CVS Plan- Week of 07/19/09

CVS this week is all about school supplies for me. I'm going to end up with more ECBs than I like because of going into the week with 2 big ones $9 and $10.

Here's my plan that I've already started on...
(ideas from southernsavers.com)

There is a 3 day sale Sunday-Tuesday on School Supplies... I've already started on these deals since last week the stores ran out of the 3 day sale items before Tuesday.

99¢ ECB wyb Caliber or CVS Memo Book 50-80 sheets at 99¢ Free Limit 2

$1.99 ECB wyb Caliber or CVS No. 2 Pencils, 24ct, at $1.99 Free Limit 2

$3 ECB wyb 1″ Vinyl Binder at $3 Free Limit 2

99¢ ECB wyb Paper Mate Pens, 10 ct, at 99¢ Free Limit 2

$2 ECB wyb Caliber or CVS Filler Paper, 150 sheets, at $2 Free Limit 2

$.99 ECB wyb Papermate 8 count grip pens (rain check from last week) at $.99 ea Free Limit 3

Use $19 ECB from last week
Total due $2.02 (including tax)

Got back $20.91 ECB... need to figure out a way to use this towards the $10 off of $50 coupons that I have! But I can't think of anything I need $30 for right now!!!

I have a few small items that I might try to roll some of the smaller ones into, but there really is nothing I need that's a big ticket item! Maybe a memory card for my camera... they're on sale for $15... and some Pepcid which is on "sale" for $8.50...so my transaction would be...

(1) Gold Emblem Water @ 2.99
(2) Scissors (if they have them. I have a raincheck) @ 2.99 ($2.99 ecb back each)
(1) Memory Card @ 14.99
(1) AA Duracell Battery 4 pack @ 1.99 ($1 ECB)
(1) Bayer Breeze Glucose Meter (free and $5 ECB)
(1) CVS Liner $.89 ($.89 ECB)
(1) Pepcid Complete $8.50
(1) Candy Bar $1ish

total before coupons $54.44
use
(1) -$19.99/1 bayer
(1) -$1.00/1 gold emblem water
(1) -$1.00/1 duracell
(1) - $2.00/1 pepcid
(1) - $10 off $50 CVS

Total Due $21.45
Use $20.91 ECB
Total Due $.54

Get back $12.89 ECB... sounds like a plan... IF they have a bayer meter and the scissors back in stock!

Weekly Wrap Up - Week of 07/12/09

It was my first week back couponing and it took a little longer to get back into the groove than I'd like, but I got some good deals (and some crazy ones!)

I skipped Walgreens altogether. I've decided that it can be a pain in the butt if you don't have something you REALLY want to get for cheap/free. The biggest deal there last week was sunscreen and I decided I could live without 2 sunscreens for $1.50ish.

SO... here's what went down this week (LOTS of getting ready for back to school and having kids over in the afternoons)

Publix

4 Crystal Light Drink Mix
6 Klondike Bars
1 Del Monte Peaches
1 Juicy Fruit (took Thing 1... had to pay him off!)
1 Italian Sub Sandwich (off task a bit)
1 Chocolate muffins (WAY off task!)
8 Capri Sun Boxes
4 Nabisco Snack boxes
2 Deer Park 12 packs
4 Lucky Charms

Total OOP $43.51 (before tax) Savings $76.44 (over 60% savings even with off task items!)

I had another Publix run that was ALL blueberries, but I don't have the receipt. They were a GOOD deal last week at $1.60(ish) per pint. I stocked up (and they disappeared just as quick as I stocked up)


Kroger

Craziness abounded at Kroger this week with their $5 off 10 item sale AND some hidden money back deals.

I'm missing one of my receipts, so I can't give you the low-down from it, but it was around $15ish (I think) OOP for

3 - Coke 2 liters
2 - Lady Speed Stick Deodorant
2 - OB
2 - Carefree
2 - Chewy Granola Bars
1 - Special K Bar
1 - Nesquick
1 - Gallon Milk

2nd, 3rd and 4th trip combined...

20 Amp Energy Drinks (ended up free)
2 Gallons Milk
1 3 pack Juicy Fruit
1 3 pack Double Mint
2 Dole Pineapple
12 Dole Fruit Cups
2 Special K Bars
4 Quaker Granola Bars
4 Soft Soap Hand Soap
2 Chiquita Apple Slices
3 Chex Mix
10 lbs Tyson Boneless Chicken Breasts
4 lbs cherries

Total OOP $47.11 total savings $85.53 (over 60% savings for the 2-4th trips) with $2.25 in kroger coupons to use on my next purchase (which I used today to buy this week's sunday paper!)


CVS

It's the right time to stock up on school supplies at stores like CVS and Walgreens...they're doing sales definitely as loss-leaders, hoping you'll buy more while you're there that's NOT on sale. I have had several $10 off of a $50 purchase coupons lately which are HARD to use when you're trying to keep your out of pocket expenses as low as possible and not end up with too many Extra Care Bucks to carry over to the next week. I didn't end up getting the photo books that I'd wanted and had to get rain-checks on several school supply items.

Here's how I did... starting the week with $3.50 ECB (there are some odd ball things in here!)... notice, things did not go as planned... but oh well!

2 - Rulers
2 - Notebooks (the kind with paper in them)
1 - Pencil Sharpener
2 - Pink/Purple/Green pen packs for ME (love me some purple and pink pens!!!)
2 - Glucose Meters (donating... they were free after coupon and helped get my total above $50)
2 - Tylenol
4 - Dr. Pepper
2 - Mounds Bars (yum!)

Total OOP $10.20 savings of $208.98... (crazy because of the glucose meters... 95% savings)

ECB back $19 (which you'll see in next week's plan...that I've already started on)


Total OOP for the week... $125ish total savings... can't calculate because I'm missing a receipt. :(

Hoping for less OOP this week!

CVS - change of plans

Change of plans for CVS...

In order to help my out of pocket AND to keep myself from going crazy trying to get photos together today for the photo book, I'm going to do the transactions that require purchasing TODAY first and then work on the rest during the week.

Today's transaction (hopefully it will work)

2 - Glucose Meters (19.99 ea)
4 - Pepsi/Dr. Pepper(?)/Sierra Mist @ $3 ea
10 - school folders (.05 ea)
Total $52.48

use -$10 off $50
(2) -$19.99/1 glucose meter
$1.98 ECB
Total coupons = $41.96

.52 OOP!!!!


This leaves me with... $12 (plus $5.48 from prior puchases) in ECB - total of $17.48 ECB

Less OOP makes me HAPPY!

Week of 07/12/09 - CVS Plan

It's the week of crazy at CVS... school supplies and Christmas gifts abound! (if you are reading this and on my Christmas list... LOOK AWAY... FAST!!!!!!!) ;)

Here's what I'm doing...

Some of these sales only last through today (tuesday) so I need to hustle!!

$2 ECB wyb (4) Pepsi 12 pk cans, at $3 ea limit 1
(We are NOT a Pepsi family, but I'm HOPING Dr. Pepper falls into this category at CVS! That makes it $2.50 a 12 pack and that's a good deal in my books... anything under $3 makes it a good deal in my book)

.99¢ ECB wyb Caliber or CVS 1 Subject Notebook at .99¢ Free after ECB limit 2 (already bought this,but I'm listing it here for reference)

.99¢ ECB wyb Paper Mate Grip pens 8ct at .99¢ Free after ECB limit 3

$2.99 ECB wyb Caliber or It’s Academic 5″ scissors at $2.99 Free after ECB limit 2

.99¢ ECB wyb Caliber or CVS 12″ ruler at .99¢ Free after ECB limit 2 (already bought this one too)

Portfolio 2 Pocket Folders, .05¢ ea limit 10

the following sales go all week...

$7.99 ECB wyb 6×8 Photo Book with ten pages at $7.99 Free after ECB limit 1 <---actual limit is 5!!! This is a GREAT Christmas gift idea!!

$3 ECB wyb Tylenol arthritis or 8 hour 20-24 ct. $3.99 limit 3
-$2 off Tylenol Arthritis RP 5/17, SS 6/21
-$1 off Tylenol RP 6/07 or printable
$2.50 off $10 in pain relievers CVS coupon printing on receipts

$5 ECB wyb Bayer Contour Meter at $19.99 limit 2
-$30 off Bayer Breeze2 or Contour Meter RP 10/26/08, 2/01 or SS 3/22 <--- I THINK I have this)
(make $5 ECB)

Purex Detergent 2x or Complete 3-in-1, B1G1 ($5.75 each I THINK)

-$1 off Purex Detergent Product printable from purex.com

I have a $10 off of $50 coupon and I'm starting with $7.50 in ECB , so here's my plan...

(3) Tylenol Arthritis $3.99 ea ($9 ECB)

(1) Glucose Meter $19.99 ea ($5 ECB)

(3) Paper Mate Grip pens 8ct at .99¢ Free after ECB limit 3

(2) Caliber or It’s Academic 5″ scissors at $2.99 Free after ECB limit 2

(10) Portfolio 2 Pocket Folders, .05¢ ea limit 10

(1) 6×8 Photo Book with ten pages at $7.99 Free after ECB

(2) M&Ms $1.00ish (use B1G1 coupon)

Total before Coupons... $51.40

Use $10 off of $50 coupon

Use $2 off $10 tylenol coupon

Use $19.99 off glucose meter coupon

Use (3) $2 off tylenol coupon

Use B1G1 M&Ms coupon ($1ish)

After Coupons ($38.99) Total is $12.41

Use $7.46 ECB

Total OOP = $4.95

Get Back $30.94 ECB

2nd purchase...

(4) Pepsi 12 packs - $3 each = $2 ECB

(2) 6×8 Photo Book with ten pages at $7.99 = $7.99 ECB ea

(2) Purex Detergent 2x or Complete 3-in-1, B1G1 ($5.75 each I THINK)

(2)-$1 off Purex Detergent Product printable from purex.com

Total $33.73

Less coupons $2

Less $30.94 ECB

Total due = .79

ECBs back = $17.98

3rd purchase

Scott Towels 8 rolls $5.49 ea
-$1 off Scott Long Lasting or Mega Roll 4 roll or larger SS 7/12

(2) 6×8 Photo Book with ten pages at $7.99 = $7.99 ECB ea

Total Due = $21.47

Less Coupons and ECB ($18.98)

Total OOP = $2.49

Get back $15.98 ECB

Total OOP for 3 trips...

$8.23

and have $15.98 ECB to start next week with!!!!! Profit of $7.75!!!

Let's see if it all works!!!!!!!

Week of 05/24 - CVS Plan

It's a quickie version of the CVS plan because you'd better hop to it if you want the best deals! The BEST sale is a 2 day Sun/Mon sale (which means it ends today!)

1. $3.00 ECB wyb Revlon Nail Polish $3.99
-$/1 Revlon Color Cosmetic SS1 5/17/09 (register beeps but the picture on the coupon IS nail polish, so it's obviously a valid coupon)
makes it FREE after coupon and ECB

2. $3.99 ECB wyb Clearasil stayclear face wash 6.5 oz($3.99)
-$2/1 Clearasil, any $2 SS 4/19/09
makes it $2 Money Maker (MM) after coupon and ECB

3. $3 ECB wyb Playtex gentle glide 18 ct or sport tampons 16 ct ($3.99)
*Bonus packs of Sports 18 ct. work for this deal.
-$1/1 Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons SS 3/22/09
-$1/1 Playtex printable (or go to playtexsport.com and click the link)

4. $2 ECB wyb Bandaid bandages ($2.99)
-$1/1 Band-Aid, any except trial RP 4/26/09

5. $10 ecb wyb two Neutrogena suncare or sunless tanning products
$2/1 Neutrogena suncare full size (pamphlet at CVS)
There is a 1 oz. size of this that WORKS for this deal and it's only $1.98!!! Making it a BIG MM!! (obviously doesn't go with the coupon listed here, though)

In THEORY here is the plan....

Buy all of the above
Total $18.92

USE $3/15
USE $5 in other coupons (not using Neutrogena since I'm buying 1 oz. size)

Total $10.92
USE $10 ECB from coke deal

$.92 plus tax OOP

Get back..... drumroll please.....$22 ECB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's see if it works!!!

Week of 05/17 - Weekly Wrap-up CVS

I said earlier that it was a DUD of a week at CVS... it really was. BUT there is a great week starting tomorrow and I plan to use my stored up ECBs on the great stuff they've got on sale! woo hoo!!!

BUT here is the big whoop-di-do list for this week....

2 Dry Idea Deodorant
1 Tostitos (not on sale... needed chips for the pool)
1 Lays Potato Chips (ditto)
2 Poppycock
4 Hunts Snack Pack Puddings
2 Davids Sunflower Seeds

Total OOP = $7.41
Total Savings = $30.49 80%

Still have $40 in ECB remaining

Week of 05/17 - CVS Plan

What a lame week at CVS!!!! And I have lots of ECBs to spend. Phooey!!

There are only a couple of deals I’m looking at… (for all the deals, check out www.southernsavers.com)

$5 ECB wyb $10 in following products Limit 1
David Sunflower kernels, $1.25 ea (my mom loves these)
-$1/2 – May All You Magazine
Hunts Snack pack - $1.25 ea
$1/3 Hunt’s Snack pack May All You
Poppycock (2 for $5)
-.50/1 not sure what paper this was in!

$2 ECB wyb (2) Right Guard or Dry Idea Deodorant $2.50 ea Limit 3
-$2 off Dry Idea printable

My plan…

Buy
2 – Davids @ 1.25
4 – Hunts Snack Pack @ 1.25
1 – Poppycock $2.50
2 – Dry Idea @ 2.50
Total $15.00
Use
(1) -$1/2 Davids
(1) - $1/3 Hunts
(1) -.50 Poppycock
(2) -$2/1 Dry Idea
3 off 15 CVS coupon
Total $7.50 plus tax
Use ECBs from last week to pay (might have to add some fillers… not sure what denominations my ECBs are right now)

Get back $9 ECB, so I come out ahead and extend my ECBs another week!

Week of 05/10/09 - Weekly Wrap Up

Weekly Wrap Up

I'm listing all the stores in one big list together (if you really feel like analyzing you can look at what I PLANNED to buy and figure out where I got it. I'm just making it quicker and easier for myself tonight)

Here's the Haul for the week....

5 - Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches
1 - Ritz Crackers
2 - Kraft Shredded Cheese
2 - Gladware Containers
2 - Arm and Hammer Laundry Detergent
1 - Gallon Milk
2 - Sub Sandwiches (not technically groceries, but I'm putting it in here since it was at Publix)
2 - 12 packs beer (it's almost pool party season!)
7 - 12 packs Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper
1 - Plastic Cups
2 - Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce
1 - Cranberry Juice
2 - Jello Pudding Cups
1/2 lb - Boar's Head Deli Turkey
1 - Lloyds BBQ Pork
1 - Mama Mary(?)'s Pizza Crust (similar to Boboli... I can't ever find the Boboli anymore...this is in the deli and easier to find... tastes pretty much the same)
1 - Toaster Strudel
4 - Kraft Salad Dressings (for mom)
2 - Paul Newman's Pasta Sauce (charity)
2 - Oscar Mayer Bologna
6 - Carolina Pride Smoked Sausage/Little Smokies
3 - Frappucino Drinks
6 - Reach Toothbrushes (charity)
3 - Axe Body Wash
2 - Axe Sponge/Loofa type things
4 - Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste (charity)
5 - Wrigleys/Trident Gum
10 - travel Tissues
4 - Iceland Health Fish Oil Caplets
1 - Lip Gloss
3 - Bayer Crystals
2 - Skittles
4 - Cottonelle Fresh
2 - Roots of Nature Conditioner (charity)
2 - Newspapers
4 - Nivea Sun Kissed Legs Self Tanner/Moisturizer
4 - Nivea Body Wash
2 - Lipton Diet Green Tea
3 - Kelloggs Frosted Flakes
1 - Sport Sunscreen (pool season is FIVE days away!!!)
1 - Shick Razor
4 - CVS Batteries (mom)
2 - Magazines
2 - Free Movie Tickets

Grand Total for the week...

$181.96 OOP ($40 on gift cards)


Savings $376.24 67%

Have $43 ECB and $36 RR remaining (too much! need to do a better job using these instead of cash)


Publix was my big spend of the week.. $107 of the total spent with $14 of that being sub sandwiches!!

The next few weeks will be wacky since it's the end of school, the beginning of summer break, moving an office and getting ready for a vacation AND art show. I predict lots of quickie meals which we are STOCKED for and lots of snacky road-trip food which we are also stocked for!!! YAY!!!

This week will be about using the RR and ECBs on things I really need for the upcoming month!

Week of 5/10 - CVS Plan

Well, the week is almost over and I'm just now posting my plan!!!

There are some decent deals at CVS this week...just not all of them something I need (or want).

I have lots of good coupons that make some deals freebies and I can't pass up a good freebie.

Here's what I'm looking at this week... (for the FULL scoop see SouthernSavers.com)


The deals..... (clipped from Southern Savers with a few added comments/ideas)

$2 ECB wyb Bayer Quick Release Crystals 4ct $2 FREE after ECB Limit 1
-$1. off Bayer Crystals (from displays at Walgreens or CVS)

$4 ECB wyb Schick Quattro for Women Razor at $8.99 Limit 5
-$4 off Schick Quattro for Women Razor, SS 4/26 (makes it .99¢ ea)

************


$5 ECB wyb $15 of Nivea Body Wash 16.9 oz, Lotion or Cream, starting at $6.29 Limit 1
-$1 off Nivea Natural Tone 2.7oz-13.5fl oz RP 4/5
-$3/2 Nivea Body wash Booklet in CVS (near Nivea products)
$2/1 Nivea Sun Kissed Beautiful Legs booklet in CVS
Free Nivea Body Wash for Women, 16.9 oz wyb New Nivea Sun-Kissed Beautiful Legs 6.7 oz RP 5/10

CVS Batteries B1G1

Buy $10 of selected products get Free CVS Suncare product
2/$6 Doritos or Stacy’s Pita Chips
-$1/1 Stacy’s from All You April (is this the right size is the question!)
$5.99 Lipton 12-pack
4/$5 Lipton or Izze single bottle
2/$9 Propel or Gatorade


I have one of those big coupons again $10 off of $50

And several $3 off of $15 too… lots of deals to be had!!!

Here’s my plan…

Using a $3 off $15 coupon from Mom’s CVS card (they like her better than me!!)

1 – Nivea Sun Kissed Legs
1 – Nivea Body Wash
Subtotal $16ish
Use:
$3 off $15 coupon
$2 off Nivea Sun Kissed Legs (found in Nivea display)
Free Nivea Body Wash for Women, 16.9 oz wyb New Nivea Sun-Kissed Beautiful Legs 6.7 oz RP 5/10
$5 ECB from prior week
OOP = tax
$5 ECB back


Using a $3 off $15 coupon

4 – Stacy’s Pita Chips
1 – CVS Sunblock (free)
1 – Bayer Quick Release ($2)
1 – Reinventing Beauty Mag (if this is 99 cents then I need filler or 2nd one)
= $15 subtotal
Use
$3 off $15
(4) -$1 off Stacy’s (if it’s the right size…hope so! If not… rethink!)
1 - $1/1 Bayer
$5 ECB from Nivea deal
= $2 OOP
$2 ECB (and free sunscreen) back


Using YET ANOTHER $3 off $15 coupon

$3/$10 Kelloggs Frosted Flakes (for Food Pantry…they need cereal) use Rain Check
2 CVS skincare items Buy one get one 50% off (each around $4)
Subtotal $16
Use
$3 off $15
(3) $1 off Kelloggs coupons
$10 ECB from coke deal (might need filler)
OOP = 0
$5 ECB

On My CVS card…

I got another $10 off $50 coupon which means I had to come up with a big purchase. Luckily mom and the boys both asked for batteries

2 - 10 pack $6.49 (AAA) CVS batteries
2 - 10 pack $6.49 (AA) CVS batteries
2 – Nivea Sun Kissed Legs ($9.99)
2 – Nivea Body Wash ($6) - I love the way this smells...if it's free then I'm stocking up!
1 – Shick Quatro (if they have it!) – repeat Nivea if they don’t
Subtotal
$53.97
Use
$10 off $50 purchase
-$2 off $10 CVS brand coupon
(2) -$2/1 Nivea Sunkissed Legs
(2) – B1G1 Sunkissed Legs/Body Wash Coupon RP 5/10
1 - $4/1 Shick Quatro SS 4/26
Total = $21.97
Use $10 ECB & $10 GC
$1 OOP
Get $14 ECB


I'll let you know how I do!!!!

Week of 05/03/09 - CVS Wrap Up

It was a week of STOCKING UP FOR SUMMER at CVS...

and in the end... I got "PAID" $14 to do it!!!!!!! CRAZY!!!!!!!!!

I hadn't planned to buy a lot at CVS this week, but when the sales/coupons rolled out the way they did... it was a smart time to stock up on some stuff that we'll definitely use over the summer. (2 boys plus all the neighborhood friends of 2 boys.... Add to that parties, cook-outs, family gatherings, hanging out at the pool, road-trips....and....and...and... it was a smart time to stock up!)

The primary item of the week was cokes (I say that in the generic Southern girl way, where "cokes" refers to anything carbonated be it Classic Coke, Cherry Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Root Beer.... it's ALL "cokes" here in the south. Can also refer to non- Coca Cola products (for instance, you can say "can ya'll bring cokes to the picnic" and not be upset if someone shows up with Big K cola from Kroger... Pepsi might get ya in trouble though) ;) ANYWAY... in this case, when I say "cokes" it WAS Coca Cola products that were on sale.

And BOY were they on sale!!!! When I started the week, I had a few (4-5) $1 off a 12-pack coupons and thought, "cool! $1 12-packs. I'll get 6!! (because that's how many it would have taken to make the deal work... 3 per transaction when combined with the vitamin waters)

WELL... things changed when the $1 off a 12-pack coupon was posted that anyone could print or use.... and I printed enough that I'd be able to stock up my own house, my mom's house and give coupons to friends. I have obeyed the CVS policy of having 1 ECB card for each member of the household AND I have copies of my parents cards... so I am able to use the deals that they don't plan to use OR I can purchase for them. SO I was able to do 5 of the Coca Cola transactions!!!

Then Saturday came along and the deals from this week overlapped with that week's ECB sale...and they were practically GIVING me Coca Cola products. It was NUTS!!!!


So... here's the run-down for the week of Coca Cola....


24 - 12 packs of "Cokes" (I bought a variety to last through the summer and beyond...some went to mom's house)
12 - bottles Vitamin Water 10 (a gift for a friend)
3 - Frosted Flakes Cereal
3 - Special K Cereal
2 - Gilette Shampoo (trying to find something that Thing 1 likes... this ended up a freebie. If he doesn't like the smell, then it's off to the North Fulton Family Charities donation box)
2 - Secret Deodorant (for Mom... hey mom! Don't let me forget to give you these!!!)
1 - Pantene Shampoo (freebie.... to charity)
3 - Axe Bullets (boy was Thing 2 excited.... the boy loves this stuff and you've gotta love a $1.50 clearance on a $7 item!)
1 - Milky Way Dark (treat for me!)

Total OOP = $41.84

Savings = $205.72 83%

(came into week with $7 ECB and no gift cards. Finish the week with $14 in gift card and $48 in ECB) I have NO idea how to show that or the gift cards in my savings... but it will show up in future weeks bottom line.... and in the end. I spent $48 (including last week's ECB) and ended up with $62 in GC and ECB.... I got paid $14 to buy $96 worth of cokes* and assorted other stuff????????


* just a bit of info: The price of 24 - 12 packs at $4 which is an average sale price would be $96 all on its own!


ALL these ideas were from Jenny at Southernsavers.com who is the GURU of bargains!

Week of 05/03/09 - CVS Plan

YAY! It's a discount coke week at CVS!!! Doesn't seem like it at first when you see 3/$12, BUT there is an ECB deal this week that makes it seem like it will work better than the sale that Kroger is having.

Here's my CVS plan of the week.

(I'm starting off with $7 ECB (one for $5 and one for $1) to spend, left over from last week.)

Transaction 1

3 x Kelloggs Cereals 3/$10
-$1 off Kellogg’s Cereal RP 4/05 or printable
Use: (3) -$1 off Kellogg’s Coupons

Total Due: $7
Use $6 ECB = $1 OOP - Get back $5 ECB
*************


Transaction 2

$10 ECB wyb $20 of any Coke or Mars Products Limit 1

6 - Vitamin Water 3/$4 (limit 6 per trans)
Use: (5) -$1 off Vitamin Water 10 SS 4/05
Use: (1) -.50/1 Vitamin Water printable (wish I had 6 of the $1 off, but at least this one exists!)

3 - Coke products 12 Pk $4 ea (limit 6 per trans)
Use: (3) -$1 off Coca-Cola 12pk coupon at mycokerewards (must enter codes from prior purchases to earn points and "buy" coupons)

Total Due: $11.50
Use $5 ECB = $6.50 OOP Get Back: $10 ECB (makes Cokes 50 cents a 12 pack and Vitamin Water...which I'm giving to a friend, free!)
***********

Transaction 3

2 x Colgate Max Fresh or Max White at $2.99 ($2 ECB when you buy colgate max fresh/white)
Use: (2) -$1 off Colgate Max Fresh or Max White Toothpaste SS 4/26,May All Mag. or printable

Total Due $3.98
Use $2 ECB = $1.98 OOP - Get $4 ECB back (makes this FREE which is the only reason I'd be buying more toothpaste!)
*******

So the plan is to spend $10.48 OOP for the week and end up with $14 in ECB to roll into next week (there isn't anything else I see that I want to use them on this week). Not bad considering I started the week with $7 ECB!

I MIGHT repeat the vitamin water/coke deal paying a little more OOP since I don't have anymore $1 off coupons, but can use the 50 cent ones IF I have enough coke rewards points to get 3 more $1 off coupons for 12 packs. (I'll use my alternate CVS card for this purchase since it's a limit 1 per card. Thanks Mom!) It will be more OOP, but it still ends up under $1.50 for a 12 pack if I consider that the Vitamin Water is free. (I'm calculating it that way since all I really care about is the cokes!)

We'll see....

editor's note...

I did these out of order because I didn't THINK or re-check my plan. I forgot that I had transaction 1 ready to go and I did transaction 2 first this morning on it's own. I did get back a $3 off of $15 purchase ECB along with my $10 ECB though and maybe I wouldn't have if I did it in the other order (who knows!). I will have to re-plan my remaining 2 transactions accordingly!!!

I think if I combine them, I can use all my coupons and have $6 OOP with $19 ECB remaining from all the transactions. Not bad for starting the week with $6 ECB, spending $12 OOP... is that right??? I'd have entered the week with $6 and ended up with $7...if we're looking at it as real-money...which it is as long as I have something real to spend it on! That would mean ALL of that was FREE!! I have to sit and really figure this one out!)

WOO HOO! I worked it out!!! I had to add in a couple of tiny extras to make it work, but in the end I only paid 70 cents out of pocket... and I still have $13 ECB!! AND the scanner machine printed out ANOTHER $3 off of $15 for my next week's purchases!

Planning for ECB card #2

While I was in the store doing the last transaction, I scanned my other Card and got a coupon for $10 off of $50 purchase. I have NO idea how to do this... there isn't $50 of anything that I need!!! I'll have to think on this one some more!

Week of 04/26/09 - CVS Wrap Up

It was a week of necessities at CVS... and a week of indulgences.

Thing 2 luuuuuvs his Axe and it was an Axe sale this week... a really good one AND I had coupons. It's SO much more expensive than the FREE stuff I've been getting for myself that it's sort of hard to pay that kind of money for shower-gel, deodorant and shampoo.... BUT if it makes a 5th grader shower and smell good.... well, I'm all for it!

The rest of the week's purchases were stuff we needed and it was good timing for a couple of sales.

CVS is still not my favorite. I never feel like I'm getting a GREAT deal there like I do when I'm at Walgreens... BUT looking at the numbers here, I might need to re-think things.

Here's the final tally....

1 - Visine
2 - Shick Intuition
2 - Rimmel Mascara (both FREE! love that!!! I got this deal a couple of weeks ago too, so these are going to 2 teenage girls who will LOVE free mascara!)
1 - adidas deodorant - FREE!
1 - neosporin to go
1 - benadryl to go
2 - OB
3 - Dry idea (25 cents each!!)
4 - Axe Deodorant
4 - Axe Bath Gel
1 - ajc double issue
2 - halls cough drops - FREE!
4 - Rightguard Deodorant (met with approval of Thing 1... picky picky)

$36.96 oop

savings $112.78 = 75%

Week of 4/19/09 - The Big Wrap Up

This was a bit of a wacky week.

LOTS of bargains, but one big time bust at Publix that's going to ruin my over-all savings percentages.

(and just in case I dare forget... I will repeat once more... I will not take my kids shopping!!!!)

I skipped Walgreens and Rite Aid this week.... nothing free that I couldn't live without and nothing spectacular that caught my eye in either ad.

So... here's the rundown for the week. CVS, Publix and Kroger

We'll start with CVS...

I went to CVS hoping to find the Dove Skin Revitalizer that was supposed to be $4.00, since I had a $3.50 off coupon. Unfortunately... none of the stores I visited (and I went to several) had them in stock. Oh well...

What I DID find was deodorant... on SALE big-time!

Addidas Deodorant. One particular fragrance is being discontinued, so it was marked down to $2.50. I had a $1 off coupon AND there were ECB (extra care bucks)! That was a surprise. Had I known, I would have done the deal a little differently, but here's what I bought...

4 - Addidas deodorants @ $2.50 (hoping that Thing 1 or Thing 2 likes this... if not...then these are for charity)

used 4 - $1/off coupons. Total out of pocket $6.00 - received $6 ECB ($2 ECB for each deodorant... limit of 3. Had I know about the ECB, I would have split the purchase into 2 different ones so that I'd get all the ECBs possible)

Savings $10.00 = 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Publix

3 – Crystal Light Drink Mix
4 – Quaker Chewy Granola Bars
2 – Betty Crocker Potatoes
2 – Ken’s Steak House Marinade
1 – Pam Cooking Spray
1 – Burt’s Bees Chapstick (oy!)
1 – Oberto Beef Jerky (oy!!!!)
1 – Gum (aaaaaahhhh!)
1 – Mad Magazine (I am SUCH a pushover!!!)
3 – Sub Sandwiches - I shouldn't include this since it was an "out to eat" dinner, but I'm going to because I DID buy it with the groceries.

(had to get a rain check for the Fast Fixins Roasted Chicken)

Total OOP = $42.50

Savings = $26.50 - 38%
(that's funny... I was beating myself up for spending too much on this trip, and I saved 38% even WITH including an "out to eat" meal!!) .... but I STILL won't take Thing 1 and Thing 2 shopping again!!!!

and my big WOO HOO of the week....

Kroger

5 – Capri Sun $1.79
4 – Pillsbury Brownies $1.00
4 – Pasta Roni Fettucini Alfredo $1.00 (2 - charity)
4 – Quaker Rice Cake Snacks $1.00 (charity)
6 – Barilla Pasta $1.00 (3 - charity)
4 – Angel Soft 4 pack toilet paper $1.00
7 – Brut Deodorant $1.00 (charity)
4 – Lawry’s Marinade $1.00
3 – Soft Soap Hand Soap $1.00
8 – Suave Shampoo $.88 (charity)
4 – McCormick Grill Seasonings $1.00
4 – Green Giant Frozen Vegetables $1.00
1 – Huggies Wipes (no gossip necessary… these make great rubber stamp cleaners!)
1 – Bertolli Meat Lasagna $4.98
1 – Always $2.93
2 – No-Nonsense Socks – 3pack $2.00 (woo hoo! Cheap socks!! Not on the list, but on sale AND I had coupons!)
1 – gallon 2% milk $1.99

$30.28 total OOP
$100.06 savings - 76% WOO HOO!!!! AND was a phenomenal week for deals that I can share.


Grand total for the week...

$72.78

Savings $136.56 - 69% WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!

Big time THANK YOU to Jenny from SouthernSavers.com who does all the hard work so that I can save the big bucks!

Week of 4/09 - CVS Wrap Up

CVS


3 - Huggies Diapers - (PLEASE NOTE: diapers were for baby shower gifts!!!)
3 - Coke 12 packs
8 - Pringles
2 - CVS Batteries
1 - ColgateMax White Toothpaste (which I blew it by not giving coupon for!!)

$23.02 Out of Pocket

Savings $67.40 = 75%

another WOWZA! I think that was mostly from the baby gift savings.

I also have a $2 ECB coupon off my next purchase left.



I'm still getting the hang of being organized w/ my coupons and I'm re-working some of my current systems. I blew it twice with my CVS transactions this week. FIRST because I couldn't use my $4 off $20 since I didn't bring it with me when I bought the shower gift & cokes. The next time I came back, my total was under $20. I could have planned better for that. I blew it because I didn't hand the cashier the coupon for the toothpaste and didn't notice it until I was back in my car. I know i COULD have returned the item and bought it again... I just haven't gotten to the point where i'm totally comfortable with that (silly, huh?) I DID go back and get a refund when I was over-charged at Publix though...because that was their fault not mine.

Week of 3/29 - CVS Wrap Up

This was a quickie week at CVS. There wasn't much I wanted that they had on sale and probably wouldn't have gone even for the free mascara if I hadn't been right next to it at Starbucks.

Here's what I bought...

2 - Rimmel Mascaras
2 - Sally Hansen Nail Polish
3 - bags of Easter M&Ms
2 - 99 cent Magazines

$7 OOP

saved $28 with sales and coupons = 80%