Staples deals through 1/21/12: turning rewards into rebates

I finally made it to Staples this morning to cash in on some deals. You have through Saturday to do the same. Pretty happy about my results. Here's what I bought:

• 1 Avery 8160 inkjet mailing labels: $9.99, get $9.99 in easy rebate = FREE. Limit 1.
• 2 HP photo paper 8.5 x 11, 50 count: $9.99, get $8.99 in easy rebate = $1 each. Limit 2. I use these for marketing.
• 2 Staples legal envelopes, 500 pack: $3 each. Limit 2.
• 1 Hammermill copy paper: $6, get $4 in easy rebate = $2.

Because my total was $42 before tax, I used a 15% off coupon they emailed me. That took off $6.30. I had $31.60 in Staples rewards that were expiring in two weeks. So that brought my out of pocket expense down to $4.76 including tax.

I will receive checks in the mail for $9.99, $17.98, and $4, a total of $31.97. Love being able to turn rewards into cash! And I don't need 1000 envelopes, but that was a common request for donations last year. Save green, give green!

Save big on Marcal at Staples 3/4 only!

I know people can be pretty picky when it comes to toilet paper. Even the most determined environmental couponers draw the line at wanting their favorite plush brands. My husband and I are not that picky about brands and really want to support recycled products in this way.

I've tried the 100% recycled CVS brand and Marcal 2 ply, and I prefer Marcal. Marcal is great about coupns in the paper, where you can save $1 here and there. I just got two boxes of tissues for free with those coupons at Ingles when they were marked down to $1. And you can get 4 small rolls of TP at Earthfare for $.67, but we seem to go through it faster than I can buy it.

So, personally I was jazzed about Staples daily deal today on Marcal TP and paper towels. You can get a case of TP (48 rolls) for $16.99 or 15 rolls of paper towels for $9.99. You can buy multiple cases. Since I have several rewards from buying the products that are FREE after rewards, I decided to buy 2 cases of TP.

My subtotal before coupons was $61.18. The online coupon valid 3/4 only took off $27.20 and I used a $33.20 reward. Since I chose in store pick-up, there's no delivery charge. My tax was $.08 and I paid $.86 for 96 rolls of toilet paper. And I did it from home. Woo hoo!

Anyone else out there by recycled paper products? What do you think about them?

Printer Ink: How do you save?

A few months ago, when Walgreen's had ink refills for just $1, I decided to give it a try. I've since been very pleased with the refill process (which averages $10 on sale--even for the XL size). I think I've refilled one cartridge 2 or 3 times.

However, yesterday my printer decided this cartridge was "not compatible." Not sure why, but the end result is I can't print.

So I searched online for prices for my cartridge and found Staples, OfficeMax, and Office Depot had the same price. I chose Staples because they have a number of ways to save on ink.

1. I had a 10% coupon mailed to me for being a Staples Rewards member.

2. You earn 10% back in Staples Rewards for any ink purchase.

3. If you spend more than $59 in one visit on ink, you earn $5 in Staples rewards for each cartridge you recycle ($2 if you spend less). I was bummed when I realized I forgot two cartridges to recycle, but they said I could bring them any time.

4. Since I also have a business, they've sent me a coupon that allows me to save $25 on orders of $75 or more. Plus, all orders over $50 are shipped for free. Since one B&W XL and one color XL cartridge for my printer cost $76, I think I'll order ahead.

I'll still try the Walgreen's refills for 1 or 2 times per cartridge, but a couponer needs a reliable printer! How do you save on ink?