Good pharmacy deals through 2/4/12

After two snoozer weeks of pharmacy deals, I was finally excited to get back to Walgreen's and CVS this week. Most of these deals are good through 2/4, but some coupons expire 1/31--TODAY. For those who find the process confusing, I'll lay out what I bought. Note: I let several customers go before me between these transactions. Always be courteous when doing multiple transactions.

Walgreen's:

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

Transaction #1:

• 1 Blink eye drops: $8, get $8RR, used $1.50 printable = $1.50 MM

OOP w/ tax: $7.24

Total saved: $5.49

RR earned: $8

Transaction #2:

• 4 Pringles: 4 for $6, get $2RR, used $1/4 MC expiring 1/31 = $.75 each.
• 2 Breyers: B1G1 at $6.49 = $3.25 each
• Used $8RR from Tr. #1

OOP: $4.46

Total saved: $17.49

RR earned: $2

Transaction #3:

• 1 Blink eye drops: $8, get $8RR, used $1.50 printable = $1.50 MM
• 3 Campbells soups: $.79 with ad coupon; limit 3, used $.40/3 MC = $.66 each.
• Used $2RR from Tr. #2.

OOP: $7.39

Total saved: $8.29

RR earned: $8

Transaction #4:

• 2 Breyers: B1G1 at $6.49 = $3.25 each
• 3 Old El Paso taco shells: $.99 each--no coupon required, used $.60/3 printable = $.79 each.
• Used $8RR from Tr. #3.

OOP: $1.59

Total saved: $18.09

No RRs to keep up with.

Total spent: $20.68

Total saved: $49.36

I love that I was able to use a money maker to pay for staples I got cheaper than at grocery stores. It IS possible! You might also consider the deals on Dove and M&Ms. I'm hoping there will be even bigger savings closer to Valentines Day.

CVS:

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

For a pared down list, go to Coupon Katie.

Here's an example that nothing goes completely as planned, but sometimes the honest consumer wins out.

Transaction #1:

• 2 Speed Stick deodorants: $1.99 each, used B1G1 coupon in 1/29 paper. Note: The coupon rang up for a savings of $3.98. I brought this error to their attention (should have been $1.99) but she said that's how the computer scanned it and there's nothing she could do.
• 2 Colgate Total toothpaste: $2.74 each, used $1 and $.50 MC and 2 $1 CVS coupons found in the Reinventing Beauty magazine. Tip: They did not have any magazines left, but they did have a stack of coupons from them on the front counter. I asked if I could have two and they said fine.
• 1 Irish Spring body wash: $3, used $1 MC from 1/29 paper. Because these five participating products were more than $12 before coupons, I qualified for $6ECB, making all five products FREE after coupons.
• 1 Hershey's Reese's egg: $.87, get $.87. This ECB did not print. So she had to manually print one for $1. This deal may be good only through today.
• 3 American Greeting card: $.99 each, buy 3, get $3ECB=FREE.
• Used $5.75 in ECBs from previous trips.

Total OOP w/ tax: $3.12

Total saved: $22.44

ECBs earned: $6, $1, $3 = $10

Transaction #2:

• 6 Puffs Plus with lotion 68ct: $88. each, used 2 $.25/3 MC; one expired 1/31; one expired 2/28 = $.80 each
• Used $4 ECB from Transaction #1.

Total OOP: $1.18

Total saved: $8.76

ECBs remaining: $6

This is week two of the Kroger mega event. I found some good deals but no real freebies on things I regularly buy: almond milk, no nitrate hotdogs, orange juice, Moms Best cereal, pizza, and canned tomatoes. I spent my budget for two weeks at once and then chose not to shop this week, but I saved $168.52 (41%).

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

For a pared down list, go to Coupon Katie.

Was this post overwhelming? Helpful? Did it make you want to coupon or ditch the idea completely?

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!

Slim Pickins: Deals 1/15-21

I briefly looked over the coupon blogger websites and was not impressed with the deals being offered by Walgreen's, CVS, or Kroger. Then I saw a few freebies at Ingles I can get with a handful of the basics. I'll be playing the "how little can I spend" game and work off my stockpile to feed the family this week.

Ingles has a policy that they double 3 (up to $.50 coupons) for every $10 you spend. Note: That's before coupons. I'll plan to get about $20 goods like bananas, salad, bread, and milk to get the following good deals:

• Fresh Express Garden Salad, 12oz: $.88 (if enrolled in Ingles Advantage promotions)
• Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls: $1, use $.50 MC = FREE. I'm aiming to get 5 for free.
• Pillsbury Grands biscuits: $1, use $1/2 MC = $.50 each.
• Sargento shredded cheese, 5-9oz: $1.79, use $1/2 MC = $1.29 each.
• Hershey's 6ct bars: $1, use $1 printable = FREE.
• Kleenex, 100ct: $1, use $.50 MC (if included) = FREE.

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

What are your favorite deals this week?

Walgreen's deals 1/8-1/14

Yes, I'm late to posting this week, but hopefully this will help some of those procrastinating couponers. Usually if the good deals are still there by Tuesday (when I went), you're in luck through Saturday. For my needs, I found Walgreen's has the best deals this week. I got more than $80 of goods for $34 and used all my register rewards in one trip. I do my best NOT to hang onto RRs, since you never know if good deals are on the horizon.

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

For a pared down list, go to Coupon Katie. By the way, keep Katie in your prayers and meditations today. She's having baby #4!

Here's what I bought:

Transaction #1:

• 1 Tylenol Precise heat patches (3 ct): $5.99, get $3RR, used $3 printable = FREE.
• 1 Reach floss: $2.99, get $2RR, used $1 printable=FREE. Tip: Make sure you print two of these coupons for free floss at some point. Kroger, Target, and Walmart will probably have the standard floss on sale for $1, but the Walgreen's sale is for the Total Care plus Whitening kind--love that.
• 2 Colgate Total 4oz: $3 each, get $4RR, used 1 $1 MC and 1 $.75 MC = $.25 for both.
• 50 photographs when they had the 25 free prints promotion (1 set for me, 1 for my church): $0

Total Spent with tax: $10.62

Total Saved: $19.23

RRs Earned: $3, 2, 4

Transaction #2:

• 3 Delsym: Spend $20, get $6RR. $8.99 each. Used 1 $1 MC and 2 $1 printables = $5.99 each. Tip: These are usually $10 at Kroger and they seem to work the best for our family's coughs.
• 3 Essential kneehis: $.29 each with ad coupon. This was my filler item to use RRs from previous transaction. Plus, they make good donations.
• Used $3, 2, and 4 RRs from Tr.#1.

Total Spent w/ tax: $18.42

Total Saved: $20.57

RRs Earned: $6

Transaction #3:

• 1 Tylenol heat patch (see above)
• 1 Reach floss (see above)
• 1 protein bar: $1.89, get $2RR = $.11 MM
• Used $6RR from Tr. #2.

Total Spent: $1.85

Total Saved: $13.00

RRs earned: $3, 2, 2

Transaction #4:

• 4 Purell 8oz, bonus 2oz travel size attached (woo hoo!): $3.99, B1G1 Free, Used 2 $1 MC and 2 $1 printables = $.99 each. Hand sanitizer is a frequent request by teachers and those seeking donations. Even the generic brand is rarely less than $1.99; so this is a great deal.
• 2 Dove minis, 10.5 oz bags: $3 each, used $1/2 from Walgreen's January coupon book and $1/2 MC = $2 each. This will be fun to tape onto valentines.
• 3 Essentials knee-his (as above for filler).
• Used RRs from Tr.#3: $3, 2, 2

Total Spent w/ tax: $3.22

Total Saved: $26.03

No RRs to keep up with.

If you found this post helpful or have questions, please leave a comment. Happy Shopping!

Good week for Lip Balm

This year I've decided to get more selective of which deals are worth the time and effort. So I'll only be posting about those. This week is a good time to snag (do people still say "snag"?!) lip balm. Here are two deals to consider:

CVS:

Buy 4 Nivea lip balm for $2.50 each. When you spend $10, you get $5 ECB. Use 2 $3/2 coupons from yesterday's paper or 1 $3/2 and 2 $1 printables. That makes all four either free or a $1 MM. Tip: Since this will probably be a popular deal, get a raincheck if they're out. The coupons are good for another two weeks.

Walgreens:

Eos all natural lip balm is $2.99, get $2 RR. That makes them $.99 each. Personally I like these retro-looking round containers but they do take up room in small compacts. I don't see any other great deals at Walgreen's this week. So you might be better off saving your RRs for next week. And remember if you want more than one, you need to buy them in separate transactions, and you can't use one RR to buy another because the rewards won't print.

Happy New Year and Happy Savings!

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?

Thankful to be Giving

'Tis the season to be giving. On one level, I find the whole gift decision making and buying process very stressful. Despite my love for couponing, I really don't like to shop. But thanks to couponing, I have been able to give generously to several organizations this year--without the stress and expense.

I haven't been posting regularly about the best Couponing for Charity deals, but like Southern Saver's mascot, I've been a squirrel gathering nuts for months. Three tubes of toothpaste here, one cent crayons there and before I knew it, I had a nice stockpile from which to shop.

Through the Church of the Good Samaritan or MOMS Club, lists of needs were posted and then I pulled what I had on hand. I post these pictures not as a way to say, "Look what I gave" but as an inspiration for what you can give too in the future. It's when we all give a little that we can make a tremendous impact on our community. All of these goods cost me $.25 or less plus the cost of tax and will go to some great organizations.

The pictures at the top are from the church's annual Stuff a Stocking campaign for senior citizens. The whole family got involved in stuffing stockings from the many generous donations from parishioners. We were able to give 48 razors plus several other goodies like tea and hot cocoa.

Another collection through our church was the Shoebox Ministry for the Volunteer Ministry Center. Imagine not having a home and having to keep all of your and your kids' toys or necessities in a shoebox. For them, we had crayons, deodorant, pens, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.

The Hope Buckets were collected to give to patients battling HIV/Aids. Some clients of Hope Center face the additional challenge of being rejected by friends and family and often have no one to care for them physically, emotionally, spiritually or financially. From soap to tissues, toothpaste to lipbalm, I was able to meet their specific requests easily.

Finally Operation Christmas Child was the service project adopted by our MOMS Club. These boxes will be given to children in need all over the world. Each member of our play group came up with creative additions to the box for a girl 2-4 years old. I was able to give pens, crayons, markers, and notebooks I'd gotten for pennies back in August.

And the list doesn't end there. From diapers I'm giving to support a young mom in our church to baked goods I've donated for mission trips, couponing has allowed me to buy what I need for much less. Suddenly all the requests to give are not overwhelming and I am thankful that I'm able to spread "good coupon karma." Happy Holidays!

I'd love to hear what you've been able to give with the help of coupons. Please leave a comment.