Oh the Lengths to Which I'll Go....

CVS - I loves me some Pantene so I ordered some additional $3 off 2 coupons from ebay.  They came in yesterday, so today's mission was to find more clearanced Pantene.  Most of the stores I went to were cleaned out, but I lucked out with a couple.  It seems that now all of the varieties of the Beautiful Lengths line are clearanced.


Over a couple of stores, here's what I got at CVS today:

• Pantene Highlighting Expressions $1.69 each
• Pantene Beautiful Lengths Line $1.57 each

Used nine $3 off 2 coupons to get everything for $1.62 before tax.  Love that!


I also picked up four Nivea lip balms for $2.50 each, used two $3 off 2 coupons (1/1 RP) and got back a $5 EB for buying $10 (Limit 1) = $1 profit


Rite Aid

• 2 Carefree Pantiliners (18 - 22 ct) $1, used two $0.50 coupons (these beeped) and got back $1 UP (Limit 4) = FREE

Happy 2012!

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you all had a happy and safe holiday.  I spent Friday night with my parents and sisters and the rest of the weekend with da boyfriend and the beasts.  We had a nice low-key holiday.  Today we took Shadow on a long walk through the area and I feel so blessed to have been able to move to such a beautiful part of the country.  We're in farmland country and I love all the open space.


Since I was at my parents on Friday and there is an Acme nearby, I decided to make use of some gift cards I still had from a previous promo.  I had to complete several NBPR rebates, so using the gift card money was perfect.  My sisters in tow, I bought:

• 10 Yoplait Yogurts $6, got back catalina for $2.75 off a four pack (which was priced at $2.75) = 14 yogurts for $3 or $0.21 each *There might be coupons out there for these, I planned this trip on the fly
• $10.68 of Gouda cheese - for a $6 Stella Artois NBPR rebate on $10.01 of cheese/crackers
• $7.98 of Cracker Barrel cheddar ($3.99 each) - to finish out another  $6 Stella Artois NBPR rebate on $10.01 of cheese/crackers
• $23.95 of Ham - for a $20 Smirnoff NBPR rebate on $20.01 of ham/turkey/deli platters
• $9.98 of Ham - to finish out a $20 Smirnoff NBPR rebate on $20.01 of ham/turkey/deli platters

At Stop & Shop, I also picked up - 

• Wise Chips $2 and Tostitos $3.99 - will use these to finish a $6 Budweiser NBPR rebate (30558) on $10.01 of various items
• 2 Andes Mints $1.67 each - will use towards a buy two, get one free rebate (up to $1.75) 
• Taco Seasoning $1.15

My sisters and I went to Target to see what we could find and I finally got my hands on a queen size flannel sheet set!  These are clearanced to $14.99, but with any other clearance deal, actually finding them can be tricky.  We washed and used the set I got the other day and they are so comfortable! 

Staples - da boyfriend was with me and got two boxes on his Staples Rewards card too

• 2 Staples Legal/Letter File Boxes $13.99 each, should get back $27.98 in Staples Rewards = FREE
• Total with tax was $30.25

I say "should" because the circular says to buy Legal/letter storage tote.  We looked high and low in the store and these file boxes were the only things we could find that seemed to match that description.  These are the same kind that were free after rewards last year, so I'm pretty confident we got the right ones. 


CVS

• 6 Pantene Sham/Conds clearanced from $1.57 - $1.69, used three $3 off 2 coupons (1/1 P&G) = $0.07 - $0.19 each
• 4 Skinny Cow Candies $4.99 each, BOGO sale and used two BOGO coupons (valid up to $3.48) = $1.51 for two 
• 3 papers $2 each
• Used $6 EB, total was $5.72, got back $1 EB for using green bag tag and $1 EB for quarterly spending

Picked up another six bottles at another store.  Here are the varieties I found on clearance: Beautiful Lengths Breakage Defense $1.57, Beautiful Lengths Shine Enhance $1.57, Brunette Expressions $1.69 and Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality (big bottle 25.4 fl oz) $1.74.  Have you found anything else? 


Rite Aid

• THIS IS REPORTED AS NO LONGER WORKING - $100 Visa Vanilla Variable Load Gift Card plus $4.95 activation fee, got back $20 UP (Resolution Rewards, WYB $100 of certain items, Limit unclear) = $15.05 profit
• 3 papers $1.60 each ($2 reg price, 20% discount) 
• Used two $1 UPs, total was $107.75

Bought a second Visa card on da boyfriend's Wellness card too.

Here's a closeup of the Visa cards. Its been reported that if you buy the "One Vanilla" card, you won't get your UP's.

Clearanced Warmth

Target

• Circo Flannel Sheet Set $17.49 (clearance price)
• 2 Up & Up Dryer Sheets (35 ct) $1.36 (regular price), used two $1 coupons = $0.36 each
• Total was $19.62

Da boyfriend and I have been trying to cut costs wherever we can.  Its hard to put together a realistic budget when we don't quite yet know what our average electric and oil bills are going to be.  Luckily, both of us don't mind a cooler house, so we've been keeping the thermostats low.  My sisters swung by for a visit last week and while one sis didn't even want to take her coat off, I was perfectly comfortable.  Lest you think I'm a terrible hostess, we were going right out for lunch and shopping, otherwise I would have happily cranked up the heat for her.  She lives in Virginia and is used to toastier climates.


These flannel sheets are going to help out a lot.  I was planning on buying a set before the winter temperatures really kick in and read a post from a fellow couponer that she found clearanced flannel sheets at Target.  I had to return some unused curtains anyway, so I headed over on my lunch break.  That store had a couple of sets clearanced for $14.99, but only in twin or king.  I hit up another store on my way home and found this set for $17 and change.  Aren't the bears cute?  I realize Circo produces kids' items, but these were too cute and too comfortable to pass up.  The $14.99 sets are manufactured by Target and have a red sign/postcard type of piece of paper on the front that tell you what size they are.  Be sure to scan them at a price scanner first to make sure that they're the price you want.


Both stores had a lot of Christmas/holiday clearance items, but they're only at 50%.  I poked around but didn't see anything that was worth buying.  I'm set on wrapping paper, tissue paper and bows, so the only thing I was really looking for was decorations for the house.  At 50%, the prices just weren't good enough for me.  Have you all found anything interesting?  

A Deal that's Head and Shoulders Above the Rest

(hardy har har har!)

CVS

• Zyrtec 24-Hr Tablets (5 ct) $5.99, got back $5.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
• 2 Dog/Cat Christmas stockings $3.49 each ($6.99 reg price, 50% clearance) - these didn't ring up automatically, cashier had to adjust price
• Used $2 EB, total was $11.96

Then at another store and once I'd read about this deal online, I got:

• 3 Head & Shoulders Shampoos (Ocean Lift or Extra Volume) $1.57 (clearanced from $6.29) and got back $2 EB for each (Limit 6 bottles total) = $1.29 profit

*I read on SD that you could buy up to three bottles at once for the EB, but I read somewhere else that someone bought four bottles and got $8 EB with no problems.  I bought mine three at a time just to be safe. 

I picked up another 6 bottles and another Zyrtec at a couple other stores.  There's also a $1 off 2 coupon in the 12/11 RP.  I'm going to try and find some more tomorrow and use the coupon for even higher profit!  


Rite Aid - this transaction is a little off because the cashier rang up one of the decorations twice.  I'm going to stop in tomorrow, explain what happened and hopefully I'll get a refund.

• 2 RA Sugar Wafers $1.83 ($2.29 reg price, 20% discount), got back two $1 UP's (Limit 2) = $1.66 or $0.83 each
• Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup $1.27 ($1.59 reg price, 20% discount) - need for a recipe
• Santa/Snowman Wall Sign $7.49 ($14.99 reg price, 50% clearance)
• Merry Christmas Wall Pocket thingie $9.99 ($19.99 reg price, 50% clearance)
• 2 Christmas Cards $2.49 each ($4.99 reg price, 50% clearance)
• Used $33 in UP's, total was around $4 - less once I get a refund for the double charge

Now I only have $10 in UP's to use up.  Thank goodness!  I think I'll spend it on another free-after-rebate item and maybe some De-Icer spray for the car.

1/1 - 1/7

Staples - looks like there's a $5 off $25 coupon in the circular too.  This will reduce the amount of Staples Rewards that you get back, not make these deals moneymakers.  But its less cash spent out of pocket!

• Avery Heavy Duty View Binders $6.99 - $32.99, get 100% of purchase price back in Staples Rewards (Limit 4) = FREE
• Staples Legal/Letter Plastic Storage Tote $12.99 - $13.99, get 100% of purchase price back in Staples Rewards (Limit 2) = FREE *Bought these last year and I love them!  Will definitely be stopping in to get another two.
• Staples Economy Storage Box (1o pk) $16.79, get 100% of purchase price back in Staples Rewards (Limit 2) = FREE

CVS

• Nivea Lip Care $2.50, buy four and use two $3 off 2 coupons (coming in Sunday's paper) and get back $5 EB (WYB $10, Limit 1) = $1 profit
• Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste (4 - 4.2 oz) $2.74, use $1 coupon (Dec. All You magazine), $1 CVS coupon (Reinventing Beauty magazine with JLO on the cover) and get back $1 EB (Limit 2) = $0.26 profit
• Skinny Cow Candy BOGO, buy two and use BOGO coupon = two for FREE

Rite Aid - Resolution Rewards Promo - spend $100 on qualifying items, get back $20 UP (Valid through 1/28, Limit ?)

• THIS IS REPORTED AS NO LONGER WORKING - Visa Vanilla Gift Card (don't buy the "One Vanilla" cards - these are reported as not working) - buy one for $100 plus $6.95 activation fee and get back $20 Resolution Reward UP = $13.05 profit  *Variable amount cards are reported as working for this deal (put $20 - $500 on the card, vs fixed amount cards) and the activation fee on these is only $4.95!
  
• Carefree Pantiliners (18 - 22 ct) $1, buy two and use two $0.50 coupons and get back $1 UP (Limit 4) = FREE

Walgreens

• Lichi Super Probiotic (30 ct) $9.99, get back $10 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Muscletech Smart Protein Bar (2.2 oz) $1.99, get back $2 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
• Nutralife SAMe Mood, Joint and Liver Health (30 ct) $10, get back $10 RR = 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)
• Arm & Hammer Ultra Last Baking Soda Coated Clumping Litter (20 lbs) TMF up to $8.99 Exp. 3/30/12
• Bissell Stomp & Go TMF up to $5.99 Exp. 4/15/12
• Caregiver's Marketplace - many rebates for a variety of items
• Cascade Complete Pacs or Action Pacs Satisfaction Guarantee - send within 30 days of purchase (starts 6/8)
• Febreze Noticeables "Trade Up" Valid up to $3.50 Exp. 6/30/12 (Starts 1/1/11)
• Organix Skincare Items - individual rebates for many items (click on shopping list to see them all), up to $50 total. Purchases must all be made within 30 days Exp. 1/1/12
• Pam Cooking Spray (Original, Olive Oil or Butter) Satisfaction Guarantee Exp. 4/27/12
• Pantene Satisfaction Guarantee - up to 2X your purchase price Exp. 6/30/12
• NEW! 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
• Progresso Rich & Hearty Soup TMF Exp. 1/31/12
• Renuzit Crystal Elements Air Freshening Crystals TMF up to $2.99 on 9 oz refill and up to $5.60 on 18 oz refill Exp. 2/28/12 
• Woolite Oxy Deep TMF Exp. 1/15/12

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

• Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Hangtag TMF Exp. 3/1/12 
• Kedem Sparkling Juices Hangtag $1.50 rebate per bottle, up to 6 bottles/$9 per 12 month period, no expiration date - found at Acme  

Some PC Deals

Price Chopper - did three quick transactions at self checkout

• 2 Dole Celery $2.49, BOGO sale = $1.24 each
• 2 PC Baby Carrots $1.99, BOGO sale = $0.99 each

Will use these towards a $6 Shock Top NBPR rebate on $10+ of produce


PC Swiss Cheese $3 - will use towards $6 Stella Artois NBPR rebate on cheese/crackers


Then I bought - 

• Boneless Pork Chops $1.06 ($0.99/lb) - this was the only package on the shelf for this price.  Maybe it was a holdover from the weekend?  Didn't see this price in the circular
• 2 Egglands Best Eggs $2.50 each, used $0.55 coupon (11/13 SS) = $2.80 or $1.40 each *There was a $2 coupon in the circular (limit 1) that I totally missed.  That would have saved me another $0.50 but I was too lazy to head back in once I realized my mistake.
• Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil $3.99, used $1 coupon = $2.99
• Total was $6.85

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, full of happy time with your families!  I am ashamed to admit that I was not finished with my Christmas shopping until yesterday afternoon.  That is a first for me and I didn't like the feeling of having to rush to the store for a last minute present.  As DBF and I were poking around in Kohl's, I spotted this ornament holder on 70% clearance.  It was regularly $60+, down to $18.99 and then I had a 30% off coupon to boot.  The balls all came with it and are secured, so curious kitties can't knock them down.  


Have I shown you our fireplace yet?  The plan is to take out this woodburning stove and use the fireplace that's behind it.  We're waiting for DBF's friend to have a free weekend to come up and help haul it out of the living room.  Then da boyfriend is going to rip down the paneling and put up nice, red brick paneling instead.  I can't wait until its finished and my hunny builds us a nice little mantel.  Right now, we're displaying the flag he earned when he became an Eagle Scout and some candles.  It makes me nervous to burn much up there, its still sort of within kitty and puppy reach.

We had such a nice Christmas.  We spent Christmas Eve with da boyfriend's mom and extended family and then today with my family.  Our tradition is to open presents, have a late breakfast, hang out for a while and let our stomachs digest (we watched Santa Claus, The Movie today - have you seen that?  Totally brought me back to being a kid again!) and then munch on appetizers for the rest of the afternoon.  My mom always picks us up some lotto tickets and we had a lot of fun scratching them off and seeing if we won anything.  Without fail, my mom always wins.  This year, my crafty mom made my sisters and I aprons!  She found the material in Lancaster, PA and said it screamed my name.  Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen?  I love chocolate covered pretzels, so she put mine in a gift bag with some actual pretzels.   

One of my favorite gifts ever - my second quilt!  I love the first one she made me two years ago and this one is even bigger, so we can use it as a blanket in bed.   

Gigi and Shadow got new toys too.  Shadow couldn't wait for me to take the tags off her duck and Gigi was batting around her toy mice for hours.  

She's such a good momma dog.  She's always watching and sniffing Gigi to make sure she's ok.  If I pick Gigi up, Shadow runs right over to make sure I'm not hurting her.  Its so sweet!  And they're really starting to play comfortably with each other.  DBF took Shadow outside through the sliding glass doors yesterday.  While they were outside, Gigi watched them from behind the curtain.  Shadow ran back inside, not realizing Gigi was right there.  Gigi scampered out from the curtain, smacked Shadow in the butt with her paw and then took off!  Our kitchen, dining room and living room are all connected, so they chased each other from one room to the next to the next, two times!  Its so funny to watch.