What Just Happened?

Target - saw this on Queen aka The Target Queen's blog :)

Here's what I bought:

• 3 Purina Chef Michaels bags of dry dog food $4.26 each
• 6 Purina Chef Michaels Canine Creations cans $0.84 each
• 2 Target sparkling waters $0.69 each

Here's what I expected to happen:

• 3 Purina Chef Michaels bags of dry dog food $4.26 each, use three $3 coupons (8/23 RP) and three $1.50 Target coupons (click on "Target Coupons" and print as many as you want - they do say one per customer so you may be only able to use one at a time) = FREE or possible minor overage
• 6 Purina Chef Michaels Canine Creations cans $0.84 each, use three BOGO coupons (8/23 RP) and three BOGO Target coupons = FREE

Here's what actually happened:

• 3 Purina Chef Michaels bags of dry dog food $4.26 each - my three BOGO can coupons attached to these instead of the cans! Cashier then scanned two $3 coupons and gave me back the third one = $6 profit
• 6 Purina Chef Michaels Canine Creations cans $0.84 each - no coupons attached to these
• 2 waters $1.38
• Total was $1.76 ($1.34 was tax)

I didn't use any Target coupons at all because I hadn't handed them over yet. I really don't know what happened here. The cashier didn't enter any prices for items, he just scanned the coupons and this is what happened. I was too flummoxed to say anything.

I also got a postcard in the mail today about my Bushnell rebate. It said I didn't buy the items during the promo period. This rebate is for $150 so naturally, I was very concerned! I called the 1-800 number and they told me they've been having problems with the new way Walmart prints receipts (they print on both sides of the receipt now) and said I was good to go. Phew! I should get my check within three to four weeks. Just a head's up if you did this rebate too.

Monkey-Taxi Delicious

The other day, my sister texted me that she was making blondies. I texted back and hit the "mnop" key three times and then scrolled through the options to find "mmm". I got distracted and let the phone sit for a minute and it continued to display possible word choices for me, one of which was monkey-taxi. What on earth is a monkey-taxi anyway? Is it like a trunk monkey? In any case, I told her that her blondies sounded monkey-taxi delicious. I think its going to catch on. Just wait and see.Walgreens

• Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners $1.99, used $1 coupon (8/30 SS) and got $2 RR = $1.01 profit
• Rembrandt Toothpaste $5, used $1 coupon (8/2 SS) and got back $5 RR = $1 profit
• Colgate 360 ActiFlex Toothbrush $2.99, get back $2.99 RR = FREE
• Men's Zone 6 Blade Razor System $3.99, get back $3.99 RR = FREE
• Oreo brownie $0.99 - we saw this in the circular and wanted to try it
• Used $2 RR and $5 RR, total was $6.80 *Don't really know what I was thinking, I had figured out my total to be much lower but I guess I had a brain fart when I was doing my math

CVS - DBF's card

• Glade Fragrance Collection Soy Candle (4.9-10 oz) $6.99, used $3 coupon (August All You magazine p. 115) or $2 coupon and got back $6.99 EB (Limit 1) = $3 profit
• Clairol Natural Instincts Loving Care Hair Color $4.99, used $4 coupon (8/2 P&G) and got back $2 EB (Limit 1) = $1.01 profit
• Used $1 EB and $3 EB, total was $1.82

My card

• Glade Fragrance Collection Soy Candle (4.9-10 oz) $6.99, used $2 coupon and got back $6.99 EB (Limit 1) = $2 profit
• Clairol Natural Instincts Loving Care Hair Color $4.99, used $4 coupon (8/2 P&G) and got back $2 EB (Limit 1) = $1.01 profit
• Used $1.89 EB, $1.98 EB, $1.98 EB, total was $0.84

The papers at CVS had no SS inserts, so I ended up buying 5 papers at a convenience store instead.

A&P - had four $10 cats that were expiring on Saturday and I didn't realize this until Saturday afternoon, so this was a bit of an impromptu trip. I was really hoping A&P carried DVD players since mine is dying, but no dice. DBF and I wandered around the store and picked up things here and there. I was a little nervous because I had a $10 cat that printed without a bar code from a previous trip. I'd gone back to the store it printed at and Customer Service told me it was a problem with their printers that day and I should just use the cat at that particular store. That's all fine and dandy, except I was nowhere near that store when I realized my cats were expiring. Figures.

Most of the items aren't in the picture. I didn't feel like carrying the soda upstairs, we left the muffins and cookies at DBF's place, we left the cheese at DBF's place (not on purpose) and the chips were open and wouldn't stand up for a photo opp.

• 5 Pepsis $2 each
• Frito Lay Natural Cheetos $3.99
• Frito Lay Natural Tostitos $3.99 - love these!
• Shower curtain liner $2.99
• Oster can opener $7.99
• Grated pecorino/romano cheese $5.99
• Chocolate chip and apple muffins $3.99 each
• 2 packages chocolate chip cookies $2.50 each
• Glade Soy Candle $3.49, used free coupon (8/9 SS) = FREE
• Got $4.09 employee discount, used $3.50 cat and four $10 cats, total was $2.02

Obviously, they couldn't scan the last $10 cat because there was no barcode. So the cashier scanned one of the other $10 ones, but since it had been used already, it beeped. A Customer Service woman came over, tried the same thing and then proceeded to tell me I couldn't use the last cat because my total had to be $10. My subtotal was $10.34. Umm.....ok then. I told her this and then she said, oh well its because you've used to many coupons already. Really? Because I bought 15 items and I'm only trying to use six coupons. Care to try again? :p She disappeared without a word (even the cashier wasn't sure where she was going or if she was coming back) and came back a couple minutes later saying she'd have to put it in manually. Duh!

Finishing the Zyrtec Deal

Rite Aid - finishing out the deals from the other day

• Zyrtec (10 mg 30 count) $18.99, used $5 in-circular coupon and $4 coupon (8/2 SS) = $9.99 *Will qualify me for a $10 rebate (WYB $50 of Zyrtec - bought two the other day) = FREE
• Glade Sense & Spray $6.99, used $4 coupon (8/23 SS) and will get back $2 (SCR #138) = $0.99
• Used $5 off $25 coupon, total was $8.47

Fond Farewell to Precious 8/30 - 9/5

I'm sure I'm not the only one sad to see the end of Precious' blog. I have learned SO much from her and I will surely miss reading her wonderful posts. Good luck to you Precious!
Randomness for the day: I just have to say that I am in love with Barbara Padilla from America's Got Talent. I could listen to her sing for hours and hours.

As always, my deals all come from the wonderful folks at HCW, Slick Deals and Erica at iheartcvs.com, iheartriteaid.com and iheartwags.com.

CVS

• Bayer Contour Monitor $14.99, use freebie coupon (2/1 RP or 3/22 SS - anyone actually have any of these left? haha) and get back $5 EB (Limit 2) = $5 profit on each, $10 profit total
• Glade Fragrance Collection Scented Reed Diffuser (1.62 oz) or Soy Candle (4.9-10 oz) $6.99, use $3 coupon (August All You magazine p. 115) or $2 coupon and get back $6.99 EB (Limit 1) = $3 profit, $2 profit or FREE without coupon
• Clairol Natural Instincts Loving Care Hair Color $4.99, use $4 coupon (8/2 P&G) and get back $2 EB (Limit 1) = $1.01 profit
• Bounce Dryer Bar (2 ct) $3.99, use $2.50 Vocal Point home mailer coupon and get back $1 EB (Limit 1) = $0.49

Rite Aid - $5 off $25 coupon available Exp. 8/31/09 *August rebates end on 8/29 so go ahead and request your rebates if they've cleared

• Johnson and Johnson Purchase 1 Stim-U-Dent Mint flavor 100 ct $1.49, get back $1.49 (SCR #45) = FREE *I'm not sure what in the heck this is and I couldn't find it in the circular, but Erica has it up on iheartriteaid, so its gotta be in the ad somewhere
• Listerine Total Care Mouthwash (500 ml), Reach Total Care Toothbrush, Reach Advanced Design Manual Toothbrush (2 ct) or Reach Total Care Floss (30 yard) $2.99, use $2 Listerine coupon (3/15 SS or 4/26 RP) and get back $1 (SCR) = FREE *Should also qualify towards SCR 501 (FREE coupon booklet WYB $15 worth of oral care products)
• Reeses candy bars $0.50 each, use $0.55 coupon (8/23 SS) = FREE or overage depending on cashier
• Soft White Long Life Lightbulbs 2 pack $1 each, use $2 off 2 in-circular coupon = two for FREE

Walgreens

• Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners $1.99, use $1 coupon (or 8/30 SS) and get $1.99 RR = $1 profit or FREE without coupon
• Rembrandt Toothpaste $5, use $1 coupon (8/2 SS) and get back $5 RR = $1 profit or FREE without coupon
• Colgate 360 ActiFlex Toothbrush $2.99, get back $2.99 RR = FREE
• Men's Zone 6 Blade Razor System $3.99, get back $3.99 RR = FREE
• Theraflu Cold, Cough or Sinus Relief $4.99, use $2 coupon or $2 coupon from Healthy Savings book (found in stores) and get back $3 RR = FREE

General Printable Rebate Offers

• 3M/Post It - purchase any 3M permanent labels and/or Post-it label pads and get back up to $7.50 ($5 for 3M and $2.50 for Post-its) Valid 7/1 - 9/30/09
• Alouette Baby Brie Wedge Cheese TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Ensure 6 pack use $3 coupon and Try Me Free rebate Exp. 12/31/09
• Kraft Mac n Cheese Crackers TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Kellogg's/Dell - purchase 10 participating items (in ONE transaction) between 7/6 and 9/30 and receive $10 rebate check and $70 coupon code for Dell (have to register to view rebate form - its on the bottom right-hand side of the page)
• McCormick Alcoholic Beverages - click on Rebate Center once you've entered your birthday. Not valid in AL, HI, IN, MS, OH, SC, TX and UT. Exp. 12/31/09
• Pantene ProV Satisfaction Guarantee - 2x your purchase price (up to $12) Exp. 6/30/2010
• Pert Plus for Men TMF (has to have sticker on bottle) Exp. 12/31/09
• Physician's Formula - three separate rebates *have to find products with TMF peelies on them Exp. 12/31/09
• Precious Kitty Litter - One request per lifetime
• Science Diet Light Pet Food $8 coupon and $10 rebate (must register)
• Starkist SeaSations Money Back Guarantee Exp. 12/31/09
• Sure - several available - must have Try Me Free sticker on product Exp. 11/15/09
• Tombstone Pizza - credit towards utility bills Postmark by 1/15/10
• Tyson Skillet Creations TMF Exp. 10/31/09

Thanks Jamie!

UPDATE - thanks for the tip Laurie! There's also a Zyrtec rewards program going where you get back $10 when you spend $50 on Zyrtec. If I buy a third one, I'll have spent $56.97 so I'll qualify. After coupons, the Zyrtec will cost me $9.99 and then I'll qualify for the $10 rebate so I think I'm going to go for it. :)

I saw this amazing deal on Jamie's blog Rite Aid Transaction One

• Colgate Advanced Whitening toothpaste (4 oz) $2.49, used $0.50 coupon (8/9 SS) and will get back $2.49 (SCR #119) = $0.50 profit
• Zyrtec (10 mg 30 count) $18.99, used $5 in-circular coupon and $4 coupon (8/2 SS) and will count towards SCR #97 ($25 WYB $50 worth of select J&J brands) = $9.99
• 2 Tylenol 8 hour $2.99 each, used two $2 coupons (8/23 SS) and will get back $2 (SCR #50, limit 1) and this also counts for SCR #97 = $0.02 profit
• Used $5 off $25 coupon, total was $8.96

Transaction Two

• Zyrtec (10 mg 30 count) $18.99, used $5 in-circular coupon and $4 coupon (8/2 SS) and will count towards SCR #97 ($25 WYB $50 worth of select J&J brands) = $9.99
• 3 Tylenol Rapid Release $2.99 each, used two $0.50 peelie coupons (*wanted the 8 hour ones but the store was out) and will count towards SCR #97 ($25 WYB $50 worth of select J&J brands) = $7.97
• Used $5 off $25 coupon, total was $12.96

Here's what I should get back: $2.49 (SCR #119), $2 (SCR #50) and $25 (SCR #97), so overall, that's a profit of $7.57. If I'd been able to find three more Tylenol 8 hours, my profit would've been even higher.

ShopRite

• 4 Glade Soy Candles $2.99 each, used four freebie coupons (8/9 SS) = FREE
• 4 Perdue Flavor Bites $2.57 each, used four $2 coupons (8/23 RP) = $2.28 or $0.57 each *There was a TMF rebate form in this insert as well but I don't think I'm going to bother for a $0.57 rebate. I'm pretty sure the rebate says you'll only get back the post-coupon price
• Perdue chicken burgers - markdown to $1.25
• 6 Great Lakes cheeses $0.88 each
• Total was $9.60

I also pulled together a mass of books that I'm giving to my mom to donate. They're doing a "book run" at her job. Most of these are books that have been lying around my parents' house for years. I tried to sell them online, but they either weren't worth anything or haven't sold in the time I've had them up, so its time for them to find a new home. Don't you just love cleaning things out?

Not Exactly As Planned

CVS

• 4 Diet Pepsi's $3 each, got back $3 EB (WYB 4, Limit at least 2) = four for $9 or $2.25 each
• Naked Naturals shampoo $6.99, will submit for Try Me Free rebate on bottle = FREE
• Skintimate shaving cream $1.99, used $1 CRT = $0.99
• Used $4 off $20 coupon (ask Pharmacist about Ready Fill program and they should give you a coupon book), $1.89 EB, $1.98 EB and $11.37 EB, total was $1.48

I had planned to buy the soda plus more Carefree and Glade, but the store was out of both.

Acme

• 2 Poland Spring 6 packs $1 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (8/2 RP) = $1 or $0.50 each
• 2 Acme pastas $1 each (clearance price)
• Strawberries $1.88
• Acme swiss cheese $2.19
• Used two $0.50 catalinas, $1 cat and $5 cat, total was $0.07

Used up all my remaining catalinas....ahhhh

All That She Wants...

...is another baby, she's gone tomorrow boy. All that she wants, is another baby. Yeah! Remember this one? I'm not sure if its a conspiracy, but lately, all I seem to hear on the radio is Ace of Base - what's up with that? If you'd like to take a little trip with me down memory lane to 1993, let this one jog your memory. Ready for more? :) I shouldn't joke too much. I'm not ashamed to admit that a certain sophomore Ace of Base album still lives among my CD collection. And moreover, I like it. Try to listen to this without bopping around in your seat. Just don't get too caught up in the awesome, technologically-groundbreaking video. I dare you.
Walgreens

• 2 Zyrtec Hives $3.29 each (clearance price so YMMV), used two $3 coupons (FYI these beeped) and got back $5 RR (WYB 2 Zyrtec, Benadryl, Tylenol or Sudafed products) = $4.42 profit
• 2 Rice Krispies $2.50 each, used $1 coupon and freebie coupon (Vocal Point home mailer) and got back $2 RR (WYB 2) = $0.50 profit
• Walgreens soda $0.39 with in-circular coupon
• Used $2 RR, total was $0.50

CVS - my card

• Sun/Mon/Tues ONLY: 2 Caliber or CVS Composition Books (100 sheets) $0.99 each, got back $1.98 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• 3 Carefree Ultra Protection pantiliners (16 count) $3.79 each, ($1 coupon available - my printer jammed on me so I couldn't print this one) and got back $11.37 EB ($3.79 each, Limit 4) = FREE
• 2 Poise Liners (10-16 count) $2 each, used $1.50 off 2 coupon (or 8/9 SS) and got back $1 EB (WYB 2, Limit 5 or 10 liners total) = $1.50
• 3 newspapers $1.25 each
• Used $4 off $20 coupon, $9.99 EB and $3.98 EB, total was $1.74

CVS - DBF's card

• Sun/Mon/Tues ONLY: 2 Caliber or CVS Composition Books (100 sheets) $0.99 each, got back $1.98 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• 3 Carefree Ultra Protection pantiliners (16 count) $3.79 each, got back $11.37 EB ($3.79 each, Limit 4) = FREE
• 2 Poise Liners (10-16 count) $2 each, used two $2 coupon and got back $1 EB (WYB 2, Limit 5 or 10 liners total) = $1 profit
• Glade Lasting Impressions and Glade Sense & Spray $5 each, used $3 LI coupon (8/2 SS) and $4 S&S coupon (July All You magazine) and got back $3 EB (WYB $10 worth of Glade products, Limit 3) = FREE
• Forever stamps $8.80
• Used $5 off $25 coupon, $9.99 EB, $3.98 EB, $1.98 EB, $1.98 EB and $1 EB, total was $1.92

This store only had a handful of papers and I didn't want to completely wipe them out so I headed up the street to Quik Check to get the rest. I picked up three papers and went to checkout. I don't tend to carry a lot of cash on me and I only had $3 in my wallet. I planned to use my debit card and get some cash back, but of course, the machine was broken. The papers are $1.25 each so I could only afford to get two. I felt a little silly, I have to say.

But then I came home to find a Star Ledger waiting for me. I didn't think my trial subscription would start so soon so that was a nice surprise. :)

Mystery Ears

Hmm, who might these adorable ears belong to?

Why, Riley of course! Don't you just love that shiny fur? He could be a hair model for Pantene!

I love watching him play. He especially loves to play near, around, next to, on top of or even under (he's not picky) Rocky - that's Rocky's rump in the picture there. How can you resist that belly and those paws? Its too bad that whenever you try to rub that belly, those sharp little puppy teeth always seem to find and chomp down on your hand or arm.

Old Navy

• 4 basic t-shirts $3 each (sale today only) = $12

CVS - did not see this sale until now, was it even in the circular?

• CVS tampons (10 count) $1.89, got back $1.89 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Candy bar $0.67
• Used $1.99 EB, total was $0.63

Repeated on DBF's card minus the candy bar, used $1 EB, total was $0.89

8/23 - 8/30

As always, my deals all come from the wonderful folks at HCW, Slick Deals and Erica at iheartcvs.com, iheartriteaid.com and iheartwags.com.

Old Navy - thanks to The Centsible Sawyer for this deal! On Saturday 8/22, basic t-shirts and v-necks will be only $3 each.

CVS

• Sun/Mon/Tues ONLY: Caliber or CVS Composition Book (100 sheets) $0.99, get back $0.99 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Carefree Ultra Protection pantiliners (16 count) $3.79, use $1 coupon (or June 2009 Ladies Home Journal, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan) and get back $3.79 EB (Limit 4) = $1 profit or FREE without coupon
• Reese's candy bars $0.50, use $0.55 coupon (8/23 SS) = FREE
• Glade Products - spend $10, get back $3 EB (Limit 3). Includes Plugins Refill (1 pack) $2.50 ($1 off 2 coupon 7/26 SS), Plugins Gel (3 pack) $2.50, Scented Oil Candle Refills (3 count) or Candle Holder $2.50 ($1 coupon or FREE Plugins Scented Oil Warmer WYB Refill 8/2 SS), Sense & Spray (0.43 oz) $5 ($4 coupon in 8/23 SS or July All You magazine), Lasting Impressions (1.42 oz) $5 ($3 coupon 8/2 SS)

*Does anyone else cringe when they see these Glade deals? The names of the items all sound so similar! Anyhoo, here's a scenario for you:

Buy four Lasting Impressions at $5 each, use four $3 coupons (8/2 SS) and a $4 off $20 coupon (ask the Pharmacist about the Ready Fill program and they should give you a coupon booklet with these) and get back $6 EB = $2 profit If you have the All You coupon, substitute a Lasting Impressions for Sense & Spray and make $3 profit

• Poise Liners (10-16 count) $2 each, get back $1 EB (WYB 2, Limit 5 or 10 liners total), use $2 coupon or $1.50 coupon (Reinventing Beauty magazine found in stores) or $1.50 off 2 coupon (or 8/9 SS) = $1 profit (with two $2 coupons), FREE (with two $1.50 coupons) or $1.50 (with $1.50 off 2 coupon)
• Kraft Mac and Cheese $1 each, get back $2 EB (WYB 4, Limit 1) = $2 for four or $0.50 each
• Aveeno Skin, Sun, or Hair Care - spend $25, get back $10 EB (Limit 1)

Rite Aid - $5 off $25 coupon available Exp. 8/31/09

• Colgate Total Advanced Whitening Toothpaste (4 oz) $2.49, get back $2.49 (SCR #119) = FREE

Walgreens

• Listerine - buy two ($4 each) and get back $3 RR, use BOGO coupon (8/2 SS) and $1 Walgreens coupon (will take off $2 WYB 2, from Coloring Book, sold in stores for $0.99) = $1 profit
• Reach Prevent Toothbrush $0.99 with in-circular coupon, use $1 coupon (6/14 SS *Give first) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Nutri-Grain Bars, Rice Krispie Treats, Cheez-Its, Keebler Cookies, PopTarts or Club Crackers four for $10 or $2.50 each, get back $5 RR WYB 4 = $5 or $1.25 each *Coupons in the 8/2 Kellogg's Fuel for School insert. There's also the Fuel for School rebate available. You'd have to buy 10 items at once, so you'd get only one $5 RR, but it still may be a good deal.
• Kelloggs Cereal $2.50 each, get back $2 RR (WYB 2). Includes Special K, Smart Start, Raisin Bran, Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies or Corn Pops. If you got the Vocal Point coupons for the Rice Krispies, use the free coupon and one $1 coupon = $1.50 OOP and get back $2 RR = $0.50 profit

Walgreens August Monthly Deals - good until 8/29

• Zyrtec Hives $3.29 each, use two $3 coupons and get back $5 RR (WYB 2 Zyrtec, Benadryl, Tylenol or Sudafed products) = $4.42 profit

General Printable Rebate Offers

• 3M/Post It - purchase any 3M permanent labels and/or Post-it label pads and get back up to $7.50 ($5 for 3M and $2.50 for Post-its) Valid 7/1 - 9/30/09
• Alouette Baby Brie Wedge Cheese TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Ensure 6 pack use $3 coupon and Try Me Free rebate Exp. 12/31/09
• Kraft Mac n Cheese Crackers TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Kellogg's/Dell - purchase 10 participating items (in ONE transaction) between 7/6 and 9/30 and receive $10 rebate check and $70 coupon code for Dell (have to register to view rebate form - its on the bottom right-hand side of the page)
• McCormick Alcoholic Beverages - click on Rebate Center once you've entered your birthday. Not valid in AL, HI, IN, MS, OH, SC, TX and UT. Exp. 12/31/09
• Pantene ProV Satisfaction Guarantee - 2x your purchase price (up to $12) Exp. 6/30/2010
• Pert Plus for Men TMF (has to have sticker on bottle) Exp. 12/31/09
• Physician's Formula - three separate rebates *have to find products with TMF peelies on them Exp. 12/31/09
• Precious Kitty Litter - One request per lifetime
• Science Diet Light Pet Food $8 coupon and $10 rebate (must register)
• Starkist SeaSations Money Back Guarantee Exp. 12/31/09
• Sure - several available - must have Try Me Free sticker on product Exp. 11/15/09
• Tombstone Pizza - credit towards utility bills Postmark by 1/15/10
• Tyson Skillet Creations TMF Exp. 10/31/09

Ziploc Zania

As you can see, I went a little nuts today. :) A&P

• 6 Ziploc containers $2 each (shelf price $3.39 each), used four $0.55 coupons (7/26 SS) and one $1.50 off 2 coupon (7/26 or 8/9 SS), got back $10 catalina (for spending $20 - based on shelf prices) = $3.90 profit
• A&P bag $0.99
• Used $3.50 catalina, total was $4.25 - paid using gift card. I had planned on using a second $3.50 cat but it beeped and they say one per transaction or something so I wasn't able to use it

Second trip

• 6 Ziploc containers $2 each (shelf price $3.39 each), used two $0.55 coupons (7/26 SS) and two $1.50 off 2 coupons (7/26 or 8/9 SS), got back $10 catalina (for spending $20 - based on shelf prices) = $3.20 profit
• Scotch mailer $0.79
• Used $3.50 catalina, total was $4.83, again I had planned on using another cat. I did these transactions back to back, so I didn't have time to adjust my plan

Third trip

• 6 Ziploc containers $2 each (shelf price $3.39 each), used three $1.50 off 2 coupons (7/26 or 8/9 SS), got back $10 catalina (for spending $20 - based on shelf prices) = $2.50 profit
• Kraft Mac & Cheese crackers $1.99, will submit for Try Me Free rebate = FREE
• Used $8 catalina, total was $2.13

Final Trip

• 6 Ziploc containers $2 each (shelf price $3.39 each), used three $1.50 off 2 coupons (7/26 or 8/9 SS), got back $10 catalina (for spending $20 - based on shelf prices) = $2.50 profit
• A&P bag $0.99
• 3 Rayovac batteries $0.99 each, used three $1 coupons (6/21 SS) = $0.04 profit
• Used $8 catalina, total was $1.48

One of my $10 catalinas printed without a barcode. Its not faded or partially printed. Its missing! Isn't that odd? I just noticed so I'll have to stop back in the store tomorrow.

What's up with my battery?

Some random thoughts:

• There have been a lot of new followers this week - welcome, welcome, welcome! Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have and be sure to check out my Hounding 101 section for some helpful info. If there's anything I've missed that you think would be good to include, please let me know.
• My cell phone battery is on the fritz. I had three bars on my battery this morning and by the time I left work this afternoon, the phone was totally dead and had shut itself off. Not exactly a good quality in a portable phone, huh? I have an LG phone, and its only a year or so old. Do I have to use an LG battery? Can I get a cheap no-name battery for cheaper? Any suggestions?
• I think this has been a record setting week for rainchecks for me. I have a raincheck for four more Rayovac batteries at A&P, two CVS rainchecks (my card & DBF's card) for the free Philips earphones, two CVS rainchecks for the free school boxes and two CVS rainchecks for the J&J travel first aid kits. I've never relied on rainchecks so much before, but its a relief not to have to keep checking store after store for an item. Love it!
• It is getting harder and harder to find this type of Tidy Cats litter. I love the Breeze system but have a feeling it may be on its way out. I don't understand because its relatively new. I've only ever seen the litter sold in Petco, Walmart, Acme and sometimes Target. That's it! So when I can get a great deal on it, I really stock up.

Here's a great A&P deal. I'm going to do this tomorrow but since Thursday's the last day of the sale, I didn't want to just post it then. Here goes - buy six Ziploc containers at $2 each, use four $0.55 coupons (7/26 SS) and one $1.50 off 2 coupon (7/26 or 8/9 SS) = $6.10 OOP and get back a $10 catalina = $3.90 profit (the $20 is based on shelf prices so make sure your prices add up to $20 before you check out)

A&P

• 4 Rayovac batteries $0.99 each, used four $1 coupons (6/21 SS) = $0.04 profit *The coupons didn't beep b/c of the overage, I was shocked!
• Goody Ouchless Hair Clips $4.79, will submit for Try Me Free rebate (up to $3.99, form found in store right by these) = $0.80
• Got $0.02 bag discount, used $3.50 catalina, total was $1.36

I paid with the gift card I received last week for signing up for a month's delivery of the Star Ledger, so no OOP.

Acme

• Jello Pudding $1
• 2 Crystal Lites $2 each = $4
• 4 Wheat Thins $2.50 each = $10
• 2 Chips Ahoy $2.50 each = $5

Got back $5 catalina and will submit for $20 rebate (at my parent's address, rebate form printed at checkout) = FREE *Note I didn't use any coupons here but it still worked out to be free. I was more concerned with using up some expiring catalinas than making money on this transaction. And since I'm submitting for the rebate, I basically turned $20 in cats into cash. Works for me!

• 5 Tidy Cats litters $6.99 each, used five $1 coupons (8/9 RP) = $29.95 or $5.99 each
• 5 Tidy Cats litter pads $4.99 each, used five $1 coupons (8/9 RP) = $19.95 or $3.99 each
• Used $10 cat and ten $5 cats, total was $14.09

I probably should have planned this better so that my OOP was lower. C'est la vie. I used self-checkout and the woman working there asked to see my Tidy Cats coupons after I'd scanned a couple. She closely examined them and then said ok, so I kept scanning them in. Then when I was using all my cats (looking over my shoulder the whole time, just waiting for someone to ring an "excessive coupon alarm"), she came back over and took a look at those too. Then after I'd scanned them all, she had to approve the transaction which took a good minute or so. As I walked away she caught my eye and I was fully prepared for a "coupon talking-to" but she was so nice! She asked me how I'd qualified for the catalinas. I told her and then mentioned the Kraft deal this week and that it equaled free groceries even without coupons. She said she could never get "these deals" right. Oh well, I tried! :)

Some Shopping, Some Laughs and Some Housekeeping Items

Walgreens is having a four day sale from 8/19 - 8/22 where if you spend $25, you'll receive a $5 RR. Not sure if this is before coupons, after coupons, before RR's you use to pay or if its linked somehow to the pull of the tide, we'll just have to see as more details come out. Here's the HCW thread if you want to stay on top of it. :)

For a laugh, read the review by B. Govern "Bee-Dot-Govern". Muchos gracias to my sister for sending this to me.

Walgreens - hit up three different stores today

Store 1

• 9 Scotch mailers $0.49 each, used six $0.50 coupons (6/28 RP) = $1.41 or $0.16 each *I could have used more coupons here but I needed some fillers so I could use my RR
• Conair Professional Hair Brush $2.99, got back $2 RR = $0.99
• Used $4 RR, total was $0.92

Store 2

• 8 Scotch mailers $0.49 each, used seven $0.50 coupons (6/28 RP) = $0.42 or $0.05 each
• Total was $0.70

Store 3

• 11 Scotch mailers $0.49 each, used ten $0.50 coupons (6/28 RP) = $0.39 or $0.03 each
• Total was $0.77

Normally at Walgreens when you're trying to use a coupon for more than the value of the item, it will beep. That's why I used one less coupon than items (except for store one). That's one way of getting around the problem. Technically, the store should adjust your coupon down ($0.50 coupon adjusted to $0.49) but I've found many cashiers at Walgreens are unwilling to do this. However, pubbler emailed me to let me know that she used these coupons today and they didn't beep! You just have to make sure you have an extra item in your order to cover the overage.

Good to know - according to HCW, there are actually four separate Kelloggs' Fuel for School rebates out there. 1) Online form (PO Box 70232), 2) 8/2 RP (PO Box 70163), 3) Form in various stores - top form in this picture, I found mine at Acme (PO Box 70194) and 4) Coupon booklet in stores with "Fuel for School" display. How cool is that? Keep your eyes peeled for these.And finally, Riley is learning to navigate obstacle courses. Just look at those ears!

Everybody's Favorite - Stockpile Pictures!

Its been a while dear friends, so let's take a peek and see how my stockpile's doing!
My everything closet - pasta, brownie and cake mixes, granola bars, makeup, cold medicine and cleanersAnd the overflow on the floor - crackers, detergent, cat litter and underneath all that are baskets of batteries and tea light candles.

My ebay closet, mailing envelopes, bubble wrap, packaging tape and tons of printer paper.

TP everywhere...

And everywhere....

And everywhere!

I had a dream last night that some random guy wandered into my stockpile room and asked if he could take two of my Garnier lotions. No! I exclaimed. He wandered off with them anyway. How rude!

Still working on all these CVS waters from I got back in January. The brown storage cube is filled with Dove, Degree and Suave deodorants.

Juice, soda and lemonade overload

And lots of Crystal Lite

Salad dressing, tomato sauce, peanut butter, shampoo, body wash, shaving cream, conditioner and household stuff on the bottom shelf - garbage bags, cleaners, cat litter, etc.

You're Welcome

DBF and I are happy to bring you your "umm...what?" moment of the day. Enjoy!

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Walgreens

• SoftSoap Nutri Serums Body Wash $3.99, got back $4 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• 2 Scotch mailing envelopes $0.49 each, used $0.50 coupon (7/26 RP) = $0.48 or $0.24 each
• Used $4 RR, total was $0.82

CVS - my card. Store was out of the Phillips earphones and the school boxes so we got rainchecks for those.

• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: 2 CVS or Caliber Filler Papers (150 sheets) $0.99 each, got back $1.98 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: 2 CVS or Caliber Mini Composition Notebooks $1.99 each, got back $3.98 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: 2 Paper Mate Pens $0.99 each, got back $1.98 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Caliber pencil sharpener $0.29
• Used $1.98 EB and $5.98 EB, total was $0.85

Repeated on DBF's card minus the pencil sharpener, used $1 EB, $3 EB and $3 EB, total was $1.01

Then we went on a hunt for newspapers. If you live in Jersey, you've probably noticed that the Star Ledger no longer carries the RP coupon insert. We drove to a different county (luckily I live on the border of two other counties) and went to A&P. As we walked in, a gentleman was advertising for a free month's subscription for the Star Ledger. I stopped and asked if him if he knew anything about what's going on with the RP inserts, but he didn't. I decided to sign up and got one month's free subscription to the Ledger, a $25 A&P gift card and a bunch of coupon inserts from the 8/2 paper. Score!

A&P had a couple different papers and we found the RP insert in the Daily News...but no SS. Sigh. We drove to Sussex County and picked up the New Jersey Sunday Herald for $1.25 each. It has both inserts and its cheaper than what I paid for the Ledger anyway ($2 each)!

I'm So Loving Acme!

Old Navy - my sisters and I got to the store around 9:30 this morning. I was expecting the store to be mobbed but we were the only ones looking at the tank tops.

• 5 tank tops $2 each (sale price, today only)
• Used 10% coupon, total was $9

Then we headed over to Panera for breakfast. Since my sister is a manager, we got free grub! You know I like the sound of that. :)
Acme - sorry for all the sun glare in this shot. I did two transactions here and will submit for one rebate at my address and one at DBF's address.

One:

• 2 Easy Mac cups $1 each, used BOGO coupon (6/21 Parade magazine in the paper *one per customer/transaction) = $1
• 5 Velveeta shells & cheese cups $1 each, used one $0.55 coupon (doubled to $1.10), one BOGO coupon and one coupon for two FREE cups (got these from a home mailer, other coupons in 8/9 SS) = $0.90
• 2 Wheat Thins $2 each and 2 Crystal Lites $2 each, used two $2 coupons (WYB Wheat Thins and Crystal Lite - tearpad found in A&P ages ago) = $6
• 2 Crystal Lites $2 each, used two $1 coupons (printables no longer available) = $2
• Grapes $2.15 ($0.97/lb)
• 2 Tidy Cats litter pads $4.99 each, used two $1 coupons (8/9 RP) = $7.98 or $3.99 each
• Used three $5 cats and $2 cat, total was $2.93

Got back $5 cat and $1 cat (for Velveeta) and will submit for $20 rebate. OOP on Kraft/Nabisco items was $9.90 so $16.10 profit

Then we bought

• 2 Easy Mac cups $1 each, used BOGO coupon (6/21 Parade magazine in the paper *one per customer/transaction) = $1
• 6 Jello Puddings $1 each, used two $1 off 3 coupons (printables no longer available) = $4
• 2 Wheat Thins $2 each, used two $1 coupons (printables no longer available) = $2
• Capri Sun $2, used $0.75 coupon (tearpad found in A&P ages ago) = $0.50
• 4 Kraft shredded cheeses $1.66 each, used two $1 off 2 coupons (8/9 RP) = $4.64
• Tidy Cats litter pads $4.99, used $1 coupons (8/9 RP) = $3.99
• Used three $5 cats, $1 cat and $0.50 cat, total was $1.01

Got back $5 cat and will submit for $20 rebate. OOP on Kraft/Nabisco items was $12.14 so $12.86 profit

Even if you don't have all these coupons, the deal is that if you spend $25 on participating items, you get back a $5 cat and qualify for the $20 rebate (form prints at checkout), so you get free groceries. You can't lose!

Shark Week

A&P

• 5 Nature Valley granola bars $2.50 each, used two $0.70 off 2 coupons (8/9 SS) = $9.70
• 5 Betty Crocker fruit snacks $1.50 each, used two $0.50 off 2 coupons (8/9 SS) = $5.50
• Total was $16.90 and got back $8 catalina (Bonus Bucks for spending $30 on General Mills products) and two $3.50 catalinas (for buying 5 of the NV and 5 of the BC) = $1.90 total or $0.38 each

I'm not going to keep the fruit snacks, so I calculated the per item price ($0.38) just based on the Nature Valley granola bars.

Repeated and added four Scotch mailers at $0.79 each - used four $0.50 coupons (7/26 RP) = FREE

Walgreens - had a $3 RR that expired today. I had planned to buy some free Colgate, but the store was out

• 4 Scotch mailers - two at $1.50 each and two at $0.99 each, used three $0.50 coupons (7/26 RP)
• Used $3 RR, total was $0.83

I was very glad to see this A&P deal. These lonely three granola bars are the last of my supply from this purchase and this one. Once again, the hounding gods have given me a great sale just when I needed it!

Doing the Good Deal Happy Dance 8/16 - 8/22

As always, my deals all come from the wonderful folks at HCW, Slick Deals and Erica at iheartcvs.com, iheartriteaid.com and iheartwags.com.

Acme - the fabulous deals continue this week! Remember that Acme's sale weeks go Friday to Thursday. Here's the HCW thread for this week's deals. There's a Kraft deal this week (HCW thread here) - spend $25, get back $5 instantly and a $20 rebate (form will print on catalina printer after your transaction).

Old Navy - thanks to The Centsible Sawyer for this deal! On Saturday 8/15, ribbed tanks will be $2 each. Next Saturday, 8/22, basic t-shirts and v-necks will be $3!

CVS *Head's up - the southern CA ad is very different than this. Its posted on iheartcvs if you wanna take a look. Don't forget to ask your Pharmacist for info about the Ready Fill program. They should give you a booklet with coupons, including two $4 off $20's.

• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: Caliber Recycled School Box $1.99, get back $1.99 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: CVS or Caliber Filler Paper (150 sheets) $0.99, get back $0.99 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: CVS or Caliber Mini Composition Notebook $1.99, get back $1.99 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: Paper Mate Pens $0.99, get back $0.99 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: Philips Earhook Headphones $6.99, get back $6.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: Pepsi 12 packs four for $12 or $3 each, get back $4 EB (WYB four, Limit 1) = four for $8 or $2 each
• J&J Travel Kits $0.99 each, buy two and use two $1 coupons (5/17 RP or 8/2 SS) and get back $2 EB (WYB 2, Limit 5) = $2 profit for every two *Cashiers will probably have to adjust the coupons down to $0.99 each so be prepared for beeps
• Sobe Lifewater BOGO sale, use BOGO coupon = FREE

Rite Aid - $5 off $25 coupon available Exp. 8/31/09

• Renuzit Crystal Elements $4.99, use $2 coupon (7/19 SS) and get back $3 (SCR #136) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Jack Links Jerky BOGO sale, use BOGO coupon (7/24 All You magazine) = two for FREE

Walgreens - four day sale from 8/19 - 8/22 where if you spend $25, you'll receive a $5 RR. Not sure if this is before coupons, after coupons, before RR's you use to pay or if its linked somehow to the pull of the tide, we'll just have to see as more details come out. Here's the HCW thread if you want to stay on top of it. :)

• SoftSoap Nutri Serums Body Wash $3.99, get back $3.99 RR = FREE
• Scotch mailers $0.49 each, use $0.50 coupon (6/28 RP) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Conair Professional Brush $2.99, get back $2 RR = $0.99

General Printable Rebate Offers

• 3M/Post It - purchase any 3M permanent labels and/or Post-it label pads and get back up to $7.50 ($5 for 3M and $2.50 for Post-its) Valid 7/1 - 9/30/09
• Alouette Baby Brie Wedge Cheese TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Ensure 6 pack use $3 coupon and Try Me Free rebate Exp. 12/31/09
• Kraft Mac n Cheese Crackers TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Kellogg's/Dell - purchase 10 participating items (in ONE transaction) between 7/6 and 9/30 and receive $10 rebate check and $70 coupon code for Dell (have to register to view rebate form - its on the bottom right-hand side of the page)
• Kraft Products - spend $25 in one transaction, get back $5 instantly and $20 via rebate. Valid at select stores only. Promo runs from 8/7 - 8/23/09.
• McCormick Alcoholic Beverages - click on Rebate Center once you've entered your birthday. Not valid in AL, HI, IN, MS, OH, SC, TX and UT. Exp. 12/31/09
• Pantene ProV Satisfaction Guarantee - 2x your purchase price (up to $12) Exp. 6/30/2010
• Pert Plus for Men TMF (has to have sticker on bottle) Exp. 12/31/09
• Physician's Formula - three separate rebates *have to find products with TMF peelies on them Exp. 12/31/09
• Precious Kitty Litter - One request per lifetime
• Science Diet Light Pet Food $8 coupon and $10 rebate (must register)
• Starkist SeaSations Money Back Guarantee Exp. 12/31/09
• Sure - several available - must have Try Me Free sticker on product Exp. 11/15/09
• Tombstone Pizza - credit towards utility bills Postmark by 1/15/10
• Tyson Skillet Creations TMF Exp. 10/31/09

Splurging

Acme, Acme and more Acme! Trip One:

• Glade Soy Candle $3.49, used free coupon (8/9 SS) = FREE
• 5 Solo Cups $2.99 each, used five $0.75 coupons (6/21 SS) = $7.45 or $1.49 each
• 2 loaves Acme white bread $0.99 each
• Loaf of English muffin bread (couldn't resist!) $1.99
• Dean Koontz's Frankenstein $7.49 - I cannot even tell you how excited I am about this! I've been waiting for this book to come out for years. I did a little happy dance when I saw it in the store. And to use my cats on it and not spend cash, even better! :)
• Used $2 cat and three $5 cats, total was $3.46

Trip Two:

• 20 Yoplait yogurts $0.50 each = $10 *Got back coupon for two free Yoplaits :)
• 3 Solo Cups $2.99 each, used three $0.75 coupons (6/21 SS) = $4.47 or $1.49 each *Got back three $0.50 catalinas here. I wonder why I didn't get them in the other store? After these, total was $2.97 or $0.99 each
• 2 Italian Village ravi-lo-lis $5.29 each (I know, I know, but the title of this post is "splurging" so you can't say you weren't warned)
• 2 Pepperidge Farm garlic breads $2.99 each
• Used $1 cat and six $5 cats, total was $0.50

I've still got $84.50 left in catalinas to spend!

This one's for the ladies - just watched "He's Just Not That Into You". Have you all seen this? Loved it!

Rude Old Dude

So after I did my CVS shopping, I sat in my car for a minute, putting away my receipts, fixing my makeup, etc. Next to me, some little old dude was taking his packages out of his shopping cart and putting them in his backseat. He left, I started to back out of my spot, but then saw someone else pulling into the spot next to me. As I was waiting for them, I saw something in my rear view mirror. Guess what it was? Rude dude's shopping cart DIRECTLY behind my car! U...g...h. I had to get out of the car and move the cart so I could leave. Isn't that obnoxious?
Acme - thanks Heather for the tip about the Dove deal still working!

• 6 Tostitos $3 each, used two $2 off 2 coupons (Pepsi/Frito rebate from a while back) and got discount of $2 for "Salsa Savings" (not sure what that was about) = $12 or $2 each
• 2 Gatorades (32 oz) $1 each
• Mama Lucia meatballs $5.29, got $5 discount (in-circular coupon) for buying $20 worth of Pepsi products (chips and Gatorade - lots of other stuff counts) = $0.29 *Manager had to override this but she'd told me beforehand I could buy any meat item with the coupon so I knew I'd be ok.
• 2 McCain fries $3 each
• 8 Dove shampoos (25.4 oz) $5 each (reg. price $7.89 each) and got back $42 in catalinas (holdover from last week's sale, $30 in cats for spending $30 x 2 and $12 in catalinas for buying Unilever items) = $2 profit
• Used two $1 cats and thirteen $5 cats, total was $1.23

*I would have been better off buying four Doves at a time rather than all eight. The Unilever cats don't double like the other ones do (spend $30, get back $15 in cats or spend $60, get back $30 in cats or spend $90, get back $45 in cats). If I'd bought just four, I'd have received $15 in cats (for spending $30) and $12 in cats (Unilever) so $7 profit.

CVS - these were all raincheck prices/EB deals. Since they manually printed the EB's, I got back whole amounts rather than exact (ie. $2 back rather than $1.98)

• 2 CVS 1" vinyl binders $3 each, got back $6 EB = FREE
• 2 Caliber sticky notes $0.99 each, got back $2 EB = FREE
• 2 CVS pens $0.99 each, got back $2 EB = FREE
• Used five $1.98 EB's, total was $0.62

I was hoping these would count towards the spend $15, get back $5 deal this week on CVS/Caliber school supplies but they didn't show up on the bottom of my receipt at all. Oh well.

I also asked about the Ready Fill program at the pharmacy and got a coupon booklet. Inside are two $4 off $20 coupons and a bunch of other ones.

I also returned the two Electrasols from last week. I got back the pre-coupon price, so I made about $5 off the return.

Some Small Shopping Trips

I'm happy to say that I was promoted at work and today was my first day. I'm working at a different location and with different hours, so its going to take some getting used to. I am SO tired! Not to mention I have to scope out where the stores are in this area. Today I went to an Acme on my lunch break, mostly just to get the circular. I'm going to plan out some ways to use my catalinas and go back later in the week.

Acme

• 2 Tostitos $3 each, used $2 off 2 coupon (Pepsi/Frito rebate) = $4 or $2 each
• Moon pie $0.50
• Used two $2 catalinas, total was $0.50

ShopRite - had catalinas to use up here too

• 4 No Nonsense trouser socks $1.99 each, used four $1 peelie coupons (on package) = $3.96 or $0.99 each
• Peaches $1.70 ($0.99/lb)
• Dole lettuce $1.49
• 4 boxes SR pasta $1 each
• Used three $3 catalinas and got $0.05 bag discount, total was $2.10

*The No Nonsense socks were marked in the aisle as $1.49 each. I was pretty sure this was an old sale price so I bought them hoping they'd ring up as $1.99 each. Sure enough they did! Since SR has a price guarantee, I got back $1.99 and then $0.50 x 3 in cash (price difference on the other three).

CVS - my card

• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Mousse Makeup $9.99, used $1 coupon (7/19 SS) and got back $9.99 EB (Limit 1) = $1 profit
• Pen $0.01 (found in a bin at the front of the store)
• Used $1 EB, $3 EB and $5 EB, total was $0.63

CVS - DBF's card

• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Mousse Makeup $9.99, used $1 coupon (7/19 SS) and got back $9.99 EB (Limit 1) = $1 profit
• Sharpie Accent Highlighters (4 pack) $0.99, use $1 coupon = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Used $7.99 EB, total was $1.76

I had originally planned to buy four Sharpies but this store is iffy on printable coupons and would only let me use one coupon, so I just got one package.

Everything's Expiring on Me!

Isn't this adorable? My boyfriend's mom picked up this notepad for me. Too cute!

CVS on Saturday

I had a $2 EB that had expired on 8/5 and I was in the area of a store that I know accepts expired EB's so I stopped in. I asked how long they accept expired ones and they told me only a week, so I figured I'd buy some stuff then so I wouldn't have to make another trip. I picked up a bottle of Softsoap Nutri Serum body wash for $4.99 and a permanent marker for $0.01 (I think these are a month long sale, they were in a bin at the front of the store). I paid with a $2 EB and a $3 EB but no EB's printed out. When I checked the circular, I realized the Softsoap was a three day sale (duh!) so I returned it and got my money back on a gift card. So basically, I turned my EB into gift card money - works for me!

ShopRite - I had $9 in catalinas expiring today, perfect for newspapers. I'm so glad I thought to check the expiration date on these. With all my recent Acme shopping, I'd almost forgotten about them.

• 6 newspapers $1.50 each
• Used $1 cat, $3 cat and $5 cat, total was zero

Rite Aid

• Scotch Desk Grip Tape Dispenser $2.49, used $2 coupon and will get back $2.49 (SCR #76) = $2 profit *The rebate this week is also good for a Hand Held tape dispenser but the coupon beeps on this item.
• Total was $0.67

Bought a second one, will submit for rebate in DBF's name

DBF and I stopped by Petco this weekend and I splurged on some new toys for the kitties. I got them a crinkly tunnel to romp around in and a half-circle scratchy thing. They can sit on the white base and rub their heads on the sides. Gigi is forever rubbing her head all over everything in the apartment so I figured she'd like this. They are a little wary of the new toys but I'm sure they'll warm up to them soon enough.

July Savings

July Monthly Totals

• Merchandise Total (before coupons): $1,574.15
• Value of Coupons & Store Sales: $975.80
• Rewards/Gift Cards/EB's Used: $242.08
• Rewards/Gift Cards/EB's Earned: $315.69
• Rebates: $233.31
• Total Cost to me (after rewards earned and rebates): $83.96
• Total Profit: $62.01
• # of Items: 451, # of Free Items: 313

I redeemed $40 worth of rewards on my Discover card for a $45 CVS gift card. I love these! I hardly ever have to spend cash at CVS because I keep getting these cards.

Rebates received:

• $2.99 Reynold 100% Recycled Foil my address
• $11.99 Tena rebate x3 (my address, DBF's address and parent's address)
• $2.69 Windex Wipes
• $4.50 Windex DBF's address
• $4.99 Blue Bunny ice cream
• $9.99 Accu-Check diabetes meter
• $14.95 PF Bronze Booster (parents' address)
• $8.99 PF Bronze Booster x2 (my address and DBF's address)

I also got back $30 from my eye doctor because I gave them the wrong insurance information originally and was due a refund on the copay I initially gave them.

eBay profits: $124.93

A Week to Rest 8/9 - 8/15

As always, my deals all come from the wonderful folks at HCW, Slick Deals and Erica at iheartcvs.com, iheartriteaid.com and iheartwags.com.

Office Depot - FREE Tug backpack with minimum $10 purchase. Lots of cheap office/school supplies this week!

Staples - there's a $5 off $50 coupon in the circular too! Buy all the stuff below and you're at $52. :) **UPDATE - thanks Stacy for the update on this. Because of the instant savings, if you buy all the items below, your total will only be around $39 so you'll need to get another $11 worth of stuff to get to $50 so you can use the coupon. Rats!

• Casio Handheld Label Maker $19.99, $5 instant savings (basically a sale) and get back $15 Easy Rebate (Limit 1) = FREE *If you bought this before, go ahead and buy it again. This is a different rebate.
• Staples Slim-Line Pencil Sharpener $15.99, $5 instant savings (basically a sale) and get back $10 Easy Rebate (Limit 1) = FREE *Same thing here - I'm 99% sure this is a different rebate than before.
• Handy-Line S markers $3.99, get back $3.99 Easy Rebate (#781840, Limit 1) = FREE
• Staples One Subject Notebooks $0.01 each (Limit 6 per customer)
• Staples Multi-purpose paper $5.99, $1 instant savings (basically a sale) and get back $3.99 Easy Rebate (#513099, Limit 2) = $1 each

CVS - there's a printable coupon for $5 off $25 on cvs.com. Click on the Rx quiz, complete the quiz (doesn't matter if you answer everything correctly) and then you'll be able to print the coupon. Folks are saying it starts 8/10 even though it doesn't specifically say that and will beep if you use it beforehand. You can also ask the Pharmacists for info about the Ready Fill program and they should give you a booklet with coupons. I think there's a $4 off $20 coupon in the booklet.

• Bayer Contour Meter $14.99, use freebie coupon (2/1 RP or 3/22 SS? RP? - not sure) and get back $5 EB (Limit 1) = $5 profit
• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Mousse Makeup $9.99, use $1 coupon (7/19 SS) and get back $9.99 EB (Limit 1) = $1 profit
• Air Wick Freshmatic Ultra i-Motion air freshner $5.99, use $6 coupon (8/9 SS) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• M&M Mars Single Candy Bars $0.50 each, buy two and use $1 off 2 coupon (7/26 RP) = FREE *These qualify towards the spend $15, get back $5 EB (Limit 5) deal this week as well.
• Sharpie Accent Highlighters (4 pack) $0.99, use $1 coupon = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Baked Lays chips $3, use $1 manufacturer's coupon (click on $ sign or August All You magazine) and $1 CVS coupon = $1 a bag
• Coke 12 packs four for $13, get back $3 EB (Limit 1) = four for $10 or $2.50 each

Rite Aid - $5 off $25 coupon available Exp. 8/31/09

• Scotch Pop Up Handband or Desk Grip Tape Dispenser $2.49, use $2 coupon and get back $2.49 (SCR #76) = $2 profit *Coupon good on Desk Grip dispenser only (beeps on Pop Up Handband)
• ProFoot Miracle/Triad/Aero3 Insoles - three for $15 or $5 each, buy three Aero3 Insoles and use three $2 coupons and get back $10 (WYB 3, SCR #10) = $1 profit
• NYC Cosmetics PSA $1.99, use $1 coupon (August All You magazine) and $1 RA in-circular coupon = FREE/$0.01 profit

Walgreens

• Colgate Total Enamel Strength Toothpaste (4 oz) $2.99, use $0.75 coupon (7/26 SS) and get back $2.99 RR = $0.75 profit
• Skippy Naturals PB $2, buy one and you'll get a coupon for $2 off a second jar. Use that coupon to buy a second jar and then you should get another coupon. Keep rolling and rolling and rolling...
• Bic Round Grip Pens (8 pack) $0.50 each, buy two and use $1 off 2 coupon = FREE
• Sharpie Accent Highlighters (4 pack) $0.99, use $1 coupon = FREE *Cashier may have to adjust coupon down to $1.99 or you may have to buy two packages to use this coupon
• Ecotrin Low Strength (45 count) $1.99, use $2 coupon (5/17 SS or here) = FREE *Cashier may have to adjust coupon down to $1.99 or you may have to buy two packages to use this coupon
• Jergens Naturals Lotion (16.8 oz) $5.99, get back $5 RR = $0.99

General Printable Rebate Offers

• 3M/Post It - purchase any 3M permanent labels and/or Post-it label pads and get back up to $7.50 ($5 for 3M and $2.50 for Post-its) Valid 7/1 - 9/30/09
• Alouette Baby Brie Wedge Cheese TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Ensure 6 pack use $3 coupon and Try Me Free rebate Exp. 12/31/09
• Kraft Mac n Cheese Crackers TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Kellogg's/Dell - purchase 10 participating items (in ONE transaction) between 7/6 and 9/30 and receive $10 rebate check and $70 coupon code for Dell (have to register to view rebate form - its on the bottom right-hand side of the page)
• Kraft Products - spend $25 in one transaction, get back $5 instantly and $20 via rebate. Valid at select stores only. Promo runs from 8/7 - 8/23/09.
• McCormick Alcoholic Beverages - click on Rebate Center once you've entered your birthday. Not valid in AL, HI, IN, MS, OH, SC, TX and UT. Exp. 12/31/09
• Pantene ProV Satisfaction Guarantee - 2x your purchase price (up to $12) Exp. 6/30/2010
• Pert Plus for Men TMF (has to have sticker on bottle) Exp. 12/31/09
• Physician's Formula - three separate rebates *have to find products with TMF peelies on them Exp. 12/31/09
• Precious Kitty Litter - One request per lifetime
• Science Diet Light Pet Food $8 coupon and $10 rebate (must register)
• Starkist SeaSations Money Back Guarantee Exp. 12/31/09
• Sure - several available - must have Try Me Free sticker on product Exp. 11/15/09
• Tombstone Pizza - credit towards utility bills Postmark by 1/15/10
• Tyson Skillet Creations TMF Exp. 10/31/09

Can You Tell I'm Burning Out?

My math is definitely getting a little sloppy. I'm glad the sales end tomorrow. I'm trying to decide if I should get up early and do one last Acme run in the morning before work. I'm thinking probably not but we'll see...

Only four transactions today (cause I squished 'em all together!)

Un

• 5 All detergents $3.50 each ($6.49 reg price), used five $1 coupons (6/28 or 8/2 RP), got back $15 in catalinas (for spending $30 - based on shelf prices) = $2.50 profit
• 6 Scotch bubble mailers $0.59 each, used six $0.50 coupons (6/28 RP) = FREE
• 2 Scotch bubble mailers (smaller size) $0.39 each - fillers
• Used $10 cat, total was $4.76

Deux

• 10 Betty Crocker cake mixes $1 each (reg. price $2.59 each) = $10 OOP
• 8 Suave shampoo/conditioners $1.66/7 each ($2.79 reg price) and five Suave kids shampoo/cond $1.66/7 each ($2.49 reg price), used six $1 off 2 coupons (5/17 or 8/2 RP) = $15.68 OOP
• Got back $45 in catalinas (for spending $90, based on regular prices) = $19.32 profit
• Used $10 cat and three $5 cats, total was $2.23

Trois

• 10 Suave body washes $2 each (three rang up as $2.99), used five $1 off 2 coupons (5/17 or 8/2 RP) = $17.97 OOP
• 10 Dove Body Mists $2.50 each ($4.49 reg price) and four Dove deodorants $2.50 each ($4.49 reg price), used five $1 Body Mist coupons and two $1 off 2 coupons for deo (5/17 or 6/28 RP) = $27 OOP
• Got back $45 in cats (for spending $90, based on regular prices) = $0.03 profit
• Used one $10 cat, seven $5 cats and one $2 cat, total was $2.03

One of my cats was halfway done printing my second to last catalina when the printer ran out of paper. You should have seen the expression on my face! The cashier reloaded it and it printed my final cat, but not the one it was halfway done with. I went to CS and they pulled a used $5 cat out of the register to replace it.

Quatre

• 2 Moon pies $0.50 each - promised my darling BF I'd buy these for him :)
• 14 General Mills cereals $2 each (4 Kix $3.89 reg price, 4 Cinnamon Toast Crunch $4.39 reg price and 6 Honey Nut Cheerios $4.29 reg price), used two $0.55 HNC coupons, two $0.75 Kix coupons, two $1 off 2 coupons and two $1 off 2 coupons, got back $15 in catalinas (for spending $30, based on shelf prices) = $6.40

*Should have received $30 in cats, not sure why I only got $15. My regular price total here was well over $60. OOPS! Just redid the math and its actually $58.86. Didn't I do this same thing last weekend? Sigh. Oh well, I made enough profit on all the other stuff I bought to cancel this out, plus, I'm too tired to care! :)

• Used three $5 cats and one $2 cat, total was $2.80