Rite Aid's Annual Cold/Allergy Week 10/11 - 10/17

hehe, lovin' this picture! A year ago, almost exactly to this date, RA had a similar cold/allergy week. Guess this is an annual thing with them?

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

CVS - $5 off $25 coupon available here.

• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: 4 in 1 Pumpkin Carving Tool $1.99, get back $1.99 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
• Sun/Mon/Tues Only: Halloween Nylon Treat Bag $0.99, get back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE

Rite Aid - print a $5 off $25 coupon or get a $5 off $20 coupon by watching a whole bunch of absolutely thrilling RA commercials here. Tip - when your coupons display, you can print multiple copies then (not later) or do what I did: hit the Print Screen button on your keyboard and paste them into Microsoft Word for later printing if need be. :)

• Now's the week to do this deal...finally! :)
• Herbal Essence sham/cond $2.50 each, buy 12 and use six BOGO coupons (10/11 P&G) and $5 off $20 coupon, plus get back $10 (SCR #? WYB $30 of P&G items) = FREE
• Chloroseptic Allergen Block Gel (20 count) $9.99, use $3 coupon (5/3 SS) and get back $9.99 (SCR #17) = $3 profit
• Poligrip Denture Adhesive Cream (0.75 oz) $1.99, use freebie coupon (10/4 RP) and get back $1.99 (SCR #128) = $1.99 profit
• Simply Saline Children’s Nasal Mist (1.5 oz) $3.99, use $1 coupon (1/11 and 7/26 SS) and get back $3.99 (SCR #15) = $1 profit
• Simply Saline Nasal Mist Cold Menthol (3 oz) $4.99, use $1 coupon (1/11 and 7/26 SS) and get back $4.99 (SCR #14) = $1 profit
• Children’s Throat Cooler (6 count) $2.99, use $1 coupon and get back $2.99 (SCR #12) = $1 profit
• Bee M.D. Throat Drops Cough Suppressants, Natural Honey or Honey Lemon (21 ct) $2.49, send away for $1 rebate and get back $2.49 (SCR #16) = $1 profit or FREE without rebate
• Beyond BodiHeat Pain Relieving Heat Pads (3-4 ct) $2.99, get back $2.99 (SCR #11) = FREE
• Breath Again SinoMarine Nasal Spray (3.3 oz) $7.99, get back $7.99 (SCR #10) = FREE
• Carmex Lip Balm 3 pack (0.35 oz) $1.99, get back $1.99 (SCR #18) = FREE
• Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm $2.29, get back $2.29 (SCR #1) = FREE
• Comtrex (20 count) $3.99, get back $3.99 (SCR #9) = FREE
• Dr. Thompson’s Coldwar (20 count) $3.99, get back $3.99 (SCR #13) = FREE
• Sinus Buster or Allergy Buster (20 ml) $8.99, get back $8.99 (SCR #19) = FREE
• Sucrets Throat Lozenges (18 ct) or Ice Pop (6 ct) $2.99, get back $2.99 (SCR #3) = FREE

Rite Aid Gift of Savings program: between 9/13 and 10/17, when you...

• Spend $25, you'll get back $5
• Or spend $50.01, you'll get back $10
• Or spend $100.01, you'll get back $20

What a week to end this program on, you could probably get up to $100 just by buying all the freebies this week!

Walgreens October RR Deals 9/27 - 10/31 (nothing great for this week's deals)

• Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion 6.8 oz $6.99, use $1.50 coupon - thanks Jenny! and get back $7 RR = $1.51 profit
• Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System $8.99, use $4 coupon (9/27 P&G) and get back $6 RR = $1.01 profit
• Trident Xtra Care or Layers gum $1 each, buy two, use two $0.75 coupons and get back $1 RR (WYB 2) = $0.50 profit
• Halls Refresh Sugar Free Drops (20 ct) $1, use $1 coupon (9/27 SS) or $0.50 coupon (10/23 issue of All You magazine) and get back $1 RR = $1 profit, $0.50 profit or FREE without coupon
• Chapstick Fresh Effects $2.99, get back $3 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Emergen-C Immune System 2 pk (2.5 oz each) $3.49, get back $3.50 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Robitussin DM To Go (2 pk) $2.49, get back $2.50 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Crest Baking Soda & Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste (6.4 oz) $2, use two $1 coupons (9/27 P&G) and get back $2 RR (WYB 2) = FREE

General Printable Rebate Offers

• Alouette Baby Brie Wedge Cheese TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Ensure 6 pack use $3 coupon and Try Me Free rebate Exp. 12/31/09
• Kraft Mac n Cheese Crackers TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• McCormick Alcoholic Beverages - click on Rebate Center once you've entered your birthday. Not valid in AL, HI, IN, MS, OH, SC, TX and UT. Exp. 12/31/09
• Pantene ProV Satisfaction Guarantee - 2x your purchase price (up to $12) Exp. 6/30/2010
• Pert Plus for Men TMF (has to have sticker on bottle) Exp. 12/31/09
• Physician's Formula - three separate rebates *have to find products with TMF peelies on them Exp. 12/31/09
• Science Diet Light Pet Food $8 coupon and $10 rebate (must register)
• Starkist SeaSations Money Back Guarantee Exp. 12/31/09
• Sure - several available - must have Try Me Free sticker on product Exp. 11/15/09
• Tombstone Pizza - credit towards utility bills Postmark by 1/15/10
• Tyson Skillet Creations TMF Exp. 10/31/09

Anatomy of a Deal

I was thinking today that I never really explain how I go about planning what I'm going to buy. These Walgreens trips required a bit of planning, so I thought I'd share the process.

End Goal: As many Gillette razors as possible: $8.99 - $4 coupon + $6 RR back = $1.01 profit. I ordered 20 extra coupons from ebay, so I have aways to go.

What I Could Do: Go into a store, buy a razor and use my coupon, pay $4.99 OOP and get back my $6 RR, repeat, repeat, repeat. But the problem with this is that I'll be spending tons of money OOP and will accumulate tons of $6 RR's that are only good for two weeks. No go.

What's Even Better: Plan a way to use my Gillette RR's to buy something else that produces RR's, then use those RR's to buy more Gillette. Ok we have a plan! Its all about the math now.

Starting off, I had one $6 Gillette RR, a bunch of $1 Halls RR's and three $2 Herbal Essence RR's (from last week). Since I can't use my Gillette RR to buy more Gillette, that leaves the Herbal Essence and Halls. I wanted to buy one more Halls, so I knew I couldn't use any of those RR's to pay. That leaves my three $2 Herbal Essence RR's. I'd need to buy at least three filler items since I'm using three RR's. Since I'm using a coupon on the razor, that can't count as one of my items. The razor costs $4.99 after coupon, so I need to buy three extra items and get my total as close to $6 as possible. $6 minus $4.99 equals $1.01 so I went hunting through the circular for something close to $1.01. I decided to buy:

• Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System $8.99, used $4 coupon (9/27 P&G) and got back $6 RR = $1.01 profit
• Halls Refresh Sugar Free Drops (20 ct) $1, used $1 coupon (9/27 SS) and got back $1 RR = $1 profit *Used up my last coupon, this zeroes out after coupon so I didn't include it in my calculations
• Velveeta shells & cheese $1.49
• 2 Halloween pencils $0.13 each with in-circular coupon
• Used three $2 RR's, total was $0.65

The Velveeta brought me up to $6, but I needed the two pencils as filler items so I'd have enough items vs. coupons. That used up my Herbal Essence RR's, and now since I have some Gillette RR's, I might as well figure out how I'm going to use them. Here goes:

• Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion 6.8 oz $6.99, got back $7 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Halloween pencil $0.13 with in-circular coupon
• Used $6 RR (Gillette) and $1 RR (Halls), total was $0.62

Since I'm not using any coupons on the lotion (waited too long to print them and now they aren't available anymore), this scenario was easier to plan. Two items, two RR's. Easy as pie.

Now I have some Vaseline RR's in my pocket that I can use to buy more Gillette.

• Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System $8.99, used $4 coupon (9/27 P&G) and got back $6 RR = $1.01 profit
• Chapstick Fresh Effects $2.99, got back $3 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Halloween pencil $0.13 with in-circular coupon
• Used $7 RR (Vaseline) and $1 RR (Halls), total was $0.96

On my last scenario, I ran out of Halls RR's to use, so...

• Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System $8.99, used $4 coupon (9/27 P&G) and got back $6 RR = $1.01 profit
• Halls Refresh Sugar Free Drops (20 ct) $1, got back $1 RR = FREE (out of coupons)
• Velveeta shells & cheese $1.49
• Used $7 RR (Vaseline), total was $1.11 *Probably could have gotten this lower, but I planned this one in the store. I never do as well when I do this.

Got all that? ;) I repeated a bunch of the scenarios a couple times. I love shopping after work when the teenage cashiers are working. They could care less about how many transactions I'd like to do (I usually limit myself to two per store), how many coupons I have, etc. Its great! And with the promotion I got at work a couple months back, I'm now working in a different part of the state. On the way home, there is Walgreens Way. Its a stretch of highway (right on my way home, I don't even have to detour) where there are...count 'em!...four Walgreens all within 15 minutes of each other! Oh, its so wonderful! They are all very well stocked on the monthly deal items, so I haven't had any problems finding what I want.

With all this Walgreens shopping, we can't neglect CVS! I had a $6 EB expiring today, otherwise I probably would have passed on these deals.

• Tone bar soap (2-3 pk) $1.88, used $1 coupon and got back $1 EB (Limit 1) = $0.12 profit
• Colgate 360 Acti Flex Toothbrush $2.99, used $1 coupon (9/27 SS or here) and got back $2 EB (Limit 1) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers $3, used $1 coupon (October All You magazine) and will send in for TMF/Satisfaction Guarantee (Oct. All You mag) = $1 profit
• CVS recycled school box $1.99, got back $1.99 EB = FREE *Raincheck from 8/16-8/22
• 4 J&J Travel First Aid Kits $0.99 each, used four $1 coupons (4th adjusted to $0.96, 8/2 SS), got back $4 EB ($2 EB WYB 2) = $4 profit *Raincheck from 8/16-8/22
• Used $6 EB, total was $1.29

Oh Yeah!

How stoked was I to walk into this Walgreens and find a fully stocked selection of Gillette razors and Halls? Fab-u-lous! You better believe I'll be back. :)

Walgreens

• Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System $8.99, used $4 coupon (9/27 P&G) and got back $6 RR = $1.01 profit
• Halls Refresh Sugar Free Drops (20 ct) $1, used $1 coupon (9/27 SS) and got back $1 RR = $1 profit
• 3 Halloween pencils $0.13 each with in-circular coupon (fillers, but I should have just bought two)
• Used two $2 RR's, total was $2.04

Rinse and repeat

Quick Trip to Make the Kitties Happy

Petsmart

• 6 Friskies Natural Sensation cat treats $1.60 each, used six freebie coupons (9/27 SS) = FREE
• Total was just tax $0.67

A Weekend in Pictures

What do you think she's saying?

Stretch....(Gigi takes her yoga very seriously)

...and come back to center. Very good

This goose is also practicing his yoga. Its all the rage in the animal world.

I love fall, don't you? The air is so crisp and refreshing and everything turns such beautiful colors. And who can resist crunching leaves like these?

Just gorgeous

Fun at Rite Aid

I'm an idiot. I just realized that even though Laurie posted about this and clarified the RA Pantene/Olay SCR was for the week of 10/11, I went ahead and did this deal today. On 10/4. Sigh.
Rite Aid - saw this deal on Laurie's blog - thanks Laurie!

• Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller $21.99, used $1 coupon (9/27 P&G) = $20.99
• Pantene shampoo (or conditioner 12.6 oz or larger) $4.99, used $1 coupon (9/27 P&G) = $3.99
• Olay In-shower Body Lotion $4.99, used $1 coupon (9/27 P&G) = $3.99

Will now qualify for $10 (SCR #77 - WYB $30 worth of qualifying items) (NO I won't cause I'm a dope) and $20 Olay/Pantene rebate (for buying eye roller and shampoo) = $1.03 profit

• Scalpicin Medicated Wipes (12 ct) $4.49, used $1 coupon and will get back $4.49 (SCR #73) = $1 profit
• Super Poligrip Powder (1.6 oz) $2.99, will get back $2.99 (SCR #130) = FREE
• Used $5 off $20 coupon, total was $32.86, overall profit $4.62

DBF bought the same things and we'll submit for a second set of rebates in his name. These purchases will also boost our Gift of Savings totals. The program ends on 10/17, which is coming up fast.

CVS - DBF bought

• Newspaper $2
• Used $2 EB (expired! oops! luckily this store still takes them)

I bought

• Twin Draft Guard $9.99 - I'm hoping this will prevent my kitties from sticking their little paws under my bedroom door and rattling the door in the frame. They usually get kicked out of the bedroom when they're getting too hyper and running around like maniacs.
• 5 newspapers $2 each
• Used $5 off $20 coupon, $6.99 EB (expired - double oops!) and $7 EB, total was $1.52

*Just realized that the $5 coupon is off a $25 total, but it didn't beep when I used it. Weird!

These papers don't have the RP inserts in them, so I'm going to buy those separately from Coupons & Things by Dede. I haven't placed the order yet, but I think its going to cost me about $0.75 an insert, plus shipping. At CVS, I returned two bottles of Naked Naturals shampoo and got back about $14 on a CVS money card. Take that Naked Naturals!

10/4 - 10/10

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

CVS - $5 off $25 coupon available here.

• Bayer Breeze 2 Blood Glucose Monitoring System $14.99, use freebie coupon (3/22 SS) and get back $5 EB (Limit 2) = $5 profit on each
• Tone bar soap (2-3 pk) $1.88, use $1 coupon and get back $1 EB (Limit 1) = $0.12 profit
• Colgate Total Total Advanced Toothpaste (4 oz) or 360 Acti Flex Toothbrush $2.99, use $1 coupon (9/27 SS or here) and get back $2 EB (Limit 1) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Revlon Nail Polish $3.99, use $1 coupon (9/13 SS) and get back $3 EB (Limit 6) = FREE/$0.01 profit

Rite Aid - get a $5 off $20 coupon by watching a whole bunch of absolutely thrilling RA commercials here. Tip - when your coupons display, you can print multiple copies then (not later) or do what I did: hit the Print Screen button on your keyboard and paste them into Microsoft Word for later printing if need be. :)

• Scalpicin Medicated Wipes (12 ct) $4.49, use $1 coupon and get back $4.49 (SCR #73) = $1 profit
• Super Poligrip Powder (1.6 oz) $2.99, get back $2.99 (SCR #130) = FREE
• Reese's Candy Bars BOGO sale, use BOGO coupon (8/23 SS) = two for FREE

Rite Aid Gift of Savings program: between 9/13 and 10/17, when you...

• Spend $25, you'll get back $5
• Or spend $50.01, you'll get back $10
• Or spend $100.01, you'll get back $20

Keep in mind that this is on top of all their regular rebates!

Walgreens

• Campbell’s Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup $0.50 each with in-circular coupon, use $1 off 2 coupon = two for FREE
• Playtex Gloves $0.99 with in-circular coupon, use $1 coupon (give FIRST, 6/28 SS) = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Purell Hand Sanitizer(8 oz) $2.99, use $1 coupon (8/2 SS) and get back $2 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit

Walgreens October RR Deals 9/27 - 10/31

• Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion 6.8 oz $6.99, use $1.50 coupon - thanks Jenny! and get back $7 RR = $1.51 profit
• Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System $8.99, use $4 coupon (9/27 P&G) and get back $6 RR = $1.01 profit
• Trident Xtra Care or Layers gum $1 each, buy two, use two $0.75 coupons and get back $1 RR (WYB 2) = $0.50 profit
• Halls Refresh Sugar Free Drops (20 ct) $1, use $1 coupon (9/27 SS) or $0.50 coupon (10/23 issue of All You magazine) and get back $1 RR = $1 profit, $0.50 profit or FREE without coupon
• Chapstick Fresh Effects $2.99, get back $3 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Emergen-C Immune System 2 pk (2.5 oz each) $3.49, get back $3.50 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Robitussin DM To Go (2 pk) $2.49, get back $2.50 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Crest Baking Soda & Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste (6.4 oz) $2, use two $1 coupons (9/27 P&G) and get back $2 RR (WYB 2) = FREE

General Printable Rebate Offers

• Alouette Baby Brie Wedge Cheese TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Ensure 6 pack use $3 coupon and Try Me Free rebate Exp. 12/31/09
• Kraft Mac n Cheese Crackers TMF Exp. 12/31/09
• McCormick Alcoholic Beverages - click on Rebate Center once you've entered your birthday. Not valid in AL, HI, IN, MS, OH, SC, TX and UT. Exp. 12/31/09
• Pantene ProV Satisfaction Guarantee - 2x your purchase price (up to $12) Exp. 6/30/2010
• Pert Plus for Men TMF (has to have sticker on bottle) Exp. 12/31/09
• Physician's Formula - three separate rebates *have to find products with TMF peelies on them Exp. 12/31/09
• Science Diet Light Pet Food $8 coupon and $10 rebate (must register)
• Starkist SeaSations Money Back Guarantee Exp. 12/31/09
• Sure - several available - must have Try Me Free sticker on product Exp. 11/15/09
• Tombstone Pizza - credit towards utility bills Postmark by 1/15/10
• Tyson Skillet Creations TMF Exp. 10/31/09