What's Yellow and Blue and Orange and Red? Oh and Pink? And Green Too?

Any guesses?  

On a random note, da boyfriend and I just finished watching Temple Grandin with Claire Danes.  Have you seen this movie?  I remember reading about Temple when I was in college.  She has autism and grew up in the 1950's, when very little was known about autism or asperger's disorder.  She has since earned her Doctoral degree and is an expert on animal handling.  She's revolutionized the equipment that handles livestock, designing equipment to calm and soothe the animals.  She's also done so much to help those with autism, speaking at conferences and writing about what it feels like to see the world as she does.  Its a heartwarming story and gives you a bit of insight into how a person with autism perceives things differently.  I used to work at a facility that cared for adults with autism and it was one of the most difficult jobs I've ever had.    

Rite Aid

• 2 $20 Home Improvement Gift Cards, got back two $5 UP's (monthly deal, Limit 2) = $10 profit

Stop & Shop - did a deal in each state.  Here's the NJ deal first -

• $100 Visa Gift Card + $5.95 activation fee, got back $10 catalina = $4.05 profit
• 6 Pure Silk Shaving Creams $1.50 each, used six $0.80 coupons (7/8 RP) = FREE
• 8 Hefty EZ Grip Cups $2 each, used four $1 off 2 coupons (5/13 SS), got back $4 instant savings (for purchasing 8) and will send away for $5 Reynold's/Hefty rebate (tearpad, WYB $15 worth of Reynold's/Hefty items) = $3 or $0.37 each
• Total was $113.58

Then in NY, I bought:

• $100 Visa Gift Card + $5.95 activation fee, got back $10 catalina = $4.05 profit
• 10 Mars King Size Candy Bars $1.25 each, used five $0.50 off 2 tearpad coupons (only two doubled for whatever reason) = $9 
• Used $10 catalina from previous gift card purchase, total was $105.07

I might use this receipt towards the $25 Amstel NBPR rebate (WYB $100 of groceries) and black out the items purchased on the receipt.  I did this with another recent purchase when I bought a gift card.  I haven't received anything back yet on that rebate, but I don't see why I'd have a problem.

The candy counts towards a gas discount deal this week.  When you buy five candy bars, you get a $0.30 per gallon discount.  I bought ten bars (so I could use the $10 catalina and my $0.50 off 2 coupons), so I've now qualified for $0.60 off a gallon.  You can fill up a max of 35 gallons, so that works out to $21 in gas...for $5.07!  Kudos to Melanie for posting (as always) about these fantastic gas deals at S&S!

I'm planning on picking up three bags of M&M's tomorrow ($3 each), using the $1.50 off 2 coupon from the 6/17 RP and sending away for the movie ticket rebate ($9 movie money good towards a ticket or DVD).  You have to buy three specially marked bags for the rebate, so I'll get those plus two candy bars = $9 + $2.50 - $1.50/2 M&M's coupon - $0.50 off 2 tearpad coupon = $9.50 (assuming the tearpad coupon doesn't double).  Then I'll get back $9 in movie cash plus $0.30 off a gallon ($10.50 equivalent) = $10 profit!

I found this brown sugar on clearance at Target over the weekend.  At $1.18 a bag, it was a steal so I picked up four bags.  They also had confectioners sugar and other baking items on clearance as well.

So did you guess correctly?  My ever-so-crafty sister made this perky wreath out of brightly colored drink umbrellas!  She said it took her forever to open up all the umbrellas and arrange them "just so."  Isn't it festive and summery?

P&G Bonanza at Rite Aid

I've been busy at CVS and Rite Aid thanks to some great deals posted by Sheila and the wonderful folks at Slick Deals.  Here goes:

CVS

• Gum Perioshield Rinse $5.89 - clearanced from $11.79, used $5 coupon and will get back $3 SavingStar credit = $1.70 profit (after tax)
• Total was $1.30 with tax

Rite Aid - I bought all these goodies over multiple transactions, but to keep things sorta simple, I'll just list out each deal individually

• Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Antigingitivis Rinse $5.59 ($6.99 reg price, 20% discount), used $2 coupon, will get back $1 (SCR #50) and will send away for $5 rebate = $2.41 profit
• 3 Skin Below the Chin Refreshing Body Sprays $0.99 ($1.99 reg price, $1 off sale) and got back three $1 UP's (Limit 3) = FREE/$0.03 profit
• Bic Flamedisk $3.74 ($4.99 reg price, 25% sale), used $2 coupon, $1 Video Values coupon (July) and will get back $4 (SCR #4) *Just realized I have to purchase the Bic lighter along with the flamedisk to get this rebate.  I'll have to pick that up tomorrow ($4.23 with 20% discount, $1 coupon 5/20 SS).  After buying both items, they'll work out to be FREE after the rebate
• 2 Cover Girl with Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blushes $13.99 each, BOGO 50% off sale so second was $6.99, used $3 off 2 coupon (7/1 P&G), got back $5 UP (WYB $15, Limit 2) and will send away for $10 rebate (WYB $20) = $2.98 *Bought another two sets of two to use towards two other rebates (I use multiple addresses for rebates)
• Olay items - BOGO 50% off sale and $5 UP WYB $20 (Limit 2).  Here's what I got: 2 Olay Bars $3.99 + $1.99, used $3 off 2 coupon (7/1 P&G), 2 Olay Regenerist Cleansers $7.99 + $3.99, used $3 off 2 coupon (7/1 P&G), 3 Olay Cleansing Cloths $6.29 + $6.29 + $3.14 and 3 Olay Pump Cleansers $4.79 + $2.39 + $2.39, used three $3 off 2 coupons (7/1 P&G).  Got back two $5 UP's (WYB $20, Limit 2) and will send away for $10 rebate (WYB $30 worth) = $8.25 *I purchased this stuff at two stores and one receipt has $30 of purchases on it.  I'll use the second receipt towards another $10 rebate. 

I'm almost done with the Olay deal on my other card.  Here's what I got:

• 8 Olay Bars $3.99 + $1.99, used four $3 off 2 coupons (7/1 P&G) and 2 Olay Pump Cleansers $4.79 + $2.39, used $3 off 2 coupon (7/1 P&G), got back $5 UP (WYB $20, Limit 2) and will  send away for $10 rebate (WYB $30 worth) = $1.11

I spent $31.11 on this card, so once I spent another $10, I'll get another $5 UP.


Once I get the Olay rebates back in the mail, I'll put most of these items up on ebay to get back my OOP cost and then some. 

7/8 - 7/14

Staples

• $0.01 items with $5 additional purchase - Rose Art Crayons, Staples School Glue and Bic Round Stic Ballpoint Pens (8 pk, black) 
• Staples 2013 Desktop Calendar (22" x 17) $4.99, get back $4.99 Easy Rebate (Limit 2) = FREE
• Scotch Super Glue Gel $4.29, $1.30 instant savings/sale, get back $2.99 Easy Rebate (Limit 1) = FREE 
• Staples 8.5" x 11" Multipurpose Paper (500 sheets) $6.99, get back $6.74 Easy Rebate (Limit 2) = $0.25

CVS

• Hershey's Simple Pleasures (0.75 oz) $0.67, get back $0.67 EB (Limit 1) = FREE

CVS Monthly Deal

• Nivea Q10 Shaving Gel $4.49 - $4.99, use $3 coupon and get back $2 EB (Limit 4) = $0.51 - $0.01 profit *This is the same deal as the tins of lotion from a week or so ago  UPDATE - its a different deal!

Rite Aid

• Coppertone Sunscreen - buy two for $9.99 each ($7.99 with 20% discount), use $5 off 2 coupon (6/24 SS), $3 RA coupon (expires 7/8) and get back $10 UP (WYB 2, Limit 2 offers) = $2.02 profit 
• No Nonsense Pantyhose, Knee Highs, Tights, Socks, Panties or Sleepwear BOGO 50% off and $3 UP (WYB 2, Limit 2 offers).  Buy single pairs of socks for $1.99 each (second will be $0.99) = FREE 
• Rogaine $39.99, use $10 coupon (6/10 SS), get back $10 UP (Limit 2) and submit for $20 rebate = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Zest Body Wash $2.99, use $1 peelie coupon (or 7/8 SS) and get back $2 UP (Limit 2) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• RA Pantry Pegged Chocolate Candy $0.99 each ($0.79 with 20% discount), buy two and get back $1 UP (WYB 2, Limit 4 offers) = $0.58 or $0.29 with 20% discount

Walgreens

• EOS Shaving Cream $3, buy two, use two $1 peelies and get back $4 RR (WYB 2) = FREE

Printable Rebate Offers

• Arm & Hammer Simply Saline Neti Pot TMF up to $14.99 Exp. 7/13/13 (Email me at frugalsuz at hotmail.com and I'll forward you the form)
• CoverGirl and Olay Cosmetics (CG items that have Olay in them, not CG or Olay items) Buy $20, get back $10 Exp. 7/8/12
• Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance dry pet food TMF up to $12.99 Exp. 12/31/12
• MorningStar Veggie Burgers up to $4.99 Exp. 11/30/12
• Olay Products - spend $30, get back $10 Exp. 8/31/12
• Physician's Formula Cosmeceutical Youth Boosting Concealer, Foundation or Powder - buy one and get $5, buy two and get $10 or buy three and get $25 Valid 5/1/12 - 4/30/13 *Have to submit a "Try Me Free" label for each item
• Physician's Formula Organic Wear Lash Boosting Mascara TMF Up to $9.95  Must include "Try Me Free" label from product to qualify Valid 11/1/11 - 10/13/12
• Physician's Formula Cosmeceutical Youth Boosting Concealer TMF Up to $12.95 Must include "Try Me Free" label from product to qualify Valid 1/1/12 - 12/31/12
• Physician's Formula Cosmeceutical Youth Boosting Foundation TMF Up to $14.95 Must include "Try Me Free" label from product to qualify Valid 1/1/12 - 12/31/12 
• Pyramid Ale NBPR rebate $10 off $10.01 of qualifying items Exp. 12/31/12  Valid in all states EXCEPT for: AL, AR, DE, FL, IN, KS, LA, ME, MN, MS, ND, NH, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, VT, and WV.  NBPR in CT, MA, MD, MO, NC, NJ, NY and UT.   *IL, NY, and VA residents: Food Pairing ingredients cannot be private label store brands.  LIMIT THREE!  See this link for qualifying items.
• Stouffers Farmers' Harvest Steam Perfect Bags Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 9/1/12

• Vaseline Body Lotion (10 - 32 fl oz) Satisfaction Guarantee up to $7.99 Exp. 7/31/12
• Zyrtec10mg Tablets (3, 5, 14, 30 or 40 ct), 10 mg Liquid Gels (12, 25 or 30 ct), Children’s Zyrtec (any size) or Zyrtec-D (any size) Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 12/31/12

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

• Arm & Hammer Single Use Laundry Detergent Power Paks sticker (hot pink color) TMF up to $9.99 Exp. 12/15/12
• Dickinson's Facial Cleanser Hangtag TMF Exp. ?
• Finesse Color Lock Styling Product $2 rebate Valid 4/22 - 7/22/12 (or 4/22 SS)
• Freeman Facial Anti-Stress Mask Hangtag TMF Exp. 12/31/12
• Oxi-Clean Dishwashing Booster TMF Exp. 12/1/12

What the Hay?

UPDATE - I took my receipts and purchases back to the store and the super friendly manager gave me not only one $10 Shell gift card, but a second one for "not coming in and yelling at him."  It really does pay to be nice!  I'll be sending a note to corporate about how awesome these two stores are!


So DBF and I went out to CVS tonight to finish the gas card deal on two cards.  What a production!  Has anyone else had problems with this today?  Here's what I bought:

• 3 Diet Coke 2L $0.79 + $0.05 bottle deposit, used $2 beverage coupon (Facebook printable from yesterday - this beeped saying it had already been used) = $0.37
• 5 Physician's Formula Happy Booster Lip Glosses $10.49, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used four $3 peelie coupons plus $3 off $15 beauty coupon (Facebook printable from yesterday - this beeped saying it had already been used) = $2.45
• Used $3 EB adjusted down to $2.97, total was $1.21

Here's where it got interesting.  I'd spent $11.96 yesterday on this card on PF products, so this additional $17.45 should have pushed me up to $29.41 and qualified me for a $10 gas card.  *You only have to spend 98% of the requirement for these kind of deals, so 98% of $30 is $29.40.  


Nothing printed on the receipt, so I figured I'd messed up and used the wrong card or something. But then I checked my receipt and saw this little puzzle:

See how there's a category called "Products, Spend $30 to get $10 EB" and then at the bottom, another category called "Gas Card, Spend $30, Get Card"?  It split my purchases up into two separate categories!


After pondering this for a while, here's what I think happened.  I bought the first set of purchases in NJ, where you get a $10 EB for your trouble.  But then I finished out the deal in New York, where you get a gift card.  (Remind me never to do that again by the way)  What a mess!  The cashier and shift supervisor were very helpful and after a call to the store manager, they manually printed a $10 EB and forced that through as payment on a $10 Shell gift card.  So nice.


We went to another store to finish out the deal on another card. Stupid me, I'd done the same thing on this card so nothing printed.  They told me to bring in both receipts and all the makeup tomorrow and they'll manually print a $10 EB or give me a gift card or something.  I bought - 

• 3 Physician's Formula Matchmaker Lip Glosses $9.99 each, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used three $3 peelie coupons = FREE/$0.02 profit
• Physician's Formula Mascara $10.79, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used $3 peelie coupons = $0.79
• Total was $1.80

"Hey ma, I'm still not seeing any cat treats up there for me."  

Loving CVS This Week

CVS *the Nivea tins are reported as no longer working

• 4 Nivea Tins (metal or soft, 1 oz) $0.99 each, got back $8 EB ($2 each, Limit 4, monthly deal) = $4.04 profit
• 4 Physician's Formula Happy Booster Lip Glosses $9.79 each, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used four $3 peelie coupons = $0.84 profit
• 2 Physician's Formula Matchmaker Lip Glosses $9.99 each, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used two $3 peelie coupons = FREE/$0.02 profit
• *Raincheck item - Zarbees Cough Syrup $6, got back $6 EB = FREE
• *Raincheck item - Zyrtec $5.99, got back $5.99 EB = FREE
• CVS cortisone cream $5.49 - used FREE Cortaid CRT (store was out of Cortaid and let me substitute) = FREE
• CVS Plastic Bandages $2.67, this plus the cortisone cream counted towards a EB deal this week - spend $7 on first aid items, get back $3 EB.  However, I only got back $2 EB so = $0.67
• Used $0.50 EB and $15 EB, total was $3.90

I've now spent $17.14 towards the gas card promo (spend $30, get back $10 gas card).  


On another card - 

• Schick Hydro Power Razor $9.49, used $5 CRT and $4 coupon (6/10 SS) and got back $3 EB (Limit 1) = $2.51 profit
• 4 Physician's Formula Matchmaker Lip Glosses $9.99 each, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used four $3 peelie coupons = FREE/$0.04 profit
• CVS Plastic Bandages $2.67, this plus a CVS cortisone cream I bought yesterday counted towards a EB deal this week - spend $7 on first aid items, get back $3 EB.  However, I only got back $2 EB so = $0.67
• Used $1.50 EB, total was $3.20 *Now at 11.96 towards the gas promo on this card

I also finished out that deal on another card.  Yesterday I'd spent $15.45 towards the $30, so I bought:

• 3 Physician's Formula Mascaras $10.79 each, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used three $3 peelie coupons = $2.37
• Physician's Formula Matchmaker Lip Gloss $9.99 each, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used $3 peelie coupon = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Total was $3.53 with tax and I got back a $10 Shell gift card.  

I made a profit of $3.82 on yesterday's transaction, which cancels out today's cost and then some.  So in total, after factoring in the $10 gift card, I made a profit of $10.29!



Now if I can just keep all this straight, I'll be good to go!

Back for More

Sheila posted about the Nivea deal and I couldn't resist another shopping trip for the day.  These great moneymaker deals sometimes get killed by corporate pretty quickly, so get your Nivea while you can.

CVS

• 4 Nivea Tins (metal or soft, 1 oz) $1.19 each, got back $8 EB ($2 each, Limit 4, monthly deal) = $3.24 profit
• 2 Physician's Formula Skincare Items (blue) clearanced to $5.37 each, used $15 PF Skincare CRT (got today) = $4.26 profit
• 4 Physician's Formula Matchmaker Lip Gloss $9.99, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used $3 peelie coupon = FREE/$0.04 profit 
• Physician's Formula Happy Booster Lip Gloss $10.49, $7 discount sale (on all PF makeup) and used $3 peelie coupon = $0.49
• 2 Caramels $0.33 each
• Used $4 EB, total was $0.18, overall profit for transaction - $3.82

The PF makeup counted towards the gas promo this week - spend $30 in qualifying items, get a $10 gas gift card (EB in NJ).  I didn't realize the PF skincare stuff was on clearance, so that didn't count towards the gas promo.  Their skincare line is on sale for $7.99 each this week and counts towards the promo, if you get the non-clearanced stuff.  So on this card, I've got $15.45 towards the gas card and I didn't spend a penny!

On another card -

• 4 Nivea Tins (metal or soft, 1 oz) $0.99 each, got back $8 EB ($2 each, Limit 4, monthly deal) = $4.04 profit
• 2 Physician's Formula Skincare Items (purple) $7.99 each, used $15 PF Skincare CRT (got today) = $0.98
• Caramel $0.33
• Used $0.50 EB and $4 EB, total was $2.38, overall profit for transaction - $1.12

This store had lots of PF makeup, but no peelie coupons so I didn't get any makeup here.  If you can find enough peelies, you could buy just the makeup and get the gas card!  You'd need about 10 items for around $10 each, minus the $7 sale and the $3 coupon.  That's my goal for the week - find as many peelies as possible and max out this deal if I can.  Who doesn't love free makeup and gas!

What would you do?

Gigi hardly comes out of our dining room anymore.  She's claimed one of the chair cushions as her own and has done a wonderful job of thoroughly coating it in grey cat hair.  She loves looking out the sliders to see what's going on in the back yard.  The curtains are just high enough that she can lay under them, see what's going on outside and still see what's going on inside.  She seems so much happier than she used to be now that we're in the house.  I think she loves having Shadow around all day, they're the best of friends.

So I have a dilemma.  Remember the other day when I bought the True2go meter at CVS because it had a TMF rebate in it?  The rebate form was in the box and when I opened it up to get everything ready to go, I realized the rebate form says you'll get back what you spent out of pocket.  Come on CVS, you know you have Extra Bucks!  So the rebate cost me $7 and change but I spent less than $2 OOP after EB's.  What would you do?  Should I black out everything on the receipt but the meter and see what they'll give me as a check?  Or do you think I could return the meter and get my money back?  The only problem is I've already cut the UPC off the box (still have it though, its just not attached to the box anymore).

On the bright side, I realized that the Accu-Chek Nano rebates I bought that day have a TMF rebate in them as well.  They were free after EB's so anything I get back for those is a bonus!

ShopRite

• 5 Turkey Hill Ice Creams $1.99 each, used three $0.50 coupons and two $1 coupons (homemailer coupons, request one packet a month here = $0.99 each
• 4 Tyson Any'tizers $2.50 each, used four $1 coupons (6/17 SS) = $1.50 each
• 2 Pepperidge Farm Rolls $1.74 each (half price sale), used two $0.40 coupons (5/6 SS) = $0.94 each
• 2 Colonna Bread Crumbs $0.88 each
• SR Deli Items - $12.15 in total, will use towards $10 Heineken NBPR rebate on $10.01 of fresh/prepared foods (HKNNA038) = $2.15
• Total was $24.92 

Rite Aid

• 2 Gillette Venus & Olay Razors $7.99 each ($9.99 reg price, 20% discount), used two $4 coupons (6/17 SS) and got back two $4 UP's (Limit 2) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Lysol Dual Action Wipes $3.11 ($3.89 reg price, 20% discount), will send away for TMF rebate (6/17 SS) = FREE
• 4 Soft Scrub Cleansers $2.50 each, got back two $2 UP's (weekly deal, Limit 2) and two $1 UP's (monthly deal, Limit ?, ends 7/3) = $2 or $0.50 each *There are $1 coupons to make this free in the 6/17 RP.  I didn't get them in my inserts though
• Used two $10 UP's and $4 UP, total was $3.45

Then on another card, I got -

• 2 Gillette Venus & Olay Razors $7.99 each ($9.99 reg price, 20% discount), used two $4 coupons (6/17 SS) and got back two $4 UP's (Limit 2) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• RA True Track Glucose Meter $11.99 ($14.99 reg price, 20% discount), will send away for TMF rebate (peelie on package) = FREE *I did this rebate previously at a different address and got back the pre-discount price so it was a moneymaker.  We'll see what happens with this one!
• RA Vanilla Extract $1.43 ($1.79 reg price, 20% discount)
• Used $10 UP, two $4 UP's, $2 UP and $1 UP, total was $1.70

"Why do I not see any cat food purchases human?  I am not pleased."