Great HP giveaway from GearLive

Enter here!

Twilight Giveaways

I want to win one of these so bad... I'm blogging about blogs that have them to giveaway, as many as I can find. I will jump through hoops, post links, add buttons, do the best I can do to earn as many entries as possible! Please jump to these sites and also enter for your own chance to win and discover some interesting people with interesting things to say!

Twi..who? (Twilight Giveaway!!) Here is the first one!

miss-britt.com Here is the second one!

Running From the Little People: Norton PC Tune-Up GIVEAWAY!

Running From the Little People: Norton PC Tune-Up GIVEAWAY!

Running From the Little People: Twilight GIVEAWAY!

Running From the Little People: Twilight GIVEAWAY!

Another and another

I keep finding all these great blogs (that have fun and entertaining information) but even better they are giving away so many cool things! One leads to another, then to another! My lastest obsession is the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I'm currently reading the 2nd book New Moon. Lo' and behold I found a winners list on 5 minutes for Mom with a winner with my same name! It wasn't me, but this Heather is have a Twilight giveaway! Check it out and let me know if you win! It is so much fun!

Sleep Number Bed from 5 Minutes for Mom

Another great giveaway! Sleep Number Bed

Thanks to 5 Minutes for Mom

Great Blog Prizes to win!!

Since I have been unable to post my deals, I thought I would add some links to some great Blog giveaways!

It isn't as much fun...

as it was when my camera worked!

I went to Target last week and bought the 10 Vitamin Waters for $1.00 each. Total was $10, I used my gift cards that I had left over from the pop-tart extravaganza a few weeks back. That brought my total down to $2 and change oop and I earned a $5 gc back.

Saturday Wags trip

Well, my camera is officially dead. My other camera takes 3 pictures before warning that brand new batteries are low. I won a camera in a Mother's Day sweepstakes, but so far haven't received it. It isn't looking good that I will. So for the moment, I will just note what I bought.

4 Brach candy corns @ .99. Mixed 1 cup with 1 cup salted peanuts - tastes like a Payday.
2 Glade Wisp candles @ 5.99. I used B1G1 coupon, and $5 off one. I paid .99 for both then got back a $3 RR. Profit of $2.01.
2 - 16oz Coffeemate French Vanilla liquid creamer. On sale for $1.50 each. Used 2 $1.00 off. Final cost .50 each.
2 - 8oz pkg shredded cheddar cheese @ 1.50 each.
1 pkg hooks @ 1.99
High School Musical watch on clearance for $2.50
Tee shirt on clearance for 1.50
I used 2 RR that took off $14.
Total oop $2.48 earned 3 RR

I forgot to pick up more of the Quilted Northern in that transaction, so I grabbed 2 packages @ 4.00 each - 1 ESR Q - 2 MQ = 1.00 for each 6pk double roll.

Friday Night Trippin'

Walgreens
BC $56.42 + 3.95 tax = $60.37 -
Q's 30.50 -
RR 9.00 = $20.87 on gift card
Will get back on ESR $23.63
Final cost, all free + $2.76 profit.

Quick breakdown:
Quilted Northern Ultra Plus 4-2Q-1IVC =1.00
Pert @ 3.49 - 1.5Q -2.5 = free + profit
Fantastik, Windex, Shout, SB spray @ 2.50 - 1.50Q - 1 ESR= free
Nivea and Chemistry full price will get full price + 10% back on ESR
Scrubbing Bubbles foamer, kit, gel toilet disc @ 3.99 - 2Q - 1.50 ESR + 10% = .34 each
Crest 1.99 - 1IVC = .99 I had 1.00 Q but it kept beeping. I had a great cashier and didn't want her to have to take off the toothpaste and adjust total. I hate paying for it though...

Buy-Low

Went back to get a few more deals while double coupons is still in effect.

BC $38.60 -
Q 23.13 =
$15.47 OOP

Dog food 4# bag @ .99 each (20# for $4.95)
Soup @ .30 each
Cascade free
Pizza crust free
Bread B1G1 free - final cost $1.59 for both
Country Crock (44oz) free
Dog chews @ 2.19
Yogurt @ .33 each

I needed milk but didn't want to pay grocery store prices. CVS has the best deal on milk and I had a coupon - imagine that!

Milk @ 2.99 - .50 coupon = 2.49
Water @ 2.29 (free after ECB)
BC 5.28 - .50Q- 3ECB =
1.78 OOP
Earned 2.29 ECB
Final cost -.51 (profit)


I scanned my card upon entering and my quarterly ECB printed out for a grand total of $3. I needed to buy something else to get the full value so I bought the water.


Last stop of the night was Schnucks.

I guess I was tired because I bought 2 items that were not the right product - soup and lean cuisine.

BC $36.63
AC $13.50 oop

Only free item was the Green Giant steamers.
Everything else was on sale and cheaper w/coupon.
I had 12RR that were expired or expiring today that I needed to use along with 11.55 Q's.

After it was all brought in, photographed and put away, my final total is as follows:

$135.38 worth of groceries that I paid $25.70 for. A savings of 81%!

Dealio on doggie food

I bought some dog food on my previous trip to Buy-Low that was clearance priced @ 2.94. I went back yesterday armed with $2.00 coupons and bought the remaining 3 bags. Oh, if they had only had more! I paid $3.44 of which .62 was tax and got 12 pounds of dog food.

Buy Low Double coupon week

I live in the Land of No Doubles (LOND). Well, almost. A local store will double coupons once a month and another smaller local store will run them occasionally as a 1 day sale. I don't regularly shop either although I check their ad for loss leaders, just in case! Buehler's Buy Low is running the double coupon week where all coupons up to .50 are doubled, everything thing between .51 and .99 will increase to 1.00. I stopped on my way home from work and grabbed the items shown. Total BC $35.25 AC $26.25. The best deals were on the Campbell's Soup Chicken Noodle which was on sale for .50. I had .40 off 4, so final price after doubling is .30 a can. Tomato soup is also on sale at that price, but I don't care for it. Yoplait yogurt was .50 each and I had .40 off 6, which made the final cost .37 each. Hot Pockets were on sale for $2.00 each, I used .50 off which made them $1.00 each. Cheap lunch for sure! Everything else was bought without coupon.

Walgreens
BC 42.43
AC + tax 12.06 oop
Earned 10 RR, $4.94 rebate
= All free + $2.88 profit
(2 wisp, glade spray, 3 advil, pert)

BC 44.12
AC + tax 19.85
Earned 11 RR, 12.08 rebate
(Zicam, L'oreal cleaner, 6 hour energy)

6 children's Tylenol I paid $3.04 for 6 bottles or .51 each!

CVS Paid 14 for $28 worth of toilet paper, kleenex and soy joy bars.


Walgreens over the weekend using $5 off $20 purchase.

I paid $17.59 for $54 worth of stuff.

7 sodas
1 swiffer starter kit
1 swiffer refill
1 swiffer duster free wyb sweeper
1 mr. clean magic eraser
1 toothbrush, free
3 tylenol @ .51 each

The shopping continues

Here is rundown of last couple of days. It is a continuation of the Walgreens / Schnucks that I had done earlier. Totals reflect all purchases made since 9/19/08.

Wags
$123.34 total before coupons
$21.62 oop after coupons and tax
after rr are added back $16.12 oop
$5.49 esr will get back
Final real cost $10.63 = 91% savings

Schnucks
$135.92 total before coupons
$44.86 oop
Final cost after catalinas $32.86 = 76% savings

Again, this includes photo from the last post.

Highlights:
Crest mouthwash all free, Bath Buddies all free
Glade plugins all free, Glade warmers all free
Altoids all free, Reach dental floss all free
Visine free, Myoplex bar free
Powerade @ .13, Nabisco products @ 1.00, Herberts @ .50 (1.99 reg.), Electrasol @ .75
Cat food @ .15 (I don't even have a cat!)

Walgreens and Schnuck's 9/24/08

I got really lucky today! I'm so happy! I was sitting in traffic, trying to get across town in what should take about 25 minutes and instead took 45 when I thought I should look at my coupons. I discovered to my absolute horror, that I had a $10 RR that expired 9/21/08!!!! That was at least $7 free money. I had no idea if Walgreens would take it, if I should ask first or play dumb. I played dumb and then thought if it didn't work, I would call out the big dogs aka manager and try my might! Turns out I didn't need to worry. I bought 2 pkgs Nabisco cookies 2/$5 and 1 Crest @ $4.49, plus a clearance notebook @ 1.09. My RR scanned no problem and I got back 3 RR and 4.50 RR. OOP was .97. Cookies ended up being 1.00 each, mouth wash free. I'll do this a few more times. I did check into their RX program. I am interested in getting the W card because of some extra money that can be made using it, but it costs $20 upfront. I needed to fill a RX that I know is on the $4 Walmart plan. Wags doesn't price match. They want you to buy the card ($35 family, $20 single) and then you can buy a 90 supply for $12 off the "list." My particular drug, if I paid full price through my insurance would be $11 which I could get back via FSA, but why would I want to spend 11, when I can spend 4 and get that back as well? Walgreens explained I would be getting my money back but being I only have 1 prescription, I decided to take my script elsewhere, for the time being. Off to Schnucks I went. Their deal is $4 generic drug or 90 day supply for $10. I did the latter.

As for grocery deals:
Catalina for Powerade Zero is working!!!! Buy 6 get 4 oyno. They were on sale for .80 each, or .13 each after cat.
3 Johnson buddies that I had catalina $3 off 3 items. Free
2 Kraft cheese wyb 3 Kraft products (Kool-aid)
1 OM all beef hotdog wyb 3 Kraft products (see above)
2 Glade refills (made mistake - needed to buy the plugin using b1g1 @ 3.29 would have got $4 oyno)
2 scrubbie things because mine are old and falling apart!
1 Hot dog bun - we had them for dinner.
BC 30.70 AC 15.46 got back $4 cat and another J&J coupon to buy more buddies.

I need to pull coupons for this weekend. Overlap days at Walgreens starts Friday and hopefully they will issue a $10 off $40 coupon!

Usual Friday round CVS, Wags and grocery

Free and cheap stuff:

Wesselman's grocery store BC 14.92 AC 5.92
5 Steamers @ .88 = 4.40. Used $1/1 and $1/2 x2 = .28 each.
2 Pop tarts @ 1.39 - 1.00 =.89 each
10 Easy Mac @ .75 each - $1/2 = .25 each

Walgreens BC 35.92 AC 6.01 Spent 10RR earned 7.50 RR and will get back 5.49 rebate.
2 Nilla wafers @ 3.00 each. Earned 3.00 RR back final cost $1.50 each.
Nivea for Men @ 4.99 -1.00 = 3.99 will get back 5.49 in rebate.
1 Crest mouth wash @ 4.50 earned 4.50 RR
3 Visine @ 4.49 -3.00 - 2 Wags coupon = -0.51 x 3 profit
2 Herberts loaded chocolate bars @ 1.99 each- 3/2 coupon = .50 each
1 Colgate toothpast @ 2.99 - 1.00 - 2.00 = free + .01 profit.

CVS
Milk 2.99 - .50
Cashews, no deal just sounded really good!
Aleve D 3.99 - 1.00 =3.00 earned 3.00 ECB
Excedrin Quicktabs = 3.99 - 1 CVS coupon = 2.99 earned 3.99 ECB
2 Revlon eye shadows B1G1 @ 4.99 - 2.00 - 2.00 = .99 for both or .50 each
1 GE Sour cream and onion cracker that DD has been wanting for weeks. 1.99

BC 27.44 - 6.50 coupons - 19.99 ECB = 1.05 oop earned 6.99 back. Not a great deal, but that is okay!

Schnucks and CVS 9/22

Went to Schnucks to try out the Glade catalina deal. I ended up buying the wrong thing.
I bought two oil plugins @ 3.49 and used B1G1 coupon. I also bought 2 refills @ 4.39 using B1G1.
I earned 2 $2.00 OYNO but thought I was to get 4 of them. I think the refills are not working at Schnucks. I will have to try and make up the difference I spent on them buying more of the right thing. It is a small money maker.
Used a few more of the Kraft WYB that expire 9/30. I'll honestly be glad when I run out! I still have to buy cheese and hot dogs only I have run out of room in my freezer! Other stuff (salad, tortilla chips and salsa) were needed items.
I ran to CVS to do the 2 day sale but they were out of the L'oreal wrinkle lotion. I ended up getting a rain check. It is free after ECB but I had a 1.00 coupon to use for profit. I may not get to use that when it comes in. Nivea Men wash is free after ECB this week but they were out of that as well. I ended up only buying the Adidas @ 4.99 - 1.00 =3.99 earning 4.00 ecb. Made a whole cent!!! Also will be trying the Powerade Zero catalina - buy 6 get 4 oyno. If anyone wants to share the details if they pursue this deal, please post here!

9/18/08 Buehler's Buy Low

I don't do a whole lot of shopping here but I needed to run to the library and I did see a few good items that I could add to the ever growing stockpile. I would also like to add that I really love having this newly acquired stash of food and extras! Making dinner has never been so easy and only shopping for essentials and great deals means less time in the store. Tonight our dinner could not have been over $3.00 total. I don't remember all of the prices but our menu consisted of Cheesy Tuna Noodle Helper (requested by DD) - I bought this while the GM promo was going on... buy 10 get $25 movie card.

Tuna helper @ .65
Starkist Gourmet tuna @ .47
2 c. milk @ .43 (don't recall price maybe 3.50)
1/4 stick margarine @ .07 (really, who's counting)
1 Green Giant Steamers corn @ .05 (I thought this was delicious!)
1 4-count Pillsbury croissant that were on sale for 1.00 but I used 1.00 off so they were free.
1 Dole ceasar salad mix that I bought tonight for 3.00.

Okay, my total was over 3.00 - $4.67 to be exact but it was well worth it and much cheaper than DD favorite fast food place with the big yellow M! I have enough for lunch tomorrow and then even another serving of tuna for DD if she so desires. I ate the rest of the salad - didn't think the croutons would be very good tomorrow.

Anyway, my picture is ready to be added now...

BC 15.69
AC 12.58

4 cans OEP beans @ .50 each
3 cans Progresso @ .88 each
1 salad for 3.00
3.83 Gala apples that looked delicious and I don't care for apples that often @ 4.94.

I went for the beans and soup.

Post any deals you might have for Buy-Low! Here is the weekly ad:

Once again...

I've got a bunch of pics and deals that I have done in the last couple of weeks.


Walgreens on 9/7

Bought
5 Scrubbing Bubbles wipes @ 2.49 - 1.00
2 Scrubbing Bubbles spray @ 2.49 - .75
Buy 7 products, get 10 RR.
($17.43 - 6.5 Q - 10 RR = .93 for 7 products) or .13 each

3 Robitussin cold medicine @ 3.99 - 3.00
Buy 3 get 10RR
(11.97-9 Q - 10 RR = $7.03 profit) I think this deal is still active but $3 IP is now $1.00)
Needed the thermometer for sick daughter, who also had to have the teeny bop magazine and root beer for her sore throat.
My total was:
$53.07 - 27Q + 2.79 tax = $28.41 oop. I used 18 RR (from John Frieda) and paid 10.41 cash but got back $20 RR. Total net cost 8.41.

CVS 9/8/08

Flip flops for DD were 2.75 for both
3 Revlon nail polish free after ECB
L'Oreal Revitalift free + 1.00 profit after ECB and coupon.
2 Aussie leave in conditioner mousse. $.49 each
10 Lifesavers all free after coupon. (I must have 50 pounds of these!)
37.19 BC
-19.95 coupons
+ 1.53 tax
-14.99=
$3.78 Earned 16.99 ECB. Net cost 1.78

Walgreens 9/12/08

Wags issued a 10 off 40 coupon good Fri and Sat only.

I repeated the cleaner RR using Shout and Fantastik (they were out of more Shout), repeated the Robitussin, bought Free after September rebate items: Acid controller, Excedrin, Revlon polish, Lypsyl.
3 Visine @ 3.99 - 3 Q - 1 store Q = free + .01
2 Crunch @ 4.00 - 2Q - 1 store Q = .50 each
2 Sour punch @ 1.50 - 1 = 1.00 each

BC 68.63
-40.75 coupons
+ 3.82 tax = 31.70 -
9 RR used (John Frieda)=
22.70 oop (used gift card from August ESR)
Earned 20 RR
Will get back 20+ in rebate, which is all profit.


Schnucks 9/16/08

2 Wheat Thins
1 Kraft Salad dressing
2 Crystal Light
2 Oscar Mayer all beef hot dogs
2 Kraft cheese slices
3 Johnson buddies

All above was free using All You coupons and 3 off 3 J&J catalina (got another one at checkout to roll)
I had to buy the Kool-Aid to get the free items, other stuff I needed.
$54.65 BC
-37.67 coupons
+.21 tax =
17.19 oop.


Wesselman's (local store) 9/17 and Pet Food Center (another local store)

6 Green Giant Steamers @ .88 - 1.00 coupon ( I only used 5 to capture some of the overage in case they wouldn't want to adjust coupon) = .05 each
2 Kraft Easy Mac @ .75 each (1.50 - $1/2) = .25 each
1 Fudge bar @ 1.69
1 Science Diet @ 9.99 - 5.00 coupon. They would only let me use 1 coupon (I have several more) so I will price check this at Petsmart and either get there or make several stops... 2 bones @ 2.5 each)
Wesselman's I paid 2.47 oop. Pet Food Center I paid 9.95 oop.

If you're still with me, here is a link to a great site that has Schnuck's deals:

I'm behind and my camera is dying!

I haven't taken pictures of everything recently, but thought I'd go ahead and show what I did have.

Schnucks

They were running a deal if you bought $15 worth of Unilever products you would get a $5 cat oyno.
Bertolli, Klondike, Popsicle and all is what I bought.
McCormick Grinders $1.00 - .25 coupon.
Crystal Light, Hot Dogs and Wheat Thins all free wyb 3 other products (Kool-Aid)
Bread, milk and hot dog buns I needed. $61.10 BC, $28.85 AC

I had another trip that isn't pictured. I was able to buy Kashi granola cereal for $1.00 box. Mt. Olive Pickles (individual serving paks) for $1.11. Ronzoni pasta in pouch for $1.50.

Last night I went and got a bunch of Pillsbury rolls (4 ct) including crescent, biscuits and cinnamon rolls for .55 each. They were on sale for $1.00 each. I also got 3 packs of Kings 4 ct. rolls for .35 each. Rice-A-roni for .80 each. Classico Pesto for $2.00.




CVS and Wags from Friday. Wags had a $10 off $40 purchase.

Highlights - Garnier ended up being .32 each after rebate. Laundry soap 1.49 each. Stayfree - staying free. Chemistry shampoo free +10% ESR. Toothbrushes free, lip gloss free, cashews free, zip fizz free, nails 1.99, vacuum bag free, advil $2.49 for 50 ct after $2.00 coupon, Glade plugins were cheap or free. John Frieda was free after RR.


Today: CVS, Schnucks, Target

Poptarts .50 each. Buy 4 for $9. Use .50 target coupon for each box, pay 7, get back $5 gc. Same thing for Keebler cookies. Granola bars $1.25 each using target coupon. 4 Kraft dressing free wyb 3 products (Kool-Aid), Suave all free. Atkins bars all free. Cover Girl lip gloss free. I also bought some boneless skinless chicken and Pepsi products not shown as they were bought without coupons.

8/22/08 Hit the Wals today

Wal-Mart BC $59.52 AC $23.52

I had a bunch of tuna coupons expiring tomorrow and I did not have a stock pile of it.

12 Starkist tuna pouches @ .46 each
12 Starkist Gourmet cans @ .47 each
6 Huggies Clean team wipes @ .14 each
3 Farmland Ham 1lb packages @ 1.16 each. I like this ham and it freezes and thaws great.
1 Farmland Diced ham 1lb @ .68 - just learned how to make a decent fried rice and I used ham of all things. Tasty!
2 Farmland Bacon 1lb @ .50 each
3 Farmland sausage rolls @ .94 each.
Obviously I had a glutton of Farmland coupons and having tried all but the sausage, I have been pleased.
2 All You magazine @ 1.77 each. If you haven't bought this magazine you need to if only for the coupons they have every month. I have a subscription and bought 5 of this same issue a few weeks ago. Tonight, I was asked if I really wanted 2 copies.... yeah. There are 30+ coupons including 5 Free items (Wheat-Thins, Crystal Light, Kraft Salad Dressing, Oscar Mayer Hotdogs, Kraft American Cheese slices) when you buy 3 additional Kraft products. Cheap items to consider are Jell-O, Mac & Cheese, unsweetened Kool-Aid, or other items that you would buy anyway. There is also a $1.00 off Peter Pan Peanut Butter which is how I got mine for $0.50 each.


Walgreens had $5 off $20 purchase coupon to print - good today and tomorrow! I've bought most of my ESR items. I wasn't sure if I had room in my freezer for all of this ice cream! That was the quickest and easiest deal to do for me at 10:30 p.m.
Buy 2 Bertolli get 5 RR
Buy 4 Breyers get 5 RR
BC $25.98 (used 1.50 2x and 5.00 off)
AC 17.63 (actually had a negative tax?! of .35)
Got both 5 RR.
Bertolli @ .74 each, Breyers @ 1.63 each. Oh, it fit.

8/21/08 Schnucks Shopping

BC $61.10 +
tax $0.72 -
Q's $27.97 =
$33.85 oop earned $5 OYNO from Unilever and $3 off J&J product.
= $25.85

5 Powerade Zero free with overage.
1 Wheat Thins free
2 Juicy Juice @ 1.00 each
2 Minute Maid @ 1.50 each
2 McCormick Spices @ .75 each
3 J&J Bath Buddies free (I bought thinking they would generate 3 oyno but it was a $3 coupon instead.)
2 Kens Salad dressing @ .50 each
3 WB Spritzers @ .67 each (I made a mistake and bought WB instead of Kens. They must have pushed coupons through. Kens Spritzers would have been a better buy at .50 each)
2 WB Bountiful dressing @ .67 each.
2 bags Salad @ 2.00 each
2 Sargento Salad Finishers @ 1.45 - This is my new favorite (at least for tonight!) I had 2 coupons for .55 off 1. They are on sale for $2. I fixed the Chicken Ceasar flavor for dinner. It comes with the chicken, cheese and croutons, I added salad and dressing. It makes 2 salads or 4 sides. I ordered some $1.00 coupons that I hope make it here before the sale is over.
2 Bertolli w/ meat @ 5.49 (couldn't find just pasta and sauce that was on sale for 4.99)
2 Lipton sides to complete the Buy $15 worth of Unilever get $5 back deal.
Not sure if the deal works more than 1x per transaction but will be buying duplicates of some of the items in the next couple of days. I've got so much salad dressing but I can't hardly pass it up as we love salads!

Quick shopping update from last weekend

Deals I got at Schnucks:

1 Cascade rinse - free
2 Rubbermaid containers 1.50 each
6 Weber grill spices - free
2 Beneful dog food .50 each
Popcicles and cotton balls on sale, no coupons.

22.15 BC -
15.49 coupons +
1.22 tax =
7.88 oop AC



Schnucks and Buy-Low combined

Buy-Low BC $4.50 AC $1.50
3 Peter Pan Peanut butters @ .50 each

Schnucks BC $41.37 AC $17.16
2 Beneful dog food @ .50 each
1 Crystal Light free
1 Kraft dressing free
1 Oscar Mayer hot dog free
1 Wheat Thin free
3 Kool-Aid @ .10 each (required for free items)
2 sponges @ 1.00 each
1 2000 flushes @ 1.23
Fruit at regular price
1 Chipolte sauce on clearance @ .60
1 Biz @ .39


Walgreens

BC 30.99
AC 18.98

Not so many great deals.

4 Gortons fish/shrimp products @ 1.12 each
4 Bic Pens free
2 Extra Gum free
All other was "must have's" for DD.




CVS

BC $11.86
AC $5.45
Used 5 ECB
OOP $0.45
Earned 8 ECB back (5 was carryover from candy deal)
All free!

Schnuck's last few days

Total cost for all 3 trips:
130.83 BC
87.53 AC
Not extremely great overall, but I did have some really good buys on individual products.
1 V8 fusion free after coupon from MFG.
2 3-strip packages of Fleischman yeast free after coupon from MFG.
1 Fresh Express salad try me free. I threw away the UPC by mistake, so not such a great deal as I must buy another one now...
1 3-pk socks - had peelie for 1.00 off and hang tag for $2 rebate. Final cost 1.00



1 Cascade rinse aid - free after Q
6 Weber spices - free after Q
2 Rubbermaid take alongs @ 1.50 each after Q.
Popscicle and cotton balls no q's
2 Purina Dog food @ .50 each after IP Q.








5 Just Bunches @ 1.00 each
2 Biz on sale for 2.89 found 2.00 blinkie - only 1 per person, so I paid 3.78 for both, or 1.89 each
1 Cardinis on clearance for 1.78 had 1.00 off hangtag.
8 Red Gold whole tomatoes for .25 each clearance. Used 3 $0.55 off 2. $0.35 for all 8 cans.
1 Cascade Rinse Aid - free after MQ.
4 Windex wipes on clearance for 1.00 each. Used 2 $0.75 off 1 = $0.63 each.
2 Dial soap @ .40 each
2 Sobe no sugar energy drink 1.00 each
1/2 pound Lorraine swiss @ 3.99 but deli had $1.00 off wyb 1/2 pound.
4 Weber Grill mate spices free.
1 Sunsweet prune (I thought they were 2.29 but they were 3.09 - .75)
Oh, I bought 2 full price sweetened condensed milk to make this!

8/11/08 Wags, Buy-Low, CVS

My camera is dying. I apologize for blurry pictures. 1st stop today was Walgreens.
BC $70.77
AC 11.35 + 3.71 tax (15.06) oop
ESR 16.25

All free + 1.19 profit. I did use up my $25 RR from the Kellogg's deal last week. I really wanted a Ped Egg. Then I went to CVS and they had it in pink... oh well.

Quick run down. Everything had a coupon available or was free after ESR.
Pert free + overage after ESR
Toilet Paper @ .99 each
10 packs pens @ free
1 pack Bic pencils @ .99
2 Gorton's @ 1.12 each
3 Royal Pudding (no coupon - needed for RR)
1 Thermos on clearance @ .94
Light bulb free after ESR
2 Glade flameless candle @ .79 after ESR
2 Apricots @ 1.24 each
4 Extra Gum free + .02 overage
2 Hershey Bliss @ 1.00 each. Not sure if I can do the Hershey ESR again or not. I'll have to check into that.

Double coupon week at Buehler's Buy-Low. I don't shop there too often because I think their prices are a lot higher than Schnuck's, if you can believe that! I had a few coupons that expired today that I thought might make for a good deal.
Not so. Buy-Low doesn't seems to carry but 1 or 2 name brand products for each item.

2 New York Dip'n Sticks @ 2.59 each
1 Dog chewie @ 2.19
2 Red Gold tomatoes @ .24 each

Total oop 8.06

Final stop was CVS.

I should have done more transactions instead of one big one. I thought I was getting a good deal, but after figuring out my net cost, it is higher than I anticipated.

Skin effects, Lamisil and 24.7 were all free plus overage. Sunscreen was .19 each.
Dove is going towards candy deal, I'm 3.09 short of earning 5 ecb.
Alli book and Miracle Hand repair were on clearance for 2.50 each. I thought that was a good deal and am interested in reading about alli.
Breathrx - would not buy this at regular price. Apparently no one else wants it either as these boxes were dusty! It normally is 9.99 each, but after coupon and B1G1 sale, I got them for 3.50 each.
Milk I needed and had .50 coupon so I paid 2.49. Good deal, IMO.

BC 72.91
AC+ tax 40.80
Used 28.27 ECB + 12.23 cash
Earned 25 ECB.

Net cost 15.50. Will have to go and get the last 3.09 of candy so that I can feel better about the oop. Might need bon-bons to go along with the reading material.

8/8/08 Double Wags

Heidi and Adam got married today and I offered to watch their kids for them. On the way to the movies, courtesy of General Mills, I stopped at Wags to see if the Double RR's were printing as was all the hype online. Yes, they were. Of course, I had to return after the movie.

All told, I spent 16.00 but received 20 RR back and got 6 boxes of Nutri-Grain Bars and 2 packages of Sandies. Can you believe none of the kids had ever had them? I guess I don't buy them... not sure why other than they were out of my price range before couponing. Who knows. They are quite tasty but the serving size is 1. One! I ate like 5 last night. In a row. Went back and had another one an hour later. So free may not be so good after all.

8/5/08 Wags, CVS, Schnucks

Quick trip always results in me spending more than I anticipated!

Rice cooker 5.59 after rebate
Toaster 3.59 after rebate (rang up 7.99)
2 Drano 1.35 each after rebate
4 Special K bars 0.25 each after Q's and RR
12 Pure Protein bars 0.25 each after Q's
Printer ink on clearance @ 8.99
2 pkg dots (to hang all the Jonas Brother posters you could ever want)
Curling Iron @ 4.99 after IVC


Total 65.14
-16.10 coupons
+3.51 tax
-5 RR
-11 Rebate
=36.55 oop
Used gc and paid total of 5.88 OOP

CVS

6 Kleenex B1G1 final cost @ 0.56 (they missed 2 Q's - should have been 0.40 each)
1 Advil free with 1.00 overage after ECB and Q
2 Crest after Q and ECB .24 each
3 Oral B tooth brushers after Q and ECB free with .03 overage
1 Energy drink free after ECB
6 Covergirl makeup B1G1 free with B1G1 coupon.
1 Jonas Brother jam packed poster magazine.



Total
87.89
+ 2.19 tax
-62.31 store sales (B1G1 and coupons)
-27.77 ECB
= 0
Earned $20.28 ECB. Net cost $7.49.

Schnucks

Went to do the Kellogg's Fuel for School $10 rebate.

6 Poptarts and 4 Special K granola bars.
Used Vocal point coupons B1G1 + $3 and $3 Poptart. Total 9.32, will get 10 back.

Free Bagels
Free Cascade dishwasher rinse
Free cream cheese


Total 51.77
-19.12 coupons
= 32.65
Used 5 gc (from GM rebate) and paid $27.65 oop, will get back 10. Net cost 17.65 (22.65 with GC added back in)

Houdini the Cat

My DD screamed for me to come quickly, there was a hurt cat on our door step!!!! I came strolling along, quite sure that I was going to regret the sight. I imagined a mangled heap of fur thinking that I was already not quite sure how I was going to deal with it. Instead, I see a beautiful Siamese cat lounging on the porch. I glance over it looking for broken bones, blood, gore.. yet see nothing. My daughter is quite distressed, demanding we bring it inside, feed it, take care of it, keep it... uh... no. The cat had one long scratch on its ear, to which my daughter tended to immediately. She placed a clear bandaid lengthwise on the ear.... I guess she thought it would leave it on there. I gave it some chopped ham and even bought it a couple of pouches of cat food - ONLY because I had B1G1 free cat coupons. I knew a cat this pretty had a home and someone would be missing it. After much pleading and several hours of telling her to leave it alone so it could go home (why would it want to with all of her attention) the owners were finally located. Thank goodness! There is no way my 2 dogs would have allowed this cat ANY of their territory!

Oh, the cat's name was Houdini as the title says. Figures.

Left overs from July - CVS

This was done in 2 stops. One at a CVS in Owensboro, Ky. I have never seen such a weird ad. The pictures were huge and the flyer did not contain all of the same deals that we had across the river. Luckily the DVD deal was working.
Made $10 on the DVD's. Aspirin was my freebie for the month of August. Childrens Advil was free + overage. My daughter has already tried it out for a headache and is pleased with the flavor. Whoppers were to finish the candy deal (I was .92 cents short), Hershey bar was free with CVS CRT. Atkins bars were free w/ coupon and sale.
Lipgloss free with overage.

Total BC
$49.42 inc. tax
-19.78 coupons
-22 ECB
=7.64 cash oop
Earned 40.76 ECB Profit $11.12 (Used some of the 1st ECB for 2nd deal)

Enough complaining, back to shopping

Some where along the way I left out a Lifesaver / Razor deal. 10 bags free, 2 razors free paid $0.56 oop. I found the bag tonight but didn't want to take another picture. I still have 2 more "transactions" to do but since talking to DM, don't know if I want to go empty handed. Hopefully I'll get an email back. A user of Refund Cents shared a scanned copy of the policy that was sent to her on CVS letterhead but it doesn't print well for me. Moving on....

Walgreens sent out a $5 off $20 purchase coupon last night. I didn't have a lot of time to pull my deals together in order to hit several Wags on my way home from work, so I had to settle for 1 deal - which turned into 2! I also went to Wal-Mart to use up some coupons and check if inventory had been replaced.
Wal-Mart
15 Kotex @ 1.00 each - 1.00 coupon = free
3 South Beach drink @ 2.00 - 2.00 IP coupon = free
6 Well Patch @ .97 - 1.00 = .03 overage
1 scrubbie thin @ .97
1 Diet Mt. Dew @ 1.38 (ridiculous price to pay, but it was HOT and I was thirsty!)

Total BC 29.17 AC + tax 3.79
I did mention to cashier that I really didn't have a bleeding disorder, was stocking up for pretween DD. I think I might use some to make these fancy duds: Maxi Pad Slippers

Wags trip:

1st deal was the Gazelle Vacuum. I had read about this on the Walgreens website and it had decent reviews. I have a Dyson canister that I love, but at times, it is a pain to put together and impossible to convince DD to use frequently. I also have a Swiffer vac that I loved when I first got it, but the battery has died considerably and I don't use it at all. Walgreens has a $20 rebate on this item and although I wasn't really considering it for $80.00, I came across it in the clearance rack, listed for 49.99. I thought after rebate, $30 sounded pretty good. However, when I went to buy it, using the 5 off 20 coupon, the friendly cashier said it was ringing up 19.99 and coupon wouldn't work- how horrible!!... I tossed the .50 kitten calendar up on counter and all was well. I spent 16.57 but will get back 20 + 2 on rebate. Profit 5.43.
All the other stuff I bought in 2nd transaction.
10 Pringles @ 0.61 (I bought some fat free and light versions - not totally bad) after coupons and RR. One actually rung up wrong and I didn't get the RR but called store and will get refund of 2.39 and 3 RR.
2 Tuf garbage bags B1G1 @ 4.99. Will get 5 + .50 rebate
2 Bioinfusion hair stuff @ 5.99 each, will get 11.98 + 1.20 rebate
4 Hershey Bliss @ .75 each, but will get 5 + .50 rebate (are you seeing a pattern?)
2 Dog bones @ 2.00 My dogs have been bored and I swear I haven't seen them in 3 days!
1 Olay Regenerist Thermal face kit on clearance. Full price it was 27.99. Clearance price is 6.99. I used $3 coupon. You can do the math. Cheap face lift.

Total of two transactions:

BC $72.74 (after $81 clearance markdown)
- $25.90 coupons,
+ 3.53 tax
- 3.29 refund
- 2.70 (I didn't get the 3 RR, so she gave me .30 for the 9 correct Pringles)
- 41.98 Walgreens ES rebate
- 4.20 10% bonus ES rebate
= -$1.80 ... Profit. Period. End of calculation.

If there were any doubt....

I let my happy behind (as mentioned in previous post) get the better of me and pretty much had this baby wrapped up! I got a message from the DM on my voice mail yesterday. I called him back today, so sure that he was going to apologize and confirm what Customer Care had already told me. Nope. Not even close. I did not expect that and all of my "imagined" conversations had not even gone there, so to speak. He said that I had to buy something to get the free item and buy using a coupon "as payment" I wasn't really buying it and they couldn't let me get something for free. I tossed a few scenarios at him, explaining my understanding of a coupon. I asked about a 4 dollar bottle of shampoo that if I had a $3.99 coupon, I could use that and pay $0.01 but (using a coupon for the purchase) but a coupon that states B1G1 free, maximum value 2.29, I couldn't use to get the free bag - no he said. I said if the coupon stated save $2.19 (current price of lifesavers here) I could use it and get 2 bags free. I don't know if he answered that or if he did, I don't recall... he just said that the stores I had used them at should not have, and that they were trying to please the customer. I finally asked, so if I buy 1 @ 2.19, use this coupon I should get one from CVS and one from manufacturer? Again, no direct response that was clear cut. He said just in our conversation, coupons are so open to interpretation. I agree but mentioned that what he was saying was in direct conflict of what I was already told by Customer Care per there book that they were using. The lady on phone Monday night had several scenarios that she was reading from, then said, well that isn't the exact scenario... read another one... until she found the correct one. He didn't have a good answer for using a coupon on a sale item when I mentioned Michelle's excuse. He said I would be better off using my B1G1 free when it wasn't on sale... huh?!?! In the end, I tried to explain to him that it wasn't so much about getting to use my coupon but that I would have preferred a better, more professional response from Michelle as I had from Adam when I called back. I got off the phone, frustrated and promptly wrote cvs.com and asked for specific clarification. The more I thought about it, the more I felt he was taking up for the employees and not the consumer and that really irks me. As I mentioned to a friend at work, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that there is even a romantic connection between Michelle and the DM, after seeing his picture hanging at the "good" store. That is probably stretching it. So I have spent the last few hours scouring the internet to find the true meaning of what the verbage on coupons mean. I have found good interpretations to try and explain to ignorant cashiers, managers, district managers.... purchase is a item, transaction is entire group, but I want something more definite. I kept looking at my poor Lifesaver coupon and its "Limit one coupon per purchase." sentence. How do I prove that a single item is a purchase.... I checked a CVS receipt. It has a transaction number up top (good to use for transaction proof) and # items at bottom - not clear enough though for purchase. Finally it dawned on me. I dug an empty wrapper out of my trash and took the following picture - note the proof of purchase. Think it'll work?!? I sure do!

7/28 Made the phone call to CVS....

I was really tied up at work today... not literally tied up of course, but so busy that the morning got away from me. I called the unfriendly store about 3 p.m. and the phone was answered by none other than "Michelle". I asked politely to speak to a manager and she proceeded to ask what SHE could do to help me. I then asked for Karen as I had seen Karen's smiling face as I strutted out of the store yesterday. Michelle promptly said that she (Karen) had just left for the day and was there anything that she could help me with.

I had talked to CVS employee Adam yesterday, who is apparently above Michelle in rank (he was called to the phone when I asked to speak to the store manager) I explained the problem that occurred with Michelle and asked for clarification. He was very polite but ADMITTED that he wasn't brushed up on the coupon rules and to speak with Karen, the top dog store manager today. Honesty goes a long way! I'd had rather been told that the cashier wasn't sure, Michelle wasn't sure, no one knew diddly squat about how to use a little piece of paper that wasn't money to pay for something, but that they would find out the answer and take my number, follow up, etc... Make me a happy shopper who wants to return to their little store. Obviously that didn't happen. I felt like I was a smooth criminal.

I suspect that Adam passed the fact that I called in regards to the problem with Michelle. I know I would have given a heads up if someone was upset with one of my co-workers... Anyway, either Michelle has an air of superiority about her when she speaks on the phone, or she was keyed into the fact that I would be calling back. I won't say she was entirely impolite, but not overtly friendly either. I'm sure she is a nice girl but boy she ticked me off yesterday and was sour sounding today. I promptly hung up and called 1-800-Shop-CVS. Glad I did! I spoke with a really nice lady who confirmed that both items should be mine for the taking if I had a B1G1 coupon, that indeed I could use a coupon on a sale item and that it clearly sounded like the employees needed to be trained. She would pass along the info to the District Manager and would I like a follow up call from the man himself??! Of course I said! I reiterated my disappointment and EMBARRASSMENT of being treated as an imbecile who was trying to pull something over on CVS. Even the rep on the phone said that the employees don't see it as "fair" when someone walks out without paying for something but that the Manufacturer of the product pays retail price + handling. I can't wait to speak with DM and let him know that there are in fact several wonderful CVS stores in his area and expected the same from this one.


Now, should I strut my happy behind back into that store and purchase my Lifesavers from Michelle her Highness or go on my merry way??? To be decided....

7/27/08 CVSin'

My ECB supply has dwindled so I decided I would go ahead and do the Lifesaver deal that is all the talk this week, even though I already have countless bags of them. If nothing else, they will be good to send for class parties at DD school! I have exactly 23 B1G1 coupons and thought I would drive to 4 stores and get no more than 10 per store and leave some for others. I then could access two additional stores this week on my way home from work. At the first store I had no problems. I got 10 bags with many more left, 2 razors using $4.00 coupon and 1 paper. OOP 2.26 Earned 5 ecb.
On to second store, repeated leaving out newspaper. Our paper here gets very few coupons. I get a copy just in case there is something I need and to judge if I want to buy additional copies, otherwise I just get inserts elsewhere! No problems to be had, other than the pesky issue with this coupon not wanting to scan. I even threw in some Orange Mint variety hoping it would tag to those and not beep. OOP 1.13 Earned 5 ecb.
Third store - tried same transaction. Presented coupons and the cashier told me that I could only use one, since it says, "Limit one coupon per purchase." She didn't agree with me that 1 purchase is 2 bags. I said fine, I'll make 5 purchases. She gave me a dirty look and called for manager. Manager asked if I was using any CVS coupons because I would not be able to use them with the lifesavers and razors...??!? I said no.... she then started reading the coupon and said that I couldn't use it because it states, "No other coupon or offer may be used in conjunction with this coupon, yada yada yada...." And since they were "on sale" at CVS I couldn't use the coupon. I then asked her if she was implying I can't use a coupon on sale items, to which she said yes. I said, I have used this coupon this morning at another location and they didn't have a problem with it. She said the other store was not reading the coupons then. I left my stuff on the counter and said I was so glad that they were so proficient at reading and I would be calling corporate. It isn't so much about getting the free stuff but for her and the cashier to act like I was trying to scam them and then the audacity of her stating that CVS will not take a coupon on a sale item is ridiculous. I left cursing myself that my battery in phone was not charged and mad that she got to me!! I went to the last CVS and while doing the same purchase minus razors because they were already out, asked the cashier about coupons on sale items. I know the answer, was just curious. Dang Lifesaver worked 1st time then on 2nd it said that it was over the amount.... She called over someone else and then they got to looking and said I couldn't use them because I have to "buy" one bag. I said I was buying them with the coupon... no go. I would have left with nothing, but needed milk. I'm calling the 3rd and 4th manager tomorrow. We'll see what happens!
Total
$64.75 BC $7.58 AC Used 1 ecb, $6.58 oop. Got back 10 ecb. Profit of $2.42!!

7/26 Walgreens Double Dip Day

I was convinced I did not need to, or for that matter want to do any shopping today. I changed my mind.

Action scrubber 5.49 - $2.75 IP coupon - 1.50 ES rebate (+0.15 bonus) - 5.49 TMF rebate = -$4.40 - aka profit!

2 foils -used up my last 2 Q's. Wags price was $0.89 - .75 = 0.14 each

2 Loreal Hair dye = 9.99 each (19.98) - 10 MQ - 9 ES Q (5 off 2 for July and 2 off 1 (x2) for Aug) = $0.98 for both.
2 Dove chocolate 2 for $6 - 3 MQ - 1 ES = $2 for both but the cat machine spit out a $1 RR courtesy of Dove. So $0.50 each afte the cat. I also got a cat for $5 off Clairol Natural Instincts Haircolor.

Final tally: BC $34.85 AC+tax $8.33(oop) - 1 RR - 1.65 ESR - 5.49 Rebate = $0.19

7/25/08 Walmart Cherry Picking

I spent several days perusing the deals to be had at Walmart, my least favorite store to shop, I decided to hit them up after a change of plans freed up my evening. I had a general idea of prices from other areas of the country but was really surprised how "expensive" some of the things were. Just not as cheap as I had hoped, but I still saved close to 70% off the bill, whereas in the past, I haven't had many deals that were more than 50% saved.

BC 86.69, AC + tax 27.42. Used gc from bike win that I took back a few weeks ago.

5 YoPlus @ 1.23 each
4 Juicy Juice @ 1.76 each (for DD school lunches)
3 Farmland products all about 1.00 each.
3 Pickles @ .46 each
3 South Beach pizza @ .72 each
4 Single serve pie slices @ 1.01 for 2 pieces per box
2 Gold Bond free + overage
2 John Frieda mousse free + overage
4 Pert shampoo free + overage. (Years ago when this first came out, I hated it. Now that it is repackaged and remarketed, I have tried it and was surprised. It is good for DD who sometimes over conditions her tweenage, oily hair.)
5 Bertolli sauce with the box thanks to the suggestion offered on the Cherry Picker blog. I've found some great blogs lately and have been utilizing the google reader to keep up with them. I'm having so much fun reading about other peoples shopping trips along with getting great tips and deal suggestions.
1 Thomas Bagel free - used coupon that I had one from Kraft. They took the full $4 off 2.68 price!
10 Kotex pads. I have 26 or so more coupons to use before 8/3/08. I'm stocking for the tween mentioned above!

46 items 46 coupons, great cashier who made sure that each coupon scanned. Went over the $40 limit and CSM had to approve but I was expecting that. Other than long lines and congestion while trying to find my stuff, it was a good experience. I was only disappointed that I didn't find all of the things I was looking for, but I'll try again since I'll be there frequently next week buying Kotex.

CVS 7/24/08

I stopped by CVS near my workplace and finished using my L'oreal coupons. I had some printable B1G1 Trident coupons to use with the B1G1 sale that earns $1 ecb. I bought 2 Skor bars as I was 2 short for the free Hershey bar wyb 10 but for some reason, these did not get included in the count tally. 1 is missing....

Cashier could not get the Trident to work, so she ended up voiding off 2 instead of keying the Q. In the end, I bought 1 got 3 free, but only got the 1 ecb. I've got so much gum, I don't think I'll do any more since the coupon isn't scanning easily.
BC $13.05 AC 2.32 + .70 tax. Used 3 ecb, paid oop $0.02. I got back 1 ecb. Net cost $2.02.

7/23/08 Wags, CVS and Schnucks

Combined picture.

CVS

4 Mt. Dew after ecb $2 each
2 Almay AC $1.75 each (original price 7.99 B1G1)
6 Loreal Shampoo / Conditioner free + $3.00 overage
1 CVS Wipe free with overage of 0.01
3 Sippah straws for DD 0.13 each.

BC $36.84 AC $14.54 After ecb $5.57 oop. Earned 4 ecb back. Net cost $10.54

Walgreens
4 Blue Diamond Almonds. They were marked B1G1 but apparently these weren't the ones that were supposed to be on sale. I had coupons for these and they gave me them to me half price, which allowed me to use 4 Q's. Final cost $1.15 each.
4 Reynolds Wrap Foil final cost $0.14 each.

BC $15.34 AC + tax = $5.39 oop

Schnucks
BC $43.09 AC $20.18 Although they missed a $2.00 Catalina that I will call about tomorrow. Should be AC $18.18. Oh, also got a .75 cat oyno. AC $17.43

5 Electrasol Dishwasher detergent $0.75 each
4 Dole Parfait fruit cups @ $1.25 each
5 Pizza rolls @ $0.90
Kellogg's cereal free after rebate
V8 fusion juice $1.50 each
2 Dove Ice Cream @ $2.00 each
1 Gum as filler @ .50

Used the 3 $2.00 catalinas from yesterdays pledge deal.

Total:
$95.27 + 3.01 tax = 98.28. Total OOP 31.14. Got back 4 ecb, 2 refund from Schnuck's +0.75 catalina + 2.37 rebate = 9.12. Net cost $22.02.