Saving Grace

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce

2009-09-10T16:54:00.002-05:00

Okay, I have dropped the ball on this! I was contacted by Country Bob's and was sent two bottles of their wonderful sauce to review on my blog. Country Bob's is already such a staple in my household, the bottles were quickly used up and I failed to do my part! Yikes!

One of our favorite ways to consume this deliciously sweet, yet spicy sauce is on meatballs. Quick and easy is my motto! I usually have frozen meatballs in my freezer, so all I need to do is cover liberally with the sauce and microwave. These are so much better than the crockpot variety and oh so quick.
However, much to my surprise, I found an even better recipe listed on their website!
Country Bob's Meatballs

This is becoming a favorite in our house served with spaghetti! The recipes on their website certainly has opened my eyes to other wonderful ways to use this sauce. My daughter refuses to eat anything without the All-Purpose Sauce. Fries, chicken nuggets, hamburgers, pork chops... well you get the idea! It enhances the flavor of everything.

Fortunately I am able to buy this product locally but for all others not as lucky, you can order from their website. You can also check here to find out if it is sold near your home!
Country Bob's has several other products: BBQ Sauce, Seasoning Salt, and Spice All Purpose Sauce. I haven't tried any of the other products but can only imagine that they are full of goodness!

The company history is a inspiration to all of us who dream big but never get around to doing so. The product grew from word of mouth in the late 60's and has now grown to the company it is today, all while retaining the praise for their success to the Lord. Integrity is what it is about and I like that regardless of my love for the sauce.

2009-08-09T15:38:00.002-05:00

Schnucks trip 5/21/09 saved 75%

2009-05-21T21:01:00.003-05:00

I went for toilet paper, which was on sale for $2 a double roll 4-pk. I bought what you see. Total before coupons $14.21. Total after coupons $3.56.

Mayo was free. (1-1 coupon)
Bugles were free. (2.90 - free coupon)
Chex Mix was $0.29 (1.29 - 1 coupon)
Sour Cream was $0.24 (.99 - .75 cat)
Milk was $0.25 ( 2.75 - 2.50 cat)
Toilet paper 1.25 (2-.75 cat)

78% savings on my Schnucks Trip 5/17/09

2009-05-17T12:56:00.002-05:00

I went on Friday but didn't post the deals knowing I would go back with more coupons.

Today I bought $61.48 worth of groceries (after sale prices) and paid $18.38 and got back $4.75 to use on my next trip. Grand total $13.63 for 29 items.

Kashi Pizzas (normally 6.49) were on sale for $5.00. I had $3.00 coupons so paid $2 each. They actually are pretty good too.

Kashi frozen entrees, normally $4.00+ on sale for $3, I used $2 coupon for total of $1.00 each. I had bought the pesto flavor before and didn't realize there was no meat in it. It wasn't great however it was free - free almost always tastes good enough to eat. I was sure to buy the ones with chicken this time.

Kraft BBQ sauce - on sale for $1.00. There are $1.00 coupons on line that you can print at least 2 times from different sites. When you buy 4 or more, you earn catalina back. Final price for 5 bottles was $FREE plus I got back $2.50 - in other words, they paid me!!

Kraft Mayo and Miracle Whip on sale for $1.00. Again there are multiple coupons online for $1.00. All free. We like tuna salad and I have tons of cheap and free tuna stockpiled.

Post Trail Mix Crunch on sale for $2.50. Online coupon for $2.00 off. Paid $0.50 each, but then got back $0.75 catalina to use on next purchase. Doing the math, they paid me $0.75 to take their cereal home. We like cereal!! Maybe we have to like cereal because I get so much of it free or really cheap.

Fruit Chillers were on sale for $2 - used $1 coupon. Cost $1.00
Hormel Chili on sale for $1 - used $0.55 off 2. Cost $0.73 can.
Pillsbury Cookie dough on sale for $2.49 - used $1.00 off. Cost 1.49 each.

Cashier made a mistake in my favor with an extra $2.00 off somewhere. I had 29 products and 27 coupons. I'm sure it gets confusing for them. Usually, they mess up in their favor.

Schnucks saved 67% on bill!

2009-04-25T16:45:00.004-05:00

Schnucks 4/25/09

I took a picture but realized it didn't take until after some of the things were put away. I'm not dragging them back out so a modified picture will have to do.

I had several coupons for free items. My grand total before coupons was $82.85 but I only had to pay $27.59!! I think that is my best yet for groceries.

Free items:
Ritz Reduced Fat Crackers
Mentos gum
Planters Cashews
Ceasar dog food
Kraft Cheese
Deli Creations Flatbread Sandwich
Kashi Pesto Primavera Frozen Dinner
Advil Tablets 50 count

Other good deals:
Barilla pasta .50 box
Powerade Zero .66 for 32 oz bottle
Bagelfuls 1.25 box of 4
Ziplock freezer bags .37 each 10 ct.
Crystal Light 1.11 box of 8
Fresh Express Salad 1.00 each 32 oz.
Starkist Tuna pouch .38 each

2009-04-18T15:56:00.003-05:00

Schnucks again

Went again this morning to repeat the Kraft/Velveeta deal. Ended up picking up some additional items as I was scanning for coupons in the aisles.
The best deal other than mac and cheese is the Fresh Express Salad kits. They are on sale until tomorrow 4/19 B1G1 free @ 3.99. There are $1.00 peelie coupons on salad toppings that are good for any bagged salad. So I bought 2 golden raisins @ 1.00 each, got 2 $1.00 coupons and paid $4 for 2 salad kits. After all said and done, 2 raisins and 2 kits cost $4.00.
$38.48 Total before coupons
-$8.25 in coupons
=$31.03 OOP
Earned $4 catalina for Kraft.
Net cost $27.03 - saved 30% not counting the free salad!

Schnucks

2009-04-18T14:58:00.002-05:00

Good deal alert for those in Evansville area.
It's been awhile since I have done any coupon deals but came across this one and thought I'd share here instead of my blog.
Schnucks
Buy 5 Velveeta or Kraft Mac & Cheese for 1.67 each.
Use 5 coupons that are stuck on the box $0.55 each.... Read More... Read More... Read More
Get back catalina coupon for $4 off next order.
Total $8.83 - $2.75 coupons = $5.58 out of pocket
Get $4 back.
Grand total = $1.58 for 5 boxes or ~0.32 each.
If you repeat, the catalina can not be used to buy more.

Walgreens and Schnucks

2009-01-10T18:00:00.003-06:00

I haven't been couponing as much lately, due to a variety of reasons. I decided tonight that I would pull some deals together and although I am still working without a camera, I wanted to share what I was able to get for free or next to nothing.

My first stop was at Walgreens.
8 bottles of Garnier hair products. I made $0.08 cents on them. I don't need any more shampoo and hair products, but I'll take them if they are giving them away.
3 bags of Russell Stover sugar free candy. $1.10 for all 3.
1 Orajel cold sore product. I don't have them but it is a money maker after rebate. Free+ $1.85
4 rolls of Reynolds foil that I paid $0.96 cents for. They were on sale for .99 and I had 1.00 coupons so I bought the extra one to avoid the dreaded beep.
1 Revlon lipgloss clearanced at 2.59 from 11.00. I used 2.00 coupon and paid .59.
1 Revlon lipstik money maker after rebate. Free + $2.80
2 cans Progresso soup .15 each.
Total cost before coupons
$61.50
Total cost out of pocket + tax
$19.87 used my $25 free gift card from transferring prescription
Will get back
$18.13 on rebate
Net cost
$1.74

Next I went to Schnucks. I was in a hurry as my daughter had a sleepover date to get to. I was going for cheap pizza rolls as she likes them and can fix them when I don't want to cook... which is more than ever anymore! They were out, sale is over tomorrow. Might have to drive to another store or price match at Wal-Mart - ugh.

I ended up buying 12 Dole Fresh Fruit cups @ 1.00 each. After coupons they were $0.50. Normally they are 1.89.
1 Steamfresh meal for 2 that I had a free coupon for from sweepstake win @ $6.49.

Total before
$18.49
Total after
$6.00

No pizza rolls. Which is probably good.

Great HP giveaway from GearLive

2008-12-04T18:03:00.000-06:00

Enter here!

Twilight Giveaways

2008-12-03T19:16:00.007-06:00

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!

2008-12-03T15:19:00.000-06:00

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

Running From the Little People: Twilight GIVEAWAY!

2008-12-03T15:18:00.000-06:00

Running From the Little People: Twilight GIVEAWAY!

Another and another

2008-12-03T15:12:00.002-06:00

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

2008-12-02T22:53:00.001-06:00

Another great giveaway! Sleep Number Bed

Thanks to 5 Minutes for Mom

Great Blog Prizes to win!!

2008-11-27T23:49:00.004-06:00

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...

2008-10-19T11:32:00.003-05:00

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

2008-10-12T12:44:00.003-05:00

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'

2008-10-10T21:40:00.002-05:00

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

2008-10-09T19:52:00.002-05:00

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

2008-10-07T19:07:00.003-05:00

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.

2008-10-03T21:03:00.005-05:00

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

2008-09-26T20:54:00.003-05:00

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

2008-09-24T21:39:00.003-05:00

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

2008-09-22T19:45:00.002-05:00

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

2008-09-18T19:48:00.003-05:00

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...

2008-09-17T20:31:00.004-05:00

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!

2008-09-06T12:45:00.003-05:00

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

2008-08-22T23:14:00.003-05:00

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

2008-08-21T21:05:00.003-05:00

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

2008-08-21T00:57:00.003-05:00

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

2008-08-14T19:15:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-11T15:07:00.005-05:00

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

2008-08-11T14:33:00.004-05:00

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

2008-08-05T21:50:00.003-05:00

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

2008-08-05T21:43:00.003-05:00

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

2008-08-05T21:31:00.003-05:00

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

2008-07-31T22:49:00.007-05:00

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....

2008-07-30T23:17:00.003-05:00

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....

2008-07-28T21:49:00.002-05:00

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'

2008-07-27T14:46:00.004-05:00

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

2008-07-26T17:52:00.003-05:00

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

2008-07-25T23:34:00.003-05:00

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

2008-07-25T23:27:00.003-05:00

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

2008-07-23T23:37:00.004-05:00

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.

Shopping over the weekend through today

2008-07-22T18:41:00.003-05:00

I wanted to add this picture because I thought the packaging was cute. I won this in a sweepstakes and received it today. It is a necklace made out of a Diet Coke can. Notice the bow held in place by the tab and the card that the necklace is being held to is a crimped section of the Coke box.
http://www.weecanshop.com/

CVS

BC $30.82 AC $10.12 earned $8.97 ecb.
Net cost $1.15

Speed Stick free
Herbal Essence $1.00 each
Nail Polish free
Tampons free
Not pictured 2 free photo books.

Walgreens

BC $63.43 AC $7.86+tax. Will get back $3.30 in ESR. Net cost $4.56 + tax.

Crayola Markers free + 20 cents ESR
G2 Pen free + 10 cents ESR
Cutter bug spray x 9 free + 4.50 overage
Sure x 2 free
Foil x 4 @ $0.14 each
Chex @ $0.50 each
Plates @ $0.40 each

Schnucks 2 trips 7/21 and 7/22

3 Planters all free
9 Koolaid @ $0.10 each
8 Pledge all free and earned $4.48 back.

Not shown Wesson Oil, gallon of Milk, Organic Salad Mix and Cresent Rolls.

BC $34.23 AC $16.60 Earned $8 oyno. Final cost $8.60.

7/18 Wags, CVS, Schnucks usual round on Friday night!

2008-07-19T00:57:00.006-05:00

DD and I went and saw Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D using free movie tickets from all that cereal and fruit snacks I bought. Cost was $9.50 for medium popcorn and 2 drinks. Movie wasn't too bad, kind of like watching a video game come to life.

Afterwards, went to Wags.

2 HP $1 each
6 melamine bowls $1 each
4 Sure deodorant all free + overage (0.02)
4 Cutter bug spray all free + overage (2.00)
2 Papermate Mechanical pencils @ 0.39 each.

BC $39.94 AC $4.05 (using GC from rebates - rolling the dollars!)

CVS was next on the list

2 Lamisilk foot care to smooth my rough feet! These alone are over $20 but with sale and B1G1 free Q, I paid $2.50 each.
4 Herbal Essences @ 1.00 each
4 Sally Hansen nail polish free
2 Garnier hair dye @ .99 each
3 Werther's were supposed to be .25 each, but 2 Q's didn't get scanned. I've missed out on a few dollars this week alone on coupons that didn't take and I didn't catch!

BC $33.23 AC $11.65 used 10 ecb paid $1.65 oop.

Last stop of the night, Schnucks.

7 Mrs. T's Perogis @ $0.49 each. Never had them... hoped they were worth the $3+ I spent! I have 13 more Q's if they are good!
6 Scotties tissues. No Q's. On sale for $1. Need them for school supplies.
1 Clearsil Ultra face cleaner. Runs about $7.50. After sale and Q $1.79. Stocking up for tween years that DD is entering.
BC $20.22 AC $11.91 for 14 items.

Friday night totals:

I bought $93.39 worth of products. Used $70.18 in coupons, paid 4.40 in tax for a total oop of $17.61, savings of 81%.

My running grand total is $3701 purchased, $1728 in Q's, 112 in tax, total oop is $1172 which seems really high, but for 15 weeks, I am averaging $78 a week / $338 month. I want to drop that another $100 or so a month.

Some more shopping

2008-07-19T00:39:00.005-05:00

Schnucks
7/17/08

BC $29.97 AC $23.33 + stamp for rebate. Cashier missed a $0.50 Q.

2 Cereals @ 1.25 each
5 Michaelina lunches @ $0.80
2 Hefty disposable dishes @ $1.00
2 BC Supreme brownies @ 1.50

Pecans on sale. Wanted to make chicken salad so I needed the sour cream and wheat thins.

Edited: 7/23/08 Didn't realize this until today that the BC brownies and Hefty tableware has a $2 rebate. Not much, but I'll take it! I adjusted my AC total.

CVS 7/17/08

2 Maalox and 1 Excedrin money maker of $2.73.
3 Sally Hansen free + overage
1 Werthers sugar free $0.24

BC $25.23 AC $8.07 after ecb $2.07 earned 10 ecb. Net cost -$1.93. All free!

Old shopping, new posts

2008-07-18T23:56:00.004-05:00

I've gotten behind. Quick rundown, don't have a picture for the first one.

CVS 7/12/08

2 Covergirl Lash Blast mascaras in store B1G1. Had 2 coupons for free Covergirl eye shadow wyb Lash Blast.

BC $16.47 AC $7.14

CVS 7/14/08

BC $26.68 AC $11.77 used 11 in ECB earned 5 ecb. Net cost $6.77. Razors were .49 each, all nail polish free, sanitizer free. Paid for milk and overage of razors and 2 magazines that have more cvs coupons.

Wags 7/13/08

Not really a huge money making trip but they had some really great deals on school supplies. I can't hardly believe school starts in 3 weeks! Usually I wait until the last minute and fight through picked over items looking for the "must haves" on the list.
BC $40.08 AC $23.50 earned $5 RR for Sunsilk ($0.37 each after Q's and RR).
Total cost $18.50

7/15 Walmart no pictures
2 Bertolli dinners
2 pounds Bing cherries
2 Dole fruit parfait cups
BC $ 21.26 AC $14.76

I took a bike that I had won for my daughter back to exchange it but ended up getting a gift card for $106. Their prices really are cheaper but it is a lot more work, in my opinion.

7/11/08 WAGS, Buy-Low, CVS, Schnucks

2008-07-11T23:19:00.006-05:00

Wags

2 Pledge AC and rebate $0.40 each
2 Oust (had free coupons) AC and rebate made $2.20
4 Sure deodorant AC free and made $0.02
1 Nature Made vitamins AC and rebate free and made $2.00
6 Ziploc bags (sandwich and freezer) AC $1.25 each.

Total BC $48.95 + tax AC oop $22.90, will get back $15.39 for July rebates. I used a GC from previous rebates so my oop was really nothing. Final cost $7.51

Buy-Low

1 Bread
1 Ham Salad
4 Secret Deodorant free after double coupons.

$7.86 BC, $4.06 AC

CVS

4 Olay Regenerist cleaning wipes free AC and ECB plus I made $2.04
2 Dole fruit (B1G1) AC $1.25 each
2 Dawn dish soap AC made $1.00
3 Pringles AC and ECB $0.57 each

BC $31.95 AC $14.69 Earned 12 ecb Net cost $2.69

Schnucks

1 Pizza Rolls
2 Schnucks cheese
1 Fritos
1 Schnucks cream cheese
1 Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh roast beef

$12.22 BC, $2.92 AC

I used up my two $4 cat oyno for this purchase to keep oop low. Less than $0.49 an item.

Friday night shopping spree. Total cost that I paid was $17.18 for $100.98 worth of products!

7/6/08 CVS

2008-07-11T23:11:00.003-05:00

I got behind... quick catch up... BC/AC (before/after coupon)

2 3pk paper towels AC .99 each
4 Sunday newspapers 2.00 each
6 Dole fruit cups (B1G1) AC $1.25 each
3 pretzel sticks $0.16 AC each
1 chocolate peanut butter pretzel $1.19 AC

Total $25.01 BC $19.51 AC $2.02 oop after using ECB. Earned no ECB back.

7/5/08 Schnucks and Wags

2008-07-05T20:30:00.004-05:00

Against my better judgement, I went to a different Schnucks thinking today was last day of sale. In the end, it was worth the trip but I think I am getting way too much stuff, if that is possible!!! I checked the dates of the Planters products and they are good for over a year, so I think it is only a matter of storage space. Never had I realized the saving potential of using coupons. I've never in my life had such a supply and it is quite nice to know that I'm not going to run out of anything in the immediate future.

Walgreens

I've been looking for some good deals on deodorant that wasn't marketed towards men... Brut isn't my thang! Wags also had a good deal on some items that are in the ESR booklet.

In the end, all my deodorant was free (I made $0.02). Woolite and Spray and Wash were $2.50 each but I will get back $4.40 from the ESR. Not pictured is a Sally Hansen lip gloss for my DD that was clearance priced at 50 cents.

Total
$17.46 - $11.98 Sure coupons - $3.50 register receipts + 1.22 tax = $3.20 oop which I paid for with my Wags giftcard (rebate money). I will get back $4.40 on that giftcard. Net profit of $1.20.

Schnucks

Planters x 3 free plus overage
Koolaid x 9
Bread and bananas because we needed them
2 Helluva dips in the right size... $0.25 each. I've never tried this dip but heard that it was good.
Chips to go with the dip...

Total
$16.89 - 10.50 in coupons - $4 cat from last Planters deal = $2.39.
Got back another $4 catalina. Net profit $1.61.

Happy 4th of July!!!

2008-07-04T16:33:00.003-05:00

Went to Schnucks trying to grab some last minute deals but was very disappointed. It seems that the local store doesn't always have the selection that I am expecting or product as advertised. Hopefully, since they are building a brand new store next to the current one, that the selection will increase. I might run to another store tomorrow as I really was wanting some almost free tortilla chips and dip. Anyway, I got the following:
1 Fresh Express large bag Romaine
2 Schnucks buns
3 Planters cashews free + overage
4 Smuckers toppings
1 OEP taco season free
9 Koolaid
1 Hunter hotdog
2 Chinet plates
1 Heinz ketchup free
6 Tuna Helper
2 OEP dinner kits
2 OEP taco shells

The Tuna and OEP earned $4 cat. The Planters earned a $4 cat.

Total before Q $40.89. After Q $19.92. Got back $8. Net OOP $11.92 for 34 items or about $0.35 each.

CVS

4 Lifesavers (the last I hope!)
4 Sure deodorant
2 CVS pantyliners
2 Schick Intuition razor refills
2 Coppertone Water Baby sunscreen sticks

Total
37.79 - 21.17 + tax = 17.94. I used 14.97 ecb and paid 2.97 oop. Got back 17.98 in ecb. Net profit of $0.04. All of it was free. One of my coupons for the lifesavers didn't work but I am tired of messing with them. I have tons or at least pounds of Lifesavers. I used B1G1 for the Sure plus I had $1.00 off, plus I have a rebate for purchase price refund of 2.99.

7/2/08 CVS x 3

2008-07-02T23:04:00.004-05:00

Well, Hello there EB! I send my thanks to my ever faithful reader! I'd give up on this thing if not for your enthusiasm!

Here is my haul for the day. I stopped at 3 CVS stores that I pass on my way home from work. I was on the lookout for the Soleil razors and only 1 store had 2 left, which I snagged. I grabbed Lifesavers x 6 from each of the stores (18 bags total, added to the 10 I had). 4 facial cleaning wipes and 5 Pepsi products round out the picture.
OH BUT WAIT!! Somehow a $4.00 teeny bopper magazine, BOP, full of the Disney movie, Camp Rock stars, The Jonas Brothers, did not make the final cut. Full price tear out posters that will soon be gracing my DD newly decorated room. I think I officially have a pretweener. She has more posters on the wall than most kids of the 70's and 80's! At least it looks that way. She has the wall decorations that I was never allowed to have... they're only young once and now I can tease her when she is a real teen!

In all:

$56.85 - 38.69 Q - 15.49 ECB + 2.18 tax = 4.85 oop.
I started with 9 ECB from last transaction + got my spring spending ECB of 2.50. I came home with 14.97. Net cost was $1.38

18 Lifesavers - free
4 face wipes - made $8.00
2 Soleil razor refills = $0.98
5 Pepsi products = $2.23

6/30 CVS and Schnucks

2008-06-30T23:40:00.002-05:00

I used up all my ECB yesterday so I had to spend some money today...
4 Gardetto $1 each after Q.
4 Diet Mt. Dew $2.25 each after ECB
1 Clairol Hair Dye $0.99 after Q and ECB
1 Right Guard Professional Strength $0.99 after Q and ECB
6 LifeSavers all free.

Total $37.55 - 13.57 Q + 2.21 tax = $26.19 but got back 9 ECB. Net cost $17.19.

That sounds like way too much money for that stuff, but I got two more great deals tonight, I won't complain too much!

Two trips to Schnucks.

4 Tava after B1G1 Q and 1.50 Q I paid $2.98 for 16 drinks.
3 Planters @ $2 each - q's = free
1 Kraft American cheese free wyb Planters = free
1 Air Effects Pet Deodorzier after free Q = ... free
6 packs of KoolAid (lost 4 packs in car??) $1.20

Total $26.14 - Q's = $5.30 oop BUT got back catalina for $4 oyno for buying 3 Planters. Net cost $1.30.

2nd deal
5 Nestle ready to drink (like I don't have enough syrup to make my own) after Q's $0.61 each (not a great deal but I had extra Q's that I had ordered and wanted to make use of them)
3 Planters after Q's = free.
1 YoPlus yogurt $1.00
6 KoolAids (required to use the $3.00 off Planters Q)

Total $15 - 9.75 Q - 4 catalina from previous transaction = $1.25 oop (I paid cash) and then got the $4.00 oyno catalina for ... buying Planters. See where this is going? Nestle isn't looking too bad now either.

Schnucks total $41.14 that I paid $6.55 and still have $4 to roll.

78.69 total for all shopping today, paid 32.74 but got 13 back for another day. Less than $20 net cost!

6/29 Walgreens, CVS, Schnucks

2008-06-29T20:30:00.004-05:00

2 Tuf Kitchen bags, B1G1 6.99 for both.
2 Windex @ $5. Used .40 Q x 2. Will get back $2.20 on ESR.
2 Pantene products B1G1 50% off. Will get back $4.40 on ESR. Net cost $0.08 for both.
3 Pringles @ .70 each.

Total
$33.46 - Q's - $6 RR + tax = $12.99 oop. (Real cash $6.99) Will get back $6.60. Net cost $6.39 (less than 1 kitchen bag)!

CVS

4 Doritos - B1G1 free
2 Nutter Butter B1G1 free
4 Life Savers B1G1 free - used B1G1 free Q (all free)
1 Kashi Granola bar $.50.
3 Elin Lavar hair products for $6.98.

Total $35.51 - Q's and ECB = $0.14 oop.

I had more ECB than total amount so cashier said I could get something else. I went for the Doritos because they were nearby and B1G1. Did not need 4 bags. Taco Salad is in the works! I'll be getting more the of the Lifesavers. I have a bunch of coupons...

Schnucks

DD wanted the Tom's fries. Used her own money.

Best deals were the Planters using the $3.00 off Q that is available to print out.

The Cashews and 3 packs of Kool-Aid cost $1.30.
The Peanuts and 3 packs of Kool-Aid cost $0.29.

Total
$22.79 - 9Q's and $4 cat = $10.28 oop.

I spent $23.41 oop today for $84.77 worth of stuff.

6/27/08 Walgreens

2008-06-29T20:07:00.005-05:00

Walgreens sent out via email a coupon for $5 off when you buy $20. I made two trips and decided that was enough!

Bryer's B1G1 $6.29 for both
Bertolli $5.99
Skippy Peanut butter 3/$5 (bought 2)

Get $5 RR when you buy $15 worth of selected items ( the ones I bought).

Walgreens Laundry detergent on clearance for $2.19.
Lysol 2/$6 - earns $1 for June ESR.
Therabreath $9.99 free after ESR for July.
Candy bar $0.99 free after ESR for July.
Planters trail mix on sale, earns $0.75 RR.

Total
$45.32 value - 12.50 Q's + tax = $34.06 oop. Will get back $13.18 in Rebates, got back $6.50 in RR. Net cost $14.18.

6/25/08 Buy-Low, Schnucks, Walgreens

2008-06-25T21:23:00.004-05:00

Buy-Low is running a promo advertised in their weekly ad. WYB 10 participating products, you will get via MIR a $25 movie gift card. The ad is hard to read online so I ran over to the store to check it out and to get an idea of prices to match up Q's with. I quickly checked on several items but thought that they were too costly to buy 10, or I knew I didn't have freezer space to hold any thing more! I saw that Hamburger Helper was on sale for $0.99 and I just happened to have a few of those Q's with me.
I ended up buying 10 @ 9.90 - 3.40 in Q's. Final cost $6.50 will earn the $25 gift card. Buy-Low also had sale on Pepsi products, B4G1 free 12pks/6pks (or 5 pks for $12.00.) I collect the caps, so the 24 oz bottles were a better choice for me, about .40 a bottle.

Total $24.65 - 6.15 + tax = 19.34 oop - will get $25, net profit $5.66.

I went to two Schnucks today, but will combine totals.

2 Cheez-It (1lb box) $4-1 = 3 for both
4 Breakfast Breaks - had peelies B1G1 - on sale for $1.67. I got 4 @ 0.84 each. Didn't need them, but knew DD would like them as the Jonas Bros. were on the front.
3 Ken Steak House Dressing on sale 3/$5. Used 3 $1.00 Q's. I paid $0.67 each.
8 Yoplait smoothies, on sale for $1. I used $1 Q's. All free.
5 Oscar Meyer Deli Select singles on sale for $1. I used $0.55 Q's. Paid $2.25 for 22 oz of deli meat.

Total $28.66 - 19.09 Q's + tax = $9.57 oop.

Walgreens x 3

I read on HCW that Dixie plates were creating a Catalina MQ for $3.00 and that it was rolling. I bought 2 Ultra Dixie Plates and 3 Planters Trail Mixes that were on sale for .99 each. The Dixie plates were B1G1 free. Price was $3.79. When I paid for that transaction the catalina printed along with a cat for $1.00 off oyno, courtesy of Planters! I then stopped by two more stores and repeated the transactions, rolling the $3.00 Q, making the plates $.79 for both. In all, I got 6 sets of plates and 9 Planters Trail Mixes for $15.48 oop but got back $3 RR, so net cost was 12.48.

Total $46.95 (before store sales) or $20.28 (sales price) - Q's + RR = 12.48.

All totaled, I got $73.59 worth of stuff for $44.36 oop but got back and will earn $28. Final cost will be $16.36 or a 77% savings!

6/22/08 CVS

2008-06-23T22:29:00.004-05:00

Went EARLY in the morning on my way home from work.

Picture doesn't show all of the toilet paper.

4 package of toilet paper. @ 5.99 each used .25 Q on each. Earned 10 ecb wyb $20. Final cost of toilet paper was $3.24 per package (before final tally)
12 Soyjoy bars @$1.00 each. Buy 4 get 4 ecb, limit 20. I had b2g1 free Q's. I bought 9, paid for 6 and earned 8 ecb.
1 pk Trident on sale for $2.00 for 3 pks. I had 1.00 Q's making them ... you got it... $1.00

Totals $34.96 - $5.00 Qs + tax - 11.98 ecb = $18.96 oop (a lot of money, for cvs!). Earned 18 ecb. Net cost $12.94 for 48 rolls tp, 9 bars and 3 pks gum.

I went back today after work and bought 12 more SoyJoy to finish deal and 4 more packages of Trident. Total value $20. - 8 Q's - 10 ecb = $2.00 oop, earned 12 ecb back. A break even deal!!

Ended up with 21 Soyjoy bars that I paid $14 for but got back $20. Made $6.00 profit.

My year to date only for CVS (beginning 3/31/08): I've spent $160.00 real money and bought $1238 worth of products. A savings of over 88%!!

6/21 CVS

2008-06-23T22:21:00.002-05:00

Saturday night CVS's trying to cash in on the deals before Sunday sales.

Found out I really like gummy worms... who'da thunk? Each bag is $5 but when you buy $10 you get 5 ecb back and I had a 3 off 10 cvs coupon, so each back ended up costing $1.00. Cheap worms taste even better.

Listerine free after ecb.
EAS bars 2 for 3 earn 2 ecb. Used 1 off 2.
Cottonelle - I just like the stuff and it was on sale for $1.99 a box and I had Q's that expired that night.

Total $29.44 - $7.05 Q's - 21.99 ecb = $.40 oop. Yes, all of this cost me 1 quarter, 1 dime and 1 nickel. Yes, I used up almost 22 in ecb but I got back 8.49 ecb which made my cost 13.90 in play money. Still a good deal in my mind.

6/21/08 Schnucks, Wesselmans, Farmers Market

2008-06-23T22:12:00.003-05:00

Highlights:

Needed to use up the rest of my Powerade coupons, 17 to be exact that brings my total to 37 free Powerade drinks that actually paid me over $3.00 to bring home.

4 more Weber grill seasonings. All free.
4 Purina dog treats all free after catalina.
Brats from Wesselman $1.25 after sale and Q.
Salad was $1.00 after $2 off Q wyb Earthgrains bread.

4 Langers apple juice $1.00 each
Yogos @ .67.

Watermelon came from fruit stand. Not a great deal but because it was so hot, we were craving fresh fruit and beverages!

Everything in picture except for brats and watermelon, total cost $66.38. Used $36.75 in Q's, after 1.30 tax, paid $30.03 oop and got a $4 catalina to use next time.
Total savings 59%.

Notice all the newly available counter space after removing my old microwave!

New microwave thanks to cheapcycle and Adam!

2008-06-23T22:05:00.003-05:00

Here's a picture of my $300, new in box, never used microwave that I found offered on cheapcycle for $100!! Props to my b-i-l, Adam, who graciously offered his time and expertise to install it for me. There is no way I could have done as well as he did! It created a mess but my stove needed a deep cleaning, so it all worked out well!

Doggie's new do's

2008-06-23T22:01:00.003-05:00

Delilah Doolittle Daisy Mae Southern Belle

They each got a badly needed haircut and bath and were feeling up to having their picture taken.

Schnucks and Walgreens 6/19 & 6/20

2008-06-20T12:24:00.006-05:00

Schnucks - yesterday

10 Powerade Zero @ .67 each, used .75 Q's = FREE + .08 overage
4 Purina TBonz @ 2.50 each, used 1.50 off = 1.00 each, earned $4 oyno catalina - FREE
4 Weber Seasonings on sale for .50 each, used .50 Q's = FREE
2 French's Honey Mustard on sale $2.00 - .75 Q = 1.25 each
2 Nesquik syrup @ 1.00 - .50 Q = .50 each
1 Pompeian Red Wine Vinegar on sale for 1.50 - .50 Q = 1.00

Total $26.17 + 1.17 tax - $18.50 Q's = $8.84 oop got back $4. Net total cost $4.84 - Saved 81%!!

Schnucks - today

10 Powerade @ .67 each, used .75 Q's = FREE + .08 overage
4 Purina Cheweez @ 1.09 each, earned $4 oyno catalina
1 Schnucks 3# bag boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Total $17.77 + .77 tax - $7.50 Q's = $10.27 oop got back $4. Net total cost $6.27 - Saved 63%!!

Walgreens

6 boxes of Super Absorbancy Tampons B1G1 free @ 4.99 each.
I bought 3 boxes, got 3 boxes free for total + tax of $16.02 which equals $2.67 a box, a good deal by all accounts.... but Walgreens Easy Saver Rebate this month has a rebate of $10 wyb 3 qualifying products... which of course these are! When you request the payment via Walgreens Gift Card, they give you 10% bonus, so I will get back $11.00 on this transaction making each box $0.84.

6/18/09 CVS and Schnucks

2008-06-18T23:15:00.006-05:00

CVS

2 Gold Emblem candy @ $5 each. Used 3 off $10. Earned 5 ecb. Cost $1 each after q's.
2 Olay face clothes @ 7.99 - 1.00 q. Finished the b20 get 10ecb. Earned 10 ecb.
1 Oral B toothbrush @ 6.99, earned 6.99. (free)
1 Listerine Smart Rinse @ 3.49, earned 3.49 (free)

Total $36.46 - 10 q's + tax = .63 oop but also used 26 ecb. Earned 25.48 ecb back. Net cost $1.15.

Schnucks

$58.06 total, used 22.10 in Q's. Paid $36.66 oop.

Highlights:
Nestle Nesquik $.50 each
Weber spice packet $0.15 each
Kashi cereal was free
Soy milk $0.83
Salad mix $1.00
Air freshener spray $0.50
Renuzit smelly things .31
Deli Creations $1.50
Yogos .67 each

6/15 Schnucks

2008-06-17T20:55:00.003-05:00

Missed a post from last night.

3 Nequik syrup $1.00 - .50 q. Paid 1.50 for all.
4 Weber Grill Creation on sale for .50 used .35 q. Paid .60 for all 4.
5 Beech Nut baby food @ 1.99 used $1.50.

Total oop $3.10.

6/17 CVS

2008-06-17T20:20:00.003-05:00

1 Olay Daily Facial @ 5.99 - $1 (Q didn't get used) going toward b20g10ecb
2 Oral B refill for Cross Action toothbrush @ 5.99 each, used b1g1 Q. Earned 3x2 ecb
1 Almay mascara @ 6.99. Used $2 off cvs q and $1 off q. Earned 5 ecb. (Profit)
1 CVS nail polish remover @ 1.69
2 Smart Water @ $1.00 each, used $1 off 2 Q.
2 Sally Hansen Nail Polish @ 2.39 B1G1 50%.
2 Sally Hansen Nail Pens @ $7.99. Used $3.00 wyb $10. I wasn't thinking as I had 2 of these q's to use and got my Sally total up to $20 (with the other nail polish).
1 M&M to go towards b10g5ecb deal.
1 reinventing beauty magazine @ .99 but I guess it is a freebie. Has CVS q's inside of it. Makes up for the $1 off Olay q that didn't get scanned.

Used 2 $5 off $25 (my total was $50.78), 7 ecb, 12.99 in other q's. Paid the horrifying price of $22.87 oop and got back $26 ecb. Net cost $3.87, should have been net profit... but I can't complain. I'd pay 3.87 for the stuff in picture... wouldn't pay $50 though!!

CVS and Schnucks

2008-06-15T19:01:00.006-05:00

Did two transactions back to back. Picture has everything I bought.

1st transaction
3 Sally Hansen Quick Pens @ 7.99 each, get 5 ecb back - Used 2 Q's $3 off 10
2 Revlon emory boards b1g1 - Used 2 $1 off tool Q
Used 5 off 25 and 11.99 ecb
Paid 1.60 oop earned 15 ecb

2nd transaction
2 Head and Shoulders family size @5.99, earned 2 ecb. Used B1G1 coupon to get 2 for 3.99.
1 Almay mascara @ 6.99, earned 5 ecb. Used $1 off
1 Skittles no coupons goes towards b$10 get 5ecb deal.
6 Reeses - Had to keep throwing candy up on counter because I had big $15ecb that I was using to pay.
4 Kit Kat (1 got ate by daughter before pic)
Used 5 off 25 and 15 ecb
Paid $0.64 and earned 7 ecb

While at Schnuck's on one of my trips this weekend, I came across a table that had been set up for a taste testing event. Left on the table was a stack of forms to get a $5 rebate in the form of a Schnuck's gift card wyb 10 pictured items. Products had to be purchased all at the same time and by 6/17/08. I knew some of the items were on sale so I ran in and bought what I had coupons for.
6 Cascadian Farms granola bars @ 2.50 - used 6 $1 off.
3 Hamburger Helper singles @ $1.00 no coupons
1 Cheerios snack mix @ 2.00 - used $1 off.
4 Diet Sierra Mist - used 2 b1g1 Q's that expired today. First 3 items (10 total) will fulfill the rebate requirements. I also used my 3 $4 coupons that I earned this weekend buying dog treats.
Total was $25.92 - $21.96 Q's + tax = 4.37 oop. Will get back $5 gift card. Net Profit $0.63!!

6/14 CVS and Schnucks.... again.

2008-06-15T00:42:00.005-05:00

I feel like I have been shopping all day...no let me say all week long!

The Purina deal is too good for me to pass up, so back I went this evening after spending the better part of my early evening at the mall. I hate the mall, but tonight it wasn't too bad. Broke down and got a few things for me, intention was to only shop for my daughter. Went to JCP and got a bunch of stuff. $366.91 worth of stuff to be exact but I had coupons, of course and only spent $164.63. I got 2 shirts, 2 capris, 6 socks and 4 bras. DD got 4 pairs pants, 5 shirts, 6 socks and 1 bracelet. I didn't take any pictures.

Schnuck's is repeat of this mornings deals. Some of the dog food had $2.00 Q's inside the bag and I wanted to buy the rest if possible since it is on clearance. I got another 4 bags of Purina TBonz, 1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream to go with strawberries from this morning, and 1 pkg of hot dogs to go with homemade Brat's courtesy of a coworker.
Total $23.64 - $16 Q's + tax = 8.98 oop, got back $4 catalina. Net cost $4.98. I did roll one of the cats with this deal since I didn't have Q's for buns or ice cream. Deal still worked.

CVS

2 CVS 8pk of paper towels @4.49
2 Gold Emblem candy
1 CVS bandage free after ecb
3 pks of Orbit gum (counts towards buy $10 get 5 ecb candy deal) I needed 6 more dollars and didn't want any other candy. The GE candy I had $1 off 2 which made them .33 and I needed them as filler in order to use 5 off $25.
1 Coppertone sunscreen earns 2 ecb.

Total $26.22 - 9 Q's + tax = 17.31. Paid 16 ecb and $1.31 OOP, got back 8.99 ecb. Net cost $8.32, less than the cost of the paper towels.

Now I need to get ready for tomorrow. I love Sunday! All the new ads and coupons come out. My job is never done.

New pictures of stock by request

2008-06-14T17:58:00.003-05:00

I installed the shelves by the dryer this afternoon. I had added the other shelves under the cabinet several months ago, intending to add these soon after. They aren't perfect but I did the best with what was available at Lowe's and that did not have to be cut down. I'm limited on my home improvement skills!

Also included is a pic of my pie safe filled with Pasta Salad and Popcorn. Note the hole in the wall thanks to Daisy the sheepdog. I think I mentioned I'm not too good at home improvement. This is one project I haven't attempted to do and now I don't even notice it, I've put it off so long. My daughter caught it when previewing the blog.

The stack of sodas keeps growing.

Aluminum foil x 13, kitchen bags, dishwasher detergent, toothpaste.

All the cereal (22 boxes), fruit snacks (15 boxes), granola bars - only 5 boxes.

6/14/08 Walmart and Schnuck's

2008-06-14T09:41:00.007-05:00

Ran to Walmart to get new mouse for laptop. USB broke a few weeks ago and I have been using a corded mouse which was also tiny... not fun. I'm only showing food purchase as other things were clothing not purchased with coupons.
1 Digiorno Ultimate Focaccia 5.98 - 1.00.
2 Bertolli Pasta and Sauce (these are really good) @ 4.98 each - 2.50 coupon = 2.48 each
2# grapes for 3.03.
Total $18.97 for 12.97 saved 31%.

1st stop at Schnucks
5 bags (22.5 pounds) of Purina Fit and Trim Dog Food after Q's $1.34 each
3 bags (12 pounds) of The Goodlife Recipe after Q's $1.81 each.
Subtotal 32.5 pounds food for Daisy and Delilah that cost $12.13. I'm making my own blend with the 2 bags I bought last night. My dogs won't care, they'll eat anything including unmentionable stuff!
4 pkg Busy Bones $4 after Q's - earned $4 OYNO so I count that as FREE! I did not try rolling the catalina. I'd rather pay for the bones and use the cat's on meat and produce later.
1 pkg Wholly Guacomole $2.50 -1.00
2# Strawberries $4.50
1 bag Ore-Ida Crispy Crowns to dip into Guac.... DD had some mexican nachos made with tater tots recently and they looked quite good. Brought back memories of my first job at 'The Hand Out' in The Dalles, Oregon. My favorite thing to eat on my lunch/dinner break were tater tots dipped in Guacamole.

Total $47.57 - $23 Q's + tax = 27.04 oop. Got back $4 oyno. Saved 51%

2nd trip to Schnuck's

4 Purina TBonz @ 2.29 each.
Used 1.50 Q's on each and got $4 oyno
$3.80 oop, Profit $0.20

Will do again later this afternoon.

If you're keeping track... I know I am...

Schnucks 2 day total
$82.12 for $38.07 and I got back $12 to use later.
Net cost $26.07. Saved 68%

6/13/08 CVS, Wags, CVS, Wags, Schnucks

2008-06-13T23:14:00.004-05:00

CVS
3 Biore Products @ 7.49. Used $3 Q's, earned 10 ecb. This purchase can be used for the free purse ($86 value) that Glamour magazine is promoting filled with "summer essentials".
1 Excedrin $9.99- had 3 off CVS coupon as well 2 off MQ. Earned 3 ecb, final cost 1.99.
Missing from picture is Dove Dark Chocolate bar that I had to add to get = number of Q and products so CVS Q wouldn't beep. This was a store I had not been to before and is in an older part of town. Cashier looked at every single coupon like I was doing something wrong, although she was very coupon friendly. I would assume that the store has a higher loss than others in town so I'm sure she was just being more careful.
Total $32.96, used $13 Q, 8 ecb paid $13.08 (OH MY GOSH!) and got back 13 ecb. Net cost $8.08. Not great but I'll use the products and hopefully get the free purse. Saved 60%.

Wags trip 1
I got a $5 off $20 purchase emailed to me from Walgreens, good only for today. I am loving these coupons. Only problem is that you have to have $20 after Wags Q's are taken off but before MQ's.

2 Pure American Water - I purchased these expecting a RR to print for free BBQ set from Men's Health Magazine. No such luck. They were $1 each.
1 Multi-betic Vitamin Free after ESR.
1 Theragran M Vitamin Free after ESR.
2 Electrasol @ 2.99. I used .75 Q's on both.
3 Jello on sale for 0.39 each. I used $.50. Final cost $0.22 per box.

Total $25.63. Used $8.50 in Q's. OOP $18.39. Will get back $16.48 for ESR. Net cost $1.91.

Schnuck's

I needed dog food and had a ton of coupons! I was actually planning on switching to a premium food and wanted to only buy a small bag since I didn't even have enough to feed them today. Schnuck's had a bunch of dog food and chewie's on sale / clearance so I tried to match up what I had with what they had. I figured if I could get a good enough deal on several types, I make my own blend!
2 Goodlife Recipe, paid $1.81 each after Q's.
4 Purina dog bones, paid 0.24 for one big one (the other was free), the double pkg was free after Q's and Catalina (see below)
1 Andy Seasoned salt, $0.99

My total was $25.59 - $10 MQ's, paid $17.31 OOP after tax.
Once I got to car, I realized that the big bones in picture rang up 5.99 instead of 2.74. I had $1.5 coupons so $1.24 was a good price, $4.50 wasn't. I went back inside and got a refund of $10.08.
I'm looking at the return receipt and just realized that she gave me back the money for both bones then only re-rang the correct price once. Final cost I paid OOP is 7.23, but should have paid $10.36. I also got a Catalina for $4 oyno for buying 4 Purinas. I will be doing this deal again several times if I have enough coupons! Total after catalina was $3.23 for everything. Savings of 66%.

Last but not least another trip to Walgreens.... used another $5 off $20 coupon.
2 Hoodia @ 6.99 each but was b1g1 free.
2 Organix Hair products @ 6.99 but was b1g1 plus there is MIR so will be free for both.
1 Skin Shield @ 3.99, will get 3.30 back for ESR.
2 Milk Duds Theater boxes @ 1.29 each - were marked 3 for $3 but I'm so tired of going back for price adjustments that I'm eating the difference.... this week I have been to Walmart for 1.50, Walgreens for 1.60, Schnucks for 10.08 and CVS for 6 ecb. That is $19 but I just wish it was right the first time!!
1 Skittles @ .50
1 Starburst @ .50

We were going to the movies (thanks to General Mills cereal deal back in May!) and wanted to take along our own candy... how wrong is that?! Got to save $ where I can!

Total value $35.53, paid $17.71 oop. Will get $6.99 back for shampoo and 3.30 for Skin Shield. Net oop $7.42 a savings of 72%!

I think that is it! I sure hope so, because I'm tired! We saw Indiana Jones and fell asleep for a few minutes after struggling to stay awake. I even used some of my free Kickers energy boost but I still snoozed in the final showdown. Woke up in time to see them escape. I really needed/wanted to get some Shia time but I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped. Oh well, it was free! Just for fun, I added all June totals.
I've bought $531.42 worth of food and health/beauty items and paid $133.74. I used to spend that on a single trip to the store and/or Walmart!

6/12/08 Schnuck's

2008-06-12T22:50:00.003-05:00

This Snowman is for you, GyrlPower!!! Thanks for reading!

Quick and dirty totals: $18.96, paid $10.07. Saved ~47%.

4 Tava Used b1g1. Had $1.50 x 2 that I forgot to use. Final cost $1.50 each. Went on the premise that they were on sale for $2.00. Oh well.
4 Ragu Fresh and Simple. On sale for $1.25. Used .75 off. Final cost $.50 each.
1 Smart Balance butter/margarine... I have no idea. On sale for $2.00 used $.75

6/11/08 CVS and WAGS

2008-06-11T23:40:00.007-05:00

"Hello? Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me...
Is there anyone at home?"
Pink Floyd - 1982

Comment if you are reading this, anything at all!

CVS 1st trip 7 Nature Valley Granola Bars @ 3.oo, used 6 $0.65 Q's 1 Skin Effects face cleaner @ 6.99, used $2.00 Used 5/25 CVS Q and 14.99 ecb. Paid 2.10 oop, net cost 2.09. Got back 15 ecb.

Total $27.99 for $2.10.
2nd CVS stop 1 EOB lotion clearance .25 1 Brut 3.19 -1.00, earns 3 ecb 3 5 gums had CVS Q to b2g1 1 zone bar 1.00 -1.00 Q (free) 5 Atkins bars $5 - $5 Q (free) 2 GE candy @ .88, used $1 off two 2 Revlon Eyeshadows @6.99, used 2 $2 Q .... not so great deal. Store had stickers advertising this as buy 1 @ 6.99 get 3 ecb back up to 2x. Mine didn't generate, spoke with cashier who then tried to refund my money so I could buy the correct one. After all Q's, I was only entitled to 1.54 back for the two I had. She then expected me to buy the correct ones for 14.98. I said no thank you. I left and will call store manager tomorrow and see what can be done. I wouldn't have purchased them had it not been for the signage.

Total $29.65 for 1.59 oop, net cost 8.59. Should have been net cost of $2.59. Will update if I get my $6.00 back.

Update: I was able to get a refund on the wrong product and purchase the right one and earn my ECB's.

Wags
Savings are a bit more complicated.

3 Arizona energy drinks @ .25 each
4 Revlon Hair b1g1 @3.99 for 1. Used 1.00 off - $1.50 for each one.
3 Electrasol $1.87 each after ESR
3 Foil @ .14 each
2 Tide on clearance @ 2.34 each
1 Hefty @ 3.50 needed these
1 Wags Creamys free after ESR
1 Ecotrin free after ESR
2 pkg (6prs) clearance socks for $4.58
1 box envelopes, 10 pencils.

Total $47.41 for $32.28 oop. Overcharged by 1.60 on pencils and will get back 9.89 on ESR. Net total spent will be $20.79 - a savings of 56%.

6/10/08 CVS x 2

2008-06-10T19:03:00.004-05:00

Made two trips to CVS today, one at lunch and the other after work. Will probably stop again tonight when I go back to work...
Lunch transaction:
2 Skin Effects @ 6.99 each. Used CRT for $5 off and $2 MQ. Need to purchase 1 more and will get $5 back.
2 Garnier Nutristioniste face cleaner. $5.99 each, used 2 $1.00 earned $10 ecb back.
OOP $3.31 (used 9 ecb earned 10 ecb) net cost after ecb $2.31. I had another $2 Q but it was only one per customer.

After work:
4 coke products $11 (get 3 ecb) used $2 off Q.
1 CVS band aid $1.99 (get 1.99 ecb)
2 Gold Emblem candy $0.88 each used $1 off 2. (goes towards buy $10 get 5 ecb)
2 Garnier Nutristioniste face cleaner. $5.99 each, used 1 $1.00 earned $10 ecb back.
OOP $8.48, used 10 ecb got back 14.99 ecb , net cost after ecb earned $3.49.

Totals:
$52.69 of product, spent $11.79 OOP (higher than ususal), have 14.99 ecb for next transaction - Total cost of all items is $5.80

06/06/08 CVS, Walgreen's, Schnuck's

2008-06-06T22:07:00.005-05:00

CVS

4 Diet Pepsi Max $5.00 will get $5 back in rebate.
1 Sunsweet Apricot $1.25
1 Clairol Hair Color $1.99
3 Brut deodorant $7.17 earned $9 ecb
2 M&M Dark chocolate $2.04
Total value $26.69, after Q and tax $12.98. Paid with 12 ecb and $.98 cash, got 9 ecb back and will get $5 in rebate.
Net profit of $1.02.

Walmart Trip

I purchased $39.05 for $19.03.

Final prices after Q.
2 Manwich -$.24 profit
1 Bertolli Sauce $1.03
3 CB Pasta $.65 each
1 Honey Bunches of O's $-0.02 profit
1 Bertolli Pasta dinner $3.48
3 Yoplus Yogurt $1.08 each
2 Taco Shells $.50
2 South Beach Pizza $1.00 each
1 Dixie Napkin $0.77
1 Snuggle $0.87
2 Hershey Syrups $1.00 each
1 Hebrew National Beef Franks $1.75
1 Colonial Bread $0.00 FREE won coupon from Sweepstakes
1 Walmart Hot Dog bun $1.13 (only thing I bought without a Q)
1 Tabasco (missing from picture... must have fallen out in truck) $0.25

Purchase was paid for with free American Express gift card I won in a sweepstakes as well.

Schnuck's

$17.86 for $12.96

Savings weren't quite as good but I didn't have Q for Fresh Express Salad mix and I wanted that for my dinner this evening.
Prices after Q's
2 Cheez-It $1.50 each
4 Old Orchard Lemonade $0.15 each
2 Rubbermaid produce containers (green) $0.99 each
1 Rubbermaid Easy lid (red) $0.59
1 Fresh Express cole slaw $1.00 (no Q)
1 Fresh Express 5 blend lettuce $3.69 (no Q)
1 Texas Toast (for dinner) $1.60

Daily totals:
Total value
$83.60 purchased for $32.97 actual money (albeit mostly free gc)
Got back 9 in ecb and will get 5 in rebate. Total oop $18.97, a savings of 77%.

6/3/08 Double Coupons at Buy-Low... again

2008-06-03T23:21:00.004-05:00

Ran back to Buy-Low after I printed off some more Q's. Picked up some pasta salad for two coworkers who don't live near this store. In exchange they printed of their alloted Silk Soymilk coupons which allowed me to get 3 cartons for $.74 each! Found two more boxes of Kraft Pasta salad that had .50 peelies. Decided that the Kraft cheese was such a good deal, since this is the higher priced premium Kraft cheese. Suggested retail $3.59 on sale for $2.39. I got it for $1.39 and the expiration is 12/08. I read online that you can freeze it, but I think I'll wait closer to the expiration and see how much I have left. Had two Q's for the BC Warm Delights. I bought two of these this past weekend, in conjunction with ECB from CVS but have yet to try them. They came highly recommended (via Susan.) I wasn't quite sure if $0.99 was a good price after Q but since the IP were doubling automatically, I thought I'd try some other flavors. Regardless a scoop of ice cream, I'm sure, will go quite well with them. I'm having quite the problem with all this food that I am amassing....I keep getting it because it is at such a great price, or a great price in comparison to what I have been paying in the recent past, but I am bringing in much more than I am consuming. That is okay to a point but it is almost like I don't want to open it because I like looking at my "collection"! I rearranged my cabinets tonight and moved stuff around to make it more organized as well as to get a grasp of what I have to start menu planning... I do have faith that there will come a time where we will have to eat!

Total value $28.01 - $17.15 MQ = $10.86 oop I saved 61%!!! 59% if I take off the BC pasta salad that isn't mine...

6/2/08 Double Coupons at Buy-Low

2008-06-02T20:46:00.004-05:00

Double coupons are far and few between here! Local store had them last week but since their prices are usually higher, doubling doesn't help much. Unfortunately, I didn't find many things tonight that were worth buying. What I did buy, I think I did okay.
Total value 34.33 - 18.47 MQ and doubling + tax = 16.07 OOP
The better deals were Lunchables - they were marked down due to short date .50 each. I had $1/3 making them .17 each. Jello was 1.50 - 1.00 wyb gallon of milk. Kraft deli select cheese after MQ $1.39. 2 yogurts were free with free Q from Yoplait. I had some whipped yogurt a few weeks ago that had settled in bottom, not whipped but still okay. I sent email and they sent me 2 free coupons. The Kraft pasta salad was $1.25 but there were .50 peelies attached, so they were .25 each. The BC Suddenly Salad was $1.00 before Q but I had .50/2 and .40/1. 1 box cost me .20, the other 4 were .50. I found some recipes that use the Pasta salad and thought it would be good for the summertime!!!

Here is a breakdown if you are interested... mostly it is for my own records so I can keep track of good prices!

6/1/08 CVS and Buy-Low

2008-06-01T19:52:00.003-05:00

Made myself go shopping.... had some coupons that expired today. Brought home:
2 Listerine Smart Rinse (free after ecb)
2 Dawn Botanicals dish soap (free after MQ and ecb)
2 Oral-B Value Pack toothbrushes (free after ecb)
5 Suave Deodorant (each for .69 use .75 coupon - they paid me .30 to bring it home)
1 bag dog chews
2 febreze Air
2 febreze Extra Strength fabric spray
4 CVS cotton swabs (3 with bonus travel pack) (free after ecb)
1 Bounty paper towel 8pk
2 Chex mix (free w/ MQ)
1 box Russel Stover candy (couldn't resist $16 box of chocolate for $2.00)
1 Sunsweet Apricots
5 Duracell 4 pk batteries
2 Purell Hand Sanitizer

Total value $89.07
I spent $8.18 actual cash, saved 95%.
Started with 8 ecb and have 12 to spend another day.

Home made art

2008-06-01T00:18:00.002-05:00

5/31 Buy-Low, CVS and Schnucks

2008-05-31T22:37:00.005-05:00

Ran out to Buy-Low since they were closed last night at 10 pm. Did not have the free deodorant I was hoping to get, had to settle for hot dogs and some buns!
2 pkg on sale $1.00 each and free Sara Lee Hot Dog buns wyb 2 Ball Park Franks.

Total spent $2.00

CVS - Thanks to Susan B. I decided to run out and catch a last minute May deal. Two Ellin Lavar Hair products on sale $10/2, used $5 coupon, earned 2 ecb for each one.
1 bottle Viactiv Multivitamin glides $8.99 - $4.00 cvs coupon - $2 MQ, earned 3 ecb. CVS back pack buddies free with coupon CVS emailed me, 2 nail polishes that were requested by DD and to be paid for with her money... yeah, okay.

Total cost $22.56 - $5/$15 - $10.59 CVS Q - $2 MQ= $4.97 Used 5 ecb (lost .03) paid $.14 cash and earned 7 ecb. After all calculations, they paid me $2.03 to take the stuff home! I love those deals!

Schnuck's had some great deals and I wanted to get a few more cheap Band-Aids to add to stock pile. Paid $.50 for those, $1.09 for the Lysol cleaner, $1.25 each for the 1L bottles of Scope and $1.99 for Lysol wipes. I messed that one up. I was supposed to buy the 40 count instead of the 35 count. I didn't find the ones that were on sale but I was intending to only pay $1.24 but who is complaining! I got some great products for a little money... $8.03 in all.

All 3 trips, I brought home $40.43 in stuff but only paid $8.17 after getting ECB back to use another day (tomorrow)! Savings of 79%

Tree in trampoline...

2008-05-31T12:47:00.003-05:00

... kind of reminds me of pigs in a blanket....

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain

2008-05-31T02:34:00.000-05:00

I had a nice surprise waiting for me yesterday (5/29) after having to deal with the latest fiasco to happen on the home front. Well to tell the truth, I only got notice that a surprise might be in the making when I was informed that a note was left on my door detailing that a local floral company had tried to deliver something to me. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get in touch with the shop before they closed so I had to wait until today (okay it would now be yesterday but only because I have stayed up too, too late due to MickeyD tea...) Anyway, I thought I might know who sent me something but when I went today to pick them up, the card was only signed... A friend. Hmmmmm. I love mysteries! And flowers!! And shiny metallic objects, that float!!! (Sorry for the Art Bell reference) And balloons!!!!

Here are a few pictures of the gorgeous flowers. Angie... they definitely beat the ones I planted that were transplanted from Mt. Vernon, at the moment, but yours are growing on me!

My absolute favorite is the Red Gerber Daisy but they are all so pretty!

Thank you friend! I like watchin' the puddles gather rain.

5/30/08 Walgreens 2nd trip

2008-05-31T02:04:00.001-05:00

Had one more $10 off $30 coupon to be used only today 5/30/08. Went to local WAGs and got a very unfriendly cashier. Earlier in the day on the first trip, the cashier was handing out the coupons, encouraging everyone and had no attitude when I had to go back in to get my missing RR.

2 Herbal Essence hair products $3.99 each, used 2 $1.00 MQ ($5.98) Again, will earn free manicure or pedicure from Clairol. Can only do that promo twice, so I am done but overall definitely a good deal.
1 pkg Dixie Ultra paper plates. On sale at Wags for $1.99 - $.50 MQ. ($1.49)
2 Bic Soleil razors on sale for $4.99 each. Had 2 MQ for free refills wyb razor, also had $2.00 MQ off razor. Refills on sale for $4.99 as well. ($7.98 for razors, 2 refills free)
2 bottles Maalox. On sale for $3.99. Easy Saver Rebate for May and June is overlapping 5/30 and 5/31. Used ESR coupon $2.00 for each month and also had 2 $1.50 MQ. Math is as follows for each bottle:
$3.99 - 2.00 - 2.00 - 1.50.... = $-1.51 In other words I had overage!! They paid ME to take it home and use it.

Grand total
$39.71 - 9.80 wags savings - 17.48 in MQ = 12.43 + tax. I paid $15... which was a LOT more than I had expected. I went intending to spend $2.00 or so OOP but they didn't have any more chex mix and I didn't figure the math on the spot to cover that deal. The 10 off 30 didn't work... I questioned cashier and she told me that the MQ disables the coupon, which I knew wasn't true.
She waited to take the $10 off after taking off MQ, even though I handed the stack to her in the correct order... Anyway, it was late in the evening and not many other customers so I asked to speak with a manager. He looked at the receipt and quickly added up the Q's and said it looked like I got it off since the total was $25 in savings... I added the receipt for him and showed him where he was missing the two razor blade coupons... He quickly refunded $10.70 to me. When it was all said and done, I paid $4.38 oop - a savings of almost 89%!!!

The total for my day wasn't too bad.
I spent $53.07 and brought home $159.83 worth of merchandise, I got back $11.00 to use on my next purchase, will get $2.20 back in a rebate and will have 2 manicures or pedicures to look forward to.
$53.07 - $11.00 (ecb/rr) - $2.20 rebate - $40 mani/pedi = $-0.13.

How's that for couponing?!

05/30/08 Schnucks

2008-05-31T01:50:00.001-05:00

I signed up for the trial of The Grocery Game in hopes that it will help me even more. I love HCW but I spend a lot of time reading through all of the posts looking for great deals. TGG organizes it and basically it seems to be coupon shopping for dummies or those who need to do other things besides read!

So far, I think it has potential but it has a small subscription cost. I'll have to wait and see if it is worth it.

6 boxes Orville Redenbacher's Natural popcorn on sale 2/$3.00. I had 6 $1.00 MQ - paid $.50 per box.
2 boxes Band-Aid on sale 2/$3.00. I used 2 $1.00 MQ - paid $.50 per box. I have 3 more coupons and will go back and get more before sale is over.
2 Lysol 32 oz all purpose cleaners. These were supposed to be $1.86 but were $2.09. I used $1.00 MQ and paid $1.09 each. Much better than dollar store!
2 jars Bertolli pasta sauce on sale 5/$10. I had 2 $.75 MQ - paid $1.25 per jar. Sale also includes the new pouch Bertolli sauces which I have $1.00 MQ so I will be going back and getting some of those for $1.00. Again, as cheap if not cheaper than Hunt's (although Hunt's is good... )
2 Shake 'n Pour Bisquick Pancake mixes. Makes 10 pancakes I think. On sale 10/$10. I had $1.00 MQ wyb 2 products. Cost is $.50 each.
2 Comet bathroom cleaners, on sale 2/$3.00. Used 2 $.35 MQ. Paid $1.15 for each.
1 pound ground chuck $3.39. Had $1.50 oyno Catalina. Paid $1.89

Total $28.27 - 14.70 MQ = $14.58, paid cash. Saved 43% on grocery bill.

Pictures of stockpile

2008-05-31T01:37:00.000-05:00

My batteries were charged fully from tree in trampoline fiasco, so I decided to take a few pictures of the stockpile. I need to organize the closet and make more room in kitchen for the overflow but perhaps that will happen when there isn't so many bargains to find!

Closeup of non perishable stuff in garage:

Better view:

12 rolls of free tin foil, cheap Hefty bags and toothpaste overflow from closet...

Inside the closet... this is only the stuff that remains. I have moved some of it into clear shoeboxes in order to organize it better...? I'm still working on it...!

5/30/08 Walgreens 1st trip

2008-05-31T01:16:00.000-05:00

I didn't do as well as I had hoped but I really needed toilet paper. Of course the kind I was planning on purchasing apparently isn't being stocked by WAGS anymore...

3 Mountain Dew 12pks on sale 3/$10 earn $2 Register Rewards (RR) good on your next order (OYNO) Of course this didn't work and I had to go back inside and hunt down same product and manager to get the RR. ($8.00 )
2 Cottonelle Toilet Paper 12 double rolls $8.99 each - $1.00 MQ and $.75 MQ. I will also get
$2.20 back for the June Rebate. ($14.03)
2 Chex Mix - daughters favorite snack $.99 each - $1.00/2 MQ. ($.98)
1 gummy worm requested specifically ($.99)
2 Oreo cakesters $6.00/2. Totally overpriced but earns $3.00 RR wyb 2 boxes. ($3.00)
2 Sunsilk hair stylers on clearance for $2.29 each - $1.50 MQ. ($1.58)
2 Herbal Essence hair products $3.99 each - $1.00 MQ. ($5.98) Will get a free manicure or
pedicure by purchasing these two items. Not sure of the value but at least
$20.00, I would think.
1 L'oreal Vive Pro conditioner on clearance for $2.59 - $1.00 MQ. ($1.59)
Grand total $52.12 - $8.75 MQ - WAGS $10/$30 = 33.37 + 2.39 =$35.76
Used gift cards to pay all but $2.50 which I paid cash.

5/30/08 CVS

2008-05-31T00:56:00.000-05:00

Here is my CVS transaction:
2 Amp beverages 2 for $3.00 - B1G1 = $1.50
3 CVS brand Tampons Buy 2 ($4.99) get 1 free = $9.98
1 bag CVS cheese puffs $1.49
1 Johnson and Johnson Softwash $5.99 - $1 MQ = $4.99 (earn 2 ecb)
4 Sobe Life Water $4.00 - B1G1 - B1G1 = $2.00 (earn 2 ecb)
2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights = $3.98 - $1.00 MQ = $2.98 (earn 1 ecb)
1 Crest Sensitivity toothpaste = $2.99 - $1.00 MQ = $1.99 (earn 1 ecb)
2 Russel Stover 24oz boxes chocolate (original price $15.99 clearance $4.00)
$8.00 - $4.00 MQ = $4.00

Total value $39.43 - $10.50 MQ - $5/$25 cvs coupon - $2.50/$10 cvs brand = $21.43 + .61 tax
Used $21.69 ecb and paid $.35. Earned 6 ecb for next shopping trip!!

Ms. Daisy Mae checking out the goods...