Zippo Deal

Rite Aid - ventured in with the hopes of spending down one of my $20 UP's.  Unfortunately, I guess RA considers Zippo lighters as a tobacco product and the UP wouldn't go through.

• 2 Zippo Mini Candle Lighters (Pearl or Cabernet) $9.99 each (no Wellness discount applies), got back two $5 UP's (Limit 2) and will get back $10 ($5 each, SCR #25, no limit) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Welcome Sign $1.99 (75% holiday clearance)
• Total was $23.51

At the very least, this gave me some Wellness points.  Since I was scrambling to get to 1,000 last year, its made me more cognizant of buying these freebie deals as they come up.  Hopefully I can keep my discount in 2013.  

Adventures in Wood Working

Our dining room table is complete!  My hunny was very eager to get this project started and after taking some measurements in our dining room to see how big we wanted the table to be, he picked up the lumber and got cracking.  He researched some plans online, dismissed a couple of ideas after we couldn't find a piece of wood in the size we wanted and then decided to go with this design.

Its a series of hunks of plywood, secured to a base on the underside.  This sucker is heavy and very strong.  After measuring, putting everything together, sanding and staining it, its now happily living in our dining room.  

The skirt didn't take the stain as well as the other pieces did, but I like that its a bit lighter and coordinates with the chairs we got from Ikea.  I am still hunting for some chair cushions, but the wood chairs surprisingly aren't that uncomfortable.  I love how the table looks natural, between the knots in the wood and the color of the stain.  

Ok folks, honest opinions here.  What do you see when you look at this picture?  All I can see is a huge ostrich face complete with two eyes and a beak!  It definitely adds some charm to the table. 

Now that the project is done, I can show you this hilarious picture.  DBF called me down to the garage to proudly show me the progress he'd made on the table (this was day one).  It looked beautiful but I was worried about the height of the table since it seemed a wee bit high.  We decided to bring down one of the chairs to test it out.  Once I sat down, the table was neck high!  We could both barely breathe from laughing so hard.  After going through the various options (getting really poofy chair cushions was one), da boyfriend took the legs off and cut them down.  This is one for the scrapbook!

Free Electronic Toothbrush!

Rite Aid - finished out the spend $30, get $10 UP promo for this week.  I'd bought two packs of Stayfree earlier in the week.  Adding to that, I got:

• 6 Stayfree Pads (14 - 24 ct) $2.50 each, used three BOGO coupons (1/8 SS) and three $1 off 2 circular coupons = $4.50 
• 4 ob Tampons $2.50 each, used four $2 coupons (no longer available) and two $1 off 2 circular coupons = FREE

I then got back a $10 UP, making this a $3.59 profit deal for me (after tax on the two Stayfree I bought in NY)

Stop & Shop - there's a catalina deal this week where you spend $20, get back $7 and its working off on shelf prices! Quaker granola bars are also included, I'm going to pick up some of those the next time I go. 

• 4 Pepsi 6 pack bottles $3.33 each ($4 shelf price), used two $2 off 2 coupons (1/1 SS)
• Ruffles Chips $3.33 ($4.29 shelf price), used $1 coupon (printable, no longer available)
• Total was $12.62 and got back $7 catalina = $5.62 for all these goodies

Target

• Philips Sonicare Essence Rechargeable Toothbrush - clearanced to $19.98, used $10 coupon (11/20 or 1/8 SS) and will send away for $10 rebate (11/20 SS) = FREE

*Look for the ones with the red ribbon on the corner of the box.

1/15 - 1/21

Staples  

• Avery 8160 Inkjet Mailing Labels $9.99, get back $9.99 Easy Rebate (Limit 1) = FREE

CVS

• Brita Classic Pitcher $14.99, use $4 coupon (1/15 SS) or $2 coupon, get back $5 EB (Limit 1) and send away for $10 rebate = $4.01 - $2.01 profit
• American Greetings Cards buy three $0.99 cards, get back $3 EB (Limit 1) = FREE/$0.03 profit

Rite Aid

• UP2U Gum $1, use $1 coupon (1/1 SS) = FREE
• Reading Glasses regularly priced $17.99 and up ($14.39 with 20% discount), use $5 Foster Grants RA coupon (Dec. Video Values) and get back $10 UP (Limit 1) = $0.60 profit  *Not sure what price these glasses start at so may or may not be a good deal depending on what your store has

Rite Aid Monthly Deal - Valid until 1/31

• High Octane Energy Chews $1.99, BOGO sale, buy two, use $0.50 coupon (RA allows only one coupon on a BOGO sale) and get back $3 UP (WYB 2, Limit 1) = $1.51 profit
• Zippo Mini Candle Lighter (Pearl or Cabernet) $9.99 - $12.99, get back $5 UP (Limit 2) and $5 (SCR #25, no limit) = FREE/$0.01 profit 

Walgreens

• South Beach Diet Snack or Meal Bars (5 pk) $5.99, get back $6 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Estroven PM (24 ct caplets) $10 and get back $10 RR = FREE 
• Abrexin Weight Loss Supplement (30 ct) $10, get back $10 RR = FREE
• Thermacare Pain Relief (single pack neck, wrist & shoulder or menstrual heatwrap) $2.49, get back $2.49 RR = FREE

Printable Rebate Offers

• Arm & Hammer Simply Saline Neti Pot TMF up to $14.99 Exp. 7/13/13 (Email me at frugalsuz at hotmail.com and I'll forward you the form)
• Arm & Hammer Ultra Last Baking Soda Coated Clumping Litter (20 lbs) TMF up to $8.99 Exp. 3/30/12
• Bissell Stomp & Go TMF up to $5.99 Exp. 4/15/12
• Boost Original or High Protein Drink Satisfaction Guarantee up to $9.99 Exp. 3/31/12
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Cascade Complete Pacs or Action Pacs Satisfaction Guarantee - send within 30 days of purchase (starts 6/8)
• Febreze Noticeables "Trade Up" Valid up to $3.50 Exp. 6/30/12 (Starts 1/1/11)
• Feline Pine Clumping Litter 9 or 14 lb. TMF up to $14.99 Exp. 3/31/12
• Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist Starter Kits (up to $4.99) or Refills (up to $3.99) Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 6/30/12
• Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 6/30/12
• Marie Callender'sThree Meat and Four Cheese Lasagna (19 or 31 oz) Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 4/30/12
• Organix Skincare Items - individual rebates for many items (click on shopping list to see them all), up to $50 total. Purchases must all be made within 30 days Exp. 1/1/12
• Pam Cooking Spray (Original, Olive Oil or Butter) Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 4/27/12
• Pantene Satisfaction Guarantee - up to 2X your purchase price Exp. 6/30/12
• Physician's Formula Organic Wear Lash Boosting Mascara TMF Up to $9.95  Must include "Try Me Free" label from product to qualify Valid 11/1/11 - 10/13/12
• Progresso Rich & Hearty Soup TMF Exp. 1/31/12
• Renuzit Crystal Elements Air Freshening Crystals TMF up to $2.99 on 9 oz refill and up to $5.60 on 18 oz refill Exp. 2/28/12 
• Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Bowl Cleaner Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 6/29/12
• Simply Asia or Thai Kitchen Product Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 2/4/12
• Woolite Oxy Deep TMF Exp. 1/15/12

Hangtag/Peelie/Tearpad Rebates to Look For - please let me know what you find as well!

• Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Hangtag TMF Exp. 3/1/12 
• Kedem Sparkling Juices Hangtag $1.50 rebate per bottle, up to 6 bottles/$9 per 12 month period, no expiration date - found at Acme 

Profitable Baby Food

Rite Aid

• 2 Stayfree Pads (14 - 24 ct) $2.50 each, used BOGO coupon (1/8 SS) and $1 off 2 circular coupon = $1.50
• Total was $1.91 with tax

These count towards a spend $30, get $10 UP this week.  ob tampons are also included (same price, $2.50 each, $1 off 2 circular coupon) and you can print a $2 coupon here after watching the video.  PS - putting in a silly name such as perhaps, Fancy Pants, won't get you anywhere.  I have to say, I was disappointed when he sang "Hey", instead of Fancy Pants.  C'est la vie.


The plan is to buy four ob tampons (free after coupons) and six more Stayfree.  Then I'll have spent $6 and get back a $10 UP = $4 profit!


ShopRite

• 16 Beech Nut Stage 2 Baby Food twelve for $3.30 and additional ones rang up as $0.55 each, used four $1 off 3 coupons and got back $3 catalina = $1.50 profit
• 4 Crystal Lites $1.99 each, used two $1 off 2 coupons and got back $2.50 catalina = $3.46 or $0.86 each
• Total was $7.46 

There's an ecoupon for the Beech Nut as well.  I loaded it to my card, but it didn't come off the order, unless I did something wrong.  Its supposed to come off when you scan your card, right?  The Crystal Lite catalina is valid until 2/5.  You get back $1.50 WYB 3, $2.50 WYB 4 or $4 WYB 5+.  I should have bought five, it would have been cheaper!  $1.99 x 5 - $2 in coupons - $4 catalina = $3.95 or $0.79 each. Oh well, I have two more coupons, so I'll make sure I get five next time.


There was a representative from the local paper at SR today.  He asked if I'd like a free paper (of course I would!) and then started telling me about the promo they're running.  I love when newspapers do these deals!  I just get the Sunday paper, so the deal was to get four weeks worth for $8.95 (the papers are $2 each so this is a little higher) but I'd also get back a $10 ShopRite gift card.  Right off the bat, that's a profit on newspapers.  Where do I sign?  As I was filling out the paperwork, I asked him about getting multiple papers delivered to my house.  To my surprise, he said that would be fine!  So I signed up to get six papers each Sunday ($8.95 for four weeks times six = $53.70) and he gave me SIX $10 SR gift cards!  That's a month's worth of free papers and coupons and even better, not having to run out to the store to buy papers.  He also said the coupons in the delivered papers are usually better than when you buy the paper at the store.  Love that!

I'm Finished

Luckily I had hardly any trouble at CVS using up the mountain of Finish coupons I bought on ebay.  Most of the time, the coupon required that the cashier input its value ($2.15) but a couple times, it scanned just fine.  


All in all, I bought:

• 26 Finish Powerball Dish Detergents for $3.50 a piece, used 26 $2.15 coupons (1/1 SS) and got back $30 in CVS cash cards ($10 WYB $30 of qualifying items, Limit 5).

Including the candy bar I bought (info below), I paid $6.43 in tax.  So that works out to be $41.53 out of pocket and then I got back $30 in gift cards.  So $11.53 for 26 boxes of detergent plus $8 on ebay for the coupons, so $0.75 each.


I made all these purchases on the same card.  Since this deal is limit 5, the smidgen of extra money from the first set of nine boxes carried over into the next set.  Here's the math:


$3.50 times 9 boxes = $31.50
$31.50 plus another 9 boxes/$31.50 = $63
$63 plus another 8 boxes/$28 = $91


This worked out perfectly for me since I had exactly 26 coupons, but obviously if you don't have this many coupons, you can buy as many as you have coupons for and fill in with other qualifying items to get to $30.


Mars Chocolate Singles (1.08 - 2.15 oz) $0.75, got back $0.75 EB (Limit 1) =FREE *Check your circulars before buying, this seems to be a regional deal

1/8 - 1/14

Staples

• Avery Heavy Duty View Binder $6.99 - $32.99, get 100% back in Staples Rewards (Limit 4) = FREE
• Staples Portable File Box $11.99 - $13.99, get 100% back in Staples Rewards (Limit 2) = FREE
• 100% Recycled Bankers Box (8 pk) $19.99, get 100% back in Staples Rewards (Limit 2) = FREE

CVS - its that time of year again...the bonus packs are back!  Check for these in your store in the seasonal aisles (or really anywhere).  Usually stock is limited so once they're gone, they're gone.  Here's a full listing of what's out there.

• GE Energy Smart 40/60/75/100 Watt Equivalent Bulb (1 pk) $2.99, use $1 coupon (October All You magazine) and get back $2 EB (Limit 1) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Mars Chocolate Singles (1.08 - 2.15 oz) $0.75, get back $0.75 EB (Limit 1) = FREE *Check your circulars before buying, this may be a regional deal
• CVS Vitamin D 400 iu (100 ct) $3.49, get back $3.49 EB (Limit 1) = FREE *Check your circulars before buying, this may be a regional deal
• Kodak Archive DVD $4.99, get back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Finish Powerball Dishwasher Detergent (10 - 20 ct) $3.50, use $2.15 coupon (1/1 SS) = $1.35 *Part of a buy $30, get $10 CVS cash card promo (Limit 5).  So you'd buy nine for $31.50, use nine $2.15 coupons = $12.15 - $10 CVS card = $2.15 for nine detergents or $0.23 each  **This coupon has a specification of limit two per transaction so you'd have to split up your orders.  What a pain

Rite Aid

• 4 ob Tampons $2.50 each, use four $2 coupons and two $1 off 2 circular coupons and eight Stayfree Pads (14 - 24 ct) $2.50 each, use four BOGO coupons (1/8 SS) and four $1 off 2 circular coupons.  Pay $6 and get back $10 UP (WYB $30) = $4 profit *Circular coupons are limit one, so you'll probably have to split this up into several orders.  The ob and Stayfree circular coupon is the same one as well.
• Thermacare Heat Wrap (1 ct) $3, get back $3 UP (Limit ?) = FREE

Walgreens

• Tylenol Precise Pain Relief Cream (2.5 oz) or Heat Patch (3 or 4 pk) $5.99, use $3 coupon and get back $3 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Syntha-6 Meal Replacement Bar (1.59 oz) $1.89, get back $1.89 RR = FREE
• Kids Omega Smart Ultimate Fish Oils (60 ct) Omega-3 with DHA $10, get back $10 RR = FREE
• Chex Mix $1.50, buy four and use four $0.60 coupons, $1 WAG coupon (from monthly coupon booklet found in stores) and get back $2 RR (monthly deal valid until 1/18, buy three and get $1, buy four and get $2 or buy five+ and get $3) = $0.60 or $0.15 each

Printable Rebate Offers

• Arm & Hammer Simply Saline Neti Pot TMF up to $14.99 Exp. 7/13/13 (Email me at frugalsuz at hotmail.com and I'll forward you the form)
• Arm & Hammer Ultra Last Baking Soda Coated Clumping Litter (20 lbs) TMF up to $8.99 Exp. 3/30/12
• Bissell Stomp & Go TMF up to $5.99 Exp. 4/15/12
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Cascade Complete Pacs or Action Pacs Satisfaction Guarantee - send within 30 days of purchase (starts 6/8)
• Febreze Noticeables "Trade Up" Valid up to $3.50 Exp. 6/30/12 (Starts 1/1/11)
• Organix Skincare Items - individual rebates for many items (click on shopping list to see them all), up to $50 total. Purchases must all be made within 30 days Exp. 1/1/12
• Pam Cooking Spray (Original, Olive Oil or Butter) Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 4/27/12
• Pantene Satisfaction Guarantee - up to 2X your purchase price Exp. 6/30/12
• Physician's Formula Organic Wear Lash Boosting Mascara TMF Up to $9.95  Must include "Try Me Free" label from product to qualify Valid 11/1/11 - 10/13/12
• Progresso Rich & Hearty Soup TMF Exp. 1/31/12
• Renuzit Crystal Elements Air Freshening Crystals TMF up to $2.99 on 9 oz refill and up to $5.60 on 18 oz refill Exp. 2/28/12 
• Woolite Oxy Deep TMF Exp. 1/15/12

Hangtag/Peelie/Tearpad Rebates to Look For - please let me know what you find as well!

• Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Hangtag TMF Exp. 3/1/12 
• Kedem Sparkling Juices Hangtag $1.50 rebate per bottle, up to 6 bottles/$9 per 12 month period, no expiration date - found at Acme