CVS Couponing Adventure - 7/27/2011

It's taken me a few days to find some time to sit down and write here.  Anyway, this is just a quick trip I did on my way home from work on Wednesday.  CVS  had an awesome deal running with Soft Soap (and a few other products) for buy 3 get $3 ECB.  Here was the deal I did.  Note: I did this at three different stores in 3 transactions, but will show it below as just one transaction.  The only ECB that I used during it that I didn't have at the beginning was a $1.00 ECB that I got during the second transaction for using the Green Bag Tag for a 4th time.

Purchased:

• (2) Soft Soap Pampered Hands Hand Soap - Regularly $3.69
• On Sale $2.00
• (2) $1.00/1 Soft Soap Pampered Hands (Printable)
• Final Price $1.00 OOP
• Soft Soap Spa Body Wash - Regularly $4.49
• On Sale $3.00
• $1.00/1 Soft Soap Body Wash (7/31 inserts)
• Final Price $2.00 OOP
• Also used (2) $1.00 ECB, and (1) $2.00 ECB

Summary:

• Total Before Savings: $11.87
• Total Card Savings: $4.87
• Total Coupon Savings: $7.00
• Total After Savings: $0.00
• Percent Savings: $100%
• Rewards: $3.00 ECB

This was something I wanted to do on Sunday, but the CVS that I went to didn't have the products in stock.  The Pampered Hands Soap was very hard to find, and I noticed that they had widely varied levels within the product.  Be sure to line them up if you have a choice and choose the one with the most product so you get the most for your money!  Luckily, I have 4 CVS's that are not too far off my journey home from work, so this worked out just fine for me!  Good luck in your couponing adventures this upcoming week!  It's looking like it should be a great one!

CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Staples Couponing Adventure - 7/24/2011

Today, I had an awesome day of shopping.  My friend Amanda came along with me on this trip.  I'm hoping that she and I can be couponing buddies in the future!  :-)  We went to all 3 of the major drug stores, as well as Staples, and a book sale.  The book sale was Amanda's idea, as she'd been to this one before, and wanted to check it out.  It was awesome.  I bought one book, a Vegetarian cookbook, as my husband is a vegetarian, and we are constantly looking for new things to try!  The book was a great deal, only costing me $1.00.  I think the proceeds from the book sale go to the Library in town, so not only did I get a book, but the money will go towards a great community resource!  Win-Win!!!!  Now, onto the other shopping.

We'll start with CVS.  This was by far the best store of my trip.  This was the first time ever doing a two transaction purchase.  I was incredibly nervous, but the cashier was awesome, even complementing me on my smart shopping.  Here are the details.

Purchased:

• Transaction 1:
• (2) Edge Shaving Gel (7oz) - Regularly $2.77
• On Sale - $2.49
• (2) $1.00 Edge Shaving Gel MFC
• Part of Schick/Playtex - Buy $20 Get $10 ECB
• (2) Skintimate Cream Shave (6oz) - Regularly $4.79
• On Sale - $2.49
• (2) $1.50 Skintimate Cream Shave MFC - Printable
• Part of Schick/Playtex - Buy $20 Get $10 ECB
• Skintimate Shave Gel (7oz) - Regularly $3.79
• On Sale - $2.49
• $1.00 Skintimate Shave Gel MFC
• Part of Schick/Playtex - Buy $20 Get $10 ECB
• Schick Hydro 5 Razor - Regularly $10.79
• On Sale - $7.99
• $4.00 Schick Hydro 3 or 5 Razor MFC
• Part of Schick/Playtex - Buy $20 Get $10 ECB
• $9.00 in ECB
• Transaction 2:
• (4) Nabisco Treats - Price Varies
• All on Sale - $1.25
• (2) $1.00/2 Nabisco Cookies/Crackers
• Final Price: $0.50 each
• Papermate Grip Me Pens (8ct) - Regularly $2.27
• On Sale - $1.99
• Get $1.99 ECB
• Final Price: FREE!
• U by Kotex Liners (50ct) - Regularly $4.99
• On Sale - $3.49
• $1.00 U by Kotex Liners MFC
• Get $2.00 ECB
• Final Price: $0.49
• ReNu Sensitive Multipurpose Solution (12oz) - Regularly $9.99
• On Sale - $7.89
• $2.00 ReNu Multipurpose Solution (12oz)
• Get $6.00 ECB
• Final Price: $0.11 Money Maker!
• $10 ECB

So, as a summary:

• Total Before Savings: $56.17 + tax
• Total Savings with EC Card: $17.36
• Total Coupon Savings: $34.00
• Total After Savings: $4.81 + tax
• Percent Savings: 91.4%

Like I said, a pretty good trip!  :-)  Next, we went to Walgreens.  Walgreens has some GREAT sales this week.  Unfortunately, most of the Walgreens in my area are a little on the dirty side, so I tend to not go quite as crazy in them as I would in, say, a CVS (see above for an example!).  But, nonetheless, us couponers can't be picky when it comes to deals!  Anyway, I had to do two transactions here again, so here it goes.

Purchased:

• Transaction 1:
• Walgreens Perfection Tampons (8ct) - On Sale $1.50
• Get $1.50 RR
• Final Price: FREE!
• DenTek Flossers (50ct) - On Sale $2.99
• $1.00 off a DenTek purchase of $2.00 or more
• Get $2.00 RR
• Final Price: $0.01 Money Maker
• Scrunci (18ct) - On Sale 2/$3
• Get $3.00 RR wyb 2
• Final Price: FREE!!
• $6.00 in RR
• Transaction 2:
• (2) Irish Spring Deodorants (2.7oz) - On Sale 2/$6
• (2) $1.00 Irish Spring Deodorant/Antiperspirant
• Get $4.00 RR wyb 2
• Basil Seeds - On Clearance $0.10
• Filler
• $3.00 RR

So, to summarize,

• Total Before Savings: $20.66 + tax (calculated using receipt information)
  
• Total WAGs Savings: $7.07
• Total Coupon Savings: $12.00
• Total After Savings: $1.59
  
• Percent Savings: 92.3%

Next we went to Rite Aid.  As some of you may have seen, Rite Aid doesn't have the greatest sales going on this week.  Hopefully next week with the new P&G insert we are supposed to get in the Sunday papers, we may get some good deals out of them.  Anyway, there was on particularly great deal that I heard of and wanted to take advantage of.  So, here it is.

• StyleScience Sunglasses - Regularly $7.99
• On Sale - BOGO 50% (ALL sunglasses)
• $5.00 StyleScience Sunglasses RA Video Coupon
• Get $2.00 +UP
• Final Price: $0.99
• Foster's Sunglasses - Regularly $6.99
• On Sale - BOGO 50% (ALL sunglasses) - reduced price to $3.49
• $5.00 Foster's Sunglasses RA Video Coupon
• Get $2.00 +UP
• Final Price: $3.51 Money Maker

So, to summarize, 

• Total Before Savings: $14.98 + tax
• Total Wellness+ Savings: $3.50
• Total Coupon Savings: $10.00
• Total After Savings: $1.48 + tax
  
• Percent Savings: 90.1%

Keep in mind though, with this last purchase, although I did have 90.1% savings in this purchase, it really is slightly better than that, because I walked out with more +UP rewards dollars that I walked in with!  $4.00 more to be exact!  Lastly, we went to Staples.  No real outright savings here, but will get nearly all my money back in rebates, eventually.  Here it is:

I purchased:

•  Ream of Multipurpose Paper - $5.99
• Will get back $5.49 in a Rebate
• Final Price: $0.50
• Bic Brite Highlighters (5ct) - $4.00
• Will get back $4.00 in a Rebate
• Final Price: FREE!
• $1 Donation

So,

• Total Before Savings: $10.99 + tax
  
• Total Rebates: $9.49
• Total After Savings: $1.50 + tax
  
• Percent Savings:86.35%

It really was an awesome day.  If my calculations are correct, not including the $1.00 book I purchased, I purchased $102.80 in products, I paid $18.87 out of pocket, and I'll be getting back $9.49 of it in the form of a rebate.  Also, I walked out with $5.50 more in rewards dollars (CVS ECB, Walgreens RR, and Rite Aid +UP Rewards) that I had thismorning.  So, it was an amazing day.  I hope you all had equally great days in your couponing adventures!

Walgreens and Rite Aid Couponing Adventure - 7/22/2011

Had a quick run of a shopping trip today.  Here's the details.

Walgreens first:

Purchased:

• (2) Lady Michum (2.2oz) Antiperspirant & Deodorant - On Sale 2/$6
• (2) $1/1 Muchum or Lady Michum Antiperspirant or Deodorant MFC
• Get back $4 RR wyb 2
• Final Price: FREE!!!
• Penway Folder 2-pocket - On Sale $0.09
• Used as a Filler Item
• Final Price: $0.09 each
• Used $4.00 RR from a previous purchase 

 So, to summarize,

• Total Before Savings: $7.59
• Total Advertised Savings: $1.50
• Total Coupon Savings (includes RR): $6.00
• Total After Savings: $0.09 + tax
• Percent Savings: 98.8%
• Rewards Received: $4.00

Woohoo!  Then, I ran to Rite Aid, but again, they didn't have what I really went there for, but I knew they had a good deal on something else, so I figured, while I was there, I'd look into it.  Here's the purchase.

• Revlon Slant Tip Tweezer - On Sale 40% off of $2.45 = $1.47
• $1/1 Revlon Beauty Tool MFC
• Total Price: $0.47

So, simply put, I had a savings of $1.98, which is about and 81% savings.

Getting excited for next week!  I'm already seeing some great freebies and other great deals!  Share with us your couponing adventures!

Walgreens and Stop and Shop Couponing Adventures - 7/21/2011

Here we are again, this has been a pretty good week for couponing!  I'm trying to get the most out of the coupons I have that expire at the end of the month.  Not much time left to use them!  On the blogs out there, there seems to be some good deals in the works for next week, so I hope that this week gives me the momentum to keep going and get the best deals next week, too.  So, here are the trips that I did today.

Earlier today, on my way to school/work (I'm a full time graduate student, so it's my job as well.  I work as a teaching assistant during the school year), I stopped at Walgreens.  I knew that Milka chocolate bars were on sale this week, so I wanted to stop by and see if this particular store had them in stock.  I tried previously this week at a different store, and they were sold out.  Apparently, some people really like their chocolate!  :-)  Here was my trip:


Purchased:

• (2) Milka Milk Chocolate Bars (3.52oz) - On Sale 2/$3
• $1/2 Milka Chocolate Bars - Walgreens July Coupon Booklet
• (2) $1/1 Milka Chocolate Bars
• Final Price: FREE!!!
• Penway 1-Subject College Rule Spiral Notebook - $0.39
• Used as a Filler Item
• Final Price: $0.39 each

I had to get a filler item above because Walgreens coupon policy states that you must have the same number of items as you do coupons.  I was using 3 coupons on the Milka chocolate bars, so I needed 3 items.  Usually, you try to choose an extremely low priced item.  Today, that happened to be a notebook (they were out of the $0.09 folders, that would have been even better!) So, here is a summary:

• Total Before Coupons: $3.39
• Total Value of Coupons: $3.00
• Total After Coupons: $0.39
• Total OOP: $0.41
• Percent Savings: 88.5%

On my way home from school/work, I had to make an unscheduled stop at the grocery store (Stop and Shop) for dinner.  This is a habit/event that my husband and I are trying to not have to do.  Everything that I bought for the dinner would still be fine, had I bought it on Monday with my other groceries.  Nonetheless, here is the trip:

Purchased:

• Lemon - $0.75
• (2) Honest Tea (Peach) - $1.25
• On Sale for $1.00
• (2) $1/1 Honest Tea/Ade Products MFC
• Final Price: FREE!
• SB Pitted Black Olives - $1.34
• On Sale for $1.25
• Kosher Dill Spears (Pickles) - $2.79
• On Sale for $2.00
• $0.25 Personal Thanks Coupon
• Final Price: $1.75
• (2) Schick Women's Disposable Razors (12ct) - $6.49
• On Sale - BOGO Free
• BOGO Free Schick Disposable Razors MFC
• Final Price: FREE!!!
• Daisy Light Sour Cream (8oz) - $1.50
• Also used (1) reusable bag, so that was another $0.05 personal thanks savings

So, here's the summary!

• Total Before Coupons & Store Card: $21.86
• Total Store Card Savings: $7.87
• Total Personal Thanks Savings: $0.30
• Total Coupon Savings: $8.49
• Total After Coupons & Store Card: $5.20
• Total OOP: $5.20
• Percent Savings: 76%

That's the goal at the grocery store!  I was very happy with that trip.  Will be going to Rite Aid and Walgreens again tomorrow to try and track down some of those missing items!!  Share your couponing adventures!

Walmart and Rite Aid Couponing Adventure - 7/20/2011

Had a wonderful experience couponing at Walmart and then at Rite Aid.  I'll do Walmart first.

Purchased:

• (2) Bengay Menthol Pain Relieving Gel: Vanishing Scent, Non-Greasy Gel (2.66oz) - $4.23
• (2) $5/1 Any Bengay Product (Excludes Trial Size) MFC - Printable
• Final Price: PROFIT of $0.77 each
• (2) Zyrtec 10mg Tablets (5ct) - $5.27
• (2) $5/1 Zyrtec (5ct) MFC - Printable
• Final Price: $0.27 each
• Great Value Spearmint Starlight Mints - $1.00
• Bought to cover the overage.  Technically, according to their coupon policy, Walmart would have paid me the overage in cash, but I figured I'd get something else for free!
• Final Price: $1.00

So, as a summary:

• Total Before Coupons: $20.00
• Total Value of Coupons: $20.00
• Total After Coupons: $0.00
• Total OOP: $0.00 (NO TAX!  I'm not quite sure how that worked, but that's what the computer said!)
• Percent Savings: 100%!!!

The register clerk was very understanding and patient with my couponing, as well.  She made a funny remark about asking what these pieces of paper were, and "look what you did" when she was done ringing them up.  Being patient and calm myself and not defensive definitely helped in this situation.  In my head, I was prepared to ask to see a manager, because at first, she didn't look like she would even try to scan them through the computer, even though I knew I had gotten them from a legitimate source, and they were not copies.  But, she put them through, and we were both shocked at the $0.00 total, not even tax.  I gave her a polite smile and a thank you and left the store, to later do my happy couponing dance in the parking lot.  Next, I went over to Rite Aid, where I had a bit more trouble than I thought I would.

I was going into Rite Aid for two specific products, the U by Kotex pantiliners that are on sale for $1 this week (for which I have a $1/1 coupon) and a Got2B full size product.  Upon getting into the store, I saw that the pantiliners were all sold out (I hate cleared shelves, especially when I only want one!  Oh well), and I also noticed that the +UP rewards that I had were set to expire on Saturday, so I knew I needed to find a way to spend those rewards then and there, which is not the best way to coupon.  So, I got the Got2B product, and a thing of floss.  Here's the trip details.

Purchased:

• Got2B Kinkier Spray Gel (9oz) - On Sale for $4.99
• $2/1 Any Got2B Full Size Product MFC
• Receive $2 +UP Rewards
• Final Price: $0.99
• Oral B Satin Floss (50m) - On Sale for $2.99
• $1/1 Oral B Satin Floss (30m or larger)
• Receive $1.50 +UP Rewards
• Final Price: $0.49
• Cella Cherry Milk Chocolate Candy - $0.33
• Used as a filler item to put my purchase over a negative value
• Redeemed $1 +UP Reward from the Rite Aid Video Ads, (2) $2 +UP Rewards from previous purchases

So, the summary

• Total Before Coupons: $8.31
• Total Value of Coupons and +UP Rewards: $8.00
• Total After Coupons: $0.31
• OOP: $0.33
• Rewards Received: $3.50 ($2, $1.5)
• Percent Savings: 96%

So, not a bad trip overall.  I'm walking out with less +UP rewards than I walked in with, but I guess that's the game.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose!  I'll still play the game though.  :-)  Enjoy your own couponing adventures and share you finds with us!

CVS Couponing Aventure - 7/19/2011

Hello All,

Here is my trip to CVS today.

• (2) Pantene Pro-V 12.6oz Products - $6.97 for 2
• CVS Coupon Machine printed out $2 off 2 Shampoos, Conditioners, or Stylers
• $3/2 Pantene Pro-V MFC
• Get $2 ECB wyb 2
• Final Price: FREE! (Profit of $0.03)
• (1) Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide Premium Shave Collection - $9.99
• $4/1 Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide Razor MFC
• Get $4 ECB
• Final Price: $1.99
• (1) Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide Shave Prep Gel 2.5oz - $2.37
• $1/1 Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide Shave Gel
• Get $2 ECB
• Final Price: FREE! (Profit of $0.63)
• I also had $6.79 ECB from a previous shopping trip.

So, for a summary, we have

• Total Before Coupons: $19.33 + tax
• Total Coupon Value: $16.79
• Total After Coupons: $2.54 + tax
• Received: $8 ECB ($2, $2, $4)

Not too bad of a shopping trip!  Not my best, but certainly pretty good considering that the sales and coupons lately have been lacking.

Share your couponing adventures!  :-)  Enjoy!

My Couponing Adventures

I thought I'd start a blog to track my couponing adventures first for my own thoughts (good/bad experiences, good shopping trips, advice I receive, etc.), and second to share my good finds with others!  So, first a little about me.  I'm a 25 year old newlywed.  My husband and I have been married for just under a year, and have been trying anything and everything to save money so we can eventually buy our dream house to put our future family in.  I have only been couponing for about 2 months now, and have already found that I am addicted to it!  I love finding the deals, searching and scouring online and in the stores for coupons and freebies.  I have a very tiny stockpile at this point which consists of mainly health and beauty aids (shampoo, OTC medicine/pain killers, shaving care items, and oral health items).  Unfortunately, as I've read fairly often on the other blogs and couponing websites, the summer is a down time for coupons, and as such many have had trouble building up and even maintaining their edible stockpiles.  Unfortunately, we can't eat toilet paper and toothpaste for dinner!  My goal in couponing when I first started was not to get everything I buy for free, but to get what I need for cheaper, maybe 50% off, especially at the grocery store.  I'm still not at that (see the above comments), but I hope come the fall, more coupons will come out.  I find it funny when people give me a second glance when I walk into a store with my coupon binder.  At Target last week, I took my husband on his first real coupon trip, and at the end of checkout, the register clerk was pretty impressed with the amount that we saved (roughly speaking, we got $50 in product for under $10).

So, I hope that you enjoy reading this blog and I hope that we can all learn from each other on this adventure in couponing!  Have an amazing day!