Sunday, December 4, 2011

Couponing for Charity: 12/4-10


I recently gave coupon classes to my son's school and our church. So to guide those getting started, I thought I'd return to my Couponing for Charity posts for awhile. There are other deals to consider, but these are the best I see for charitable giving or the ones that work best for my family.

WALGREENS:
For all the match-ups, check Southern Savers.
For a pared down list, see Coupon Katie.

Since I try to minimize my OOP (out of pocket expense) and use all my RRs before I leave Walgreen's, here's what I bought:

Transaction #1:
  • 1 Revlon nail polish ($3.99, use $1 WC from "Make this Season Stunning" booklet at the cosmetic counter, get $3RR=FREE) I tried to use the $1 MC from the Walmart insert a few weeks ago, but the clerk said it was for a specific Revlon line.
  • 1 Schick Titanium Quatro refills--not free but it's what the hubby uses ($8.99, use $2 WC from the same booklet, use $2 MC, get $3RR=$1.99)
  • 3 gift bags for filler ($.13 with in ad coupon); I only needed two but I had thought my extra Revlon coupon would work.
Total w/ tax: $9.60
Total Saved: $10.49
RRs earned: $6

Transaction #2:
  • 2 Delsym ($10 each for 3oz, get $5RR when you spend $20, used 2 $2 MC I picked up from my pediatrician's office--great place for high value coupons=$5.50 each)
  • 3 gift bags ($.13 each with ad coupon)
  • Used 2 $3 RRs from transaction #1.
Total w/ tax: $12.27
Total Savings: $13.47
RR earned: $5

Transaction #3
  • 1 Revlon nail polish
  • 1 Schick refill
  • 3 gift bags
  • Used $5RR from transaction #2.
Total w/ tax: $4.45
Total Savings: $15.33
RRs earned: $6

Transaction #4
  • 4 Breyers ice cream (B1G1 at $6.49, used 2 $1.50/2 printables = $2.49 each)
  • 3 gift bags
  • Used 2 $3RR from transaction #3.
Total w/ tax: $5.41
Total Savings: $22.47
RRs earned: $0

In total I spent $31.73 and saved $61.76. It's not the best savings percentage but I got some high dollar items my family needs for a lot less than the grocery store.


CVS:
For all the match-ups, check Southern Savers.
For a pared down list, see Coupon Katie.

I didn't get as many staples here, but as the clerk said, "We paid you to shop today." They were out of Schick disposable razors. So I got a raincheck for this great money maker deal:
  • Spend $20, get $10ECB on Schick products. I'm going to buy 2 10ct disposable razors for $8.39 each and 1 Hydro shave gel for $3.69. I'll use 1 B1G1 coupon, 1 $2 MC, and 1 $1 MC--the last two from today's paper. Total OOP: $9.08, will get $10ECB.
What I did buy:
  • 1 box of small candy canes ($1.27, get $1.27 but since the ECBs weren't printing, she had to round up and gave me a $2ECB = $.73 MM). Limit 1.
  • 3 99 cent American Greetings cards (Buy 3, get $3ECB. Used $1/3 MC printable, $2 CVS printable, AND $1/2 CVS coupon printed from the kiosk. All told, this was a $4 MM and I got 3 cards to send. Dad, your birthday card will soon be in the mail. ;-)
Total Spent: $.35
Total Saved: $4
ECBs earned: $5

Thank you, CVS!

As for the grocery stores, I'm not seeing any great freebies this week, but I'll probably take advantage of Kroger's fuel points gift card promotion. You earn 4x the value of select gift cards in fuel points. I tend to buy ones for Target or Home Depot because I know we'll use them in the year to come. This is not valid on Kroger gift cards.

So what deals excited you this week? Are you new to couponing? Is it overwhelming or fun yet?