Best Deals of 4/15-21

Next week I will be giving a couponing workshop to some fabulous ladies--some participants in the Volunteer Ministry Center program and some mentors from the Church of the Good Samaritan where I attend. I hope to not only "give them fish" (some of my good deals acquired through couponing) but "teach them to fish" (give them the knowledge to do this themselves.) To me, the concept of couponing doesn't get more rewarding than this. Some of this post will be directed to them (hoping they will score a few deals as well), but I hope all will glean something of value. Here are my favorite deals this week: April 15 - 21.

CVS:

For all the match-ups, go to Southern Savers.

For a pared down list, go to Coupon Katie.

• 1 NatuRelief chewable natural pain medicine, 30 count: $8.49, get $8.49 ECB, use $1 MC = $1MM; limit 1.
• 2 Colgate Total: $2.99, get $2ECB, use 2 $1 printables = 2 FREE; limit 2.
• 1 Depend Silhouette 3 count: $3.99, $2ECB, $2 printable and $2 CVS printable = $2 MM; limit 1. Tip: If you've already used some of these coupons, the kiosk will probably kick out a $1.50 savings as well.
• 2 Act total care sensitive mouthwash 18 oz: $3.99 each, get $1ECB, use $2 MC from today's paper = $.99 each; limit 2.
• You can also get 25 free photo prints; details here.

WALGREEN'S:

For all the match-ups, go to Southern Savers.

For a pared down list, go to Coupon Katie.

Here's how I got lots of freebies and used the rewards to pay for an ink refill for my printer. Gotta print more coupons!

Transaction #1:

• 1 Similasan nasal allergy spray (all natural): $6, get $6RR, used $1.50 MC = $1.50MM.
• 2 Nivea face wash for men: $7 total, get $2RR wyb 2, used 2 $2 MC from Sunday's paper = $.50 each.
• 3 Aquafresh for kids (my boys' favorite): $2 each, used 3 $1MC from Sunday's paper and $1 from April Walgreen's coupon book (automatically took off $3) = 3 for FREE. Tip: To do this, I needed only one extra filler item.
• 1 hand sanitizer: $.14 found in clearance bin
• 1 Charlie Brown eraser found in clearance bin: $.10
• Used $1.50 RR from last week

Total Spent: $8.02

Total Saved: $25.33

RRs Earned: $6, $2

Transaction #2:

• 1 Similasan nasal allergy spray (all natural): $6, get $6RR, used $1.50 MC = $1.50MM.
• 2 Purex 18 count ultra packs: B1G1 at $5.99, used 2 $1MC = $1.99 each. Tip: This form of detergent might be more convenient for those at the VMC.
• 1 Charlie Brown filler: $.10
• Used $2RR from Tr.#1

Total Spent: $7.71

Total Saved: $15.37

RRs Earned: $6

Transaction #3:

• 1 HP ink refill: $12.99 Tip: I always buy the XL cartridge because the cost of the refill is the same and you get three times the ink. You can refill them multiple times.
• 1 Charlie Brown filler item: $.10
• Used 2 $6 RRs from previous transactions.

Total Spent: $2.30

Total Saved: $13.89

So for a little more than I would have paid for the ink refill (what I really needed), I got 2 allergy sprays, 2 face washes, 3 tubes of toothpaste, 1 hand sanitizer, and detergent for 36 loads. Not bad!

TARGET:

For all the match-ups, go to Southern Savers.

For a pared down list, go to Coupon Katie.

I'm hoping to pick up deals on tank tops, coffee, shampoo, and tweezers (should be free!).

KROGER:

For all the match-ups, go to Southern Savers.

For a pared down list, go to Coupon Katie.

It's a leaner week for deals; I'll just be picking up the essentials for my family.

I hope you are able to find deals for yourself and for others. If you have questions, leave a comment or email me. Spread the good coupon karma!

Good Sam Savers 3/11/12 - 3/17/12 **REVISED

****Update 3/11/12: Having just gone to CVS, I am proof that couponing is full of surprises. Even after years of shopping at pharmacies, I learned something new today: Not all CVS stores carry the same items, even those advertised. I figured if they advertised a product, they all carried it, right? No.

This was the case in Pampers wipes, 60 count. The CVS I usually visit on Middlebrook Pike only sells the large Pampers refills ($8 plus), but the one on Kingston Pike / Cedar Bluff does sell the 60 count box. The significance of this is that not only could I not get the Pampers deal at the first store; they wouldn't give me a raincheck. Bummer. So for the sake of research and getting diapers at a low price for my parishioner, I ventured 10 minutes out of my way. So save yourself some time, and go to the one on Kingston Pike / Cedar Bluff. Even if they're out, they will give you a raincheck.

Also I realized the candy and peanuts deal really wasn't so hot. I'm sure we'll get better deals closer to Easter. So sit tight.

***Original Post: I am blessed to be a member of The Church of the Good Samaritan. It's an Episcopal Church on Cedar Bluff Rd. in Knoxville tucked back in the woods. We have lots of ministries and ways we try to serve others, but we are a relatively small church. To stretch our dollars further, I'm encouraging our parishioners to use coupons paired with sales. To make the process simpler, here's how to get two deals this week at CVS (deals begin Sunday, March 11 and run through Saturday, March 17). You must have a CVS card to get these deals. See me at church if this is confusing.

Diaper Rotation:

• Pampers deal: Spend $30, get $10ECB; limit 1.
• Buy 3 packs of diapers for $9.50 each (the little boy we're supporting is currently in size 5) and 1 box of wipes (60-64 count) for $3. Use 2 $1.50 printables, 1 $2 coupon from home mailer, and 1 $.75 printable on wipes. If you don't have the $2MC, you could buy 1 smaller size and use a different $1.50 printable for Swaddlers or use a $1 coupon from the most recent P&G insert. Diaper Love is always accepting donations.
• Total OOP: $25.75, get back $10ECB, makes all four items $3.94 each.

Easter Egg Hunt:

• Hersheys / Kraft deal: Spend $15, get $5ECB; limit 1.
• Buy 3 packs of Hershey's miniatures at $3 each. Use $2/3MC.
• Buy 2 Planters peanuts 16oz at $3 each. Use $1.50/2MC.
• Makes all 5 items: $1.30 each.
• Use $10ECB from diapers transaction.
• Total OOP: $1.50, get back $5ECB;
• Donate the chocolates and keep the peanuts for snacks.

You can save your $5ECB for another trip or spend it to earn more ECBs on Zyrtec and Pedia Care.

For links to printable coupons and a more thorough list of deals, go to Southern Savers.

My best Halloween candy deals

If you can make it CVS today, Sunday 10/23, with your kids in costume, I highly recommend it. Especially if you have three kids. Here's how I scored three large bags of Hershey candy for just $.49 each.

Today only, every kid who shows up in costume will receive a Halloween gift pack worth $5 and $10 of coupons inside. The gift pack has a Twizzler, a glow stick, a Wonka fun dip, and a plastic snake and spider. I'm not a big fan of the straight sugar products. So my kids were excited to get their one fun dip for the year, and I didn't have to pay for it. The coupons inside are a free 5x7 which they take in the store while you shop ($1.99 value), $5 off Hershey candy of 19oz or larger, $5 off costumes, and $2 off CVS batteries C or D size.

Since I have three children, I received three packs. She printed three copies of their picture so that I could share them with both sets of grandparents and keep one of us. The clerk said the $5 couldn't be used for costume accessories like hats or masks; that would have made them free. I didn't look at the battery deals but will the next time I'm in the store, as these expire 10/31.

My favorite deal was on large bags of Hershey candy (19-20 oz).

• Each bag cost $5.99.
• I bought three bags.
• I used 3 $5 CVS coupons from gift packs.
• I also used the $1.50 / 3 Hershey manufacturer coupon from a few weeks ago.
• OOP: $1.47 plus tax (or $.49 each)!

If you can't make it CVS today, their best candy deal is this:

• Buy 4 smaller bags of Mars or Hershey candy (9.34 - 12 oz) for $2.50 each.
• Use $1.50 / 3 Hershey manufacturer coupon or 2 $1.50/2 Mars manufacturer coupon from All You magazine.
• OOP: $7 - $8.50 plus tax.
• Get back $3 ECB for future purchase.
• Makes them $1 - $1.38 each.

More Halloween deals good Sunday - Tuesday only:

• 1 Gold Emblem candy corn 8oz: $.99, get $.99 ECB = FREE; limit 1
• 1 pumpkin carving tool: $2.49, get $2.49 ECB = FREE; limit 1

More good deals to consider:

• 1 Covergirl blush ($5.99) & 1 Covergirl blush-3 shades ($4.79). Use $8/2 MC and get $3 ECB when you spend $10 = $.22 MM. Limit 1.
• 4 Progresso soups ($1.25 each). Use $1/4 MC and get $1 ECB when you buy 4=$.75 each. Limit 1.

I got all these deals today and even without prior ECBs to use, I feel good about my savings. I did three transactions, using some ECBS from one on others.

Total OOP: $11.03 ($3.30 of which was tax)

Total savings: $44.83

ECBs remaining: $3.48

For all the CVS match-ups this week, go to Southern Savers.

For a pared down list, go to Coupon Katie.

What's your best Halloween candy deal?