I would complain about it except that I'm getting great deals. I'll have to look at that tax discrepancy from 2 weeks ago and see if I can get it to add up.)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
CVS Success!
This week CVS has some school supplies for FREE after ECBs, so I thought I'd pick up a binder & some pens for Ben. I also desperately needed some type of thermal protection spray for my hair, so I was prepared to pay more out-of-pocket than I did last week.
Have I told you that my hair is breaking? I'm sure you've noticed if you know me in real life. I'm hoping this is just a hormonal post-pregnancy issue and will get back to normal in a few months, like my doc says. I've limited heat use -- dryer & hot iron -- to once a week for the last two months, to no avail. Maybe it has something to do with my ponytails the other 6 days of the week. Or my 10-month-old who sometimes likes to pull. I know this probably deserves it's own post with pictures of my ever-increasing fly-aways, but I'll spare my own embarrassment and get back to CVS.
Okay, I bought:
Papermate 1.2 10-ct Pens - $0.99 (free after ECBs)
1" Vinal 3-Ring Binder - $3 (free after ECBs)
CVS Panty Liners 22 ct - $0.89 (free after ECBs)
4-pack Duracell AA batteries -$2. 99 ($0.99 after coupon & ECBs)
Cascade Liquid Gel 45 oz - $2.99 ($1.99 after coupon)
Tresseme Tamer Spray - $3.99
I used:
$1/1 Cascade coupon
$1/1 Duracell coupon
$4 in ECBs
I paid $9.93 out-of-pocket and got back $5.88 ECBs to use next week in my CVS adventures! With sales & coupons it says I saved $12.59. I know I didn't do extremely well with my out-of-pocket spending (compared to last week for sure), but I need all of the items I purchased, and I would've spent at least twice that elsewhere. But I did grow my ECBs a little bit! We'll see what happens next week.
By the way, if any of you EVER have coupons that you don't use, ESPECIALLY diapers or baby food, feel free to pass them on to me. I would really appreciate it!
Have I told you that my hair is breaking? I'm sure you've noticed if you know me in real life. I'm hoping this is just a hormonal post-pregnancy issue and will get back to normal in a few months, like my doc says. I've limited heat use -- dryer & hot iron -- to once a week for the last two months, to no avail. Maybe it has something to do with my ponytails the other 6 days of the week. Or my 10-month-old who sometimes likes to pull. I know this probably deserves it's own post with pictures of my ever-increasing fly-aways, but I'll spare my own embarrassment and get back to CVS.
Okay, I bought:
Papermate 1.2 10-ct Pens - $0.99 (free after ECBs)
1" Vinal 3-Ring Binder - $3 (free after ECBs)
CVS Panty Liners 22 ct - $0.89 (free after ECBs)
4-pack Duracell AA batteries -$2. 99 ($0.99 after coupon & ECBs)
Cascade Liquid Gel 45 oz - $2.99 ($1.99 after coupon)
Tresseme Tamer Spray - $3.99
I used:
$1/1 Cascade coupon
$1/1 Duracell coupon
$4 in ECBs
I paid $9.93 out-of-pocket and got back $5.88 ECBs to use next week in my CVS adventures! With sales & coupons it says I saved $12.59. I know I didn't do extremely well with my out-of-pocket spending (compared to last week for sure), but I need all of the items I purchased, and I would've spent at least twice that elsewhere. But I did grow my ECBs a little bit! We'll see what happens next week.
By the way, if any of you EVER have coupons that you don't use, ESPECIALLY diapers or baby food, feel free to pass them on to me. I would really appreciate it!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
CVS Success!
Today I had my first successful experience shrewdly using CVS's ExtraCare Bucks (ECBs). I've been meaning to get into it for over a year now, but I haven't for one reason or another.
My pastor's wife had a seminar in April on how to coupon & save at least 50% on your monthly grocery/toiletry expenditures. At one point, she passed around some receipts to show particular CVS bargains, and I noticed on the bottom of one receipt where it said she'd saved over $1000 so far this year (and this was APRIL), and she had already told us that she had spent $0 out-of-pocket this year at CVS (because of some deal where you get a $25 gift card for a new or transferred prescription).
This really motivated me to try to save some money at CVS. Ben's last CVS purchase generated $3.50 ECBs and I was determined to use them (before they expired) in a way that generated more ECBs and used minimal out-of-pocket change.
I bought:
1 single serve cup of Honey Nut Cheerios -$0. 99
1 Gillette Fusion razor - $7.99
I used:
$1/1 Cheerio coupon
$4/1 Gillette Fusion razor coupon
$3.50 in ECBs
I paid 1.04 cash, and even though that seemed like a good deal for my purchase, I knew it was too much. I checked out the receipt when we got out to the car.
_____________
Subtotal: $0.49
AL 10% tax: $0.55
Total: $1.04
_____________
Montgomery County has a 10% sales tax, so my tax should have been 5 cents, but apparently the cash register multiplies every subtotal by 1.10 to find the total, when it should make an exception for any transaction under $1.
I approached the cashier and explained it to her. I told her I know it's just fifty cents, but that's double what I should have paid, and I'm sure it happens to every customer who picks up a piece of candy or gum. She picked up a phone, turned her back to me while whispering something into the receiver, hung up, opened the cash register and handed me two quarters.
So after all this, I spent $0.54 for a few Cheerios & a nice razor for Ben. AND, I almost forgot, it generated $4 in ECBs for me to spend on my next CVS shopping trip. I think the goal is to keep a minimal out-of-pocket expense, all the while growing the amount of ECBs I generate. We'll see how I do next time!
My pastor's wife had a seminar in April on how to coupon & save at least 50% on your monthly grocery/toiletry expenditures. At one point, she passed around some receipts to show particular CVS bargains, and I noticed on the bottom of one receipt where it said she'd saved over $1000 so far this year (and this was APRIL), and she had already told us that she had spent $0 out-of-pocket this year at CVS (because of some deal where you get a $25 gift card for a new or transferred prescription).
This really motivated me to try to save some money at CVS. Ben's last CVS purchase generated $3.50 ECBs and I was determined to use them (before they expired) in a way that generated more ECBs and used minimal out-of-pocket change.
I bought:
1 single serve cup of Honey Nut Cheerios -$0. 99
1 Gillette Fusion razor - $7.99
I used:
$1/1 Cheerio coupon
$4/1 Gillette Fusion razor coupon
$3.50 in ECBs
I paid 1.04 cash, and even though that seemed like a good deal for my purchase, I knew it was too much. I checked out the receipt when we got out to the car.
_____________
Subtotal: $0.49
AL 10% tax: $0.55
Total: $1.04
_____________
Montgomery County has a 10% sales tax, so my tax should have been 5 cents, but apparently the cash register multiplies every subtotal by 1.10 to find the total, when it should make an exception for any transaction under $1.
I approached the cashier and explained it to her. I told her I know it's just fifty cents, but that's double what I should have paid, and I'm sure it happens to every customer who picks up a piece of candy or gum. She picked up a phone, turned her back to me while whispering something into the receiver, hung up, opened the cash register and handed me two quarters.
So after all this, I spent $0.54 for a few Cheerios & a nice razor for Ben. AND, I almost forgot, it generated $4 in ECBs for me to spend on my next CVS shopping trip. I think the goal is to keep a minimal out-of-pocket expense, all the while growing the amount of ECBs I generate. We'll see how I do next time!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Diaper Deals
I'm really excited about purchasing diapers this month! Why? Because I'm getting them for CHEAP!
I like to put Pampers on Mary Ellen at night; I've found that they absorb better than any others. During the day we use Huggies or any other store brand (whatever is on sale + I have a coupon for).
I'm doing my diaper shopping at Rite Aid this month, since they are having multiple super diaper deals.
This morning I purchased:
* 1 jumbo pack (40 count) of Pampers, on sale for $8.99. I used a $2 coupon, so I paid $6.99. I've never tried their rebate system, but I should be able to get a $2 rebate for this too, so my final price should be $4.99 for 40 Pampers. (~12.5 cents per diaper = GREAT DEAL!)
* 1 mega pack (52 count) of Huggies, on sale for $17.99. I used a $1.50 coupon, so I paid $16.49. I should get a $2 rebate for this one, too, so that'll be $14.49 for 52 Huggies. (~28 cents per diaper = too much money)
* But I did use a $5 off $25 coupon, so my total was $21.18 for 92 diapers. (23 cents per diaper = okay deal)
There's a promotion where you can spend $50 of Kimberly-Clark products (maker of Huggies) and get a $25 Rite Aid gift card. And another one where you get a free jumbo pack of Huggies when you buy 5 packs (various sizes).
So next week I plan to purchase 4 packs of jumbos (usually $11.49, but there's a rumor they'll be on sale next week), use 4 $1.50 off coupons and another $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupon, and spend a maximum (if they are not on sale as rumored) of $34.96
So all in all, my out of pocket spending on diapers will be about $56.14, but hopefully less.
But then, I should get a $25 gift card to Rite Aid (to buy diapers next month!), a free jumbo pack of diapers, and a $4 rebate check. So it's like I'm getting 247 diapers for $27.14. (Or about 11 cents per diaper = REALLY GOOD DEAL!)
And I've also heard you can submit your receipts to Caregivers Marketplace and get a rebate for 75 cents per pack of Huggies, so that make an even better deal!
Links:
Money Saving Mom (explaining the deal better than I did)
Rite Aid rebates list
Rite Aid $5 off $25 printable coupon
I like to put Pampers on Mary Ellen at night; I've found that they absorb better than any others. During the day we use Huggies or any other store brand (whatever is on sale + I have a coupon for).
I'm doing my diaper shopping at Rite Aid this month, since they are having multiple super diaper deals.
This morning I purchased:
* 1 jumbo pack (40 count) of Pampers, on sale for $8.99. I used a $2 coupon, so I paid $6.99. I've never tried their rebate system, but I should be able to get a $2 rebate for this too, so my final price should be $4.99 for 40 Pampers. (~12.5 cents per diaper = GREAT DEAL!)
* 1 mega pack (52 count) of Huggies, on sale for $17.99. I used a $1.50 coupon, so I paid $16.49. I should get a $2 rebate for this one, too, so that'll be $14.49 for 52 Huggies. (~28 cents per diaper = too much money)
* But I did use a $5 off $25 coupon, so my total was $21.18 for 92 diapers. (23 cents per diaper = okay deal)
There's a promotion where you can spend $50 of Kimberly-Clark products (maker of Huggies) and get a $25 Rite Aid gift card. And another one where you get a free jumbo pack of Huggies when you buy 5 packs (various sizes).
So next week I plan to purchase 4 packs of jumbos (usually $11.49, but there's a rumor they'll be on sale next week), use 4 $1.50 off coupons and another $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupon, and spend a maximum (if they are not on sale as rumored) of $34.96
So all in all, my out of pocket spending on diapers will be about $56.14, but hopefully less.
But then, I should get a $25 gift card to Rite Aid (to buy diapers next month!), a free jumbo pack of diapers, and a $4 rebate check. So it's like I'm getting 247 diapers for $27.14. (Or about 11 cents per diaper = REALLY GOOD DEAL!)
And I've also heard you can submit your receipts to Caregivers Marketplace and get a rebate for 75 cents per pack of Huggies, so that make an even better deal!
Links:
Money Saving Mom (explaining the deal better than I did)
Rite Aid rebates list
Rite Aid $5 off $25 printable coupon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
