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. :)

Jersey Peaches

I've got lots of things to share with y'all today. First and foremost, today is my boyfriend and my three year anniversary! We're going to celebrate this weekend. The past three years have been the best of my life and I'm so happy we found each other. Love ya hunny!

Secondly and almost as important, I have discovered that the addition of blueberries to Breyers Yo Crunch yogurt equals deliciousness.

Thirdly, I have also discovered that I'm not so wild about Weis supermarkets. More to come...
Would you look at this peach?!? I was only planning on buying plums at ShopRite, but when I saw these bad boys, I knew I couldn't leave without them.

ShopRite - my coupons arrived in the mail yesterday, so I put the Sun Crystals coupon to good use. The stores I checked out either had no Sun Crystals at all, or tons. Hopefully I'll be able to use up my remaining coupons tomorrow.

• 3 Sun Crystals (50 count) $1.99 (in the circular as $3), used three $2 coupons (7/25 RP, go through with no beeps) and got back $5 catalina (WYB 3) and catalina for FREE reusable bag = $5 profit *Will also use these towards a $20 Smirnoff NBPR rebate on $20.01 of groceries

On a couple of transactions, I bought a pack of Orbit gum ($1) to cover the overage from the $2 coupons. Two other times, I bought a SR one subject notebook for $0.15. I also redeemed two coupons for FREE reusable bags.

• Plums $0.99/lb - $1.59
• Peaches $0.99/lb - $2.85
• Lettuce $2
• Used $5 catalina, total was $1.44 - will use these towards a Heineken $5 NBPR rebate on $15 of produce

Weis - I was on the hunt for Pepperidge Farm Stone Baked Artisan Ciabatta Rolls. I bid two Try Me Free rebates for them on ebay on a whim. The auction was only $0.99, and to my surprise, I won! I used an ebay certificate to pay, so didn't spend any cash. But I haven't been able to find them in my supermarkets and the rebate expires 8/1. Can someone please tell me what I was thinking when I bid on them? All I can say is, it was Monday morning, I was tired and cranky. Anyway, Weis doesn't carry them (neither does ShopRite as far as I can tell), but I was able to find the Diamond flatware that one of my friends and a houndfriend emailed me about:

• Diamond Brilliance Premium Strength Plastic Flatware $4.49, will submit for Try Me Free rebate (form on back of box) = FREE
• Total was $4.81 with tax

Here's where it gets interesting. I asked the cashier to ring each box up individually. The first one was fine, but on box #2, the register gave some kind of error message when I used the same credit card to pay. Some stores flag suspicious credit card activity, so I guess I went on the radar when I tried to use the same card on back to back transactions of the same amount of money. The cashier got a manager's key and overrode the error and my receipt printed out. She then says something about how the receipt has a message on it that says "LA" which means the store won't be reimbursed for the money I spent. Huh? She pages a manager and while we're waiting, she rings up box #3 and I paid with a different credit card (I don't carry much cash on me). Long story short, the manager tells me that the register declined my second transaction and the cashier was wrong to override it. Basically, I never paid for box #2. I was worried (and still am) that the transaction went through on my credit card, but the manager assured me it didn't and gave me a copy of the receipt and a note about what happened that I can bring back to the store in case of problems. The whole thing was very odd and a huge waste of my time. I wasn't thrilled with the customer service at all, and don't think I'll be heading back there any time soon.

Rite Aid

• Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste (4 oz) $3, used $1 coupon (7/11 SS) and got back $3 UP Reward = $1 profit
• Reach Toothbrush $3.99, used $1 coupon (this coupon beeps), got back $1 UP Reward and will get back $2.99 (SCR #80) = $1 profit *These two items will count towards the Oral Care Rebate (#556)
• Snack Pack Pudding $1.69 - will count towards Kid's Lunches rebate (SCR #8 - spend $25 on various snacks and quick lunches and get back $5)
• Used $5 UP Reward, total was $2.17

Walgreens

• 2 Special K bars $2.50 each, got back $2 RR = $1.50 each - these are really good
• Kraft Homemade Mac & Cheese $3.19, used FREE coupon (Kraft home mailer) = FREE
• Gillette ProGlide Razor $9.89, used $4 coupon (7/4 P&G) and got back $5 RR = $0.89
• Used two $5 RR's, total was $1.58

Bought another razor and another 2 Special K bars

8/1 - 8/7

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

Staples

• Any ream of paper - get 100% back in Staples Rewards (Limit 2) = FREE

CVS

• iTunes Gift Cards - spend $50, get back $10 EB (Limit 2) = $10 profit
• Colgate Total Advanced or Enamel Strength Toothpaste (4 oz) $2.99, use $1 coupon (7/11 SS) and get back $2 EB (Limit 2) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Sobe Lifewater BOGO sale, use BOGO coupon = two for FREE
• Gillette ProGlide Razor $9.97, use $4 coupon (8/1 P&G) and get back $5 EB (Limit 1) = $0.97
• Spend $10, get back $3 EB (Limit 1) - includes Hellmann's Mayo or Liption Tea $3 and Skippy PB or Ragu Sauce $1.66 each - coupons for Skippy and Ragu in the 8/1 RP

Rite Aid *FYI the circular now states limit one on all UP Reward deals. Here's a $5 off $25 coupon good until 9/25. You can also print one on Redplum.

• L.A. Looks Gel $1.99, use $1 coupon (5/22 SS or coming in 8/1 paper) and get back $1 (SCR #67) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Crest 3D Toothpaste $2.49, use $1 coupon (8/1 P&G) and get back $1.50 UP Rewards = FREE/$0.01 profit *Also counts towards SCR #556
• Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor $9.99, use $4 coupon (8/1 P&G) and get back $5 (SCR #78) = $0.99
• Crest Pro-Health or 3D White Rinse $5, buy four and use four $2 coupons (8/1 P&G) and get back $10 (SCR #39) = $2*Also counts towards SCR #556

Rite Aid Monthly (or longer) Deals *You must use your Wellness card to qualify

• Oral Care Products SCR #556 - spend $25 and get back $10 RA gift card or spend $15 and get back $5 RA gift card (Valid 7/25 - 9/25)
• Vitamins and Supplements (select varieties) SCR #563 - spend $30 and get back $5 RA gift card (Valid 7/25 - 8/28)
• Nature Made Vitamins - spend $30, get a year's subscription to Woman's Day magazine (Valid 7/15 - 8/28). See riteaid.com/magoffer for details *Double dip with SCR #563
• General Mills/Kimberly-Clark/SC Johnson/Avery/Welch's SCR #10 - spend $25 and get back $5 (Valid 7/25 - 10/25) Couple of double-dips - Avery binder also for SCR #106, Cottonelle Bath also for SCR #148
• Kimberly-Clark SCR #148 - spend $25 and get back $5 (Valid 7/25 - 8/28) - Double-dips - Cottonelle Bath also for SCR #10, Poise Pads also for SCR #57 (Week of 8/1-8/7 ONLY) and SCR #60 (Week of 8/22-8/28 ONLY)
• Kid's Lunches SCR #8 - spend $25 on various snacks and quick lunches and get back $5 (Valid 7/25 - 8/28)
• Kellogg's/Keebler/Sunshine/Austin Items SCR #101 - spend $15 and get a $5 coupon *While supplies last

Walgreens

• Nature's Way Alive! Energy Multivitamins (Mens or Womens 50 ct) $10, use $1 coupon and get back $10 RR = $1 profit
• Complete Contact Solution $7.99, get back $8 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Crayola Crayons (24 pack) $1, get back $1 RR = FREE
• Crayola Washable Markers Classic (8 pack) or Super Tips (20 pack) $3, get back $3 via mail in rebate (form will print from catalina machine at checkout) = FREE
• Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor $9.89, use $4 coupon (8/1 P&G) and get back $5 RR = $0.89 *This was a July monthly deal and this is the last week its running.

Walgreens Monthly Deals 8/1 - 8/28

• Benadryl Allergy Medication Dye-Free Liqui-Gels (24 ct) $4.29, buy two and use $4 off 2 coupon and get back $5 RR = $0.42 profit

Printable Rebate Offers

• All Oxi-Active Liquid Laundry Detergent (28+ loads) Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 8/31/10
• Brawny Paper Towels Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 60 days after purchase
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Clorox Toiletwand System $5 rebate Exp. 2/1/11
• Dawn Plus Vinger Alternative Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 3/14/11
• Febreze Home Collection Products - spend $20, get back $10 rewards card Exp. 9/6/10
• Hill's Science Diet Pet Foods 3 Bag Challenge - get $5 and coupons
• John Freida Root Awakening Satisfaction Guarantee - get three FREE coupons Exp. 9/30
• Just for Men Touch of Gray Haircolor TMF up to $9.50 Exp. 12/31/2010 *This rebate appears to be once per lifetime (pooey on you Just for Men!)
• Kellogg's Bonus Bucks - buy three specially marked cereals, enter codes from box online and get $10 Bonus Buck certificate via mail. No limit on how many you can redeem. Exp. 9/30/10
• Olay, Pantene, Cover Girl, Gillette Venus or Secret Products - buy $30, get back $10 Exp. 9/17/10
• Olay Facial Moisturizers, Facial Treatments and/or Facial Cleansers spend $50, get back $20 Exp. 9/3/10
• Oxy-Strength Pet Odor & Stain Eliminator $1.50 rebate Exp. 12/31/10
• Pantene ProV Satisfaction Guarantee - 2x your purchase price (up to $12) Exp. 12/30/2010
• Physician's Formula Bamboo Wear Compact, Mirror & Brush Exp. 12/31/10 *Have to include Try Me Free sticker from the package to qualify
• Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Mascara Duo $10.95 rebate Exp. 12/31/10 *Have to include Try Me Free sticker from package to qualify
• Schick Hydro Razor TMF Exp. 8/18/10 *Rebate starts 6/14
• Triaminic Fever Reducer Pain Reliever Try Me Free and $1 coupon - promo valid 8/2 - 8/8 ONLY
• World's Best Cat Litter TMF up to $12.99 Exp. 12/31/10

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!

What Do You Think?

Just made some little changes here and there. I really don't mess around with templates too much, because I like a clean, simple background and easy to read posts. I like the brighter color and I made the page a bit wider so it will be easier to read my mega-long posts. I also added a RSS feed for y'all. Hope you like!

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!

Happy Sunday

UPDATE - I just called Staples about the bag. The woman I spoke with said they're doing away with the rebate receipts and that I just have to enter my info from the receipt online. I'll try that tonight and see if it works. The rebate offer number is 10-31122.

Staples

• Tote Bag $14.99, $16.04 with tax

Circular says that I'll get back this money via a Staples Easy Rebate, but no rebate receipt printed. Last year, the money came in the mail automatically, so I'm not sure if that's what's happening again. Anyone know? I'll have to call the 1-800 # and see what the deal is.

Walgreens

• 3 Motts Apple Juices $1.79 each
• 4 Walgreens baggies $0.99 each
• Ocean Spray Craisins $3
• 2 Twizzlers $1.50 each, got back $2 RR (WYB 2) = $1 or $0.50 each
• Used three $5 RR's, total was $0.61

CVS

• U by Kotex $4.99, used $1 coupon and got back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = $1 profit
• Crazy Critter for Shadow $9.99
• Used $0.99 EB, $1 EB and $7.99 EB, total was $4.66

ShopRite - will use these purchases towards another $20 Smirnoff NBPR rebate on $20.01 of groceries

• 5 Kraft Shredded Cheeses $1.79 each, used five $1 peelie coupons (found at Acme, cashier let me use all five) and got back $5 cat for buying 5 qualifying items = $1.05 profit
• Oscar Mayer Ham $3.69, used freebie coupon (Kraft home mailer) = FREE
• Arnold Bread $1.50
• SR Sour Cream $1.29
• Hot Dogs $2.99
• Tree Ripe OJ $1.77
• Half gallon milk $1.99
• Used $10 catalina, total was $4.25

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.

The Only Nasty Thing I Like is a Nasty Groove

(name that song)

What a day. Do you ever have days where you wish you'd turned your alarm off and just rolled over instead of getting up? Yup, that was me today. DBF too, but that's a whole other story. I don't usually talk about work much on here, because really, who wants to hear about work stuff? But today I feel the need to vent. Not sure if I've mentioned it here before, but I work for a college. The day started off with a guy from another department telling me I'd done this project wrong and it needed to be redone. I have done it this way for two years, but whatever, I fixed it (humming a happy song as I worked of course). Then a woman from another department came down saying she had a list of students who weren't active in the system, but she thinks they should be. I looked them all up and found out they were all fine. They'd all changed their program at some point and we'd done the appropriate paperwork to notify her department. No idea how she missed the paperwork, since she'd personally signed off on most of them. Hmm, anyhoo, moving on...

This same woman also gave my department a list of students who needed to have some paperwork filled out. My coworker says to me - "Suzanne, you worked like crazy yesterday, I'll take care of those." Awesome, I thought. I've been working temporarily at this campus and trying to get the feel of how everything runs and how to effectively manage the department. I was impressed with her initiative...until I checked her work. There were about 10 students on the list, and 9 of those 10 had the appropriate paperwork done already. Again, not sure how the woman from the other department missed this. You would think my coworker might say to herself - "self, these are already done. I think the best step would be to notify this woman so she can look these up."

Nope. She REDID the paperwork. This means more work for four additional departments and it was totally unnecessary. And once you send in the paperwork, you can't take it back. For a couple, she even submitted contradictory information that I had to have her fix. And you might ask, what happened to the one lonely student that didn't have the paperwork in? She SKIPPED it! Ugh.

Then we had an exceptionally annoying meeting with all the department heads, full of tension and awkwardness. I'm truly amazed at some of the unprofessionalism that goes down at this campus. Come mid-September, I'm out of there to my permanent home at another campus and I can't wait. Then as I'm driving home, people were driving like lunatics. The kind of driving that makes you slow down without even realizing it, just to have the time to avoid any crashes that might be headed your way. Finally at CVS, a guy deliberately cut me off in line. He totally saw me. Cut me off anyway. I could have said something, but I let it go.

So as you can imagine, by the time I got home, I was thoroughly annoyed. But then I look at my little munchkins, eagerly waiting for me to put down my bags and shower them with affection. They wouldn't mind being fed either. :)
FEED ME!!! I am the Gigi and I am hunnnnnnnggggggggrrrrrrryyyyyy!

My handyman boyfriend crafted this cat toy last weekend. Its a wooden box with holes drilled on the top and sides, perfectly sized for kitty paws. We saw one in Petco a couple weeks back and rather than spending $40 on it, DBF whipped one up. He also made one for Bootz and Freckles too. The idea is that you put kibbles inside and the kitties have to work to fish them out. An added bonus with Mousse - it forces him to eat slower. I swear he INHALES his food.
Before deciding which hole to select, its very important to thoroughly sniff and examine the options. Then the cats make their move.

Sniff... And fish.
Just for fun, we threw a bunch of toy mice into the box as well. The kitties seem to enjoy yanking out the mice as much as the food.

Its definitely a hit!

Each day, this is the sight I come home to. A scattering of mice arranged around a nicely cleaned-out box, perfectly ready for its next helping of kibbles. Life is good. :)

We all Scream for Ice Cream (Again)

When I posted the other day about buying Turkey Hill ice cream, my hunny was eager to point out to me that the deliciousness I'd purchased in no way qualified as ice cream and was in fact yucky frozen yogurt. He even went as far as to correct my error right on the source. He just couldn't understand why I would intentionally buy these. More for me! haha

Today, I'm happy to report that I have accurately purchased ice cream and not the imitation stuff that he so despises. He'll be so very proud of me. :)

ShopRite

• 3 Blue Bunny Novelty Ice Cream Cartons $1.49-$1.99 each, used three $1 coupons (sign up for the Scream Team and coupon will be emailed to you) and will submit for $15 rebate (7/11 RP) = $13.53-$12.53 profit (bought two sets of three - will submit for two rebates)

There are lots of other types of Blue Bunny ice creams, but these were the cheapest I found. Plus I love these bars, so that was fine with me. The rebate is valid for purchases made at SR only. I found the rebate forms at Coupons & Things by Dede for pretty cheap. Folks on Slick Deals said you can call Blue Bunny directly and they'll mail you a copy (877) 986-6843 but I was never able to get a hold of anyone there. My calls went straight to voice mail.

I also purchased another $100 Visa gift card (plus $5.95 activation fee) and got back a $10 catalina. I used a previously purchased $100 gift card to pay, plus $5.95 cash. Love this deal!

Return of the Free Bags at Staples! 7/25 - 7/31

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

The Walgreens circular is advertising yet another Olay rebate (keep 'em coming Olay!) for $20 when you buy $50 of Olay Regenerist items. Woot!

Staples - buy any backpack, get the full price back in the form of a Staples Reward Gift Card = FREE Last year I did this deal twice (my card and DBF's card) and was able to get tote bags instead of backpacks. Tote bags are pictured in the online ad so I think I'm good to go! You have to have a Staples Rewards card (free to sign up - can do in store or I think online) and you submit your receipt info to their rebate website. That was easy!

CVS

• U by Kotex $4.99, use $1 coupon and/or $1.50 CVS coupon (from Reinventing Beauty magazine found at CVS) and get back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = $2.50 - $1 profit
• Kodak Photobook $7.99, get back $7.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE

CVS Monthly Deals - valid until 7/31

• Bausch & Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution (2 oz) $2.99, use $2 coupon and get back $2.99 EB (Limit 2) = $2 profit
• John Frieda Root Awakening Sham/Cond/Stylers $5, buy two, use two $3 coupons (6/6 SS) and get back $5 EB (WYB 2, Limit 3 - but only buy two at a time to get your EB's) = $1 profit
• CVS Pantiliners (22 count) $0.50, buy two and get back $1 EB (Limit 3 - but only buy two at a time, buying more may mean you don't get the right amount of EB's) = FREE
• Milk Deal - buy 5 gallons, get one free (Limit 3) Valid until 7/24. Void in CT, LA, MA, PA, and WI.

Rite Aid - this week starts the August SCR's. Here's a $5 off $25 coupon good until 9/25. You can also print one on Redplum. SCR #556 is for Oral Care Products. When you spend $15, you get a $5 RA gift card or when you spend $25, you get a $10 RA gift card. You must use your Wellness Card with purchases. If included, the free/almost free items below are a great way to get started.

With all the varying limits on UP Reward items, I thought it would be helpful to report what's working for multiple rewards. "Multiple/No Stacking" = you can do the deal multiple times but you have to buy each item individually. "Multiple/Stacking" = you can do the deal multiple times AND buy more than one item at once. You'll get double (or triple or quadruple) the rewards on your receipt.

• Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste (4 oz) or Sensitive Toothpaste (6 oz) $3, use $1 coupon (7/11 SS) and get back $3 UP Reward = $1 profit Multiple/No Stacking
• RA Brand/Office Expert Invisible Tape (3 pack) $3.49, BOGO sale, buy two and use $1 RA coupon (sorry, don't have a direct link) and get back $3 (SCR #129, WYB 2) = $0.51 profit
• Listerine Pocket Paks or Reach Toothbrush $3.99, get back $1 UP Reward and $2.99 (SCR #80) = FREE/$0.01 profit Or use $1 coupon on Reach for $1 profit (FYI this coupon beeps) Multiple/Stacking
• Nivea for Men Body Wash $1.99, use $1 coupon (7/25 RP) and get back $1 UP Reward = FREE/$0.01 profit Multiple/Stacking
• Stride Gum BOGO sale, use BOGO coupon (5/16 SS) and $0.50 RA coupon for Stride Shift Gum = $0.50 - $1 profit depending on whether your store will let you use one or two RA coupons **Many are reporting that the Shift gum isn't ringing up BOGO
• Rembrandt Toothpaste $5.49, use $3 coupon and get back $2 UP Rewards = $0.49 Multiple/Stacking
• Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Pro Toothbrush $4.99, use $2 coupon and get back $1.99 UP Rewards = $1 Multiple/Stacking

Walgreens - nothing much yet, more cheap school supplies but no freebies.

Walgreens Monthly Deals - valid until 7/31

• Celsius Green Tea (4 pack, 12 oz) $4.99 (your price may vary), use $3 coupon (4/25 SS) or $2 coupon and get back $3 RR = $1.01 profit - FREE
• Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor $9.89, use $4 coupon (6/6 P&G) and get back $5 RR = $0.89

Printable Rebate Offers

• All Oxi-Active Liquid Laundry Detergent (28+ loads) Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 8/31/10
• Brawny Paper Towels Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 60 days after purchase
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Clorox Toiletwand System $5 rebate Exp. 2/1/11
• Dawn Plus Vinger Alternative Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 3/14/11
• Digestive Products - spend $30 on two or more items, get back $10 gift card Exp. 7/31/10
• Febreze Home Collection Products - spend $20, get back $10 rewards card Exp. 9/6/10
• Hill's Science Diet Pet Foods 3 Bag Challenge - get $5 and coupons
• John Freida Root Awakening Satisfaction Guarantee - get three FREE coupons Exp. 9/30
• Just for Men Touch of Gray Haircolor TMF up to $9.50 Exp. 12/31/2010 *This rebate appears to be once per lifetime (pooey on you Just for Men!)
• Kellogg's Bonus Bucks - buy three specially marked cereals, enter codes from box online and get $10 Bonus Buck certificate via mail. No limit on how many you can redeem. Exp. 9/30/10
• Olay, Pantene, Cover Girl, Gillette Venus or Secret Products - buy $30, get back $10 Exp. 9/17/10
• Olay Facial Moisturizers, Facial Treatments and/or Facial Cleansers spend $50, get back $20 Exp. 9/3/10
• Oxy-Strength Pet Odor & Stain Eliminator $1.50 rebate Exp. 12/31/10
• Pantene ProV Satisfaction Guarantee - 2x your purchase price (up to $12) Exp. 12/30/2010
• Physician's Formula Bamboo Wear Compact, Mirror & Brush Exp. 12/31/10 *Have to include Try Me Free sticker from the package to qualify
• Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Mascara Duo $10.95 rebate Exp. 12/31/10 *Have to include Try Me Free sticker from package to qualify
• Schick Hydro Razor TMF Exp. 8/18/10 *Rebate starts 6/14
  World's Best Cat Litter TMF up to $12.99 Exp. 12/31/10

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)

Can't Stay Away from that Much Profit

Felt like shopping today, so that's just what I did. From what I've read on Slick Deals, the UP Rewards are acting all wonky lately, and it appears that some items may have a limit on how many UP Rewards you can get for a certain deal. I'm playing it safe and just doing each deal once on each card. I'm also going to try and keep the UP Rewards separated by the card I earned them on. I don't see anything distinguishing on the rewards themselves, so I made a small note in the corner of each so I'll know which is which. I'm pretty sure this doesn't matter right now at RA, but I have a feeling its coming down the line that you have to use the right rewards with the right card.

Rite Aid - my Wellness card

• Zegerid (14 ct) $10, used $4 coupon (6/20 SS), $3 in-circular coupon, $3 RA coupon (won't beep with multiple use) and got back $7 UP Rewards = $7 profit
• Dulcolax Balance (8.3 oz. 14 dose) $9.99, used $5 coupon (May All You magazine) and will get back $9.99 (SCR #18) = $5 profit
• Biotrue Lens Care Solution (4 oz) $4.99, used $4 coupon (found at Walmart in eyeglass store) and will get back $4 (SCR #43) = $3.01 profit *$4.99 is the regular price for this
• Traditional Medicinals Smooth Move Tea (16 ct.) $3.69, used $2 coupon and will get back $3.69 (SCR #23) = $2 profit
• Pantene Styler $3.99, used $2 coupon (recent Parade magazine) and got back $2 UP Reward = FREE/$0.01 profit *Will use this towards $10 Olay/Pantene/Venus/Cover Girl /Secret rebate (WYB $30 worth)
• Used $5 off $25 coupon and $2 UP Reward, total was $2.94 - paid with gift card from previous rebate

DBF's Wellness card

• Zegerid (14 ct) $10, used $4 coupon (6/20 SS), $3 in-circular coupon, $3 RA coupon (won't beep with multiple use) and got back $7 UP Rewards = $7 profit
• Dulcolax Balance (8.3 oz. 14 dose) $9.99, used $4 coupon (5/16 SS) and will get back $9.99 (SCR #18) = $4 profit
• Biotrue Lens Care Solution (4 oz) $4.99, used $4 coupon (found at Walmart in eyeglass store) and will get back $4 (SCR #43) = $3.01 profit *$4.99 is the regular price for this
• CryoSTAT Hemorrhoid Relief $8.99, use $2 coupon and get back $8.99 (SCR #14) = $2 profit
• Traditional Medicinals Smooth Move Tea (16 ct.) $3.69, used $2 coupon and will get back $3.69 (SCR #23) = $2 profit
• Used $5 off $25 coupon, total was $10.66 - paid with gift card from previous rebate

Walgreens

• 2 Dr. Scholl's Dry Skin Erasers $7.29 each, used $5 Walgreens coupon (from monthly coupon book, took off $10 automatically) and got back $5 RR (WYB $10 worth of select items) = $0.42 profit
• Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor $9.89, used $4 coupon (6/6 P&G) and got back $5 RR = $0.89
• Total was $12.18, paid with gift cards

Clean House

My garage stockpile room was overdue for some TLC. After the mouse incident, I wanted to take everything out, clean it and reorganize everything. So that's just what we did!

Once everything was out of the room, I used my favorite applicance - R2D2 (aka my shop vac) to clean up all the cobwebs, dirt and random junk on the floor and corners of the room. I didn't want to sweep it all out since that would just move the dirt onto my stockpile stuff, defeating the purpose of a deep clean. Then I scrubbed down my two large white shelves (the hardest hit with mouse "debris") and DBF reorganized the room as I cleaned each piece of furniture off.
All the stuff was organized into a couple main categories, a la Clean House: Keep, Donate and Sell. The above picture is all stuff that I decided to donate to my local food pantry. The pic below is stuff I had already set aside to donate, but hadn't had a chance to drop off yet.

When we finished cleaning and organizing, we loaded up the trunk of my car and dropped all this stuff off. It took two trips to get it all, one Saturday and one today. I gave some stuff to my mom as well. Her office is doing some donations too.

These bags are full of items I'm hoping to sell on ebay - some body wash, lotions, etc. I'll see if its worthwhile to sell them and if not, they'll get donated too.

Time for the "after" shots! DBF's mom bought me the "beware" bag because she said it reminded her of Mousse. I keep reusable shopping bags in there. I've also got some plastic bags tacked to the wall. Its so handy to keep bags down here for when I'm bringing a bunch of stuff upstairs or to donate. I found the wooden chest of drawers by the dumpster one day, so that was free. Underneath the table is laundry detergent and Glade/Febreze sprays that I use all the time.

The first drawer houses razors, vitamins and small bottles of lotions. Pantiliners and tamps live in drawer two, followed by random household stuff in drawer #3.

The top shelf is all stuff for DBF - razors (in the fabric bins), shaving cream, deodorant and body wash. The rest are all me - body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and brushes.

Ignore the frosty on the top shelf please, it was really hot today and a frosty was in order.

Now everything is organized and clean and I love it!

Quick CVS Trip

CVS - got a $5 off $30 coupon emailed to me, so I wanted to take advantage of it. Did this on my new card.

• 2 Bausch & Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solutions (2 oz) $2.99 each, used two $2 coupon and got back $5.98 EB ($2.99 EB each, 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
• Bayer Contour Meter $14.99, used $10 coupon (4/25 RP) and got back $5 EB (Limit 1) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• CVS Pantiliners (22 count) $0.50 - will get back $1 EB when I buy a second one (monthly deal, limit 3 offers but buy them two at a time to get your EB's back
• Used $5 off $30 coupon, $7.99 EB, total was $1

Had planned on doing some RA shopping today, but I just didn't feel like it. The deals this week are a little complicated, and I didn't want to deal with cashiers hassling me. I may go later in the week if I get the urge. I've been enjoying laying off the deals lately and taking it easy.

7/18 - 7/24

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 - Post-It labels $0.99, use $1 coupon = FREE *If you buy $20 worth, you can submit for this $10 rebate = $10 profit There's also a $10 off $25 coupon that you can use too, but you'd have to pick up some other stuff as fillers.

CVS

• Celsius Green Tea (4 pk.) $7.99, use $2 coupon (or $3 coupon 4/25 SS or $4 coupon 5/23 SS- - seem to be regional coupons) and get back $7.99 EB (Limit 1) = $2 profit
• M&M's Pretzel Candies (1.14 oz) $0.50, buy two and use BOGO coupon (6/27 RP) and get back $1 EB (Limit 1) = $0.50 profit
• Bayer Contour Meter $14.99, use $10 coupon (4/25 RP) and get back $5 EB (Limit 1) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Coke 12 packs four for $13, get one additional case free (WYB 4) = five for $13 or $2.60 each

CVS Monthly Deals - valid until 7/31

• John Frieda Root Awakening Sham/Cond/Stylers $5, buy two, use two $3 coupons (6/6 SS) and get back $5 EB (WYB 2, Limit 3 - but only buy two at a time to get your EB's) = $1 profit
• Bausch & Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution (2 oz) $2.99, use $2 coupon and get back $2.99 EB (Limit 2) = $2 profit
• CVS Pantiliners (22 count) $0.50, buy two and get back $1 EB (Limit 3 - but only buy two at a time, buying more may mean you don't get the right amount of EB's) = FREE
• Milk Deal - buy 5 gallons, get one free (Limit 3) Valid until 7/24. Void in CT, LA, MA, PA, and WI.

Rite Aid - Here's a $5 off $25 coupon good until 9/25. You can also print one on Redplum.

• Zegerid (14 ct) $10, use $4 coupon (6/20 SS), $3 in-circular coupon, $3 RA coupon (won't beep with multiple use) and get back $7 UP Rewards = $7 profit *Also TMF rebate in 6/20 SS
• Dulcolax Balance (8.3 oz. 14 dose) $9.99, use $5 coupon (May All You magazine), $4 coupon (5/16 SS) or $3 coupon and get back $9.99 (SCR #18) = $5 - $3 profit *Also this $5 rebate - reports are saying it was extended to 10/10
• Motrin PM (20 ct) $5.49, use $3 coupon (4/18 RP), $3 in-circular coupon and get back $2 UP Rewards = $2.51 profit
• Garnier Nutritioniste Facial Wipes $5.99 each, buy two and use two $1 coupons (7/11 RP), two $2 RA coupons (won't beep with multiple use), two $5 in-circular coupons and get back $2 UP Reward = $6.02 profit *If your store won't allow multiple RA coupons, its $0.98 for both
• Twinlab Energy Fuel single cans (8.4 oz) $1.99, BOGO 50% off sale, buy two - $1.99 and $0.99 and get back $5 UP Reward = $2.02 profit
• Traditional Medicinals Smooth Move Tea (16 ct.) $3.69, use $2 coupon and get back $3.69 (SCR #23) = $2 profit
• Finesse Sham/Cond $2.50, use $1 coupon (5/16 SS), get back $1 UP Reward and submit for TMF rebate (5/16 SS) = $2 profit
• CryoSTAT Hemorrhoid Relief $8.99, use $2 coupon and get back $8.99 (SCR #14) = $2 profit
• Biotrue Lens Care Solution (4 oz) $4.99, use $2 coupon and get back $4 (SCR #43) = $1.01 profit
• Pantene Stylers $3.99, use $2 coupon (recent Parade magazine) and get back $2 UP Reward = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Colonaide All Natural Internal Cleansing Kit $22.99, get back $22.99 (SCR #17) = FREE

Walgreens

• Dr. Scholls Items - buy two, get back $5 RR. A couple ways to make this a moneymaker - buy the Dry Skin Erasers $6.99-$7.29 each and use the $5 Walgreens coupon (from monthly coupon book, will take off $10 automatically) = $1.02-$0.42 profit, buy two Hidden Arch Support insoles (pic here) $6.99 each and use two $2 coupons along with the $5 WAG coupon = $5.02 profit or buy two Blister Defense Sticks $5.50 each (pic here - thanks for the heads up Lindsay!) and use same $5 coupon = $4 profit
• Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste (5.8 oz) $3.49, use $1 coupon (7/11 SS) and get back $3.50 RR = $1 profit
• Pilot G2 Pens (2 pack) $1.19, use $1 coupon and $1 WAG coupon (July coupon book, give second) = $0.81 profit
• Kettle Chips $1.50, use $1 coupon (6/27 SS) = $0.50

Walgreens Monthly Deals - valid until 7/31

• Celsius Green Tea (4 pack, 12 oz) $4.99 (your price may vary), use $3 coupon (4/25 SS) or $2 coupon and get back $3 RR = $1.01 profit - FREE
• Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor $9.89, use $4 coupon (6/6 P&G) and get back $5 RR = $0.89 Valid until 8/8

Printable Rebate Offers

• All Oxi-Active Liquid Laundry Detergent (28+ loads) Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 8/31/10
• Brawny Paper Towels Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 60 days after purchase
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Clorox Toiletwand System $5 rebate Exp. 2/1/11
• Dawn Plus Vinger Alternative Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 3/14/11
• Digestive Products - spend $30 on two or more items, get back $10 gift card Exp. 7/31/10
• Febreze Home Collection Products - spend $20, get back $10 rewards card Exp. 9/6/10
• Hill's Science Diet Pet Foods 3 Bag Challenge - get $5 and coupons
• John Freida Root Awakening Satisfaction Guarantee - get three FREE coupons Exp. 9/30
• Just for Men Touch of Gray Haircolor TMF up to $9.50 Exp. 12/31/2010 *This rebate appears to be once per lifetime (pooey on you Just for Men!)
• Kellogg's Bonus Bucks - buy three specially marked cereals, enter codes from box online and get $10 Bonus Buck certificate via mail. No limit on how many you can redeem. Exp. 9/30/10
• Olay, Pantene, Cover Girl, Gillette Venus or Secret Products - buy $30, get back $10 Exp. 9/17/10
• Oxy-Strength Pet Odor & Stain Eliminator $1.50 rebate Exp. 12/31/10
• Pantene ProV Satisfaction Guarantee - 2x your purchase price (up to $12) Exp. 12/30/2010
• Physician's Formula Bamboo Wear Compact, Mirror & Brush Exp. 12/31/10 *Have to include Try Me Free sticker from the package to qualify
• Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Mascara Duo $10.95 rebate Exp. 12/31/10 *Have to include Try Me Free sticker from package to qualify
• Schick Hydro Razor TMF Exp. 8/18/10 *Rebate starts 6/14
• World's Best Cat Litter TMF up to $12.99 Exp. 12/31/10

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

Randomocity

My boyfriend surprised me with a Sony Blu Ray player this weekend! My DVD player just cut out on me (I have terrible luck with DVD players) and was planning on just buying a new one. We'd been talking about getting a blu ray for a while, so I started thinking - hey, we should just get a blu ray instead of another DVD player. We were going to hit up Best Buy on Saturday afternoon but my boyfriend surprised me with one instead! I love that we can watch movies and tv shows that are available instantly on Netflix - right on my tv now! Love it, love it, love it! And totally love my BF for being so awesome! :)
I don't normally post deals that aren't replicable, because really, what's the point? But I just can't help showing off these adorable shoes I got today. When you like Famous Footwear on Facebook, you can get a $10 off $10 coupon, good for today only. If you aren't able to get to the store today, they said they're probably going to release another version for online purchases soon. These beauties were $14.99, so $4.99 after my $10 coupon. Then I used up one of my Visa gift cards from S&S that had $4.05 on it, paying only $0.94 OOP!

I feel like I'm back in ballet class when I wear these! I'm such a sucker for hot pink. Sorry about the toe cleavage. That bugs the heck out of both of my sisters, and I apologize if you're a toe-cleavage-hater too.

On a random note (as if this post wasn't random enough for you), I've decided to get my ass in gear. I used to be very diligent about walking in the mornings...and then I discovered coupons. And then my hours at work changed so that I had to be at work much earlier. And then I took on the most stressful position I've ever had and everything that wasn't about work fell by the wayside. Now that I'm out of that situation and in a much happier place but still working an early shift, I decided it was time to make exercising part of my routine again. I'm not crazy about exercising, I really don't love to sweat and I hate summer weather - the perfect combo, right? Well, life ain't perfect. So today, I hit up Famous Footwear on my way home, fixed myself dinner, watched an episode of HawthoRNe (LOVE this show!) and then put on my sneakers and went for a half hour walk. Its a start!

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.