Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Who Needs Sleep?

TOTAL PROFIT FOR JANUARY: $253.65

Awww, my boyfriend is so sweet! He tried to post a comment to this post but it didn't work, so he emailed it to me instead. Here's what he wrote:

"Baby, I knew you went off the deep end 17 months and 15 days ago when you agreed to go to the movies with me but that's part of the reason that I fell so madly in love with you. Heck I admire the fact that you're so smart and intelligent that you can figure out all of these deals, strategize them and keep them all straight along with contingency plans. I love you more than words can express and am so glad you're not only my future wife, but also best friend and partner in crime. I love you my lobster."

AWWWWWWWW!! :)

As much as I love this $3 coupon, its wearing me out! I'm sure you all know the feeling. I want to use it as much as possible, especially on the moneymaker deals (crackers, sparkling water, cotton rounds). And there are tons of things I can stock up on that won't go bad - juice, loofahs, plastic cups, etc, but it sure is exhausting! I swear, I'm going to sleep straight through next week...


Here's what I learned today: 1) the limit on the crackers is 10, 2) the limit on the water is also 10, 3) if you use more than one $3 coupon per transaction, it will beep, 4) if you print the drop.io version of the $3 coupon from iheartcvs.com, it will go through with no beeps (versus the Wiki version that has been giving me trouble) and 5) I may have finally gone off the deep end with all these transactions. Ok well, that last one there is probably no shocker (my boyfriend is reading this and nodding his head). :)

CVS (of course)

  • 2 boxes CVS cheese crackers $1.97 each, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB ($1 for each, Limit 10) = $1.06 profit
  • Aquafresh toothpaste $2.50, used $2 CRT coupon and $0.75 coupon (1/4 SS) = $0.25 profit
  • Total was $0.69, overall profit was $1.31

Rinse and repeat minus the Aquafresh ($1.06 profit) - I've now maxed the cracker deal out on DBF's card (sigh of relief)

Ok, now on to my card...

2 boxes CVS cheese crackers $1.97 each, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB ($1 for each, Limit 10) = $1.06 profit

  • Rinse and repeat = $1.06 profit
  • Rinse and repeat = $1.06 profit
  • Rinse and repeat = $1.06 profit

Store #2

  • CVS apple juice $2.59, used $3 CVS brand coupon = $0.41 profit
  • Soda $0.99 (for a coworker, not in pic)
  • Total was negative $0.41 after she paid me back for soda

Super nice cashier let me do a second transaction: CVS 6 pack sparkling water $3.97 (not in pic, there was no way this tired hound was carting all the water I bought today up my two flights of stairs for a photo op), used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB (Limit 10) = $0.96 profit (after tax)

  • Rinse and repeat $0.96 profit
  • Rinse and repeat but used $1 CRT coupon for water (*Make sure to check the scanner for these Q's!), also bought clearanced gift bag for $0.35, total was $0.34, overall profit $1.66

Fav store

  • 1 box CVS cheese crackers $1.97, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $1 EB (Limit 10) = $2.03 profit
  • 2 Revlon nail polishes $4.99 each, BOGO sale, used $2 coupons (9/14 or 1/11 SS) and $2 CVS CRT coupon = $1.01 profit
  • 2 Children's Throat Cooler Ice Pops (6 ct.) $4.99 each, used $1 coupon (found inside packages I bought previously) and BOGO coupon (or 12/7 SS) and got back $9.98 EB ($4.99 EB each, Limit 5) = $4.99 profit
  • Used $1 EB, overall profit $9.03

Transaction 2

  • Children's Throat Cooler Ice Pops (6 ct.) $4.99 each, used $1 coupon (found inside packages I bought previously) and got back $4.99 EB (Limit 5) = $1 profit
  • Aquafresh toothpaste $2.50, used $2 CRT coupon and $0.75 coupon (1/4 SS) = $0.25 profit
  • CVS 6 pack sparkling water $3.97, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB (Limit 10) = $1.04 profit
  • Used $2 EB, $2 EB, total was $0.71, overall profit $2.28

CVS cotton squares $3.49, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $1 EB (Limit 5) = $0.48 profit (after tax)

Last transaction of the day - really went for the gold here

  • CVS 6 pack sparkling water $3.97, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB (Limit 10) = $1.04 profit
  • CVS 6 pack sparkling water $3.97, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB (Limit 10) = $1.04 profit
  • 2 boxes CVS cheese crackers $1.97 each, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB ($1 for each, Limit 10) = $1.06 profit
  • Used three $3 coupons here, they beeped but the cashier pushed them through. Thank goodness for night cashiers who are so easy-going! Overall profit $3.12

13 comments:

T said...

reading your deals has tired me out! That's why I haven't been to CVS in a few weeks...;)

Sam said...

Girl, you amaze me!

I was so inspired I just sat down & figured out how to turn $3 OOP into $24 ECB in only 8 transactions. If I get more scanner Qs for the water or crackers it will be less OOP.

Your profit calculations intrigue me. I guess I dont quite think of it as profit if I walk out of the store with $24 ECB because I can only spend them there. I guess its just kind of my free money for whatever I want later ;)

That $5/30 coupon will be great for the Pepsi though. You should go get some of those to finish out your week of superhounding with a bang!

Tracey C. said...

Girl, you must be TIRED! I went to four CVS today and I thought I would keel over! Of course, my strength is low from being sick, but saving this much should ENERGIZE me! I love the profit potential on the water and crackers, but keep finding myself buying the toilet paper instead. Hey, I NEED toilet paper LOL! Love seeing how good your doing!
Warmly,
Tracey C.

Tanya said...

Stumbled upon your blog from "I'm at the starting line". I haven't been using the $3 off coupon nearly as much as you but I do love it!!

Jamie @ I Am A Money Magnet said...

You Go Girl! You're gonna be eating cheese crackers for a very long time! :) I keep meaning to get my behind to CVS this week to use up that Q!

frugalsuz said...

Tosha,
lol, typing it all out was kinda tiring too!

Sarah,
Thanks! :) The deals lately have been amazing, especially with the $3 coupon. When I see a great opportunity to make a profit, I jump on it (as you've all seen!).

The way I think of it, EB's are money. If I walk in the store and buy the sparkling water (for example), use the $3 coupon, pay $1.04 after tax, and get back $2 EB, that's definitely a profit and I'm increasing my CVS money.

I got a $10 off $50 coupon for both of my cards this morning - I'm so psyched about that! I'll easily get up to $50 this weekend.

Tracey,
There's absolutely nothing wrong with buying things you'll need. My gameplan has been to buy the crackers, water and cotton squares until I reach the limit, and then I'm going after household items - garbage bags, plastic cups, juice, chips, plastic spoons, paper towels, etc. I might get some tp myself!

Tanya,
Welcome to my craziness! :) This has been my busiest week I think ever, so please stick with me through the insanity. I promise to calm down next week. :)

Jamie,
Oh yes, I definitely will! I'm bringing some to my parents and I'm also going to donate some. Gotta love free food!

Anonymous said...

You have been using this coupon as much as Me. I LOVE IT!! But i am exhausted though. School started this week, crazy week at work and then a 3.00 Q. Ill sleep all weekend.

frugalsuz said...

debtfreemommy - oh good, I'm glad someone else out there is nuts like me! lol Four more days to use this beauty...

Lindsay said...

Wow!!! Multiple $3 coupons!! I love it!!! :)

Tanya said...

I added you to my blogroll :)

Jenny Rottinger said...

Honestly, I don't know how you do it! I usually go for one transaction, maybe two tops and that's tiring me out. Glad to see you scooped up so many freebies!

jkc12002 said...

I love your site! Can you please tell me where can I find the drop.io version of the CVS coupon. I can't seem to find it on I heart CVS.

frugalsuz said...

Tanya,
Very cool, thanks! :)

Jenny,
Trust me, this week has been very out of the norm.

jkc12002 - Thanks! :) When you go to iheartcvs.com, click on "CVS Coupon Links" at the top of the page. I'm pretty sure the $3 coupon is on page 2 and you'll see there are a couple different versions. You can print one that's cropped (just the coupon itself) or the full page ad it came from. There is also a Wikisend version or a drop.io version. I've had the best luck with the drop.io cropped version of the coupon, but I also printed a couple of the full-page ads to bring with me in case the cashier gives me some trouble or wants to see where the coupon came from. Hope this helps!