Wednesday, April 29, 2009

CVS Deals 4/26-5/2

I spent a little more than usual out of pocket this week, but I feel good about my purchases.

Clorox Bleach gallon $1.99
2- gallons = $4
1- coupon = (.50¢)
Total OOP = $3.50 or $1.75 each

Clorox Wipes $3.49 (regular price)
1- bottle = $3.50
1- coupon... buy two Clorox products, get wipes free = ($3.50)
Total OOP = $0

Schick Intuition $8.99... Earn $4 ECB
1- razor = $9
1- coupon = ($4)
Total OOP = $5
Earned ECB = ($4)
Total = $1

Speed Stick Deodorant 2 for $6... Earn $3 ECB
2- deodorants = $6
2- coupons = ($1.50)
Total OOP = $4.50
Earned ECB = ($3)
Total = $1.50 or .75¢ each

They were out of these, but I asked for a raincheck:
ZooBrush Toothbrush $1.99... Earn $1 ECB
2- toothbrushes = $4
1- coupon B1G1 = ($2)
Total OOP = $2
Earned ECB = $2
Total = $0

Walgreens Deals 4/26-5/2

My Walgreens was out of several things that I wanted... so I had to modify a bit. I messed up on one transaction, but plan on returning my item and then re-purchasing it correctly.

Here is what I bought:

Nivea BodyWash $4.99... Earn $5 RR
3- washes = $15
3- manf. coupons = ($3)
Total OOP = $12
Earned RR = ($15)
Made $3 off of the deal!

Bic Soleil Razor & Refill Pack $6.99 B1G1
1- razor = $7
1- refill = $0
2- coupons = ($4)
Total OOP = $3 or $1.50 each

Ecotrin $2... Earn $2 RR
2- bottles = $4
2- manf. coupons = ($4)
Total OOP = $0
Earned RR = ($4)
Made $4 off of the deal!

Got 2 Be Hair Products (Bonus Packs!) $10 for 2... Earn $5 on two.
4- products = $20
4- coupons = ($8)
Total OOP = $12
Earned RR = ($10)
Total = 2 for $1

Remembrandt Toothpaste $5.99... Earn $6 RR

Band-Aid & Benadryle Cream... Buy $10 worth, get $4 RR
2- band-aids = $6
1- cream = $4
3- coupons = ($3)
Total OOP = $7
Earned RR = ($4)
Total = $3 or $1 each

Energizer AA 2pk Batteries $1.09 on clearance.
2- packs = $2.20
2- coupons = ($2)
Total OOP = .20¢ or 10¢ each!

Pocket Packs of Facial Tissue .07¢ on clearance.

Banana Boat SPF50 Sunscreen $2.79 on clearance.

Things they were out of, but I will get ahold of one way or another:

Schick Trimstyle Razor $8.99... Earn $3 RR
3- razors = $27
3- coupons = ($12)
Total OOP = $15
Earn RR = ($9)
Total = $6 or $2 each

Bayer 4pk Crystals $2.50... Earn $2.50 RR

AirWick I-Motion Freshner $4.99
1- freshner = $5
1- coupon = ($4)
Total OOP = $1

They had the AirWick Luminus in stock, but I decided not to get it. I have a coupon which would make it only $2, but it must be plugged into an outlet and I do not like that. I have a couple of the Glade Flameless candles and they run off of batteries. I like those better.

Due to the incredibly annoying nature of the RR program... I rand these items up in six different transactions. I had to make adjustments to my "game plan" due to the out of stock items. WAG is typically a one hour stop for me... but the deals are great!

Oh... and I did not use a dime of my cash to pay for these items. I had a $5 WAG coupon that I received in the mail and I had $22 on a rebate gift card. I still have some money left on my gift card and I have a $5 RR left over.

Not bad.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Walgreens Clearance Items

I purchased several clearanced meds this afternoon. They were all awesome deals.

The Excedrin Migraine 100ct was $2.39 & it printed out a $2 off Excedrin 100 ct RR!

So I grabbed another bottle for .39¢ and guess what printed out? Another $2 off Excedrin RR.

I don't think I can use a bunch of Excedrin, so I may just leave the coupon on the shelf the next time I go in. Or just purchase it to give away. Dude... it's only 39 cents!

I also picked up these items. The prices are approximate b/c I'm too lazy to dig out my receipt.

Children's chewable Tylenol $1.30
Children's liquid Advil $1.70
Sleep-Aid $1.60
WAG brand Tylenol 150ct $2.25
Huge bottle of Aleve $3.90
Cutter bug spray $1.60
LED Flashlight $2.20
WAG tampons $1.60

Walgreens Issue??

Today I stocked up on clearance items at Walgreens. The "new" Walgreens in my area had Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Bayer, & other meds clearanced out at rock bottom prices. (I also picked up several packages of Walgreen's version of Tampax Pearl 36 pk for $1.59!)

I happened to have a coupon for an Excedrin that was clearanced.
The Excedrin was marked down to $2.39 (100 ct.)
My coupon was for $1 off.
After I made my purchase, I realized that the Excedrin rang up at the regular price instead of the clearance price. Here is the strange thing... I had bought a second bottle in a second transaction and that one rang up at the clearance price. The only thing that I can guess is that using the manufacturer coupon made it default back to the regular price. If that is what happened... that is not right.

The manager on duty was very kind and refunded the difference for me.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Walgreens Deals 4/26-5/2

Stephanie at Couponing101 already has a Walgreens preview list up.

I noticed that she referenced using some IVCs (Instant Value Coupons) from the ESC (Easy Saver Catalog). Those coupons actually expire this Saturday, so you will not be able to use them with next week's sale prices.

Also be sure to read the comments that readers leave. Sometimes they post great deals that they discovered while shopping or "see" things that other bloggers have overlooked.

If you haven't heard yet... this is the last ESC. By the looks of next week's preview... it seems like Walgreens is going to increase the number of RR being printed. That means that you're going to have to do a lot more juggling and ring up multiple transactions.

Remember... a RR is like a manufacturer coupon for just about any item in the store. If you are using a manufacturer coupon for a product... you will not be able to use a RR for that item. If I have manufacturer coupons for all of my items, but still want to use my RRs to help pay... I pick up an inexpensive item (chapstick, pencil, clearance candy) for each RR that I want to use. This week I threw in a couple packs of plastic spoons that were on sale for 50¢ each so that I could use a couple RRs. I needed the plastic spoons, they were cheap, and I got to use my RRs before they expired.

Walgreens Deal

UPDATE!!!
Wait until the new ad starts!
Beginning Sunday, April 25th... you can earn a $5 RR when you purchase two!
2/$10 - 2 $4 coupons - $5 RR earned = 2 bottles for $1
Thanks Stephanie at www.couponing101.com !

Remember the Got 2 Be B1G1 at CVS?

Well, Walgreens has it a bit cheaper. It's one of their unadvertised sales. You have to walk around the store and look for the tags. Right now they are red and yellow.

Anyways...

Got 2 Be Hair Products are B1G1 at $5.99
Plus there is a $2 coupon at http://got2b-production.s3.amazonaws.com/coupon.html.
You can use two coupons, so you can get 2 products for $2.

Plus Walgreens carries a larger selection... so there is more to choose from.

I've already stocked up from my CVS purchases, but I am thinking about maybe buying two more. Hmm...

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Walgreens Deals 4/19-4/25

Walgreen's savings system can be a bit tricky. If you are not familiar with how to use their multiple programs in a way that maximizes savings, then check out one of my favorite blogs. They have special sections explaining how the Walgreen's programs work.

I made two trips to Walgreens this week and this is what I bought:

Mitchum Deodorant $2.99, Earn $2 RR, had .75¢ coupons.
1- deodorant $2.99
1- coupon (.75¢)
Earned $2 RR
Total- .24¢ each
(I actually purchased a few of these, but rang them up in separate transactions so that I could get the $2 RR for each deodorant.)

Chapstick Naturals $1.99, Earn $2 RR
1- chapstick $1.99
Earned $2 RR
Total- FREE

Dr. Pepper/Sunkist/7Up/A&W/Ginger Ale 3/$11, Earn $5 RR
3- 12pk sodas $11
Earned $5 RR
Total- $6 or $2 each

Physician's Formula Make-Up 40% off, $10 Rebate on $10 Organics Purchase, had $1 coupons
2-Organics $14
1- (Not Organics) Make-up $3
3- coupons ($3)
Rebate Credit- ($10)
Total- $4 or $1.33 each

Dawn 10.3 oz Dish Soap .99¢, had .25¢ coupons
3- bottles $2.97
3- coupons (.75¢)
Total- $2.27 or .76¢ each


Here are my shopping scenarios:
Transaction 1:
3 pks soda $11
1 coupon $3 off $10 purchase at new Walgreens (grand opening coupon in paper)
Total OOP $8
Earned $5 RR

Transaction 2:
Mitchum $2.99
coupon (.75¢)
Chapstick $1.99
Clearance candy .90¢
RR from soda ($5)
Total OOP- .13¢
Earned $2 Mitchum and $2 Chapstick RRs... $4 RR

Transaction 3:
Mitchum $2.99
coupon (.75¢)
Clearanced easter candy .12¢ (had to add something so that I could use a RR)
RR from chapstick ($2)
Total OOP- .36¢
Earned another $2 RR from Mitchum

Transaction 4:
Chapstick $1.99
Clearance candy .12¢
RR from Mitchum ($2)
Earned $2 RR from Chapstick

Transaction 5:
Mitchum $2.99
coupon (.75¢)
RR from Chapstick ($2)
Total OOP- .24¢
Earned $2 RR from Mitchum

(I have 2 $2 RR left over from the Mitchum purchases. And while I wouldn't have a problem with doing 5 transactions in one day... I actually didn't this time. I actually bought these on two different days.)

Transaction 6:
3 pks of soda $11
1 "Go Green" bag $1
2 Mitchum RRs ($4)
1 "Earth Day" Coupon ($1)
Total OOP- $6
Earned $5 RR from sodas

Transaction 7:
Make-Up $17
coupons ($3)
3 dish soaps $2.97
coupons (.75¢)
2 clearanced binders $2.80
RR from soda ($5)
RR I found in my wallet ($3)
Total OOP $11.03

I used my $18 Rebate Gift Card to pay for Transactions 6 & 7... so I didn't have to pay out of my "cash".

Plus I just added $10 in rebate money to my next rebate gift card.

So... this week took a bit of juggling, but I ended up with a lot of stuff for hardly anything OOP. I've restocked my soda, have some new make-up to try out, and extra deodorant on hand.




Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Finding Coupons

I took the advice of Ashley at http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/ and I keep my weekly coupon inserts in a 3-ring binder. I just write the date the coupons came out on the front page so that I can find coupons referenced in blogs easily. I now have four weeks worth of coupon inserts and have just realized that some of my coupons in the oldest packets are beginning to expire. I think I'm just going to rip out the pages if all of the coupons on that page have expired.

I typically shop from other blogger's lists in which they have matched sales prices and coupons.

Sometimes I run across something on sale in the store and I remember that I have a coupon for that. I always bring my coupon binder into the store with me so that I can flip through it if I need to.

Some people have fancy systems for keeping track of exactly what coupons they have. I don't right now. I just flip through my book a lot. It's probably not the most efficient way to work, but that's what I'm doing right now.

I'm also willing to trade coupons with people so that they can get what they need and I can get what I need.

Kroger Deals

Kroger Deals

The sales ad ended today, so this is just to show you that they do have some good deals. I'm still learning how their coupon system works. Apparently they double and triple some coupons. I have to try and remember this when I'm looking at their sales prices.

McCormick Rub Spices .99¢, had 50¢ coupons
Total- FREE b/c Kroger doubled my coupons. (Technically they added .49¢ to each coupon b/c they will not go over the purchase price.)

Landry's Marinade .99¢. had $1 off of 2 coupons.
6- marinades $5.94
3- coupons ($3)
Kroger double ($2.94)
Total- FREE

Pillsbury Brownie Mix .99¢, have .35¢ coupons.
Had to get raincheck b/c they were sold out. I should get the mix for either .64¢ or .29¢ each.

Angel Soft 4pk Toilet Paper .99¢, have .50¢ coupons.
Total- FREE after Kroger doubling.

Barilli Pasta $1.39, had $1 coupons.
3- pastas $4.17
3- coupons ($3) No doubling on these coupons.
Total- $1.17 or .39¢ each

I've also discovered over the past few weeks that Kroger's tends to run great sales on Pillsbury products. I've purchased cookie dough, biscuits, and crousants for .25¢ - .60¢ each.

I can not remember where I found the Kroger deals this week. I think it was a link posted on http://www.couponing101.com/ to another blog. I'm so sorry that I can not give the proper credit. I will do better next time... I promise.

Target Deals 4/19-4/25

Target Deals

I can't find my receipt right now and I can't remember what all I bought... but this is what I do remember...

Dry Idea Roll-On Deodorant $2, had $2 coupons.
3- deodorants $6
3- coupons ($6)
Total- FREE

Aveeno Baby Lotion $2.48, had $2 coupons.
3- lotions clearanced $7.44
3- coupons ($6)
Total- $1.44 or .48¢ each

AXE Trial Size Body Wash .97¢, had $1 coupons.
3- body washes $2.97
3- coupons ($2.97) They were $1 each, but Target adjusts coupons down if the product costs less thn the coupon. I don't know why, b/c Target still gets the full amount from the manufacturer.
Total- FREE

Renu Trial Size Multi-Purpose Contact Solution .97¢, had $1 coupons.
3- solutions $2.97
3- coupons ($2.97) Adjusted down.
Total- FREE

Market Pantry (Target Brand) Fruit Snack Pouches $1.58, had $1 Target coupons.
2- fruit snacks $3.16
2- Target coupons ($2)
Total- $1.16 or .58¢ each

Glade Flameless Candle Refills $2.84, had $2 coupons
3- refills $8.52
3- coupons ($6)
Total- $2.52 or .84¢ each

I discovered the Glade & Aveeno deal myself. Everything else was due to the hard work of my three favorite bloggers.

CVS Deals 4/19-4/25

CVS Deals

This week I have made a few stops at CVS. It seems that I keep discovering new deals that I just have to take advantage of. These are the items that I have purchased this week...

Tresemme 3/$10, Earn $5 ECBs, plus I had $1 off 1 coupons.
3- 32oz shampoos = $10
3- 32oz conditioners = $10
3- styling products = $10
9- $1 coupons = ($9)
Earned ECBs = ($15)
Total- $6 or .67¢ each

Got 2 Be B1G1 (2/$6.29), I had $2 coupons.
3- heat protection sprays
1- hair spray
2- smooth hair mousse
6/$18.87
6- $2 coupons = ($12)
Total- $6.87 or $1.15 each

John Freida Collection (Hair Products) $5, Earn $5 ECB on $15 purchase, had $2 coupons.
2- shampoos $10
1- conditioner $5
3- $2 coupons ($6)
Earned ECB ($5)
Total- $4 or $1.33 each

Bayer Aspirin Crystals 4ct $2, Earn $2 ECB
1- 4ct Bayer Crystals $2
Earned ECB- ($2)
Total- FREE

Crest Pro Health 250mL Mouthwash $2.88, Earn $2 ECB, had $1 coupon.
2- Mouthwash $5.76
1- coupon ($1) (I only had one coupon. Could've used two.)
Earned ECBs- ($4)
Total- .76¢ or .38¢ each

Act Total Care 18oz Mouthwash $3.79, Earn $2 ECB, had $1 coupons.
2- Mouthwash $7.58
2- coupons ($2)
Earned ECBs ($4)
Total $1.58 or .79¢ each

Sometimes it takes a bit of juggling, but it is well worth it. We should be good on mouthwash and shampoo for awhile. Plus I get to try some cool hair products that I normally would not have purchased. :)

I found most of my bargains (including links to printable coupons) at http://www.blogger.com/www.frugalcouponliving.com , http://www.blogger.com/www.couponing101.com , and http://www.survivingthestores.com/. Thanks fellow bloggers!!

Here I Go...

I decided to start this blog because I think it will be the easiest way to pass on money saving information to my family and friends.

About a month ago I decided to dive into the coupon/bargain hunting "underworld". I am amazed at how much money I have saved by simply being a "savvy coupon shopper". I am also very thankful for all of the wonderful bloggers that work so hard to get the word out regarding great deals.

I am trying to pass the word along myself and hope that this will become a nice easy way of doing so. (Instead of e-mailing and calling everyone all of the time.)

I'm not sure how this whole blogging thing will play out for me, but hopefully I can keep up with it. I plan on journaling the deals that I have chosen to take advantage of and will link to the blogs where I originally discovered the deals. I can almost guarantee that 90% of what I blog here will be the result of someone else's hard work and not mine... therefore I will be including lots of links to their blogs.