Saturday, January 31, 2009

Jan. Monthly Totals and Long Overdue Goals

January 2009 Monthly Totals:
Merchandise Total (before coupons): $2,564.46
Value of Coupons & Store Sales: $1,829.68
Tax: $26.87
Average % Saved: 73.73%
Rewards/Gift Cards/ECB's Used: $698.93
Rewards/Gift Cards/ECB's Earned: $575.55
Rebates: $208.33
Total Cost to me (after rewards earned and rebates): negative $22.23
Total Profit: $326.48
# of Items: 769
# of Free Items: 532

This month was a whirlwind of fun! This has definitely been my best month so far, and I really doubt I'll top this anytime soon. It started off strong with that lovely Garnier overage at Walgreens and then just kept getting better with the $3 CVS coupon. I kind of wish I'd kept track of how many times I used that CVS coupon, that would have been fun to see!

And now for some very overdue 2009 goals. This year, I want to shift my focus to savings. Last year, I was able to pay off my last credit card (hoorah!) which felt amazing. In May (five short payments away), my car will be fully paid off. At that point, my only debt will be my student loans. I probably shouldn't say "only" because my loans are very hefty (around $80,000 combined), but it will be nice to not have any consumer debt to pay. I plan to save my car payment each month ($265) into a savings account for another car when this one dies. My goal is to be able to save up enough to purchase my next car in cash, no financing at all. The only thing working against me is my long commute that puts about 90 miles on my car each day. But on the other hand, I have a Honda and they're known for running for a long time. I hope I can get another four years at least out of that car. At that point, I should have saved almost $10,000. We'll see how it works out.

In terms of savings, my immediate goal is a $1,000 short term savings fund. I had this accomplished already, but then the vet bill happened, so I need to replenish this. The next item on the agenda when that's done is to save enough for a six month emergency fund. I'd love to have $10,000 in there, but I know that's not going to happen this year. I also want to save at least $10,000 for a down payment for a house (again, not gonna happen this year but I'm going to get started). So how am I going to do this?
  • I'm going to cut down on deals where I have to spend cash. So this means I probably won't be buying much at RiteAid this year, unless its a moneymaker deal. If its just free after rebate, I probably won't be going after it, unless its something I really need or want. On many of these deals, I end up paying tax anyway, so its not really free afterall.
  • Any tax refund I get will be going right into savings.
  • Saving any leftover money from my grocery budget. I'm very happy that I'm at the point where I'm now able to do this. I budget $130 a month for groceries (it sometimes varies a bit) and whatever I don't spend is going right into savings. I was able to save about $30 this month. For anyone new to hounding - it really does take a while to get to this point so don't get discouraged.
Keep on Keepin' on Goals (things I was already doing but will continue in 2009)
  • All rebate checks will go into savings. I love to buy rebate items with CVS EB's or Walgreens gift card money - its like turning EB's into cash!
  • Save all of my change and put into savings. I cash this in at TD Bank (formerly Commerce) so there's no fee.
  • Use my Discover card for all non-cash purchases. I get back 5% on gas/auto purchases and 2% on everything else. Use reward money to get CVS gift cards - get a $40 CVS gift card and they give you an extra $5 on the card!
  • Sell stuff online when possible. I just bought four CD's from a music club for $12. I then burned/copied them on my computer so I have a copy and sold the originals online for $25!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Get your Gamer On!

TOTAL JANUARY PROFIT $315.14
Sorry about the pics, my camera battery needed recharging so I had to use my old camera.
ShopRite
  • 4 Perdue Chicken cutlets $2.14 each, used four $2 coupons (printables - not sure if they're available any longer) = $0.14 each

I did self checkout and I asked the cashier for the bag discount. She pressed a bunch of buttons and then left. The screen went back to the regular screen and I noticed the discount didn't go through. I called her back over and she proceeds to tell me that because my total is so low already, the system won't take my bag discount. **ALERT ALERT! Bullshit in the immediate area!** Umm, no I'm thinking, its because you put the code in wrong. She tried it again and it still didn't work (it even gave her an error message saying she was putting the code in incorrectly). I ended up going over to Customer Service for my nickel. The lady in CS laughed when I told her what happened.

CVS
Store #1 - they would only give me one gamer razor at this store. Stingy, stingy
  • Gillette Fusion Gamer Razor $7.99, used $4 coupon (12/28 P&G) and got back $4 EB (Limit at least 4) = FREE
  • Kotex bonus pack $3.27 (marked as a higher price but rings up cheaper), used $2 CVS coupon (emailed to me) and $1 coupon (1/11 SS) and got back $2 EB (Limit 10) = $1.73 profit
  • Used $3.99 EB, total was $0.41, overall profit $1.60

Store #2 - had a bunch of the razors on display (hoorah!)

  • 3 Gillette Fusion Gamer Razors $7.99 each, used three $4 coupons (12/28 P&G) and got back $12 EB ($4 for each, limit at least 4) = FREE
  • Nutra Trim Weight Management Chewing Gum (48 ct.) $3.99, $3.99 EB (Limit 3, Jan. monthly deal) = FREE
  • Used $1 EB, $2 EB and $12 EB, total was $1.87

Store #3 - should have just gone here first and just been done with my shopping today. They had a display of literally at least 40 razors!!!

  • Gillette Fusion Gamer Razor $7.99, used $4 coupon (12/28 P&G) and got back $4 EB (Limit at least 4) = FREE
  • Used $3.99 EB, total was $0.28

I also ended up returning the Sunsilks today at Walgreens. I called the catalina company earlier in the week, but after being on hold for 10 minutes, I decided to just return them.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Ahh, the Sweet Smell of Burning Baked Goods...

So tonight I decided I'd bake up some sugar cookies, Betty Crocker cookie mix-style. I mixed up the butter, egg and cookie mix, carefully shaped them into balls and plunked them on my cookie sheet. Sounds simple, huh? Oh don't worry, I'm sure I can mess it up! :)
7-9 minutes later, this is what emerged from my horribly unevenly heated oven (can't possibly be the chef's fault after all!).

Notice if you will, the massive middle cookie. If I'd left this in the oven one minute longer, they all would have combined! And they look more like pancakes than cookies. I feel like I should flip 'em and throw some maple syrup on top.
How about a closeup on the perfectly blackened edges? That's just what I like to see on a cookie.
The top of this one isn't even fully cooked! Sigh. Thank goodness DBF cooks for me!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

You Can't Handle the Cute! 2/1 - 2/7

Photo courtesy of...DBF's own loldog...Shadow! "How youz all doin?"
As always, my deals all come from the wonderful folks at HCW, Slick Deals and Erica at iheartcvs.com, iheartriteaid.com and iheartwags.com. Here we go...

CVS
  • Glade products four for $10 ($2.50 each), get $5 EB when you buy four (Limit 5) - there are BOGO coupons out there (I think from a home mailer?) for the scented oil refills. Buy four and pay $5 after using two BOGO coupons and get back $5 EB = FREE
  • Loreal Revitalift products - buy two and get back $10 EB (Limit 2). Includes cleanser (5 oz.) and towelettes (30 ct.) $5.99, use two $2 coupons (1/4 RP) = $2.02 profit (on two, $4 profit when you buy four)
  • Excedrin Vial (10 ct.) $2.49, get back $2.49 EB (Limit 1) = FREE *Keep an eye out for CRT coupons for Excedrin - $1 profit
  • Buy $50 Itunes gift card and get back $10 EB (Limit 1)
  • Electrasol $2.99, use $2.50 coupons (1/4 SS **Expires Sunday 2/1) = $0.49
  • Loreal Lipcolor BOGO sale (Limit 6), use two $3 coupons (1/4 RP) = FREE or overage - (try the lipglosses, those are usually pretty cheap) and submit for free movie ticket offer

CVS February Monthly Deals

  • NEW - Natural Dentist Healthy Gums or Flouride Rinse (16 oz.) $9.99, use $2 coupon and get back $4 EB (Limit 5). Buy two, use two $2 coupons and submit for a $10 rebate (when you buy two) = $2 profit
  • CVS Children's Chewable Aspirin (36 ct.) $1.99, get back $1.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Earinse $7.99, get back $7.99 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
  • Extreme Energy 6 hour shot $4.99, get back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Gillette shampoo or conditioner $4.99, use $2 coupon (1/18 P&G) and get back $3 EB (Limit 5) = FREE
  • Stayfree pads (14 - 24 ct.) or Carefree pantiliners (38 - 60 ct.) $3.99, use BOGO Stayfree coupon (1/4 RP) and get back $2 EB (Limit 5) = FREE wyb 2
  • Bodiheat Pain Relieving Heat Pads (3 ct.) $3.99, use $1 peelie coupon on package and get back $3 EB (Limit 5) = FREE
  • CVS Cotton Balls $1.99, Makeup Remover Pads $6.59 or Nail Polish remover $1.99, use $1 CVS skincare coupon from beauty book and get back $2 EB when you buy 2 (Limit 5) = FREE if you buy cotton balls

Hidden Monthly Deals - these items are in special packaging that list their price and EB's. They are good until 2/14/09. Full list on iheartcvs.com.

  • Soy Joy specially marked 6 pack boxes $6, get back $6 EB (Limit 10) and use $3 off 10 coupon (1/4 SS) = FREE or $3 profit when you buy 2 boxes
  • Kotex pads (16-20 ct.) with bonus pantiliners (16 ct.) $4.99 but ringing up $3.27 (make sure to price scan it first to be sure), use $1 coupon (1/11 SS) and get back $2 EB (Limit 10) = $0.27
Rite Aid - $5 off $25 coupon available here. Expires 3/13/09
  • KY products BOGO 50% off KY (2 oz) $3.99, use two $3 coupons (1/4 RP) = $0.01 profit
  • Bounty Paper Towels $1.29 each, BOGO sale, use $1 off 2 coupon (regional coupon, in Parade magazine I think?) = $0.29 for two
Walgreens
  • Triaminic or Theraflu $5, use two $2 Theraflu coupons and get back $6.60 ($6 + 10% bonus, Feb. ESR #12) = FREE
  • Clinical Right Guard or Dry Idea Antiperspirant/Deodorant $5.99, get back $5 RR and there is a $2 coupon inside Right Guard Aerosol Spray Clinical (use on next purchase)
  • Gillette Fusion Gamer, Venus Spa Breeze or Embrace Razor $8.99, get back $6 RR - maybe new coupons coming out soon to make this a freebie or moneymaker?

Walgreens February Easy Saver Rebates 2/1 - 2/28 - 10% bonus on each item when you get your rebate back on a gift card.

  • Zucol Cold Care Lozenges (18 pack) $7.99, use $2 coupon (or 2/1 SS) and get back $7.99 (ESR #1) = $2 profit
  • Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer or Spa Foundation $10, use $2 coupon (1/11 SS - expires 2/15) or $1 coupon (10/12 or 11/16 SS) and get back $10 (ESR #2) = $2 or $1 profit
  • Revlon Creme Lip Gloss $10, use $2 coupon (1/11 SS - expires 2/15) or $1 coupon (10/12 or 11/16 SS) and get back $10 (ESR #4) = $2 or $1 profit
  • Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Shampoo, Conditioner or Stylers (6.8 - 13oz.) $4.29, use $1 coupon (11/9 or 1/4 RP) and get back $4.29 (ESR #3) = $1 profit
  • Walgreens Multi-Purpose No Rub Solution (4 oz.) $1.99, get back $1.99 (ESR #5) = FREE
  • ThermaCare Trial Size Neck, Shoulder & Wrist heat Wrap $2.49, get back $2.49 (ESR #6) = FREE
General Printable Rebate Offers

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Stocking up the Freezer

TOTAL PROFIT FOR JANUARY $313.54
ShopRite - thanks Amiyrah for the tip on the mustard!
  • 2 French Deli Style Spicy Brown mustards $0.89 each, used two $0.75 coupons (1/18 SS) and got back $1 catalina (for buying two) = $1 profit
Rinse and repeat two more times $2 profit
  • 4 Perdue Flavor Bites $2.14 each, used four $1 peelie coupons on package (or 1/11 RP) = $4.56
  • 4 Perdue Breaded chicken tenderloins $2.14 each, used four $1 coupons (1/11 RP) = $4.56
  • 2 Friendship sour creams $0.99 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (1/25 SS) = $0.98
  • 4 bricks Great Lakes cheese $1.99 each
  • 2 Mission tortillas $1.49 each (there is a $1 coupon here but I couldn't get it to print, also in 1/4 SS - didn't get any of those in my inserts) = $2.98
  • 4 Wise chips $1.49 each, used four $0.50 coupons = $1.96
  • Used three $1 catalinas and got $0.20 bag discount, total was $19.80

Monday, January 26, 2009

Finishing the Pepsi Deal

TOTAL PROFIT FOR JANUARY: $310.54

UPDATE - the Smooth Away thing did a whole lotta nuthin'! What do you think? Can I return it opened to the store for a refund?

Just to be clear, the Stacy's chips I bought will NOT count towards the Pepsi coupon rebate going on now (wrong size). I have done this rebate with items I bought previously, so I just bought the Stacy's chips to try them, and boy are they yummy!

Rite Aid

  • Garnier Fructis Body & Volume Shampoo or Conditioner $2.99, used $1 coupon (10/4, 11/9 or 1/4 RP) and will get back $2.99 (SCR #71) = $1 profit

Rinse and repeat for DBF's rebate

CVS - DBF's name

  • 4 2-liter bottles of Pepsi $1.25 each (one missing from the pic b/c it was leaking! yuck)
  • 2 bags Stacy's chips $3 each, used two $1.50 coupons (1/25 SS) - got back $10 for spending $20 on Pepsi products between today's and yesterday's purchases
  • 2 Soy Joy boxes (6 bars each), used $3 off $10 coupon (1/4 SS) and got back $12 EB ($6 for each, hidden monthly deal, Limit 10) = $3 profit
  • Used $9 EB, $7.98 EB, total was $0.02

My card

  • 4 2-liter bottles of Pepsi $1.25 each 2 bags
  • Stacy's chips $3 each, used two $1.50 coupons (1/25 SS) - got back $10 for spending $20 on Pepsi products between today's and yesterday's purchases
  • Smooth Away - been wanting to try this! $9.99
  • CVS cough drops $1.19, used freebie coupon from scanner = FREE
  • Used $10 EB and $7.99 EB, total was ZERO! (love that)

Sunday, January 25, 2009

I Really Love Clearance Stuff

EDIT - Almost forgot! The Gillette shampoos are a P&G product so they'll count for the P&G coupon rebate. :)
REMINDER - the January rebate period has closed at Rite Aid. So, if your rebates have cleared, you can go ahead and request your check. :)

Walgreens
  • 2 Red Baron pizzas (yum!) $2.50 each
  • Carefree pantiliners (18-22 count) $0.99 with in-circular coupon, used $1 coupon (Glamour, Marie Clare, Parents or Shape mag. Feb. 09) = FREE
  • Total was $4.99, paid with gift card
Another store
  • 7 Garnier Nutrisse Hair Colors clearanced to $3.19 each (reg. $7.79), used seven $2 coupons (12/7 RP) and $2 WAG coupon in Easy Saver book (took off $14) = $5.67 profit
  • Carefree pantiliners (18-22 count) $0.99 with in-circular coupon, used $1 coupon (Glamour, Marie Clare, Parents or Shape mag. Feb. 09) = FREE
  • Gallon of milk $3.79
  • 3 Pringles $0.99 each
  • Total was $2.65, paid with gift card

CVS - FYI - Gilette Gamer razors will be available in the afternoon of 1/30 (so why put it in this week's circular CVS?)

  • 3 Pepsi 12-packs $3.33 each - $10 towards spend $20, get $10 EB deal this week
  • 3 Gilette Shampoos $4.99 each, used three $2 coupons (1/18 P&G) and got back $9 EB ($3 EB each, limit 5) = FREE
  • 3 newspapers $2 each
  • 2 Reeses eggs (looooong gone!) $0.75 each
  • Used $18 EB, $6 EB, 1 EB, total was $1.57

Rinse and repeat on DBF's card (minus Reese's), used $18 EB and $6 EB, total was $1.04

Friday, January 23, 2009

Adorable Scrapbooking Goodies

UPDATE - almost forgot to mention this, it does seem like the $1.99 was a regular, not sale price for the juice. :)
Target - had my sister buy one of the juices. The Target coupons say limit one per transaction but cashier let me use two at once. :)
  • 8 Suave lotions $0.97 each, used eight $1 coupons (1/11 RP) = $0.24 profit *found these over by the travel stuff, not with the other lotions
  • 3 Ocean Spray juices $1.99 each, used three $1 Target coupons (click on Grocery Coupons all the way at the bottom of the page, also available on HCW - click on "Target Coupons" on main page, must have a HCW account) and three $1 coupons (1/11 RP or here) = $0.03 profit
  • Market Pantry/knockoff Crystal Lite mix (this stuff is pretty good) $2.69
  • Total was $3.11

Michael's - went hog wild and spent a whole $20! Alert the media!

  • Yarn (not in pic) $5 - ma sista gonna make me a hat! :)
  • Two large holiday canisters 90% off $0.45 each
  • Medium holiday canister 90% off $0.35
  • 6 adorable stickers $0.19 each
  • "Memories" sticker $0.98
  • 2 alphabet stickers $3.99 each, used 40% off circular coupon, took off $1.60 for one of these
  • 2 holiday gift bags 90% off $0.39 each
  • Holiday basket 90% off $1.49 - love that its just red and not too holiday-ish. I can use this year-round!
  • Total was $19.13

Now, these are just so adorable that I had to give you a close up...(and yes, that's a wedding cake stuck in the midst of Halloween stuff. It was a random assortment I tell you!)


Look at those cute little boots!
I vant to suck your blood!
Look at that expression! He looks a little guilty, dontcha think?
I really love scrapbooking, its so much fun! Unfortunately, it can get very expensive...very fast, so I love when I can find these great clearance deals. I love to just buy things that I see are cute, with no set purpose for them in mind. Then, when I feel like scrapbooking, I look through all my goodies to see if I have something that works. Its like a treasure hunt.
Michael's had a beautiful display of jewelery-making goodies and it looks like a lot of fun! I'm a little overwhelmed and not sure where to start. Any recommendations?

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Walgreens Clearance


EDIT - update on the stylers...Sarah was kind enough to let me know that supposedly only the yellow stylers aren't working for the RR's (figures huh?) but the other stylers should still produce RR's even though the circular only says shampoo and conditioner. Hmm, maybe I'll try calling the catalina company and see what they say. Can't hurt right? I can always return them if they say no. The number is available on iheartwags.com (right side bar).

Also be on the lookout for clearanced Garnier Nutrisse haircolor for $3.19 (thanks kc!). There is a $2 coupon for this in the Walgreens Easy Saver book and a $2 coupon in the 12/7 RP. Overage alert! :)

Walgreens
Be on the lookout for clearanced Sunsilk, Dove and BioInfusion shampoo/conditioner/stylers. Its being reported that the clearanced Sunsilk and Dove are working for the Unilever deal this week, so it can easily become a moneymaker if you also use coupons. Sunsilk $2 off 2 coupons and Dove $1.50 coupons were in the 1/18 RP. There is also a $2 coupon for BioInfusion in the WAG Easy Saver book, so you might get some for free. I found these on a clearance endcap, not in the aisle where the shampoo is.
  • 4 clearanced Sunsilk mousses $1.19 each, used two $2 off 2 coupons = $1.09 total, paid with gift card
*Thought I'd receive a RR but it didn't print. After looking at the circular, only Sunsilk shampoo and conditioners work for the deal, not stylers. So, I'm going to return these.
  • e.scen.cia shampoo $7.99, will submit for Try Me Free on bottle = FREE
  • Stamps $8.40
  • Used $10 RR, total was $6.95
*RR's usually say that they exclude stamps, but I've found if you buy another item with the stamps, the RR will "attach" itself to that other item and it won't beep.

Dare You Not to Smile 1/25 - 1/31 - UPDATE on WAG Deal

Photo courtesy of loldogs. As always, my deals all come from the wonderful folks at HCW, Slick Deals and Erica at iheartcvs.com, iheartriteaid.com and iheartwags.com. Here we go...

CVS - Pepsi deal is separate from last week so you can do it again

  • Sunday and Monday only: Revlon BOGO sale, use two $2 coupons (1/11 SS) = FREE or cheap
  • Pepsi Products - spend $20, get $10 EB (Limit 1) - includes Pepsi 12 packs $3.33 or 3 for $10, Pepsi 2 liter bottles, Sobe, Propel or Gatorade $1.25 or 4 for $5, Lay's $2 or Stacy's/Tostitos $3 ($1.50 coupon for Stacy's coming out in Sunday's paper). These also qualify for Pepsi/Frito rebate.
  • **FYI - razors not available until afternoon of 1/30: Gillette Fusion Gamer, Venus Breeze Spa or Embrace Sister Razor $7.99, use $4 coupon (12/28 P&G) and get back $4 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Head & Shoulders, Gillette, Pantene Restoratives or Expressions shampoo, conditioner, mask or balm $4.99, buy Gilette and use $2 coupon (1/18 P&G) and get back $3 EB (Limit 5) = FREE
  • Huggies - spend $20, get back $5 EB (Limit 1) - includes wipes or body wash $3 ($0.50 coupon for wipes and $1 coupon for bath/body 1/11 SS) and diapers or pullups $10 ($1.50 coupon 1/11 SS). *Diapers also qualify for a rebate from Caregivers Marketplace

CVS January Monthly Deals

  • Children's Throat Cooler Ice Pops (6 ct.) $4.99, buy two, use BOGO coupon (or 12/7 SS) and get back $4.99 EB for each (Limit 5) = $4.99 profit (on two) *Check inside packages for $0.50 or $1 coupons
  • NasoGel Drip Free Gel Spray (1.52 oz) $7.99, use $2 coupon, get back $7.99 EB (Limit 2) and submit for manufacturer's rebate = $10 profit (for two)
  • Nutra Trim Weight Management Chewing Gum (48 ct.) $3.99, $3.99 EB (Limit 3) = FREE

Hidden Monthly Deals - these items are in special packaging that list their price and EB's. They are good until 2/14/09. Full list on iheartcvs.com.

  • Soy Joy specially marked 6 pack boxes $6 and get back $6 EB (Limit 10) = FREE
  • Kotex pads (16-20 ct.) with bonus pantiliners (16 ct.) $4.99 but ringing up $3.27 (make sure to price scan it first to be sure), use $1 coupon (1/11 SS) and get back $2 EB (Limit 10 - thanks annathy!) = $0.27

Rite Aid - $5 off $25 coupon available here. Expires 3/13/09

  • Garnier Fructis Body & Volume Shampoo or Conditioner (13 oz.) $2.99, use $1 coupon (10/4, 11/9 or 1/4 RP) and get back $2.99 (SCR #71) = $1 profit
  • Veet Bladeless Razor Kit $3.99, use $2 coupon (if your store takes printables) and get back $3 (SCR #61) = $1.01 profit
  • Huggies Goodnites $9.99, use $2 coupon (1/11 SS) and get back $5 (SCR #) = $2.99 (good price?)

Walgreens

*Keep an eye out for Try Me Free's on bottles of e-scen-cia shampoo and conditioner. These are around $8 each and are a great way to spend high value RR's you may have.

UPDATE - Buyer Beware - this one may be tricky: I just checked this deal again on HCW and it may not work. Some folks are saying the Unilever promo from this week runs through 1/31, but I haven't seen anywhere that its 100% confirmed. UPDATE - A Full Cup/AFC is reporting this promo is good through 1/31 (thanks Sarah!). Also, the Walgreens coupon you need to get these at the $1.99 price has a limit of three. The coupon will work if you buy all 8, but your cashier may not allow it. Degree Deodorant $1.99 with in-circular coupon, use $0.75 coupon or $1 off 2 or $1.50 off 2 coupons (1/18 RP), buy 8 and get back $10 RR. So your math is $1.99 x 8 = $15.92 - eight $0.75 coupons or four $1.50 off 2 coupons = $9.92 and get back $10 RR = $0.08 profit

  • Reese's Whipps two for $0.89 with in-circular coupon, use $1 off 2 coupon (give first, 1/4 SS) = $0.11 profit
  • Reynolds Foil $0.89 with in-circular coupon, use $1 coupon (12/14 SS) = $0.11 profit
  • Inkjet black or color cartridge refills $5, $3 tearpad coupon found near photo center and get back $5 ESR (#15) = FREE or $3 profit
  • Carefree Pantyliners $0.99 with in-circular coupon, use $1 coupon (give first, peelie on package, Glamour Feb. 09, Parents Feb. 09, Shape Feb. 09) = FREE
  • Red Baron Pizza $2.50 each, use $1 coupon (if you got any, I didn't unfortunately, 1/11 SS) = $1.50 each

Walgreens January Monthly Deals 12/28 - 1/31

  • Orajel Cold Sore Brush or 8 pack patches $8.49, use $1 coupon (10/26 SS), submit for Try Me Free rebate up to $8 (10/26 SS) and get back $8.49 (ESR #1) = $9 profit
  • Auto Expressions Vent Fresh Elite Auto Air Freshener $4.99, submit for $4.99 manufacturer's rebate and get back $4.99 ESR (#2) = $4.99 profit
  • Revlon Matte Collection Blush or Eyeliner $9.99, Revlon Matte Collection Lipstick $7.99 OR Revlon Matte Collection Eye Shadow $4.99, use $2 coupon (1/11 SS) and get back full price ($4.99, $7.99 or $9.99 depending on which you bought) ESR (#3) = $2 profit
  • Valid 1/4 - 1/31: Pepsi products - spend $15, get $5 RR or spend $20, get $10 RR. Includes 12 pack or 2 liter of Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, 32 oz. of Gatorade, G2 or Tiger9, 13.5 oz. Tostitos, 11.75 - 13 oz. Doritos and 16 oz. Tostitos Queso. These also qualify for Pepsi/Frito rebate.

If you get your rebate back on a gift card instead of a check, you get a 10% bonus on each item.

General Printable Rebate Offers

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Grub

Pathmark - triple coupons!
  • 4 bags Wacky Mac $1.39 each, used four $0.50 coupons or here (tripled to $1.39 each) = FREE
  • 4 boxes Rice a Roni $0.99 each, used four $0.50 coupons (printable, no longer available, tripled to $0.99 each) = FREE
  • 4 Kotex pantiliners $1.59 each, used four $0.75 coupons (1/11 SS, tripled to $1.59 each) = FREE
  • 4 bags Wise chips $1.99 each, used four $0.50 coupons = $0.49 each = $1.96 for all four
  • After DBF's mom's employee discount ($1.19), total was $0.77

Btw, did you know that A&P bought Pathmark? A&P doesn't take printable coupons and I bet their days at Pathmark are numbered. :(

A&P

  • 7 Quaker Oats $2 each, used seven $0.60 coupons (1/4 RP), got $3 off order instantly b/c I bought 7 and got $0.10 bag discount = $2.58

I totally forgot that A&P has a limit of four coupons per order, but the cashier took all seven...and they ALL doubled! That was a nice surprise. These are for my sister and she's going pay me back so I'm not including them in my grocery budget.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

My Mousse

Oh dear, I have finally found a video that will show you exactly what my darling cat, Mousse does when he visits his favorite place in the whole world...the vet. Do you remember this lovely day? Well, this is just about what he sounded like! Its a miracle the vet hasn't banished him. :)

Randomness

First random thought of the day - man, I really need to change my main picture huh? I love that shot of the fall leaves (taken in Massachusetts last year), but I don't have any nice winter panoramic shots to replace it with. Guess I'll just have to take some huh?

Second random thought of the day - Lindsay at Frugal and Fabulous posted a link to a blog that I now LOVE! Its called Autumn at Oak Hollow. Go check it out, you won't be sorry!

Third random thought, and this is probably way to much information, but I really, really hate it when people talk on their cell phones in the bathroom! Come on now, can't a girl have some privacy! I'm noticing this happen more often lately at work - I work at a college with a lot of traditional age students. Is it so hard to say, "hey, let me call you back in a minute?" And I would think the logistics of being on the phone and doin' your bidness would be tricky and would have great potential for ruining a perfectly good phone! :)
Ok, enough of that, on to hounding...

CVS - I went to a far-out-of-the-way CVS today. I still feel a little suspicious going into my "regular" CVS's after using that $3 coupon to death last week. :)
  • 2 bottles St. Ives lotion $2.99 each, used $3 off 2 lotion CRT and two $2 coupons = $1.02 profit - thanks to Erica for this great idea!
  • 15 Hallmark cards $0.99 each (there is a special section of $0.99 cards, no need to hunt through them all) and got back $15 EB ($3 EB for every three you buy, Limit 5) = $0.15 profit
  • Used $9.98 EB, $1 EB, $1 EB, $1 EB, total was $1.19

*The limit on the Hallmark cards is one in some areas, check your circular to be sure.

Aww, shucks!



Debtfreemommy and Lisa both nominated me for the Lemonade Award - thanks ladies! :) The Lemonade Award is given by a previous winner to 10 people who have shown a great attitude or gratitude this week.

Man, 10 people? That's a tall order ladies. I'm going to shoot for three because...well...10 is a lot. :) Don't get me wrong, I LOVE reading all the blogs on my blogroll. I check through them all every day to see what's new. I appreciate all the effort and time it takes to post and I think they all do a fabulous job, because otherwise I wouldn't have them on my blogroll!
  • Jamie at I Am A Money Magnet - I love how organized she is! And Jamie, oh Jamie, where is that newly organized stockpile you've been promising? I can't wait to see it!
  • Lindsay at Frugal and Fabulous - Lindsay's posts are so incredibly helpful. Her blog has given me tons of ideas for great finds and I really love her new how-to posts for beginners.
  • Precious at Frugal makes Cents - I am always in awe of how Precious and her husband have saved for their early retirement and put so much thought and focus into how they spend every penny. She's a true hound!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Gigi goes Gaga


In case you didn't know, Gigi is quite the music lover. Her new fav song is Poker Face by Lady GaGa. I stepped away from my computer for a minute the other day, and this is what I come back to.

Me - Gigi? Can I get back to work now? I have to finish up that post I was working on. This is like the tenth time you've watched that video. Its getting a little old.
Gigi - (no response)
Gigi?
Me - Ok, honey, well...I guess I'll just finish that post up later.
Gigi - whatever momma. Youz go away now, k? Me groovin...

All Edibles

Walgreens
  • 4 bottles Skippy Peanut Butter $1.99 each, used two $0.75 off 2 coupons (11/16 or 1/18 RP)
  • 4 jars Ragu sauce $1.99 each, used four $0.25 coupons (11/16 or 1/18 RP)
  • Got back $10 RR for buying 8 Unilever items = $3.42 for all eight items = $0.42 each
  • 4 bags WAG shredded cheese $2 each - probably should have waited for another two for $3 sale, but what can I say? Some people splurge on jewelry, fancy cars, electronics...I splurge on cheese. :)
  • Used $10 RR (from Pepsi deal last week), total was $11.42 - paid with gift card

Rinse and repeat without using $10 RR, total was $21.42 - paid with gift card

ShopRite

  • 4 Pretzel Fills $1.84 each, used four $0.75 coupons = $0.34 each - had fourth box for dinner - could not fit all of these into the freezer!
  • 2 packages Thomas English Muffins $1.77 each
  • Entenmann's Donuts $1.77 - and no, these are not open. They could not possibly be open. I would never open a package of donuts pre-picture. Never, never, never. :)
  • Used $5 catalina, total was $1.62

How Do I...

... do rebates? I thought it might be helpful to do some "how-to" posts about a lot of the behind-the-scenes things I do related to couponing, rebating, shopping etc. So today's post is all about the lovely world of rebates. And by the way, the pic above has absolutely nothing to do with rebates, but its just so darn'd funny!

I love, love, love rebates! Well, if you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you've probably realized I love anything that's gonna make me some money. Rebates are a great way to do this. If you're not familiar with rebates, in a nutshell, you buy a certain product and then submit some key information to the company to get all or a percentage of your money back. Its a beautiful thing. You can find rebate forms in the newspapers, online or sometimes from tearpads found in stores.

Most rebates are limit one per household. You may have noticed I'll often do a rebate more than once. I can do this because I submit one at my address, one at my boyfriend's address and sometimes if I'm feeling spunky, one at my parent's address. Many times there will be coupons available for rebate items as well, so they become a moneymaker (ie. product is $10, use $2 coupon but get back $10 rebate check = $2 profit). And sometimes (when the stars align and the heavens smile down upon us), stores will have a rebate deal as well. Ooh!

So for example, let's look at the Orajel deal going on at Walgreens during January. Let's say you walked into Walgreens and bought Orajel for $8.50 (may actually be a little more). You could use the $1 coupon that came out in the 10/26 SS coupon insert and you'd pay $7.50 for the Orajel. Then you'd happily go home and submit your receipt information online at Walgreens' website for the Walgreens rebate of $8.50. Voila - $1 profit! But wait, we're not done yet. You'd then clip out the Orajel manufacturer's rebate from the 10/26 SS and mail off your receipt and UPC code to Orajel to get your rebate from them as well! So you'd get back $8.50 from Orajel and $8.50 from Walgreens. This is my favorite kinda rebate - a double dipper!

(EDITED to add - Walgreens no longer does rebates this way. Boo! But Rite Aid still does, so double dip to your heart's content there)

My rebate process:
  1. Shop - my favorite part, obviously!
  2. Enter receipt info at Walgreens or Rite Aid if applicable and wait for rebates to clear with them. If this is the only rebate I'm doing for this item (ie. rebate at WAG only, no manufacturer's rebate), I file the receipts into envelopes that I label "Walgreens Rebates", "DBF's Walgreens Rebates", etc. I hold onto these receipts until I get the rebate money back. If I'm also doing a manufacturer's rebate, then...
  3. Collect UPC and receipt for item, as well as rebate form if there is one (I usually keep all this together after shopping so nothing gets lost).
  4. Fill out forms and make a scanned copy of everything. I used to make a copy and have my printer print it out, but that used up tons of ink. I save them in a special folder on my computer and name them something clear, ie. "Scrubbing Bubbles - my address" or "Orajel - DBF's address"
  5. Enter the rebates into my Savings spreadsheet. I keep track of the date I mailed the rebate, the product, store I bought it at, amount of rebate, price of product, profit, how long I have to wait (ie. 6-8 weeks) and which address its coming to.
  6. Mail rebate out. Check mailbox five times a day awaiting the return of my money (I am an impatient woman)
  7. Once the rebate checks come in, I check off the rebates on my spreadsheet so I can keep track of which ones are still outstanding. I also delete the scanned copy of the rebate info.

That's all folks. I'd love to hear what you do!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Momentous Weekend

TOTAL PROFIT FOR JANUARY $303.13
This was a beautiful weekend, the kind every woman dreams of since she was a little girl. My darling boyfriend and I have been together for a wonderful year and a half. We love each other deeply and make each other so happy. On Sunday, my darling boyfriend took a giant step in our future as a couple...he picked up both of my skitty-kitties! (haha - did I have you goin'??) ;) My cats are super shy and skittish (hence - skitty-kitties) and we've slowly been making progress with them getting more comfortable around him. Both kitties were super cuddly this weekend and let themselves be picked up! Progress!
CVS - my card
  • 3 12 packs Pepsi $3 each
  • 3 bags Lays chips $3 each - this plus the cases of Pepsi will qualify me for $15 in Pepsi and Frito coupons
  • 2 bottles Pepsi $1.25 each, got back $10 EB for spending $20 on Pepsi and Frito products (Limit 1)
  • 2 Reeses Whipps bars $0.50 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (1/4 SS) = FREE
  • 6 newspapers $2 each, $12
  • 2 Rogaines $19.99 each, used two $15 coupons (FYI - these beeped and required manager approval) and got back $5 EB (Limit 5) = FREE
  • 2 packages CVS allergy meds (CVS version of Claritin, 5 count) $3.79 each, got back $3.79 EB for each (Limit 2) = FREE
  • Used $10 off $50 coupon (from scanners), $18 EB, $7.49 EB, $7.29 EB and $6.99 EB, total was $0.48

Rinse and repeat on DBF's card minus the papers and plus another Reese bar as a filler, used same coupons and $13.98 EB, $7.99 EB, $2.59 EB, $2 EB and $2 EB, total was $0.94

Rite Aid
  • 10 containers Huggies Wipes (64 - 80 ct.) $2.50 each, used ten $1 coupons (1/11 SS), $5 off $25 coupon, $10 Gift of Savings certificate I received for previous purchases, will receive $2 (WYB 2, SCR #30) and $10 Kimberly Clark gift card (WYB $25 worth of Kimberly Clark products, SCR #48) = $12 profit

I'm considering the $10 Gift of Savings certificate as a coupon here (instead of cash) since I earned it by buying free after SCR items. It was a bonus on top of that rebate money.

ShopRite - great tip from Dhunny about the Stayfree! Thanks :)
  • 4 packs Stayfree $2.49 each, used two BOGO coupons (1/4 RP), $0.05 bag discount and got back $5 catalina = $0.07 profit
  • Second store - 4 packs Stayfree $2.49 each, used two BOGO coupons (1/4 RP, cashier took off $2.69 for each), $0.05 bag discount and got back $5 catalina = $0.47 profit

Back to store #1 later on in the day:

  • 4 packs Stayfree $2.49 each, used two BOGO coupons (1/4 RP, cashier took off $2.99 for each), $0.05 bag discount and got back $5 catalina = $1.02 profit
  • Hillshire Farms turkey $3.99 - Try Me Free form on package = FREE (DBF bought 2 other packages while I was buying this stuff, will submit for rebate at my address, his address and at my parent's address)
  • Milk $2.29
  • Thomas English muffins $1.77
  • Grapes $3.05
  • 2 bags Dole salads $2 each
  • 6 pack SR eggs $1.49
  • Used two $5 catalinas from previous transactions, total was $9.44 but got back $5 catalina for Stayfree, so really $4.44

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Controversy

So you may have heard by now there's a bit of drama surrounding the $3 CVS coupon. Some folks are saying CVS never meant to have the coupon published online, they only wanted it put out in print. My take on the situation is that if this was really true, CVS could have put a stop to the use of this coupon, either by removing the coupon from the newspaper's website (its still available) or by distributing some kind of memo to its stores. But they've done neither of these things. I personally don't feel using the coupon is wrong because it is still available in its original source, but I'm not going to post about using this coupon any longer. It was certainly fun while it lasted, wasn't it? :)

A&P
  • 6 bags McCain fries $3.99 and $4.19 each, BOGO sale, so I paid $12.55 after the bag discount, I also got back a $5 catalina for spending $20 on McCain products = $1.25 a bag

CVS

  • Super cute Valentines basket $3.99
  • 3 Soy Joys $6 each, used $3 off 10 coupon (1/4 SS) and got back $18 EB ($6 for each, monthly deal Limit 10) = $3 profit
  • 2 Throat coolers used BOGO coupon (or 12/7 SS) and got back $9.98 EB ($4.99 EB for each, monthly deal, limit 5) = $4.99 profit
  • 6 Storage bins $1.99 each, BOGO 50% off sale
  • Used EB's to pay and also used a $4 off $20 coupon
These storage bins are gonna be great for storing smaller items. Love 'em!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Too Tired for a Snappy Little Title

Here's the lowdown folks...two more days of insanity...sooooo tired...
  • CVS toilet paper 4 pack $3.29, used $3 Q = $0.29
  • CVS freezer bags $2.79 and clearanced gift tags $0.49, used $3 Q = $0.30
  • CVS plastic cups $2.79 and clearanced gift tags $0.49, used $3 Q = $0.30
  • CVS 6 pack water $2.99, two $0.50 bags of cough drops, used $3 Q and $1 EB (adjusted to $0.99) = 0
  • CVS garbage bags $4.79, used $3 Q and $1 EB = $0.85 (rinse and repeat)
  • CVS paper towels $3.49, used $3 Q = $0.49 (rinse and repeat)
  • 2 CVS sponges $2.49 each, small box of ziploc bags $1, used $3 Q and $2 EB = $1.05
  • 2 Absolute Divine cookies $2.50 each and trial size box q-tips, used two $1 CRT coupons and $3 Q = $0.50 *may not have needed the q-tips here but I was oh so tired and didn't want problems
  • CVS small legal pads $3.49, used $3 Q = $0.52
  • CVS plastic cups $2.79 and trial size box q-tips, used $3 Q = $0.31
  • 2 Essence of Beauty "hardcore" loofahs (cashier's description, lol) $2.99 each, second was 50% off, used $3 Q and $1 EB = $0.51
  • CVS 6 pack water $2.99, Reeses candy $0.79 and sponges $2.49, used $1 CRT coupon for water, $3 Q and $2 EB = $0.27
  • CVS garbage bags $4.79 and super cute gift bag (those are actual pom poms on the snowman's hat!) clearanced to $0.39, used $3 Q and $1 EB = $0.19

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!

Looking Forward to a Light Week 1/18 - 1/24

Photo courtesy of lolcats. As always, my deals all come from the wonderful folks at HCW, Slick Deals and Erica at iheartcvs.com, iheartriteaid.com and iheartwags.com. Here we go...

CVS - be sure to check iheartcvs for $3 off $15, $4 off $20 and $5 off $30 coupons (warning - they may beep)
  • **This is a better deal than next week's (12 packs will be $3.33 instead of $3) so I'd buy now: Pepsi - spend $20, get $10 EB (Limit 1): includes Aquafina 12 packs $3, Gatorade (32 oz.), Propel or Sobe four for $5 or $1.25 each, Lays chips (10.5 - 11 oz.) $3, Pepsi (2 liter bottles) four for $5 or $1.25 each, Pepsi 12 packs $3, Stacy's chips $3, Starbucks Frappuchinno three for $5 of $1.66 each or Tostitos $3. These items also qualify for the $15 in coupons Pepsi/Frito deal.
  • Rogaine $19.99, use $15 coupon and get back $5 EB (Limit 5) = FREE
  • CVS brand 24 Hour Allergy Relief (5 count, CVS version of Claritin) $3.79, get back $3.79 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
  • Excedrin (20 - 24 count) $1.99, use $2 coupon (or 10/19 SS) = FREE
  • Duracell $2.99, buy two and use $5 off 2 CVS coupon (tearpad found in stores a while back) and two $0.75 coupons (12/14 or 12/28 P&G) = $0.52 profit on two
  • Hershey's products - spend $15, get $5 CVS gift card. Reese's Whipps are $0.50 each, use $1 off 2 coupons (1/4 SS) for free candy. If you have enough coupons, you could buy 30 bars and use 15 coupons. Then you'd get 30 bars for free (oy!) and qualify for the $5 gift card. Or, you could just buy a couple and get them for free. :)
  • Roc skincare - prices start at $4.99, use $3 coupon (this is a link to the HCW thread about the coupon, it goes directly to printing so have your printer on before you click the link, it lets you print more than 2) = pretty cheap (could be good filler item)

CVS January Monthly Deals

  • Children's Throat Cooler Ice Pops (6 ct.) $4.99, buy two, use BOGO coupon (or 12/7 SS) and get back $4.99 EB for each (Limit 5) = $4.99 profit (on two) *Check inside packages for $0.50 or $1 coupons
  • NasoGel Drip Free Gel Spray (1.52 oz) $7.99, use $2 coupon, get back $7.99 EB (Limit 2) and submit for manufacturer's rebate = $10 profit (for two)
  • Nutra Trim Weight Management Chewing Gum (48 ct.) $3.99, $3.99 EB (Limit 3) = FREE
  • Listerine Smart Rinse or Agent Blue (8.5 - 16.9 oz) $3.99, use $1 coupon and get $3 EB (Limit 5) = FREE

Hidden Monthly Deals - these items are in special packaging that list their price and EB's and are good until 2/14/09. There is a full list on iheartcvs.com.

  • Soy Joy specially marked 6 pack boxes $6 and get back $6 EB (Limit 6 - reported being Limit 10!) = FREE
  • Kotex pads (16-20 ct.) with bonus pantiliners (16 ct.) $4.99 but ringing up $3.27 (make sure to price scan it first to be sure), use $1 coupon (1/11 SS - thanks pubbler!) and get back $2 EB (Limit at least 6) = $0.27

Rite Aid - $5 off $25 coupon available here. Expires 3/13/09

  • Huggies Baby Wipes Tubs (64 - 80 ct.), Baby Wash and Lotion (15 oz.) or Washcloths (20 ct.) $2.50 each. Buy 10 wipes = $25, use $5 off $25 coupon and ten $1 coupons (1/11 SS) = $10. Then you'll get back $2 (WYB 2, SCR #30) and $10 Kimberly Clark gift card (WYB $25 worth of Kimberly Clark products, SCR #48) = $2 profit
  • Dove Go Fresh Body Mist (3 oz.) or Ultimate Clear Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant (2.6 - 3 oz.) $3, use $1 coupon (1/18) and get back $2 (SCR #81, Limit 2) = FREE
  • GE Light Bulbs Soft White Longer Life (2 pack) $2, $2 (SCR #110) = FREE
  • Revlon Eye Makeup BOGO Sale, use two $2 coupons (1/11 SS) and get 3 free music downloads w/$10 revlon purchase (SCR # ) *typically "free" item won't count for SCR = FREE or cheap depending on prices
  • Mentos Gum $1, use $1 coupon (12/14 SS) = FREE

Walgreens

DEAD DEAL - purchases had to be made on or before 1/18: great deal from Savings Garden! Buy $20 in participating products, get a $10 Register Reward. Aleve 75 ct caplets $5, 60 ct geltabs $7, use $1 coupon (1/4 RP), Bayer Aspirin twin packs, $2.99, use $1 coupon (1/4 SS), One a Day Multivitamins, $12 (Use $1 printable or $1 from 1/4 SS), Alka Seltzer Plus, $5 (Use $1 from 1/4 SS). All items qualify for 50% back mail-in-rebate (1/4 SS). So, spend $20, get $10 RR, receive 50% back by mir on total after coupons (does not include RR) = Free/overage depending on what you buy. Deal Scenario: Buy (4) $5 items = $20 Use (4) $1 coupons = $16 Get 50% back mir = $8 Earn $10 RR = $2 overage

Unilever Deal - buy 4 items, get $2 RR, buy 6, get $6RR, buy 8+, get a $10 RR (mix and match if you want to - store probably won't have 8 Skippy's or Ragu's at one time). Includes Dove Haircare $3.50, Dove Deodorant $3.50, Degree Deodorant $3.50, Lipton Tea $2.99, Skippy PB $1.99, Ragu $1.99, Hellman's $3.99, Bertolli $5.99 and Dove Body Wash, Caress Body Wash, Lever Bar Soap ($1 coupon), Q Tips, Pond's or Dove Lotion - all 25% off

  • Skippy Peanut Butter $1.99, buy eight and get a $10 RR (WYB 8) and use coupons from 11/16 RP ($0.35 or $0.40 off one OR $1 off two depending on your region) = $3.12 with $0.35, $2.72 with $0.40 or $1.92 with $1 off 2
  • Ragu Pasta Sauce $1.99, buy eight and get a $10 RR (WYB 8), use coupons from 11/16 RP ($0.25, $0.75, $0.50 off 2, $1 off 2 or $1 off 3) = $3.92 with $0.25, -$0.08 with $0.75, $1.92 with $1 off 2 or $3.92 with $1 off 3
  • Dawn Dish Soap $0.99, use $0.50 or $1 off 2 coupon (12/28 P&G) = $0.49 each

Walgreens January Monthly Deals 12/28 - 1/31

  • Orajel Cold Sore Brush or 8 pack patches $8.49, use $1 coupon (10/26 SS), submit for Try Me Free rebate up to $8 (10/26 SS - valid for Orajel Overnight Cold Sore Patch, Orajel Cold Sore Brush, Orajel Plaque Revealing Rinse or Orajel Plaque Revealing Pre-Brush Gel) and get back $8.49 (ESR #1) = $9 profit
  • Auto Expressions Vent Fresh Elite Auto Air Freshener $4.99, submit for $4.99 manufacturer's rebate and get back $4.99 ESR (#2) = $4.99 profit
  • Revlon Matte Collection Blush or Eyeliner $9.99, Revlon Matte Collection Lipstick $7.99 OR Revlon Matte Collection Eye Shadow $4.99, use $2 coupon (1/11 SS) and get back full price ($4.99, $7.99 or $9.99 depending on which you bought) ESR (#3) = $2 profit
  • Valid 1/4 - 1/31: Pepsi products - spend $15, get $5 RR or spend $20, get $10 RR. Includes 12 pack or 2 liter of Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, 32 oz. of Gatorade, G2 or Tiger9, 13.5 oz. Tostitos, 11.75 - 13 oz. Doritos and 16 oz. Tostitos Queso. These also qualify for Pepsi/Frito rebate.

If you get your rebate back on a gift card instead of a check, you get a 10% bonus on each item.

General Printable Rebate Offers

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

Monday, January 12, 2009

Oh $3 Coupon, How I Love Thee

$3 CVS Coupon Countdown...only 5 more days to use this gem, unless you have 24 hour stores in your area. In that case, what are you doing reading my blog? Hound, dear friends...hound! :)
TOTAL PROFIT FOR JANUARY: $228.14

CVS #1 - the new manager here used to be a manager at my favorite store. He's just plain lazy. When the cashier showed him the 50% stickers on the Revlon, he scanned them again (as if that's gonna make a difference), messed around with another scanner and then proceeded to closely examine the 50% sticker itself as if he could gain some deep, meaningful understanding from its perky pink color and lovely round shape. Then he asked me to walk him over to where they were in the store. Doesn't he know where the makeup is in his own store? Couldn't he have done that after I left? Maybe he thought I carry a secret arsenal of pink 50% off stickers in my pocket to adhere to cosmetic items before I buy them. Sigh. I walked him over (him doing the "cool guy" shuffle slowly behind me) and showed him the oodles and oodles of makeup clearance in his own store. He then told the cashier to price adjust the items for me (couldn't he have done that in the first place?).

The last time he rang me up, he was chattin' up some younger cashier and the cashier actually said to him (after I'd been waiting at least a minute), "maybe you should go ring her up." There was a stool by the register and a bunch of papers on the counter (he was probably doing some kind of inventory work) and he actually sat on it to ring me up. I had to push the items closer to the scanner so he wouldn't have to go through the arduous task of reaching for them. One time (at the last store), I had a problem with an order and the cashier paged this guy from the back. He slowly walked to the front with a Hot Pocket and had the nerve to have the cashier ring him up BEFORE he helped me! He's not a nasty or mean guy, but man, I wish he'd gone to a store far, far away. :) Ok, rant over...on to the important stuff...what I got!
  • 2 Revlon nail polish double packs $5.99 each, 50% off so $3 each, used two $2 coupons (9/14 or 1/11 SS) = $2 for both - I was hoping these would still count for the BOGO sale, but no dice. A line was forming behind me at this point, so bought them and returned them at store #2.
  • CVS cotton squares $3.49, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $1 EB (hidden monthly deal, limit 5) = $0.51 profit
  • Soy Joy $6, got back $6 EB (hidden monthly deal, limit reportedly 10) = FREE
  • After doing the Revlon return, my total came to $4.41 profit

CVS #2: CVS 6 pack sparkling water $3.97, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB = $1.03 profit

Transaction 2: 2 packages CVS plastic cups $2.79 each, used $3 CVS brand coupon and $2 EB, total was $0.62

CVS #3: 2 boxes CVS brand cheese crackers (as far as I know, only the cheese ones produce EB's), $1.97 each, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB (hidden deal, limit at least 8) = $1.06 profit

CVS #4: 2 boxes CVS brand cheese crackers $1.97 each, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB (hidden deal, limit at least 8) = $1.06 profit

CVS #3 again

  • CVS apple juice $2.59
  • CVS brand cheese crackers, got back $1 EB (hidden deal, limit at least 8)
  • Used $3 CVS brand coupon, total was $1.56

CVS #5

  • 2 boxes CVS brand cheese crackers $1.97 each, used $3 CVS brand coupon and $1 off 2 CVS coupon and got back $2 EB (hidden deal, limit at least 8) = $2.06 profit
  • 3 boxes Soy Joy bars $6 each, used $3 off $10 coupon (1/4 SS) and got back $18 EB ($6 for each, hidden monthly deal, limit 10) = $3 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
  • Used $5.99 EB, $7.49 EB, total was $0.45, overall profit was $6.07

Transaction 2 - CVS 6 pack sparkling water $3.97, used $3 CVS brand coupon and got back $2 EB = $1.03 profit

Walgreens - stopped here to look for the Auto Expressions air fresheners - guess what I found?

  • 5 Garnier conditioners - clearanced to $2.19 each, used five $1 coupons (1/4 RP) and $2 WAG Easy Saver coupon (from monthly booklet, scanned 5x automatically) = $4.05 profit
  • Tostitos $3.79
  • WAG dried fruit $1
  • Total was $1.51

WAG #2 - new store opened in my area and they had $3 off $10 coupons in the circular

  • Dark and Lovely hair color $5, got back $5 RR = FREE
  • Revlon Matte Collection blush $9.99 (realized last night one I'd bought previously wasn't Matte Collection and didn't qualify for the rebate, will return that one), used $2 coupon (9/14 or 1/11 SS) and will get back $10.98 ($9.99 + 10% bonus, ESR #1) = $2.99 profit
  • Used $3 off $10 coupon, total was $10.83, overall profit was $5.15

Transaction 2:

  • 5 cases Diet Pepsi $15
  • 2 bags Tostitos $3.50 each, got back $10 RR for spending $20 on Pepsi/Frito products (monthly deal, can also spend $15 and get back $5 RR - weekly deal)
  • Used $5 RR from Dark and Lovely and $3 off $10 coupon and will submit for $15 in coupons Pepsi/Frito rebate, total was $14.84