Thursday, December 24, 2009

2009 Year in Review (CVS)

I am skipping CVS this weekend (no great deals, just P&G coupons in the paper) so I'm going to write my year in review post now!

This year, I spent $78.95 out of pocket. That averages out to about $6.60 per month.

Of that, $36.98 was sales tax.

I got necessities like antibiotic ointment, bandages, contact lens solution, deodorant, teething tablets, toothpaste, maxi pads, toilet paper, paper towels, razors, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, laundry detergent, and more. I got treats like candy and soda. I got the newspaper nearly every week. I got school supplies. I got food. I got little things we needed some weeks that didn't pay back but that I didn't spend anything on either.

Sure I also got extras of some of the above and I got things I didn't really need (the diabetes monitors spring to mind). These have or will be donated or given to family and friends, or simply stockpiled for future use.

Sometimes people comment things like "That seems time consuming" or "What do you do with everything" or "I don't use XYZ so this wouldn't be worth doing." First, I say, to each his/her own. You don't want to do it? Don't! Everyone has a different idea of what's interesting or worthwhile.

But I feel that if I'm already shopping at a store, I might as well take advantage of any savings programs they offer. I'm surprised when people don't use a store card at all - at CVS, for example, even if you're just buying necessities, you'll get back a small percentage of your spending every quarter. Then you can use that off more necessities - easy! And then I find that CVS sometimes wants to pay me to take things out of the store - and I'll do that. In the end I spent less over the entire 2009 on both things I do and don't use than I would've spent if I had just bought only the barest minimum of things I do use with cash. And I got name brands - and many times they were my preferred brands. I don't think I spent a lot of time doing any of this - but it also is a fun hobby for me, so I may have spent extra time by choice on some of the planning. But most weeks I made a single trip, early in the morning on a Sunday, while my husband and daughter were sleeping. No big deal.

I wish you all a happy New Year!

[Edited: My daughter got sick on 12/25, so I sent my husband out with $4.98 in ECBs and he spent $2 OOP on supplies for her. I'm down to $6 in ECBs or something and now am considering spending them as well on essentials and then starting fresh - possibly with a brand new card - in 2010. Stay tuned!]

Sunday, December 20, 2009

CVS - Free Listerine, body wash, sleep aid

First, there's a great deal at Target this week - you can get free Swiss Miss hot chocolate with a printable coupon. Learn more!

So this was a good week - finally! - at CVS.

Transaction 1:

Listerine - $3.99
Nivea (apricot blossom scent) - $5.99
Aleril sleep aid - $1.99

Used $1/Listerine, $2 printable/Nivea, $9 ECBs. I handed the ECBs over first, so my pre-tax total was -3 cents. I paid 81 cents OOP (all tax) and got back $11 in ECBs (including my $1 for my Green Bag Tag, so I guess it's working again).

Then I got:

2 Thermacare wraps - $4.98.
Used the $5 ECB (adjusted). Paid 35 cents tax, got back $4.98.

Then I did that again - 2 more wraps, 35 cents.

Profit - about $2. yay!

Picture to come.

Total OOP: $78.95 ($36.98)
Total merchandise: 24 double Sunday papers, 5 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 6 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 1 bottle Listerine mint, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, 2 Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotions, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade, 1 "Green Bag Tag", 1 tube antibiotic ointment, 1 carton epsom salts., 2 Glade Sense&Spray starter kits, 1 10 pack of AA batteries, 2 bottles Complete contact lens solution, 2 Bic Soleil razors, 1 Schick razor, 1 bottle St Ives body wash, 1 King-size pack M&Ms, 1 Degree deodorant, 1 Aveeno baby lotion, 1 Bayer diabetes monitor, 1 box of Zantac, CVS brand nasal spray, CVS brand 3-pack paper towels, CVS brand Cetaphil-like bar soap, CVS brand hydrogen peroxide, 4 Thermacare wraps, 1 Alterial sleep aid, 1 Nivea apricot body wash.

Current ECB status: $11 [need to get exact #]

Friday, December 11, 2009

CVS - Necessities...

Again, I actually needed stuff at CVS and I'm just not as savvy as some of you out there - I needed to *gasp* spend some of my ECBs. Still, I think it worked out well.

I got (all CVS brand):
1 bottle saline nasal rinse
1 bottle hydrogen peroxide
1 bar Cetaphil-like soap (on clearance so really cheap)
1 3-pack paper towels

I used a $2/$10 CVS brand coupon I got from the scanner (I got it after I had almost finished shopping and threw in the paper towels to hit $10 since I was so close and everything else was CVS brand), $8.99 in ECBs. Paid about 84 cents OOP (all numbers to be updated later).

But what's annoying is that I should've gotten $1 for my Green Bag Tag. My receipt from the last time I was at the store clearly says I have 7 scans and need one more, but today's STILL says I have 7 and need one more. Both receipts show that the cashier scanned the GBT and everything. So I think I will call CVS and find out what's up with that.

I still have $9 left. :)

Total OOP: $78.95 ($35.47)
Total merchandise: 24 double Sunday papers, 5 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 6 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, 2 Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotions, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade, 1 "Green Bag Tag", 1 tube antibiotic ointment, 1 carton epsom salts., 2 Glade Sense&Spray starter kits, 1 10 pack of AA batteries, 2 bottles Complete contact lens solution, 2 Bic Soleil razors, 1 Schick razor, 1 bottle St Ives body wash, 1 King-size pack M&Ms, 1 Degree deodorant, 1 Aveeno baby lotion, 1 Bayer diabetes monitor, 1 box of Zantac, CVS brand nasal spray, CVS brand 3-pack paper towels, CVS brand Cetaphil-like bar soap, CVS brand hydrogen peroxide.

Current ECB status: $9

Sunday, December 6, 2009

CVS - Free diabetes monitor, Zantac, and big profit!

Transaction 1:
1 Sunday paper - $2 (I went too late and they were either out of the double paper or never had it)
1 Bayer diabetes monitor - $14.99
1 Zantac - $8.99

I used the $30/Bayer coupon and for a minute thought I was in trouble because the cashier had to call someone for help, but in the end it was just because it was a high-value coupon, and it went through just fine otherwise. Then I used the $2 Zantac printable. And at the last minute I remembered I had the get-$4-when-you-spend-$20 coupon so I handed that over too, as well as $8 in ECBs. I paid about $1.60 (I'll update with exact figures later) and got back $8.99, $5 for the monitor, and $4 for the coupon. Not bad at all, I say! Plus I'm 1 away from another $1 from the Green Bag Tag.

Then I went back and got:

1 Aveeno baby lotion - $5.69
I used $1/Aveeno coupon, $3 and $1.59 ECBs. I paid 50 cents OOP. Didn't get anything back but that's OK because I made such a lovely profit on the first deal AND this was something we really needed. (It's part of my daughter's bedtime routine...)

I skipped all the Christmas stuff this week, but next week I may grab some of the wrapping stuff.

Also I went to the mall and got my free Godiva truffle as well as a handful of samples of Hershey's Bliss (I like it much better than regular Hershey's - and the handful was given to me by the person staffing the table, I didn't take it! He also gave me coupons). I was at the mall looking for a case for my brand new iPod Touch - thanks to Swagbucks, I paid about $140 for a brand new 3rd generation 32 gig iPod Touch. I used over $120 in credit that I'd accrued. Not bad! (I didn't get a case yet. I didn't like what I saw at the mall.)

And I just cashed in another $10 from MySurvey (referral link is to the right, if you are so inclined - it's the small black graphic...).

And I earned 50 cents this week from YouData - hey, every little bit helps!

Total OOP: $78.13 ($34.83)
Total merchandise: 24 double Sunday papers, 5 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 6 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, 2 Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotions, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade, 1 "Green Bag Tag", 1 tube antibiotic ointment, 1 carton epsom salts., 2 Glade Sense&Spray starter kits, 1 10 pack of AA batteries, 2 bottles Complete contact lens solution, 2 Bic Soleil razors, 1 Schick razor, 1 bottle St Ives body wash, 1 King-size pack M&Ms, 1 Degree deodorant, 1 Aveeno baby lotion, 1 Bayer diabetes monitor, 1 box of Zantac.

Current ECB status: $17.99

Saturday, December 5, 2009

CVS - Scenario/plans for 12/6

I haven't done a proper CVS trip - all by myself, early in the morning on a Sunday - in some time. As of right now I am planning on going tomorrow morning though!

I need to get the Sunday paper and some lotion for my daughter. I have $8, $1.59, $3.

Plans:

Bayer monitor - use coupon, get it free, get back $5.
Zantac - use $1 coupon and $8 ECB, get back $8.99. (There's a $2 printable out there too - if I can get it to print I may use that instead. If I do that, I will use the $8 and the $1.59 and get the paper in this transaction so it's free.)
Then spend a bunch of ECBs on the lotion - there's a $1 coupon for the brand I want so that will help.
I think I need 2 more Green Bag Tag scans to get my next dollar.

So. Not very exciting, and I need to make sure I have the right coupons...

I am Jewish, by the way, so I'll be skipping the Christmas freebies this week. They're cute but I don't need them and I don't need to roll any bucks.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

CVS - Black Friday - I got my whole list!

I thought I'd have to wake up extra early to go to CVS. I thought my local store would be emptied of everything. But no! I got everything I wanted in the order I wanted. I spent around $3 OOP. (I figured out that I spent 5 cents total and everything else was sales tax.) The only thing I missed was the Degree bonus pack - as we were leaving I saw a display (a very full display) of several of the freebies that I hadn't noticed at first.

This year was disappointing though, in terms of deals - last year there were limit 5s! Freebies! Tons of profit! I wound up $3.59 ahead as well. I think that's why there weren't crowds this year. I didn't look for the headphones or the remote control, but I don't need either one and I actually don't have any ECBs in the proper amounts to make them easily free anyway.

I'll update with specifics later, but what I can say is I got 2 bottles of Herbal Essences (one shampoo, one conditioner), 2 Bic Soleil razors, 1 Schick razor (with a "10 song download card" that I'm curious about), 1 bottle of St Ives bodywash, 1 bottle of Vaseline lotion, 1 Degree deodorant, and 1 pack of M&Ms (yum).

Photobucket

Total OOP: $76.01 ($33.80 tax)
Total merchandise: 24 double Sunday papers, 4 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 6 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, 2 Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotions, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade, 1 "Green Bag Tag", 1 tube antibiotic ointment, 1 carton epsom salts., 2 Glade Sense&Spray starter kits, 1 10 pack of AA batteries, 2 bottles Complete contact lens solution, 2 Bic Soleil razors, 1 Schick razor, 1 bottle St Ives body wash, 1 King-size pack M&Ms, 1 Degree deodorant.

Current ECB status: $12.59

Monday, November 23, 2009

CVS - Black Friday 2009 plans

This post is for me to figure out my Black Friday plans. It will change frequently and I'll edit it a lot. I got all my details/coupon matchups from iheartcvs.com.

I have $8.99.

I think I'm going to (providing everything is in stock!) do this:

[third time I've changed my mind]

First:

Herbal Essences - $2.99 -Free coupon, get back $2
1 Bic Soleil razor - $6.99, -$2 coupon. ($4.99)
1 Degree Ultra Clear deodorant - $4 (I do not have the coupon for this one)

Use $8.99, get back $5, $4, $2.

Second:

1 Bic Soleil Razor - $6.99 -$2 coupon = $4.99
Use $5. Get back $5.

Third:

Vaseline lotion - $7.99 -$1.50 coupon - $6.49, get back $7.99
Mars candy bar - $1.59 - get back $1.59
St. Ives body wash - $3.99 -$1 coupon - $3, get back $3

Use $5, $4, $2. Get back $7.99, $1.59, $3.

Fourth:

Schick razor - $9.99 -$2 coupon - $7.99, get back $8

Use $7.99. Get back $8.

Wind up with $8, $1.59, $3 at end.

What are the odds they'll have all this??? And if they are missing part of one part of this...all I really want to do is the Herbal Essences and the Schick. The rest is bonus.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

CVS - Free Complete contact solution

I'm still behind on updating my actual totals/lists, but luckily I save all my receipts.

Today I bought

1 bottle Complete contact solution - $8.99
Used $5 ECBs, $1 coupon. Paid $3.XX OOP. Got back $8.99 in ECBs.

Then I bought
1 regular Sunday paper (either they didn't make a double today since it's a holiday or the store was out of them) - $2
1 bottle Complete - $8.99
Used $8.99 ECBs, $1 coupon. Paid $1.XX OOP. Got back $8.99 in ECBs again.

Also am 1/4 toward another $1 from the Green Bag Tag.

So now I have $8.99 toward Black Friday, and I should get another $2 from the Herbal Essences that day and another Green Bag Tag scan. I want the razors and the lotion and anything else is just icing on the cake.

Total OOP: $72.71 ($30.57 tax)
Total merchandise: 24 double Sunday papers, 4 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 6 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade, 1 "Green Bag Tag", 1 tube antibiotic ointment, 1 carton epsom salts., 2 Glade Sense&Spray starter kits, 1 10 pack of AA batteries, 2 bottles Complete contact lens solution.

Current ECB status: $8.99

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

CVS - Free Sense and Spray, batteries (not free)

I'm so behind with this blog. I'll fix it all soon, I swear!

Today I bought:
2 Glade Sense and Spray starter kits - $12
1 pack of CVS-brand AA batteries - $6.49 (I think?)
I used 2x $4/Sense and Spray, $3 ECBs. I paid around $8 OOP. I got back $4 for the Sense and Spray and $1 for the 4th scan of my Green Bag Tag.

And then I realized I should've added $1.50 of something and then used the spend-$20-get-$4 coupon. But I forgot. Argh. At least I have more ECBs to play with on Black Friday now (if I even can get to the store that day/weekend).

My total OOP for the year is now around $60 and my ECB tally is $5.

Total OOP: $67.39 ($29.24 tax)
Total merchandise: 24 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 6 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade, 1 "Green Bag Tag", 1 tube antibiotic ointment, 1 carton epsom salts., 2 Glade Sense&Spray starter kits, 1 10 pack of AA batteries

Current ECB status: $5

Sunday, November 15, 2009

CVS - Renu and a high OOP

Blogger just ate my post. :(

I bought 1 2-pack of Renu today (overpriced, IMHO, at around $15.50). used $2 coupon, $8 (about to expire) ECBs, $6.01 OOP. Got back $3. Have plans that I'll write again later.

Total OOP: $58.61 ($27.95 tax)
Total merchandise: 24 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 6 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade, 1 "Green Bag Tag", 1 tube antibiotic ointment, 1 carton epsom salts.

Current ECB status: $3

Saturday, November 14, 2009

CVS - Spent ECBs on things we needed

So. CVS has been pretty dry lately, and I've been busy - out of town visiting family, out of town for a funeral. I had two ECBs that expire on 11/17 - $6.99 and $8. Today I finally got to CVS - two stores actually - and neither had the ear rinse that I wanted to roll my $8 on, and I didn't feel like buying yet another diabetes monitor when I haven't gotten around to donating the ones I already have.

So I bought:
1 tube of antibiotic ointment
1 carton of epsom salts

I used the $6.99 and $1.26 OOP (47 cents tax) - I will update this later of course. I also found the spend-$20-get-$4 coupon, but I don't think I'll be able to use it before it expires.

So I'm down to $8 in ECBs, and as they expire on the 17th, I have a feeling I may be down to zero soon enough. That said, I have the Green Bag Tag which will eventually get me $1, and on Black Friday I hope to get the Herbal Essences which is $2.99/$2 ECBs back but I have a coupon for a free one, so that would be another $2 profit, getting me back in the game. I must confess, I'm underwhelmed on the Black Friday deals this year - even if I had ECBs to spend, the profit opportunities are small and the freebies just aren't things I care about. Bah. I hope some great deals are in the pipeline CVS!

Total OOP: $52.60 ($27.43 tax)
Total merchandise: 24 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 4 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade, 1 "Green Bag Tag", 1 tube antibiotic ointment, 1 carton epsom salts.

Current ECB status: $8.00

Sunday, November 1, 2009

CVS - Newspaper, green bag tag (plus Target after Halloween)

No deals struck my fancy this week. I thought I could get free Listerine since I found one last $2 manufacturer's coupon and had the $1 CVS coupon from the flu shot book, but the CVS coupon is for the 1 liter size and the sale is on the half-liter size. Ah well.

I bought:
1 double Sunday paper - $2.50
1 Green Bag Tag - 99 cents.

I used $2 ECBs that were going to expire on Tuesday and $1.56 (I think - will come back to fix) OOP. Got nothing back.

CVS had already cleared the shelves of all Halloween items. And Target had only marked down its candy 30% - not 50%. Disappointing! (I still got some candy at Target, and I used a $1 Dove coupon to get some bags of Dove for $1.44 - not bad. I also got my daughter a Halloween hoodie for next year, a Halloween T-shirt for...someday, and some hand towels with monsters on them, all for 50% off.)

Total OOP: $51.34 ($26.96 tax)
Total merchandise: 24 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 4 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade, 1 "Green Bag Tag".

Current ECB status: $14.99

Sunday, October 18, 2009

CVS - Free-with-profit Glade candle, cheap Cascade and baby wipes

I'm back from vacation and I'm going to try to make the numbers below as accurate as possible to include all the spending I did on our trip and today.

Today I bought:
1 double Sunday paper - $2.50
1 CVS photo book - $7.99 [I had a raincheck - usually these are $12.99]
1 tub of CVS baby wipes - $2.50
1 Glade candle - $6.99
1 package of Cascade actionpaks - $4

I used $17 in ECBs (I had a $10 and a $7 that were close to expiring and the upcoming deals just aren't inspiring enough for me to have waited), $3/Glade, $2/photo book from the flu shot coupon booklet (my favorite cashier gave me one - HEADS UP this only took off $1 and he manually gave me the other $1 off! But this also was a last minute bonus so I threw in the Cascade at the last minute to take advantage of it since it was on sale and we use it all the time) and my photo book raincheck. I paid $3.48 OOP. I got back $6.99 for the Glade candle and $8 for the photobook thanks to the raincheck. Also apparently I put $4 (the Cascade) toward a larger P&G deal to get a free DVD?

Plus my cashier gave me a heads up that photobooks may be on sale (he didn't say free, just on sale) on Black Friday. I hope he's right - I want more of them for my family members!

Photobucket

Total OOP: $49.78 ($26.89 tax)
Total merchandise: 23 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 6 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 4 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count), 1 package of moleskin, 1 package of pantyhose, 1 big Glade candle, 1 tub of CVS baby wipes, 1 package of Cascade.

Current ECB status: $16.06

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

CVS - Spent ECBs...

This is a placeholder post - I spent $2 in ECBs on some moleskin we needed to fix my daughter's carseat. In retrospect, I could've spent more ECBs and less OOP (I spent about $2.50 OOP) to do this. Ah well, vacation makes things weird.

Will update all the stats later.

ETA: and $3 spent on pantyhose on 10/9 - paid 99cents OOP.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

CVS - Free nail polish, free toothpaste, more

I spent some more ECBs because I'm on vacation and they were expiring soon and there were things we needed.

I bought:
1 travel pack of 4 CVS razors
1 travel pack of baby wipes
1 Revlon nail polish
1 Colgate toothpaste
1 bottle CVS-brand ibuprofen

[I bought my newspaper elsewhere.]

I used $1/Colgate, $1/Revlon (beeped but the cashier pushed it through without a word), $9.98 in ECBs. I paid 72 cents (45 cents tax) and got back $5.

[picture coming soon]

Total OOP: $42.77 ($25.24 tax)
Total merchandise: 22 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 6 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 3 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 4 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion, 1 Revlon nail polish, 1 4-pack CVS razors, 1 bottle CVS ibuprofen (24 count).

Current ECB status: $23.07

Sunday, September 27, 2009

CVS - Free with profit Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion

Yup, I went back to another CVS and got one of the Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotions. (I got the "Botanical" version.)

It was $7.99.
I used $1.50 printable and $6 ECBs. I paid $1.05 OOP (yuck - 56 cents tax) and got back $7.

[no picture so far, sorry]

Total OOP: $42.05 ($24.79 tax)
Total merchandise: 22 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 2 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 4 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos, Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion.

Current ECB status: $28.05

CVS - Free Accu-Check Aviva monitors to roll some ECBs

This was the kind of week I don't like, where I basically bought things just to roll some ECBs and not because I wanted/needed them. And the store was out of the Vaseline lotion (the shelf had many spots, all were empty) so I have to go somewhere else to get that, though I got a raincheck for it just in case.

I bought:
2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors - $29.98
1 double Sunday paper - $2.50
2 3-packs of glue sticks - $1.98 with raincheck
1 travel pack of tissues - 50 cents (filler)
5 photo prints - $1.45

Used $5/$25, 2x$10/Aviva, 5 free photo prints coupon, $9.99 in ECBs (adjusted down to $9.96). Paid 36 cents OOP (all tax). Got back $12 (including $2 - rounded up - for the glue sticks). So a $2 profit.

If I can find the Vaseline in another store, I will roll another $6 ECB (paying about $1 OOP I guess but making a profit with the $1.50 coupon) but I'll still have $9.98 in ECBs that will expire while I'm on vacation, so I'll have to go to CVS then too (shouldn't be a problem, I'll just get some of the free nail polish next week or something).

Photobucket

Total OOP: $41.00 ($23.74 tax)
Total merchandise: 22 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 5 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 2 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 4 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs, 2 3-packs CVS glue sticks, 2 Accu-Check Aviva monitors, 5 printed photos.

Current ECB status: $27.05

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I love freebies!

I sign up for freebies all the time. I love free stuff and I love getting mail!

But the past two days have been an avalanche of freebies in my mailbox!

- Free sample of Burt's Bees acne treatment
- Free full-sized sample of Fancy Feast Appetizers for Cats (plus coupon)
- Free full-sized granola bar from Bear Naked (DELICIOUS) (plus coupon)
- Free booklet of coupons for healthy and organic items from Mambo Sprouds
- Free kids' activity booklets that included a coupon from Organic Valley
- Amazon.com order bought with credits won through Swagbucks.com
- Reusable bag from Chi Chis.

Have you gotten any cool freebies lately?

Sunday, September 20, 2009

CVS - Free Crest Pro-Health toothpaste

It was a pretty skimpy week at CVS.

1 double paper - $2.50
1 Crest Pro-Health Enamel Care toothpaste - $2.99

I used a $1/Crest coupon that I got at my dentist's office, $4 in ECBs. Paid 70 cents OOP (21 cents tax). Got back $2. Didn't roll my $7.99 that expires on the 29th like I wanted to but next week there's free (with coupon and ECBs) lotion for that amount so it will be OK.

I also forgot to look to see if the small boxes of Wheat Thins are $1 (I have two printable $1 coupons that would make them free) - do you know? (I can go back later in the week. And my store really wanted me to use my photobook rain check today because they are having a contest with other stores in the area, but I forgot to bring my digital pictures and I didn't really have time to do it today anyway. But they are winning, hooray!

So next week will hopefully allow me to roll a bunch of bucks by combining rainchecks, coupons, and deals...

[No picture since I barely got anything.]

Total OOP: $40.64 ($23.38 tax)
Total merchandise: 21 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 4 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 2 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 2 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 4 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs.

Current ECB status: $27.04

Sunday, September 13, 2009

CVS - Free Listerine, free Colgate toothpaste, free energy shot, cheap everything else

Before you go any further, check out this article I just wrote about how to save money by packing bento-style meals for your family - they're fun and nutritious AND thrifty! (I'm really proud of this article - I hope you'll like it!)

Today I did everything I set out to do:

1. I spent down my ECBs to a more manageable amount.
2. I got things I need and use - contact lens solution, Listerine, toilet paper, the newspaper.
3. I got just about everything on my list. (I was going to get two more small Glade candles with my $3 coupons but they were out.)

Transaction 1:
1 double Sunday paper - $2.50
1 twin-pack of Renu contact lens solution - $7.99
2 bottles of Purex laundry detergent - 6.98
1 12-pack of Cottonelle toilet paper - $5.99
1 tube of Colgate Total Enamel Care tooth paste - $2.99
3 bottles of Listerine Total Care mouthwash - $11.97
1 energy shot pack - $4.99

Subtotal: $43.41 (wish I'd had an X/XX but I didn't)

Used $1/Colgate (from a Kroger special coupon insert, though there is also one in today's paper), 2x35 cents/Purex, $2/Renu CRT, $2/Renu printable, 3x$2/Listerine. Then handed over $33.87 in ECBs (this included $2.71 on a money card that I've been counting in my ECB total). Pre-tax total was 55 cents. Tax was $3.04, but the money card took care of most of that. I paid 88 cents OOP - one of my best OOPs ever! And I got back $13.99 in ECBs.

Transaction 2:
1 energy shot pack - $4.99
Handed over $4.99 in ECBs. Paid 35 cents tax (aw, it doesn't zero out anymore - I knew but...this was the first time I really saw it). Got back $4.99 (rolled it).

Photobucket

Total OOP: $39.94 ($23.17 tax)
Total merchandise: 20 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 4 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 1 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 2 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 4 bottles Renu (one sensitive, three regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen, 1 12-pack Cottonelle toilet paper, 1 Colgate Enamel Care toothpaste, 3 bottles Listerine Total Care, 2 bottles Purex, 2 Dyna energy shot packs.

Current ECB status: $25.04

Friday, September 11, 2009

CVS - Scenario for 9/13/09

I'm starting to figure out my plans for this weekend. As always, this post may change (or even disappear completely) over time.

I have a $6 ECB that expires on the 15th that I need to spend, and a $15-and-change that expires on the 22nd (so I have a bit of time for that but...).

I plan on getting two of the energy drinks - they are $4.99/get $4.99 and I am going to see if I have any $5 ECBs to roll and buy them one at a time.

I am going to "spend" some of my bucks on the Cottonelle 12-pack for $5.99 - that's a good price and we can always use TP.

I found two $2/Listerine coupons and one $1/Listerine coupon in my pile (and I feel like I should have one more $2 - if I have time before Sunday I'll dig around...) so I'm definitely getting three bottles. It's fine with me to spend the $1 on all three because I use this stuff and I'd rather have Total Care than the others in my stash.

I so far haven't been able to get the Dove deodorant coupon to print but if I can, I'll probably get two of those and spend another $1.

And then of course I need the newspaper.

So I'll probably end up with about $10 fewer in ECBs than I started with (I don't see any overage deals so far that I'm interested in fiddling with) but I feel like $30-ish is more manageable, especially since I'm going on vacation in a few weeks and may not even be anywhere near a CVS. PLUS in November is Black Friday - just around the corner! - and I know I'll roll my bucks back up again!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

CVS - Spending down the ECBs

We needed more infant ibuprofen, so I gave my husband a $6.99 ECB that was going to expire on the 15th. (I also have a $6 expiring on the 15th and a $15 expiring on the 22nd, and the deals are slim so I'll be spending spending spending this weekend and next, I think.)

He bought 1 bottle of CVS-brand infant ibuprofen for $8.29.

Used $6.99 ECB. Paid $1.88 OOP (58 cents tax). I wish I'd given him the money card too, but he likes things to be simple...

Total OOP: $39.06 ($22.29 tax)
Total merchandise: 20 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 4 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 1 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 2 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 2 bottles Renu (one sensitive, one regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit, 1 bottle infant ibuprofen.

Current ECB status: $46.92

Sunday, September 6, 2009

CVS - Expired ECBs, free Lifelock starter kit, free razors

Before you go any further, check out this article I just wrote about how to save money by packing bento-style meals for your family - they're fun and nutritious AND thrifty!

I woke up this morning and decided to skip CVS - the deals weren't that great and there are no coupons in today's paper, so why not. But then a few hours later I checked my ECBs and realized in a panic that I had $9 that expired last Tuesday! If it had been a dollar or two I might've just written it off, but $9 is a LOT. So out I went, because I know some stores do take expired ECBs and I figured I'd have the best luck at my favorite CVS with the staff who know me by now.

My goal was to spend as close to $9 as possible.

The store only had one pack of the disposable razors that are on sale, and that pack was rather hidden in a bin. And the cashiers didn't know where the Lifelock thing was and told me they didn't think they had it in the store, but I found it randomly stuck to an endcap near the seasonal stuff. I actually was considering buying a hair towel ($5, may get it next week) and happened to look at the rest of the rack and found them. So then I grabbed a three-pack of the CVS paper towels, because we need them and they are on sale this week for $1.99. Other things I considered included the nearly-free Scope stuff, but I have been destashing my toothpaste like crazy and I didn't have the coupon with me anyway. And I must admit, I eyeballed the ridiculous margarita blender that's $30 - if it will crush ice, it may be something I'll grab next week.

I handed over my ECBs first, and they beeped, but the cashier pushed them through. Hooray! Then I handed over the coupon for the razors, making my pre-tax total negative 3 cents. I paid the 81 cents in sales tax with my money card, so I had a ZERO OOP today. Got back $6.99 - a loss of $2.01 in ECBs, but not a loss of $9!

Next week I need to spend a LOT of bucks that are expiring. Today's lesson learned: I cannot deal with having so many ECBs on hand, and I really need to cut back. I'll be getting toilet paper and other necessities next week, I'm sure.

Photobucket

Total OOP: $37.18 ($21.71 tax)
Total merchandise: 20 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 4 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 3 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 1 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 2 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 2 bottles Renu (one sensitive, one regular), 1 pack of Schick disposable sensitive razors, 1 Lifelock starter kit.

Current ECB status: $53.91

Sunday, August 30, 2009

CVS - Moneymaking Glade candle and moneymaking Clairol Living Color hair dye

Before you read any further, check out information about a great contest in which you can win free groceries for a year! (Plus you can print some great coupons for pasta after you enter.)

This got a bit more complicated than it needed to be thanks to one mistake I made, but I think in the end I did pretty well and that I managed to spend a *few* of my ECBs. I saw in the store that a storage card for my camera is on sale so I probably will go back and buy that with ECBs to get rid of the $15 one...

Anyway.

Transaction 1:

1 double Sunday paper - $2.50
1 Glade candle (4.9 oz.) - $6.99 [note that this is the middle size - the biggest size also seems to be free, but I liked the scent of this one best]
1 Glade candle (2 oz) - $3.29
1 Clairol Living Color hair dye - $4.99
2 tubs baby wipes - $4.48
1 travel pack of baby wipes - 99 cents

I used $4/$20 Readyfill, $3/Glade printable (thank you to awshucks at the iheartcvs community on livejournal for the tip on this one - it's at redplum.com, use zip code 77530), $4/Clairol, and apparently I handed over the $2/Renu CRT and it went through OOPS! (I bought that in transaction 2 so don't yell!) (Now I know why my total was so weird - I'll get back to this later - but it's really weird that it went through.) Then I used $10 in ECBs (I had to throw in the travel pack of baby wipes to avoid paying a lot OOP and to use that $10) and paid $1.59 OOP ($1.35 tax). Got back $8.99 PLUS the $1 ECB that CVS corporate promised me. I honestly was a bit confused as to how this all worked out but I just went with it.

Transaction 2:

2 bottles of Renu contact lens solution - $15.98

I used 2x$2/Renu printables, $3/$10 eye care Readyfill coupon. I had worked this out at home where my total would be $6.98 and it was $8.98 - now I know that's because I accidentally gave the $2 Renu CRT with the earlier transaction! I handed over exactly $8.98 in ECBs, paid 91 cents OOP (all tax) and got back $6. (So technically in this transaction I should've used $6.98 and gotten back $6. Weird!)

(I'm now debating returning the sensitive Renu after all - it doesn't remove protein deposits like the regular does, and that's one of the main reasons I like using Renu - I'd just exchange it 1:1 if they'll let me.)

Then I left the store (skipping the toothpaste deal because seriously I don't need more toothpaste), got in my car, and realized I hadn't used my free small Glade candle coupon! And really, I only got that small candle *because* it was going to be free. So I went back in, returned the candle, got a money card for $3.52, and then re-bought it with the free coupon (yay free candle). Paid 23 cents tax OOP.

So in the end I spent $18.98 in ECBs and got back $18.51 (including the money card, which includes tax so it gives me a bit of a boost). Not bad considering many of the things I got today weren't even ECB-generating or weren't free-after-ECB! And then I got the $1 from corporate, so I came out ahead! (I think - my math is a bit wonky...)

Photobucket

Total OOP: $37.18 ($21.71 tax)
Total merchandise: 20 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 4 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 2 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 1 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 3 tubs CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 2 travel packs CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners, 1 big Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 mini Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle, 1 Clairol Living Color hair dye, 2 bottles Renu (one sensitive, one regular).

Current ECB status: $56.73

Saturday, August 29, 2009

CVS - Scenario for 8/30 and an update

First the update! CVS corporate emailed me and apologized and is giving me a $1 ECB to replace the one I lost. Hooray!

Second, my plans. I have all sorts of things I want/need this week and a $4/$20 I'd like to use. So I'm going to get some of the following, depending on what my store has in stock.

1 double Sunday paper - $2.50
1 Glade candle - $6.99 - I have a $2 printable coupon for this. I also have a feeling my store is going to be out of the candles, but I REALLY want one.
1 Clairol hair color - $4.99 - I have a $4 coupon for this, and I've been thinking it maybe time to dye my hair again.
2 boxes of baby wipes - they're on sale buy one, get one 50% off. We need these. We use cloth wipes too but sometimes we use the wet wipes for various things.
Possibly either the Aquafresh or Sensodyne toothpaste - I have a $1 coupon for each that would make them $1 after ECBs. The products look interesting and I really want to SPEND some of my bucks.

That should bring me to $20.

THEN:

2 bottles of Renu - $7.99 x2 - I have a $2 CRT for the Sensitive Eyes and two $2 printable coupons for the Sensitive Eyes and two for the fresh lenses, plus $3/$12 eye care from the Readyfill booklet. This is my eye care solution of choice and I'm running low, though I still have a bunch of bottles of Complete eye solution that I got for free a while back too. This is all IF the Sensitive Eyes version is part of the sale. But even if it isn't, I'll probably go for it.

AND (Thanks to moneysavingmom.com)

1 Aquafresh, 1 Sensodyne, use two $1 printables and the $2/$10 oral care Readyfill coupon, get both for free. (Throw in a penny Arm&Hammer trial toothpaste if they have any left to get to 9.99.)

OTHER OPTIONS:
1 photobook - I still have my rain check for $7.99/$7.99.
I also still have a rain check for glue sticks (my Sunday store hasn't had them but the walking distance CVS has), as well as coupons for free small Glade candles (haven't yet seen these in any of my local stores), free Rice Krispies (my husband wants Cocoa Krispies though, and CVS doesn't have those that I've seen), and today I got free Lipton tea bags. All of these could be filler to get to $20.

Seriously, I think $30 in ECBs is manageable for me personally, and I have nearly $60! I may start buying toilet paper, paper towels, and more baby wipes or something. I also wanted a new memory card for my camera, so I might grab one of those. I have a $15+ ECB that I want to get rid of!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

CVS - More free and money-making Poise liners

Quick dash into CVS to max out the Poise deal. No word from corporate yet on the adjusted ECB (I don't actually expect them to do anything).

Bought 4 packs of Poise liners.
Used 4x$2/Poise printables. Paid 56 cents OOP (all tax). Got back $2 ECBs. Yay!

(no picture - if you need to see what they look like, check my previous entry)

Total OOP: $34.45 ($19.22 tax)
Total merchandise: 19 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 4 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 2 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 1 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 1 tub CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 1 travel pack CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 10 packs of Poise liners.

Current ECB status: $56.13

Sunday, August 23, 2009

CVS - Trip two and three of the day, moneymaking Poise (but then a hard math lesson to learn)

I'm so annoyed right now - and I really have no right to be. I walked to the other CVS and they had a TON of Poise pads, but I didn't want to use a bunch of printables at once, so I used 2 printables and 2 of the beauty booklet Poise coupons.

I bought 4 packs of Poise liners - 2 of one size, 2 of another.

In my head, I had decided my total was going to be around $2 so I handed over the coupons and a $1.98 ECB - the smallest one I had. My total was 56 cents (all tax) and I got $2 back. Fine, right? Except after I left the store I looked at my receipt and realized the guy had adjusted my ECB to $1! Without asking! And it's really my fault for not doing the math right in my head but...argh. I hate losing money, even if it's not much. In any case, I broke even and I'll be going back later in the week to max out the deal. I really can't complain too much as I have over $50 in ECBs right now and am looking to pare down, if anything, and if I max out the deal I'll have $3 more...BUT ARGH.

ETA: Went to a different CVS and got 2 more packs of Poise. Totals below updated.

ETA2: Emailed CVS through the website, gave all details from my receipt and explained that it's not the 98 cents, it's that he adjusted without telling me.

Photobucket

Total OOP: $33.89 ($18.66 tax)
Total merchandise: 19 double Sunday papers, 3 single Sunday papers, 4 boxes Throat Coolers, 1 Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, 8 packs of Stayfree maxi pads, 1 box of sheer Band Aids, 4 boxes of Soy Joy bars, 20 Soy Joy bars, 1 pack of Nutra Trim gum, 6 bottles Dawn, 4 travel packs of tissues, 7 greeting cards, 2 boxes 5 ct. allergy meds, 2 3-packs of CVS brand paper towels, 1 box of CVS cold medicine (Dayquil-ish), 1 Gillette shampoo, 1 Gillette conditioner, 1 Gillette shampoo+conditioner, 1 box of 30 Breathe Right strips, 4 Gillette Gamer razors, 4 L'Oreal towelettes, 1 KY product, 1 CVS toilet paper, 1 10-count Excedrin, 1 chewable aspirin, 2 Johnson's Buddies soaps, 1 20 oz. Dr. Pepper, 2 small CVS mouthwashes, 10 25-count CVS cotton rounds, 4 small boxes of Wheat Thins, 1 Boost Kid Essentials, 2 Cascade Action Pacs, 2 bags of Halls cough drops, 2 Energy Shots 2 pack, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 1 small box Breathe Right strips, 5 bottles Suave body wash, 2 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo, 2 bottles Herbal Essences conditioner, 1 Snickers heart candy, 2 bottles Mylanta Mint, 1 Fruitopia shampoo, 2 Venus Spa Breeze razors, 1 Renuzit Tri-Scent starter kit, 1 box 10-count Carnation Instant Breakfast, 2 single-serving Pringles, 1 bottle Vaseline lotion, 1 tube Crest toothpaste, 1 bottle Irish Spring body wash, 5 Dry Idea roll on deodorants, 1 Colgate Max White, 3 Colgate Max Fresh, 1 Crest Pro-Health Enamel, 2 Hylands teething tablets, 2 Skintimate shave gels, 1 pack Juicyfruit gum, 1 Softsoap coconut scrub, 2 Colgate sensitive toothpastes, 1 Zantrex 2-pack, 1 Adidas deodorant, 3 Contour monitors, 1 Bayer quick-release aspirin, 1 tub CVS-brand baby wipes, 2 bags Purina dog treats, 1 box of Playtex tampons, 2 boxes of Hello Kitty bandaids, 1 Clearasil face wash, 3 Speed Stick pro deodorants, 1 diet Dr. Pepper, 2 Gillette Fusion razors, 3 Powerades, 2 Thermacare wraps, 2 packs CVS panty liners, 3 boxes Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal, 2 rolls CVS tape, 2 bottles school glue, 8 10-packs of pens, 2 rulers, 3 scissors, 4 1-subject notebooks, 3 Dove chocolate bars, 1 Bayer Breeze2 monitor, 5 photobooks, 1 photo DVD, 2 small packs of almonds, 4 packs of filler paper, 2 vinyl binders, 2 small memo pads, 3 bubble mailers, 4 composition books, 2 packs of Pilot pens, 3 caramels, 2 packs of sticky notes, 3 boxes Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, 1 Blink Tears, 5 bottles Softsoap Serum, 1 Revlon mineral mousse, 1 travel pack CVS baby wipes, 6 Twix bars, 1 Milky Way dark bar, 1 Axe shampoo/bonus hair gel, 2 mini composition books, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift deep set wrinkle repair, 1 L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Duo, 6 Red Cross first aid kits, 1 pair Phillips headphones, 4 packs of Carefree panty liners, 1 trial size Arm&Hammer toothpaste, 6 packs of Poise liners.

Current ECB status: $54.13