I Know I Said I Wouldn't Do This...

...but I had $17 in RiteAid gift cards burnin' a hole in my pocket and this seemed like a great way to use them up.
RiteAid

• 4 John Frieda shampoos/conditioners/stylers $5 each, used four $2 coupons (4/5 SS) and will get back $10 (SCR #81, WYB $20 worth) = $2 or $0.50 each
• Blink Tears (15 ml) $7.99, used $1 coupon (3/1 RP - there are also $2 coupons in this insert but I used them up at Walgreens a while back) and will get back $7.99 (SCR #31) = $1 profit
• 3 Barilla pastas $0.99 each
• Used $5 off $25 coupon, $6.85 on one gift card, $10 on another, $1.51 cash

I counted the gift cards as coupons in my calculations since it didn't cost me anything to earn them. They were a pure profit. So, overall my profit for this transaction was $16.48.

Happy Announcement

I am happy to announce that my sister now has her very own blog! Do you remember this beauty? Or how about this one? Well, now you can read all about it! Let your fingers do the walking and take a gander. :)

CVS - my card. I hadn't planned on buying the baskets but I read on the message boards that someone else had just cut off the handles and used them for storage. Eureka! That's a great idea!

• Skintimate $3.49, got back $3.49 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Sterlite container clearanced to $0.44
• Absolutely Divine chocolate $0.33
• Used $4 EB, total was $0.29

Then I bought:

• 2 Bamboo Easter Baskets $1.99 each, got back $3.98 EB (Limit 2, Sunday and Monday only) = FREE
• Used $3.49 EB, total was $0.52

DBF's card

• 2 Bamboo Easter Baskets $1.99 each, got back $3.98 EB (Limit 2, Sunday and Monday only) = FREE
• Sterlite container clearanced to $0.49
• Used $4 EB, total was $0.50

Then I bought

• Skintimate $3.49, got back $3.49 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Sunchips $0.99
• Used $3.98 EB, total was $0.50

Walgreens - I LOVE the Garnier lotions! They're on sale this week, so its a great time to do the Garnier rebate if you love them too.

• Oust Air Sanitizer (10 oz) or Surface & Air Sanitizer (12 oz) $2.99, use $2 coupon (3/29 SS) and get back $1.10 (ESR #20, Limit 4) = $0.10 profit
• Garnier Nutritioniste lotion $10, used $1 coupon (4/5 RP) = $9
• Chapstick 100% Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter (0.15 oz) $1.99, get back $1.99 RR = FREE
• 2 Mead envelopes $0.69 each with in-circular coupon
• Used $3 RR, $3 RR and $3 RR, total was $5.51

Second trip

• Garnier Nutritioniste lotion $10, used $1 coupon (4/5 RP) = $9 *Bonus pack with a Maybelline mascara - hoorah! Now will qualify for $11 rebate (WYB $20 of Garnier, $10 + 10% bonus, ESR #3) = $3.50 a bottle
• 5 Royal gelatins $0.20 each or 5 for $1 with in-circular coupon (these were fillers)
• Used $2 RR, $2 RR, $3 RR and $3 RR, total was $0.70

Went back later to grab the last bonus Garnier pack this store had. I probably could have worked this deal better, but I was just too tired to care. I'll do this rebate in DBF's name (have to buy one more bottle to qualify)

• Garnier Nutritioniste lotion $10, used $1 coupon (4/5 RP) = $9 *Bonus pack with a Maybelline mascara
• Edge Infused or Energy Shaving Gel $2.99, got back $3 RR = FREE
• Used $2 RR, total was $10.90

Today's count: Skintimate - 4, Edge - 15, Chapstick - 18

Doggie Datin'

Sorry about the pic, there was too much sunlight coming through in the background. On Saturday, I bought six Softsoap Ensembles (one was leaking so it isn't in the pic) for free and I also picked up the two Sterlite containers on clearance for $1.39 each.

On Sunday, I really didn't feel like doing any shopping so I just picked up my seven papers at a convenience store = $10.50.

Then Shadow had a playdate with Rocky, my sister's dog. We went to a local park and it was the perfect day for it. Bright and sunny, around 65 degrees with a great breeze. Of course, the dogs were just happy to run and play.
Rocky especially loves to run. He's part Border Collie, so its all in the breed.
Did you see me? Did you see me? I ran, I ran, I ran, I ran!!!!!
Look at those gorgeous eyes!

Shadow showed us her shadow. She watched my boyfriend as he got something out of the truck, never losing eye contact with him.

Smooch!
Shadow modeling Rocky's bandana. Who doesn't like to try on their boyfriend's clothes?

Momma, I havin' fun!!
Me too!

How Many Gift Cards Does it Take...

...to buy some soap and a shelf? Let's see...

CVS

• 2 Softsoap Ensembles refills $3.99 each, used two $2 coupons (Reinventing Beauty magazine found in stores or 3/22 SS) and got back $4 EB ($2 EB each, limit 10 containers, can also buy pumps) = FREE
• Clearanced shelf $6.49
• Now here's the fun part - I had a bunch of gift cards/money cards to use up. I used $2.48 on one, $2.14 on another, $0.37 on a third, $0.70 on a fourth and $0.99 on the last. Phew!

Second store

• 2 Softsoap Ensembles refills $3.99 each, used two $2 coupons (Reinventing Beauty magazine found in stores or 3/22 SS) and got back $4 EB ($2 EB each) = FREE
• Used $1 EB, total was $3.47

Third store

• 2 Softsoap Ensembles refills $3.99 each, used two $2 coupons (Reinventing Beauty magazine found in stores or 3/22 SS) and got back $4 EB ($2 EB each) = FREE
• Absolute Divine candy $0.33
• Used $4 EB, total was $0.61

Rinse and repeated this exact deal. I am so low on EB's that I had to use the EB's from trans 1 to pay for trans 2!

Walgreens - I'm going to do the Bayer/Crest deal again for a rebate in DBF's name

• Bayer Contour monitor $14.99, used freebie coupon (3/22 RP) = FREE, got back a coupon for a FREE 6 oz. tube of Crest Pro Health toothpaste
• Edge Shaving Gel $2.99, got back $3 RR (monthly deal) = FREE
• Used $2 RR, total was $1.20

Second transaction

• Chapstick 100% Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter (0.15 oz) $1.99, got back $2 RR (monthly deal) = FREE
• Dawn dish detergent $0.99 (with in-circular coupon)
• Butterfinger candy $0.39 (with in-circular coupon)
• Crest ProHealth toothpaste $4.49, used freebie coupon from buying monitor = FREE and will count towards ESR #5
• Used $3 RR, total was $0.73

Different store

• Edge Shaving Gel $2.99, got back $3 RR (monthly deal) = FREE
• Dawn dish detergent $0.99 (with in-circular coupon)
• Cadbury candy $0.50 (with in-circular coupon) *didn't need to buy this since I used one RR, oh well
• Used $2 RR, total was $2.80

Second transaction

• Chapstick 100% Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter (0.15 oz) $1.99, got back $2 RR (monthly deal) = FREE
• Scott toilet paper $2.50 with in-circular coupon, used $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS) = $1.75
• Used $3 RR, total was $0.88

Again

• Edge Shaving Gel $2.99, got back $3 RR (monthly deal) = FREE
• Scott toilet paper $2.50 with in-circular coupon, used $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS) = $1.75
• Used $2 RR, total was $2.95

Yet Again

• Skintimate Shaving Gel $2.99, got back $3 RR (monthly deal) = FREE
• Scott toilet paper $2.50 with in-circular coupon, used $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS) = $1.75
• Butterfinger candy $0.39 (with in-circular coupon)
• Used $2 RR and $2 RR, total was $1.37

The last time

• Chapstick 100% Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter (0.15 oz) $1.99, got back $2 RR (monthly deal) = FREE
• Scott toilet paper $2.50 with in-circular coupon, used $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS) = $1.75
• Used $3 RR, total was $0.88

Today's count: Skintimate - 4, Edge - 14, Chapstick - 17

I'm Not a Happy Camper

Ok, so here's what happened. I saw an offer on stamps.com for a FREE 30 day trial of their products. Included in the free trial was a FREE postage scale. I signed up and sent away for my scale. I was a little ticked after I ordered because I had to pay shipping on the scale, even though I could have SWORN I read somewhere on the website that there was free shipping. I wanted to go back and check, but my order had already gone through. But whatever, the shipping was $13 and a postage scale would cost me much more than that anyway. So I ordered, got my scale.

Just now I called the Customer Service at stamps.com to cancel my account (I'm still within the free trial period). That was all fine and dandy. Then she mentions to me - oh, by the way, your postage scale WON'T work without the stamps.com software and since you are cancelling your account, the software will no longer work." WTF?!?! That was the whole purpose of me signing up in the first place! I told her this and she offered to extend my free trial period for another couple weeks. What good that would do I don't know since I'd still have to cancel down the road. She then tells me I could have received a larger free scale if I'd gone past the trial period. Holy false advertising! I am so annoyed. Now I'm out $13 and have a useless scale on my hands. Thanks a lot stamps.com (not!).

Walgreens, Yet Again...4/5 - 4/11

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

Ooh baby! There are going to be five, count 'em, FIVE coupon inserts in Sunday's paper! Two SS's, two RP's and one P&G. Don't forget to get your papers and make sure to check before you buy to make sure all your inserts are there.

CVS Sunday and Monday Deals:

• Easter Grass $0.79, get back $0.79 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Bamboo Easter Baskets $1.99, get back $1.99 EB (Limit 2) = FREE

Week Long Sales:

• Skintimate Shave Cream $3.49, get back $3.49 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• Coke 12 packs four for $14 or $3.50 each, get back $3 EB (WYB 4, Limit 1) = $2.75 each - don't forget to use coupons from My Coke Rewards

CVS April Monthly Deals

• Accu-Chek Aviva Diabetes Monitoring Kit $9.99, get back $9.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE *There is a TMF rebate form inside the box. They might issue the $9.99 back to you as a rebate, but its iffy.
• Natural Dentist Rinse $6.99, buy two, use two $2 coupons, get back $4 EB ($2 each, Limit 3) and submit for a $10 rebate (when you buy two) = $8 profit

Rite Aid - $5 off $25 coupon here Exp. 4/30/09

• Blink Tears (15 mL) $7.99, use $2 coupon (3/1 RP) or $1.50 coupon and get back $7.99 (SCR #31) = $1.50 or $2 profit
• Excedrin $1.99, use $2 coupon = FREE
• Mentos Gum $0.99, use $1 coupon (3/1 SS) = FREE

Walgreens

• NEW - Vitamin 10 water two for $3, buy two, use two $1 coupons (4/5 SS) and $1 off 2 Easy Saver coupon (April booklet) = FREE *May be cheaper in some areas
• Glade Lasting Impressions $5.99, use $4 coupon (3/29) and get back $2 (ESR #18, limit 2) = FREE
• Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste (4 oz) $3.49, use $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS), $1 coupon or $1.50 coupon (4/17 All You magazine) and get back $3.49 RR = $0.75, $1 or $1.50 profit (FREE without coupons)
• Visine Eye Drops (original, lasting relief, advanced relief, AC or for contacts, 5 oz) $3.99 each, buy two and use two $3 coupons (3/15 RP) and get back $3 RR = $1.01 profit
• Oust Air Sanitizer (10 oz) or Surface & Air Sanitizer (12 oz) $2.99, use $2 coupon (3/29 SS) and get back $1 (ESR #20, Limit 4) = FREE
• Betty Crocker Cake or Brownie Mix or Frosting $1.50 each, use $0.50 coupon (4/5 SS) and get back $1 RR (WYB 2) = $1 or $0.50 each
• Revlon Hair Appliances - include Ionic dryer or hair straightener $19.99, get back $10 RR = $9.99

Walgreens Month Long Sale

• Bayer Contour diabetes monitors $14.99 each (Mega Saver price until 4/25), use freebie coupon (3/22 RP) = FREE plus you'll get back a WAG coupon for a FREE 6 oz. Crest ProHealth toothpaste. Do this four times (in separate transactions, if you buy more than one monitor at a time, you probably won't get multiple Crest coupons) and submit for $5 rebate (ESR #5, WYB 4 Crest products) = $5 profit

Walgreens April RR Deals (3/29 - 4/25)

• Chapstick 100% Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter (0.15 oz) $1.99, get back $1.99 RR = FREE
• Edge Infused Shaving Gel (green cans) OR Edge Energy Shaving Gel (black cans) $2.99, get back $3 RR = FREE
• Skintimate Shaving Gel $2.99, get back $2.99 RR = FREE (Newer looking bottle. I've found them in the beauty section of the store where they stock the makeup sets and fragrances.)

*Both Edge and Skintimate are made by the same company SC Johnson, so if you use the RR from one to buy the other (ie. Edge RR to buy Skintimate), the new RR will NOT print. You also cannot buy both the Edge and Skintimate in the same transaction - you'll only get one RR instead of both.

Walgreens April Easy Saver Rebates (3/29 - 4/25) - 10% bonus on each item when you get your rebate back on a gift card.

• One-A-Day Multivitamin Drink Mix $1.49, use $1 coupon (3/22 SS) and get back $1.49 (ESR #1) = $1 profit
• Physicians Formula Organic Wear makeup (look for TMF stickers), use $1 coupon (2/22 SS) and get back $10 (WYB $10 worth, ESR #6) = FREE or profit **PF makeup is going to be 40% off the week of 4/19. Its not clear yet whether the organic lines are included, but it might be worth waiting to find out.
• Black or Color Printer Ink Cartridge Refill $10, use $3 coupon (found in store in photo section) and get back $7.50 (ESR #28) = $0.50 profit
• Buy $20 of any Garnier products, get $10 rebate (ESR #3) - I'll definitely be buying some Garnier face lotions with this rebate. The items will probably go on sale during the month, so I'd wait and see how cheap they go for.

General Printable Rebate Offers

• NEW - All Bran cereal, bars, drink mix or fiber wafers, up to $4.99 Exp. 4/30/09
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Ensure 6 pack use $3 coupon and Try Me Free rebate
• Febreze Noticeables Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 6/30/09
• Herbal Essences - free haircut when you buy 2 specially marked bottles Exp. 6/31/09
• Kellogg's Smart Start Strawberry Oat Bites Cereal Exp. 7/31/09
• Kraft Mac n Cheese Crackers TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Pert Plus for Men TMF (has to have sticker on bottle) Exp. 12/31/09
• Peter Pan satisfaction guarantee Exp. 5/31/09
• 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
• Ronzoni Pasta (or other food items) and Bolt DVD $4 rebate Exp. 7/31/09
• Starkist SeaSations Money Back Guarantee Exp. 12/31/09

Light Day - Only 8 Transactions

Its a chilly, rainy day here in the Garden State. Days like this, I always cut class. Most normal folks dragged themselves to class and cut on beautiful sunny days. Not me. It takes a monumental amount of effort and willpower to get me out of bed on days like this. All I want to do is stay inside, under a warm blanket and read and nap. So on that note, here's a nice rainy day song for you - Norah Jones - Don't Know Why

FYI - the Chapstick is going to be on sale for $1.99 and produce $2 RR's all month (not just this week as I had originally posted). I think I'll add this to my counting list at the bottom. And thanks to cdarrow for the tip about the Scott tp. You had said Angel Soft in your post, but I knew what you meant. :)

Wow - my March rebate money has already reloaded to my gift card.

Walgreens

• Bayer Contour monitor $14.99, used freebie coupon (3/22 RP) = FREE, got back a coupon for a FREE 6 oz. tube of Crest Pro Health toothpaste
• Edge shaving cream $2.79 *did NOT get back $3 RR for this so they probably fixed this glitch. Only the Edge Energy varieties are working now (black cans). I'll return this some other time.
• Scott toilet paper $2.50 with in-circular coupon, used $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS) = $1.75
• 2 Butterfinger candies $0.39 each (with in-circular coupon) *for some reason I was thinking I needed two fillers
• Used $2 RR and $2 RR, total was $1.57

Second transaction

• Bayer Contour monitor $14.99, used freebie coupon (3/22 RP) = FREE, got back a coupon for a FREE 6 oz. tube of Crest Pro Health toothpaste
• Dawn dish detergent $0.99 (with in-circular coupon)
• Chapstick 100% Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter (0.15 oz) $1.99, got back $2 RR = FREE
• Butterfinger candy $0.39 (with in-circular coupon)
• Used $3 RR, total was $0.61

Then, I used my freebie coupons:

• Crest Pro Health toothpaste (6 oz.) $4.49, used freebie coupon = FREE (no tax! I usually pay tax on toothpaste, but I think because the coupon was a WAGs coupon, it brought my taxable total down to zero)

Rinse and repeat - I tried to buy both at once but the second coupon beeped. The cashier suggested I buy them separately, and that was a-okay with me. She said to me - "now that's a way to save money, spend nothing!" You got that right!

• Crest Pro Health toothpaste (6 oz.) $4.49, used freebie coupon = FREE

Lunch break

• Bayer Contour monitor $14.99, used freebie coupon (3/22 RP) = FREE, got back a coupon for a FREE 6 oz. tube of Crest Pro Health toothpaste
• Chapstick 100% Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter (0.15 oz) $1.99, got back $2 RR = FREE
• Scott toilet paper $2.50 with in-circular coupon, used $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS) = $1.75
• Used $3 RR, total was $0.88

After work

• Bayer Contour monitor $14.99, used freebie coupon (3/22 RP) = FREE, got back a coupon for a FREE 6 oz. tube of Crest Pro Health toothpaste
• Chapstick 100% Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter (0.15 oz) $1.99, got back $2 RR = FREE
• Scott toilet paper $2.50 with in-circular coupon, used $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS) = $1.75
• Used $3 RR, total was $0.88

Used my next set of two freebie coupons (bought seperately)

• Crest Pro Health toothpaste (6 oz.) $4.49, used freebie coupon = FREE
• Crest Pro Health toothpaste (6 oz.) $4.49, used freebie coupon = FREE

Now you may be wondering, "ok, frugalsuz, its nice that you got all that free toothpaste and monitors, 'cause we know you were getting low. So what?" Well, here's what! I will submit for $5 rebate (WYB 4 Crest products, ESR #5) = $5 profit!

There was no tax on the monitors or toothpaste in my area, so this was truly a moneymaker deal for me. Some areas charge tax on the monitors, so it may not be quite as good a deal.

Don't forget about the Crest rebate where you send away and get back a coupon for a free Crest toothpaste. You can often find these forms in Walgreens.

Today's count: Skintimate - 3, Edge - 11, Chapstick - 13