Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Your Mission

TOTAL PROFIT FOR JANUARY: $268.77
From: Hounding HQ
To: Agent frugalsuz
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to maximize profit on each of the following items using the mysterious and highly coveted $3 coupon. This mission will involve long hours, much traveling and encounters with the locals, aka "cashiers." From time to time, you may encounter the dreaded words "out of stock" or the much feared "coupon hater". But frugalsuz, you must persevere. The stakes are high and time is limited. Here are your mission objectives:
  • CVS Crackers (cheese or wheat) $1.97, $1 EB (Limit 10) - Mission accomplished on both cards
  • CVS Sparkling water $3.97, $2 EB (Limit 10) - Mission accomplished on both cards
  • CVS Cotton Squares or Rounds $3.94, $1 EB (Limit 5) - Mission accomplished on DBF's card - but I hit a snag...the limit is more than five!! (These increased limits are killin' me!)

When the objectives have been met, you are free to use the $3 coupon on a variety of CVS household items that you find valuable. Good luck and godspeed to you frugalsuz. This message will self destruct in 10...9...8...

Here's what I bought today:
  • Finally found these!! 4 Glade warmers $0.99 each, used $2 coupon (Pg. 6, probably could have used a second one and had them adjust it down, but this was in a coupon-allergic store and I didn't want to push my luck) and got back $8 EB ($2 for each, Limit possibly as high as 10) = $6.04 profit
  • CVS cotton squares or rounds $5.99 package but rings up as $3.49, used $3 CVS coupon and got back $1 EB (Limit 6?) = $0.51 profit
  • Used $2 EB, total was $0.62, overall profit was $6.38

Second store:

  • 2 Nutra Trim Gums $3.99 each, got back $3.99 each (Monthly deal, limit 3) = FREE
  • CVS sparkling water $3.97, used $3 CVS coupon and $1 CRT coupon and got back $2 EB (Limit 10) = $1.76 profit
  • CVS toilet paper $3.29
  • Used $3 off $15 coupon (it beeped, so I'm not sure I'll use this one again) and $8 EB, total was $0.24, overall profit was $1.74

And here's the rest of what I bought today, in a streamlined version 'cause I'm sure you've got it down by now :)

  • CVS sparkling water $3.97 and clearanced gift card tin $0.25, used $3 CVS coupon and $1 EB coupon and got back $2 EB (Limit 10) = $0.76 profit
  • CVS sparkling water $3.97, used $3 CVS coupon and got back $2 EB (Limit 10) = $0.96 profit
  • Rinse and repeat four times (just using $3 coupon) = $3.84 profit

Now on to cotton...

  • CVS cotton squares or rounds $3.49, used $3 CVS coupon and got back $1 EB (Limit 6?) = $0.48 profit
  • Rinse and repeat two times = $0.96 profit
Now that that's taken care of, I moved onto some non-EB producing items:
  • 2 Essence of Beauty loofahs $2.99 each, second one was 50% off, used $3 CVS coupon and $1 EB = $0.51
  • Essence of Beauty loofahs $2.99 and trial size CVS q-tips $0.50, used $3 CVS coupon = $0.52
  • CVS plastic cups $2.79 and trial size CVS q-tips $0.50, used $3 CVS coupon = $0.31
  • CVS 3 pack paper towels $3.49, used $3 CVS coupon = $0.49
  • 2 bags CVS chips $1.49 each and clearanced ribbon $0.29, used $3 CVS coupon = $0.27

At my favorite store tonight, a super nice cashier asked me if by any chance I had a website cause she'd noticed I shop there a lot. I said that I did and gave her the address. So a shout out to my favorite Chesta cashier! Holla!

7 comments:

Jamie @ I Am A Money Magnet said...

You're awesome! I'm in awe of your stamina! I have definitely not gotten to CVS as much as I wanted (partly due to knowing most everything is out of stock at my favorite CVS :( ) I did brave going to the "grumpy" CVS today b/c the coupon nazi usually works Wed. evenings at my favorite CVS. Luckily the ONE cashier I like was working, but I'm still afraid to do more than one transaction there at a time! LOl

Karen @ Desert Chica Ramblings said...

I am so jealous of your trips! It makes me feel like I am sadly lacking with regard to maximizing the use of the wonderful $3 CVS Q! Good job, I hope to snag a few more things before it expires... we will see if I am successful or not.

Queen said...

you are hysterical! you're kicking so much butt with that coupon! :D hopefully i can find the glade thingies soon too!

frugalsuz said...

Jamie,
Thanks! I always just say "I'd like to pay for this (second item) separately if that's allright" and I've never run into a problem. Well, I take that back. I didn't even attempt 2 transactions at my coupon-allergic store b/c I know they'd give me such a hard time. Whenever I leave that store, I always feel like the Ikea commercial - start the car, start the car!! lol

kc and Queen - thanks! This has definitely been a marathon shopping week for me.

Chicagolandia said...

Frugalsuz - You are an inspiration! I am determined to make this CVS $3 Q a success - at least, in my stockpile. I am in awe of your perseverance.

Anonymous said...

Ok So im hounding just as much as you are. Long hours, lots of CVS's, Lots of Qs and ECB while carrying lil DD along with me (poor thing) BUT when do you find time to blog about it. Ive just been posting pictures and hope to add the transaction information later. YAH TO HOUNDING..

frugalsuz said...

Chicago,
Thanks! :)

Debtfree,
Trust me, I've had some long days lately. I was pretty happy the $3 coupon expired today so I can get some rest!!