Happy 2012!

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you all had a happy and safe holiday.  I spent Friday night with my parents and sisters and the rest of the weekend with da boyfriend and the beasts.  We had a nice low-key holiday.  Today we took Shadow on a long walk through the area and I feel so blessed to have been able to move to such a beautiful part of the country.  We're in farmland country and I love all the open space.


Since I was at my parents on Friday and there is an Acme nearby, I decided to make use of some gift cards I still had from a previous promo.  I had to complete several NBPR rebates, so using the gift card money was perfect.  My sisters in tow, I bought:

• 10 Yoplait Yogurts $6, got back catalina for $2.75 off a four pack (which was priced at $2.75) = 14 yogurts for $3 or $0.21 each *There might be coupons out there for these, I planned this trip on the fly
• $10.68 of Gouda cheese - for a $6 Stella Artois NBPR rebate on $10.01 of cheese/crackers
• $7.98 of Cracker Barrel cheddar ($3.99 each) - to finish out another  $6 Stella Artois NBPR rebate on $10.01 of cheese/crackers
• $23.95 of Ham - for a $20 Smirnoff NBPR rebate on $20.01 of ham/turkey/deli platters
• $9.98 of Ham - to finish out a $20 Smirnoff NBPR rebate on $20.01 of ham/turkey/deli platters

At Stop & Shop, I also picked up - 

• Wise Chips $2 and Tostitos $3.99 - will use these to finish a $6 Budweiser NBPR rebate (30558) on $10.01 of various items
• 2 Andes Mints $1.67 each - will use towards a buy two, get one free rebate (up to $1.75) 
• Taco Seasoning $1.15

My sisters and I went to Target to see what we could find and I finally got my hands on a queen size flannel sheet set!  These are clearanced to $14.99, but with any other clearance deal, actually finding them can be tricky.  We washed and used the set I got the other day and they are so comfortable! 

Staples - da boyfriend was with me and got two boxes on his Staples Rewards card too

• 2 Staples Legal/Letter File Boxes $13.99 each, should get back $27.98 in Staples Rewards = FREE
• Total with tax was $30.25

I say "should" because the circular says to buy Legal/letter storage tote.  We looked high and low in the store and these file boxes were the only things we could find that seemed to match that description.  These are the same kind that were free after rewards last year, so I'm pretty confident we got the right ones. 


CVS

• 6 Pantene Sham/Conds clearanced from $1.57 - $1.69, used three $3 off 2 coupons (1/1 P&G) = $0.07 - $0.19 each
• 4 Skinny Cow Candies $4.99 each, BOGO sale and used two BOGO coupons (valid up to $3.48) = $1.51 for two 
• 3 papers $2 each
• Used $6 EB, total was $5.72, got back $1 EB for using green bag tag and $1 EB for quarterly spending

Picked up another six bottles at another store.  Here are the varieties I found on clearance: Beautiful Lengths Breakage Defense $1.57, Beautiful Lengths Shine Enhance $1.57, Brunette Expressions $1.69 and Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality (big bottle 25.4 fl oz) $1.74.  Have you found anything else? 


Rite Aid

• THIS IS REPORTED AS NO LONGER WORKING - $100 Visa Vanilla Variable Load Gift Card plus $4.95 activation fee, got back $20 UP (Resolution Rewards, WYB $100 of certain items, Limit unclear) = $15.05 profit
• 3 papers $1.60 each ($2 reg price, 20% discount) 
• Used two $1 UPs, total was $107.75

Bought a second Visa card on da boyfriend's Wellness card too.

Here's a closeup of the Visa cards. Its been reported that if you buy the "One Vanilla" card, you won't get your UP's.

Busy Weekend

'Da boyfriend and I were on the go this whole weekend. I had some free movie ticket promos that were expiring on 8/31 so on Saturday, we saw The Expendables (loved it!) and on Sunday, we saw Despicable Me (double loved it!). We had planned on seeing Salt, but it wasn't playing at the theater that the promo codes were valid at. No biggie, Despicable Me was surprisingly funny! I loved those little squishy guys and how they squeaked.

We also stopped by The Gap to use a $50 gift card I purchased for only $25 via Groupon last week. The store didn't have the size jeans I wanted, so after speaking with a manager, I was able to order the jeans online and the store will let me return them and rebuy them in the store, paying with my gift card. You can't use the gift card to purchase other gift cards or to buy anything online, so I was very happy that they worked this special deal for me. It used to be that if they didn't have the item in the store, they'd order it for you but they did away with that.

Next stop was JCPenney. I had a $10 off $25 coupon that I got in the mail and two more that I'd printed (expired 8/28). We used two of them to buy four towels ($11.99 each, BOGO for $1) and two bath mats ($14.99 each). My bath mats bit the dust almost a year ago and I didn't feel like forking over cash to replace them, so I've had folded beach towels in my bathroom since then. Its nice to have actual bath mats again! We used some gift cards to pay the balance on each transaction. I used the third coupon on a cute fall sweater and a pair of earrings, again using a gift card to pay.


On to my regularly scheduled shopping...

Rite Aid - my card

• Bufferin (130 ct) $6.99, used $3 coupon (7/11 SS) and will get back $6 (SCR #2) = $2.01 profit
• Nivea Lip Care $2.69 (reg. $2.99, got 10% wellness discount), used $1 coupon (Sept. All You magazine), got back $1 UP Reward and will get back $1.99 (SCR #141) = $1.30 profit
• 2 Colgate Total Toothpastes (4.2 oz) $1.50 each, used two $1 coupons (found in Diabetes & You magazine at Walgreens) and got back $1 UP Reward = FREE
• Art Skills Poster Lights (20 ct) $3.59, will get back $3.59 (SCR #85) = FREE
• Dynapep Energy Micro-Shot $3.99, will get back $3.99 (SCR #14) = FREE *Will use this towards a Heineken $5 NBPR rebate on energy drinks
• Art Skills Poster & Craft Paints four for $5, will get back $4 (SCR #81) = $1 or $0.25 each
• Used $5 off $25 coupon, $1 UP Reward, $1 UP Reward, $3 UP Reward and $3 UP Reward, total was $6.72, overall profit $6.85 (not counting the Heineken rebate)

The second store we went to was out of the poster lights and Bufferin, so I mixed the scenario above with some items I was planning on buying later in the week. I won't be able to use the Dynapep towards another Heineken rebate since I'll use this receipt towards a different rebate.

• Nivea Lip Care $2.69 (reg. $2.99, got 10% wellness discount), got back $1 UP Reward and will get back $1.99 (SCR #141) = $0.30 profit
• 2 Colgate Total Toothpastes (4.2 oz) $1.50 each, used two $1 coupons (found in Diabetes & You magazine at Walgreens) and got back $1 UP Reward = FREE
• Dynapep Energy Micro-Shot $3.99, will get back $3.99 (SCR #14) = FREE
• Art Skills Poster & Craft Paints four for $5, will get back $4 (SCR #81) = $1 or $0.25 each
• Poland Spring 24 pack bottled water $3.99, got back $1 UP Reward = $2.99
• 2 Doritos $2 each, used $1 off 2 (tearpad coupon found at supermarket) and got back $1 UP Reward = $2 or $1 each *Will use these plus the Poland Spring towards a Budweiser $8 NBPR rebate on $10 of many things, including bottled water and salty snacks
• Velveeta Shells & Cheese $3.14 (reg $3.49, 10% wellness discount) - this was a filler I grabbed to get my total up to $25
• Used $5 off $25 coupon, $1 UP Reward and $3 UP Reward, total was $14.02

Walgreens

• Walgreens Perfection Tampons (8 ct) $1.99, got back $2 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Eggs $1.29
• Stamps $8.80
• Used $5 RR, total was $7.08

A&P - 4 V8 Splash Juices $2 each, used four $0.75 coupons (8/1 SS) = $0.50 each

Acme - 5 Ken's Dressings $1 each, used five $1 coupons (8/15 SS) = FREE

I Hate Messy Pics

The cheese is grating on my nerves. I'm sure my fellow bloggers will concur, there really is no way to get bags of cheese to line up pretty. Sigh. Plus I was hot and rushing to get everything into the fridge. When I came home today, there was a truck parked right in front of my garage (with a completely empty parking lot not twenty feet away). I opened the garage door and honked. One of the apartment's maintenance guys stumbled out the front door, looked at me and shrugged. He then got in the truck and pulled it five feet up, so it was blocking my neighbor's garage door. Nice. It seems like folks are forever blocking my garage and it drives me bonkers. If I'm home and someone blocks me in, I immediately start to feel claustrophobic.

On a happier note, I had a wonderful visit with my friend today and met her four month old son for the first time. Oh, is he adorable! The little fingers and toes, I just can't get over them. As we noshed, he watched us with beautiful big eyes and then slowly drifted off for a cat nap. I had a great time catching up with her. It was a beautiful day out too, so I didn't mind running around to get my shopping done.Acme - did the Glide deal three times. Be sure to get the basic Glide flosses pictured in the circular, any other varieties won't give you the cat (learned that the hard way). The circular pictures a basic white box, with some blue or green writing on it. Both the blue and green ones that look like the one in the circular worked just fine for me.

• 7 Crest Glide Flosses $2.50 each (shelf price $4.89), used seven $0.75 coupons (6/6 P&G or 6/27 RP - expire 7/31) and got back catalina for $10 off any gift card = $2.14 profit
• Viva paper towels $1.75, used $0.85 coupon (6/20 SS, expires 8/1) = $0.05

Used my catalinas to get two $15 McDonalds gift cards and one $10 Acme gift card. Only one store had the Acme gift cards otherwise I would have just bought those each time.

ShopRite - did a couple of the same transactions as yesterday: 3 Sun Crystals, one reusable bag and one subject notebook and paid $0.20. In addition to that, I bought:

• 3 Sun Crystals (50 count) $1.99, used three $2 coupons (7/25 RP) and got back $5 catalina (WYB 3) and catalina for FREE reusable bag = $5 profit
• 5 Kraft shredded cheeses $1.79 each, used five $1 peelie coupons and got back $5 catalina (WYB 5) = $1.05 profit
• Kraft 100 calorie cheeses $2.99, used FREE coupon (Kraft home mailer) = FREE
• Domino Brown Sugar $1.39
• Used $5 cat, total was $0.26

Another store

• 3 Sun Crystals (50 count) $1.99, used three $2 coupons (7/25 RP) and got back $5 catalina (WYB 3) and catalina for FREE reusable bag = $5 profit
• 5 Kraft shredded cheeses $1.79 each, used two $1 peelie coupons and got back $5 catalina (WYB 5) = $1.95
• 2 SR tortillas $1.99 each
• Used two $5 cats, total was $0.85

Another store

• 3 Sun Crystals (50 count) $1.99, used three $2 coupons (7/25 RP) and got back $5 catalina (WYB 3) and catalina for FREE reusable bag = $5 profit
• One subject notebook $0.65
• M&M's $1.33
• Scanned a cat for a free reusable bag without thinking and it went through. This was at self checkout and the cashier was super nasty, so I didn't really question why my total was negative. I picked up the M&M's and only realized after I'd left what I'd done. Isn't it strange that it would have scanned? Total was $1.05

Finally

• 3 Sun Crystals (50 count) $1.99, used three $2 coupons (7/25 RP) and got back $5 catalina (WYB 3) and catalina for FREE reusable bag = $5 profit
• Reusable bag $0.99, used FREE coupon = FREE
• SR Butter $1.63
• Used $5 cat, total was $0.71

I now have $50 in SR catalinas left to spend on whateva' I want. :)

Light Day

Final trip to Acme. I've now bought enough Secret deodorants to do this $10 rebate in triplicate - one at my address, one at DBF's aka "da boyfriend" (thanks for that Mary! haha) and one at my parents' address. All in all, I spent about $16 on the deodorant, so about a $14 profit. I'm also using a Pantene Styler and conditioner that I bought at Rite Aid for free to round out the rebates.

Acme

• 3 Secret Deodorants $3.29 each, used three $0.75 coupons (7/4 P&G) and got back $5 cat (good until 7/31, WYB 3) = $0.37
• Whiska Lickins Cat Treats $1.29
• Used $5 catalina, total was $2.44

Rite Aid

• Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste (4 oz) $3, used $1 coupon (7/11 SS) and got back $3 UP Reward = $1 profit

*This item seems to have unlimited UP Rewards printing right now, meaning you can buy multiple toothpastes on the same card and get multiple rewards. You do have to purchase them in separate transactions though. Buying more than one at once will only get you one $3 reward. RA seems to be cracking down on this and imposing hidden limits on deals, so its hit or miss until everyone figures out what the limits are for the week.

• Reach Toothbrush $3.99, used $1 coupon, got back $1 UP Reward and will get back $2.99 (SCR #80) = $1 profit
• Small bottle of glue $0.29 - will donate this to Staples
• Used $5 UP Reward, total was $0.79

*The $1 Reach coupon is beeping across the board. Its coded incorrectly and will require the cashier to manually enter in as a $1 coupon. Just an FYI in case you have cranky cashiers. I tried it at a less than friendly store and the manager begrudgingly entered it in manually. I didn't say much, just let him figure out what he wanted to do. If he didn't want to enter it, I was prepared to say ok, since the brush is free without the coupon.

The toothpaste and the toothbrush should count towards SCR #556 - $10 RA gift card when you spend $25 or $5 gift card when you spend $15 on "oral care products" (valid 7/25 - 9/25). There are a ton of freebies coming up in the next couple weeks, so finishing out this rebate shouldn't be hard. If you read the description of what's included in the rebate, it doesn't mention any specific brands, just says "floss, toothpastes, toothbrushes" etc. If I have the time and inclination, I may pick up some more Colgate toothpaste this week towards the rebate. If not, I'm sure there will be enough free after SCR items to finish it out. What an easy rebate!

That's What You Call a Promotional Item?

CVS - DBF's card

• U by Kotex $4.99, used $1 coupon and $1 CRT and got back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = $2 profit
• English Muffins $1.99 - didn't see this price in the circular but the store had a big display of them
• M&M's $0.50
• Used $5 EB, total was $0.51

New card

• U by Kotex $4.99, used $1 coupon and $1 CRT and got back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = $2 profit
• CVS Pantiliners (22 count) $0.50, got back $1 EB (monthly deal, WYB 2, Limit 3) = FREE *Bought one separately on a previous trip
• Used $0.99 EB and $1 EB, total was $1.50 - tried to pay using an e-gift card I bought online ages ago. The cashier, shift supervisor AND manager could not figure out how to use it, even with the instructions printed right on the page. I asked if they were following those steps (after about 5 minutes of them fumbling around) and they said they were. When the manager started asking me if I'd used the gift card with any other CVS cards, I realized they didn't know what they were talking about, gave up and paid for my total in cash. Things do, stuff to buy people! :p

Acme - back for more Secret. I haven't posted all my trips, but I've bought a bunch of Secret towards this $10 rebate.

• 3 Secret Deodorants $3.29 each, used three $0.75 coupons (7/4 P&G) and got back $5 cat (good until 7/31, WYB 3)
• Cat treats $1.29
• Paid with $5 cat

Walgreens

• Craisins $3
• 2 Walgreens storage bags $0.99 each
• Knee Highs - clearanced to $0.20
• Used $5 RR, total was $0.32

For the first time, I filled a prescription with Walgreens. I've been increasingly frustrated with my local CVS' pharmacy, especially when they made me wait over an hour for an Rx that had been called in by my doctor 45 minutes before I even got there. I was actually sick that day, so I didn't want to come back later for it. They were helping customers who came in after me as I sat there and fumed. I asked about my prescription several times and they assured me it was "almost ready." By the time I left, I was livid. Anyway, I learned my lesson and won't be going back there any time soon.

Last Friday, I dropped off a new Rx at Walgreens. There was some confusion about one item, since the doctor had told me there was a generic version as well as the brand name of the item. He gave me a $30 rebate off the brand name, so before the Rx was filled, I wanted to see which was cheaper. While discussing this, the pharmacists realize that the doctor didn't put any specific dosage for the item, so they had to call the office to clarify. That was taking forever, so the Pharmacist said she'd call me when it was all straightened out.

A couple hours later, she left me a message saying there was no generic version of the item and gave me a total for my prescriptions. I won't even tell you how much they cost because you all would totally lose your faith in my money-saving abilities and never read another word I type.

Everything was ready today so I swung by to pick them up. The Pharmacist gives me my total - a full $150 over what I was quoted the other day. Egads! Turns out she'd only given me the total for two out of the three items. My insurance reimburses me 60% of the cost of prescriptions, so I'll get a good chunk of the money back, but still! That's a lot of money! Its been several hours and I'm still reeling from the sticker shock. As I was swiping my credit card (and crying inside), the Pharmacist went off to a back room and came back out with these two boxes. He put them in a bag and said, here are your promotional items. "Sweet!" I'm thinking, maybe I get some free samples or related items to make me feel better for spending so much.

Then I opened the boxes. And found, not one, but TWO Walgreens mugs. I don't want no stinkin' mugs! Give me another rebate or a box of samples or coupons. MUGS?!? Are you trying to add insult to injury Walgreens?

MUGS!!!!

Just kidding Walgreens, you know I love ya!

Finishing up my Shopping for the Week

CVS - my card. If you have EB's that are expiring soon, you may want to use them up this week. The deals are not looking so hot next week and the week after.

• 2 Bausch & Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solutions (2 oz) $2.99 each, used two $2 coupon and got back $5.98 EB (Limit 2, monthly deal) = $4 profit
• Celsius Green Tea (4 pk.) $7.99, used $2 coupon and got back $7.99 EB (Limit 1) = $2 profit
• 2 CVS Pantiliners (22 count) $0.50 each, got back $1 EB (WYB 2, Limit 3 - but only buy two at a time, buying more may mean you don't get the right amount of EB's, monthly deal) = FREE
• M&M's $0.50 - please ask me why I only bought one bag. Ready for the answer? BRAIN FART! Bought a second one later in the day, got back $1 EB which made them FREE
• Gillette ProGlide Razor $9.97, used $4 coupon (6/6 P&G) and got back $5 EB (Limit 1) = $0.97
• Wheat Thins $0.99
• Used $4.95 EB and $10 EB, total was $2.63

DBF's card

• 2 Bausch & Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solutions (2 oz) $2.99 each, used $4 coupon (found at Walmart) and got back $5.98 EB (Limit 2, monthly deal) = $4 profit
• Celsius Green Tea (4 pk.) $7.99, used $2 coupon and got back $7.99 EB (Limit 1) = $2 profit
• 2 M&M's Pretzel Candies (1.14 oz) $0.50 each, used BOGO coupon (6/27 RP) and got back $1 EB (Limit 1) = $0.50 profit
• Gillette ProGlide Razor $9.97, used $4 coupon (6/6 P&G) and got back $5 EB (Limit 1) = $0.97
• Used $0.99 EB and $7.99 EB, total was $6.58

Walgreens - did this deal twice

• 2 Dr. Scholls Hidden Arch Support insoles $7.49 each, used two $2 coupons along with the $5 WAG coupon (monthly coupon book) and got back $5 RR = $5.02 profit
• Total was $0.98 - paid with gift card

Then at another store, I found them at $6.99 each. Even though I was out of $2 coupons, it was still a great deal at this price

• 2 Dr. Scholls Hidden Arch Support insoles $6.99 each, used $5 WAG coupon (monthly coupon book) and got back $5 RR = $1.02 profit
• Hamburger Rolls $0.99
• Knee Highs clearanced to $0.20
• Used $5 RR, total was $0.17

Also picked up some more Secret deodorant at Acme. They are $3.29 each, I bought three at a time and used three $0.75 coupons (7/4 P&G) and got back $5 cat (good until 7/31, WYB 3) = $0.90 after tax. I also used a $5 cat to pay, without needing a filler. I'm going to use these towards the $10 Olay/Pantene/Secret rebate.

Rite Aid - DBF's account

• Colonaide All Natural Internal Cleansing Kit $22.99, will get back $22.99 (SCR #17) = FREE
• Pantene clearanced to $2.49 - will use towards $10 Olay/Pantene/Secret rebate
• Used $5 off $25 coupon and $7 UP Reward, total was $13.48

ShopRite - my fridge and pantry were really empty. Sometimes, I do so much shopping at the drugstores that I don't have the energy to hit the supermarket too! Its also nice to eat up a lot of what I have to make room for new goodies. I have some $20 off $20.01 of groceries Smirnoff NBPR rebates to submit, so I'll use these purchases towards those.

• 5 Philadelphia Cream Cheeses $1.77 each, used four $1 coupons (see instructions below) and got back $5 cat (for purchasing 5 qualifying items - details here) = $1.92 profit *This promo is good until 8/15 and includes lots of items. I'm sure other deals will come out with it as well. Since its a national program offered by Kraft, it will likely pop up at tons of different supermarkets.
• 20 Breyers Yo-Crunch yogurts 20 for $10, used four $0.50 off four coupons (5/23 SS) = $6 or $0.30 each
• Bread Flour $2.99
• Yeast $7.99
• Strawberry Jelly $3.59 - crazy expensive but I've been craving jelly lately
• 3 Crystal Lites $3.99 each, used three $2 coupons (home mailer) = $1.99 each
• Used $10 catalina, total was $20.89

Separately, I bought blueberries, carrots, lettuce and grapes for a total of $7.21. I'll use these towards a $5 Heineken NBPR rebate for $15 of produce.

*How to navigate the complicated Philly site for the coupon: click Sign In, then create an account. They'll email you, click on the link to activate your account and create your display name. Once logged in, click on Home and the coupon is on the right-hand side of the page about half-way down.

Well, that's a new excuse not to take my coupons

Stopped by Office Depot to do the following deal: Post-It labels $0.99, use $1 coupon = FREE *Use towards this $10 rebate (WYB $20). The cashier wasn't sure if she could accept the coupons since they were $1, so she paged a manager over. The manager scrutinized the coupons and I was totally expecting her to bust out with the whole "these say one per purchase so you can only use one" line, but instead, she got a star for creativity! The coupons say "This coupon is good at retail outlets only on product indicated." She told me...(wait for it...) that I'd have to redeem them at an outlet mall. Then she proceeded to tell me where there is one in the area. Does she expect me to get Post-Its at The Gap? Perhaps at Harry and David or Eddie Bauer. I tell ya, just when you think you've heard it all...

Rite Aid - back for more!

• 2 Twinlab Energy Fuel single cans (8.4 oz) $1.99 each, BOGO 50% off sale so $1.99 and $0.99, got back $5 UP Reward (WYB 2) = $2.02 profit *Will use these towards a $5 Budweiser NBPR rebate on any size energy drinks = $7.02 profit
• CryoSTAT Hemorrhoid Relief $8.99, used $2 coupon and will get back $8.99 (SCR #14) = $2 profit
• Colonaide All Natural Internal Cleansing Kit $22.99, will get back $22.99 (SCR #17) = FREE
• Used $5 off $25 coupon and $2 UP Reward and $7 UP Reward, total was $18.96

Manager told me I wasn't able to use more than one UP Reward at a time. The cashier had already put them through at that point, so it didn't matter. Why can't RA all get on the same page? Oh that's right, because the rules keep changing! This store is so frustrating sometimes. I love the deals, but hate the headaches some of the cashiers give me.

Acme

• 3 Secret Deodorants $2.19 each (regular price), used three $0.50 coupons (7/4 P&G) and got back $5 cat (good until 7/31, WYB 3) = $1.43 profit *Will use these towards the $10 Olay/Pantene/Venus/Secret/Cover Girl rebate (WYB $30 worth)

We all scream for ice cream

ShopRite - I have had such a craving for ice cream the past month or so, but no freezer room. I finally cleared out enough to indulge myself.

• 2 Turkey Hill Ice Creams $1.99 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (4/11, 5/2 or 6/13 RP) = $2.98

Will use these towards a $20 Smirnoff NBPR rebate (WYB $20.01 worth of groceries)

Also, the Visa gift card deal that is running at Stop & Shop is also running at ShopRite. So:

• $100 Visa Gift card + $5.95 activation fee = $105.95
• Paid with $100 on previously purchased Visa gift card and $5.95 OOP
• Got back $10 catalina (WYB $100 worth) = $4.05 profit

You can buy other gift cards that total to $100 (ie. four $25 ones) but you'll pay more in activation fees. At S&S, I used the $10 catalina towards the purchase of another gift card. The catalina is exactly the same at SR, so I may try this again. If the store doesn't allow it, I'll just use the $10 cats towards other items.

Acme - since there are only a couple Acme's in my area, I wanted to use up my catalinas so I won't have to worry about them expiring on me.

• 3 Tampax Pearl Tampons $3.79 each, used three $2 coupons (6/6 or 7/4 P&G) = $5.37, got back $5 catalina for buying three qualifying items = $0.37
• 5 Skintimate Shaving Creams $1.50 each, used five $0.75 coupons (6/27 SS) = FREE *$1.50 price is valid until 7/28
• Used $5 catalina (from previous Tampax deal), total was $0.63

Then I used the $5 cat I earned to buy:

• Sunchips and Baked Cheetos $2.99 each - will use these towards a $8 Newcastle NBPR rebate (WYB $15 worth of snacks)
• 5 Skintimate Shaving Creams $1.50 each, used five $0.75 coupons (6/27 SS) = FREE
• Used $5 cat, total was $1.24

A Week's Worth of Shopping Done in one Weekend

CVS - newer card

• Neutrogena Clinical $34.99, used $5 coupon (or May issue of All You magazine) and will submit for TMF rebate = $5 profit
• Sun/Mon/Tues ONLY: Paper Mate 1.2 Pens (10 count) $0.99, got back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Complete Multipurpose Solution (12 oz) $7.99, used $2 coupon (5/16 RP) and got back $7.99 EB (Limit 1) = $2 profit
• Used $4 off $20 coupon, $0.50 EB, $1 EB, $5 EB and $10 EB, total was $19.18, paid with gift card

My old card

• Sun/Mon/Tues ONLY: Paper Mate 1.2 Pens (10 count) $0.99, got back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Complete Multipurpose Solution (12 oz) $7.99, got back $7.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Used $0.50 EB and $4 EB, total was $5.07, paid with gift card and got back $1 EB for using reusable bags

DBF's card

• Neutrogena Clinical $34.99, used $5 coupon (or May issue of All You magazine) and will submit for TMF rebate = $5 profit
• Sun/Mon/Tues ONLY: Paper Mate 1.2 Pens (10 count) $0.99, got back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Complete Multipurpose Solution (12 oz) $7.99, got back $7.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Used $1 EB, $7 EB, $8 EB, $10 EB and $10 EB, total was $5.49, paid with gift card

Rite Aid - hit three different RA's before I found one that stocked the Neutrogena, and that store only had one box. I would have just bought it at CVS, but I had some three $10 UP Rewards that I wanted to use up.

• Crest Extra White Plus Scope Outlast Toothpaste (4 oz) $2.69, used $0.75 coupon (6/27 RP) and will get back $2.69 (SCR #128) = $0.75 profit
• Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste $2.99, used $0.75 coupon (6/27 RP) and will get back $2 (SCR #133) = $0.24
• Tampax (20 ct, excludes Tampax Pearl) $2.99, used $1 coupon (6/6 or 7/4 P&G) and will get back $1 (SCR #44) = $0.99
• Neutrogena Clinical $39.99, used $5 coupon (or May issue of All You magazine), got back $2 UP Reward and will submit for TMF rebate = $7 profit
• Used $5 off $25 coupon, two $2 UP Rewards and three $10 UP Rewards, total was $4.73. Paid using remaining $4.05 on Visa gift card I got at Stop & Shop and remaining $0.68 in cash

The $2 UP Rewards beeped when the cashier scanned them. He said they'd been having problems with them all day. He ended up entering them in cash. I've read online that people are having all sorts of problems redeeming these. I wish they'd get all the bugs out of the system already!

Walgreens

• Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor $9.89, used $4 coupon (6/6 P&G) and got back $5 RR = $0.89
• 4 Geisha Mushrooms $0.50 each with in-circular coupon
• 3 Legal Pads (50 sheets, 5 x 8 or 8.5 x 11 inch) $0.29 with in-circular coupon
• 6 Mead Envelopes (40 - 100 pack) $0.69 with in-circular coupon
• Used three $3 RR's, total was $4.94

Bought a second razor separately. Found a bunch of these coupons on Saturday and since my boyfriend really likes the razors, I'll pick up some more here and there. The RR deal on the Gillette Razors is good until 8/8.

Acme - did this transaction four times. There are other ways to make more profit on the deal, but since I really only wanted the Tampax and there are only a couple Acme's in my area, I decided to minimize my trips.

• 7 Tampax Pearl Tampons $3.79 each (shelf price $4.99), used seven $2 coupons (6/6 or 7/4 P&G) = $12.53
• Got back $5 catalina for buying three qualifying P&G items and $15 catalina for iTunes gift card for buying $30 of qualifying items
• 4 Edge Shaving Creams $1.50, used $0.75 coupons (6/27 SS) = FREE *$1.50 price is valid until 7/28
• Total was $12.74

On my subsequent trips, I used a $5 cat to pay, bringing my OOP down to $7.74

After my fourth transaction, I bought four iTunes gift cards and was able to use four the coupons all at once. I got this all done in two stores, not too shabby! If you don't have this many coupons, you could just buy three Tampax, spend $5.37 plus tax and get back the $5 cat.

Here is the UPC list for buy three, get $5 promo and the UPC list for the iTunes deal.

Chicken Rebate

Acme - had two $10 catalinas expiring and just received a NBPR rebate for chicken from a houndfriend that expires 6/30. What a perfect combo

• Perdue Chicken Cutlets $4.99 and Weaver Chicken Patties $6.99 - will submit for $6 Bud Light NBPR rebate (WYB $10.01 of fresh/frozen chicken, offer #28360) = $5.98
• 4 Vitamin Waters $1 each, used four $0.50 coupons (tearpad found at CVS) = FREE
• Used $10 catalina, total was $1.98

Repeated this same transaction for a second rebate. This is the first time I'm submitting for a NBPR rebate when my OOP is less than the required purchase amount. In the past, I would have made sure to pay at least $10 total, but I'm betting this will still go through even though I used the $10 cats. Fingers crossed!

Two Stores Done for the Week

Stop & Shop - I love the long life on these string cheeses. The rebate is limit 5 per household, so I've been slowly buying them here and there.

• 3 Sorrento String Cheeses $2.99 each (shelf price $3.79), used $3 off 2 coupon (5/2 SS) and will submit for $5 rebate (peelie found on package, WYB 2, Limit 5 rebates) = $0.97 Got catalina for a free 1/2 gallon of S&S milk for buying $10 of qualifying items (based on shelf prices)
• 6 Vitamin Waters $1 each, used six $0.50 tearpad coupons (found these at CVS) = FREE
• Total was $6.18

Repeated this same transaction with a half gallon of milk (used freebie cat, no beeps at self check-out) and minus the Vitamin Waters. Total was $5.97 and got back another cat for more free milk.

Rite Aid - these are for DBF's rebates

• 2 Everlast Supplements (only at GNC locations) $19.99 each, BOGO sale, used two $10 coupons = FREE/$0.02 profit
• Huggies Diapers (got the jeans - aren't these adorable?) $8.99, used $3 coupon, $1 RA coupon and got back $1 +UP Rewards = $3.99 - this should finish out my rebate for a coupon for a FREE pack of Huggies (SCR #800)
• Diet Coke $1.69 - this will finish out SCR #125 - $1.69 WYB Diet Coke and Caffeine Free Diet Coke
• Used $5 off $20 coupon, total was $1.67

One last transaction and now I'm done for the week! The deals at RA have been fantabulous lately but I'm wiped out and looking forward to the break.

• Old Spice Body Wash $2.99, get back $2.99 (SCR #96) = FREE *Last day for this SCR
• 2 Herbal Essence Sham/Cond/Stylers $2.49 each, used two $1 coupons (5/16 RP) and will get back $1.50 for each (SCR #75, Limit 2!) = FREE
• 2 Everlast Supplements (only at GNC locations) $19.99 each, BOGO sale, used two $10 coupons = FREE/$0.02 profit
• Used $5 off $20 coupon, total was $1.17

Acme - finished out my shopping here too. Phew! Did this transaction twice.

• 6 Orville Redenbacher Popcorns $1.89 each (shelf price $3.39), used six $0.75 coupons (5/16 SS) and 6 pack Snapple $5 (shelf price $6.79) = $7.34. Got back $10 cat for buying $25 worth of qualifying items (based on shelf price) and will submit for Try Me Free rebate on Snapple (peelie rebate) = $7.66 profit
• Acme Sponges $2.79 - these are always my go-to filler item
• Used $10 cat, total was $0.68

CVS - my oldest card. Bought one body wash already, otherwise I would have used a BOGO coupon to get two.

• Old Spice Deodorant $2.99 and Old Spice Body Wash $4, used buy deo, get body wash free coupon (cashier took off $5.29, 6/6 P&G) and got back $4 EB (Limit 2) = $2.30 profit
• Used $1 EB, total was $1.12

Ooh Boy, That's a Whole Lotta Shopping

I'm tired! My youngest sister and I trekked to Virginia this weekend to visit our other sister who moved down there. We had a wonderful time and I'll post some pics soon. The ride home was ok until we hit an awful rain storm, so we got home later than expected. What with unpacking, grabbing a quick dinner and dealing with a painful sunburn, last night was a bit hectic and I had to drag myself out of bed today. I had some catalinas/EB's expiring today, so I bucked up and got a ton of shopping done in-between yawns.
ShopRite

• 4 Olay Total Effects $4.99 each, used four $4 coupons (6/6 P&G) and 2 Herbal Essences $2.99 each, used two $1 coupons (5/16 RP) and got back $10 catalina (WYB $25 worth of qualifying items) = $2.04 profit
• Peaches $0.79/lb = $3.09 - will submit for $3 Absolut NBPR rebate (WYB $3 of produce) = FREE
• Used $10 catalina, total was $2.10

Acme

• 8 Orville Redenbacher Popcorns $1.89 each (shelf price $3.39), used eight $0.75 coupons (5/16 SS - I didn't get these in my inserts, bought on ebay) = $3.12 - got back $10 cat for buying $25 worth of qualifying items (based on shelf price) = $6.88 profit
• Canteloupe $3, will submit for $3 Absolut NBPR rebate (WYB $3 of produce) = FREE
• Mission Tortillas $3.19
• Wrigley's Gum $1
• Used $10 catalina, total was $0.38 - repeated this same transaction again

CVS - bought this Sunday before I realized the EB limit was two

• Old Spice Deo $2.79 and Body Wash $4, used BOGO coupon (free body wash - cashier entered in as $4.49, 6/6 P&G) and got back $4 EB (Limit 2) = $1.70 profit
• Used $2 EB - freebie that printed on previous receipt, total was $0.54

Bought today:

• 2 Old Spice Body Washes $4 each, used BOGO coupon (cashier entered in as $5.29, 6/6 P&G) and got back $8 EB ($4 each, Limit 2) = $5.29 profit
• 2 M&M's $0.89 each - needed fillers so I could this EB which was expiring
• Used $4 EB, total was $1.06

Walgreens - bought this stuff Sunday so I can't send away for the Schick TMF rebate with this receipt (rebate starts 6/14). I'll buy more during the week and use those receipts instead.

• Schick Hydro 3 or 5 Blade Razor $7.99, used $5 coupon (6/13 SS) and got back $4 RR = $1.01 profit
• Nivea for Men Active 3 Body Wash (16.9 oz) $5.99, used $3 coupon (5/2 RP) and got back $6 RR = $3 profit
• 2 Diet Cokes $1.59 each, used $1 off 2 peelie = $2.18
• 2 M&M's pretzels $0.89 and $0.70 each - needed snacks for the ride home from VA!
• Butterfinger candy $0.39 - filler
• Used two $5 RR's, total was $0.97

Today's purchases: 3 Nivea's on their own = $9 profit and...

• Nivea for Men Active 3 Body Wash (16.9 oz) $5.99, used $3 coupon (5/2 RP) and got back $6 RR = $3 profit
• 10 Keebler Cookies/Crackers $0.99 each, will submit for $10 rebate (WYB 10 items in single transaction, from calendar that was released ages ago, found form on ebay) = FREE
• Used $2 RR, $2.50 RR and $5 RR, total was $3.81

RiteAid - was planning to buy the OS deo that was $2.49 but had to get the Fresh Collection deo as per cashier. That's what the fine print on the coupon says, so of course he was right. Threw off my scenario a bit.

• Old Spice Deodorant $5.49 and Body Wash $2.99, used buy deodorant, get body wash free coupon (6/6 P&G) and will get back $2.99 (for body wash, SCR #96) = FREE *Deo will count towards SCR #101 - $5 WYB $25 of select P&G items. UPDATE - this rebate was only good last week, thanks for catching that Jamie! Although I cleared this rebate on DBF's account with some items that weren't in the monthly book, it didn't work for my account so I'm a smidge short. If you aren't working on this deal, you're better off buying the body wash on its own or using another coupon. If I buy a second Fresh Collection deo, I'll qualify for a $2 rebate (SCR #81). I have to do the math to see if that's worth it.
• 2 Everlast Supplements (only at GNC locations) $19.99 each, BOGO sale, used two $10 coupons = FREE/$0.02 profit
• Huggies Diapers $8.99, used $3 coupon or $2.50 coupon (for Naturals), $1 RA coupon and got back $1 +UP Rewards = $3.99 - this should finish out my rebate for a coupon for a FREE pack of Huggies (SCR #800). There's also a $2 SCR on these, but I've already done that deal for this month
• Used $5 off $20 coupon and one $4 +UP Reward, total was $1.72

Finally Done with RA

Rite Aid - think I'm finally finished for the week!

• Biore Steam Activated Cleanser $7.99, will send away for $15 survey = $7.01 profit
• Everlast E-drenaline Energy Shot $5.99 (regular price), used $10 coupon (no beeps!) = $4.01 profit *FYI these are only found at Rite Aid's with GNC items. You can search on RA's website for locations that have GNC products before you go searching the whole store for them. Thanks Monica for the fabulous tip about that!
• 2 Old Spice Red Zone Body Sprays $3.50 each, used BOGO coupon (P&G home mailer) and got $4 in +UP rewards (RA cash that prints at the end of your receipt - like CVS's EB's) = $0.50 profit *Will count towards SCR #101 - spend $25 on P&G items, get back $5
• Listerine Total Care Rinse (500 mL) $3.99, used $1 coupon (5/16 RP) and will get back $3 (SCR #89) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor $9.99, used $4 coupon (6/6 P&G) and will get back $5 (SCR #102) = $0.99
• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Skin Care Item $5.99, used $2 coupon (6/6 P&G) and will get back $2 (SCR #98), also used $1 off $10 of shaving accessories CRT = $0.99
• Used $5 off $20 coupon and three $4 +UP Rewards, total was $3.48

I have now bought four Old Spice Body Sprays and the items above for my rebates. These same items cleared me for SCR #101 on DBF's account, so I'm thinking that either the razor or the Gillette skincare stuff is secretly counting towards the rebate (like a ninja!). This should finish out all the rebates I wanted to do this week.

CVS - got the $5/$15 coupon on my oldest card after my last purchases. Bought the ice cream on DBF's card, but no coupons on that one. Nothing on my newest card either.

• 4 Skinny Cow ice creams $1 each, used four $1 Facebook coupon = FREE
• Gillette ProGlide Power or Manual Razor $9.97, used $4 coupon (6/6 P&G) and got back $5 EB (monthly deal, Limit 2 - buy them separately otherwise you may only get one EB) = $0.97
• 2 John Frieda sham/cond $5 each, used two $3 coupons (6/6 SS) and got back $3 EB (monthly deal, limit at least 2) = $1 or $0.50 each
• Used $5 off $15 purchase coupon, $2 EB and $2 EB, total was $2.02, overall profit = $2.98

Acme

• 4 more Snapple cases $3.99 each
• Used $10 catalina, total was $7.08 - got back another $10 cat for spending $25 on qualifying items (based on shelf prices)

Had two $1 peelie coupons in my bag, totally forgot to use them! I wonder if I bring the receipt back, would they give me back $2 cash? Can't hurt to ask.

Sh-napple

(insert picture of 8 cases of Shnapple here)

I always say it this way in my head - Shnapple. Don't lie, you know you're saying that way to yourself right now. I know you are! I pulled out all my Shnapples from my car, arranged them all nice and pretty in my garage, got out the cheap camera I keep down there for days like this when I don't want to lug a bunch of heavy stuff around, turned it on and groaned when it told me my batteries needed to be changed. Sigh. So please imagine the beautiful Shnapples. Here's the deal:

Acme - the Snapple is part of a catalina deal that started today - spend $25 on qualifying items, get back $10. Its based on shelf prices. The Snapple $3.99 price is good through tomorrow and they go back to regular price on Friday.

• 4 Snapples (12 pack of plastic bottles - shelf price $7.49 or 6 pack of glass bottles - shelf price $6.79) $3.99 each, used four $1 peelie coupons = $13.08 and got back $10 catalina for spending $25 on qualifying items = $3.08

Then I bought four more:

• 4 Snapples (12 pack of plastic bottles - shelf price $7.49 or 6 pack of glass bottles - shelf price $6.79) $3.99 each, used four $1 peelie coupons = $13.08 and got back $10 catalina for spending $25 on qualifying items = $3.08
• 2 Acme Cream Cheeses $1.50 each
• Used $10 cat from transaction one, total was $6.08

I'll use these receipts towards a $20 Smirnoff NBPR rebate (WYB $20.01 worth of groceries, Exp. 6/30). I have TMF rebates for the 6 packs of Snapple (found on ebay) but since I'd only get back $3.99, I think using this receipt for the Smirnoff is a better deal. Plus the Smirnoff rebate expires sooner. I can usually find the 6 packs of Snapple at Rite Aid and use them as a filler to use a $5 off $20. See? There is sometimes a method to my madness! :)

This gives me $20+ towards the rebate when I only really spent about $6. I'm nervous about sending away for NBPR rebates that say buy X amount if I'm using coupons or rewards to pay. If I spent $20 on food and used a $10 reward to pay, would they count the $20 of food or only look at what I paid total? I dunno, so I play it safe with these kind of rebates.

CVS - I've been trying to buy only razors with the survey inside. I was able to complete one this morning (used Walgreens as the store). I was locked out when I tried: CVS, RiteAid, Target, Other: ___ and Don't Know. Also read that Walmart and Walgreens aren't working. If you have luck with the survey, please let me know what store you used.

• Gillette ProGlide Power or Manual Razor $9.97, used $4 coupon (6/6 P&G) and got back $5 EB (monthly deal, Limit at least 2 but don't buy together) = $0.97
• 2 Mylanta Softchews (24-36 ct) $3.99 each, used $4 off 2 coupon (6/6 RP) and got back $4 EB (WYB 2, Limit 1) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Used a bunch of expiring EB's, total was $0.44

Rite Aid - starting to buy the 8 Old Spices I'll need for SCR #101 on my account. I was planning on buying a Royal Gelatin for $0.50 and using a $4 +UP Reward on each transaction, but the cashier entered in my coupons as $4.49 each. So I held onto the rewards and nixed the jello.

• 2 Old Spice Red Zone Body Sprays $3.50 each, used BOGO coupon (cashier entered as $4.49, P&G home mailer) and got $4 in +UP rewards (RA cash that prints at the end of your receipt - like CVS's EB's) = $1.49 profit

Bought another two separately - just need four more and I'm good for my account. Still need to buy two more sprays on DBF's account to fully qualify for the rebate.

A&P - split these up between two stores

• 10 Pampers Wipes $1.99 each, used ten $2 coupons (6/6 P&G) = FREE

Rebates Galore

Rite Aid

• 2 Old Spice Body Sprays $3.50 each, used BOGO coupon (P&G home mailer or can use coupons from 6/6 P&G - not quite the same coupon though) and got back $4 in +UP Rewards = $0.50 profit *This will count towards SCR #101 - spend $25 on P&G items, get back $5. The body wash I bought the other day isn't listed as being included, so I'm assuming it won't count. My rebates haven't gone through on the website yet
• Diet Coke Caffeine Free $1.69 - will get back $1.69 once I buy another bottle of regular Diet Coke (SCR #125)
• Used $4 +UP Rewards from previous transaction, total was $1.80

So here's what I know about the +UP Rewards Program:

• Limit one per transaction. If I'd bought 4 Old Spices, I'd only get back $4.
• They roll - I used rewards from OS to buy more OS, and still got the new reward.
• They aren't linked to any particular card. I used rewards from my wellness card on a transaction where I used my boyfriend's card - no problems.
• No fillers required. Like EB's, you can use the rewards just like cash. This means if you're buying three items and have three coupons, you can still use your rewards on the balance, without getting a fourth item (like you'd have to do at Walgreens).

*Any of this may change in the future. For now, its awesome! Did I miss anything?

Acme

• 2 Frigo String Cheeses (12 oz) $3.49 each, used two $1 coupons = $2.49 each
• 2 ICBINB Spreads (15-16 oz) $2.39 each
• Sargento Shredded Cheese $2.49
• Used $5 Acme catalina from previous deal, total was $12.25 and got back $5 catalina for buying 5 participating items = $7.25

I'll use this receipt to submit for a $5 Smirnoff NBPR rebate (WYB $5.01 worth of groceries, Exp. 6/30). There are lots of ways to make this deal a moneymaker, but I don't have the right coupons and my $5 cat was expiring in a couple days.

Separately:

• 2 Lays Chips $3 each - will use these towards another NBPR rebate from Newcastle ($10 rebate WYB $15 worth of salty snacks)
• Taters $3.38 ($0.99/lb), used $3 off produce WYB 2 Lays coupon (tearpad found in produce & chip aisle) = $0.38
• Used $5 catalina from transaction one, total was $1.38

Separately: Babybel Cheese $3.99, will submit for Try Me Free rebate (found on ebay) = FREE

Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man...

Favorite line - "the tickets are now diamonds!" Love these commercials!
Acme - the OM deal is good through tomorrow

• 5 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs $1.99 each (shelf price $5.39 each), used five $1 peelie coupons and got back $5 catalina (WYB $25, based on shelf prices) = FREE/$0.05 profit
• Kraft Mac & Cheese Explosion $1.29, used FREE coupon (from Facebook sample pack) = FREE
• Total was $4.95 - these will all count towards my second $10 Kraft rebate (WYB $30)

CVS - new card

• 2 Old Spice body washes $4 each and Old Spice body spray $4.99, used BOGO body wash coupon and FREE body spray coupon (WYB 2 body washes, both from 5/2 P&G) and got back $8 EB ($4 EB each, Limit 2) = $4 profit
• Finesse Hair Spray $3.99, used $1 coupon (5/16 SS), $1 haircare CRT (for CVS haircare but went through with no beeps) and will submit for $3 rebate (5/16 SS) = $1 profit
• Gillette Gamer Razor - clearanced to $4.99 - needed a filler
• Used $4 off $20 coupon, $2 EB and $4 EB, total was $2.17

Cheap Veggies

Didn't buy any papers on Sunday because the paper in my area doesn't carry the RP insert anymore. I'm going to buy my copies online when they're available. I didn't buy last week's coupons yet, so I'll buy them together to save on shipping.

I emptied out Sir Piggy and took my spare change to TD Bank (formerly Commerce) to have it counted for free. I guessed that I had $11 and it added up to $10.97 (booyah!) so I got a free tip calculating card. I was hoping for something a little cooler as a prize, but I can't complain over a freebie.

Acme

• 2 Fresh Express salads $1 each
• Baby carrots $1 each
• 5 Bird's Eye Steamfresh veggies $1 each, used five $0.35 coupons (1/10 SS) = $1.50 or $0.30 each *Woops! Just realized three of the ones I bought rang up as $2.99 each. Wonder if its worth taking them back...
• 4 Perdue Short Cuts $5.99 each, BOGO sale and used four $0.75 coupons (1/10 RP) = $5.98 or $1.49 each - these are really good! I think I may go back for some more.
• Half gallon of milk $2.09 - we accidentally dropped this in the garage and the container split. When I brought it upstairs, I totally forgot to put it in the fridge, and by the time I realized it, I had spilled milk all over my carpet and nice warm milk. Yuck.
• Total was $18.54

Walgreens - bought these on Saturday

• 8 Planters nuts $1.99 each, used three $2 off 2 coupons and $1 off 2 coupon (1/3 or 1/24 SS) and $1 Walgreens coupon (from Diabetes & You magazine, took off $8 automatically) = $0.92
• Along with the two I bought the other day, I can now submit for the $10 rebate = $8.10 profit

CVS - bought on Saturday and although the deals are still good now, the $5 coupon expired Saturday.

• 2 Oust Surface Disinfectant & Air Sanitizers $3.99 each, used BOGO coupon (1/3 SS) and got back $6 EB ($3 each, monthly deal, Limit 6) = $2.01 profit
• 2 Cottonelle Fresh Moist Wipes Combo Packs (84 ct) $5.98 each, used two $0.50 coupon (or 12/13 SS) and got back $6 EB ($3 each, monthly deal until 2/20, Limit 6) = $4.96 or $2.48
• Stamps $8.80
• Used $5 off $20 coupon, $6 EB and $8 EB, total was $5.21, got back $1 EB for using my green tag

I'm going to use these two Oust plus some I bought previously to submit for the $5 SC Johnson rebate. A couple folks have questioned me on this, but Oust is a SC Johnson item, so it will qualify. I've now maxed out this rebate (limit three per address) at my address, my parent's address and my boyfriend's address. Most of the items I bought for it were moneymakers, so this was a really fun rebate to do.

Then we bought 2 sodas on DBF's card - total was $3.40. Paid with a $3 EB and a gift card. DBF and I went to see The Book of Eli (paid with an AMC gift card I had) and buying sodas here was so much cheaper than getting anything at the snack bar.

I also cashed in some RR's on Sunday and didn't feel like taking a picture. Got some popping corn, 2 cans of Pringles, a half gallon of milk and some raisins. Used a $2 RR and $5 RR, total was $1.98.

My high-quality Craig DVD player died on me this weekend. It wouldn't turn on no matter what we did, so after my boyfriend took it apart to rescue the Alias DVD trapped inside, I bought a new one at Best Buy, used $14.31 on gift cards I had and paid $30 OOP. I have horrible luck with DVD players for some reason.

Walgreens Weirdness

Walgreens - store 1

• Self Service $0.99 - what the heck is this? I wish I'd checked my receipt before I left because I have no idea what this could be. I don't think I'm going to go back to the store for this. They'd probably look at me like I have three eyes.
• Ricola Mixed Berry Cough Drops with Vitamin C (19 ct) $1, used $0.50 coupon (found in Healthy Savings coupon booklet) and got back $1 RR = $0.50 profit
• Aussie Sham/Cond/Styler $2.99, used $1 coupon (10/11 P&G) and got back $2 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• 4 Nexxus Mousses (2 oz) $3.29 each, used $4 WAG coupon (found in November Coupon Savings book, adjusted down to $3.29 each) = FREE
• 3 Nabisco Crackers three for $10, used $1 off 2 coupon (DBF's mom gave this to me - it was from a calendar) and $1 coupon (11/15 SS), got back $3 RR (monthly deal, WYB $10 worth) and am getting closer to sending away for $10 rebate = $5 or $1.66 each (not counting rebate into this calculation)
• 3 Stove Top stuffings $0.99 each with in-circular coupon
• 2 Pepsi's $1.25 with in-circular coupon
• 2 Votive candles - clearanced to $0.10 each
• Used $5 RR and $10 RR, total was $3.54

Store 2 - mostly a repeat, but got my total much lower. My tax at store one was higher, probably because of the mousse (and the mysterious "self service").

• Ricola Mixed Berry Cough Drops with Vitamin C (19 ct) $1, used $0.50 coupon (found in Healthy Savings coupon booklet) and got back $1 RR = $0.50 profit
• Aussie Sham/Cond/Styler $2.99, used $1 coupon (10/11 P&G) and got back $2 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• 3 Nabisco Crackers three for $10, used three $1 coupons (11/15 SS), got back $3 RR (monthly deal, WYB $10 worth) and am almost ready to send away for $10 rebate (I've bought nine boxes, one more to go) = $4 or $1.33 each (not counting rebate into this calculation)
• 3 Stove Top stuffings/BC Au Gratin Potatoes $0.99 each with in-circular coupon
• 2 Pepsi's $1.25 with in-circular coupon
• Votive candle $0.17 with in-circular coupon
• Used three $5 RR's, total was $0.53

Acme

• 4 Ragu pasta sauces $0.88 each (must buy four), used two $1 off 2 coupons (11/15 RP) = $1.52 or $0.38 each
• 4 Acme shredded cheeses $1 each
• Used $5 catalina, total was $0.52

CVS - had some EB's that were expiring, so I bought some vitamins. I've been out of these for a while and have been keeping an eye out for a good sale. DBF's card

• 2 CVS One a Day Vitamins $7.79 each, BOGO 50% off sale
• Used $6.99 EB and $4 EB, total was $0.69

My card - when I went back to this store after work, they were out of the larger size, so I bought:

• 2 CVS Vitamins $7.29 and $5.99 each, BOGO 50% off sale
• Used $6.99 EB, total was $3.29

Just realized one bottle is the wrong kind which is why it was more expensive. I wish I'd noticed when I was in the store. I'll have to go back and exchange it. Sigh. That's what I get for shopping with a headache.

Oops

Acme

• 10 Pillsbury Quick Breads $1.67 each, used five $1 off 2 coupons (11/8 RP) = $11.70 or $1.17 each *Thought I was going to get back a $5 cat for buying $20 worth, but I forgot this sale is based on sale prices, not shelf, so I was a little short. Oh well, I have to spend my cats on something.
• 12 Mentos Gums $1 each, used twelve $0.55 coupons (doubled fully, 8/16, 9/13 or 10/11 SS) = $1.20 profit
• Used two $5 cats, total was $0.85

Rite Aid

• Oral-B CrossAction Manual Toothbrush 40 Soft or Medium $2.99, used $1 coupon (10/11 P&G) and will get back $2.99 (SCR #123) = $1 profit
• 2 Herbal Essences sham/cond and 2 stylers BOGO sale, used two BOGO coupons (10/11 P&G) = FREE
• Total was $2.83

Acme, Round Two

Went for the $90 mark today...

• 9 Kleenex tissues 110 count $0.99 each (shelf price $1.59), used three $0.50 off 3 coupons (9/13, 10/4 or 11/1 SS) = $5.91
• 8 Scott Mega Single Roll paper towels $0.99 each (shelf price $1.99), used two $1 off $4 coupons (11/1 SS) = $5.92
• 6 Cheerios $1.88 each (shelf price $3.79), used three $1 off 2 coupons (11/1 or 11/8 SS) = $8.28
• Betty Crocker cookie mix $1.69 (shelf price $2.49), used $0.40 coupon (10/25 SS) = $0.89
• 2 Chex Mixes $1.69 each (shelf price $3.39), used $0.50 off 2 coupon (10/4 SS) = $2.38
• Bugles $1.69 (shelf price $3.39)
• 9 Ragu sauces $1.99 each (shelf price $2.99) = $17.91
• Gold Medal flour $1.79, used $0.50 coupon (printable, no longer available) = $0.79
• 2 Betty Crocker potatoes $1.69 each (shelf price $1.99), used two $0.25 coupons (10/4 SS) = $2.38
• 4 Green Giant cans of corn $0.69 each (shelf price $1.39) = $2.76
• Used four $10 cats from previous order, total was $8.91, got back $45 in cats (all $5 ones), overall cost for all this - $3.91 - not too shabby, huh?

I checked out at Self Checkout and didn't scan my Acme card until the end, so I could see what my subtotal was. I had to grab three Ragu's and one more Green Giant to get up to $90. Luckily, the store had an endcap with the promo items right next to where I was. Now that I'm calculating everything, my subtotal was $105.37. I think the culprit was the Chex Mix and Bugles. I'm pretty sure they rang up as $1.99, not their shelf price of $3.39, so they're probably on Knockdown (month-long sale price that comes up automatically). Sneaky little chex.

Second Order (went out to the car, dropped off all this stuff and then went back inside)

• Milk $2.39
• 2 Mama Lucia meatballs $10.49 each, BOGO sale = $10.49
• 2 Cooking sprays $2.50 each
• Used three $5 cats, total was $2.88

Walgreens

• 4 Walgreens cream cheeses $0.89 each with in-circular coupon = $3.56
• Walgreens string cheese $0.59
• 2 Triscuits and 1 Wheat Thins - three for $10, used $1 off 2 coupon (DBF's mom gave this to me, I think it was from a calendar) and got back $3 RR (WYB $10 worth, monthly deal) = $6 or $2 each
• Oreos $1.99
• Used $5 RR and $10 RR, total was $0.14

Once I've bought ten boxes of crackers, I'll send away for this $10 rebate.