Saturday, October 25, 2008

Rite Aid Week of October 26th

Wow, wow, wow. Somebody at RiteAid woke up and decided to join the party!! They are competing with CVS and Walgreens this week in a super serious way ---- and for those of us who are super serious shoppers --- this is very good news indeed.
If you're not a Rite Aid shopper, this could convert you.
For those of you in South County (land of no CVS and no Walgreens) -- woo hoo!!
Now, these all look wonderful at first blush ---- RiteAid has kindly plastered the word FREE all over their flyer (just in case you didn't figure it out for yourself). But you know me better than that --- free is just lovely, but I get don't get excited until they're paying me to carry the merchandise out of the store. And RiteAid is doing just that this month (Don't forget -- there are more rebates coming during November -- so don't process your rebate check to soon. You can load the information in via the internet -- but don't ask for the check. They'll only process one rebate per month. Once you file: you're done)
Remember to watch the dates on all of these --- many of the SCR deals are only good on specified dates.
Anyway --- how to make money at Rite Aid this week:

  • Kotex Maxi Pads, Pantliners or Tampons $3.00
    Use $1.00 Kotex 10/12 SS or 9/7 SS
    OR
    9/26 All You Magazine
    OR Use $1.00/2 Kotex pant liners 9/7/SClaim: $3.00 Single Check Rebate #5 Profit: $1.00
  • Suave Lotion $1.99
    use $1.00 Suave November All You Magazine
    OR Use ..50 Suave Lotion Product 09/21 RP Claim: $2.00 Single Check Rebate #116
    Profit $1.01
  • L'Oreal Age Perfect Radiance Perfector Tinted Moisturizer $15.99
    use $1.00 L’Oreal 10/19/S or 9/21/R Claim: $15.99 Single Check Rebate #8
    Profit: $1.00
  • Adidas Deodorant, Body Wash or Body Spray $3.99
    use $1.00 Adidas 9/7/R Claim: $3.00 Single Check Rebate #124 Profit: $.01 (hey! They add up. My grandmother always said “take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.”

  • Citre Shine Shine Miracle, Miracle Serum or Aerosol Serum $5.99
    Use: $1.00 Citre 8/17/S Claim: $5.99 Single Check Rebate #137 Profit: $1.00
  • Sally Hansen Lip Treatments 25% off
    use $1.00/2 Sally Hansen 8/17/S Claim: $7.50 Single Check Rebate #7 Profit: unclear: this will depend on the item you select
  • Oral B Artica Toothbrush $2.49
    use .75 Oral B 9/28/PG Claim: $2.49 Single Check Rebate #145
    Profit: $.75
  • Dentaburst Teeth Cleaners $1.99
    No coupons on this one – but hey, if you use it, its still free! Claim: $1.99 Single Check Rebate #144
  • Axe Shock Shower Gel or Axe Shower Detailer Tool $3.99
    Again, no coupons, but free shower gel isn’t bad either Claim: $3.99 Single Check Rebate #3
  • Charles Worthington Shampoo, Conditioner or Stylers $6.99
    No coupons on this one either. This is a RiteAid only brand. Claim: $6.99 Single Check Rebate #127
  • Citre Shine Miracle, Shine Mist, Pomade or Gloss Gelee $3.99
    USE: $1.00 Citre 8/17/S Claim: $3.99 Single Check Rebate #136 Profit: $1.00
  • GE Power Source 6 Outlet Power Strip $5.00
    No coupons on this one, but when is the last time somebody offered you a free power strip??? I’ll be grabbing this one, that’s for sure. Claim: $5.00 Single Check Rebate #27
  • GE Indoor Extension Cords $2.00 Claim $2.00 Single Check Rebate #28

For those of you who either use Glucose Monitors or who have the coupons and don’t mind doing them

  • Ascencia Contour or Breeze 2 Blood Glucose Monitor $30.00$30.00 on-pack rebate use: $30.00 Ascencia 10/26/R or 6/1/S or 3/16/S
    OR
    Freestyle Lite Meter or Glucose Monitoring System $29.99$29.99 on pack rebate Personally, I have had zero luck with this deal and deals like it. The company sees the coupon on the receipt and gives me nothing on the rebate (which after all is fair). I’m not recommending this deal, but if you need a new monitor and you have the coupon --- it is free.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Walgreens Week of 10/19

This week’s deals:

Pert Plus Shampoo $3.49
Use $2/1 from 10/19
Use $2.50/1 from October EasySaver catalog
FREE and you are $1.01 ahead!! Woo Hoo.

Nestle's Fun Sized Candy--on sale 4/$10
Submit for Rebate #36--Get $4 back when you buy 4 bags

Lysol Freshmatic--on sale $5.99
Use $5/1 from 9/7
$0.99 after coupon

REGISTER REWARD DEALS

Transaction 1:
Buy 1 Alka Seltzer Plus Cold at $4.99 each
Pay cash for $4.99 plus tax
Get $4.99 Register Rewards


Transaction 2:
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion Power Razor at $8.99
Buy one Halloween pencil at $.13 (or some other filler item to bring your total over $0.00
Use $4/1 from 9/28
Pay the remaining 4.99 with the Register Reward from above
Pay cash for the pencil plus the tax
Get $4 in Register Rewards



Other Register Rewards:

Triaminic--on sale $4.99
Buy two get $4 Register Reward, Buy three get $8 Register Rewards
Buy 3 and use 3 $2/1 Any Triaminic available here
Stack with $1/1 from Walgreens coloring book (Should automatically take off $3 when you use 1)
Free plus $2.03

Maalox--on sale 4.99
Buy two get $4 Register Reward, Buy three get $8 Register Rewards
Buy 3 and use 3 $2/1 Maalox liquid from 8/17 or 10/19 inserts
$0.97 three after coupons and Register Rewards


OCTOBER FREE-AFTER-REBATE ITEMS:

Loreal Cleanser Cream or Gel or 25-30 towelettes--up to $6.99 rebate
Use $1/1 from 7/20 inserts
Free after coupon and rebate plus you are ahead by $1.00
Don’t forget that you also can get free

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation--up to $7.49 rebate
Use $1/1 from 9/14 inserts
Free after coupon and rebate plus you are ahead by $1.00

Extreme Energy 6 Hour Shot--up to $3.99
Free after rebate

Again this month, there are two more free-after-rebate items which are not listed in the booklet, but which are listed online at the bottom of the page where you input your rebates

Nivea Men's Body Wash 16.9 oz--up to $4.99 rebate
Free after rebate

LypSyl LypMoisturizer Honey Berry 1 oz.--up to $1.99 (Limit 2)
Free after rebate

Monday, October 20, 2008

CVS Week of October 19th

Two freebie deals that turn into moneymakers this week:
Sunday and Monday only:
Free after ECB Pumpkin Trick or Treat pail $.99 and it gives $.99 ECB
Free after ECB Brach's Autumn Mix or Candy Corn $1.29 and it gives $1.29 ECB
and
Free after ECB Funlight 6" Smartlight (glowstick) $.99 and it gives $.99 ECB
YOU CAN DO EACH OF THESE TWICE!! That ought to make for some happy trick or treaters (and make you the favorite grandma/aunt etc) in the mix.

There is also a toothbrush deal that has the potential to be a real moneymaker.

Butler (gum) ToothBrush 2 pack $3.99 Free after ECB’s
You can do this deal 5 times!!

Now, there are coupons that make this a small moneymaker right off the bat:
8/3 RP had a $.75 coupon good on any Gum Toothbrush (except the Dome Trim, which doesn't matter here). So right away, we make $.75 on each toothbrush for a total of $3.75 on 5 toothbrushes (okay, but nothing to get all excited about)
Here's the thing that makes this an exciting moneymaker:

"GUM Plus Series, Technique +" "Soft Full" with the number "590" on the front (upc 7094212391) is reported as ringing up $1.25 w/ $3.99 ecb back!

Now add your $.75 coupons into the mix and it looks like this:

+$1.25 marked down gum toothbrush
-$.75 (or $1) coupon
=$.50 oop
-$3.99 ecb's earned
=$3.49 profit ♥ ($3.74 profit w/ $1 coupon)

If you can find enough of this clearance toothbrush and you have enough coupons, you can repeat the deal 5 times for $17.45 profit!!
Thanks for iheartcvs for letting us all in on this secret little deal. ♥

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Walgreens Week of 10/12

I think I'm becoming a Walgreen's girl this week --- they seem to be doing better by me this week (and my rebate from last month should be hitting my gift card any day now!!)

Here's what I see:

Monthly Rebates

Extreme Energy 6-Hour Shot 2 pk. $3.99, FAR up to $3.99 Limit 1
FREE after Rebate! (this is one of those things that I probably won't try until/unless they have another $ off $$ coupon at the end of the month -- then I'm actually making money on the deal -- and hubby can experiment with this)

Choice of L'Oreal Cleansers FAR up to $7.99 Limit 1
$1/1 from 7/20 S, 8/10 RP, 8/3 RP, and 9/21 RP.
FREE + overage after coupon and rebate! (I'm loving the L'Oreal cleanser that I got free from CVS last month!!. I'm probably going to hold on and see if a $ off $$ comes out at the end of the month for this one too. I don't need cleanser right now -- I can wait. And then it becomes a terrific deal)

Rimmel Lasting Finish Mineral Enriched Foundation FAR up to $7.49 Limit 1
BOGO Q August All You Exp. 9/30/08
$1/1 9/14 RP Exp. 11/15/08
FREE + overage after coupon and rebate! (I'm not loving this one -- not a big Rimmel fan. But if you like it, by all means, its a great deal)

Arm and Hammer Laundry Detergent $2.99, Get $1 MIR Limit 1
-$1/1 Printable HERE
-$1 Easy Saver Mail in Rebate
= .99 after coupon and and ES MIR
This one is all me. I'm probably going to do as many as I can manage (even without the rebate, its not a bad deal -- and this is the only laundry detergent that no one in our household has a problem with!!)


Glade Scented Oil Refill with Warmer 3.99
-BOGO from the 9/28 S
-$1 ES MIR limit 10
Buy 2, use BOGO coupon pay 1.99 + tax
Get back $2 Rebate
FREE + .01 overage after coupon and Rebate! (I probably have enough Glade and AirWick to scent the world by now -- but since hubby and guests keep commenting on how terrific the house smells -- always a challenge when you share your house with a DOG!!! --- I'll keep stocking up when they're free like this)


Weekly Deals

Zout 2/$3.79 (buy 2)
-.55/1 from the 8/10 S
Manufacturer Mail In Rebate HERE
FREE + Overage after coupons and Rebate (this is assuming that these ring up 3.79 and 0.00).

Reynold's Wrap .89 with the in ad coupon
-$1/1 some of you have from a recipe booklet found at the grocery store.
FREE plus overage after both coupons.

Lindt Bars Priced $2.49 Buy 2
-.75/1 from the 10/5 insert
-BOGO from the same insert
-$1/1 ES Coupon pg. 2
=FREE plus overage!


Register Rewards (RR) Deals

Buy 2, Get $5 RR Buy 3, Get $10 RR
Dimetap/Robitussin $3.99
-$1 Robitussin Printable HERE
-$2 Dimetapp Printable HERE
FREE plus overage after coupons and RR!

Ragu and Skippy 3/$5 Spend 15, Get 5 RR
-.60/1 Skippy from the 8/17 RP, and 10/5 RP
-$1/2 Ragu from the 8/17 RP and $1/3 from the 9/21 RP
Buy 9 = 5.20 after Coupons and RR!

Rite Aid Week of 10/12

I'm not a huge Rite Aid fan, but when they have a great deal, I'm all for it. And I know that those of you in South County (land without CVS or Walgreens!!) depend on Rite Aid to work the drugstore deals. So ---- here we go.

Rite Aid is featuring a lot of health care items that are free after rebate this week. Pair them with some coupons and you have some money makers. Here are a few of the better deals (in my humble opinion, of course.)

Don't forget: you can only submit one request for the Single Check Rebate per month. Make sure you study their monthly book before submitting so you don't miss out on a rebate you want in the coming weeks.

Throat Coolers $2.99, $2.99 SCR rebate, limit 1.
- sign up for BOGO coupon here.
With the coupon, you get 2 for free after rebate.

Children's Advil $3.99, $3.99 SCR rebate, limit 1.
- $1 coupon on Children's Advil here.
After rebate, this is a $1 money maker.

Theraflu $3.99, $3.99 SCR rebate, limit 1.
- sign up for a $1 coupon on Theraflu here.
After rebate, this is a $1 money maker.

Simply Saline $3.99, $3.99 SCR rebate, limit 1.
- $1 Simply Saline coupon here.
After rebate, this is a $1 money maker.

Triaminic $3.99, $3.99 SCR rebate, limit 1.
- sign up to print a $2 Triaminic coupon here.
After rebate, this is a $2 money maker.

Chapstick True Shimmer $1.99, $1.99 SCR rebate, limit 1.
- Manufacturer mail in rebate--- free (up to $2.99) in Sunday's coupon insert.
After rebates, this is a $1.99 money maker.

CVS for Newbies this Week 10/12

This should make you smile --- this is a pretty good week if you're beginning from scratch. Here we go.
Remember to take your CVS card with you and scan it at the magic coupon machine before you begin -- you never know what you might end up with for coupons.
Then take your card to the cashier and have them scan it at the beginning of your transaction.

Transaction #1

Buy 5 Sobe, Propel or Gatorade @ $1 (Get $3 ECBs)

- (2) $1/2 Sobe, Propel or Gatorade from Reinventing Beauty Magazine
$3 + Sales Tax Out of Pocket

Earned $3 Extra Bucks

Transaction #2

(2) Colgate Total Advanced Clean, advanced fresh, or advanced white toothpaste4 oz. @ $3.49, (Earn $2 ECBs)
- $1/1 (10-12 S)
- $1.50/1 All You Magazine or Printable
- $3 ECBs from Transaction #1

$1.48 + Sales Tax Out of Pocket
Earned $4 Extra Bucks

Transaction #3

Buy (2) Skin Vitals Mask .17 - .83 oz. @ $2.99
- $4 ECBs from Transaction #2
$1.98 + Sales Tax Out of Pocket

Earned $4.00 altogether --- not to shabby!!

CVS Week of October 12th

At first, I was pretty jazzed about the CVS ad this week. But when I looked more closely, it isn't all that terrific. Here's what's hot and a few ideas about how to maximize it all. Since there isn't a $ off $$ coupon out there anymore (and the magic red coupon machine has been decidedly uncooperative of late!!), there isn't much to work with.
Here's the deals for this week though:

Extra Care Deals:


$5 ECB wyb $10 Swiffer products Limit1
Swiffer sweeper starter kit reg.$7.99, other swiffer products $6.99 and up
Swiffer Dusters Starter Kit FREE wyb Swiffer Sweeper or WetJet Starter Kit PG 9/28
-$1 off Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit Homemade Simple Booklet (by mail )

Maximize the Deal:
Buy (1) Swiffer Sweeper
(1) Swiffer Duster
Use: B1G1 coupon
-$1 coupon
Total Due: $6.99 plus tax
Earn $5 ECB,

Total out of pocket $1.99 for two items


$2 ECB wyb 2 Nature’s Bounty Vitamins reg $4.39-$4.99 (B1G1 this week)

-$2 off Nature’s Bounty printable

Maximize the deal
Buy (2) Nature’s Bounty $4.39
Use (2) -$2 off coupons
Total Due: .39¢
Earn $2 ECB

Profit: $1.61


$3 ECB wyb Two Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri pure cleanser,scrub,towelettes Limit 1

-$1 Garnier Nutritioniste Cleanser or Moisturizer, any RP 8/24, 9/14

$3 ECB wyb $10 Dove, Caress or Lever products Limit 1
-$1 Dove Beauty Bars 6 bars+ RP 8/17, 10/12
-$1 Dove Beauty Body Wash, any 10 oz.+ RP 8/17
-$1.50 Dove Body Wash RP 10/12 or printable
-$2 Dove Cool Essentials Clinical or Original Clean Clinical Deodorant, RP 8/17 or printable
-$1.50 Dove Cream Oil Hand or Body Lotion, RP 8/17, 10/12
-$3.50 Dove Skin Vitalizer, any $3.50 RP 8/17, 10/12 or printable
-$1 Dove Bodywash 10oz or larger, Beauty Book Coupon
found at CVS
-$1.50 Dove 12oz Hair Care Product, RP 10/12
-$2 Dove 25.4oz Hair Care Product RP 10/12
-$1.50/2 Dove Ultimate Clear Deodorant and/or Body Mist products RP 10/12
-$1 off Lever Body Wash or 4pk bar soap printable

$3 ECB wyb 5 Sobe,Propel or Gatorade ($1 each) Limit 1

-$1/2 Sobe, Propel, or Gatorade, Beauty Book Coupon found at CVS

Maximize the deal:
Buy (5) Sobe, Propel or Gatorade
Use (2) -$1/2 coupons
Total Due $3
Earn $3 ECB

Free

$5 ECB wyb $15 John Frieda products Limit 1
-$3/2 John Frieda Collection Product, SS 8/24
-$1 off any John Frieda product SS 10/12

$2 ECB wyb Claritin ($18.99)

-$3 Claritin-D or Claritin, printable

$1 ECB wyb Zyrtec ($18.99)
-$4 Zyrtec Allergy Product, any 24 ct or larger RP 9/28 or SS 10/12
-$2 Zyrtec, printable

$3 ECB wyb $10 Jergens or Curel products Limit 5
-$1 off Jergens Naturals or Moisturizer Sept All You or SS 10/12

$2 ECB wyb Skinvital masks 0.17-0.83 oz at $2.99 limit 5
only .99¢ after ECB

These are fabulous stuff. They make terrific stocking stuffers too.

$1 ECB wyb $4.49 Nestle pure life purified water 24 pk Limit 5
-$1.50/2 Nestle Purelife water printable (makes it $2.74 each after ECB)

$3 ECB wyb $10 any Cover girl cosmetics limit 1
Cover Girl Face Product FREE wyb Cover Girl Foundation PG 9/28
-$1 Cover Girl Product, any PG 9/14, 9/28, 10/12

Maximize the deal:
Buy (1) Foundation starting at $5.49
(1) any other CG face product
Use: B1G1 coupon
-$1 coupon
Total Due: $4.49
Get back: $3 ECB, total for 2 items $1.50
***********

$2 ECB wyb $3.49 Colgate Total 4 oz limit 2
-$1 off Colgate Total SS 10/12
-$1.50 off Colgate Total Advanced Sept or Oct All You Mag. (free after ECB)

More free Colgate ---- yay!!

$20 ECB wyb $59.99 Oral B Pulsonic rechargeable toothbrush Limit 5
-$5 off any Oral B rechargeable toothbrush PG 9/28
-$15 MIR on any Oral B rechargeable toothbrush PG 10/12
$20 dollars after ECB, rebate and coupon

$3 ECB wyb $5.99 Tampax tampons 40 cts with free venus razor (in the pk) Limit 1

-$1 Tampax Compak Pearl, any 20 ct.+ PG 8/31

$1 ECB wyb $4.99 Always infinity pads 14-18 ct Limit 5
-$2 off Always Infinity PG 10/12

B1G1 deals
Revlon face and nail products or beauty tools (prices starting at $1.79)

There are loads of Revlon coupons floating around and there is a terrific bonus to this: Monthly Deal: $3 ECB wyb $5 Revlon nail products
-$1 Revlon Beauty Tool, SS 9/14, 10/12
-$1 Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, SS 8/3
-$2 Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, SS 7/20, 8/24, 9/14
-$1/2 Revlon Color Silk Product, SS 8/3

Maximize the deal:
Buy (2) Revlon nail polish or other nail products (one being at least $5)
Use (2) -$2 off Revlon Color product (will work)
Total Due: $1 plus tax
Earn $3 ECB
OR
Buy (2) Beauty Tools $1.79
Use (2) -$1 Beauty Tool coupons
Get both free plus overage after the Extra Care Bucks

Right Guard,Dry Idea Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant
-$1 Right Guard Product, any except trial size and RGX Body Spray SS 8/10
-.75/1 Soft & Dri or Dry Idea Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant, any except trial SS 8/10

Almay cosmetics (prices starting at $1.99)
-$1 Almay Cosmetic Product, SS 8/3, 9/14, 10/12 (buy2 $1.99, use 2 get both free)

ALL laundry detergent $5.99-$7.99
-.40/1 ALL or Surf Laundry Detergent, any except Small & Mighty RP 8/17
-$1 off All Small and Mighty printable
-$1 off All 2x or 3x Free and Clear printable
(buy2, use 2, makes it $1.99 each)

Other deals

Puffs .99 cents
-.25/1 Puffs, any PG 9/28

Friday, September 26, 2008

Walgreens Coupon and Double-dipping

Woo Hoo, Woo Hoo!! This is the weekend --- it is double dipping weekend (that magical 2 day period when it is still September and at the same time, already October in Walgreen-land) AND there is a $off$$ coupon --- this time it is a $5 off $20 (much easier to use than the usual $10 off $40) In other words, this is the weekend that I really truly love Walgreens.

Go here if you haven't already gotten a copy of the Walgreens coupon --- you'll need it. And remember -- your total has to be $20 AFTER all of the coupons and deals come together (but not the Register Rewards or rebates)

First off, if you haven't gotten the free after rebate items, check that list first. You automatically make money with this weekend (and this is without the double-dipping scenarios!). You buy $20 worth of free-after-rebate products. You use the $5 OFF $20, which reduces your total to $15. Then you file for your rebate - and take the rebate as a Walgreens gift card (with a 10% bonus) and your rebate becomes $22.00. You're ahead of the game by $7.00 and you have all that stuff (there is some pretty good free-after-rebate stuff this month)

I picked up most of the free-after-rebate items during the last $ off $$ sale a few weeks ago. So for this one I used the two remaining items to fill in and get my total up to $20 (the store was out of them when I did the sale the last time) Go here to see how I did the free-after-rebate items already.

So for today, I used the double-dipping items for most of my $20. These are items that are in one monthly Easy Saver booklet as a coupon discount and in the other monthly Easy Saver booklet as a rebate. For these two days, you can use both the coupon discount AND file for the rebate. When you can combine that with a manufacturer's coupon it can become a really good deal --- and then layer the $5 off $20 on top of that.

For instance:
Garnier shampoo and conditioner $6.99 each (the big bottles for this one).
Buy 3 = $20.97 (can't use the $5 off $20 yet, because we're throwing all kinds of coupons at it)
- $9.00 -- from the $3.00 October EasySaver coupon (x3 for the 3 bottles)
- $3.00 --- manufacturer's coupons on Garnier from a tear off pad a while back
$8.97 oop
But -- there is a $10 rebate when you buy $20 worth of Garnier from the September EasySaver booklet --- so I'm ahead by just over $1.00 on this one

Pert Shampoo (I hate this stuff -- but this deal is so good, I'll do it and put the bottle in the donation bag for the food pantry)
its on sale right now for $4.29 (the big bottle again)
-$2.50 October EasySaver coupon
-$2.00 coupon from 9/7 SS
= FREE
But -- there is a $4.29 rebate in the September EasySaver booklet -- so I'm ahead of the game by $4.50 on this one. (which is why I'm buying shampoo I don't like!)

You can string together some excellent deals this way. Here was my first stab ---
3 Garnier
1 Pert
2 Glade Oil refills (I am addicted to that stuff now)
used the $1.00 coupon from the September EasySaver and the BOGO coupon from the 8/24 SS
2 Reach toothbrushes (used the $1.00 coupon fromt he 6/8 RP)
1 Adidas antiperspirant $1.99 with the in-ad coupon and I used the $1.00 from the 9/7 RP

I barely made it over the $20.00 mark after all the coupons --- so I paid out about $16.00 and I'll get $16.00 back in rebates (plus 10% for putting it on my Walgreens gift card!!) And I got $5.00 Register Rewards right away for the Reach toothbrushes.

You can really make some money with this whole deal. See what I mean:
$5 two Reach toothbrushes
$4.49 Crest Rinse Mouth Wash
$16.49 Loreal Revitalift Antiwrinkle Serum
$3.79 Pert Plus Shampoo=$29.77

-2 two Reach coupons from 6/8
-3 one Loreal Revitalift coupon from 7/20
-2 Pert Manufacturer coupon (I don't have the date of the coupon, but it was within the last month)
-2.50 Pert October Easy Saver coupon (coupon deal for October -- see!)

=20.27
-5 $5 off $20 purchase Walgreens coupon
=15.27 out of pocket

But wait ----- you get back
$5 RR for Reach products,
$4.49 RR for the Mouthwash
and $20.28 in Rebates for the Loreal Serum and Pert
so you're ahead of the game by $14.50. Can't beat that.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

RedBox Movie Rentals

Well, I did it. I actually went and tried the RedBox for a movie rental --- it was painless, easy really. Now, those of you who know me, know I'm not likely to be doing it again really soon. Not because of the RedBox experience, just because sitting and watching a movie just isn't something we do around here. It just takes up too much time.
But the whole RedBox thing --- that was a snap.
For those of you who are scratching your heads right now --- RedBox is the chain of DVD rental kiosks in grocery stores. Around here they're in Stop and Shop (I haven't seen them other places, but then again, I haven't been looking either)
They charge about $1/day, which seemed rather reasonable to me --- our local video store gets more than that --- Which brings us to the caveat: you MUST return the RedBox video before 9 PM. I guess that's how they keep the price so cheap??
But it gets even better. You can rent movies for free — (and I just learned this part --- obviously, this isn't personal experience yet!) over and over and over again. Yep, you read that right.... apparently, Redbox offer promo codes for free one-night rentals, and you can keep on using the same promo code over and over again.
Here's how to get started:
1. Find your local Redbox. Check out the local Stop and Shop or click on over to their website for the kiosk finder (look here)
2. Go to the Redbox location, and select "Rent with a Promo Code"
3. Enter the code "Breakroom" and choose your movie
4. Swipe your credit/debit card (they're not stupid. They want to know how to find you and how to charge you if you don't return the DVD when you're supposed to. Remember return by 9 PM the next day or they WILL charge you!!) and get the movie

I also just learned that you can get the free Monday RedBox codes sent right to your cell phone --- I always just check a few of the blogs that regularly post the codes (something I probably should start doing here)
And -- the bonus ---it seems that every state with RedBoxes has some promo codes that can be used whenever you want (not just Mondays) This site will give you the codes for your state and will help you keep track of which ones you've already used (most of them won't work more than once with the same credit card (although if you ahve multiple cards, you can repeat codes fairly easily) Go to http://www.insideredbox.com/ for the codes for your state.
Have fun

Rite Aid: Week of Sept 21

At first, I wasn't to excited about Rite Aid for this week. But then I looked again --- and for the really new newbies who only have about 2-3 weeks of coupons collected -- its looking pretty good. Here's how to save at Rite Aid this week:

Suave Lotion or Body Wash--$1.99
Use $0.75/1 lotion from 09/21 RedPlum
Get $1 Single Check Rebate (#14, limit 1)
it comes out to about $0.24 after coupon and rebate

Suave Antiperspirant/Deodorant--$1.99
Use $0.75/1 from 09/21 RedPlum insert
Get $1 Single Check Rebate (#35, limit 2)
this one comes out to about $0.24 after coupon and rebate

Dawn Dish Soap--$.99 (I usually hold out for free Dawn, but this isn't a bad price, especially if you're new at this -- and you need dish soap!)
Use $0.50/1 from 08/31 P&G insert
$0.49 after coupon (no rebate on this one!!)

Garnier Shampoo, Conditioner or Stylers--2/$6.00
Buy 3 and use 3 $1/1 coupons from 09/14 RedPlum insert
Get $5 Single Check Rebate for buying 3
$0.33 each after coupons and rebate

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

CVS Week of 9/21

I'm a little irked with CVS right now --- I had my plan all set for how to maximize the $11.99 ECB on the L'Oreal Revitalift 2 day sale. Let's just say that 8 different CVS stores in 3 different states over the course of the two days had exactly ZERO of the product. And the best that anyone could do was offer me a raincheck for free Revitalift ---- How do I politely say "I really don't want the product --- its the ECB deal that I'm really after" ---
Anyway - here's what else I'm thinking for this week:
Transaction 1

L'oreal bare naturale I'm getting the eyeliner, cuz I actually really like this stuff - $7.99
Nivea for Men - $4.99
Adidas - $5.29
3 Johnson and Johnson buddies soaps $.99 each
Total: $21.24

Coupons Used:
$4/$20 CVS
$1 L'oreal coupon from 7/20
$1 Nivea coupon (don't know where I got this one)
$1 Adidas coupon
$3 Johnson Soaps coupon

$11.24 to be paid with ECB of course

Earn: 3 ECB, 4.99 ECB, and 4 ECB for a total of $11.99 ECB --- a tiny bit of profit -- not bad.

Transaction 2

Soyjoy bars 10/ $5.00 (my family loves these -- don't ask)
Schick Quattro refills BOGO
$3.00 off Soyjoy coupon 9/7
$4.00 Quatto coupon

You Can't Febreeze the Dog!!



Well, you CAN, but it doesn't work.


We had a crazy weekend around here. Several rooms in our house had an odd, funky kind of an odor. We went crazy cleaning --- stripping beds, mopping floors, pouring vinegar down drains -- the whole jazz. I went out to Walgreens and bought a boatload of cleaning products (mostly with Register Rewards and rebates on them). It didn't seem to matter what I did, the smell still lingered. I still caught a whiff of it every once in a while.


Finally, we were getting ready to leave to visit my mom --- and my husband put the dog in the cab of the pickup truck and seat-belted her in... He quickly returned with a question that only a bargain hunting husband will ever ask "With all the free cleaning stuff that Walgreen's gave us, is there anything that will clean the dog?" Needless to say, he had found the source of the funky odor!!


We scanned the pile of cleaning products and decided to try the Febreeze --- we sprayed the poor pooch down with a coating of Febreeze (she wasn't thrilled) and piled into the truck and hoped for the best.


It was a stinky ride to moms! And of course, the dog wanted to snuggle --- yech! At mom's we borrowed some Dawn dishsoap and washed the dog in the driveway so we could stand her for the ride home. --- Dawn works far better than Febreeze -- believe me.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Walgreens Coupon for 9/13 and 9/14

Walgreens is offering a coupon again --- another one of the $10 off of a $40 purchase. As usual with Walgreens, the $40 refers to the total after all coupons etc have been deducted ---

But --- that means its a terrific time to stock up on all of the free after rebate products (you automatically make 25% this way) and fill in with any clearance items.

So here's my plan for Walgreens today (I'm planning on hitting two different Walgreens because I'm hoping against hope for my number 1 item)

1. Magic Bullet -- this baby is normally around $50 (even at Walgreens) but there are reports all over the web that many Walgreens have them on clearance now for around $15 (much more to my budget's liking!!) I went to one Walgreens last week but they had none (not even in the regular price "as seen on TV" aisle). But let me tell you, if I find one of these at that kind of a price, I WILL be buying it ON THE SPOT (even without the $10 off $40 coupon in my hot little hand)

Now for my free after rebate items:
2. Vacuum bags -- these are on the free after rebate list at Walgreens. I didn't think I wanted them, but I've been convinced. All those summer clothes I'm getting ready to pack away will take up much less space in these babies --- and since in an old, old house, I'm pretty much limited to some attic storage and under the bed storage -- every inch counts. I'm planning on getting two of these (different sizes) because they both qualify for the rebate. Woo hoo.
3. Pert Plus -- I think I've still got one coupon from the 8/3 insert (which will make this even more of a moneymaker). We're not fond of Pert at our house, but it makes a terrific donation for our food pantry or for the battered women's shelter.
4. Excedrin Express Gels -- we go through Excedrin like candy -- (hmmm what does that say about my household, anyway??). I have some coupons from an earlier online printout that will make this an even better deal.
5. Nivea body wash for men -- I still have the coupon from 7/13 and hubby loves this stuff. free after rebate and the value of the coupon as a bonus..... good deal for me.
6. Crest Pro Health toothpaste --- there were coupons in the PG from Labor Day weekend -- plus free after rebate.
7. Revlon nail polish -- I don't really need this -- it will go to the battered women's shelter most likely -- but I still have the coupons from both 7/20 and 8/24, so good deal.

All of that will easily add up to $40 to let me use that $10 off $40.

I'll probably do a transaction buying Register Rewards products this week too --- (if I do that first, I can use the RR to pay for all of this stuff.... good plan!) Here are the ones I'm considering (I'm passing on the cough syrup deal for one)

Crest 500ml Pro-Health Rinse $4.49 get $4.49 rebate item plus RR on top of that!!
Buy 2, get $2, Buy4 get $5, buy 7 get $10

-$2.49 Shout Spray or Wipes
use the coupon from 8/10
Fantastic $2.49Windex Spray or Wipes $2.49
coupons from SS 7/20
Scrubbing Bubbles Wipes $2.49 or 16oz Foaming Spray-$2.49 on 2, bogo Scrubbing Bubbles Wipes
coupon 7/20-
Pledge Spray or Wipes $3.29
coupon from 7/20
Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Foamer $3.79
coupon 8/24
Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush MAX Starter Kit $3.79free Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush refill w/ purchase of Starter Kit and coupon from 7/20
Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber $3.79-$2.75 off action scrubber
Drano Gel $3.49
Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner $19.99 get $10 RR-$5 Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner Starter Kit -$5
Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner Starter Kit coupon 7/20
Buy 2 or more Listerine Products $11/2 get $6 RR
coupon from 7/27
Oral B or Crest $8/3 get $3 RR
coupon P&G 8/31
Buy 2 or more Delsym or Mucinex Products get $5 RR
Tylenol Allergy, Cold or Sinus Relief $4.99
Benedryl $3.99
coupon 7/27
Buy 2 get $5, buy 3 get $10 RR
Advil PM $6.99
coupon 8/17/08

Monday, September 1, 2008

CVS Part II 9/1/08

I know you're waiting with bated breath to use those Pantene coupons, but hold on a minute --- we're going to do a different deal first ---- a little slick, but you'll be agog.

Go to CVS --- and find the Accu-Check Diabetes Monitoring Kit. It will be in the back of the store by the pharmacy counter (which is where all of the diabetic supplies are located) It is on sale for $9.99.
Take it to the counter, along with something incredibly cheap (like a package of M&Ms) to get your total over the $10 mark.
Give the clerk your CVS card, and let the ring up go --- your total will be about $10.50 or so....
Give the clerk the $2/10 coupon that we clipped from the magazine the other day. Now, your total will be about $8.50. Use your ECB from the Covergirl transaction to pay. Your receipt will print out $9.99 ecbs. You're ahead of the game another $1.50.
Take the glucose monitor home and check it carefully --- they very often have a rebate for the full purchase price. If your box has a rebate form --- you want to use it and get the $9.99 back from the company.
Finally --- if a blood glucose monitor is not something you normally use, donate it to the Humane Society (they use them with diabetic cats), a Senior center, a local social services agency etc. There are many, many people who DO use a blood glucose monitor, for whom getting one is a major problem. You'll be a hero!!!

Beginners' CVS 9/1/08

Okay, newbies (we have a raft of really NEW newbies this week --- they'll only have the 8/31 PG coupons for sure!)

First Trip to CVS:
Remember to swipe your CVS card at the magic red coupon machine!!

Buy:
  • Covergirl Outlast All Day Lipcolor B1G1Free - Use the B1G1Free coupon from the Sunday insert (8/31 PG). This makes BOTH of them FREE!! Woo Hoo
  • Covergirl Wetslicks $5.99 Use the B1G1Free coupon from the Sunday insert (8/31 PG) You'll still be paying out of pocket for the first one. (older newbies, use your ExtraBucks from last week!!) Now, also use the $1/1 coupon from this Sunday's insert (8/31 PG) to make a $1 profit! At the bottom of your receipt - $5.99 ECBs. In effect you just got this makeup for free too!!
  • 2 tubes of Colgate Toothpaste $2.99 - $2 ecbs = 99¢ (limit 2) Go here to print $1.50/1 IP coupon. This will make this end up as a moneymaker!!

Ready? Here we go!

Hand the clerk your CVS card. Let the clerk ring up all of your purchases and come up what what s/he thinks is your total. S/he will say something like: $24.00. Try not to giggle. Then, let the fun begin!!

Give the clerk your $4/20 coupon (remember we saved them from your receipts last week? -- New newbies, cross your fingers and try the magic red coupon machine)

Give the clerk your manufacturer's coupons ---- Your total should come down to about $8.00. Use your ECB from last week (or pay with cash, new newbies). And then wait patiently for your receipt --- it will take a minute or two to print out this week. You'll get $4.00 ECB for the toothpaste, and $5.99 ECB for the Covergirl Wetslicks. You're ahead of the game by about $1.00 already --- and the week is young!!

After you've successfully done this deal, come back and we'll put the Pantene coupons from this week's insert to very, very good use.

Why God Made Moms

This came in a forwarded email today (you know the kind) but I thought it was adorable and appropriate for a holiday weekend.... if you know who originated this, I'd be delighted to give credit.


Subject: WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power because that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

CVS 8/24

CVS is looking quite good to me this week. Here's my run-down and my plan.

Transaction #1
  • 2 Revlon Nail Polish BOGO @ $4.59
  • 1 Kotex 16 count box @ $1.49
  • 1 Playtex Gentle Glide tampons 18 count box $4.99
Total $11.07
  • Use $2 off $10 printable
  • $1 off any Kotex product (7-20 SS or there is also one in the last issue of All You)
  • $1 off Playtex (6-22 RP This is an older coupon for some of you -- if you don't have it, just increase your oop by $1 -- it will still be a good deal)
  • 2 $2 off Revlon (7-20 SS)
Total OOP $3.07
You will earn
  • $1.49 ECB from Kotex
  • $3.00 ECB from Playtex

Transaction 2

  • 2 CVS tampons with free liners @ $4.99 each
  • 2 Zipfizz drink @$5.99 ea

Total 21.96

Use a $4/20 printout

Use your 4.49 from the last transaction

Total oop =13.96

BUT you'll get ECB for $15.98 (Your grand total so far is $1.05 and you have all of this stuff. But WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!)

Transaction 3

  • 2 packages of Stayfree pads $9.00
  • 2 tubes of Colgate $3.99 BOGO

Total $12.99

  • $2/10 coupon
  • 2 of the $1.00 off of Colgate from this past week's insert
  • 1 BOGO coupon for the Stayfree from 6/29 RP

Total oop 4.49 (Pay with the ECB from above, so not really oop at all!)

Earn ECB of $5.00

Thursday, August 21, 2008

FaceBook Flop: What a Mess!!

For those of you who haven't been following the FaceBook coupon saga ---- three words sum it all up nicely: What a mess!!

Click through to here to find an article that lays out the facts rather nicely

Then go here to find some perspective from someone who got caught in the mess (Note: I really respect IHeartCVS and commend the incredibly ethical behavior demonstrated through all of this --- if you scroll down to older posts on the blog, you'll see examples of what I mean. Classy individual who totally has a right to way more ranting than is being done)

Personally, I found out about the coupons while they were still very lucrative -- but being a FaceBook chicken, I delayed considerably. By the time I got there, the coupons were down to about $.50 off or so --- wasn't sure they really were even worth the toner and paper, but I did print out a few of them. Thankfully, I didn't get around to using them --- thus potentially destroying my reputation with several stores (at one of the stores I frequently patronize, the manager has been known to tell a particular balky cashier "This lady knows what she's doing. If she gave you the coupons, just put them through.") You don't come by that kind of reputation easily --- and I would be raging, blazing mad to have it ruined with a mess like this (which I think is a big part of IHeartCVS's point).

Check out Dana's post about ethical behavior --- its a tad preachy for my taste, but that's the audience at that blog, so....... But regardless --- she's got a point. We have to be ethically and morally responsible people..... period... end.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary

I think that one of the internet abbreviations that tickles me most has got to be YMMV. I don't know why, it just makes me smirk when I see it. Well, today was certainly a YMMV kind of a day.

I did a fair amount of shopping: Stop and Shop, Big Y, Price Chopper, CVS, and Walgreens. (Whew!) Some stores, I did better than I had planned --- some stores were disappointing and deals didn't work out the way I had planned at all. It's just the way of things when you're stacking up sales, coupons and rebates/ECBs all over the place.

So here is how it all played out:

Stop and Shop: I did some fresh food shopping (fish and a few veggies that aren't likely to be at the farmer's market on Saturday). My sales hunting was limited to Windex (2/$5 and then coupons on top of that) and cat food (free coupons -- for the Humane Society). But when I got there, I discovered they actually had a better deal on the Cheerios than Walgreens --- where I had planned to do the Cheerios deal. So -- I shuffled my coupons around and worked the Cheerios deal in Stop and Shop (4/$6 less the Cheerios Challenge coupons -- ended up as 4/$2 Woo Hoo!!)

Big Y: I had rainchecks left from their 08/08/08 sale last week when they ran out of EVERYTHING. So I got two more boxes of Cheerios ($.88 each less a coupon for $.75 off two), and two cans of coffee ($.88 each). They also had L'Oreal Pro Vive shampoo on sale Buy One Get Two free -- and I had three coupons good for $1 each. It ended up at $1.99 for three bottles of shampooo. I really didn't save any money from the CVS L'Oreal deal, but I ended up with three bottles of shampoo instead of two.

Price Chopper: The only thing that really piqued my interest this week was the Scott toilet paper at 12 rolls for $5.99. That's not a bad price, but I had $.75 coupons and the flyer from Price Chopper had coupons for doubling any paper product coupon. Final price 12 rolls for $4.49. So, I bought 24 rolls. I have additional coupons, but I'm not sure I want to stockpile that much toilet paper. The food pantry can't take it because the rolls are not individually wrapped (one of the rules at the local food pantry). I'll have to decide before Saturday when the sale ends. We'll see.

CVS: This was hugely a YMMV kind of a trip. I planned to work the Johnson and Johnson deal with some smallish packages of Bandaids -- and I had a pile of coupons at the ready (realistically, I could have bandaided the entire US forces in Iraq with the bandaids from the coupons (hmmmm, that might have potential for the Charity Challenge....) But YMMV -- so only the funky super bandaids were working and the Neosporin. So I ended up with two tubes of Neosporin for just under $5.00 (paid in ECBs) and 5 ECBs back -- free Neosporin -- that's good. Then I hunted like mad (at two different CVS stores) for the toothpaste that is part of the glucose monitor deal. Not only couldn't I find it, but no one in either store had the first clue about it (I guess none of the other deal hunters in my area have tried this one yet eh???) I ended up with some Colgate that didn't work -- and a gift card for $5.00 because the shift supervisor at my favorite CVS was so terrific (Go Hollie!!) I couldn't find my Crest coupon in the mess I had made of my coupons by that point (I hate revising plans on the go). The Puffs tissues weren't the right ones (so the Grocery Game isn't foolproof then??)

Walgreens: the peanut butter deal worked flawlessly and I am the new owner of no fewer than 12 jars of peanut butter. The Kraft deal wasn't working at all (and they were out of Jello -- just bare shelves). But I did get the Hefty bags and some Jiffy Cornbread mix along with it). I also ended up with two AirWick oil warmers and two oil refills for free (didn't plan on them but I had the coupons handy and they aligned with the sale perfectly)

So, the next time I read YMMV, I'll smirk -- and then sigh --- such is life.

Body Shop: What a Deal!!


The Body Shop at the mall has a couple of deals going on right now --- and (as usual) combining them creates a super terrific deal.


Here's how it works:


Go here to get a coupon good for a free bottle of lotion (its the small, travel size, but its FREE!) You'll sign up to receive their email notifications of sales etc, and they'll email you a coupon good for the free lotion. Easy


Then go here to get a coupon good for a free pair of the "sweetest, softest socks on earth" (their words, not mine). This is a coupon that you can print out immediately. They're free with a $15.00 purchase.


Then go here and get a coupon good for $10 off of any in-store purchase of $10 or more.


Now, go to the mall and make a stop at the Body Shop. Pick out about $15 worth of yummy smelling slathery stuff for your body (or for a terrific gift basket for someone you love). Add the trial size lotion and the free socks. Give the clerk all of your coupons and a $5 bill --- WOW. All that stuff for a measly $5.


I'm liking the Body Shop better and better these days.


Thanks to Coupon Cravings for this hot tip.