I have previously expressed how much I hate shopping at Walgreens, but they had a good price on 5 lb. bags of Domino’s sugar this week, so I decided to go there. Besides, I still had a Walgreens gift card that I had received on some rebates about a year ago that I really needed to use.
The reason that I had quit shopping a Walgreens was because it was next to impossible to use coupons there. They had ridiculous restrictions such as: you could not use a manufacturer’s coupon for an item and still receive Register Rewards for that purchase, or you could not stack a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon. Of course, this information spread quickly, and in general, they became rather unpopular among the devoted coupon users.
Nevertheless, I decided to try Walgreens again today, and it appears that they have changed their coupon policy. I am very pleased to report that I was able to both use coupons and receive Register Rewards, and use store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons on the same purchase.
The items in my basket included:
(2) 5 lb. bags Domino sugar
$6.38 - $1.40 (store Qs) - .70¢ (man. Qs) = $4.28
(1) TheraFlu Cough & Cold
$4.99 – $2.00 (man Q) - $3.00 (RR) = .01¢ PROFIT
(1) Carefree Panty Liners
$1.99 - .50¢ (man Q) - $2.00 (RR) = .51¢ PROFIT
(1) Rembrandt Toothpaste
$5.00 - $5.00 (RR) = FREE
(1) Colgate 360°
$2.99 - $3.00 (RR) = .01¢ PROFIT
(2) Velvetta Shells & Cheese Cups
$2.58 - .80¢ (store Q) - .89¢ (man Q) - $1.00 (RR) = .11¢ PROFIT
The total net cost for my trip to Walgreens was $3.64.
Based on the information printed on the receipt, the merchandise that I purchased today would have regularly cost $25.03. That adds up to an 85.5% savings.
Walgreens, you are back on my regular shopping list!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Rite Aid Nets a 94% Savings
Rite Aid was my second shop of the day. I expected that everything I wanted to buy would be gone because I had waited until late into the last day of the sale to go shopping. I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the specials were still in stock. I bought:
Listerine Total Care Mouthwash
$5.29 - $1.00 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = $3.29
Sea Breeze (reg. $5.49)
$4.99 - $3.00 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = .99¢
Almay Eye Makeup Remover (reg. $5.50)
$4.99 - $2.00 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = $1.99
CoverGirl TruBlend MicroMinerals
$12.99 - $2.50 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = $9.49
CoverGirl Naturally Luminous Blush
$8.19 - $2.50 (scr) - $8.19 (Q) = $2.50 PROFIT
CoverGirl TruBlend Pressed Powder (reg. $8.49)
$4.24 - $2.50 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = .74¢
CoverGirl Outlast SmoothWear Eyeliner (reg $6.69)
$3.34 - $2.50 (scr) - $6.69 (Q) = $5.85 PROFIT
In addition to the Single Check Rebates (scr) that I will receive, and the manufacturer’s coupons (Q), I also had a coupon for $5 off a $20 purchase that I was able to use because my subtotal before the coupons were deducted was $44.03. The total net cost for my purchases was $3.15 for $52.64 in regularly priced merchandise. That is a savings of 94%!
Another way of looking at it is that I bought a whole collection of mostly makeup and skincare products for about the same price that most women pay for a tube of lip-gloss. I love looking good for less!
How much are your makeup products costing you?
Listerine Total Care Mouthwash
$5.29 - $1.00 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = $3.29
Sea Breeze (reg. $5.49)
$4.99 - $3.00 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = .99¢
Almay Eye Makeup Remover (reg. $5.50)
$4.99 - $2.00 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = $1.99
CoverGirl TruBlend MicroMinerals
$12.99 - $2.50 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = $9.49
CoverGirl Naturally Luminous Blush
$8.19 - $2.50 (scr) - $8.19 (Q) = $2.50 PROFIT
CoverGirl TruBlend Pressed Powder (reg. $8.49)
$4.24 - $2.50 (scr) - $1.00 (Q) = .74¢
CoverGirl Outlast SmoothWear Eyeliner (reg $6.69)
$3.34 - $2.50 (scr) - $6.69 (Q) = $5.85 PROFIT
In addition to the Single Check Rebates (scr) that I will receive, and the manufacturer’s coupons (Q), I also had a coupon for $5 off a $20 purchase that I was able to use because my subtotal before the coupons were deducted was $44.03. The total net cost for my purchases was $3.15 for $52.64 in regularly priced merchandise. That is a savings of 94%!
Another way of looking at it is that I bought a whole collection of mostly makeup and skincare products for about the same price that most women pay for a tube of lip-gloss. I love looking good for less!
How much are your makeup products costing you?
Smokey Bones Labor Day Weekend Special
Get a Smokey Bones entree FREEwith the purchase of one entree Sept 5th-7th.
Or
Get a coupon good for $10 off a $20 purchase through Sept 9th.
Just a Quick Reminder....
This is a holiday weekend, so there will be no coupon inserts in the Sunday newspapers. You can check the sale fliers online at your favorite store's website for specials and deals so that you can save the cost of a newspaper (or two) this week.
While I dislike a week without inserts, I really could use the break from coupon clipping to get caught up on some homework.
While I dislike a week without inserts, I really could use the break from coupon clipping to get caught up on some homework.
Shopping at Target on $6.08
I just completed my first Target coupon shop today. Using the list of "Best Target Deals" that I posted earlier this week, I bought:
(2) 24 oz. bags Chef Michael’s Dog food
(2) small cans Chef Michael’s dog food
(1) box Special K blueberry cereal
(3) boxes Cinnabon bars
(2) boxes Special K Bliss bars
(1) box Special K bars
(3) Cheerios cereal cups
(2) Dove deodorants
(3) Head & Shoulders travel size
…for a total net total cost after taxes of $6.08. According to the Target receipts, I saved $39.85. This means I got $45.93 in merchandise at an 87% discount. That makes this trip a successful shop.
However, I am not very excited about my Target shopping trip. Like all other stores, Target has their own set of coupon redemption rules and those rules are not necessarily the same as other retailers, or even the same from Target to Target, so I was not able to purchase all of the things that I had planned. Let's just say that today was a learning experience.
What did I learn? I learned several things:
1. Not all Targets have the same coupon redemption policies, so it is important to find out what your particular Target will accept and what they will not accept.
2. The Target that I shop at will only accept coupons whose face value is the same as or less than the price of the item purchased.
3. The exception to Rule #2 is travel sizes. In most cases, the Target that I shop at will not accept a manufacturer’s coupon for a travel-size item even if the face value of that coupon is less than the purchase price of the item, and the coupon does NOT specify “does not include trial size”. However, there is no way to be certain whether or not the coupon will work without trying it – just be prepared to have the travel-sized items removed from the transaction.
4. Target coupons are not necessarily for items that are on special. Read the details of the coupon carefully before purchasing to make sure you are buying the correct products.
5. As with all other stores, if you want the good deals you need to go to Target as soon as possible. If you wait until the end of the week, you may be out of luck.
6. The Target that I shop at will let me stack manufacturer’s coupons and Target coupons for a better deal, but they will not give me credit for more than the purchase price of the item even if the total of the coupons exceeds the purchase price. In other words, if the item costs $1.99, and your stacked coupons total $2.25, you will only get $1.99 off.
7. Carry all of your coupons with you, not just the ones that you plan to use. Target regularly has end caps of clearance merchandise in the health & beauty and grocery aisles. You may find some surprising discounts that can turn into bonus freebies if you are prepared.
8. You should only use someone else’s recommended shopping list (like the one’s that you get on this blog) as a guide. All prices are not the same at all Target’s. The coupon policies at are not the same at all Targets. Not all merchandise is available at all Targets. What works for me at my local Target may not work at your Target. Be flexible. And above all else, have fun!
I am sure that I will do more coupon shopping at Target in the upcoming weeks. They have some merchandise available there that I cannot get at other stores, and they have some deals that are better than I can get at other stores. I do not anticipate Target taking the place of my regular favorite stores though because this is just a Target, not a Super Target, and they do not offer a large enough selection of food items to accommodate my grocery needs.
I will keep you posted on my future savings.
(2) 24 oz. bags Chef Michael’s Dog food
(2) small cans Chef Michael’s dog food
(1) box Special K blueberry cereal
(3) boxes Cinnabon bars
(2) boxes Special K Bliss bars
(1) box Special K bars
(3) Cheerios cereal cups
(2) Dove deodorants
(3) Head & Shoulders travel size
…for a total net total cost after taxes of $6.08. According to the Target receipts, I saved $39.85. This means I got $45.93 in merchandise at an 87% discount. That makes this trip a successful shop.
However, I am not very excited about my Target shopping trip. Like all other stores, Target has their own set of coupon redemption rules and those rules are not necessarily the same as other retailers, or even the same from Target to Target, so I was not able to purchase all of the things that I had planned. Let's just say that today was a learning experience.
What did I learn? I learned several things:
1. Not all Targets have the same coupon redemption policies, so it is important to find out what your particular Target will accept and what they will not accept.
2. The Target that I shop at will only accept coupons whose face value is the same as or less than the price of the item purchased.
3. The exception to Rule #2 is travel sizes. In most cases, the Target that I shop at will not accept a manufacturer’s coupon for a travel-size item even if the face value of that coupon is less than the purchase price of the item, and the coupon does NOT specify “does not include trial size”. However, there is no way to be certain whether or not the coupon will work without trying it – just be prepared to have the travel-sized items removed from the transaction.
4. Target coupons are not necessarily for items that are on special. Read the details of the coupon carefully before purchasing to make sure you are buying the correct products.
5. As with all other stores, if you want the good deals you need to go to Target as soon as possible. If you wait until the end of the week, you may be out of luck.
6. The Target that I shop at will let me stack manufacturer’s coupons and Target coupons for a better deal, but they will not give me credit for more than the purchase price of the item even if the total of the coupons exceeds the purchase price. In other words, if the item costs $1.99, and your stacked coupons total $2.25, you will only get $1.99 off.
7. Carry all of your coupons with you, not just the ones that you plan to use. Target regularly has end caps of clearance merchandise in the health & beauty and grocery aisles. You may find some surprising discounts that can turn into bonus freebies if you are prepared.
8. You should only use someone else’s recommended shopping list (like the one’s that you get on this blog) as a guide. All prices are not the same at all Target’s. The coupon policies at are not the same at all Targets. Not all merchandise is available at all Targets. What works for me at my local Target may not work at your Target. Be flexible. And above all else, have fun!
I am sure that I will do more coupon shopping at Target in the upcoming weeks. They have some merchandise available there that I cannot get at other stores, and they have some deals that are better than I can get at other stores. I do not anticipate Target taking the place of my regular favorite stores though because this is just a Target, not a Super Target, and they do not offer a large enough selection of food items to accommodate my grocery needs.
I will keep you posted on my future savings.
I got my Schwan's - FINALLY!
After several emails to Schwan’s, the scheduling of two different delivery dates that they didn’t make, and the promise of contact from a customer service representative that also didn’t come to fruition, I did finally receive my Schwan’s “$10 Free” order of six-cheese tortellini.
But even that did not happen without incident!
The bag of tortellini that the delivery man brought me had a hole in it, and he did not have another bag on his truck. The “Schwan Man” told me that I could either take the bag with the hole in it, or I could wait for two more weeks to get a bag without a hole in it. Since it had taken almost a month to even get a delivery, I decided I had better take what was available lest I not get anything at all.
Frankly I am disappointed in my overall experience with Schwan’s. This is not the same Schwan’s that I remember from years gone by. I sincerely hope that my experience with Schwan’s was a fluke, and that all of you, my dear readers, received your order without incident.
Perhaps in the future I may decide to give Schwan’s another chance, but for now I will continue to buy my groceries the “old-fashioned way” – at the grocery store.
But even that did not happen without incident!
The bag of tortellini that the delivery man brought me had a hole in it, and he did not have another bag on his truck. The “Schwan Man” told me that I could either take the bag with the hole in it, or I could wait for two more weeks to get a bag without a hole in it. Since it had taken almost a month to even get a delivery, I decided I had better take what was available lest I not get anything at all.
Frankly I am disappointed in my overall experience with Schwan’s. This is not the same Schwan’s that I remember from years gone by. I sincerely hope that my experience with Schwan’s was a fluke, and that all of you, my dear readers, received your order without incident.
Perhaps in the future I may decide to give Schwan’s another chance, but for now I will continue to buy my groceries the “old-fashioned way” – at the grocery store.
Friday, September 4, 2009
It's Free Chocolate Friday, Again
Don't forget to go to RealChocolate.com today between 9 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. to get a coupon for a free candy bar. 250,000 coupons will be given out each week and are redeemable for any full size Mars chocolate product, including M&M's, Snickers, Dove Chocolate, Twix, Milky Way, and 3 Musketeers.
This offer will be taking place every Friday during September. There is a limit ONE free candy bar per address, per week. Your coupon will arrive by mail in 4-6 weeks.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Best of Publix Deals - 9/3-9/9
Be sure to check your weekly ad HERE before you head out to shop!
BOGO FREE DEALS:
Ball Park Beef Franks: Original, Bun Size, Fat Free, Singles, or Grillmaster, 12.8-16 oz (excluding Angus)
Price BOGO $3.99
Use $1/2 Printable HERE (Pay $2.99/2)
Use $1/2 from 8/30 RP (Pay $2.99/2)
Barber Foods Stuffed Chicken Breast, 8 or 10 oz pkg
Price BOGO $4.99
Use 2 $1/1 Printable HERE or HERE (Pay $2.99/2)
Betty Crocker Cookie Mix: Chocolate Chip, Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, or Oatmeal, 17.5 oz pouch
Price BOGO $2.67
Use 2 $.40/1 Printable HERE (Pay $1.87/2)
Boca Foods, 10 or 12 oz pkg
Price BOGO $3.39
Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers or Party Mix, 11.5-14.5 oz box
Price BOGO $3.49
Use 2 $.75/1 Printable HERE Whole Grain variety, if included (Pay $1.99/2)
Use 2 $1/1 Harvey's Printable HERE (Pay $1.49/2)
Stack both Manufacturer & Harvey's Q and it's FREE/2!!
Curly's Chicken or Pork with BBQ Sauce, 18 oz tub
Price BOGO $5.69
Use 2 $1/1 Printable HERE (Pay $3.69/2)
Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt, 6-ct, 4 oz multi-pack
Price BOGO $2.49
Use 2 $1/1 from 8/30 SS (Pay $.49/2)
Use 2 $1/1 from Publix Family Fitness coupon booklet (Pay $.49/2)
Use 2 $.60/1 from 8/9 SS (Pay $1.29/2)
Use $1/2 from 7/26 SS (Pay $1.49/2)
Earn more Dannon Coupons HERE!
Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Cake Mix, 17.52 or 18.25 oz box (excluding Angel Food and Decadent Carrot Cake)
Price BOGO $1.63
Emerald Deluxe Mixed Nuts, Almonds, or Cashews, 10 or 11 oz canister
Price BOGO $5.79
Use 2 $1/1 from 8/16 SS (Pay $3.79/2)
Fat Boy Ice Cream Sandwich or Fat Boy Jr, 24.75 or 30 oz pkg
Price BOGO $4.49
Gatorade Thirst Quencher, 64 oz bottle
Price BOGO $2.50
General Mills Cereal, assorted varieties, 10.4-14 oz box, or Frosted Cheerios, 17.2 oz box
Price BOGO $3.99
Use 2 $.75/1 Printable HERE Frosted Cheerios (Pay $2.49/2)
Use 2 $.55/1 Printable HERE Honey Nut Cheerios (Pay $2.89/2)
Use $1/2 Printable HERE (Pay $2.99/2)
Use 2 $1/1 Target Printable HERE (exp. 9/12) (Pay $1.99/2)
Stack both Manufacturer & Target Q and Pay $.49-$.99/2!
Glade Candle, 4 oz jar
Price BOGO $3.49
Green Giant Canned Vegetables, 11-15.25 oz can (excluding Specialty Corn Varieties, Three Bean Salad and Asparagus)
Price BOGO $1.29
Hellmann's Mayonnaise, 30 oz jar
Price BOGO $4.69
Use 2 $.60/1 from 8/2 or 6/28 RP (Pay $3.49/2)
Use $1/2 Printable HERE (Pay $3.69/2)
Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dip: French Onion, Bodacious Onion, or Bacon Horseradish, 12 oz tub
Price BOGO $2.00
Use 2 $.50/1 Printable HERE (Pay $1/2)
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Candy Bars: Plain or With Almonds; or Special Dark, Kit Kat, or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups with Milk Chocolate, 6 pk, 8.7-9.6 oz pkg
Price not listed
Use $1/2 from 6/28 SS
Hungry-Man Dinners, 16 or 17 oz box
Price BOGO $3.59
Use $1/2 from Publix Toss 4 Cash coupon booklet (Pay $2.59/2)
Kellogg's Cereal: Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Corn Pops, Apple Jacks, or Rice Krispies, 11.2-16.5 oz box
Price BOGO $3.99
Use 2 $1/1 from recent Vocalpoint mailer (Pay $1.99/2)
Kodak Power Flash Camera, one-time-use, 27 exp
Price BOGO $7.09
Kraft American Cheese Singles: Yellow or White, 12 oz pkg
Price BOGO $2.69
Use $1/2 from 8/9 RP (Pay $1.69/2)
Use $.75/2 from Fall '09 Kraft Food & Family magazine (Pay $1.94/2)
Use $1/1 from recent Target coupon mailer (Pay $1.69/2)
Stack both Manufacturer & Target Q and Pay $.69-$.94/2!
Kraft Barbecue Sauce, 16.25 or 18 oz bottle
Price BOGO $1.29
Kraft or Seven Seas Dressing or Good Seasons, 14 or 16 oz bottle (excluding South Beach Living)
Price BOGO $2.69
Use $.55/1 from Summer '09 Kraft Food & Family magazine (Pay $2.14/2)
Lawry's 30 Minute Marinade, 12 oz bottle
Price BOGO $2.93
Use $1/2 from 6/28 RP (Pay $1.93/2)
Use 2 $.50/1 from 8/30 RP or 7/26 RP (exp. 9/6) (Pay $1.93/2)
Lay's Potato Chips, 10.5-13.25 oz bag (excluding Baked!, Light, and Natural)
Price BOGO $3.99
Use $1/2 from July All You
(Pay $2.99/2)Lysol Disinfectant Bathroom Cleaner Removes Soap Scum: Island Breeze or Mildew Remover with Bleach, 32 oz bottle
Price BOGO $3.69
Use 2 $.50/1 from 7/12 SS (exp. 9/7) (Pay $2.69/2)
Use 2 $.40/1 from 8/9 SS (Pay $2.89/2)
Mrs. Paul's Fish, 8-11.4 oz pkg, or Clams, 8 oz pkg
Price BOGO $4.49
Mt. Olive Pickles, 16-46 oz jar or 4-pk, 3.7 oz ctn
Price BOGO $2.79
Use 2 $.50/1 from 8/16 SS (Pay $1.79/2)
Original Rangoon Bacon Wrapped Scallops, 8 oz box
Price BOGO $7.99
Use 2 $.75/1 HERE (request via email) (Pay $6.49/2)
Pam Cooking Spray No Stick: Original, Olive Oil, Butter Flavor or For Baking with Flour; or For the Grill, 5 or 6 oz can (excluding Organic and Professional)
Price BOGO $3.39
Popsicle Ice Pops, Fudgesicle, or Creamsicle, 21.6-39.6 oz box
Price BOGO $3.99
Use 2 $.75/1 Target Printable HERE (exp. 9/26) (Pay $2.49/2)
Publix Baked Potato Salad, 16 oz ctn
Price BOGO $3.19
Use $1/$3 Deli/Bakery Harvey's Printable HERE (Pay $2.19/2)
Use $1/1 from recent Target mailer (Pay $2.19/2)
Use $3/$10 Deli/Bakery Food Lion Printable HERE
Publix Deli Salsa: Mild or Medium, 16 oz
Price BOGO $3.29
Use $1/$3 Deli/Bakery Harvey's Printable HERE (Pay $2.29/2)
Use $3/$10 Deli/Bakery Food Lion Printable HERE
Publix Deli Tea, 1 gallon
Price BOGO $2.39
Use $1/$3 Deli/Bakery Harvey's Printable HERE
Use $3/$10 Deli/Bakery Food Lion Printable HERE
Publix Gas Relief Softgels, Extra Strength, 30-ct pkg
Price BOGO $5.49
Stouffer's Skillet Mills, serves 2, 23-25 oz bag
Price BOGO $4.99
Superpretzel Soft Pretzel, 13 oz box
Price BOGO $2.99
Use 2 $.50/1 Printable HERE (use zipcode 90210) (Pay $1.99/2)
Thomas' English Muffins the Original, Plain, 12 oz pkg
Price BOGO $2.99
V8 100% Vegetable Juice, 46 oz bottle
Price BOGO $2.95
SALES:
DiGiorno Pizza, 13-34.5 oz
Price $5/1
Use 2 $1/1 from 8/16 SS Ultimate Toppings variety, if included (Pay $8/2)
Use $2/2 Printable HERE (Pay $8/2)
Kraft Chunk Cheese, or Shredded, Cubes, or Cracker Cut, 5-8 oz
Price $1.67/1
Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies, or Simply Cookies, assorted varieties, 14-16.5 oz pkg
Price $2.50/1
Use 2 $.55/1 Printable HERE Simply Cookies variety (Pay $3.90/2)
Use $1/2 Printable HERE (Pay $4/2)
Publix Bakery Italian Pizza Dough
Price $1.99/1 (Regularly $2.59/each)
Use $1/$3 Deli/Bakery Harvey's Printable HERE
Use $3/$10 Deli/Bakery Food Lion Printable HERE
Selected Pepsi Products, 12-pk, 2-L bottle
Price $1.50/1
Use $1/2 from Publix Family Fitness coupon booklet 2-L variety (Pay $2/2)
Use $1/2 Harvey's Printable HERE 12-pk variety (Pay $2/2)
Stacy's Pita Chips or Bagel Chips, assorted varieties, 6-8 oz bag
Price $2/1
Use $1/1 Printable HERE (Pay $1/1)
MEAT:
Food Lion Printable: $5/$20 Meat Department purchase Print HERE (exp. 9/8)
Boneless Chuck Pot Roast
Price $2.99/lb
Boston Butt Roast
Price $1.79/lb
Ground Chuck
Price $2.29/lb
Pork Spareribs
Price $1.59/lb
Pork Steaks
Price $1.99/lb
PRODUCE:
Bananas
Price $.69/lb
Use $.50/1-lb Target Printable HERE (exp. 9/5) (Pay $.19/lb)
California Seedless Grapes, Red, White, or Black variety
Price $1.29/lb
Golden Ripe Pineapple, Whole or Peeled and Cored
Price $3.99
Use $1/1 Target Printable HERE (Pay $2.99/1)
Jazz Apples, large
Price $1.49/lb
Naval Oranges or Minneola Tangelos
Price $1.49/lb
Sweet Bi-Color Corn or White or Yellow varieties
Price $.25/1
Tomatoes on the Vine
Price $1.49/lb
ORGANIC / GREENWISE DEALS:
GreenWise Market Split Chicken Breast
Price $2.89/lb
Organic Valley Organic Milk
Price $3.50/1
Use $1/1 Printable HERE (Pay $2.50/1)
Here are a few good coupons for this week:
$1 off $3 Deli/Bakery Purchase at Harvey's
$3 off $10 Deli/Bakery Purchase at Food Lion
$5 off $20 Meat Purchase at Food Lion
$5 off $25 at CVS (Take the quiz to receive your coupon!)
Best of CVS Deals - 8/30-9/6
Buy 1 Bayer Contour Meter at $14.99, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 2)
Use up to $30/1 coupon from the 2/1 RedPlum insert or the 3/22 SmartSource inserts (will take $14.99 off)
Free plus $5 overage after coupons and ECBs
Buy 1 Glade Scented Reed Diffuser or Soy Candle at $6.99, Get $6.99 ECBs (Limit 1)
Use $4/1 coupon from the 5/3 SmartSource insert, $3/1 coupon from the August All You magazine, or $2/1 printable here
Free plus up to $4 overage after coupons and ECBs
Buy 1 Clairol Loving Care Hair Color at $4.99, Get $2 ECBs (Limit 1)
Use $4/1 from the 8/2 P&G insert
Free plus $1 overage after coupons and ECBs
Buy 1 Bounce Dryer Bar at $3.99, Get $1 ECBs (Limit 2?)
Use $2.50/1 from the Vocal Point Home Mailer
$0.49 cents after coupon and ECBs
Buy 1 Sensodyne Toothpaste at $4.99, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 1)
Use $1/1 printable here
Buy 1 Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste at $4.99, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 1)
Use $1/1 printable here
Buy 1 Aquafresh at $4.99
Buy 1 Sensodyne at $4.99
Use 2 $1/1 printables
Use $2/10 Oral Care coupon from the ReadyFill booklet (ask about it at the pharmacy)
Spend $5.98 plus tax out of pocket, Get $6 ECBs
Free after coupons and ECBs
FREE Kashi Cereal
Get a free sample of Kashi cereal in your choice of Honey Sunshine, Heart to Heart, or Go Lean Crunch. Can't decide? Let Kashi will surprise you with their choice.
I picked Heart to Heart. The crispy, toasted oat flakes with wild blueberry clusters sounded too good to pass up.
Best of Walgreens Deals 8/30-9/6
Buy 2 Glade Fragrance Collection Candles (2 oz.) at $2 each, Get a $1 Register Reward
Use 2 Free candle coupons from the 8/09 inserts or 2 $3/1 coupons here
Free plus overage after coupons and Register Reward
Buy 2 Velveeta Shells cups at $1.29 each, Get a $1 Register Reward
Use B1G1 coupon from the 8/9 SmartSource insert
Then, use the in-ad coupon bringing the price of the cups down to $0.89 each
Spend $0.49 plus tax out of pocket, Get a $1 Register Reward back
Free plus overage after coupon and Register Reward
Buy 1 Theraflu Cold, Cough, or Sinus relief at $4.99, Get a $3 Register Reward
Use the $2/1 printable coupon
Free after coupon and Register Rewards
Scotch Packaging Tape--on sale Buy One, Get One Free (2 for $3.49)
Buy 2 and use 2 $1/1 coupons from the 7/26 RedPlum insert
$0.75 each after coupons and store sale
Don't forget that you can get an additional 15% off your order today when you use this coupon.
See the rest of the deals and freebies available at Walgreens this week here.
Best of Target Deals of the Week - 8/30-9/6
Get a $5 Gift Card when you purchase 5 Edy's Ice Cream (1.5 qt), Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream (14 oz.), or Nestle Drumstick Treats (4 count)--$2.50 each*Deal Idea*
Buy 5 Edy's Ice Cream (1.5 quart) at $2.50 each
Use 5 $1/1 coupons in the 8/23 RedPlum insert
Stack with 5 $1/1 Target coupons here
Free plus overage after coupons and gift card
(If you don't have 5 $1/1 coupons, it's still only $0.50 per carton of ice cream after the Target coupons and the gift card!)
Buy 4 select Special K products, Get a $5 Target gift card
*Deal Idea*
Buy 4 boxes of Special K Cereal (11-13 oz.) at $2.39 each
Use 4 $1/1 Special K Blueberry here (or use $1/2 in 8/2 Kellogg's insert)
$0.14 each after coupons and gift card
*Deal Idea #2*
Buy 4 Special K Bars (6 count) at $2.39 each
Use $0.75/1 Special K Chocolatey Pretzel Bars here (or use $1/2 Special K Bars here or in 7/12 RedPlum insert)
Stack with 4 $0.50/1 Kellogg's Fruit/Grain Snacks Target coupon here (some stores only allow 1 per transaction)
Free after coupons and gift card
Schick Razors (Intuition Plus, Quattro for Women, or Quattro Titanium)--$6.99
Use $4/1 coupon in the 8/23 SmartSource insert
Stack with $4/1 Target coupon in the 8/30 SmartSource insert (if you received it)
Free after coupons
Vaseline Aloe Fresh lotion (travel size)--$0.99
Use $1/1 coupon here
Free after coupon
Joint Juice (single bottle)--$1.00
Use $1/1 coupon here
Free after coupon
Kotex Liners (48 count)--$2.94
Use $2/1 Target coupon in 7/26 SmartSource insert
Plus, use $1/1 coupon in the 7/26 RedPlum insert
Free after coupons
Rayovac Batteries (2-4 count)--$1 (in the $1 spot)
Use $1/1 in 6/21 SmartSource insert
Free after coupon
Cottonelle Travel Size Wipes--$0.97
Use $1/1 in 6/7 SmartSource insert
Free after coupon
All Laundry Detergent (travel size)--$1
Use $1/1 when you sign up here
Free after coupon
Mars candy bars--$0.75 each
Buy 2 and use $1/2 manufacturer's coupon from the 7/26 RedPlum insert
Stack with $1/2 Target coupon from the 8/2 RedPlum insert
Free after coupons
Head and Shoulders Shampoo (travel size)--$1.00
Use $1/1 coupon from the 8/2 Proctor & Gamble insert
Free after coupon
Tide Detergent (travel size)--$1.00
Use $1/1 coupon from the 8/2 Proctor & Gamble insert
Free after coupon
Skittles Crazy Cores--$0.52 (in the checkout lanes)
Use $1/1 Target coupon here
Free plus possible overage
Gerber Baby Bottles (singles, BPA free!)--$0.99
Use $1/1 Target coupon here
Free after coupon
*Note: Not all stores will adjust the price down for this product
Johnson's Buddies Soap--$0.97
Use $1/1 Target coupon here
Free after coupon
*Note: Not all stores will adjust the price down for this product
General Mills Cereal Cups--$0.99
Use $1/1 Target coupon here
Free after coupon
Market Pantry String Cheese--$0.50
Buy 2 and use $1/2 Target coupon here
Free after coupon
Chef Michael's Dry Dog Food--$4.49
Use $3/1 coupon in the 8/23 RedPlum insert
Stack with $1.50/1 Target coupon here
Free after coupons
Chef Michael's Canine Creations Dog Food (cans)--$0.89/ea
Buy 2 and use B1G1 coupon in 8/23 RedPlum insert
Stack with B1G1 Target coupon here
Free after coupons
Artisan Mini Loaves of Bread--$0.99
Use $1/1 Target coupon here
Free after coupon
A-1 Steak Sauce (small bottle at Super Target)--$2.09
Use $2/1 coupon from the 8/16 SmartSource insert
$0.09 after coupon
Rimmel Mascara--$2.24-2.99
Use $2/1 here or in the 8/23 RedPlum insert
$0.24-0.99 after coupon
Kellogg's Cinnabon Bars--$1.75-$2 (price varies at some Target stores)
Use $0.50/1 Kellogg's Grain Snacks coupon
Stack with $1/1 manufacturer's coupon here
$0.25-$0.50 after coupons
Dove Visibly Smooth Deodorant--$3.29
Use $2/1 coupon here
Stack with $1/1 Target coupon here
$0.29 after coupons
SoBe Lifewater (20 oz.)--$1
Buy 2 and use B1G1 coupon (IE or FF)
$0.50 each after coupon
Earth's Best Snacks--$1.77-$2.29 each
Buy 2 and use 2 $0.75/1 Target coupons here
Stack with $1/2 here
$0.52-$1.04 each
Kellogg's Yogos--$1.75
Use $0.50/1 Target Kellogg's Fruit Snacks coupon here
Stack with $0.50/1 manufacturer's coupon here
$0.75 after coupons
Cheerios (12 oz.)--$2.44
Buy 2 boxes and use $1/2 coupon here or from the 8/2, 8/16, or 8/30 SmartSource insert
Stack with 2 $1/1 Target coupons here
$0.94 per box after coupons (Thanks, Theresa!)
Huggies Jumbo Pack Diapers--$8.99
Use $1.50/1 Target coupon here
Stack with $1.50/1 here or here or in the 8/16 SmartSource insert
$5.99 after coupons
Huggies Pull-Ups Jumbo Pack Training Pants--$8.99/ea
Use $2/1 here or in the 8/16 SmartSource insert
$6.99 after coupon
FREE Country Bob's Sauce
Get a coupon for a FREE bottle of
Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce
for signing up for their newsletter
Offer only valid in areas that carry Country Bob's brand products
for signing up for their newsletter
Offer only valid in areas that carry Country Bob's brand products
FREE Betty Crocker Potatoes and $100's in Coupons
Taste the difference with Betty Crocker potatoes
Get a FREE sample of Betty Crocker potatoes in your choice of
Au Gratin or Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
BONUS: Gain access to hundreds of dollars in printable coupons!
Get a FREE sample of Betty Crocker potatoes in your choice ofAu Gratin or Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
BONUS: Gain access to hundreds of dollars in printable coupons!
Free CankerMelts at Rite Aid and Walgreens
Print a coupon for a free 12-count box of CankerMelts from Rite Aid or Walgreens. This coupon is only good through September 15, 2009.
You can also go here, complete a brief survey, and have a free sample mailed to you.
(Almost) Free Mom's Best Natural Oatmeal at CVS
Get Mom's Best Natural Oatmeal at CVS for $1.00. Use this 75¢ off coupon and buy it for only .25¢ a box. You can print up to two coupons. At just .04¢ a bowl, it makes for an obscenely cheap (and healthy) breakfast!
Get Bear Naked....Granola!
Get a free sample of Bear Naked Granola in your choice of Cranberry Raisin or Banana Nut.
I got a sample of Bear Naked Granola during their last promotion and they included a $1.00 off coupon. Publix had a "BOGO Free" sale on Bear Naked Granola shortly after that and I was able to pick up a full-sized box for next to nothing.
Oh yeah, and it's pretty tasty too!
Two Free Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bars
Go to the Quaker Oats website, Granola World, and register for a free sample. Each free sample contains Two Chewy Granola Bars. Each bar is .84oz (or 24 grams) and contains only 100 calories!
You can choose between 3 delicious flavors: Chocolate Chip, Smores, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
FREE Blue Bunny Ice Cream
Purchase Blue Bunny Sedona or Aspen Ice Cream this Labor Day weekend and get a full rebate of the purchase price! Use the $2 coupon from August 22nd Super Saver and you will make a $2 profit!! Go HERE to get your rebate form.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Free Greeting Cards
Get free greeting cards when you register for The Gallery Collection catalog. You can choose from either six All Occasion cards or six Holiday cards.
I picked the All Occasion. Six Holiday cards are just not enough to cover my needs, and I will still end up having to buy a box or two. And while six All Occasion cards are not going to make a big difference in my budget, the practical part is having cards on hand so that I won't have to make a last minute (otherwise known as "midnight") run to Walmart.
Being practical is not always about living better with less money - sometimes it's about living better with less time. Happy ___day!
I picked the All Occasion. Six Holiday cards are just not enough to cover my needs, and I will still end up having to buy a box or two. And while six All Occasion cards are not going to make a big difference in my budget, the practical part is having cards on hand so that I won't have to make a last minute (otherwise known as "midnight") run to Walmart.
Being practical is not always about living better with less money - sometimes it's about living better with less time. Happy ___day!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Couponing 101 - Lesson 1
I promise that you will learn how to get free and almost free food and nonfood groceries if you follow my one day a week e-class for the next 10 weeks. I have been using the system that I am going to be teaching you for many years. I almost never pay for toiletries or household items, and my grocery store total averages 80% off regular prices.
And I am not the only person doing this! There are thousands of people across the country who are doing the very same thing everyday. It really isn’t difficult once you learn the “secrets”, and what’s more, it is not a scam and it is perfectly legal and excepted by retail stores everywhere. I regularly see cashiers getting excited when I arrive at their register with a handful of coupons – they are just as anxious as I am to see how much I am going to save today.
The coupon game is one of the best budgeting techniques available to anyone who wants to do it - the stuff you can get regularly for free will simply amaze you! The idea behind the coupon is simple: you get a coupon, you use the coupon, you save money. However, many people believe that you can’t really save very much money using coupons. These people simply don’t know how to use them correctly. But that is about to change for YOU! I am going to teach you the correct way to use coupons so that you can start reaping the rewards in the form of reduced grocery bills and free toiletries and household goods.
What you need to get started:
- You need to save money on the things that you buy everyday.
To me, this is fun. Call it a hobby or a game. I love getting makeup, toiletries, face washes, razors, toilet paper, candy, regular household products and non perishable groceries for free and almost free. I hardly ever pay more than pennies for most of these things. It amazes me that people continue to spend a lot of money buying this stuff. at Rite Aid, CVS, or Walgreens, it’s almost painful to watch all those people shelling out 20 bucks for shampoo. But, again, that’s me. You may not mind spending your hard earned money for these things. Couponing may sound like the most boring way to spend your time that you have ever heard of. If that is the case, then this class is not for you.
- You need the following items:
- A box or drawer for your materials
- A pen or marker
- A loose leaf binder
- Something to put your coupons in (e.g. envelopes, 3x5 card box, wallet-sized accordion file, etc.)
- A calculator
- At least one Sunday newspaper each and every Sunday, or at least the coupon inserts and sales fliers
3. You need to commit to the following:
- Check my blog each week to find out what you need to do
- Go to CVS, Rite Aid, and/or Walgreens each week to pick up your free or almost free merchandise
Lesson 1 – The Easy Freebies
We are starting simple, with the goal that after this week’s fun you will be so excited about getting free goodies that you will be looking forward to making things a bit more complicated in the upcoming weeks.
Today we’re going to grab some very easy freebies at Rite Aid. CVS, Walgreens and the other stores have free items, too, but we will just be covering Rite Aid this week so that you can learn their system before moving on.
At Rite Aid you will be using the Rite Aid Single Check Rebates system to maximize your savings. The Rite Aid Single Check Rebates system is often referred to in the coupon world as “Freebates”. This is because many of the items that you will be requesting rebates for will end up being free after you get your check from Rite Aid.
What is the Rite Aid Single Check Rebate system?
The Single Check Rebate system at Rite Aid works like this: when you purchase specially marked items each week at Rite Aid they will give you a specified amount of cash back for buying them, in the form of a check, when you file for a rebate. For example, you could get a $5 rebate for the purchase of your $5 shampoo, making your net cost free. Rite Aid has a booklet that will tell you which items have rebates and which week of the month you will need to buy the items in order to get the deal. This booklet is called the Single Check Rebate booklet. You can pick up your copy in a rack at the front of the store. Every month you just need to buy the appropriate items I tell you to buy (the best deals) and then either send in your receipt with the accompanying tally sheet via the mail or upload it online here. The easiest way to do it is the online method. You will then get your money back in the form of a checks sent to you through the mail within 2-3 weeks of filing.
This Week’s Assignment:
1. Sign up for the Rite Aid Single Check Rebate System online HERE.
2. Pick up these two freebate items this week:
Buy 1: Stim-U-Dent Mint flavor, 100 ct - $1.49 each
Receive $1.49 Single Check Rebate #45 (limit 1)
Final Net Cost = FREE
Buy 2: Soft White Long Life Light bulbs, 2 pk - $2
Use the $2/2 Soft White Light Bulbs coupon in the Rite Aid ad
Final Cost = FREE
If you already have a small collection of coupons and/or are able to print coupons from the internet, you can try your hand at something a little harder with some of the following deals. Don’t feel like you have to buy everything, or something that you don’t think you’ll use, just because it’s on the list. Pick and choose what suits your needs.
There are also more deals available than I have listed here, so feel free to check the sales flier for any other bargains. If you are not sure if something is a deal, or need help constructing a better deal than is offered, email me for assistance. I am here to help in anyway I can.
Be sure to include the $5 off $25 purchase coupon that is available for watching 20 short product videos HERE to maximize your savings if you are spending at least $25 before taxes and any coupons or rebates:
Buy 3: Plus White Toothpaste - $15
Receive $10 Single Check Rebate #57 (when you buy 3)
Use three $1 off Plus White coupons printed HERE
Final Net Cost = $2 for 3 (.66¢ each)
Buy (2): Aero3 Insoles and Buy (1): Flex-Tastic - $15
Receive $10 Single Check Rebate #16 (when you buy 3)
Use two $2 off Aero3 coupons printed HERE
Use one $1 off Flex-Tastic coupon printed HERE
Final Net Cost = FREE
Buy 1: Seabreeze, 10 oz - $4.99
Receive $3 Single Check Rebate #67
Use one $1 off Seabreeze coupon from the Super Saver insert, 8/09
Final Net Cost = .99¢
Buy 1: Electrasol Dish Detergent - $4.49
Receive $1.50 Single Check Rebate #87
Use .75¢ Electrasol coupon from the Super Saver insert, 8/30
Final Net Cost = $2.24
Or
Use .50¢ Electrasol coupon printed HERE
Final Net Cost = $2.49
Buy 2: G.U.M Toothbrushes, 2 packs - $3 ea
Receive $5 Single Check Rebate #51 (when you buy 3)
Use three $1 off G.U.M. Toothbrushes coupons from the Red Plum insert, 6/21
Final Net Cost = $1/3 (or .17¢ ea)
Buy 1: Listerine Total Care Mouthwash, 500ml - $2.99
Receive $1 Single Check Rebate #53
Use $2 off Listerine Total Care coupon from the Super Saver insert, 3/15, or the Red Plum insert, 4/26
Total Net Cost = 1¢ PROFIT
Or
Use the $1 off Listerine Total Care coupon from the Super Save insert, 3/15 or 6/14
Total Net Cost = .99¢
Buy 1: Almay Eye Cosmetics or Make Up Removers - $4.99
Receive $2 Single Check Rebate #61
Use the $1 off Almay Cosmetics coupon from the Super Savers insert, 8/02
Final Net Cost = $1.99
Buy 2: Reeses Brand Candy bars - $1
Use two .55¢ off any Reeses Candy Product from the Super Save insert, 8/23
Total Net Cost = .10¢ PROFIT
Buy 2: Kashi Cereal - $7
Use two $1 off Kashi coupons in the Rite Aid ad
Use one $1.50 off 2 boxes of Kashi Cereal printed HERE
Total Net Cost = $3.50 (or $1.75 each)
Buy 1: Pampers Diapers Jumbo Pack $9.99
Receive $2 Single Check Rebate #137
Use the $2 off Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive, Swaddlers, Cruisers or Extra Protection Diapers coupon in the Procter & Gamble insert, 8/30
Total Net Cost = $5.99
Or
Use the $1 off Pampers coupon in the Procter & Gamble insert, 8/30
Total Net Cost = $6.99
Buy 1: Band-aid Bandages - $2.99
Use the $1 off Band-Aids coupon in the Rite Aid ad, 8/30
Use the $1 off Band-Aids coupon in the Super Saver insert, 8/02 or 6/28
Total Net Cost = .99
If you are already an experienced couponer, or you are feeling particularly brave, you can try the following advanced savings techniques. This requires several coupons and some complicated “stacking”, so please look over the requirements and make sure you have the right coupons before committing to the purchase.
Buy:
(2) CoverGirl Foundations - $10.50 (buy the least expensive possible)*
(2) CoverGirl Face Products - $23 (buy the most expensive possible)
*The foundations are on special for Buy One Get One at 50% off, so the first foundation will ring up at full price, and the second will ring up at half price
Use:
$5 off $25 purchase coupon printed HERE (for watching 20 short product videos)
Use two Buy One Foundation get any Face Product Free coupon from the Proctor & Gamble insert, 8/30
Use two $1 off CoverGirl products coupons from the Proctor & Gamble insert, 8/30 or 8/02
Total Due at Register: $3.50
Receive: $10 Gift Card*
*$10 Rite Aid Gift Card Single Check Rebate #68 when you buy $30 in select Proctor & Gamble products
Total Net Cost - $6.50 PROFIT
I bought some stuff, now what?
The first thing you need to do is save your receipt!
When you get home, log in to the Rite Aid Single Check Rebate web page (if you are planning to file online) and fill in the requested receipt information. You then need to decide whether you are going to request your rebate at that time. You only get to submit one rebate request per month, so choose carefully. If you are desperate for the cash, or want to see if this is really going to work, go ahead and file. If you are interested in seeing what else you are going to get for free this month, wait. Even if you decide not to participate in this e-class anymore, and forget to request your rebate at the end of the month, the website will automatically submit your refund request on the last day of the rebate period if you have already entered your information. Within 2-3 weeks of the submission, you will receive a check in the mail for your entire rebate total.
There it is! I’m sure the written explanation looks a little complicated, but you will find when you actually go there to pick up your freebates that it is really quite simple.
Next week we will be exploring the world of Extra Bucks at CVS and Register Rewards at Walgreens. I hope to see you then!
Valerie
P.S. If you have any questions at all about anything, please email me at thepractical1@gmail.com or leave a comment here, and I will get back to you. I am looking to forward to hearing about your shopping successes and challenges!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
