Score at CVS!!

I have been out of town and haven't done a lot of shopping lately, but I did make a run out today to CVS since I noticed that their Purex is B1G1F. I still have Purex B1G1F qs left to make for FREE laundry detergent! (Sorry, didn't get a pic before I hurried and put things away while the kids were sleeping!)

YMMV on this one though, my CVS openly takes expired q's and EB's.

8 Purex detergent @ $6.49 ea - B1G1F sale - 4 B1G1F qs (expired) = FREE
6 Glade soy candles @ $3.49 ea - 6 Free qs (expired) = FREE
2 Orbit multi-packs @ $1.50 ea - 2 $1/1 IP = .50 ea (also goes toward buy $10 in easter candy get $3 EB)
2 hairspray @ $2.49 = 4.98
- $5/$20 CVS q
- $4 EB (expired)
- green bag tag scan
Total: $.72 OOP!!

Thanks to a tip by Arizona Savings, I gave my EB before the MQs. Doing this will make the EB cover your tax. If I tried to give it to her after the MQs it would have beeped and only allowed for the amount before tax. Since in AZ we pay tax on the pre-coupon price, this is a great way to reduce your OP.

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On a side note, here's a tip I'm learning more and more of. My FP baby monitor stopped working one day- I had the volume up, they transmitter and receiver were on the same channel, they were both plugged in, etc. It just stopped working. Instead of just throwing it away I decided to call the number on the instruction manual. I talked to a nice lady who took my information, got some info about the monitor and what was going on. She said it sounded like the transmitter was bad and ordered me a new one- FREE OF CHARGE!! How awesome is that? It always pays to ask!

Catching Up!! CVS, Target, WG's

I have been such a blog slacker this past week! I have really been focusing on catching up on things that have been neglected lately [read: my floors really needed to be cleaned, among other things!], and really haven't been doing much coupon shopping. I do apologize for the lack of posting though! I did manage to work out a few deals though:

WG's:
Stopped into a WG's I don't normally go to and found the Ghiradelli Luxe chocolate bars on clearance for $.65 from $2.59. The best part is that the September coupon booklet (found by the ads) has a q for $1/2, so only $.15 each!! I snagged 26 of them, plan to use for melting during the holidays. (Believe it or not, I didn't even take them all and I showed another lady the deal so she got some too!). Look out for other chocolate clearance, I saw Hershey's Bliss on clearance for $1.29 and there are $1 mq's out there.
26 chocolate bars @ $.65 - $13 from WG's $1/2 q (you only have to give them one 1 and it will take off $1 for every 2 you buy)
Total: $4.02

Target:
10 Pop Tarts clearanced to 1.28 - .75 Target q - $1/2 mq
4 Rimmell mascara (only show 1) @ 2.24 - $2 mq
Pumice stone (not on sale or q, but I really need this for hard water marks on my toilets)
Huggie's wipes @ 1.47 - $1.50 Huggie's IP (no longer available but coupons.com has a $2 on any diaper product q)
Comet @ .89
Total: $5.36, paid with a g.c.
++I will submit the Pop Tarts for the $10 Kellogg's rebate, so essentially a $9.70 MM!!
If you haven't done this rebate already, remember the last day to have your stuff postmarked is 9/30!

CVS:
1 Contour glucose monitors, raincheck to $14.99
Hefty trash bags @ 9.49 - $2 mq
Revlon eye shadow @ 6.19 - $3 CRT - $1 mq (could have used 2 if I had them with me)
- $5/$30 email
- $3 EB
Total: $3.52, paid with a g.c.
++ I earned $10 EB for the Contours

CVS

Ran over to CVS yesterday since I had EB that were expiring. I was wanting to use up some of the rain checks that I have but they were still out of some items, although I did use my Febreeze rain check. Just a tip, when they give you a rain check on items that you have to buy $x.xx amount and get $x.xx EB and there are multiple items that count toward your total, clip out the ad and staple it to your rain check. It really makes things easier when checking out!

4 Febreeze noticeables starters @ $6.50 - (4) $5 mq and (1) $3 mq
2 Febreeze fabric odor eliminators @ $5 - B1G1F mq*
LA Looks gel $3.99 - $1 mq
Children's Advil clearanced to $.69 - $1 mq adjusted to $.69
Barbie kite clearanced to $.39
4th of july garland and flags, clearanced to $.50 ea
- $4/$20 CVS q from pharmacy (ask about their RediFill program and they are supposed to give you a booklet that has 2 of these q's)
- $5 EB
Total = $5.10
++ I earned $15 EB for the Febreeze

*I had another $5 EB I was going to use buy he said I would lose $2.xx on it since my subtotal was only $2.xx. I thought I had it figured out better than that where I would be able to use it. If there weren't people behind me I would have ran back and got something I needed, like hairspray to cover it and be able to use it. I looked at my receipt later and it looks like he scanned the B1G1F q twice so that is why my total was so low and I wasn't able to use my EB.

My CVS had their summer stuff at 75% off so some good deals there too.

Also hit up Target one last time for the q's that expired yesterday. Didn't get a picture though:

3 Skittles @ $.52 - (3) $1 Target q
2 Kid Essential nutrition drinks @ 7.99- (2) $5 mq - (2) $2 Target q
10 Buddie's soaps @ .97 - (10) $1 Target q adjusted to .97
4 J&J safety swabs @ 1.29 - (4) $1 Target q
14 cereal cups @ $1 - (14) $1 Target q's
2 Glade soy candles @ $2.37 - (2) $3 IP
8 AF string cheese @ $.40 - (4) $1/2 Target q
Microphone toy @ $2.50 (starting to stock up for stocking stuffers!)
Total: $3.44

CVS Today + New Week of Grocery Shopping!

I was in desperate need of some hair spray and have EB expiring this weekend. I always love it when I have EB to use when I'm buying things that I couldn't necessarily get cheap/free any other way!

2 hairspray @ 2.69
1 Hershey's bar for s'mores @ 1.99
1 pkg cookies for camping on clearance @ .25
- $1.99 CVS q for FREE chocolate bar (not only was this expired, but I couldn't find the CVS brand chocolate bars. She told me they accepted the expired CVS q's and that I could get a Hershey one instead!)
- $5 EB
Total = $.67

Remaining balance for the week: $35.98 - $.67 = $35.31

Don't forget the new grocery ads start this week. Be sure to check your PYP board for any great deals in your area! If you're in AZ, Fry's is still quadrupling coupons and taking competitor's coupons! There was a $3/$30 Fresh & Easy q in the ad today, or try this link for a $10/$50 q! Remember at Fry's, give these to the cashier first then the rest of your coupons, unlike at Albertsons where your total has to be $30 or $50 (if using those coupons) after all other coupons.

Speaking of Albertson's, they are also quadrupling this week! (If you're not in AZ you may want to call your store first to find out if they are as stores in Idaho/Utah are owned by a different company than the ones here :)

Learning the ropes!

I got this email from one of my friends, just wanted to share it! I used to feel the same way about WG's and CVS until I really started learning the ropes of getting great deals there. Now I they are 2 of my favorite stores for coupon shopping! I didn't learn in one trip though, so just keep going bit by bit and you'll be a pro before long! As always, feel free to ask any questions!

Love the blog, I do have to say its kind of addicting, I have told everyone about it. I used to hate walgreens and CVS thinking that everything was so over priced. I was very nervous to try it out, but went for the first time today and did good. The only thing I need to do better is the whole 1st transaction and then the 2nd, so that way I dont end up with a bunch of RR just chillin in my wallet. I am learning a lot keep it coming....

Cheap/Free snacks at CVS!

My favorite store has done it once again! Go on over here and you can print coupons from the CVS website. The first coupon that shows up for me is $1 off Frito Lay, including Smartfood. I know the other day I was in there I saw a (small) bag of Smartfood snacks for $.88. I'm not sure how big it was though and the coupon is good for 5 oz or larger. Hopefully we can get cheap/free snacks with it!

Don't forget to hit the back button on your browser to print it again.

$5/$25 CVS coupon and 8/9 CVS deals

If you've been thinking about giving CVS a try, now is a great time! Go on over here and take the short health quiz. You will then be able to print the coupon. Mine is good until 8/22 and you can print it multiple times but it will alert the cashier that it has already been used. You may use a different computer though to take the quiz and print another. Be sure to hand it first to the cashier.

Here are the best deals for the week:

Contour Meter $14.99 get $5 eb Limit 1
-$14.99 Bayer Breeze2 or Contour Meter, up to $30 SS 3/22/09

M&M Mars singles 2/$1
-$1 off 2 Snickers, Twix, 3 Musketeers or Milky Way Brand Singles Bars(2.0 -2.13 oz), any RP 7/26/09
also qualifies towards candy get $5 eb WYB $15 Limit 5

Revlon Colorstay Mineral Mousse $9.99 get $9.99 eb
-$1 Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, any SS 7/19/09

Sharpie Accent Highlighters 4 pk $.99
-$1 Sharpie accent highlighters

Even if you didn't have any EB or coupons from the paper you could start your CVS trippin' with this coupon:
1 Contour - $14.99
1 Revlon - $9.99
1 Sharpie highlighter - $.99
Total = $25.97
- $5/$25
- $1 Sharpie IP
Pay $19.98 and get $5 EB and $9.99 EB

This isn't GREAT, but if you're looking to get into it this week it is a start. If you had a Contour coupon you would only pay $4.98 and get the same EB.

If your coupon doesn't expire until 8/22 like mine then you could wait until next week when there are more school supplies free after EB.

• Caliber Recycled School box $1.99 get $1.99 eb Limit 2 3 Day Sale


• CVS brand or Caliber Filler paper 150 sheets $.99 get $.99 eb Limit 2 3 Day Sale


• CVS brand or Caliber mini composition notebook $1.99 get $1.99 eb Limit 2 3 Day Sale


• Paper Mate Pens $.99 get $.99 eb Limit 2 3 Day Sale


• Philips Earhook Headphones $6.99 get $6.99 eb Limit 1 3 Day Sale

Also, don't forget to ask the pharmacist about the ReadyFill program and they will give you a $25 coupon booklet with 2 coupons for $4/$20 purchase plus others! (They are advertising all over that you get the coupons just for ASKING, although I've had 2 pharmacists tell me you had to sign up for the program to get it. You can gently remind them that it says you only have to ASK!)

Using this coupon you could get everything that is FAEB, plus throw in a filler that is at least $1.09, use the $4/$20, pay $16 and get back $18.91 in EB.

From iheartcvs

WG's & CVS

I returned to WG's to pick up my ink and they were still stocked with Ragu and Skippy so I decided to pick up some more. The color ink cartridge failed, meaning they couldn't sell it to me. When this happens these usually still work for a while so I basically got a free refill. The bad news is that they changed the price on the ink refills for $12.99 for either black or color. Black used to be $10. Sorry, no pics for right now. I'll try to get them up later.

1st order:
4 Ragu @ $2 ea
4 Skippy PB @ $2 ea
- (3) $5 RR (these were from a while ago when it didn't print at the register. I called and they mailed them to me)
Total = $1
+ I received a $10 RR for buying 8 Unilever items

2nd order:
1 black ink refill @ $12.99 (ugh! I'm going to have to check but I think I can buy a new one at Target for about this price!)
- $10 RR from previous purchase
Total = $4.07

CVS

1st order:
1 Contour glucose monitor, raincheck priced to $19.99 - $19.99 mq
1 pkg Pampers @ $10. Would have had a $3 mq for this but it wouldn't scan and the grouchy cashier would not manually enter it! I hate it when they are stingy! I may take it back with my receipt and try to get them to take it.
1 Skippy PB @ $2
2 Chocolate eggs @ $.50 ea (thanks to the 2 yr old that tried to bite into both of them!)
- $4/$20 (coupon given for asking about the Readyfill program at the pharmacy. The pharmacist told me that I had to sign up for the program even though there was a sign right in front of me advertising the coupon book when you ASK about the program. When I pointed that out he gave me one)
- $5 EB
Total = $4.87
+ I earned $5 EB for the Contour (Raincheck from last month) and $3 for the Skippy (I bought the other $8 in items earlier) and a CRT for free Absolute Divine chocolate bar!

2nd order:
1 Contour glucose monitor machine, raincheck priced to $19.99 - $19.99 mq
1 Pampers diapers @ $10 (I didn't even try to use this coupon!)
1 Vapomist plug in clearanced to $2.20 (I used these a lot on DD when she would get sick)
1 Snicker's bar $.22 (the little stinker bit into this one too!)
- $4/$20
- $5 EB
Total = $4.09
+ I earned another $5 EB for the Contour and $5 EB for buying 2 Pampers

Not getting the Pampers coupons really hurt my budget here!

Remaining budget for the week: $18.08 - $1 - $4.87 - $4.09 = $8.12 (For right now I'm not including the ink in this budget as it technically is not groceries or h/b items)

Safeway & CVS

We to CVS this morning trying to get in on the deals for the week. As can be expected, everything I wanted to buy was gone. Oh well, got rainchecks and will go back once I get a $4/$20 q. Met Kelsie there to show her the ropes a little. She's going to do great! :)

I did try to get the Vitamin water MM again but it didn't go so well this time. The $3 EB didn't print. When I pointed it out to the cashier that my receipt says "Buy Vitamin water, get $3 EB" she was confused and called the manager who called the 1-888-SHOP-CVS line and was told it was supposed to print $3 EB when you buy a 12 pack. This is definitely a YMMV though as there have been a lot of posters talking about getting this still.

1st transaction:
1 Vitamin water @ $1.25
2 Ragu sauce @ 2/$4 (go toward the Buy $10 get $3 EB)
- $5 EB
Total = $.25

2nd transaction
1 Vitamin water @ $1.25
Shredded wheat clearanced @ $.47
1 caramel @ $.33 (filler item)
- $2 EB
Total = $.05

The cashier ran my 2nd order through while the manager was on the phone. I may return the Vitamin water since I really don't need it and didn't do a good job of rolling my EB with this one!


Safeway:
Safeway brand Diet Sprite (we like this for marinades) @ $.37 with in ad coupon
Quaker granola bars @ $.99 with in ad coupon
2 cans pineapple @ $.77
2.24 lb bananas @ $.59/lb
3 Honey Bunches of Oats @ $.199 - (1) $2 IP from here (look on the bottom right, only lets you print one) and (2) $1 mq from SS 7/26
7.92 lb Bottom round roast @ $1.77/lb = $14.03
- $1 catalina
- $2 catalina
- $14.28 gift card from months ago when I transferred my prescription there
Total = $7.53 EXCEPT I noticed when I got home that they must have scanned one of my roast twice because it shows that I got 4 packages. I will take my receipt in to get my $3.91, so actual Total = $3.62, Plus I got a $2 catalina for buying 3 Honey Bunches. I also got a raincheck as they were out of the almond kind and will buy 5 @ 1.99 - (5) $1 mq = $4.95 and get back a $5 catalina!

Rollover budget $22 - $.25- $.05- $3.62 = $18.08

WG's and CVS

Day 1 of my challenge and I'm already starting to feel a little nervous only because I really want to stock up on roast at Safeway for $1.77/lb and chicken will be on sale for $1.67/lb starting Wed. I need to replenish my stockpile as much as I can with these deals.

I stopped in at WG's before work today since I was a little early. I was excited to see that they had their photo stamps clearanced out to $7.59 from $30! I have read that these are on clearance but the only other one's I saw were still $14.99. That's cheaper than buying them at the Post Office, and you get to have any photo you choose put on them with free shipping. I also took advantage of the Unilever RR deal.
1st transaction:
8- Ragu pasta sauce @$2 = $16 - (4) $1/2 q from here (keep hitting the back button fo unlimited prints!) or use Ragu Pasta Sauce, any $1/2 (9-27-09) RP-8/2
Total = $12 Plus I earned a $10 RR for buying 8 items.

2nd transaction:
2 - Photo stamp kits @ $7.59
- $10 RR
Total = $5.52

Don't know what a RR is? Check out this explanation.

CVS
1st transaction:
Lemonade and Simply Orange Vitamin water @ $1.25 ea
1 CVS popcorn
2 strawberry & peanut butter M&M's clearanced @ $.22 ea
- $4 EB (adjusted to $3.96)
Total = $0 OOP!
+ I earned $3 EB for buying the Vitamin water and I got my free gift coupon for a 4 pack of batteries. These happen to be on sale B1G1F so next time I go I will get 2 packs FREE! I read about the Vitamin water producing $3 EB on SlickDeals. That means that you pay $1.25 for the Vitamin water and get back $3! Sounds like a $1.75 MM to me! It only works on certain flavors and it only gives you one no matter how many you buy in a single transaction.

2nd transaction:
1 Lemonade Vitamin water @ $1.25
1 Skippy peanut butter @ $2
- $3 EB from previous transaction
Total = $.25 OOP
+ I earned $3 EB for buying the Vitamin water

3rd transaction:
1 Simply orange Vitamin water @ $1.25
1 Skippy peanut butter @ $2
- $3 EB from previous transaction
Total = $.25 OOP
The EB from this transaction didn't print, I guess becase the Simply orange doesn't make it print. My receipt did say that I had not reached the offer limit so the manager checking me out manually printed the EB. This is a great new thing that they are able to do at CVS now so if your EB doesn't print say something and they can make it print for you.

I also got rainchecks for all the Back 2 School items that are free after EB (FAEB) as well as the Blink eye drops and Electrasol dishwashing tabs.

Budget: $40 - $12 - $5.52 - $.25- $.25 = $22 for the rest of the week.

CVS and WalMart, Part 2

I found a CVS that had more glucose monitors and I needed more diapers and to finish using the rest of my Hefty coupons at WalMart, so this looks very similar to the previous post.

CVS Order # 1 (DH's card since I had not bought any monitors on it and the limit is 2)
Bayer Breeze 2 glucose monitor @ $19.99 - $19.99 q = FREE
Bayer Contour glucose monitor @ $19.99 - $19.99 q = FREE
Pampers size 5 diapers @ $11.99 - $3 mq
8 packages Gold Emblem nuts @$.99 each = $7.92 - (4) $2/2 Gold Emblem nuts CRT = $.08 OVERAGE!
- $4/$20 coupon emailed to me
Total = $5.75 OOP
Plus, I earned $5 EB for Breeze 2 and $5 EB from Contour (monthly deal, limit 2)

CVS Order #2 (DH's card again)
Bayer Breeze 2 glucose monitor @ $19.99 - @19.99 q = FREE
Pampers size 1 diapers @ $11.99 - $3 mq
- $4/$20 coupon emailed to me
- $5 EB from previous order
Total = $.67 OOP
Plus I earned another $5 EB for the Breeze 2

Every time I go into CVS I scan my card on the little price scanner. It will print coupons and lately it has been printing these coupons for the Gold Emblem nuts EVERY TIME. Yeah! With my 3 cards I'm up to probably 20 or so packs of nuts. That's what you call cheap snacks!

WalMart
11 Hefty One Zip gallon and quart bags @ $1 = $11 - (11) $1 q = FREE
All You Magazine = $2.24
2 Nestle Pure Life flavored water @ $1 = $2 - (2) $1 IP = FREE
Total = $3.27 ($1.07 was tax)

So, I have my total of 26 Hefty One Zip bags - I think we're set for a while! I LOVE stockpiling this type of thing since I don't have to worry about it expiring and it's something we always need!

If you haven't heard of All You Magazine it's a monthly magazine that you can only pick up at WalMart (unless you have a subscription) and has tons of coupons in it. I thumbed through it to make sure the coupons were ones I would use which they were so I picked on up. They must have raised their prices though since they used to be under $2. A while ago you could get a yearly subscription on Amazon for $9.99 but it's gone back up to $19.99 right now. I wish I had ordered it then but I'll keep on the look out for another good deal for it.

I also like to get Pampers as much as I can for their Gifts to Grow program. Each package of diapers and wipes has a code inside that you enter in and get points. They have a rewards catalog with a variety of things worth different points. I've been keeping mine waiting for something to come along that I want and have 133 right now. I turned in points a while ago for a toy and only had to pay $7.99 shipping.

CVS and WalMart

CVS

1 Size 5 Pampers = $11.99 - $3 MQ (thanks Mallory!)
1 Breeze 2 Glucose meter = $19.99 - $19.99 MQ
6 packages nuts @ $.99 ea. = $5.94 - (3) $2/2 Gold Emblem Nuts CRT = $.06 overage
- $4/$20 coupon emailed to me
- $5 EB
Total = $.67 Plus I earned another $5 EB for the Breeze 2 (monthly deal, limit 2)

WalMart
(Just so you know, I'm not what you would call a "fan" of WalMart so you will probably see very few shopping trips there. I had coupons for Hefty One Zip that I ordered off Ebay because I knew I could get them free at WalMart)

15 Hefty One Zip gallon and quart bags (not all pictured) @ $1 = $15 - (15) $1 coupons = FREE
16 boxes Kraft mac-n-cheese (not all pictured) @$.50 = $8 - (4) B3G1F q = $6
3 - Nabisco Oreo Bite Size @ $1 = $3 (I needed these the other day and was in Fry's so I picked them up. They were $2.59! So when I went to WalMart and they were $1 I got 2 extra to return to Fry's)
1 package corn tortillas = $1.29
Total = $12.21 PLUS I will take the two Oreos back to Fry's and get $5.18 back so
actual OOP = $7.03