Walgreens is looking mighty good this week. And apparently all of those nasty rumors floating around the web about them discontinuing the Easy Saver program were just that: nasty rumors. Woo Hoo!! I'm a happy camper.

Remember this is just my shopping list --- if you want to see the full scoop, head on over to IHeartWags.

Nabisco Ritz Crackers 4-8 oz.--on sale B1G1 (2 for $1.99)
Use $2/2 coupon from 1/25 SS

Final cost: Free

Reach Toothbrush--$0.99 after in-ad coupon

Use $1/1 coupon from 2/8RP

Final Cost: Free

Revlon Matte Eye Shadow--on sale 2 for $4.99

Use $2/1 coupon from 2/8 RP

$0.99 for two after coupons

Buy 1 Colgate Max Fresh or Max White Toothpaste at $3.49, Get $3.49 Register Rewards

Use $1/1 coupon from 2/22 SmartSource insert

Final cost: PROFIT $1.00

Buy 1 Vaseline Intensive Care Rescue Lotion at $2.69 (25% off regular price of $3.59), Get $2 in Register Rewards

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/18 RP

Final cost: PROFIT $.31

Free After Rebate for the Month of March

Axe Hair Care--full rebate up to $5.99

Colgate Total Toothpaste 4 oz.-- $2.99 to $3.49

Use $2.50/1 coupon from the March Easysaver Catalog

Use $1/1 coupon from 2/22 SS

Revlon Emery Boards-- $1.59

Use $1/1 coupon from the March Easysaver catalog

Use $1/1 coupon from 2/8 RP

Shaws: Slower, but still good

There are no screaming deals at Shaws this week, but there are a few good buys --- especially if (like me) you have cats from last week just begging to be used.....

The fruit snacks are a great deal, especially if you have coupons.
Buy 10 boxes of BC Fruit Snacks, Gushers, Stickers, etc
Use the $10 off $25 in-ad coupon
Use any other coupons you have (2/1 SS and 2/8 GM )
Even without any coupons this is worth doing (if someone in your house likes these things): Without coupons you'd spend $15 OOP and get back a $10 cat, so $5 for 10 boxes of fruit snacks or $.50 a box!
As a bonus: Some specially marked gushers may contain a Discover card for $5 as part of a special promotion so if your kids like 'em, they might be better to get if you're feeling lucky!

Shaw's has a bottom round roast on sale for 1.99/lb this week, and a Shaw's printable for $1. There are some other decent grocery deals, too:
Shaw's cheese sticks for 1.99.Q for $1 off 2.
Shaw's Cheese (bar/shredded) - $1.00/2 Shaw's Cheese (the way we go through shredded cheese, you know I'm buying this one with some of my cats)
$1.00/2 Red Bell Peppers
Dannon Yogurt- Blinkies for $1/6 & B6GO
2/$6.00 Tropicana Pure Premium Juice- $1.00/2
$1.00 Shaws Marketfresh Spinach
$1.00 Farm Stand Bunch Celery
$2.00 Chilean Ripe'n ready Peaches, Plums or Nectarines
$2.00 Farm Stand Cauliflower
$2.00 Shaw's Gourmet Red/White Potatoes 3lbs. (I've just about finished the free potatoes from a few weeks ago, so this may be a good idea for my house)

CVS: Week of 2/22

Remember, this is just my shopping list --- if you want the whole scoop, go to iheartcvs --- she has it ALL!!!
This is a great deal IF you got the coupon: (guess who didn't get the coupon??)

Buy 1 Renuzit TriScents Starter Kit $5.49 Get $2 ECBs (Limit 5)

Use $4/1 coupon from the 2/22 SS

Final cost: $.51 PROFIT

Buy 1 Gillette Fusion Gamer at $7.99, Get $4 ECBs (Limit 1)

Use $4/1 Gillette Fusion Razor from the 2/8 P&G

Final cost: FREE (yep, its working AGAIN!! Even if you already did the deal this month -- the computer is processing this as a weekly deal. Woo Hoo)

You won't get any ECBs for this next deal, but you will get very, very cheap toothpaste. I know, I know -- I don't usually pay real money for toothpaste, but at this price, I'm using them as fillers in other deals and giving them to the food pantry.
Colgate Cavity Toothpaste--on sale for $0.88

Use $0.75/1 from the 2/1 SS

Final cost: $0.13

This is the last week to take advantage of the monthly freebies and moneymakers -- don't let it slip by you.

Buy 2 CVS-brand make-up remover pads at $1 each (these are the trial size ones --- don't get caught and buy the regular ones), Get $2 ECBs (Limit 5)

Buy in two different transactions (use them as fillers in deals -- just pop one in every time you're doing anything at CVS)

Use $1/1 CVS-brand skin care coupons from the Beauty Booklet

Final cost: $2.00 PROFIT (or just plain old free, if you don't have the coupons-- which is still not too shabby)

Buy 1 Stayfree pads (14-24 ct.) at $3.99, Earn $2 ECBs (Limit 5)
Buy 4 Stayfree pads at $3.99 each

Use 1 $1/2 coupon from the 01/04 RP

Use 2 B1G1 coupons

Spend $6.98 out of pocketGet $8 ECBs

Final cost: $1.02 PROFIT

Buy 1 CVS Children's Chewable Aspirin (36 ct.) at $1.99, Get $1.99 ECBs (Limit 1)

Final cost: Free

Buy 1 Extreme Energy 6-hour shot at $4.99, Get $4.99 ECBs (Limit 1)

Final cost: Free

Buy 1 Earinse at $7.99, Get $7.99 ECBs (Limit 2)

Final cost: Free

Buy 1 BodiHeat Pain Relieving Heat Pad (3 ct.) at $3.99, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 5)

Look for $1/1 peelies on the packages (I didn't find any, but since mom is always looking for ways to keep her hands warm, this was still a deal for me.

Final cost: Free

Walgreens: Week of 2/22

Remember, this is just MY shopping list at Walgreens this week. There are many, many more deals to be had --- go visit iheartwags to see a more exhaustive list.....

Since we're always looking for free or cheap candy around here ---- I'm thinking about:

Reese’s Select Clusters 8 oz., Hershey’s Bliss 9.6 oz., Cadbury Minis 8.5 oz. 3/$10
Earn $5 Easy Saver Rebate when you buy 3 (rebate #35)
Final Price after Easy Saver: $1.67/each

REGISTER REWARD DEALS

Gillette Fusion Gamer Razor $8.99
Use $4/1 from 2-8 P&G
Get back $6 RR
Final Price : Profit $1.01

Venus Embrace or Spa Razor $8.99
Use $2/1 from 2-8 P&G Insert
Earn $6 RR
Final Price: 99¢

Excedrin 20 - 24 ct. $1.99
Use $1/1 from 1-4 Smart Source
Earn $1 RR
Final Price : FREE

Weekly Specials:

Dove Deodorant $1.99 w/ad coupon Limit 3
Use $1.50/1 from 1-18 Red Plum
Final Price: 49¢

Hershey Candy Buy 1 Get 1 Free w/coupon
Final Price: 44¢/each

Stockpiling

Help, I feel like they’re going to call that TV show about hoarding on me!! Isn’t all this stockpiling for people who think the end of the world is coming?? I don’t want to become a crazy person. 

Stockpiling is not about hoarding or being crazy or fatalistic.  Stockpiling is about refusing to pay rent to the store. 

Look at it this way: 

If I buy paper towels at the rock bottom price of FREE and I only buy enough for 3 weeks --- and then during week 4 when I am out of paper towels, I go to the store and I pay $1.50 for a roll of paper towels to get me through ---- I have just paid the store rent for the shelf space for storing those paper towels for 3 weeks.  I’ve paid them $.50 a week rent on that shelf space for that one silly roll of paper towels.  I could have stored those same paper towels in my house on my own shelf for FREE – but no, I decided to pay the store rent. 

Now, personally, I am adverse to paying anything I don’t actually have to pay.  And rent on shelf space to a store that is already charging me for items drives me bananas.  Whenever possible, I buy at rock bottom prices.  And I buy the right amount so that I will not have to buy that item again until the rock-bottom price returns again.  My price book tells me when I can expect that to happen, so I can predict how much I need. 

So, I have some shelving in my house (how much shelving will depend on your family size and needs and on how often the rock bottom prices seem to come around on the items your family uses --- every family is a tiny bit different) I store my own non-perishables on my own shelves and I don’t pay rent to the store. 

My own house is a bit unusual in the storage department, so we have to get a little bit creative in the storage department.  Our house is over 200 years old, so there are NO closets, and the basement is not useable for storage (it is stacked stone with a dirt floor --- it cannot be made mouse-proof and it gets very musty during damp weather.  Anything I put down there either ends up chewed or moldy smelling)  We do have a small room that serves as a pantry.  We’ve lined it with shelving and cabinets and store food products there.  

We also have three small shelves in the main bathroom.  I’ve fitted them with bins that hold our toiletries stockpile.  Its all organized, looks pretty, doesn’t raise the eyebrows of guests and works pretty efficiently for us. 

In the half bath/laundry room, we have an old cabinet that stores the stockpile of laundry supplies, batteries, and odds and ends. 

Finally, at the top of the attic stairs (accessible, but not “right at hand”) we have some shelving and an old dog crate that store the paper goods (paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex etc) of our stockpile.  That’s about it.  We don’t have some super jumbo set of shelving lining every wall of our house.  We have just what we need to stockpile efficiently and effectively for our household. 

We don’t hoard.  We don’t stockpile more than we need.  We don’t save things we don’t or won’t use.  We selectively plan for the future and store away what we know we will need so that we have it.  We don’t pay rent to the store for keeping items on their shelves.  They get enough of our money without paying them rent.  

Price Books 101

What is one??  Why do I need one??  What do I do with it??

A price book is a very simple mechanism that helps you to put the first major dent in the grocery budget for your household.  It lets you keep track of what the stores near you are doing.  They run sales, seemingly willy-nilly, and you struggle to catch a good deal.  The price book takes the struggle out of finding the good deals. 

Very simply, a price book is your record of the prices your stores are charging for items that you use.  You make a simple grid – think an attendance sheet from school.  You put the items you commonly use where the names go – be sure to include brand name and size – you want to be sure to compare apples to apples.  Now, each week when you go to that store, make a note of the price of that item.  That’s it.  That’s all there is to it. 

If you shop at more than one store (goodness knows, I do), keep a price book for each store.  If you don’t go to a particular store one week, don’t obsess.  You want to record information for as many weeks as you can, but you don’t want to lose your mind doing it.  Just jot down the price of each item every time you go into that store.  (Now that I’ve written that line – if you go into the store twice during the same week, don’t bother recording the price again – it won’t have changed and you already know it)

You’ll want to accumulate about 12 weeks worth of information.  That will begin to show you the store’s pattern of sales.  And you’ll begin to know what is the rock bottom price for the items you use.  Soon, you’ll only be buying when things are at their rock-bottom price.  And, you’ll know how much to buy, because you’ll be able to predict when that price will come around again.  You’ll also start to see which stores are truly giving you better deals on the things that your family actually uses. 

You can pay someone else to do this for you.  The website The Grocery Game, essentially does this for you.  They keep track of prices and identify rock-bottom prices at which you want to stock up.  You pay a fee for each store that you want to track – they don’t give you the price book information – they simply tell  you when the price is rock-bottom in their estimation.  Many people are very successful using the Grocery Game and I don’t want to underestimate their value.  If you are a total beginner and trying to wrap your head around this whole thing, The Grocery Game can be an invaluable tool.  But at the same time – if my end goal is saving myself money, why do I want to pay them to do what I can do with a simple sheet of paper and a pencil?  Also, I find that some of the stores I use are not in the Grocery Game database, so I can’t get information for them.  Additionally, the Grocery Game doesn’t help me to compare stores to find the best possible deal.  Finally, as you learn to make the best use of catalina promotions and rolling ECBs and Register Rewards (other tutorials) you ‘ll find that the Grocery Game doesn’t factor these into the equation.  I think they may be a good short term crutch – but not a long term help for the serious shopper.  Lucky for all of us, they offer a short term freebie trial offer.  

Shaws: A Hunting We Will Go

There are alot of people out there who are doing the Shaws thing way better than I am. But I needed to set it up for my brother-in-law, so since it was all typed out, I thought I'd share it with you.
Here's my plan at Shaw's this week (remember the week ends tomorrow -- sorry about that-- do your hunting quickly!!)
Conagra catalina going on (you remember how this works??)
Healthy Choice soups -- check the shelf price -- you need to add up to $25 on the shelf price to trigger the cat.
They're 10/$10 this week --- so should be free after cat without any coupons ---- anything you can throw at it in terms of coupons -- becomes a moneymaker --- food pantries LOVE this. Give, give give. You can only do this once per transaction --- you can't double it within a transaction.
Wesson Oil is also part of the Conagra deal --- on sale $2.50 a bottle -- check shelf price -- here the canola and the corn are $7.99 so we need 4 -- pay $10 get $10 back -- no coupons involved -- just free Wesson oil. Keep carrying it out of the store. You'll need to keep repeating transactions on this one.
Hunts diced tomatoes 10/$10 get the total up over $25 on shelf price -- then use the coupons from the 1/4 SS for .40 off 2
20 items get $20 cat back --- You can also work this deal with 10 and 10 and you generally will work out better off.
Fruit roll ups 5/$10 and Nature Valley granola bars 4/$10-- Buy 5 of each -- This is the only tricky deal in the mix -- for some reason, you will always end up better buying 5 of each and repeating rather than 10 and 10
There are tons of printable coupons on Pillsbury.com or Betty Crocker.com for these. Also the 1/4 GM insert had coupons. You'll get back a $10 and 2 $3.50 catalinas. Worst case scenario you're spending $22.50 without any coupons --- but getting $17.00 back -- with coupons you can get this down to free or even a moneymaker. This one triggers an extra cat for you.
Pillsbury Grands (the biscuits, the cinnamon rolls etc) 8/$10?? Buy 10 of them. Around here there are blinkie machines right next to them for $1.00 off 3 -- so use 3 of them Also there were coupons in the 1/4 GM insert and in the 2/8 that you can use if you have them. $12.50 less the coupons --- get $10 back in the cat. This should work out to free breakfast rolls (I'm thinking Palm Sunday breakfast, personally)This also includes Betty Crocker brownie mix etc at 5/$10 sale with a .50 coupon at Betty Crocker.com You'll need to buy 10 products to trigger the cat, that's all.

Walgreens: Week of 2/15

Not too much at Walgreens this week, but a good opportunity to stock up on free toothpaste!! (that would be one of the products you should never pay money for again)

Revlon Creme Lip Gloss--on sale B1G1 (2/$9.99)

Use 2 $2/1 coupon from 2/8 inserts

Submit for Free After Rebate--Offer #4

Pay $5.99 for two after couponsGet $9.99 EasySaver rebate back

profit of $4.00

Glade Sense and Sprays--$8.99-$9.99 (price varies around the country)

Buy two and use the B1G1 coupon here and the $4/1 coupon from the 02/08 SmartSource

Submit your receipt online for EasySaver Rebate #28--Get $3 rebate for each Sense and Spray purchased (Limit 4)

Free after coupons and rebate

Colgate Toothpaste (4.6 oz.)--$0.99

Use $1/1 coupon from 2/8 inserts

Free after coupon This is a great chance to stock up on free toothpaste -- you can repeat the deal until you run out of coupons.

Aquafresh Toothpaste--$1.99 after in-ad coupon

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/4 inserts$0.99 each after coupon I can't be bothered with this one, especially when the Colgate is FREE

RiteAid: Week of 2/15

Not one of RiteAid's stellar weeks, to be certain, but a few good deals are there to be had.

Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick, buy 4/$9 Get $5 SCR #58
Use $0.75/1 Speed Stick 24/7 or Lady Speed Stick (SS 2/1/09)
$0.25 ea. after coupons and SCR!

Rite Aid Cough Drops (30-ct.), 2/$1$0.50/1 Rite Aid PrintableFREE after coupon!

Hershey Candy Bars, BOGO
Use coupon for BOGO Hersheys Milk Chocolate Bar (SS 1/25/09)
BOGO Hersheys Milk Chocolate Bar (SS 11/9/08)
FREE after coupon!

Old Spice Deodorant, $0.99
Use $1/1 Old Spice Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant (P&G 12/28/08)
$1/2 Old Spice Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant (P&G 2/8/09)
FREE to $0.49 ea. after coupon!

Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap, $0.99
Use $0.35/1 Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap (SS 2/1/09)
$0.65 after coupon!

CVS: Week of 2/15

Colgate Total Toothpaste (4 oz.) Buy 1 at $2.99, Get $2.99 ECBs (Limit 2)

Use $1/1 from the 2/1 SmartSource insert

Final cost: $1.00 Profit

Gillette Fusion Gamer Razor Buy 1 at $7.99, Get $4 ECBs (Limit 1)

Use $4/1 any Fusion Razor from the 2/8 P&G insert

Final Cost: Free
Buy 3 Suave Products at $2 each, Get $2 ECBs (Limit 5)
To make this a real deal: Buy 3 of the Body Washes at $2 each

Use 3 $0.75/1 coupons in the 1/11 RP

Herbal Essence Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styler Buy 1 at $2.99, Get $1 ECB (Limit 5)

Use $3/2 Herbal Essence coupon from the 02/08 P&G insert

Also, don't forget the Monthly deals --- we're coming up on the final weeks of the month now.

Buy 2 CVS-brand make-up remover pads at $1 each, Get $2 ECBs (Limit 5)

Separate this into two separate transactions and use $1/1 CVS-brand skin care coupons from the Beauty Booklet (you can only use one per transaction)

Final Cost: $2.00 profit

Keep repeating until you've maxed out the deal.
Mylanta Cherry Extra Strength 12-oz. at $3.56, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 5) (These are ringing up at $3.56 at many stores, be sure to double check the price at the magic red coupon machine (its also a price scanner, really)

Use $2/1 coupons from the 1/04

Final Cost: Profit $1.35

Stayfree pads (14-24 ct.) $3.99, Earn $2 ECBs (Limit 5)
To make this a real deal, buy 4 Stayfree pads at $3.99 each

Use 1 $1/2 coupon from the 01/04 RP

Use 2 B1G1 coupons

Spend $6.98 Get $8 ECBs

Final cost: Profit $1.02
CVS Children's Chewable Aspirin (36 ct.) at $1.99, Get $1.99 ECBs (Limit 1)

Free

Extreme Energy 6-hour shot at $4.99, Get $4.99 ECBs (Limit 1)

Free

Earinse at $7.99, Get $7.99 ECBs (Limit 2)

Free

Gillette Shampoo or Conditioner $4.99, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 5)

Use $2/1 coupon from the 01/18 P&G

Free
Also there are reports all over the web that this weeks deal at CVS, when you buy any two Neutrogena Facial Moisturizer or Sun Care products, you get a $10 ECB is working on the Neutrogena facial bar soap that are priced at $2.99 each.
So, buy two for $5.98 total and you'll get a $10 ECB back!

There are also rumors that some folks have been getting skincare CRTs from the magic red coupon machine in CVS ---(guess who hasn't gotten one?? sniff, sniff)

Catalinas, Catalinas

Everything you always wanted to know about catalina deals but didn't know who to ask --- no that would NOT be me, silly.

But there is a tremendously terrific post here that explains the entire thing in great detail. Seriously -- you will understand --- you will get it. You will be able to spot a deal and do the deal after this little education.

Why are you still here??? Get yourself over to the Cherry Picker and get educated!!

Real Simple Receipt and Coupon Organizer

Free Gift with Purchase
(and you know I'm not actually "purchasing" here)

Here's the deal from Real Simple:
Receive a Real Simple® receipt organizer* by simply purchasing at least one product from the featured brands (Jones NY, Kenmore, Over The Moon Fat Free Milk, Smart Ones, or Triscuit) and mailing your original receipt by April 6, 2009 along with your name and address to: Smart Buys Gift-With-Purchase Offer, Real Simple, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, Room 8-112-C, New York, NY 10020. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for shipping.
* Offer good while supplies last. Limit one gift per household. Purchase of qualifying product must be made between 2/10/09 AND 3/22/09. Proof of purchase must include the original receipt with the product and purchase date circled and must be received by 4/6/09. Some restrictions apply. Approximate retail value of the receipt organizer is $10.00.

Now, I'm figuring that Triscuits are part of the deal at CVS this week (the coupons specify Wheat Thins and Ritz, but Triscuits are in the deal) -- so that will take care of the purchase of the Triscuits. You only need to purchase one product (they must really want to give this thing away!), so that should do it.

I'm not 100% confident that I even really want this thing, but for the price of a stamp, I'll give it a try out. How about you??? Go ahead, go for it.

CVS: Week of 2/8

I have some ECBs to roll this week so I'll be spending some quality time at CVS. I'll probably take a crack at some of the monthly deals too (want to maximize those ECBs)

Here's what looks interesting to me: (remember, this is not an exhaustive list of the sales --- just what I'm going to be ont he prowl for)

• Gillete Fusion Gamer or Venus Spa $7.99, get $4 ECB (limit 1)Use $4.00 Gillette or $2.00 Venus form 2/8 insert = FREE (yeah, I know, I'm getting free razors over at Walgreens too. But free is free and you always need razors, right?)


• Hallmark cards $2.49 or more, buy 3 get $3 ECB = $1.49 each wyb 3 (this ought to be a fun one. We have a running joke going at my house that my hubby wants to SEE the receipt for the Valentine's card I get for him. He says he wants a card that I actually have to BUY. Seriously, he couldn't be more supportive of my Viking habit -- he's my source for all of the coupons! Its just become a silly joke between us.)


• Ritz and Wheat Thins 5/$5, use $2/2 coupon from 1/25 = FREE (I'm not sure I have any more room in my pantry for crackers. Between the free Gold Emblem crackers from CVS and the free crackers and cookies from Shaws lately, the shelf is groaning.)

The Monthly deals to roll the ECBs (not much here I actually want, but VIM or the food pantry will be very happy with me)

• CVS Childrens chewable aspirin $1.99, get $1.99 ECB = FREE


• Extreme Energy 6 hour shot $4.99, get $4.99 ECB ( limit 1) = FREE


• Earinse $7.99, get $7.99 ECB = FREE ( limi 2)


• Gillette shampoo or conditioner $4.99, get $3.00 ECB ( limit 2)Use $2.00 coupon from 1/18 = FREE


• Beyond Bodiheat pain relieving heat pad $3.99, get $3.00 ECB ( limit 5) = $.99

Walgreens Week of 2/8

I'm not super excited with actual products that I need or want at Walgreens this week, but it does seem to be a good week for stocking up on razors!! At the end of the week, I figure I'll be ahead by about $8.00 --- I can live with that.

• Gillete Fusion $8.99 Get $6 in Register rewards Use $4/1 from 2/8 P&G Final price: $1.01 in profit after coupon and RR


• Venus Embrace of Breeze Razor $8.99 Get $6 in Register rewards back. Use $2/1 from 2/8 P&G Final price: $0.99 each after coupon and RR


• Colgate Wave toothbrush 2/$3 Get $1 in Register rewards when you buy two. Use $0.40/1 from 2/1. Final price: $0.60 each after coupons and RR


• Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers 6.8-13oz up to $4.29 Use $1/1 from 1/4 Final price: $1 in profit


• Scrubbing Bubbles Wipes or All purpose Cleaner 2/$5Use $3/2 internet printable coupon. Submit for ESR rebate: get $2 back when you buy two. FREE after coupon and rebate (since my nephew just got his first apartment and is in need of EVERYTHING for housekeeping, I'll probably do this one for him)


• Windex Wipes 2/$5Use $1.50/1 internet printable coupon. Submit for ESR rebate #30: Get $1 back wyb one (Limit 4) FREE after coupon and rebate (this is another one to help the nephew get his housekeeping set up)


• Windex Spray 2/$5Use $1/1 internet printable coupon. Submit for ESR rebate #30: Get $1 back wyb one (Limit 4) Pay $0.50 each after coupon and rebate


• Zucol Cold Care Lozenges 18pk Up to $7.99Use $2/1 coupon from 2/1 SS insert or $2/1 Internet printable coupon. Final price: $2 in profit


• Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer or Spa Foundation up to $10. Use $2/1 coupon from 1/11 Final price: $2 in profit


• Revlon Creme Lip Gloss up to $10 Use $2/1 coupon from 1/11 Final price: $2 in profit


• ThermaCare Trial Size Neck, Shoulder & Wrist heat Wrap up to $2.49Use $1/1 from 1/4 Final price: $1 in profit

Rite Aid: Week of 2/8

I don't know why I do it. Rite Aid lures me back again and again with its siren song --- usually it frustrates and disappoints me (actually usually it makes me tear my hair out). But I keep going back. They keep finding a deal that makes it worth my time and aggravation to give them another try. And this week, they've done just that ----- again.

The bait:

• Bayer Low Dose Aspirin (24 count): $1.99
  Single Check Rebate deal #43: Get a $10 Gift card wyb 3 Bayer items
  Use 3 $1 coupons from the 1/4 & 2/1 RP Pay $2.97 and Get a $10 Gift Card! I'm thinking this actually turns out to be a $7.03 profit!

Some other free stuff to make sure I think its worth the trip:

• Nivea Lip Care: Get a $2 SCR wyb 1 at $2.99
  use $1 from the 2/8 SS
  Final cost: FREE


• GE Energy Smart CFL Bulbs: Get a $1.50 SCR wyb 2 at $2.25 each
  use 2 $1 coupons from the 1/4 SS
  Final Cost: $.50 each after coupons & SCR (for the CFL light bulbs, this is the best I've done)


• Durex Condoms: Get $6 SCR wyb 1 at $6
  use $2 from the 2/8 SS
  Final Cost: $2 profit after coupon & SCR (gotta check if these are an acceptable brand!)


• Finesse Shampoo: Get a $1.99 SCR wyb 1 at $2.99
  use $1 in the 2/8 inserts Final Cost: FREE after coupon and SCR


• Garnier Fructis Harispray or Mousse: Get a $2.99 SCR wyb 1 at $2.99
  use $1 from the 1/4 & 2/8 RP
  Final Cost: $1 profit after coupon & SCR


• L’Oreal Cosmetics: BOGO
  use $2 & $3 coupons from the 1/4 RP
  Final Cost: depends on the item you choose. I usually manage free or very nearly free lipstick when the BOGO deals come around on L'Oreal.
  

May Flowers in February

I love flowers. I really love flowers. They just brighten the day. During the summer, I have a patch of garden just for things that bloom. I have this one silly rosebush by the end of the driveway that blooms, and blooms, and blooms. It just won't quit. And it makes me smile every single time I pull into the driveway.

This time of year, there aren't many flowers around to prompt a smile. And the ones I've seen lately have had outrageous pricetags on them.

We have an agreement at our house. No flowers on Valentine's Day. I'd rather have the same dollar value of flowers in the form of several bouquets at times when flowers are much, much cheaper.

Well, someone heard my prayers (hmmmm, maybe there are shopping gods after all). There are two flower deals this week that are too good to miss. One is a coupon, one is a sweepstakes. I'm taking advantage of BOTH

Here they are:

1. The coupon: $20 off! TravelZoo and 1-800-Flowers.com have joined marketing forces to give us a $20 coupon off any order. All you have to do is click here and register for the 1-800-Flowers.com e-mail list and they’ll send you a coupon code. The coupon codes are all individual, so you'll have to get your own -- no sharing. The offer is good until 2/14/2009. Once you get your code, it must be redeemed by 5/31/09. They do tell you up front that the coupon code may take 3-7 days to arrive in your email, so if you're planning on using this for Valentine's Day --- don't wait!! They have one or two special deals that are only $19.99, so its possible that you could get flowers by only paying tax and delivery. Free flowers are always welcomed!! (unless you raided the neighbor's garden without permission.)

2. The sweepstakes: Whole Foods is having a flowers giveaway. Ten winners will each receive a punch card good for a bunch of Whole Trade roses or Whole Trade flowers every month for a year. No purchase necessary. One per person. Click here to enter. Think about it!! Flowers every month!! Free flowers every month. I'll give it a try.