Redbox

I'm a big fan of Redbox. I hate spending money on entertainment and yet I love being entertained. I know, stupid right? So, Redbox is a great way to feed my desire to watch movies for free. On the first Monday of the month Redbox offers a free movie code. Their rental fee is only $1 per day per movie, but on the first Monday of the month you can get that movie for free. October's code is QNGJ7KD. Happy family movie night!!! Be sure to pick it up today, because the code expires by tonight. TTFN!

Walgreens is my New Best Friend

I made my rounds to several stores today and took advantage of the monthly deals again. In addition, I got several Purell hand sanitizers and filled in just about every transaction with the Trident Layers gum. For every 2 packs of Trident I spent .50 out of pocket and earned a $1 RR. It was the perfect filler for me. Anyway. I still haven't been able to use all of my razor coupons so I am on the hunt for Gillette Fusion MVP Razors. Hopefully, I am able to get the last three by the end of the month. Also, I still have $30 RR to roll with. I guess I better start looking at next weeks deals to see if I am going to be able to roll easily. Here's to hoping!

P.S. I am still amazed at how many times cashiers will tell me that my RR will not print, or that this deal was for last week. They seriously have no clue about their own store! I could work there. Seriously! It just goes to show how important it is to be an educated consumer. Know the store policies and plan well to avoid confusion at the register.

Walgreens and a Few TIps

Is anyone else loving Walgreens right now as much as I am? After 19 transactions I have finally replenished my razor and lotion supply. I'm still hoping to be able to do a few more on Saturday so we shall see where I am at at that point. So far my out of pocket expense is $6.57 for over $287.00 worth of product. AMAZING! right?

During one of my many visits to Walgreens (I have one within walking distance of my home, thank goodness!), I met a fellow couponer that has been couponing for dozens of years. We talked shop but she shared some priceless information with me that I thought I would pass on to you. I have only been couponing for a year, so I really hadn't noticed any patterns in the sales and coupons. My fellow couponer told me that in her experience cleaning products are generally at their best price in the spring (for spring cleaning) and the best coupons come out during that time too. So, if you are hoping to stock up on cleaning products you may want to do that in the spring and stock up enough for the whole year. Medications generally go to their best sale prices and get the best coupons in the fall (before flu season). Canned foods and baking supplies can be bought cheaply in the fall with good sale prices and the best coupons, so stock up then. Anyway, you get the idea. Groups of products will be at their best sale prices and will correspond with their best coupons seasonally. What cycles have you seen? Have you noticed this in your shopping? I continually was trying to figure out how much to stock up on and generally I decided that I just wanted to stock up enough to get me to the next good sale. I guess I didn't know that for some seasonal products that best sale price may only come once a year. Has this been your experience? Would love to know!!!

Still Learning

I think I am a naturally suspicious person. Today, I went to Albertson's to do their ConAgra deal (Buy 25$ and get 10$ OYNO). Even after being told that the 25$ was based upon the sale prices, I tried it based upon the shelf prices because that was what I was used to getting at good 'ole Shaw's in Boston. Well, wouldn't you know the Albertson's people knew what they were talking about! So, the deal was good, but not fantastic. At my particular store they were handing out 2$ off one Morningstar product. We love veggie burgers at my house so we got a bunch of those and a ton of cereal (yay for Vocalpoint Qs). It worked out to be around $70 of groceries for about 80% off.

On another note, I sent off a rebate today from a deal a couple of weeks ago. I bought 25$ worth of groceries and earned 5$ off OYNO and send in for a 20$ rebate. When all is said and done I will get 25$ of free groceries. It is still amazing to me that manufacturers do these kinds of deals. Do they bank on the fact that most people will forget to mail off the rebate?

I still feel like I am relearning how to do the grocery store thing. Each store really is so different and it takes trying out different deals to really get a handle on their policies. (I still get butterflies! Haha.) I have an Albertson's and a Smith's by my house. Right now I am focusing on Albertson's. In a few months I hope to be proficient and then I'll try out Smith's. Does anyone have any tips or ideas of how to maximize my savings at those two establishments? Any help would be much appreciated. My standby website for coupon help (A Full Cup) doesn't really have very good forums for those two stores, so I feel a bit at a loss. TIA! TTFN!

Anytime, Anywhere

Those of you that follow me here may know that at the inception of this blog I was living in the Boston area and enjoyed doubled coupons and amazing deals. I spent several months when I first started finding some great resources that really helped me to capitalize on my savings. There are myriads of blogs out there for all different regions of the country where people share the deals they find. I spent quite a lot of time compiling my own little file of blogs for my region. This work paid off and seriously diminished the amount of time and work that I had to expend in order to yield high savings. I don't know how many times I have heard that the savings I had been enjoying there (in Boston) were just non-existent in other parts of the country. Since then, I have moved to Utah and have realized that deals can be had here too. I have been absent from this blog for a bit because I have been trying to track down some resources that could help me to be more successful here in Utah-land. It is like a treasure hunt in some ways and I have been excited about my finds.

I have realized that I can still take advantage of Walgreens and Rite Aid for my non-grocery items. It has been disappointing to see that Walgreens has completely gotten rid of their rebate program and only offers their register reward program these days, however with a little planning the deals are there and can be capitalized upon.

I have also been thrilled to find that Staples has a rebate program similar to Rite Aid. Simply purchase a rebate item and enter your receipt on their website. You receive a rebate check and can frequently get items for free that way. What rock have I been living under? Their deals leading up to the beginning of school have been amazing and they have been offering free after rebate items almost every week for the last month. In my humble opinion, every parent that has children in the overtaxed school systems should take advantage of these free items and donate the items to schools if they don't need them. Our poor teachers often spend their own meager dollars to support their classrooms. Even if you don't have children, get the free items for your own home office. I hate having to pay full price for paper, pens, erasers etc. They even have a label maker this week for free that gets me almost giddy inside. If I didn't have one of these already, I could almost succumb. I LOVE labeling things. Ha--neurotic, I know.

The grocery stores here as a general rule are a lot cheaper than the ones in Boston. For example, I pay $2 for milk here instead of the regular $2.50. The prices here across the board are cheaper. In addition, my local Albertsons and Smiths have frequently had Catalina deals. I am still trying to figure out whether the catalina deal requirements are based on pre-sale or sale prices. My re-education is a work in progress. Most stores do not offer, as far as I can tell, standard doubling of coupons. That was a bit disappointing, but I believe the savings will still be big if I take advantage of the sales and catalina deals. Anywho. I recently discovered a website called Utah Deal Diva. She offers a ton of information for the Utah couponer.

I would love to know what sites you have found that are helpful to you! Feel free to share. Happy Shopping. TTFN!

A Few Good Deals

I have been out of the coupon world for a couple of weeks because of the move and a lack of internet connection. So, today I got on the internet and my favorite coupon communities and saw some great deals. For you mommies of school age children, you may want to begin your school shopping. Or maybe you just need to fill you office with some basic supplies. CVS and Staples have some great deals on school supplies. Starting on the 12th you can get:

2 1 subject notebooks - $.99 each earning $.99 ECBs each
3 8ct. Papermate grip pens - $.99 each earning $.99 ECBs each
2 5" scissors (pointed or blunt) - $2.99 each earning $2.99 ECBs each
2 5oz. School Glue - $.99 each earning $.99 ECBs each
2 12" wood or plastic rulers - $.99 each earning $.99 ECBs each

for really cheap! I have $1.50 in ECBs to begin with so I plan on getting two notebooks using those ECBs for .48. Then using the 2 ECBs from that transaction and rolling them like crazy until I get the rest of it for free. At the end I plan to use my final ECBs to get some crayola crayons. If you have a neighbor or friend that will let you use their card you could get even more for a steal.
Staples has some great deals too and there might be a $5 off $20 purchase coupon in the Sunday paper.

$.01 Deals
Staples pencils 8 ct. .01 until 7/15
Easy Rebate Deals
Staples Copy Paper, $3.69 (until 7/15), submit for a $3.68 Easy Rebate - $.01 Final
Staples Photo Paper 4"X6", $9.99, submit for a $8.99 Easy Rebate - $1.00 Final

$1 Dollar Deals
Staples translucent pencil cases, $1
Staples Mini Magnetic Stapler, $1
Acme Junior 5“ scissors 2pk., $1
BIC Wite-Out Quick Dry, 2 Pack, $1
Staples Pink Wedge Erasers, 3 Pack, $1
Sharpie Major Accent® Highlighters, Assorted, 6 Pk, $1
BIC Velocity Stick Fashion Pens, Assorted, 5 Pack, $1
Scotch Magic Tape, $1

Deal Idea
1 Staples Photo Paper @ $9.99
2 Copy Paper @ $3.69=$17.37
2 Pencils @ $.01=$17.39
3 $1.00 items of your choice=$20.39
Use $5 off $20
$15.39 OOP
Submit for $17.35 in rebates
Final price after Rebates: Profit of about $2

Anyway. Maybe you don't have kids or you are blessed to have a school district that provides all school supplies for your child. If that is the case go get all of those cheap items and donate them to a needy child or send them to your favorite 5'11" blonde mommy named Alita. She will surely know what to do with them. ;) TTFN!

CVS and Me Perfect Together

I only did one transaction this week.  Here's what I did:

4 Glade Air Fresheners - $3.96

2 24.7 Anti Aging Skincare Primer (BOGO %50 off)- $14.98

1 Clearasil Face Wash (Raincheck from last week) - 3.99

2 Nivea Shaving Cream - $7.18

1 Nivea Extreme Saving Cream - $3.99

6 Soft Soap Ensembles - $23,.94

3 St. Ives trial Size Facial Scrub - $4.47

-$1.98 MQ BOGO (Glade)

-$1.98 Store Q CRT (Glade)

-2 $5.00 Store Q CRT (24.7)

-2 $2.00 MQ (24.7)

-$2.00 MQ (Clearasil)

-3 $1.00 MQ (Nivea)

-6 $2.00 MQ (Softsoap)

-3 $1.50 MQ (St. Ives)

-$19.98 ECBs

Total Before Qs:  $62.51

Total After Qs:  $3.20, Earned $12.00 ECB (Softsoap), $4.00 ECB (Clearasil), $5.00 ECB (Nivea)

Not a bad day especially considering that the CRT gods were not smiling down on me.  No $4 off $20, $5 off $25, $10 off $50, or even $20 off $100.  Boo hoo for me!!!  I figure I spent $23.18 in ECBs and cash and earned back $21.00 ECBs so my total cost was $2.18 for a WHOLE LOTTA stuff!  TTFN!!

Free Hairdryer!!!

I have been using the same hairdryer since high school (1994 grad.  Teehee!)  Unfortunately, if I use it for too long it overheats and automatically turns off.  It's almost like it has a brain of its own.  ;)  So, when I read on A Full Cup that the hot pink hair dryer was 12.99 and earned a $10 RR, I knew exactly how to spend some of my free $2 RR from this morning.  This is what my transaction looks like:

clearance hair elastic - $.20

clearance hair elastic - $.20

clearance hair elastic - $.20

clearance hair elastic - $.20

clearance hair elastic - $.20

clearance hair elastic - $.20

Revlon Hair Dryer - $12.99

-7 $2.00 RR

Total Before Qs:  14.19

Total After Qs  (+tax):  $.20, paid for with Rebate Gift Card, so FREE!!!!

I love a good deal.  I get ecstatic when I can get a good deal on something that I REALLY need.  Yay for Walgreens, Ecotrin (the source of my RR this week), and cheap hair dryers.  Can you tell how thrilled I am?  TTFN!

Crackers Galore

This past week at Shaw's I took advantage of the Nabisco Cracker sale.  Triscuits, Wheat Thins, and Wheat Thin Artisans were on sale 2 boxes for $4.  Ritz crackers were also on sale 2 for $6.  I had tons of manufacturer and store coupons for these (still do!) and bought a total of 38 boxes of crackers.  I ended up paying 50 cents a box and got all different kinds of flavors.  Generally, Shaw's is an expensive store and I often hear people say that they would rather shop at cheaper stores.  I don't care where you shop, .50/box is a smokin' deal, even at the cheapest stores.  It pays to use those manufacturer and store coupons together with a good sale price.  It also pays to be patient and stock up when the price is right.  ;)  Happy shopping!

BTW--Pictured above are only some of my haul, the rest were already put away in my  bulging pantry.

Walgreens Paid Me $18 To Shop

I dropped by Walgreens this morning and did 9 consecutive transactions.  Ecotrin is $2 a bottle this week and it earns a $2 RR.  I happened to have 9 $2.00 MQ for it so I paid $0 out of pocket on each transaction and earned a $2 RR each and every time.  Now I just need to figure out how to spend my $18.  My plan is to look ahead at the sales next week and see if there are any good upcoming deals with which I may grow my RR.  If not, then I will probably treat myself to something fun.  Any ideas from all of you out there?

CVS and Marketbasket

Transaction 1

2 Kotex with wings - $7.00 (not in picture)

Revlon Nail Polish - $3.99

Colgate Total Advanced - $2.99

Playtex Sport - $3.99

2 Bandaid Comfort - $5.98

2 OFF clip on - $15.98

4 Therma Care Neck - $9.96

2 Speedstick Pro - $7.98

2 Neutrogena Sunblock Stick - $15.98

5 Clearanced Physicians Formula Duo Eye Shadow - $5.00

Softsoap Refill - $3.99

-$2.00 MQs (Kotex)

-$2.00 CRT (Kotex)

-$1.00 MQ (Revlon)

-$1.00 MQ (Colgate)

-$2.00 CRT (Playtex)

-$1.00 MQ (Playtex)

-$2.00 MQs (Bandaid)

-$6.00 Store Printables (OFF)

-$8.99 MQ (OFF)

-$4.00 MQs (Therma Care)

-$1.50 MQs (Speed Stick)

-$2.00 MQ (Neutrogena)

-$5.00 MQ (Physicians Formula)

-$2.50 MQ (Softsoap)

-$2.00 CRT (Softsoap)

-$10.00 off $50.00 CRT

-$28 ECBs

Earned $2.00 ECB (Kotex), $3.00 ECB (Revlon), $2.00 ECB (Colgate), $3.00 ECB (Playtex), $4.00 ECB (Bandaid), $5.00 ECB (ThermaCare), $7.98 ECB (Speed Stick), $10.00 ECB (Neutrogena)

Total Before Qs:  $82.84

Total After Qs:  $1.94

Earned $36.98 in ECBS

Transaction 2 (at Market Basket):

7 Marcal Paper Towels - $6.93

-$6.93 MQ (Marcal)

Total Before Qs:  $6.93

Total After Qs:  $0

I still haven't been able to find the Clearasil Face Wash, but I have a raincheck so I can still get it at some later date.  There are a few more items I may pick up if I happen to drive by another store.  Overall I think it all worked out.  The Marcal paper towels were a good find and I was tempted to pick up some toilet paper at $.19 for a 4-pk, but I decided to wait it out and see if Family Dollar gets any in before the MQ expires.  HTH someone out there!  TTFN!

Shaw's - $108.08 of Product for $56.75 OOP

Transaction 1

Bananas -  $3.51

Strawberries - $5.00 (48 oz)

2 Tyson Frozen Chicken - $22.98 (totally a dumb purchase because chicken is on sale next week!  Oh well.  Live and learn!)

Shaws Peanut Butter - $1.89

2 Loaves of Bread - $3.38

8 Kellogg's Poptarts - $14.16

3 Instant Jello - $2.00

6 Kraft BBQ Sauce - $6.00

4 Crystal Light - $8.00

6 Vitamin Water - $6.00

2 Shaw's Gallon Milk - $4.98

2 Reduced Bakery Rolls - $2.85

-$4.00 MQ (Poptarts)

-$1.00 MQ (Jello)

-$4.00 MQ (Kraft BBQ)

-$4.00 BOGO MQ (Crystal Light)

-$2.00 MQ (Crystal Light)

-$6.00 MQ (Vitamin Water)

-$3.00 Store Q (Vitamin Water)

Total Before Qs:  $80.75

Total After Qs:  $56.75

Transaction 2 (Done by my DH.  He's trying to redeem himself)

6 Vitamin Water - $6.00

7 Joint Juice - $7.00

6 Mars Bars (Varieties) - $5.34

-$6.00 MQ (Vitamin Water)

-$3.00 Store Q (Vitamin Water)

-$7.00 MQ (Joint Juice)

-$2.67 MQ (Mars Bars)

Total Before Qs:  $18.34

Total After Qs:  -$.33, The cashier zeroed it out so it was FREE!

Transaction 3 (Again, done by the DH.  He is AWESOME!)

6 Vitamin Water - $6.00

Klondike Heath Bars - $2.99

-$6.00 MQ (Vitamin Water)

-$3.00 Store Q (Vitamin Water)

Total Before Qs:  $8.99

Total After Qs:  -$.01, The cashier zeroed this one out too, so FREE!

I broke my own rule and planned poorly.  I spent $22.98 on chicken and used no coupons.  What a dink right?  I shouldn't have even bought it, but I knew we were out.  Had I looked at the ad for next week I would have seen that chicken breasts are on sale for $.99/lb.  Oh well.  What my DH did after me almost made up for my stupidity.  Live and Learn!  TTFN!

CVS, A Slow Week For Me

I apologize for my absence so far this week.  I have been hosting loads of family for the last 10 days and life has been a bit too busy for me.  ;)  Shopping has, believe it or not, taken the back seat.  I hit CVS today and did two transactions.  This is what I did:

Transaction 1

6 Dry Idea - $15.00

1 Covergirl Outlast - $7.00

5 Trial Size St. Ives Facial Scrub - $7.45

- 4 $1.50 MQ (St. Ives)

-$1.45 MQ (St. Ives, adjusted down manually)

-6 $2.00 MQ (Dry Idea)

-$5 off $30 CRT

-$5 ECB

Total Before Qs - $29.45

Total After Qs - $0, Earned $6 ECB (Dry Idea), $3 ECB (Cover Girl)

Transaction 2:

Sally Hansen Quick Dry Pen (BOGO %50 off) - $12.74

8 Hershey Dark Chocolate Bars - $11.94

1 CVS Garbage Bags - $4.99

-$4.25 BOGO MQ (Sally Hansen)

-7 $1.00 MQ (Hershey's)

-$2 off $5 CRT Sally Hansen 

-$4.00 off $20.00 CRT

-$11 ECB

Total Before Qs:  $29.67

Total After Qs:  $1.42

My second transaction was a botch through and through.  Somehow I missed

 that the limit on the Hershey's deal was 2.  So, I only got the BOGO deal on two of them.  The rest of them I spent at least $1 per bar.

  Grrrrrr.... I love chocolate, but wouldn't have bought them if I knew I would pay a dollar a bar!  Fortunately, I have plenty of ECBs to cover my stupid mistake.  Also, the Sally Hansen deal didn't work out precisely how I planned, but I needed some top coat for my loverly nails so it's all good.  As it was, I spent $1.42 for $59.12 worth of product.  98% savings is passable.  I am excited for next week.  It looks like we should be able to get $85 dollars worth of stuff for nearly free.  There are 6 different products that will be MMs for me.  Plan well and it will be a doozie!!!  Happy Shopping!

Target and Kraft... Perfect Together!

Oh friends, I have a few fun things for you today!  

1.  There is a great sale going on right now at Target on Kraft products.  I went today and scored free Kraft Ranch Dressing, but there are plenty of deals. My friend Garnet did a post on her blog about how to take advantage of the deals, step by step.  Unfortunately, I think her blog is private!  So, I hope this is okay Garn, if not let me know and I will strike it.  This is directly from her website.

Here's how you do it:

1. Go to http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Pages/home.aspx and click on the link for the $50 worth of coupons. You have to sign up for the Kraft Community newsletter, but it's totally worth it and you can always cancel later if you're not interested.  Select all the coupons you want to use, and print them. Remember to print once and them click on back and refresh to print them a second time.

2. Now go to  www.afullcup.com

 Again, you will need to register if you are not yet a member. But it's so worth it. Click on the target coupon generator, and select the coupons you want to print and enter the quantity you want of each.

3. Now take your little stash of coupons to Target and score score score!

Here's my list of the best deals:

• Kraft Salad dressing: buy 2. use $1 off 2 target Q and two $1 off Kraft Q. On saturday my store had them for 1.59 each -- with coupons? 9 cents each!!
• Kraft mayo or miracle whip. Buy 2. use $1 off 2 Target Q and stack with two $1 Kraft miracle whip or Mayo Q. On saturday my store had them for $1.99. With coupons? .49 cents each!
• Triscuits or wheat thins: Buy 2. Use $1 off 2 targe Q and combine with $1 wheat thins or $1 triscuit kraft Qs. Get $3 off of 2 boxes.
• Kraft cheese: $1 off 2 Target Q and $1 Kraft cheese Q = $3 off 2
• Crystal Light: $1 off Target Q and $1 Kraft Q = $2 off!
• Kool Aid or Country time: $1 off 2 Target Q and $1 off Kraft = $3 off 2
• Ritz crackers: $1 off Target and $1 off Kraft Ritz = $2 off a box
• Oscar meyer Deli Fresh Lunch Meat: $1 off 2 Target and $1 off 2 Kraft = $2 off 2
• Nabisco 100 calorie snacks: $1 off target and $1 off Kraft = $2 off
• $1 off 1 lbs of apples Target Q (some apples on sale for .99 lbs. buy 1 lbs, use coupon get them free!)
• $1 off Hershey Bliss Candy Target Q (candy bars in checkout lanes are .99, use coupon and they are free!)

Again, Thanks Garnet.  Normally, I don't food shop at Target, but this week it seems like the better place to go.  It just goes to show you that a store can be generally more expensive, but if they offer better store coupons, when coupled with sale prices and manufacturer coupons, you can do even better than the cheapie stores.  I actually had 8 $1.50 off MQ for the Salad Dressing, so I was able to get the Kraft Salad Dressing completely free.  Her list seems pretty comprehensive, but check out the Target forum at A Full Cup for more great deals.  

2.  I've heard that the Banana Boat Sunscreen trial size was $.99 so if you have the $1.00 MQ for Banana Boat Sunscreen, you may be able to get that for free. 

 Also, in my store, they had Physicians Formula Make-up on clearance.  Some of them had peelies and with the $1.00 MQ I got a fabulous lip plumper for free.  So, be sure to browse the clearance section while you are there.

3.  The Coupon Goddess mentions the Target Swiffer deal on her page that looks pretty sweet so drop by her neck of the cyber woods for an explanation on how to score cheap Swiffer at Target.   

So, I guess Target is the store of choice this week for shoppers all across America.  Hope you have a great time finding bargains.  TTFN!

Husbands, Gotta Love 'Em

I sent my husband off to do the shopping for Mother's day on Saturday.  He gets a little nervous about using coupons, but despite this his overall savings were 38%.  It really isn't too bad for a beginner.  My new numbers in the right hand column do have this shopping trip factored in so that is why my percentage of savings has dropped from 90% down to 88%.  DH has been trying to learn how to meal plan and cook a little bit better.  So, instead of buying the 1 large container of sour cream that he needed, he bought 3 of them because he was so nervous that he would not have enough.  Buying unecessary multiples without a coupon is what hurt his savings.  These are the learning experiences that will only make him a more savvy shopper.  ;)  WTG Aaron.  Pretty soon, I will delegate all shopping trips to you!!!  TTFN!

$.62 OOP for $62.12 of Product

I already explained the deals that I was planning on doing this week at CVS, so I won't go over all that again.  I ended up doing one that was especially sweet.  Here's what I did:

5 Vickery & Clarke Lip Balm - $8.65 ($1.73 each)

2 Vickery & Clarke Body Wash - $8.98 ($4.49 each)

1 Vickery & Clarke Lip Gloss - $3.49

2 Xtra Laundry Detergent - $3.98 ($1.99 each)

1 Schick Quattro Trimmer - $8.99

1 Nivea  Soft Creme - $.50

-7 $1.00 Store Q

-$3.00 off 2 Body Wash CRT

-$2.00 off $10.00 CVS Brand CRT

-$4.00 MQ (Schick)

-$14.00 ECBs

-$4.00 off $20.00 CRT

Total Before Qs:  $34.59

Total After Qs:  $.62 (including tax), Earned $10.00 and $4.00 ECB

My second transaction was just a couple of the razors and a couple more Xtra Laundry detergent.  It actually ended up being a $0 transaction, although I did have to use a few of my ECBs.  So, for both trips today, my OOP was $.62.  I'm heading in for oral surgery tomorrow, so I don't think I will be able to do many more transactions.  HTH!  Good luck on your savings!

This Week At CVS

There aren't a ton of completely free deals this week, but I did take advantage of a few deals that are decent if you work them right.  Colgate Toothbrushes are free if you buy 5 of the $1.99 toothbrushes and use 5 $1.00 MQs.  You would spend $4.95 and earn a $5.00 ECB.  The Bayer Crystals 4 ct. costs $2.00 and earns a $2.00 ECB.  I used an internet printable coupon for $1.50 off and paid $.50 OOP and earned back $2.00 ECB so it was a MM for me.  The Schick Quatro Trimmer is $8.99 and earns a $4.00 ECB so using my $4.00 MQ I got it for $.99.  This is an especially good time to stock up because the limit is 5 for this deal.  I also love the Nivea deal.  I bought the leg bronzer and the women's body wash and used the MQ from this past Sunday's insert to get the body wash for free.  It was a little treat for myself.  My trip summary looked like this:

Total Before Coupons:  $40.91

Total After Coupons:  $1.49, (I spent $19 ECBs and earned $20 ECBs back so all told this trip cost me $.49)

My receipt indicates that I can still do the Nivea, Colgate, and Schick deals again.  I am also hoping to do the Vickery & Clarke deal.  Their lip gloss is awesome.  I also saw that Xtra laundry detergent is $1.50 a bottle.  I love this stuff and am hoping to get a few more bottles for my stockpile.  The Eucerin and the Neutrogena deals could also work out okay as well.  So, I hope to be able to squeeze in a few more mini trips.  IDK, I have family in town and it may be hard to work it all out.  Wish me luck!!!  TTFN!

My Receipt is 5'2" Long. WOW!

Okay friends.  I went to Shaw's this evening and my receipt says I saved $116.53 on my groceries tonight.  I didn't take a picture of my purchase.  Unfortunately, it is late and the thought of laying all of my groceries out all pretty and nice on my dining room table sounds tiring.  So, use my title as your visual.  My receipt was 5'2" long!  Literally.  I measured.  ;)

Bananas - $1.21

Tomatoes - $2.66

Iceberg Lettuce - $.99

Strawberries - $2.50

Iodized Salt - $.89

Shaw's Whole Wheat Bread - $2.19

Shaw's Wheat Sandwich Bread - $2.19

Sandwich Rolls - $3.19

6 Grill Mates Season Packs - $6.00

2 French's Yellow Mustard - $2.98

2 Shaw's Tortillas - $3.00

7 Sunrise Capri Suns - $17.43

6 Del Monte Fruit Chillers - $15.00

4 Quaker Rice Snacks - $4.00

1 Shaw's Pancake Syrup - $1.77

6 Lipton Knorr Rice Sides - $6.00

1 Kellogg's Corn Pops - $1.77

4 6pk Flip Top Poland Spring Water - $8.00

2 Ken's Marinade - $3.34

6 Easy Mac and Cheese - $6.00

2 Gallons Shaw's Milk - $4.98

Dozen Large Eggs - $1.19

2 Shaw's Turkey Deli Meats - $8.58

9 Hefty Zip Lock Quart Bags - $13.50

-$4.00 MQ (Hefty)

-$3.00 Store Q (Market Basket - Hefty)

-$2.10 MQ Peelies (Hefty) - Not sure why these went through.

-$3.00 MQ BOGO (Mac and Cheese)

-$2.00 MQ (Ken's)

-$4.00 MQ (Poland Spring)

-$2.00 Store Q (Poland Spring)

-$.28 Store Q (Kellogg's)

-$1.00 MQ (Kellogg's)

-$2.00 MQ (Lipton)

-$4.00 MQ (Quaker)

-$3.00 MQ (Del Monte)

-$3.00 Store Q (Market Basket - Del Monte)

-$7.00 MQ (Capri Sun)

-$1.00 MQ (French's)

-$3.00 MQ (Grill Mates)

-$4.00 Store Q (Dollar Doublers - Stop and Shop)

-$20 off purchase of $120.00 Store Q

Total Before Qs:  $119.36 (I guess with Tax it was over the $120 required for the $20 off $120 Store Q)

Total After Qs:  $50.98 + $.43 Tax =$51.41

That is it for me for the week.  Hope you had as good of a week as I have.  TTFN!

Walgreens

I have been debating whether or not to shop at Walgreens this month because I have been hoping that they would figure out what they were going to do with their rebate program sooner rather than later.  Those that have been following my shopping trips know that it has been a long time since I have paid a dime at Walgreens.  I have purchased a ton of product, but have been able to work the deals so that I spent nothing out of my own pocket.  This has been, in large part, because of their rebate program.  I have a gift card filled with money from rebates that I have been rolling.  Each month I have used up all of the money on the card to cover my small OOP and at the same time purchase enough rebate items to fill it back up for the next month.  It has been amazing to see the savings and while it is a difficult system to learn and feel confident with, it has been more lucrative than any of my other couponing ventures.  That said, I called corporate customer service to find out what was going to happen to their rebate program/Easy Saver Catalog and apparently they are at the drawing boards trying to come up with a new and better way to reward loyal customers.   Anyway.  I decided today to go ahead and spend that money on my gift card.  Whew!  What a long and drawn out explanation.  I started out with $0 RR.  Here is what I did today:

Transaction 1

1 Right Guard Deodorant - $2.99 (I forgot to use the MQ that I had for this product.  Stupid, me!)

Total:  $3.14, paid for with Rebate Gift Card, so $0 OOP, Earned $2.00 RR

Transaction 2

Colgate Toothpaste - $4.49

1 Caramel - $.39 

-$1.00 MQ (Colgate)

-$2.00 RR (Right Guard)

Total Before Qs:  $4.88

Total After Qs:  $1.97, paid for with Rebate Gift Card, so $0 OOP, Earned $4.50 RR

Transaction 3

2 Pert Plus Men's Shampoo - $5.00

1 Right Guard - $2.99

2 Caramels - $.78

-$1.00 MQ (Right Guard)

-$1.50 MQ (Pert)

-$1.50 MQ (Pert)

-$4.50 RR (Colgate)

Total Before Qs:  $8.77

Total After Qs:  $.27, paid for with Rebate Gift Card, so $0 OOP, Earned $2.00 RR (Right Guard) and $2.00 RR (Pert)

Transaction 4

Colgate Toothpaste - $4.49

2 Caramels - $.78 

-$1.00 MQ (Colgate)

-$2.00 RR (Right Guard)

-$2.00 RR (Pert)

Total Before Qs:  $5.27

Total After Qs:  $.27, paid for with Rebate Gift Card, so $0 OOP, Earned $4.50 RR

Transaction 5

4 Mr. Clean Magic Erasers - $10.00

3 Febreeze Noticibles - $18.00

-$.75 MQ (Magic Eraser)

-$2.50 MQ BOGO (Magic Eraser)

-$2.50 MQ BOGO (Magic Eraser)

-$4.00 MQ (Febreeze)

-$4.00 MQ (Febreeze)

-$4.00 MQ (Febreeze)

-$4.50 RR (Colgate)

Total Before Qs:  $28.00

Total After Qs:  $6.04, paid for with Rebate Gift Card, so $0 OOP, Earned $6 RR

Transaction  6

Colgate Toothpaste - $4.49

Push Pop - $1.29 (I needed a filler and my 5 year old convinced me to get him a prize)

2 Pert Men's Shampoo - $5.00

-$1.00 MQ (Colgate)

-$1.50 MQ (Pert)

-$1.50 MQ (Pert)

-$6.00 RR (P&G)

 

Total Before Qs:  $10.78

Total After Qs:  $.78, paid for with Rebate Gift Card, so $0 OOP, Earned $2 RR (Pert), $4.50 RR (Pert)

Transaction 7

3 Febreeze Noticibles - $18

4 Mr. Clean Magic Erasers - $10

-$4.00 MQ (Febreeze)

-$4.00 MQ (Febreeze)

-$4.00 MQ (Febreeze)

-$2.50 MQ BOGO (Magic Eraser)

-$2.50 MQ BOGO (Magic Eraser)

-$4.50 RR (Colgate)

-$2.00 RR (Pert)

Total Before Qs:  $28.00

Total After Qs:  $4.73, paid for with Rebate Gift Card, so $0 OOP, Earned $6 RR

Transaction 8

4 Energizer 4pk. AA Bateries - $11.96

2 Mentos Gum - $3.58

-4 $1.00 MQ (Energizer)

-$6.00 RR (P&G)

-$1.00 RR (I have no idea how I got this and I just went ahead and used it without really looking at it.  Something in one of my previous transactions triggered it.)

Total Before Qs:  $15.54

Total After Qs:  $4.59, paid for with Rebate Gift Card, so $0 OOP 

There you have it.  I have been trying to limit myself to one drugstore and one grocery store per week and yet, sometimes it is just too hard to pass up a good deal.  Oh well.  I'm feeling pretty good that it is Tuesday and I am nearly done with my shopping for the week.  I'm hoping to be able to do some grocery shopping this evening, but we shall see.  With the DH in the middle of finals, I am tuckered out by 8pm.  Hope this helps some of you that are trying to work the Walgreens system!  GL!

My Quick Little Jaunt

Well, I just got back from my run to CVS.  I did several different transactions and rolled, rolled, and rolled my ECBs.  The scanner was nice to me and I got 2 (yipee!) $4 off $20 CRTs.  I swear I could have kissed that machine!  It also gave me a $5.00 off Dove Skin Vitalizer so with my MQ I got another one of those for free.  Rather than break down every single transaction I will share what I got and what Qs I used.  The rest of the dollars were covered by rolling ECBs and using the $4 off $20s.

17 Vitamin Water - $22.66, Earned $10 ECB

3 Kellogg's Cereal - $10, Earned $5 ECB

Dove Skin Vitalizer - $8.49

6 John Frieda Shampoo/Conditioner - $30, Earned $10 ECB

3 Adidas Deodorant - $11.97, Earned $9 ECB

2 Colgate Max Fresh - $5.98, Earned $4 ECB (1 of them was a bonus w/tooth

brush)

Zantrex - $4.99, Earned $4.99 ECB

Physicians Formula Lip Plumper w/ Bonus Mascara Plumper- $9.99, Earned $5 ECB

-$17.00 MQ (Vitamin Water)

-$5.34 MQ (Kellogg's)

-$5.00 Store Q CRT (Dove Skin Vitalizer)

-$3.50 MQ (Dove)

-$12 MQ (John Frieda)

-$3.00 MQ (Adidas)

-$2.00 MQ (Colgate)

-$1.00 MQ (Physicians Formula)

-$4 off $20

-$4 off $20

Total Before Qs:  $104.08

Total After Qs and ECBs:  $4.17, I started out with $25 ECBs and ended with $33 ECBs

There you have it!  I took this close up so that you could see the 2 bonus products.  Both rang up fine and the ECBs printed.  So, I got the mascara plumper and the toothbrush as a little extra lovin'.  Hope your shopping was as fun as mine!  

For My Newbies

I taught another coupon class this weekend and after seeing Dana's comment thought I would give my newbies a plan for this week at CVS.  I will assume you don't have any coupons available to you except printables.  Here is what I would do:

Transaction 1

2 Colgate Max White Toothpaste - $5.98

Pay $5.98, Earn $4 ECB (Colgate)

Transaction 2

2 Adidas Deodorant - $7.98

2 Vitamin Water - $2.66

-$1.00 MQ Vitamin Water

-$4.00 ECB

Pay $5.64, Earn $6 ECB (Adidas)

Transaction 3

1 Adidas Deodorant - $3.99

5 Vitamin Water - $6.66

-$2.50 MQ Vitamin Water

-$6.00 ECB

Pay - $2.15, Earn $3 ECB (Adidas)

Transaction 4

3 Kellogg's Cereal - $10

2 Vitamin Water - $2.66

-$1.00 MQ Vitamin Water

-$1.00 MQ Kellogg's

-$1.00 MQ Kellogg's

-$1.00 MQ Kellogg's

-$3 ECB

Pay - $5.66, Earn $5 ECB

Transaction 5

6 Vitamin Water - $7.99

-$3.00 MQ Vitamin Water

-$5.00 ECB

Pay - $0, Earn $10 ECB

Print the Kellogg's Coupons at coupons.com if they are still available.  If not, go to the Kellogg's website and print them there (click on "Coupons - new" in the left column).  Print the Vitamin water MQ here.   I have used this MQ before and it works great.  Print up however many you need.  

So, your total OOP would be $19.43 (if my math is correct!), you would earn $10 ECB for next time and get $47.92 in product.  Not too shabby.  Keep in mind that there is a small investment initially.  After this week, you would have $10 in ECBS to roll, which if you work it right should help you to get lots of stuff for very little.  BTW--there is a free after ECB item in the advertisement, but I didn't add it to this scenario because it may appeal to only a few people and I was looking to find something everyone could do.  That free item is the Zantrex - 3 on page 17 and it's $4.99 and earns $4.99 ECBs.  If this is a product you would use, then by all means add it in and try your hand at rolling.  HTH!   If anyone sees any ways to make these transactions even better for someone with $0 ECBs and only printable MQ available, please share!!!  GL!

Better Late Than Never!

I've been a busy girl, so before things get too far ahead of me, I thought I would report on how I finished up the shopping for this week.  I didn't reach the goal of getting my ECBs back up to $30, but I got to $25 so that will just have to do!  My final CVS transaction was for the Bandaid deal.  It is funny how you hope a deal is going to be smashing, but this was just passable.  I was hoping to find $1 a box a Bandaids, but those proved to be elusive.  So I got them for $3.59 a box.  Here is what I did:

Transaction

6 20ct. boxes of Bandaids - $21.54

2 Gold Emblem Chocolate peanuts - $1.98

-$4 off $20 CRT

-6 $1 MQ (Bandaid)

-$2 CRT Store Q (Gold Emblem)

-$10 ECB

Total Before Qs:  $23.52

Total After Qs:  $1.52, Used my blessed GC from the refunds earlier in the week so my actual OOP was $0!  Yay!

The first aid kits in my car and home were both getting low on Bandaids, so with one shopping trip and $0 I refilled my stock.  

In other totally non-coupon related news, I am making

 cakeballs today.  It's my first time, so I figured a trial run was necessary.  Mel, I hope they are as good as you say!  We have tons of family coming for my husbands graduation soon, and I need an impressive celebratory cakeball.  Check out Bakerella for her beautiful cakeball creations.  I was trying to figure out a graduation shape that I could make them into.  Any brill ideas?  I feel like I am floundering a bit because my previous baking adventures have often gone awry.  Check my latest blunder out here.

Good Kellogg's Coupons

In the sidebar of my blog there is a window for printing coupons.  I just saw a ton of Kellogg's Cereal Coupons that you can print directly off of my page.  These are $1 off 1 box of various types of Kellogg's Cereals.  Be sure to print them off.  If you click at the top where it says "see all coupons" you can select the specific ones you want and save a little ink.  Too often the inserts have $1 off of 2 boxes or even 3 boxes.  Always grab the $1 off of 1 box.  They are golden.  Hurry because these go quickly and you may miss out!  I believe you should be able to print 2 of each coupon.  These should make the upcoming deal on cereal at CVS really great!  Happy printing!  HTH!!!

Money Makers!!!

 

I hit CVS again today and did two more transactions:

Transaction 1:

3 3M Command Metal Hooks - $7.50

5 Visine - $20

-3 $2.50 MQ (3M)

-4 $2.00 MQ (Visine)

-$3.00 MQ (Visine)

-$9 ECB

Total Before Sale and Qs:  $56.92

Total After Sale and Qs:  $0, Earned $10 ECB (Visine)

Transaction 2: 

3 3M Command Metal Hooks - $7.50

2 Gold Emblem chocolate covered peanuts - $1.98

-3 $2.50 MQ (3M)

-$2 off 2 Gold Emblem CRT

Total Before Sale and Qs:  $22.95

Total After Sale and Qs:  $0, Earned $5 ECB (3M)

So, I started off with $19 ECBs, maintained the full amount on my gift card, spent $0 OOP and earned $6 to take all of that stuff home.  The 3M hooks are a $5 MM if you use the $2.50 off printable here.  Buy 6 and reach the required $15 purchase, use $15 in coupons and earn $5 ECB.  I am quite excited about these because they are perfect for organizational projects!  I am a total sucker for a good organizational project.  For the Visine deal, I spent $9 ECBs and earned back $10 ECBs so it was a $1 MM for me as well.  Both of these deals would be even better with a good CRT, but alas my luck ran out.  No CRTs today.  Boo-hoo!  Despite the famine, at $25 ECBs, I am almost to my goal of $30 ECBs by the end of the week.  TTFN!  Happy Shopping!

What In The World???

On the way to pick up my son from school, I swung by a CVS or two.  I did a few transactions, but tried to return a few products and I have no idea how to show you what I got step by step, but I will break it down overall.

Total Before Sales and Qs:  $132.43

Total After Sales and Qs:  $.08

ECBS At Beginning: $9.89

ECBS At End:  $19.00

This is definitely a bit abnormal.  I found the $9.99 ROC exfoliating cleansers and decided to do the ROC deal with them.  I had been hoping for the $7.99 ROC Age Defying cleansers for the deal but they were cleared out all over the place.  So, after buying 3 of them, I found the cheaper ones.  After explaining the situation, the manager allowed me to return the more expensive items and purchase the cheaper ones, but it screwed up my ECBs.  So, I ended up getting the refunds on a gift card and used that on the last few transactions.  I am not sure if that is how the managers are supposed to handle that situation or not, but they didn't seem to think it was a problem.  Hence, the oh so low OOP.  Happy Shopping!

Yippee!

I have been looking everywhere for a store that carried the Marcal line of paper products.  We ran out of my stockpile of paper towels and I was hoping to be able to use my free item coupons.  Unfortunately, the coupons I had only covered the item up to $1.  I found some Marcal items at Stop and Shop, Staples, and Family Dollar, but at each store the products were too expensive to be worth the purchase with my measly coupon or they were out of stock.  On a whim, I went into a store that I rarely shop at (Market Basket) and found paper towels for $.99 so with my $1.00 coupon I got a bunch of paper towels for free.  Here's what I did:

12 Marcal Single Roll paper towels - $11.88

2 Marcal facial tissues - $2.18

-14 $1.00 MQ (Marcal)

Total Before Qs (with tax):  $14.66

Total After Qs:  $.66

I was pretty stoked about my deal.  At about a nickel an item, I'd say that is a rock-bottom price worthy of stockpiling.

I also did one transaction at CVS, but was a bit bummed that someone had cleared the shelf of the cheaper ROC items.  I was hoping that deal would be a MM for me.  Instead I bought some boring cleaning products that I was in need of.  Here's what I did here:

2 Fantastick Spray - $5.00

3 Windex Canister Wipes - $7.50 (I don't believe this product should have counted for this deal, but it had a sign on it so the manager allowed me to use it anyway.)

1 Pledge  - $3.50

2 Crest Tartar Control- $3.98

-3 $1.00 MQ (Windex)

-2 $1.00 MQ (Fantastic)

-$1.00 MQ (Pledge)

-2 $1.00 MQ (Crest)

-$4.00 off $20.00

-$7.98 ECB

Total Before Qs:  $19.98 (with tax it was over $20)

Total After Qs:  $0  :)  Yay!  Earned $5 ECB (cleaning supplies), $2 ECB (Crest)

So, I got some cleaning supplies that I really needed, but was a bit bummed to not increase my ECBs at all.  I am still hoping to do the ROC deal and get a Schick razor, Garnier, more Tresemme, Nivea, All Laundry Detergent, and I'm hoping to find the $1.00 Bandaids.  We shall see how that goes.  Walgreens actually looks good this week, but I'm probably going to take a pass and stick with CVS because the deals look better for what I am looking for.  Wish me luck!  TTFN!

Planning is Half the Battle

There is a movie entitled A Bridge Too Far that depicts the failed WWII military engagement that was intended to turn the tide of the war.  It failed because of poor planning--plain and simple.  Everything that could go wrong, went wrong and there were no contingencies that allowed for the failures.  I have found that my coupon trips are much the same.  Planning truly is half the battle.  When I am organized and have properly planned, my trips are fantastic!  Even if there are a few computer/cashier errors, I am calm and cool and sometimes even catch them before I pore over my receipt in my car.  How do I plan?  Simple.  

1. Gathering Intelligence - In Google Reader, I follow several blogs and websites that detail the hottest deals coming up in the stores in which I shop.  All week long, as I check my email, I email myself those blog posts that pertain to the upcoming week.  Then, when I am ready to plan, I pull up all of those emails and compile a list of potential deals that I may want to do.  

2.  Mapping Out The Battle - I use a planning spreadsheet in Excel that figures out my OOP expense after sale and coupons and the eventual cost of each item once rebates have been given.  My CVS spreadsheet even helps me to plan for each transaction.  My stockpile is extensive enough at this point that I only do the deals that are too good to pass up, produce completely free items, make me money, or are for items that I may be getting low on.  So, my spreadsheets help me to do the math quickly without too much brain work to determine whether or not a particular deal is worth it.

3.  Staging the Battle- Then, once I have printed out my spreadsheets, I gather the coupons for that store and that week.  These coupons are placed in a special pocket within my binder (I have one pocket per store).

4.  Executing the Plan - As I walk through the store, I have my spreadsheet in front of me and as I grab the item and place it in my cart I pull out the accompanying coupon and set it aside.  If I have more than one transaction that I plan on doing then I place the coupons in separate piles.  

So there you have it.  Planning is everything.  This upcoming week is a pretty big week at both CVS and Walgreens.  I will spend most of my time at CVS because I ended up using some of my ECBs a bit frivolously this week so I need to build them up again.  I have about $12 in ECBs and I am hoping by the end of the week to be back up to around $30.  We shall see.  Wish me luck!  TTFN!

Limit Not Reached!

Always remember to check your CVS receipt.  If you have done an ECB deal, the receipt will indicate how many times you have done it.  If you have completed the amount of times that you are eligible to do a particular deal it will say *Offer Limit Reached* at the bottom of your receipt.  There is a deal on Tresemme products this week that has worked out pretty well for me, and my limit was not reached as of this morning, so I made a quick stop on my way to the park.  Here's what I did:  

6 Tresemme Shampoos/Conditioners - reg. $5.49/bottle - on sale 3 for $10 - $20

-$4 off $20 CRT (That scanner loves me!)

-6 $1 MQ (Tresemme)

-$10 ECB

Total Before Sale and Qs - $32.94

Total After Sale and Qs - $0, Earned a $10 ECB!  Yay!  Another $0 transaction!!!

So, I have more hair product in my stockpile.  Lesson for the day--Always check your receipt!  ;)  TTFN!

My Final ConAgra Purchases

Transaction 1

2 Hebrew National Franks - $11.98 shelf- $5.99 sale

6 Hunt's Ketchup - $15 shelf - $6 sale

1 Wesson Canola Oil - $7.99 shelf - $2.50 sale

-3

 $1.00  MQ (Ketchup)

-$10 CAT

Total Before Sales and Qs:  $34.97  

Total OOP:  $1.49, Earned $10 CAT

Transaction 2

6 Marie Calendar Meals - $25.74 shelf - $15 sale

-3 $1 MQ (Marie Calendar)

-$12 CAT

Total Before Sales and Qs:  $25.74

Total OOP:  $0, Yay!  Ding, ding, ding!!!!  Another $0 transaction!!!  Earned $10 CAT

Transaction 3

6 Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers - $26.94 shelf - $18 sale

-3 $1.00 MQ (Healthy Choice)

-$10 CAT

Total Before Sales and Qs:  $26.94

Total OOP:  $5.00, Earned a $10 CAT

Transaction 4

Bananas - $2.78

Apples - $4.04

2 Kraft Bagelfuls - $4.00

2 Shaw's Milk - $5.18

20 Yoplait Yogurt - $10

3 Kotex Pantyliners - $3.00

-$2.00 Store Q (Yoplait)

-2 $1.00 MQ (Yoplait)

-2 $1.00 MQ (Bagelfuls)

-3 $1.00 MQ (Kotex)

-$10 CAT

Total Before Sales and Qs:  $35.38

Total OOP:  $10.00

All in all, I'd say this was a pretty good stocking up sale.  I used my final CAT to cover a few essentials including some fruit and milk.  At a coupon class I recently taught, I had a girl share that she would never buy the food that qualifies for these kinds of CAT deals.  She preferred organic foods.  There was also another girl that had some kids with severe allergies, so she too was unable to take advantage of these kinds of food CAT deals.  If you are like them and you, for whatever reason, cannot take advantage of these CAT deals to stock up, consider taking advantage of the non-grocery CAT deals and then use those CATS to pay for the specific dietary needs of your family.  Generally, I would suggest that you can get a better deal on non-grocery items at CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid, but if it helps you to also lower your grocery bill then it could work better for you to shop those sales at your grocery store.  Anyway.  Just something I have been thinking about that I thought I would share.  HTH!  TTFN!

Huh?

So, I am a bit crazy when it comes to receipts.  I have saved every receipt since starting this crazy coupon obsession.  I don't know why.  Lol.  Maybe it is because each receipt is like a little gold star for me.  See?  Lookie here!  I do save money doing this stuff!!!  Anyway.  Somebody at A Full Cup shared a spreadsheet for tracking spending/savings with coupons.  It actually was pretty handy and I went through and input each and every receipt so that I could share a more accurate representation of my savings so far this year.  So, if you have been following my spending and are looking at the new numbers, scratching your head and grunting, "Huh?"  now you know why they are a bit larger than the last time you visited.  

If you are a member of AFC and want to snag that spreadsheet click HERE.  Hat tip to "adavant" on AFC for her cool spreadsheet.  HTH!  TTFN!!!

Pinching Pennies on Patriots Day!

I scanned my card this evening at CVS and got a $5 off  $15 Tressemme hair products CRT and a $10 off $50 CRT.  Yay!  I love the coupon fairies that blessed me with fun CRTs!!!  Here is what I did with them:

CVS Transaction 1

6 Tressemme hair products - $20

-6 $1 MQ

-$5 CRT

-$4 ECB

-$4 ECB

Total Before Qs:  $20

Total After Qs:  $1.05, Earned $10 ECBs

CVS Transaction 2

3 Dove Skin Vitalizers - $12

2 Crest Prohealth Toothpaste - $5.76

3 John Frieda Hair products - $15

Edge Shaving Gel - $2.89

Bayer Crystal 4ct. - $2.00

6 L'Oreal Eye Shadow - $29.94

-2 $1.00 MQ (Crest)

-$1.00 MQ (Bayer)

-3 $3.50 MQ (Dove)

-3 $2.00 MQ (John Frieda)

-6 $2.00 MQ (L'Oreal)

-$14.97 Store BOGO Sale on L'Oreal

-$2.00 ECB

-$3.49 ECB

-$4.00 ECB

-$10 CRT

Total Before Qs:  $67.59

Total After Qs:  $1.71 OOP, Earned 2 ECB (Bayer), $2.89 ECB (Edge), $5 ECB (John Frieda), $4 ECB (Crest)

Walgreens Transaction 1

3 Reach Floss - $5.97

1 Chapstick Medley - $1.99

1 Edge Shaving Gel - $2.99

1 Mitchum Deodorant - $2.99

-$3.00 Weekly IVC Store Q (Reach)

-$.75 MQ (Mitchum)

-3 $1.00 MQ (Reach)

-$6 RR

Total Before Qs:  $13.94

Total After Qs:  $1.25, paid for with monthly rebate gift card, so $0 OOP.  Yay!

Walgreens Transaction 2

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mineral Powder- $8.39

Physicians Formula Lip Gloss - $4.79

3 Reach Floss - $5.97

3 Chocolate Eggs - $.36

-3 $1.00 MQ (Reach)

-2 $1.00 MQ (Physicians Formula)

-$3.00 Weekly IVC Store Q (Reach)

-$2.00 RR

-$2.00 RR

-$3.00 RR

Total Before Qs:  $19.51

Total After Qs:  $4.72, paid for with monthly rebate gift card so $0 OOP!  Yippee!  

That finishes off all of the rebates that I plan to get for the month from Walgreens.  I spent all of the money on the card and will get it all back plus 10% so it is yet again another MM for me!  I didn't do as well as I would've on the Physicians Formula powder because I was hoping for a little overage from the Reach, but the shelves were cleared of the toothbrushes so I couldn't use my $3/2 MQ.  Oh well.  Free floss is still good.  It feels pretty good to look back on my last several weeks and see $0 OOP each and every time from Walgreens because of that blessed gift card.  I love it!!!  TTFN!  

P.S.  I am tired and going to bed, but I will post the pictures I took tomorrow.  Sorry to leave you hanging!

To Clip Or Not To Clip, That Is The Question!

A good couponer needs to be well organized in order to take advantage of the deals. There seems to be a few schools of thought on when to clip and when to file.

1. Clip and File - For this method, you would clip each and every coupon (regardless of whether or not you think you will use it) and organize it by coupon in a container that is easily transportable and can be taken on each of your shopping trips. There are some pros and cons to this method. Clipping and organizing each coupon allows you to take advantage of clearanced items and unadvertised sales. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have seen an item on clearance and known that I had a coupon in my filing system that would make that item free after coupon. It happens almost each and every time that I shop. This method, however, can be a bit time consuming. Not only do you clip and organize the coupons to begin with, but you also have to periodically go through and throw out coupons that have expired. For some like me, the savings are worth a little bit of extra time.

2. Clip Some and File Most - With this method, you clip the coupons you know you will use and organize them by coupon in a binder or expandable mini-filer so that you can take those with you on your shopping trips. Then, you would file all of the rest of the unclipped coupons (usually for items that you don't think you will use) by insert/date. Doing it this way insures that you have the coupons that you intend to use easily accesible and still have the coupons you may not use available for clipping just in case an incredible deal comes up. The idea behind this method is that clipping and organizing all of the coupons takes too much time. If you only clip what you know you will use, you save time. Again, there are some pros and cons for this one too. While it may save you a little bit of time, you may miss out on deals that are unadvertised. In addition, you would need to have a system of knowing what coupons are in each insert. To keep track of inserts, some people will print a list of all the coupons (available each week on the internet) and keep a master list for themselves. Others rely on coupon databases on internet communities like A Full Cup or Hot Coupon World. In these communities, you and other couponers match up the sales in each store with the available coupons and the date/insert from which they came. So, if you see a deal in the upcoming week on an item that you may not usually buy but are willing to try, you would go to your files and pull out the appropriate insert and clip it at that time.

3. File It Baby! - For this method you would file the whole inserts and not clip a thing initially. You would only clip coupons for items you want to buy as you plan out your shopping trip. Again, the idea is that this method saves you time. While you may not have to clip and organize each and every coupon, you would still need to have some way to organize your internet coupons, peelies, blinkies, hangtags, rebates, Catalinas, and store coupons. You could also miss out on unadvertised deals. In addition, you would need to stay organized with your filing system and matchups as previously explained.

Whichever clipping and filing method you choose, just make sure to have a system of organization that keeps coupons, rebate forms, Catalinas, shopping lists, and weekly/monthly advertisements easily accessible. I don't think it really matters if you organize those coupons in an expandable file folder, a binder, or a shoe box. Use something that works for you, is easy to transport and won't be ruined if it falls. Some couponers organize their coupons alphabetically - Huggies diapers are filed under "H" and Pampers filed under "P." Some do it by type of product. For instance, all Baby products would be together regardless of whether or not they are Pampers or Huggies. Still others organize the coupons by grocery store aisle. So, if aisle 10 has all cleaning products and paper products then your 10th section in your coupon file would have those types of coupons. Find something that works for you. I personally utilize the "clip and file" method. All of the coupons that I get are organized into a 2" Five Star binder filled with baseball card protectors. As you can see at the top of the post, my binder has a handy pocket on the front where I keep my RRs and ECBs, a calculator, pen, and scissors. These tools are handy to have with me at all times. On the inside left flap, there are some expandable files where I file my weekly and monthly advertisements and a zippered pocket where I keep my rebate forms and receipts. In addition, I have three dividers with attached envelopes where I place the coupons I will be using on upcoming shopping trips. Each envelope is for a different store. My coupons are organized generally by the following headings: Health and Beauty Household Food OTC (over the counter) Medications Within these sections, I organize them further into smaller headings like Feminine Care Products, Cosmetics, and Body Lotions. As an exception, however, I have found that organizing the OTC Medication section alphabetically works a bit better for me. So my headings in that section are "A-D", "E-H", "I-L" etc. You may also find it helpful to keep printed copies of coupon policies for the stores you like to shop. As you can see, organization is the key to effective coupon shopping. It is important to remember that what works for one may not work for another. I am certainly not the authority on all coupon things, so try different approaches and find one that works with your schedule and personality. Happy Organizing and Shopping!!!

Today At Shaw's

It was a busy day filled with 6 transactions!  I still have a bit more I would like to do, but I'll see how things go next week.  For a break down of each transaction visit the Shaw's forum at A Full Cup. I got the following:

3 Hunt's Tomato Sauce

5 Wesson Oil

2 Reddi Wip

10 Healthy Choice Steamers

3 Egg Beaters

2 Hebrew National Franks

3 Pam

11 Chef Boyardee

3 Orville Redenbacher

9 Snack Packs 4 pk.

3 Peter Pan Peanut Butter

3 Banquet Chicken Nugget Dinners (used 3 $1 MQ from the May All You so these were free!!!)

4 Taco Bell Refried Beans (rang up $3.16 and earned $3 CAT so only $.04 per can!)

5 Muir Glen (2 Sauce and 3 Diced tomatoes--these earned a $3 CAT)

Total Before Qs:  $126.69

Total After Qs and Catalinas:  $28.31, 77% savings!!!

They were out of the $7.99 Wesson Oil and the Ketchup so I am hoping to get some of that on my trip next week.  We shall see.  Happy Shopping!!!

%57 Savings at Shaw's

Today I was taking advantage of a couple of Catalina deals.  The first was on the Poland Water.  If you buy 2 6-pk Flip Tops for $4 dollars you earn a $2 Catalina.  Use 2 $1.00 off coupons and after you roll your Catalina you get both for free.  I did that one several times over as you can see.  I also used the Taco Bell product Catalina a couple of times.  Shaw's emailed me a $10 off purchase of $50 so I used that and some competitor coupons from Roche Bros.  Here is what I got:

Bananas - $1.66

2 Koolaid - $3.98

Applesauce Snacks - $2.50

12 6-pks Poland Spring Water - $24

Mandarin Oranges Snacks - $2.50

2 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars - $4.00

6 Duncan Heinz Cake Mixes - $6.00 (Cake Balls here I come!!!)

3 Loaves Shaw's Wheat Bread - $4.38

2 Reduced Fat Oreos - $6.00

2 Gallons Skim Milk - $5.18

2 Sargento Cheese - $4.00 

Shaw's Ham Sliced Deli Meats - $5.29

Shaw's Turkey Sliced Deli Meats - $4.29

Cascade Crystal Clear - $4.49

2 Flipz Pretzals - $4.78

1 Head of Lettuce - $.99

Honey Tangerines - $1.87

Green Peppers - $1.47

Taco Shells - $4.38

Cucumbers - $1.50

3 Cans Refried Beans - $2.97

Total Before Qs:  $94.36

Total After Qs:  $40.25, Earn $2.00 CAT for next visit

Starting on Friday, there are a few other Catalina deals that I'll be doing.  There is one that includes some Organic products (Muir Glen and Cascadian Farms) and another for Con-Agra.  Both are shaping up nicely so I am excited for a bit of stocking up.  Who knows, maybe I will be able to throw in a few more Taco Bell items for taco night next week.  Happy Shopping!

All Quiet on the Drugstore Front

It was kind of a quiet week this week for my shopping trips.  I ended up breaking my general rule of only one drugstore per week and went to both CVS and Walgreens.  Both of my stores are right across the street from each other and with how small both of my trips were going to be I figured it didn't hurt to hit them both.  I found a few clearance deals and got one of my rebate items at Walgreens.

Walgreens Transaction 1: 

Olay Definity Cleanser - $2.39 (regularly $10, I believe)

Olay Definity Cleanser - $2.39

Scunci Hair Elastics - $2.00

Degree Deodorant - $1.29

Degree Deodorant - $1.29

Hershey Kisses Almonds - $1.25

-$3.00 MQ Olay

-$3.00 MQ Olay

-$1.00 MQ Degree

-$1.00 MQ Degree

-2.50 RR

Total Before Qs:  $10.61

Total After Qs:  $.11, paid for with rebate gift card so $0 OOP!

Walgreens Transaction 2:

Schick Intuition Refills - $2.89 (regularly $9.99 I believe)

Schick Intuition Refills - $2.89

Schick Intuition Refills - $2.89

3 Hershey Kisses Almonds - $3.75

-$4 MQ Schick adjusted down to $2.89

-$4 MQ Schick adjusted down to $2.89

-$4 MQ Schick adjusted down to $2.89

-$1.50 MQ Hershey's

-$2 RR

Total Before Qs:  $12.42

Total After Qs with Tax:  $.58, paid for with rebate gift card, so $0 OOP!  Earned $5 Hershey's rebate.

CVS Transaction:

2 Colgate Sensitive Enamel Toothpaste - $7.98

1 Softsoap Body Wash - $4.99

2 Adidas Deodorant - $7.48 (clearanced down from $4.99 each)

4 SoBe 20 oz. - $6.76

-$1.00 MQ Colgate

-$1.00 MQ Colgate

-$1.50 MQ Softsoap

-$1.00 MQ Adidas

-$1.00 MQ Adidas

-$3.28 MQ BOGO (SoBe)

-$3.38 BOGO Store Sale (SoBe)

-$4.00 off $20.00

-$10 ECB

Total Before Qs:  $27.21

Total After Qs with Tax:  $1.10, Earned $4.99 ECB (Softsoap), $7.98 ECB (Colgate), $4.00 ECB (Adidas)

I took advantage of some great clearanced items that when combined with a MQ were free or nearly free.  The Adidas and Degree deodorants were nearly free with MQs and the razors and facial cleanser were free with MQ.   All in all a good day.  Happy Shopping!

Walgreens--The Beast that Ali Slew!

This month has been very exciting to me because I feel like I am totally in my groove with Walgreens. If you notice, for the last two weeks, my out of pocket expenses have been $0 with each and every transaction. How does she do it? I will tell you!!! I love to share! In the past, I have enjoyed CVS more because their system is easy to use and the savings are instantaneous. The only things I didn't like about CVS were their limits on how many times you could do a deal and the small OOP that you regularly had to pay with each transaction. With Walgreens, I have been able to do a few little things to make sure I have $0 OOP:

1. Purchase several monthly rebate items. With each month (if you get a gift card with your rebate reward on it), you will get an automatic 10% added to the amount of Rebate items you purchased. So if you purchased $30 of rebates the first month you will actually get $33 on the gift card. Then, if you spend that $33 dollars on rebate items for the next month, you will get $36.30 the next month. This amount can grow for you. At some point, I think you may find it difficult to roll the entire amount into other rebate items, but you should still be able to grow that amount a little bit each month.

2. When purchasing new rebate items, use manufacturer coupons, IVCs, and Register Rewards to lower the amount that you actually spend on those rebate items. Notice in my last post that my OOP (paid for with my gift card) was $.24 and yet I earned a $2 rebate for the Glade and a $2 rebate for the Oust.

3. Use your gift card rebate money to pay for your OOP expenses. If you are rolling those register rewards and utilizing your coupons you should be able to keep your OOP fairly low. That gift card rebate money will go far. If you are careful, it should not only pay for your next month rebates, but also cover those

small expenses with each transaction. Making your OOP $0 every time. That initial investment, purchasing monthly rebate items, will go very far!

4. Plan out your transactions. This was the hardest part for me at first, but the more I do it the better I get. It takes less time each week to get prepared for my shopping trips. A little bit of planning can go a long way in your savings. Use a calculator and figure out some transactions that will allow you to get your rebate items and roll the RR with a low OOP each time.

That's it! I have to admit, in the beginning of this coupon adventure, I really was intimidated by Walgreens and couldn't see why anyone would shop there. Now, I see the benefits of the system and like it even better than CVS. HTH! Good luck!!!

**Note: Since this post Walgreens has eliminated their Rebate program, but still offers their Register Reward Program. Unfortunately, this makes it a little harder to get $0 transactions, however, good deals are still available with a little planning.

Finishing the Shopping for the Week

Whew!  Are you still with me?  I hope so!  It has been a busy couple of days.  I finally have enough prizes for my coupon class, now to finish that powerpoint presentation.  Hmmm...I need a healthy dose of motivation.  Anyone?  

I hit CVS because the limit on the shaving gel was 2 not 1 so I had to pick up another.  I used my ECB from the first so it was a $0 transaction and it printed another ECB for me to use next week.  YAY!!!  As for Walgreens, I wanted to pick up a few more of the rebate items so that I can fill up my gift card for next month.  I also wanted to use my $3.99 Free Softsoap Q from the sale last week.  They were priced at $4.79 so I figured I would have to pay $.80.  Can I just say that I love my Walgreens?  Without me even asking about it, my sweet manager took the full amount off.  So it WAS free!   Anyway.  Here are the nuts and bolts of how it all worked out.  I plan to take a nice day off from it all tomorrow.

CVS Transaction: 

Skintimate Shave Cream - $3.49

-$3.49 ECB

Total Before Qs:  $3.49

Total After Qs:  $0, Earned $3.49 ECB

Walgreens Transaction:

Oust Surface & Air - $2.99

Oust Surface & Air - $2.99

Easter Tumbler - $.39

Reach Floss - $2.50

Reach Toothbrush - $2.50

Softsoap Body Wash - $4.79

Glade Lasting Impression - $5.99

Vitamin Water - $1.49

Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar - $.89

-$4.79 CAT (Glade)

-$2.00 MQ (Oust)

-$4.00 MQ-I don't know what this coupon is for.  I gave her 2 Oust Qs and only one shows up.  Who knows.  

-$3.00 MQ (Reach)

-$4.00 MQ (Glade)

-$3.00 RR

-$3.50 RR

Total Before Qs:  $24.53

Total After Qs:  $.24, Paid for with rebate gift card so $o OOP.  Earned $2.50 RR, $2 Rebate for Oust, $2 Rebate for Glade L/I.  

Roll 'Em, Roll 'Em, Roll 'Em! Keep them doggies rollin'!

I rolled and rolled and rolled those Register Rewards!  My goal this month with Walgreens has been to use my gift card to cover my small OOP with each transaction and also cover my rebates for the month.  So far so good.  Here's what I did:

Transaction 1:

Colgate Total Toothpaste - $3.49

Easter Tumbler - $.39

2 Visine AC - $7.98

-$.26 Weekly IVC (Tumbler)

-$3.00 MQ (Visine)

-$3.00 MQ (Visine)

-$1.00 MQ (Colgate)

-$3.00 RR (Edge, from last week)

Total Before Qs:  $11.86

Total After Qs (with tax):  $1.73, paid with Rebate Gift Card so $0 OOP!  Earned $3.50 RR and $3.00 RR

Transaction 2:

Glade Lasting Impression - $5.99

Reach Floss - $2.50

Reach Toothbrush - $2.50

Skintimate Shaving Gel - $2.99

-$4.00 MQ (Glade)

-$3.00 MQ (Reach)

-$3.00 RR

-$3.50 RR

Total Before Qs:  $13.98

Total After Qs (with tax):  $.50, paid for with rebate gift card so $0 OOP!  Earned $2 Rebate, $2.50 RR, $3.00RR!

Transaction 3:

Oust Surface to Air - $2.99

Colgate Total Toothpaste - $3.49

2 Visine AC - $7.98

Easter Tumbler - $.39

-$3.00 MQ (Visine)

-$3.00 MQ (Visine)

-$2.00 MQ (Oust)

-$1.00 MQ (Colgate)

-$.26 Weekly IVC

-$2.50 RR

-$3.00 RR

Total Before Qs:  $14.85

Total After Qs (with tax):  $.39, paid for with rebate gift card so $0 OOP!  Earned $3.00 RR, $1.00 Rebate, and $3.50 RR!

Transaction 4:

Edge Shaving Gel - $2.99

Reach Floss - $2.50

Reach Toothbrush - $2.50

One a Day Drink Mix - $1.49

Easter Tumbler - $.39

-$3.00 MQ (Reach)

-$.26 Weekly IVC (Tumbler)

-$3.00 RR

-$3.50 RR

Total Before Qs:  $9.87

Total After Qs (with tax):  $.12, paid for with rebate gift card so $0 OOP!  Earned $3.00 RR, $2.50 RR, and $1.49 Rebate!

Transaction 5:

2 Easter Tumbler - $.78

Colgate Total Toothpaste - $3.49

2 Visine - $7.98

Oust Surface to Air - $2.99

-$.52 Weekly IVC (Tumbler)

-$3.00 MQ (Visine)

-$3.00 MQ (Visine)

-$1.00 MQ (Colgate)

-$2.00 MQ (Oust)

-$2.50 RR

-$3.00 RR

Total Before Qs:  $15.24

Total After Qs (with tax):  $.38, paid for with rebate gift card so $0 OOP!  Earned $3.00 RR, $3.50 RR, $1.00 Rebate.

I have a few more transactions that I want to do to beef up my rebates for the month.  So, I will squeeze a trip in tomorrow on my way to my DD's field trip.  It has been a pretty busy week and normally I try to limit myself to one drugstore per week, but both Walgreens and CVS had such great deals that I just couldn't resist.  My DH is finishing school in a couple of weeks and we still don't have a job, so I am hoping my stockpile will be sufficient to carry us until he gets a job and the money starts coming in again.  Anyway.  HTH!  TTFN!

Couldn't Resist

Transaction:

8 Schick Intuitions - $79.92

1 Skintimate Shave Cream - $3.49

2 Mead Index Card - $2.50

2 Tic Tacs - $1.98 (I am a sucker and the kids were sooooo good.  It was  a prize!)

1 M&M - $.89 (Did I mention that I am a really big SUCKER!!!)

1 Mead White Index Cards - $1.99

-$39.96 Store Promotion BOGO (Schick)

-$39.96 MQ (Schick)

-$10 ECBs

Total Before Qs:  $90.77

Total After Qs:  $.85, Earned 3.49 ECB for Skintimate

I couldn't resist getting a few more Schicks, so I went to a different store so that I didn't clear the shelves on my regular store.  I am actually down in ECBs with this transaction, but I never worry too much about that.  I really needed the index cards for an organizational project I am working on, so I went ahead and spent my ECBs instead of my own cash.  I'm sure I will be able to build them up again at some point.  Anywho!  TTFN!

 

Transaction 1:  

2 Easter Grass - $1.58

2 Easter Baskets - $3.98

2 Revlon Eye Shadow - $9.98

1 Colgate Max White - $2.99

-$1.00 MQ (Colgate)

-$4.00 MQ (Revlon)

-$2.00 Store Q CRT (Revlon)

-$4.99 BOGO Revlon Promotion

-$5.00 ECB

Total Before Qs:  $18.53

Subtotal After Qs:  $1.54

Tax:  $.08

Total OOP:  $1.62, Earned $2.00 ECB (Colgate), $1.58 ECB (Grass), $3.98 ECB (Baskets), $20 off $100 CRT!!!!! Yay for me!!!!

Transaction 2:

7 Vitamin Water - $7.00

Hair Clipper - $1.99

Water Fountain - $2.49

2 Huggies Goodnights - $20.00

2 Johnson's Vanilla Oat Lotion - $6.00

1 Covergirl Foundation - $13

1 Tic Tac - $.74

6 Schick Intuition - $59.94

2 Softsoap Hand Soap - $7.98

1 Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara - $8.49, I was mischarged on this item, it should've been $7.

7 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - $6.23

-$29.97 BOGO Store Sale

-$29.97 BOGO MQ - didn't know if they would accept this, but I asked the manager and she said it could be used.  ;)

-$4.00 MQ (Softsoap)

-$4.00 MQ (Huggies)

-$1.00 MQ (Lotion)

-$7.00 MQ (Vitamin Water)

-$4.00 MQ (Covergirl Foundation)

-$1.00 MQ (Covergirl Mascara)

-$7.00 MQ (Reese's PB Cups)

-$.23 Store Q - I think the manager messed up and tried to fix it but messed up again.  It happens!

-$20 off $100 Store Q

-$10.00 ECB

-$4.00 ECB

-$4.00 ECB

-$3.98 ECB

-$2.00 ECB

-$1.58 ECB

Total Before Qs:  $133.86

Total After Qs:  $.13, Earned $10ECB (Covergirl), $10ECB (Huggies), $4.00 ECB (Softsoap).

After reviewing this receipt, I noticed that the cashier and manager made quite a few mistakes.  I was overcharged on a few items and undercharged (I think) on a few others.  It happens, however when you save over $133 dollars on one transaction, you shut your mouth about a few mistakes.  They all even out in the end anyway.  I started off with $25.56 in ECBs and ended with $24ECBs to use on my next visit.  I think I may hit CVS again this week to pick up a few more Intuitions because I am teaching a coupon class in New Hampshire this weekend and figure I can give away some of them as prizes or something.  We shall see.  Have a great shopping week this week!  There are tons of deals to be had!

I Just Saved $108.82 on Groceries!

  

Transaction 1:  

Bananas - $3.40

Plum Tomatoes - $1.27

Iceberg Lettuce - $.99

3 lb Apples - $3.99

Green Grapes - $5.09

2 Pineapples - $3.98

1/2 Spiral Ham - $13.41

Shaw's Jam - $3.19

4 Kraft Salad Dressings - $6.67

McCormick Vanilla Extract - $3.59

3 Wheat Thins - $7.50

3 Triscuits - $7.50

5lb. Flour - 1.89

3 Kellogg's Raisin Bran - $10.00

2 Kellogg's Special K - $6.67

2 Kellogg's Special K Blueberry - $6.67

12 Ronzoni Bistro Pasta Meals - $34.68

2 Kraft Mayo - $6.00

3 Dozen Eggs - $3.57

Green Giant Boxed Frozen Veggies - $16.99

Bird's Eye Steamfresh Veggies - $4.00

Red Sox Single Serving Ice Cream - $1.00

2 DiGiorno Pizza - $11.98

2 I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray - $5.98

2 Land O' Lakes Butter - $3.76

2 Breakstone Light Sour Cream - $3.00

4 Tropicana 50 - $10.00

-$1.00 Store Q (apples)

-$3.00 Store Q (Instant Kellogg's Q)

-$1.00 Store Q (Ham)

-$17.34 Store Sale BOGO (Ronzoni)

-$6.00 MQ (Kraft Dressing)

-$17.34 MQ BOGO (Ronzoni)

-$5.00 Store Q (Ham)

-$5.37 Store Q (Eggs)

-$3.00 MQ (Del Monte Pineapple)

-$7.00 MQ (Kellogg's Cereal)

-$1.00 MQ (McCormick Vanilla Extract)

-$3.00 MQ (Wheat Thins/Triscuits)

-$1.00 MQ (Red Sox Ice Cream)

-$2.00 MQ (Steamfresh Veggies)

-$7.00 MQ (Green Giant Veggies)

-$2.00 Store Q (Green Giant Veggies)

-$2.00 Store Q (Kellogg's, Online Printable)

-$1.00 MQ (I Can't Believe...)

-$1.00 MQ (Breakstone Sour Cream)

-$4.00 MQ (Tropicana)

-$4.00 Store Q Competitor Match Q's

-$1.00 MQ (Mayo)

-$1.00 MQ (Land O' Lakes Butter)

-$5.00 Bedtime Promotion WYB Kellogg's (Dont' know why I got this.  Certainly didn't expect it.)

Total Before Qs:  $186.77

Total After Qs:  $85.72, Earned 3 Free Milk Catalinas

Transaction 2:

3 Gallons of Milk - $7.77

-$2.59 Catalina

-$2.59 Catalina

-$2.59 Catalina

Total Before Qs:  $7.77

Total After Qs: $0

Shaw's offers printable store coupons on their website that can be combined with your manufacturer coupons.  I also used my 1$ doubler coupons from a competitor store to bring my total down even more.  Knowing a grocery store's coupon policy is so important because it allows you to really maximize your savings.  Happy Shopping!

Produce and Stuff

My Shaw's trip today was not my best, but I really needed some fresh produce, so I made the best of it.  Here's what I did:

Transaction 1:

Bananas - $3.14

Tomatoes - $4.46

Potatoes - $2.00

Oranges - $6.00

Grapes - $4.80

2 Salad Mix - $4.00

Feta Cheese - $2.99

Deli American Cheese - $3.63

Humus - $2.50

Deli Turkey - $6.99

2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights Mini - $5.00

5 Frank's Hot Sauce - $3.45

2 Cains Salad Dressing - $2.00

2 Loaves Bread - $2.19

4 Boxes Kellogg's Cereal - $8.00

1 Gallon Milk - $2.59

1 Dozen Eggs - $2.89

-$3.45 MQ (Frank's Hot Sauce)

-$1.00 MQ (Kellogg's)

-$1.00 MQ (Kellogg's)

-$1.00 MQ (Cain's)

-$1.00 MQ (Warm Delights)

-$1.31 Store Q (Potatoes)

-$1.00 MQ (Salad Mix)

-$1.00 MQ (Salad Mix)

-$1.79 Store Q (Eggs)

-$1.00 Peelie (Feta)

-$3.63 (deli cheese)

Total Before Qs:  $66.63

Total After Qs:  $49.45, Earned Free Milk CAT

Transaction 2:

Shaw Milk - $2.59

-$2.59 Free Milk CAT

Total Before Qs:  $2.59

Total After Qs:  $0

There you have it.  TTFN!

I Couldn't Resist

Out of curiosity, I stopped into CVS on my way to Shaw's to see if the quarterly spending rewards were printing yet.  They weren't, but I couldn't resist picking up a few more freebies for the week.  Here's what I did:

Transaction 1:

2 Softsoap - $7.98

1 Benefiber Chewable 30 ct. - $6.99

2 Soy Joy Berry Bars - $2.58

1 St. Ives Body Wash - $3.99

-$4 off $20

-$2.00 MQ (Softsoap)

-$2.00 MQ (Softsoap)

-$3.00 CRT CVS Q (Benefiber)

-$2.00 MQ (Benefiber)

-$1.29 MQ (Soy Joy)

-$2.00 CRT CVS Q (St. Ives)

-$1.00 MQ (St. Ives)

-$4.00 ECB

Total Before Q:  $21.54

Total After Q:  $.25 OOP, Earn 4 ECB

Considering I didn't even plan to buy anything, I was pretty pleased with this trip.  Be sure to scan your card each and every trip because when you combine those coupons that print out (CRTs) with your MQs you really can get some great deals.  I had some make-up that I was tempted to get that would've been free after MQ and CRT, but I decided to save it until another day.  Who knows when my next $10 off $50 will be.  I may need it then.  Happy Shopping!!!

Some $3.17 CVS Fun

 

Transaction 1:  

3 Pond's Towelette's - $11.97

2 PAAS Dye Kits - $3.98

2 Softsoap Hand Soap - $7.98

Diet Dr. Pepper - $2.04

-$4.50 MQ (Pond's)

-$4.00 MQ (Softsoap)

-$1.99 MQ (Dr. Pepper)

-$4 off $20 CVS Q

-$11.48 ECBs

Total Before Qs:  $25.97

Total After Qs:  $0, Earn 5 ECB, 3.98 ECB, 4 ECB

Transaction 2:

Carnation Instant Breakfast (Raincheck) - $4.99

Softsoap Refill - $3.99

Softsoap Pump - $7.99

3 CVS RIB Magazines - $2.97

-$.75 MQ (Carnation)

-$2.00 MQ (Softsoap)

-$2.50 MQ (Softsoap)

-$12 ECBs

Total Before Qs:  $19.94

Total After Qs:  $2.69, Earn 4 ECB, 4.99 ECB

Transaction 3:

2 Glade Sense and Spray - $11.98

2 Glade Lasting Impressions - $11.98

-$1 CRT Glade

-$1 CRT Glade Lasting Impression

-$1 CRT Glade Lasting Impression

-$4 MQ (Glade)

-$4 MQ (Glade)

-$4 MQ (Glade)

-$5.99 MQ (Glade)

-$2.97 ECB

Total Before Qs:  $23.96

Total After Qs:  $0

Transaction 4:

2 Sally Hansen Nail Polish - $2.49

2 Softsoap Refill - $7.98

1 CVS AA Batteries - $9.99

-$1.00 MQ (Sally Hansen)

-$2.00 MQ (Softsoap)

-$2.00 MQ (Softsoap)

-$4 off $20 CVS Q

-$11.00 ECB

Total Before Q:  $20.46

Subtotal After Q:  $.46

Tax:  $.02

Total OOP:  $.48, Earn 4 ECB

Total Before Q for the Day:  $90.33

Total OOP for the Day:  $3.17

I still have Qs for the Softsoap so I plan on going a few more times this week.  Maybe I will even get lucky and win some $X off $XX CRTs.  Happy Shopping!!!

A Bit Kookie With Tons of Transactions

Okay.  I want to share what I got this week, but I am not going to break it down by transaction.  There were just too  many of them to count.  So here we go:

3 Chapstick Naturals - $5.97

3 Edge Shaving Gel - $7.77

1 Edge Shaving Gel - $2.19

2 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - $1.78

7 Softsoap Body Wash - $27.93

2 15 ct. Hinged Easter Eggs - $1.98

1 Diet Dr. Pepper - $1.54

2 Diet Coke - $3.08

Wal-itin Tabs 30 ct. - $6.99

-$24.94 MQ (Softsoap)

-$1.78 MQ (Reese's)

-$1.49 MQ (Dr. Pepper)

-$15 RR

Total Before Q:  $59.23

Subtotal After Q:  $16.02

Tax:  $.80

Total OOP:  $16.82, I still have a 3 RR, a coupon for another free Softsoap, and I earned a $6.99 rebate.  I paid with my rebate gift card so technically my OOP was a big fat $0!!!  Yay for rolling rebate money!

Oh Where, Oh Where Have My Coupons Gone!?!

This blog post is in response to a question that I get frequently while wandering the aisles of the stores browsing for deals.  People see me and see my binder filled with coupons and exclaim, "Where did you get ALL of those coupons!?!?"  The next two questions that naturally follow are, "How do you organize them all?"  and "How long does it take you?"  The latter questions are for another day and another post.  For today, I am going to tackle the first question. 

There are lots of resources out there to help you acquire coupons for your stash.  Once you start looking for them it seems like you will see them everywhere.  My biggest resource is the Sunday paper.  I only subscribe to the Sunday paper.  It costs me $1.75 a week and it more than pays for itself in savings.  In some cities, the Early Edition Saturday paper may have inserts as well at about half the cost.  It is something worth looking into.  I left a little note for my newspaper delivery man asking him to leave me any extra inserts he may get.  He leaves me 6 extra coupon inserts each week for free.  You might also have some luck talking to a convenience store manager about collecting left over Sunday inserts from unsold papers on Monday mornings.  Stores get reimbursed for unsold papers, but often they only have to turn in the front page.  Again, it is worth asking.  Personally, I am unwilling to dumpster dive at the local Recycling Center, but I know a few ladies that have no problem doing that if it saves them a buck.  Haha.  Get creative and don't be afraid to ask.  In the end, the more coupons that you have the easier it is to stockpile when things are offered at those rock bottom prices.  

There are other ways to get coupon inserts without buying the paper.  There are people out there that sell whole inserts and clipped coupons for a small fee.  It is against the law to sell coupons, so these people sell the time and energy it takes them to collect the inserts and in some cases to clip the coupons on your behalf.  Tricky right?  I like Coupons & Things by Dede.  She seems to do a good job at reasonable prices.  The Coupon Clippers, The Coupon Master and CentsOff.com offer clipping services for small fees.  You can also find clipping services on ebay and through coupon communities like A Full Cup and Hot Coupon World.  Be careful though, because not all of the coupons sold on ebay are legitimate.  

The internet is another resource for collecting coupons.  Coupons.com, SmartSource.com, Redplum, CoolSavings.com all offer legitimate printable coupons.  Stores and manufacturers may also offer printable coupons on their websites.   Target, CVS, and Rite Aid all offer Store Coupons on their website for you to print.  The downside to getting all of your coupons by printing off the internet is that you have to pay for all of that ink and you are limited to printing two copies per computer.  I have 3 computers so I am able to print 6 copies of each coupon, but it does serious damage to my ink cartridges.  When looking at your savings take that expense into account.  Personally, I only print coupons from online if I am definitely going to use them.

Coupons can also be found on packages (peelies), in dispensers at the store (blinkies), and attached to displays within the store (tearpads and in educational pamphlets).  I have two little kids (age 5 and 7) and one of their jobs when we go shopping is to collect coupons where they can find them.  It is like a treasure hunt for them and they get so excited when they find coupons.  It is also helpful for me because it keeps them out of my hair while I am adding numbers in my mind and planning each transaction.  ;)  Collecting these coupons is easy and completely free!  No printing costs, clipping fees, or newspapers to buy.  I never pass up an opportunity for free, so these little gems are my best friends.  

CVS has coupons that print at the end of your receipt in addition to the ECBs.  They also have price scanners in their store where you can scan your Extra Care Card and it prints out extra coupons for you.  Sometimes it even gives you the golden $4 off $20, $5 off $30, and $10 off $50 coupons.  Many grocery stores offer Catalinas that print out of the printer next to the register when checking out.  These help me to save a ton of money.  Walgreens offers Register Rewards and Catalinas as well that are printed when you check out.  

So, look for and acquire as many coupons as you can.  I clip and save coupons even for items that I don't usually buy because often there will be a sale where if I use a coupon I can make a bit of money.  I then use that money on items that I need.  You can always donate items that you won't use to food banks, homeless shelters, or church groups.  In addition, you can trade coupons with people in online coupon communities for coupons that you will use.  I don't have a need for diaper coupons, but there are a lot of people out there that need those, so I can trade for ones that I will use.  

Hope this post helps to answer some of your questions.  If you know of a creative resource for coupons or one that I have simply missed, please comment and share!  Happy Shopping!