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).



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