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!]

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 #]

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

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

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.