Couponing 101 - Lesson 2 - Walgreens

Welcome to Couponing 101 – Lesson 2!

This week we are covering Walgreens. Participating in Walgreens Register Rewards does not require any special memberships or cards. However, you can go to www.Walgreens.com to sign up for weekly emails, and they will often send coupons for bonuses such as a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase.

This week you will be getting nearly $40 worth of merchandise at Walgreens with a net cost total of NOTHING! You may even be able to make a little money in the process. There are other items that you can pick up for a dollar or two.

Question of the Week

This week’s questions comes from Stacy. Stacy asks, “What does Red Plum, Smart Source and Proctor & Gamble mean, and what do the numbers after them mean?”

That is an excellent question Stacy!

Red Plum (RP), Smart Source (SS), and Proctor & Gamble (P&G) are the names of the companies who put the coupon inserts in the Sunday papers. Check near the top of the front page of your flier inserts and you will see which company put that batch of coupons in the paper. The numbers after them are the date that the coupons were put in there. For example – if the description reads RP 8/30, it means that Red Plum put the coupons in the paper on August 30^th. The name and date may not be important to you if you clip and file your coupons, but some people don’t clip their coupons. They prefer to file the whole flier, and then just click as they go along.

Lesson 2 - Walgreens

Walgreens uses a system called Register Rewards (RR). The cash register prints the Register Rewards (RR) when you buy specially designated products. The cashier will give you your with your receipt. You then use the Register Rewards (RR) on your next purchase to offset the amount of cash that you are paying out of pocket.

This week at Walgreens, you can get the following items FREE (and a few items for under $2):

Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners, 16 ct

Price $1.99 (Receive $2 RR)

Use $1 coupon printed HERE or from SS (8/30)

Net Price = $1 PROFIT

Windex Outdoor All-in-One Glass Cleaning Kit or Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner

Price $9.99 (Receive $3 RR)

Use $7 coupon for Shower Cleaner printed HERE

Net Price = FREE

Trident Layers Gum

Price $2 for 2 (Receive $1 RR when you buy 2)

Use $1 off two coupon printed HERE

Net Price = 2 for FREE

(*Note: You can print up to 2 of this coupon. That means that you can get 4 for FREE)

Glade Reed Diffusers, 3 Wick Candle, Sense & Spray, Flameless Candle, or Lasting Impressions

Price $5.99/1 (Receive $2 RR)

Use $4 coupon for Sense & Spray Printed HERE or from SS (8/23)

Net Price = FREE

Use $3 coupon for Lasting Impressions Holder from SS (8/2)

Net Price = 99¢

Use $3 coupon printed HERE Fragrance Collection, if included

Net Price = 99¢

Glade Scented Oil Candle Holder or Candle, 2 oz

Price two for $4 (Receive $1 RR)

Use $3 coupon printed HERE for Fragrance Collection

Net Price = 2 for FREE

Use $3 off 2 coupon for Fragrance Collection from SS (8/23)

Net Price = 2 for FREE

Starbucks (Purchase $15, Receive $5 RR ~ Purchase $10, Receive $2 RR)

* Starbucks Ice Cream, 1 pint

Price $3 each

Use $2 coupon from SS (6/21)

Use $1 coupon printed HERE or from RP (8/9)

Purchase 5 Starbucks Ice Cream w/5 $2 off coupons and Pay $5 for 5 (Receive $5 RR)

Net Price = 5 for FREE

Chex Mix, 5.5 or 8.75 oz, Lays Stax, 5.5 or 8.75 oz, or Cracker Jack, 7 oz

Price .99¢ each

Use .50¢ for Chex Mix printed HERE or HERE Chex Mix

Net Price = .49¢

Use $1 off 2 Chex Mix printed HERE

Net Price = .98¢

(*Note: You can print up to 2 of each coupon. That means that you can purchase 8 for $3.92)

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, 7.25 oz – Buy 3

Price .69¢ (when you use coupon in this week’s Walgreen flier)

Use $1 off 3 coupon printed HERE

Net Price = $1.07 for 3

(*Note: You can print up to 2 of this coupon. That means that you can purchase 6 for $2.14)

Duracell Coppertop Batteries, 4-pk AA or AAA, 2-pk C or D, or Single 9-Volt

Price $2.99 (Receive $1 RR)

Use .75¢ from P&G (8/30)

Net Price = $1.24

Your Homework

1. Plan your shopping list by double checking the specials in your area before you head out to shop. Look over your local flier or click “View Your Weekly Ad” at www.Walgreens.com to see what your local Walgreens is carrying. Because not all of the Walgreens have all of the same specials, you should only use this list as a guide.
2. Print all of the printable coupons you plan to use.
3. After loading the buggy with your purchase, double check your coupons before you head to the register.
4. When the cashier is done ringing up your purchases give him/her your coupons. If you have a coupon for money off the total purchase, you should always give the cashier that one first. Then hand the cashier the rest of your manufacturer's and store coupons. If you have Register Rewards (RR) from previous shopping trips at Walgreens, save them for last. Ask the cashier for your subtotal (the total before taxes), and then hand her the Register Rewards for up to the subtotal amount. It is important to remember that if you use Register Rewards (RR) to pay for something, you should only use them up to the amount of the subtotal. Walgreens will not give you change back if the amount of Register Rewards (RR) exceeds the subtotal.
5. Keep in mind that the amount of cash that you will have to pay out of pocket (OOPs) will be greatest the first time that you shop at Walgreens. This is because you probably don't have any Register Rewards (RR) to offset your costs. Future shopping trips will cost you less out of pocket (OOPs) because you will be accumulating Register Rewards (RR).
   

Interesting Savings Tip

Publix will accept Walgreens Register Rewards as competitor’s coupons. Use the Registers Rewards just like any other coupon for money off your grocery bill.

Couponing 101 - Introduction

Do you ever wonder why people bother using coupons?

Does coupon lingo confuse you?

Do you look at the collection of coupon inserts in the paper and wonder if maybe there is something to that after all?

If so, you might just be in luck!

I have picked up a lot of new readers over the past few weeks who are novices to the wonders of couponing. Since using coupons to get the best deals is a large part of my frugal lifestyle, I have decided to post a “course” on how to go from a coupon newbie to a coupon queen in ten easy steps. I will post a new “lesson” each Monday that will incorporate the bargains found in the Sunday paper from the day before.

To prepare for saving hundreds of dollars on the things you buy every day:

1. You will need the following items:

• A box or drawer to store your materials in
• A marker or pen
• A notebook
• Something to store your coupons in (e.g. index card box, envelopes, 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)
  

2. You need to commit to:

• Reading this blog at least once a week (preferably on Monday morning) to find out what you need to do that week.
• Going to Walgreens, CVS, and/or Rite-Aid every week to get your free and almost free items.
  

Get ready, and then check back here Monday morning, August 31st, for Lesson 1 in Couponing 101. I guarantee it will change your budget!

89% Savings at CVS Today

I bought $56.43 in food and other items this morning for $6.12.That's a savings of more than 89%! And thanks to my CVS Extra Bucks I only paid $1.02 in cash out of my pocket.

I went to CVS specifically to purchase the Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse Makeup, a Bic Soleil razor, and a box of General Mills Fiber One cereal. The makeup is on special this week for $9.99 (reg. $13.99) with $9.99 back in Extra Bucks. I had a $1.00 off coupon from the July 19th Sunday paper which turned my net cost into a $1.00 profit. The razor is on special for $6.99 (reg. $7.99) with $3.00 back in Extra Bucks. My $3.00 off coupon from today's paper reduced my net cost to 99¢. The cereal is also on special this week for $2.50 a box, and I had a coupon for .75¢ off that I got from the internet. The other item that I was planning to buy was a Glade Fragrance Collection soy based candle. There is a coupon in today's paper to get one for free.

If I had stuck to my list and only purchased the four items I was there for, I would have only spent $1.74 for $30.16 in merchandise - a tremendous savings! But I didn't.

I know that this particular CVS always has clearance priced merchandise located in three different parts of the store, so I make a point of scouting out those areas for deals. Today I found one box of Carnation Instant Breakfast for $1.42 (reg. $5.69) and Flavour Ice.

The roommate loves popsicles and frozen novelties, and my youngest son is always rummaging through my refrigerator for a snack when he comes over. And I'm always looking for low-cal snacks. I don't mind keeping extra treats around the house for everyone, but I'm not going to sabatoge my grocery budget to do it. At 20 calories each, and just .15¢ a box (reg. $1.50), the Flavor Ice fits the bill. I bought 12 boxes.

My total for the 13 unplanned items? Three dollars and twenty-two cents!

I didn't get any kind of discounts on the two packs of Extra gum. I only bought them because I needed to spend about two more dollars in order to be able to pay for my purchases with a single Extra Buck coupon that was scheduled to expire soon. I could have bought some more Flavor Ice, or looked through the flier or store for another deal, but I can always use gum and it was a quick pick to meet my purchase requirement.

After I got home I realized that the better choice would have been the Extra gum 3-pk that is on sale for $2.00 - less than I paid for 2 packs. Additionally, if I spend $15 on select candies and gums (including the Extra 3-pk.), I get $5 back in Extra Bucks. Since the CVS candy specials usually run the entire month, and I frequently need to spend an extra dollar or two, it's quite possible that I could meet the purchase minimum before the special expired. I'll keep that in mind for next time.

Well, I'm off to Publix now. They have "Buy Theirs and Get Ours Free" deals as well as the 1¢ mystery coupon today. I'll try to blog my savings when I get home.

Contact Solutions and Tampons - $1.49

I went to Rite Aid this afternoon to pick up a couple of things. Specifically, contact solution and tampons. Both are on special this week.

The twin pack 8-oz bottles of Renu multi-purpose solution is $9.99 (reg. $10.99) with a $9.99 "freebate". With my $1.00 off coupon I am making a small profit on this purchase.

The 36-40 cnt box of Tampax Pearl is $6.99 (reg. $8.49). This purchase qualifies for a $3.00 rebate which makes the net cost $3.99. The $1.50 coupon that I got with a sample last month reduces my net cost even further to just $2.49. (A significant savings on its own!)

The total net cost of both purchases works out to a mere $1.49.

And I don't have to worry about missing out on the rebate deadline. I simply logged in to the Rite Aid website when I got home and entered my receipt information. If I forget to submit the rebates at the end of the qualifying period, the system will automatically do it for me before the end of the filing deadline. Two to three weeks later...there's a check in my mailbox.

Saving money doesn't get any easier!

Grocery and Drugstore Deals for July 27 - Aug 1

There are lots of great deals this week, so look over those Sunday sale fliers and break out your coupons. Here's a brief overview of some of the bargains you should be looking for:

• CVS - Don't miss the school supplies this week, and don't pay anything at the register for them by using your extra bucks from last week. You can get free 2-pk pens, binder clips, composition books, erasers, push pins, index card cases, pencil cases, stapler,and 2 pk sticky notes. But hurry - those deals are only good through Tuesday. You can get free 10-pk of CVS tampons, .13¢ Colgate toothpaste, and .99¢ Aussie shampoo or conditioner through the end of the week.

• Rite Aid - You can get school supplies on the cheap here, too, with .25¢ 1-subject notebooks and 10-cnt pencils. And while you are there, pick up Suave shampoo for .39¢, .50¢ Kotex products, Air Wick air freshener spray for .37¢ and a $1.88 box of laundry detergent.

• Target - Combine your Target coupons and manufacturers coupons to get a box of Kellogg's poptarts for .44¢, Kotex pantiliners .19¢, Smart Ones Frozen entree .80¢, and Kraft Mac & Cheese .39¢ .

• Wal-Mart - Yes, Wally's takes coupons! Use them to get FREE Reach dental floss, Jello at .25¢ a box, .14¢ Mars candy bars, Pringles .50¢ each, Pebbles cereal for $1.58, and Palmolive dish deterget for .75¢ a bottle.

• Kroger's - Kroger's has a special $4 off 4 mix-and-match P&G products promotion going this week. Combine your manufacturer's coupons with the eSaver coupons and sale prices to make a profit on Aussie shampoo. You can also get Tide laundry detergent for $3.53 and BIC pens for just pennies.

• Walgreens - Personally, I don't shop at Walgreens because they make it difficult for super shoppers to get super deals, but my ex sister-in-law loves them! So, here's for you, Amy... free Clairol haircolor, free Goodies hair accessories, $4.99 Conair blowdryer after $10 Register Rewards, free Scotch bubble mailers, free diabetes blood sugar monitor, free Mars candy bars (use 2 coupons), Hunts tomato sauce .39¢, .25¢ Starbucks frappucino, and Ajax cleanser .33¢. They also have back-to-school specials starting at .20¢ on supplies.
  

• Publix - Use two coupons with your Publix BOGO specials to pick up Lawry's 30 Minute Marinade for .43¢, Dial hand soap .49¢, and Yoplait Go-Gurt for .70¢. Combine two coupons for Alexia Natural Crunch Snacks with the BOGO and a manufacturer's rebate to get 2 bags at a $2 profit. Don't forget the Land O' Lakes butter with olive oil - this is the last week to get a full rebate on the purchase price. Use the manufacturer's coupon and make a .55¢ profit. If you do your shopping today, you can also pick up the .1¢ mystery coupon item.

My schedule is very full this week. I will make a point to pick up all my deals, but it may be the end of the week before I can give you the low-down on the savings. Until then - happy shopping and good savings to you!

Walgreens - A Shopping Bust!

I received a Walgreens coupon via email the other day. It was good for $5 off $25, Monday 12/1 and Tuesday 12/2. I sat down with the Walgreens flier and planned my shopping. I was going to buy (1) Bald Guys conditioning lotion, (2) Glade Wisp candles, (2) Scotch Magic Tapes, (3) Soft Soaps, and (1) Gillette Shave Cream. Subtotal before coupons - $25.32. Subtotal after coupons - $7.44.

So armed with shopping list and coupons I made my way through the drugstore aisles. At the air fresheners section I was thrilled to find a sign that said that there was a $2 rebate on the Glade Wisp's. I did a quick calculation and determined that after coupons and rebates, my shopping subtotal would be (-)$1.51. Fantastic!

The cashier rang up all my purchases, and before deducting any of my coupons, informed me that I would not be able to use the $5 off $25.

What? My purchases came to over $25!!!

It seems that the small print on the coupon read "Purchase amount of $25 or more must be before taxes and after all manufacturer and Walgreens coupons and discounts."

I was quite surprised because I've never seen that on a coupon before. Well, I wasn't prepared to buy more stuff so I told the cashier to void everything but the Glade Wisp candles - we're talking $3.99 each, $2.00 rebates each, and $3.00 off coupons each. I left with considerably less than what I had originally intended, but the $2.02 profit I was going to make on the candles almost made up for it.

That was until I got home and looked at the Easy Saver catalog...

Despite what the sign in the store said, the Glade Wisp candles were NOT included on the December list of rebates! So, my trip to Walgreens was a complete bust. (I know, .99¢ for a Glade Wisp candle is a good price, but I would not have made a trip to any store just for that.)

Now I'm not telling you all of this to bash Walgreens, although in the past couple of months they have gone from being one of my favorite stores to being my absolute least favorite store. No, I'm telling you this to remind you how important it is to read the terms of the coupons, and to double-check store promotions with the corporate fliers. Otherwise you could end up at the register with coupons you can't use, or buying things that don't qualify for rebates.

It's all in the small print!

Christmas Shopping at Hamricks

I've already started my Christmas shopping. I usually shop early, but this year I'm extra motivated because my college finals are the second week of December. This seems to be a great time to do my shopping, too. Retail stores are having fabulous sales right now. One of my current favorite stores is Hamricks.

Hamricks, a Gaffney-based family clothing store, has 15 locations throughout North and South Carolina, as well as one store each in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia; Kingsport, Tennessee; and Roanoke, Virginia. If you've never shopped at Hamricks, you need to check them out!

I've been shopping Hamricks sales for the past month, and I'm pleased to report that Ive almost completed my Christmas shopping at a fraction of what I've spent in past years.

I purchased Urban Frontier brand men's pullover fleece at $7.49 each. I generally think that suggested retail prices are overstated, so I don't really know how accurate this MSRP is. However, I do know that $7.49 is an excellent price for a fleece pullovers. I bought three!

I've also purchased several men's Basic Editions long-sleeved Henley's. I believe KMart sells this brand, so the suggested retail price of $12.99 should be pretty accurate. Hamricks had them on sale for $4.99 each. All of the men on my Christmas list are getting one. I also got up good quality men's embroidered sweatshirt with a suggested retail value of $38 for $9.99.

Just this week I took advantage of a sale on a women's winter jackets, and picked up another gift for only $9.99. Granted it's not on the cutting edge of winter wear fashion, but then my mother's not a diva either. (I just hope she's not reading this!)

Make sure you sign up for Hamricks "Preferred Customer" list. You will get a coupon for 25% Off your entire next shopping trip, whether or not the items are already on sale. Hamricks will also send you advance notices of upcoming sales.