Saturday, January 31, 2009

CVS: Week of 2/1


I'm more on the ball this week (mostly because I'm using the heck out of the $5/$30 coupon that CVS so lovingly emailed me)

Here's what I'll be shopping for at CVS this week (remember, this is just my list --- Go to IHeartCVS if you want the whole scoop!)


Two-Day Sale (Sunday & Monday only)
Hershey’s Valentines Kisses, Hugs, Miniatures, Kissables, Reese’s or York (8.5-10 oz.), 2/$3 (next week it will be Dove! This is a great way to keep everyone in candy around my work.)

And Now for the ExtraBucks!!!
Excedrin 10ct. Vial, $2.49Get $2.49 ECBs (limit 1)FREE after ECB (this is the lipstick-sized vial that goes in your purse, so none of the coupons will work on it -- still its free! And its handy to have)
Assorted Glade, 4/$10 Get $5 ECBs (limit 5)
Glade Jar Candle 4 oz. Plugins Refills 3 ct. Scented Oil Refill 1 ct.Scented Oil Candle Refills 3 ct.
Use any of these coupons:

$1/2 Glade Plugins Scented Gel Refill Packs SS 1/11/09

$1.50/2 Glade 4 oz. Jar Candles or 2 in 1 Candles, SS 2/1/09

$1/1 Glade Scented Oil Candles Refill Pack, SS 2/1/09

BOGO Glade Scented Oil Candles Holder, exp. 3-14-09 SS 2/1/09


L’Oreal Revitalift Cleanser or Towelettes, $5.99

Buy 2 get $10 ECBs (limit 2)

$2/1 LOreal Facial Skincare Product, RP #2 1/4/09

Moneymaker after coupon and ECBs!


Thats about it for me this week.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Mid Winter Windex Blues

I've got that organization bug again. I swear, it hits this time every year. I think its like the flu or something. It must incubate with the cold weather and the Christmas decorating and then it blooms into a full blown illness that compels its victim to empty drawers, clean closets, organize and sort junk and clear clutter. All of this leads to the familiar symptoms of fatigue, and finally exhaustion. Unfortunately without this annual illness, many of us might end up buried under some pile of junk somewhere in our home or office.
So -- I'm working on taking baby steps. I want to satisfy the deep-seated drive to clean, de-clutter, and organize without getting myself into that awful state of sleep-deprivation, crankiness and exhaustion. That's the plan anyway.
First off, I got myself a cute little laptop desk and begged my husband to put it together for me. (I'm going to know that I've arrived when none of my furniture required assembly!). It fits in a little corner of our family room, over past the woodstove and out of the way. This is actually a photo of the one I got. It has the little cubbies along the top and the surface slides out to almost double the work space when you're using it. Underneath is a cabinet with a shelf in it and doors that close (priority #1 when clutter is an issue). It was cute, it was very inexpensive, it was perfect (okay, okay --- my husband, who put it together, has a different opinion about its perfect-ness). This weekend, I want to start organizing and getting things together for it.
Second task will be my desk at work. (YIKES!!) This is scary. I have one file drawer that I cannot even remember the last time I opened it. The piles need to go. The bookshelf needs to look like a bookshelf again. I want to actually see the surface of the little side-desk. The computer screen needs to be cleaned. I might even swap around some of my bins, drawers, and organizers to create a uniform color set for my desk (What a concept!) I was completely inspired by Christie at A Journey Through Thick and Thin. She did an amazing re-organization of a desk area in her home. Its beautiful. She didn't spend a fortune. I love it. Go to her blog and check it out if you like. I think you'll find it inspiring too.
And finally, I want to find an organizing system for my work stuff in the car. I'm finding the its easiest and best when my coupon crate simply "lives" in the backseat. I can immediately call up any coupon I need or want, run into the store, and VOILA --- a deal is born. I want some kind of a car desk/office system to keep this all from ending up looking like I live in my car. I'm looking for something along these lines (but without spending all that money --- these are expensive!) We'll see what I come up with.
So --- how has the mid-winter cleaning and organizing bug hit you?? Make a plan. Take it slow and easy. Your grandmother was right --- Haste makes waste --- and we know we're too frugal for that.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Walgreens: Week of 1/25

This isn't a terrific shopping week for me all the way around. Here's what I see worth my time and effort at Walgreens (if they have the stuff, they've been terrible about it lately)

Hershey’s Chocolate Bars BOGO at .98 page 16 coupon
Use BOGO Hersheys 1/25/s = FREE
Or: Use $1.00/2 Reese Whips 1/4/S =FREE

Reynolds 20 foot Aluminum Foil 89¢ with in-ad coupon
Use $1/1 coupon from the 12/7 SS =Free (the last time they ran this deal they didn't have any foil in stock, not once during the week --- we'll see how it goes this time. I could really use the foil too)

Colgate Total or Max Fresh $2.99 Get $2.00 in Register Rewards
use $1.00 Sept/AllYou =Free
OR Use .75 Colgate 1/18/S = 25¢
OR Use $1.50 Colgate 1/4/SS =Free

There's also a month long Unilever deal: $10.00 Register Reward
Buy 8 – Get $10.00 RR
Degree Deodorant $1.99 w/page 10 coupon
Use $1.00/2 Degree 1/11/RP
so -- 8x 1.99 = 15.92
minus 4x 1.00 = 11.92
You get back $10 RR so the 8 things of deodorant end up costing you $1.92 or about $.25 apiece -- okay, okay a little less, I wasn't in the mood to break out the calculator.

CVS: Week of 1/25

I'm getting a late start with CVS this week. Its an okay week for me, nothing spectacular, but some free stuff. Here's what I see: (remember, this is just my list --- if you want a really exhaustive list go to IHeartCVS -- she's amazing!!)

Gillette Fusion Gamer, Venus Breeze Spa or Embrace Sister Razor ($7.99)
get $4 eb (the stated limit is 1, but there are reports all over the web that the actual limit is 5 -- we'll be going nuts with razors at my house if that's the case
Use; -$4 Gillette Fusion Razor, any P & G 12/28/08 (do be aware that the razors are not supposed to be available until the afternoon of 1/30 -- which since I'm getting started late this week, shouldn't be a problem for me at all!!)

Head & Shoulders, Gillette, Pantene Restoratives or Expressions shampoo, conditioner, mask or balm ($4.99)
get $3 eb
Limit 5
use -$2 Gillette shampoo/conditioner/styling product 1/18/09 P&G


Mentos bogo (2/$1.69)
use: -$1 Mentos Gum, any SS 12/14/08

Almay get $5 eb wyb $10
Limit 3 (although the ad states that this is the $1.99 soaps, it has been reported that the almay soaps priced $.99 also count towards this deal. If that's true, then you end up with a great deal and you can actually make some money on it.
Use -$1 Almay Cosmetic or Skincare Product, any SS 12/14/08
Buy 11 or the soaps for free after coupons and get $5 ECB back.

I'm not usually big on the soda deals since we don't drink the stuff at our house, but the inclusion of the pita chips is tempting me.
Buy 7 bags of Stacy's pita chips at $3 each
Use 7 $1.50/1 coupons from the 1/25 insert
Spend $10.50 plus tax out of pocketGet $10 ECBs back

Also, don't forget this is the last week to make use of the January free after ECB deals:
  • Buy 1 Children's Throat Cooler Ice Pops at $4.99, Get $4.99 ECBs (Limit 5)
  • Buy SoyJoy bars 6-pack at $6.00, Earn $6 ECBs $3/10 coupon from 1/04 SmartSource insert (there are reports that this coupon is working for people. My CVS wouldn't take it since there weren't 10 UPC scans only 2)
  • Buy 1 Nasogel Drip Free Gel Spray 1.52 oz. at $7.99, Get $7.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
  • 1 Nutra Trim Weight Management Chewing Gum 48 ct. at $3.99, Get $3.99 ECBs (Limit 3)Free after ECBs

Monday, January 26, 2009

Soup-er Bowl Sunday

I cannot believe that after all the mountains of HC soup I've carted home and passed on from Shaws, that I'm out looking for soup this week, but I am. Yep, I'm on the hunt for free or very cheap soup. Any kind, any style, any flavor -- I need soup.
Why?? you ask. Well, its like this. The church that we're attending for January and February (pulpit supply lets you visit a lot of churches) is having a Soup-er Bowl Party and stocking the local food pantry with (you guessed it!!) soup. After that, they're moving on to peanut butter (I think I still have 12-15 jars from Shaws last week), macaroni and cheese (this is gonna kill me. I have never bought the blue boxes and cannot believe that I'm even going to consider it), and finally juices.
So -- if I'm going to this Soup-er bowl party (and I am) then I need to bring some soup for the food pantry. Honestly, I think this is an incredibly clever idea and I'm tickled pink to help. I just wish I'd known before the ConAgra deal ended. I could've had a ton of free soup for this. And since these folks don't yet know how I shop --- it could've been a ton of fun to watch the faces. I've GOT to work on this.

RiteAid: Week of 1/25

I’m going back to RiteAid this week. Mostly because I am going to get the raisins that I have 17 rain checks for if it kills me. (And it might!)
So while I’m there collecting my raisins --- I figure I might as well clean up on some other stuff too. Here’s what I see that might be worth it:

Veet Bladeless Razor Kit $3.99 Sale this week
-$3 SCR #61
-$2 veet
=$1.01 profit

Garnier Fructis Body & Volume Shampoo 13 oz. $2.99
-$2.99 SCR #71
-$1 Garnier RP10/5/08, RP 1/4/09, RP 11/9/08 or tearpad from Walgreens (they had tons of them)
=$1 profit

One Touch Ultra 2 or Ultra Mini glucose meter $19.99
-$20 One Touch Ultra 2 or Ultra Mini Blood Glucose Monitoring System $20 RP1/4/09
-$30 One Touch Ultra Smart Blood Glucose Monitoring System RP1/4/09
=FREE (with RiteAid, its unlikely that you'll make a profit on this --- they don't usually seem to give overage)

My friend Bonnie tells me that the Huggies GoodNites are too good a deal to resist. Since I don’t use them, I can’t say. But she’s a sharpie….. trust her.

GoodNites Youth Pants or Boxers $9.99
-$5 SCR #35
-$2 GoodNites Sleep Pants, jumbo pack or larger - SS1/11

All of that would get you to an SCR total of $10.99 – which (in my opinion) is worth the trouble of filing the silly thing and waiting for the postcard-like cheque to come in the mail.
Plus --- if you use the $5/$25 coupon lovingly provided by the NBA (link here) you could turn this into a really sweet deal.

Watch:
Buy:
Veet Bladeless Razor Kit $3.99
Garnier Fructis Body & Volume Shampoo 13 oz. $2.99
One Touch Ultra 2 or Ultra Mini glucose meter $19.99 (I know you don't want it. Give it to VIM or some other medical charity. They'll love it!)
GoodNites Youth Pants or Boxers $9.99 Sale this week

Total Before Coupons: $36.96

Use these coupons:
$5/$25 RiteAid NBA coupon
-$2 veet
-$1 Garnier
-$20 One Touch Ultra 2 or Ultra Mini Blood Glucose Monitoring System
-$2 GoodNites Sleep Pants, jumbo pack or larger - 1.11.09 SS Exp.2.28.09

Total After Coupons: $6.97

Total SCR coming back to you: $10.99
-$3 SCR #61
-$2.99 SCR #71
-$5 SCR #35

Profit: $4.02

Friday, January 23, 2009

Silly Things That Make Me Feel Good: Rubber Gloves






There are some things that just make you smile. They aren't big or important. They aren't expensive or even dear. They just bring a smile to your face. Usually they are silly, stupid things. It struck me tonight that one of the silly, stupid things that brings a smile to my face every single time are the rubber gloves I wear to wash the dishes each night.



My grandmother would faint if she saw my rubber gloves. My mother makes fun of them. They were women of sturdy stock and utter practicality. Their rubber gloves were the standard yellow kind. Very functional, but nothing to ignite even the smallest of smiles.



Mine are silly, funky gloves with big cuffs printed with flowers, hearts, or leopard spots. The ones I wore tonight are pink and have pink and purple hearts all over the cuffs. They're fun. They're silly. They make me smile.



I got hooked on silly rubber gloves a few years ago, when my sister-in-law got a pair with little sponges on the fingers as a gag Christmas gift. Both she and I loved them. We didn't take them as a gag for sure. I went on the prowl to find a pair. I found them online --- for $15 a pair. They're cute and they make me smile. But for $15 they would have to make me giddy for a week at least.



Later, I found them at Marshalls and other discounters for around $3-$4 a pair. This I could live with. I could by the standard yellow gloves at BigLots for around a dollar -- or--- I could by silly gloves and a smile each night doing the dishes (or other dirty work) for $4. Seemed like a bargain to me.



Wandering through the aisles of CVS the other night trying to spend and roll my ECB from the huge free after ECB event just before Christmas, I found a box of these silly gloves in the dollar sale aisle. You know, the aisle with all of the red cardboard boxes holding all manner of silly things. There they were --- in about six different silly patterns. Sounded to me like the perfect use of extra ECB. So --- thank you CVS for buying my smiles for the next month or so. I appreciate it.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Cornbread Pudding: Cheap and Easy Winter Food

Fishmama over at LifeAsAMom is collecting comfort food recipes this week. We love comfort food, but I'm cheap as chips so it has to be "fast, cheap and easy" or I'm not interested.
Cornbread pudding is as easy as it gets --- and with all of the free ingredients I've been amassing at Shaws, Walgreens etc --- its certainly cheap. Best of all -- we LOVE it!! It goes with a simple salad or with a pork roast for company. Its also terrific when its sliced, grilled on the George Foreman grill and drizzled with maple syrup for breakfast the next day. Yum.

Cornbread Pudding

1 package of Jiffy Cornbread mix
1 small carton of Sour Cream (the size of an individual serving cup of yogurt) or 1/2 of a regular size sour cream carton
3 eggs
1 can of creamed corn
1 can of regular corn with the liquid

Mix everything together in a casserole dish (I use the white corningwear -- easy and elegant) and bake at 350 for between 45 minutes and an hour (depending on your oven and the weather etc) Yummy.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

CVS: Week of 1/18


I have a million or so ECBs from that huge pre-Christmas deal where we got tons of stuff free after ECB plus got to throw coupons at them as well, turning them into moneymakers. So, I'm rolling ECB fast and furious --- and looking for things we need or want that I can use to burn ECB. Unfortunately, since I've become a dedicated couponer and CVSer, there really isn't much that I need or want from CVS anymore. Really.

So -- here are a few deals that I'm looking at this week (either because I'm rolling ECB like a madwoman or because its a good deal for something I'll actually use or donate)


Get a Free CVS $5 Gift Card wyb $15 of specific Hershey Products Limit 1

with Valentine's Day coming up, I'm thinking this is a pretty good thing. We blew through a ton of the free chocolate I got before Christmas with the gingerbread house making extravaganza at our house. I don't need to eat more chocolate, but we do need to restock.

Use the following coupons to make the deal a deal

$1 (2-28-09) SS 11/9/08


CVS Pharmacy 24hr Allergy Relief 5ct : 3.79 FREE AFTER ECB 3.79 Limit 2

$3 CVS brand Q, this is an ECB rolling deal for sure.


PEPSI DEAL: SPEND 20 GET 10 ECBS


Ben & Jerry ice cream - 2/$5


Excedrin 20-24 ct-$1.99 is free with this coupon$2 printable http://www.excedrin.com/offers.shtml


Dawn B1G1 limit 6Dawn, any size .25 (1-31-09) P & G 12/28/08Dawn, any size .50 (1-31-09) P & G 12/14/08Dawn, any size $1/2 (1-31-09) P & G 12/14/08


Duracell CopperTop, PowerPix, Ultra Digital, or Photo Lithium Batteries, 4 pk+ $1.50, $1 or 75 (2-28-09) P & G 1/18/09Duracell CopperTop, PowerPix, Ultra Digital, or Ultra Photo Lithium, any $1.50, $1 or 75 (1-31-09) P & G 12/14/08 75 off any Duracell EXP 02/28/09 PG 011809Duracell $5/2 CVS (tearpad)$3.00 off Duracell rechargeable batteries or batteries CRT


Puffs $.99 use coupon for $.25 off any Puffs PG 01/18/09

Always Be Nice!


I mean it!! Your mother was right. You definitely catch more flies with honey. Always, always, always be nice. Even when you don't have to be nice. Even when you're frankly entitled to be very not nice.
But none of that means that you should be a door mat --- you still stand up for yourself, you still assert your rights. But play nice. Someone will appreciate it. And sometimes, that someone will demonstrate their appreciation in a way that you will appreciate even more.
Here's what happened this weekend:
I went on a shopping spree with some Christmas and birthday money -- I was looking for clothing suitable for work and also checked out some household clearance stuff.

First incident: Talbots Outlet.
I love Talbots Outlet --- love, love, love it. I am able to buy good quality clothing of classic styling for prices that are usually less than I would have to pay for cheaper quality, trendier stuff at Marshalls, Kohls, etc. And now, they've started a rewards program for those of us who really don't want another credit card in our wallets. So, I had signed up for the rewards program and they gave me a little card -- the usual stuff. Well, when they went to ring me up --- the computer didn't show my card as having anyone's name and information. So the clerk (who was terrific, by the way) carefully entered all of my information again. At which point the computer refused to accept any of the information because "the card is already in use". She attempted this again with assistance from her manager (also a terrific lady). Still no go.

At this point, she phoned customer service and related the problem to them. Customer service informed her that this was a known problem and that she should just go ahead and ring up the sale anyway. Terrific Clerk clarified -- the customer will still get her points? I watched as a look of astonishment spread over her face before she repeated back to the CS rep, "so she won't get her points, but she should just call you? That's why I called you for her." Finally, she hung up the phone, having gotten no further than that. She patiently explained this to me, all the while shaking her head and muttering about how ridiculous it was that she had to tell me to do this.

I calmly thanked her for trying, laughed and suggested that customer service might possibly regret this move when I got done writing a letter and phoning, and assured both the clerk and the manager that I appreciated their efforts and in no way held them responsible.

She rang up the sale --- in the pile of items was a bracelet that I was toying with buying. I had asked her previously to check whether it was the marked price or subject to one of Talbots Outlets many percentage discounts. It was priced as marked, but the manager came over and whispered to her to take a 60% discount on it as a thank you and an apology for all of the trouble. Thank you indeed. Later, I wandered through the regular Talbots and discovered it was a current season item and was selling for more than the tagged price in Talbots regular stores. And, for the record, no way would I have even thought of paying the regular price.

Second incident: Coldwater Creek
Coldwater Creek was having a clearance sale that puts things just about in the high end of my budget. Most of their stuff is a little flashy and loud for me, but some of it is classy and well done. I thought I'd look around. I picked up a jacket that I was considering -- and continued to look around the store. A saleswoman asked if she could set up a fitting room for me --- sure (truthfully, I didn't need a fitting room at all, but I do enjoy the feeling of being catered to and taken care of like that -- so why not?) I also found a skirt that I deemed worthy of consideration and took it back to the fitting room with me. When I arrived, another customer had taken my jacket, tried it on, and claimed it as her own. The saleswoman was in a state --- she was genuinely upset that this was happening. I was not so upset --- I wasnt' all that committed to the jacket -- and the woman had probably just saved me from a marginal purchase. No problem. So I was nice. I tried on the skirt -- the sales staff continued to sputter and fume. I liked the skirt (I liked the skirt alot). I went to the sales desk to buy the skirt. I ended up with a 30% discount off of the sale price to apologize for all of the trouble and to thank me for not making a scene.

Third Incident (still the same day)
I phoned customer service at Talbots. I explained what had happened to the representative. I was fully prepared to do battle. I was ready to request the supervisor, ready to write a letter, ready for whatever. The representative was nearly speechless!! "They said to do what?", she exclaimed. "You've got to be kidding!" She then quickly took my reward number, re-entered the name and information (she had some trouble with that too, but was able to overcome it), reinstated the points from the sale earlier in the day, and then apologized for the fuss and credited my account 200 reward points for my trouble. Thank you very much.

So, mom ---- you were right. Be nice --- be very, very nice.

Rite Aid: Week of 1/18

I'm still not a huge Rite Aid gal --- but when they offer me stuff for free, its hard not to love them. So, here's what I'm getting at RiteAid this week (remember there are way more deals to be had, I'm just not choosing them. This just represents me.)

Free Stuff
GE Light Bulbs (Soft White Longer Life 2 pk.) $2

Eligible for $2 SCR #110 (limit 1)= FREE after SCR!


Mentos Gum 2/$2
Use $1/1 Mentos Gum MQ (12/14 SS)= FREE after MQ

Good Deals
Dove Go Fresh Body Mist or Ultimate Clear Deodorant $3
Eligible for $2 SCR #81 (limit 2)
Use $1.50/2 MQ (1/18 RP)= $.25 ea. after coupon and SCR

Sun-Maid Raisins (8.5 oz or 6 pk) $ .99
Use $1/2 MQ (11/9 RP)
= 2/$.98

Walgreens: Week of 1/18 Rolling Register Rewards

Pretty good week at Walgreens, especially if (like me) you have Register Rewards to roll over. I'm looking primarily at two deals to roll my Rewards:

Deal #1
Skippy Peanut Butter (I already have a ton of it in my pantry from the catalina deal at Shaws a while back, but peanut butter is always good for the food pantry!)
Buy 8 jars of Skippy at $1.99 a jar --- $15.92
Use $1/2 coupons from 11/16 RP (yep, I still have 4 of them, no problem)
$11.92 due to the cashier --(I'll pay with my $10 RR and $1.92 cash)
Get $10 back in RR

Deal #2
8 Twin Packs of Bayer Aspirin at $2.50 each ---- $20.00
use 8 of the $1/1 coupns from the 1/4 SS
$12.00 due to the cashier (pay with old Register Rewards again)
Get $10 back in RR

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Free Finance Book: Suze Orman


I'm not the hugest fan of Suze Orman--- but the lady makes some sense. She's hooked up with Oprah to offer everyone a free copy of her new book the 2009 Action Plan. It comes as a PDF download -- and after that you can print it, move it from one computer to another, download it to a Palm or Ipod -- or whatever else your little heart desires. Biggest of all -- you can actually read it and do what it says and be in a better place financially next year than you are right now. That's a deal.

Its only available until January 15th, so don't procrastinate!! Go here and download it now --(there are directions once you get there-- don't be scared, you can do this)

Rite Aid Coupon

And to go with that trip to RiteAid --- a lovely little discount coupon --- courtesy of the NBA (not anyone I would have anticipated!!)



You can get $5 off $25 purchase coupon until 03/31/09
This coupon is currently available at nba.com


Get $5 off a $25 Purchase:Coupon good thru 06/30/09. This coupon can only be used towards one purchase which includes at least $25 of eligible product. No cash can be given. This certificate is not valid on purchase of prescriptions, prescriptions co-pays, Medicare or Medicaid prescriptions, lottery tickets, tobacco, alcohol products, money orders, gift cards, stamps, licenses, other mailing services or any other items excluded by law. May not be combined with any other offers. Not valid if duplicated.

RiteAid 1/11/09

I don't do too much at RiteAid usually. Their program is a bit different but somewhat similar to the ESRebate program at Walgreens --- you shop all month long,, keep track of the receipts, enter them into the online site -- and you get a check back at the end of the month --- they're a little slow getting the checks out and thre is no gift card option etc --- And (like Walgreens) you can only do one rebate check per address per month. So don't cash in too soon.

Anyway here's what looks like it might be worrth the stop this week (especially since they 're not out of my way)

Electrasol, $4.49Get $2 SCR #121 (limit 1)$2.50/1 Finish/Electrasol Powerball Tabs, Gelpacs or Quantum (SS 1/4/09)FREE after coupon and SCR!

Excedrin, $1.99$2/1 Excedrin Back & Body/PM, any 24 ct.+(SS 10/19/08)FREE after coupon!

Ziploc Bags, $1.49 (w/ in-ad coupon)$1/2 Ziploc Bags (SS 12/7/08)$1/2 Ziploc Brand Bag (SS 1/11/09)$0.99 ea. after coupon!

Speed Stick Deodorant, BOGOBOGO Speed Stick 24/7 Antiperspirant/Deodorant (SS #2 1/4/09 regional-- not everyone got this coupon --- you have to check what you got and see if you were lucky)FREE after coupon! (deodorant is another product I simply do not pay real money for anymore -- not when I can get it for free so often -- like this. Remember -- you can do this deal as many times as you have coupons for it)

Reese’s Whipps, 2/$1$1/2 Hershey’s Reese’s Whipps, exp. 03-31-09 (SS 01/04/09)FREE after coupon!

Walgreens for 1/11/09

Here's what my shopping list for Walgreens will look like this week. There are many other deals to be had so don't necessarily stop looking here --- but these are the things that work for me.

Free or Almost Free

Oust Air Sanitizer $3.79 B1G1 Use B1G1 free coupon from 1/4 SS insertFinal price: FREE (I don't know if I actually want this or not yet, but having a dog in the house, air freshener is never a bad thing, I guess)

Windex Glass Wipes $3.79 B1G1 Use (2) $0.40 coupons from upcoming 1/11 SS insertMail in full rebate from upcoming 1/11 SSFinal price: $0.80 overage for two minus cost of stamp (I need to look at the rebate form and see how it works, but I'll probably do this one)

Colgate Toothpaste $2.79 B1G1 with insert couponUse $1.50 from September All You magazine or $1.00 coupon from 1/4 SS insertFinal price: 2/$0.79 or $0.21 overage (I don't usually pay actual money for toothpaste, but this is cheap enough that I might do it)

Aquafresh Toothpaste $2.99Use $2.00 EasySaver couponUse $1.00 printable coupon or $0.75 coupon from 1/4 SS inserFinal price: $0.24 or FREE (same story with the toothpaste --- my Walgreens is good about accepting internet printable coupons, but some of them are not -- worst case scenario, its still very cheap toothpaste)

These aren't free, but they're good enough deals to work for me.

Quaker Oats $3.79 B1G1 with insert couponUse (2) $1.00 printable couponsFinal price: 2/$1.79 (I also have some blinkies that I found in Shaws -- same chain as Albertsons --- they might make the deal even better, have to see)

Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid $1.29 B1G1 Use (2) $0.25 coupons from 9/21 SS inserFinal price: 2/$0.79 (I don't pay cash for dish washing soap either -- but if you need it in the near future -- this is pretty cheap)

Bounty Basics Paper Towel $0.89 with insert couponUse $0.25 coupon from 12/28 PG insertFinal price: $0.64 (I've used most of my Bounty coupons on the Shaws deal this past week, but I think I have one or two left.)


Halls Cough Drops $0.99 with insert couponUse $1.00/2 from 12/7 SS insertFinal price: $0.49 each (Tis the season)

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Walgreens Week of 1/4/09

Woo Hoo, it looks like I'll be spending some quality time in Walgreens this week. I'm liking several of the deals -- and I have those lovely register rewards from my FREE Conair hair dryers to use up while I'm at it.
Here's what I'm liking (not an exhaustive list, by any means, but its what I'm interested in -- and I think is a good deal)
  • Finish/Electrasol Gelpack 20 ct., $3.49Get $1.50 Easy Saver Rebate (limit 1)$2.50/1 Finish/Electrasol Powerball Tabs, Gelpacs or Quantum, exp. 2-1-09 (SS 1/4/09)FREE after coupon and ESR (okay, okay, so you actually come out one penny ahead on this deal)
  • DeMet Chocolate Turtles, $0.99 (do you know how many of these I gave as Christmas gifts this year??)$1.50/1 DeMets Turtles, any 3 oz.+, exp. 3-31-09 (SS 11/16/08)FREE after coupon (you’ll have to either buy several or have the cashier adjust the coupon down --- Walgreens won’t exceed the total cost of the item when redeeming a coupon. So, you could by 4 and use 3 coupons and only pay $.98 for all 4 or something like that. Remember, most cashiers will have no idea how to adjust down the coupon. Be prepared for a standoff and a page to the manager.
  • Garnier Fructis Hair Products, $2.99$1/1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment(RP 10/5/08) $1/1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment (RP 11/9/08) $1/1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment(RP 1/04/09) $1/1 Garnier Fructis Style Product(RP 11/9/08) $1/1 Garnier Fructis Style Product(RP 1/04/09) $1/1 Garnier Fructis Style Product(RP 10/5/08) $2/1 Garnier Fructis Walgreens coupon (January ESR Catalog) FREE after coupons!
  • Reynolds Wrap Foil, $0.99$1/1 Reynolds Wrap Foil, any except 25 sq. ft., exp. 1-10-09 (SS 11/16/08) FREE after coupon!
  • L’Oreal Foundation, Blush, Concealer, Powder, BOGO $3/1 L’Oreal Makeup, Powder, Blush or Concealer RP #2 1/4/09Final Price: FREE to cheap after coupons!

I love it when Walgreens gives me free stuff.