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CVS 3/31


Last week, I took a break from the regular grocery store. Other than some needs for Easter, and after my experience at CVS today I think I'm skipping it this week, too!
I had an original plan, but that didn't pan out, and I lucked out on finding a toothpaste on clearance along with animal crackers that my toddler screamed bloody murder for. I started with $3 ECBs and grabbed the wrong Oral B toothbrush. It was mistakenly placed behind the ad and I thought I grabbed the right one. It was very sticky dealing with the return of that item after using my coupon + ECBs and asking several times of the cashier whether I was supposed to get cash back in their place. I am ASSUMING the reason why she gave me the cash is because I was turning around and buying more items, and would have used the ECBs. I did ask her twice, so now, in the future, I am going to double check my items and NOT bring my toddler with me! Anyway, here is how my trip panned out:

1 Crest Toothpaste $.75
1 box Animal Crackers for $1.00
1 Cover Girl True Blend MicroMinerals Foundation ($12.99)
1 Cover Girl True Blend MicroMinerals Brozer ($12.99)
1 Cover Girl Professional Mascara ($4.99)

Used $.75/1 Crest Coupon
Used BOGO CG Face Product Coupon (-$12.99)
Used $1/1 Cover Girl Product
Total OOP: $21.18

Technically, my OOP was $18.18 if you count my original $3 ECBs, plus I now have $8 ECBs for next week which should be even better. I will be sure to update on that trip as well!

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CVS 3/25



I got nervous today when I went to CVS and found that the Colgate's that matched my coupon were sold out. But, I asked the cashier and she said she would try to put it through anyway on one that wasn't listed on the Q, and lo and behold, it worked! I basically followed the Scenerio listed in my matchups section, but my numbers guesses were a little bit off.
Transaction 1:

Colgate Toothpaste $3.99
Used $1/1 Coupon
Total Including tax: $3.23
Got back $3.99 ECBs

Transaction 2:

Vo5 Conditioner ($.77)
Vo5 Shampoo ($.77)
Pampers Cruisers ($8.97)
Used $2/$10 purchase Used $3.99 Colgate ECBs Used $2/any Pampers

Total OOP: $3.03
Got back $3.00 ECBs for next week

I also got two $1 coupons for CVS skincare and shampoo items from the kiosk. I was excited because last time I scanned my card, I didn't get anything. But for a total of $6.26 OOP, I feel like I did pretty good. I realized I could've bought other filler items for a lower total, but shampoo is more useful than a pack of gum or something like that and the price was pretty low. I am starting to learn that I will have to do a few runs that are so-so before I start getting enough ECBs to roll from week to week.

Hoping To Be Unlocked!


This is a test post to see if my blog has or will become unlocked. Someone has been "spamming" me or having a problem with something I posted and reported it. I don't know if I violated any terms of service, I am really hoping that is not the case and this was just automated error! Hoping to post about last week's deals and this week's CVS! Wish me luck!

CVS Scenario Week 3/21 to 3/27


This is my first time coming up with my own CVS Scenario and I think I did pretty well. I only have a $2/$10 coupon that's only good until Thursday, so I'm going to TRY to go to the store before then with kids in tow (bravely) because the savings is going to be pretty good. Here is the breakdown:

Transaction #1

Buy Colgate Toothpaste $3.99
Use $1/1 Coupon (From Smart Source but I'm sorry I don't know the date!)
Total: $2.99 + tax
Get back $3.99 ECB

Transaction #2

Buy Pamper's Cruiser's $8.97
Buy 2 VO5 Shampoos $.77 (Filler)
Use $2/$10 Coupon
Use $2/1 Pampers (P&G )
Use $3.99 ECB from Colgate
Total: $2.52
Get back $3.00 ECBs

Total Spent OOP: $5.51 + tax

To me this is pretty good, considering the diapers alone would cost me $8.99 elsewhere and with the $2 coupon would still make it $6.99. That alone makes everything else FREE along with an extra $1.48 savings on the diapers, plus, I will have $3 ECBs for next week. I will update you all with how it pans out!

Free 60 Day BJ's Membership





Now, I don't have a BJ's close to me, however, there is one about 38 miles away. I have actually never stepped foot into one but am considering driving down to check it out because of the free trial membership offer. Go here to print the coupon.

My Blog Is Unlocked!


I don't know what in the world happened! I had everything ready for me to post yesterday, logged in, and was locked out of my blog. To come once both kids are napping: My CVS Scenerio for this week and a few awesome Freebies!

CVS 3/18


It was my first time CVSing. Yes, I have been to CVS before, but I just recently signed up for my Extra Care Card. I originally planned on using the CVS Scenerio at Feeding Four for this week, but I was unable to get the coupons for Right Guard to print, and had given away my StayFree coupons not expecting to need them anytime soon. So, I had to modify the deal because I still saved money, however, it may not blow you away. Hopefully as time goes on, I will get better and better at it. But as they say, you have to start somewhere! Here is my trip:

Transaction #1:

1 Herbal Essences Shampoo ($2.99)
1 Herbal Essences Hair Spray($2.99)
Used $1/1 Herbal Essences Coupon
Used Buy One Herbal Essence Product Get a Free Styling Product Coupon (-$.299)
Total OOP Including Tax: $2.35
Got back $1 ECB plus $2/$10

Transaction #2:

2 Right Guard Deodorants 2/$5
1 Twin Pack Suave 24/7 Deodorant ($2.30 on CLEARANCE)
Used $1 ECB
Total OOP: $6.74
Got back $2 ECBs

Transaction #3 (Different store!)

2 Colgate Toothpastes BOGO @ $4.39
Used 2 $1/1 Colgate
Used $2 ECBs
Total OOP: $.66

TOTAL Spent overall: $9.75
Total SAVED Overall: $18.86
Cost Per Item: $1.21 including tax (I am counting the Suave separately)

I am honestly feeling a little disappointed with myself. I would have spent $2 less if I could have gotten the coupons to print, although I did feel very proud when I purchased two large tubes of toothpaste for $.66! I have been pretty faithful to certain stores for quite some time, and I had not realized that branching out a little bit could provide more opportunities to save. Wish me luck next week as I'm hanging onto my coupon and going to try to do even better!

Big Crumbs: Cash Back For Online Shopping




If you do any shopping online at all, even a little bit, then you need to join BigCrumbs. You can get access to coupon codes, and earn a percentage of your cash back on purchases at retailers like WalMart, Target, Old Navy, Ebay, and more.

You can also earn off of your referrals when they make purchases online. You don't have to do anything extra, just go through Big Crumbs every time you buy online and not only save but earn some pocket money! Some people are actually making a full second income from home just from using this site!

Saving At Restaurants


How often do you go out to eat? There are many ways to stretch your fun money. Here are some ways to save on eating out:

1. Use coupons. These can be easily obtained from different sources:

TGIFridays Sign up for "Give Me More Stripes" and recieve printable coupon offers through email.

Denny's Sign up for Denny's Email Club to recieve printable coupon offers

ValPak
Enter Your Zip and instantly print coupons for your local restaurants.

Do a Search for "Kid's Eat Free in ____(your city & state)" to find out where your kids can eat Free.

Check your Red Plum Mailers for coupons, too, along with the Sunday paper inserts and the Smart Source insert, too. Often you can find printable coupons on their websites for restaurants in your area. My Red Plum Mailer usually includes Friendly's, Shoney's, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, Long John's and KFC. The inserts have had Subway, Uno's, Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse and Olive Garden.

Restaurants.com is a place where you can get gift certificates at a discount. Be aware that by using these you have to spend a minimum (i.e. a $25 gift certificate may cost $10, but you will have to spend $35 out of pocket to save $15 total)

2. Go out less. If you're going out twice a week for dinner, and you're not ready for a huge change, just go once a week and try to use a coupon. Often you can cut your spending by 75%.

3. Drink water. When you pay for soda alone, most restaurants charge at least $2.00, often almost $3.00. They're factoring in at least one refill in that price. Let's not even mention alcohol as you usually pay $4-$5 per drink, and there aren't any "free" refills. For a family of 4, ordering water instead can save $8-$12 in itself.

Let's look at a typical meal out for a family of 4 at a casual sit-down restaurant:

4 Beverages @ $2.00 ea.= $8.00
1 Appetizer =$8.00(mid range price)
4 Meals @ $10.00 ea. = $40.00
4 Deserts @ $4.00 ea.= $16.00
Total: $72.00
Tax (6% here):$4.32
Tip: (15%):$10.80

Total Cost of Meal Out: $87.12

If you order water instead, subtract $8.00
If you skip the appetizer, subtract $8.00
If you have a $5/$25 or more coupon, subract $5.00
If you skip 2 deserts and share, subtract $8.00

New Total Before Tax + Coupon: $48.00
Tax (6%): $2.58
Tip(pre-coupon total): $7.20
Total After Coupon: $52.78

You've saved $34.34. That's about a 40% savings just from making different choices.

CVS Scenerio







A good friend of mine did a great CVS Scenerio for this week here. This is a great one for beginners. I am a CVS newbie and she is taking me by the hand to help me get started--Thanks Keli!

And be sure to check out the rest of her great blog, Feeding Four.

Excedrin Coupons







You can print several $1/1 Excedrin coupons here. I am bummed they no longer have the offer for a free coupon, but, if it ever comes up again I will be sure to post it in the Freebies section.

Weis Deal on 3/5/2010






Here is the breakdown of my recent deal at Weis that provided a 76% savings on my total.

Items:

3 Rolls of Marcal Small Steps Toilet Paper ($.89)
1 Box Finish Power Tabs ($4.65)
1 Jumo Pkg Weis Bear Essentials Diapers ($7.99)
4 Boxes Keebler 100 Calorie Right Bites ($2.50 ea)
1 Bottle Xtra Laundry Detergent ($6.99)
2 CG Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer ($8.19 ea)
1 Bounce Dryer Bar (2 month size)($4.39)
2 Glade Soy Candles-Fragrance Collection ($2.79 ea)
1 Excedrin Migraine 24 ct ($3.59)
1 St Ives Apricot Scrub Trial Size ($.99)
1 Calendar for Meal Planning ($1.00)

Sub-total before Discounts & Coupons: $64.23

Coupons Used:

1 $10/$50 purchase (Store Coupon)
1 FREE Jumbo pack of Bear Essentials Diapers
1 FREE Excedrin up to $5.99 Value
3 FREE Marcal Small Steps up to $1.00 value
$3.50 OYNO Catalina
1 $1.50 off Any Bounce Dryer Bar
1 $1/1 Cover Girl Product
1 Buy One Cover Girl Face Product Get a Face Product FREE
1 $1/1 Finish Dishwashing Product
$3/2 Glade Fragrance Collection
4 $1/1 Right Bites

Total Savings: $49.18
Tax: $2.40
Total OOP: $17.45
Total Cost Per Item: $.96

My husband is the one who said the true test of savings is to calculate the total cost per item. The goal is to keep this amount under $1. We don't always succeed in this but when this happens, even with items that lack coupons, it's a true victory.

Free Dove Sample







Get A Free sample of Dove Conditioner by going here to fill out a short form.

Busting Coupon Myths


Folks make many excuses not to use coupons, and most of them make sense at first. These are a handful of the most common myths associated with coupons that I have personally proven to be false.

"Clipping coupons takes too much time."

Some people feel overwhelmed by the idea of spending hours clipping and sorting coupons. Oh what they don't know--you can gain anywhere from $1-$100 in your grocery budget that week for just an hour or two of clipping.

"Cents-off coupons can't help me save money."

Yes, they can, even if your store does not double or triple. Just using 10 $.50 coupons in each weekly grocery trip winds up saving you $260 each year. And, if they double, $520. That $260 can cover homeowner's insurance for some, and for me, $520 just falls short of paying my six-month auto insurance policy. And, using coupons this casually is not time consuming at all. I bet if I were handing you an extra $260-$520 this year, you would take the cash, wouldn't you?


"There are never coupons for items I buy."

If you are looking and paying attention, you can most CERTAINLY find coupons for items you do buy, or will buy. My mother in law gets two sets of inserts every week, but she buys certain things (she is only shopping for two) and can't use them all up-- even for items she DOES buy! So be sure to clip every coupon you MAY use, even if you don't need that item right this second. And, it's necessary when trying to save money on groceries to flex a little bit, and do a little bit of digging. From using Coupon DeDe, I am able to have access to coupons that I'm not recieving from my local paper.

Note: I had to edit this a little bit because I realized I didn't proofread it and it sounded rude. Sorry for those who read the earlier version and felt it was abrasive--That's not where my heart was at when I wrote this! :)