Category Archives: Coupons

More Good Deals at CVS

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I will have to admit at first when I checked out the ad for CVS this week, I was unimpressed. In fact, I even told Matt that I didn’t think I would go to the store at all this week. So of course things change around here. I was checking out my stash and realized that we had about 8 rolls of toilet paper left. I remembered that P &G had an ECB deal this week. So I went back and re-looked at the sale. I am so glad I did. I have ended up going to CVS once on Sunday and back again on Monday. I am not sure you can repeat these transactions again for two reason. First I used Amanda’s card for a deal on Monday that included a free candle. Secondly, quarterly ECB bucks printed this week, I earned 7 and Amanda’s card 1.50. Third, I used several rain checks to purchase the Diet cokes and water, because we needed them at home. Finally, there is a glitch at the store so that I have been able to claim the P&G ECB twice. But I still wanted to share because it is COOL!

– 6 separate transactions
Total spent= 19.30
Total saved = 121.98 or 86%

Here is what I was able to purchase 2 scented candles,3 20 roll packs of toilet paper, 2 9 volt batteries, 1 Deodorant, 7 bags of candy, 2 bottles of nail polish, 2 boxes of panty shields,1 razor, 24 pack of water and 6 two liters of Diet Coke.

I enjoyed shopping this week!

Awesome CVS Trip

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I was excited on Thursday to read on Southern Savers that I would be able to get Electric toothbrushes for FREE! I also knew in the back of my head that I might have to re-think my strategy in the store if these had already sold out. I originally put together 4 transactions with around $20 out of pocket. When I arrived at the store they were out of the toothbrushes and even the store in the next closest town was out. So I did some rethinking and using my original list for items I need was able to come up with 3 transactions spending $19.21, saving $63.90 or 77%. I started out with no ECB and got no coupons that I used today from the machine. The only variable is that my CVS accepts competitor’s coupons so I used 2 $5 off $25 that I printed from Rite-Aid. Here is how it worked

Transaction 1
2 Olay Daily Facial wipes 5.00 2 coupons $1 off
2 Tampax Tampons 2.50 2 coupons $2 off
2 Oral B Toothbrushes 4.99 1 coupon $1 off, 1 coupon BOGO

Total 10.98 and 10 ECB back

Transaction 2
2 Bags of M&M 2.50
1 Bag of Reese 2.50
1 Bag of Snickers 2.50 1 CVS coupon $1 off
1 Bag of Pampers 8.99 1 Coupon $1 off
2 Oral B Toothbrushes 4.99 for one and 2.99 for the other, 1 coupon $1 off, BOGO rang up as 4.99

Used 10 ECB and total was 6.07 of which 2.10 was tax got back 3 ECB

Transaction 3

2 small bottle Mitch deodorant 2.50
Used 3 ECB total due was 2.16

Left the store with rain checks for the electric toothbrushes and I will plan to return on Monday to see if I can pick up if they have any in stock.

Matt did make a trip to Aldi today and spent 10.00 but even he thinks that we can go a month without grocery shopping again!

The Worst CVS trip

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I checked out the CVS sales last week (thursday) on line and was not that impressed. I also have been unable to find a 5 off 25 coupon in several weeks. So after going to CVS on Tuesday last week and getting more rain checks than actual items. I decided to try my luck on a Saturday night. The idea is that you get the better of the 2 weeks sales. I had a store coupon for diaper so I thought that would help. We are at the point where several needs have come us like shaving cream, contact solution and with both the kids being sick last week, I think we have doubled the use of diapers. I ended up spending 42 and saving only 17. The reason I wanted to post this is because sometimes it happens…hopefully not again soon!

Awesome Food Lion Trip

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If you are not familiar with Lexington then let me explain that there are 2 place to buy groceries here, Food Lion or the Walmart. I can’t stand going to either especially since I have started couponing. In the past three months I have been shopping at Food Lion once. I was really surprised to read on Southern Savers that she was considering a trip to Food Lion. I read and decided it was worth a try and if they were rude that was it. I actually planned out 4 separate transactions at home and even check the circular once I arrived to make sure the sale was the same. I was able to purchase the following for $7.68 saving $48 or 84%. All the transactions worked without a hitch except for one with the mayo and after getting a manager they keyed it in and apologized. I hope this is a sign of things to come.
I purchased :
4 bags of sunflower seeds
4 containers of Kraft Mayo
2 containers of Kraft Mayo Sandwhich shop
10 containers of Cool Whip
3 containers of Containers of Country Time Lemonade
1 bottle of A-1 steak sauce
1 10 pack of Capri Sun

Highest Ever Savings at CVS

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After reading my last blog, you know that I do not roll ECBs but try to spend them all at the same time. I also am a member of “CVS advisory” panel. I found the information for this on Southern Savers. So far I have completed 3 surveys, one of which I received information about yesterday via email. I have to admit I was very skeptical because it promised 10 ECB if you qualified to participate and 2 just for trying so I thought okay why not. I did qualify for this survey which involved watching a commercial and typing in responses.

So today, I took my 10 ECBs and my printed list and did a quick trip to CVS. I was able to snag a couple of money making deals. One of which is on the Gillette Body Wash ( sale price $4 with 4ECB). I also had a BOGO coupon and thought great two more free things of body wash. The register actually printed out ECB on both of the items. Here is a break down of the transactions

Transaction #1
4 SOBE Water (sale price $1 each)
2 Gillette Body Wash ($4 each)
1 Herbral Essence Shampoo ($5.99)
Coupons used BOGO Gillette
2 BOGO SOBE Waters
1 off Shampoo
10 ECBs
Total with Tax 1.56, ECB received 8 for Gillette and 2 for Shampoo

Transaction #2
2 Packs of Huggies Diapers (sale price 8.98)
Coupons used 2 x $3.00 off Diapers
10 ECBs from previous transaction
Total with Tax 2.30

Total Out of Pocket $3.56 total saved $47 or 92%!

I LOVE CVS

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One of the things that I try to do on a regular basis on Fridays is check out Southern savers for the upcoming Sunday ad. Last week, I was disappointed. I really didn’t see much that I wanted. So I skipped the Sunday trip. On Monday, I realized that I didn’t have any ladies deodorant in the stockpile and of course we needed some. I did remember that they had deodorant on sale so I decided to make a quick trip.

I was nicely surprised to find that when I scanned my card I received a coupon on diapers to use in the future. I also discovered that CVS brand formula was on sale buy one get one 50% off. Of course they only had one container of soy. I decided to be brave and ask if they would give it to me at 50% they did. I ended up spending $23 and saving $47 or 68%. I was pleased with my trip because I got formula, pacifiers, 2 hair products and 4 deodorants for $23. I also received a bonus of 5 off 15 at the register. The only catch was that it ran out on Friday.

This brings me to the second trip, on Thursday night. I decided to make a another trip to use the coupon and I knew I would also earn another ECB for use of my green tag bag. I scanned my card and got a free 2 ECB. I always carry my rainchecks with me and usually check. I found they had more of the Gillette body wash from several weeks ago. I decided to do 2 transactions. I ended up with 2 packs of diapers, 3 packs of batteries ( 2 off 2 coupon from the machine), 2 body washes and a 9 pack of toilet paper for $12.75 my savings 79% or $46!!

This is probably a good place to explain my thoughts on ECB. Many people (most I think) like to roll their ECB and try to leave the store with as many as they started with. I have a different idea, at this stage in our lives we have 2 in diapers and are buying baby food and formula. Diapers at “regular price” are around $10 a bag for the generic brand, so 3 bags a week $30 a week or around $120 a month. Zach is on Soy Formula so that is around $20 a week or another $100 a month. So I like to use any ECBs that I get to lower my OOP expenses for these items. I feel that if I bring ECBs home and save I am wasting money so I try to spend all that I receive in my last transaction to buy diapers and or formula. This week at CVS I was able to buy a week supply of diapers and formula for less than I would spend on diapers without couponing! That is the reason I love CVS!

Detailed CVS post

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I am going to do a detailed post on my trip to CVS today. It is a beginner transaction that anyone who uses diapers or wipes can repeat this week as well. I had not planned on buying diaper but the body wash ECB printed out together as one 8 instead of two 4ECBs.

I did start out with 3ECB from the Pantene deal that is also running this week. But I did 2 transactions today.
First Transaction: 2 Gillette body washes on sale for $4.00 each.
Used BOGO coupon from 5/2 PG and 2 ECB. Total OOP 2.62 and earned 9ECB (8 for Body wash and 1 for 4th time using Green bag tag)

Second Transaction: Huggies Wipes (216 count) $5.99 (Sale)
Huggies Jean Diapers (sale) $9.99
CVS lip balm 30 SPF $1.99
Used CVS printed Wipes coupon 2.00, Man. coupon 1.00, Diaper coupon 3.00, CVS printed $1 off any sunscreen product and 9ECB from previous transaction. Total OOP $1.09 which was tax!

This made by total OOP $3.79 and my saving $31 or 91% . Now just to be fair I am adding my trip from Sunday because I would have done a similar transaction if they would have not been out of the body washes already. My total OOP at CVS for the week is $23 with a savings of $47 or 67%. Prior to couponing, I would have spent $23 on the two packs of diapers on sale and a large pack of wipes. So I am still REALLY pleased with my trip. In fact Amanda and I may go tomorrow and use her card for body wash just as a money maker!

Randon Thoughts Tuesday

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I actually remember to do this on Tuesday!

I realized on my trip to Harris Teeter last Wednesday that I have not been reporting/giving credit to myself for the actual amount saved. I have not been including my “VIC” saving in my total.

On Sunday, Matt, myself and the 3 little kids made a second trip to HT this week. I spent $55 saved $124 or 69%. This was a great trip considering we ended up with 5 cases of drinks for Matt’s lunch. I am debating a third trip today but it probably will not happen.

We also went to CVS on Sunday. There were already out of the Body wash that would have made this an awesome trip and I forgot my free coupon for “Little swimmers.” So I will most likely make a trip to another CVS this week to take advantage of the money maker. I did get a raincheck for the body wash but I will be able to do this deal twice if I can find the items in stock.

I have totally shot the grocery budget for this month, my excuse is that I bought all the food for Amanda’s shower. So to try and at least use some of this food for us I have spent the better part of the last 2 days steaming, and freezing things such as broccoli and carrots. I will also be freezing the celery to use in soups this winter. Today, I am trying a new recipe that involved using alot of veggies that I had already decided I need to use up! I hope it turns out well because I ended up using 6 chicken breast in it as well. I have made 2 dozen muffins and need to freeze half of these and then make a batch of banana bread to use the rest of the 9lbs of bananas I bought at half price last week. I hope to finish all this up today and make some baby food for Zach to eat. Yesterday he ate no “bought” baby food which was awesome. If I do nothing but save on the purchase of baby food that should get me back on track for June with the budget. I did come in 150 less than the average in April so if I can do the same in June, I will break even.

My garden is growing awesomely. I notice this morning that the jalapeno pepper is blooming. I have now transplanted everything and each square has something growing in it! I will try and get a picture to post soon.

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Trip

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I am super excited after getting back from my first trip to Harris Teeter for Super Doubles. I had made the comment to Matt that I thought Super Doubles would be better right now then Triples and I was right :). I actually made the trip today with a friend, this was her first trip to Harris Teeter so it was awesome to help her “find” the deals. So I spent a total of $27 and saved $124 or 82% this is the highest this year besides one trip to CVS. I was able to grab 9 free items, 6 boxes of cereal, 4 cans of Tomato soup, 5 containers of juice and 3 frozen pizzas. Those are just the highlights. I did use a Raincheck to grab 2 packs of diapers at 0.09 cent each, but these are included in my totals so this was AWESOME! No picture today because my kitchen table is a mess and since it was lunch time when I came in. I decided to clean and take a picture was not worth the effort!

I am super busy this week and now understand how hard it is to keep up with blogging and my crazy life. I will try to get better but the rest of the week includes a second trip to HT, Amanda’s baby shower and a quiz meeting. So I wonder if I actually will!

First Walmart Coupon Trip

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A little back ground is necessary before I actually tell you about my trip. First of all, I live in a small town. The only “grocery stores” in town are Food Lion, Aldi, Save A Lot and Super Walmart. I regularly drive out of town to go to Harris Teeter for any of there special events or for a really good sales week. Food Lion does not double any coupons EVER or accept competitor coupons or even stack coupons. So basically both Food Lion and Walmart make it difficult to save on my grocery bill. I have been consistently couponing for around 3 months now. I decided yesterday after my EXCELLENT trip to CVS that I would attempt a trip to Walmart. Matt was out of coffee creamer, which he is brand loyal and Zach was running low on baby food. I couldn’t find a sale worth driving to for the baby food so I thought lets just see how I do. I have heard from several people in the past 3 weeks that Walmart is no longer accepting printed internet coupons so I decided not to even take one in. I did look at the list on Couponing to Disney to find out some dollar deals. I was actually pleased when I checked out and spend $40 and saved 17 or 29%. The saving were only from coupons as it does not show you or give you as way to figure in “roll backs” or sale prices. I was able to pick up Diet Cokes for 0.98 each and other sodas for the kids for 0.66 so overall this would be considered a successful trip in my book. I will never be able to save over 40% realistically at my local grocery stores so for a first trip with the whole family it was not bad!