Walgreens on Memorial Day

Becentsable.net was my source this week.  The retail price for what I purchased was 29.44.  I paid 4.99 which is a savings of 83%.  I received $7 in RR back which means in the end, Wags paid me $2.00 take home almost $25 worth of stuff.

Ecotrin aspirin low dose 81-mg 45-ct $2
Get $2 RR
Use $2 off from 5/16 RP insert
Final Price: FREE +

Cortaid Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Cream .5 oz $3
Get $3 mail in rebate (prints out at checkout)
Final Price: FREE

Nivea for Men body wash from $4.99 B1G1 free
Use $2 off from 4/25 RP insert
Final Price: FREE

CVS on Memorial Day

I got my deals from becentsable.com this week.  My retail was 14.49 and I paid 5.25 which is only a 64% savings.  I received $4 ECB making my final cost $1.25 which is a savings of 92%.

Ban Invisible Solid Deodorant $2.99
Get $2 ECB
Use $1 off from 4/18 SS insert
Final Price: FREE

Suave Shampoo, Conditioner, Styler, or Body Wash, 3/$6
Get $2 ECBs wyb 3 (limit 2)
$0.75/2 Suave Body Wash from 5/23 RP insert
$0.50/1 Suave for Men Hair Care product from 5/23 RP insert
Final Price: $0.92 each

When I got there, I scanned my card.  One of the coupons I got was for $1/2 Gold Emblem snacks.  Here's how I used that one.

Gold Emblem Candy on sale for $0.88 each
$1/2 coupon from scanner
Final Price: $0.38 for each bag

Price Chopper

Got these few deals from LittlePeopleWealth.com.  My retail was $10.26.  After sales and coupons, I paid $1.94 which is a savings of 81%.  I paid 0.19 for every $1 someone else paid.  I like it.

Hefty Plates
-$0.98 sale price
-$1/2 (5/16 RP)
=$0.96 for 2

KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce
-$0.99 sale price
-$1 (5/9 SS)
=FREE

Nestle Drumsticks
-$1.99 sale price
-$1 (5/2 SS)
=$0.99

Here's the catch--kind of...

Ok, so I've been using my new Walgreens rewards card, and I think I have found the one possible downer.  You earn points based on what you spend which means all those time you pay just pennies, well guess what, you earn 0 points.  I made two purchases that ended up being under $1 each time and earned no points for them because the minimum is 10 point for $1 retail (without tax).

On the other hand, there are seem to be products each week that previously would have been a Register Reward item that now earn you points.  Since the Kansas City area is one of the test markets, there were times last week that others earned some RR which we didn't, but we could earn 300 points or so.  Seeing that made me wonder a few things. 

First, is Wags going to fade out RR for points?  Second, I second guessed purchasing the item because points didn't seem like enough incentive when compared to earning "free money" so to speak.  Finally, I wondered about the benefit of earning points when it takes 2000 points to earn a $5 Wags card.  So, here was an item that others were earning $2 in RR while I would only be earning 300 points which isn't even $1 worth of points (2000/$5=400). 

Does that make sense?

So, my vote is still out on this new rewards program. 

Mommysnacks Posted Wags IVC

Mommysnacks.net has posted the coupons matches for the June Instant Value Coupon Booklet for Walgreens.  Visit her post here. 

A new site

I found out about a new site on a yahoo group I'm in.  It's Wisebread.com.  It has a list of freebies & deals under the link for Best Deals.  Other links include many articles.  Then there is also a link for forums.  Definitely worth a peek.

Free sample of Kraft Sandwich Shoppe Mayo

Read on bargainbrianna.com about these free sample of Kraft Sandwich Shoppe Mayo.  They sound yummy and thought you might enjoy them as well.  Just go to this Youtube site and request one!

Not fun trying to find something this week.

I'm just struggling trying to find something this week.  Oh, I mean there are deals, just not ones I'm willing to take up on.  I'm putting both CVS and Wags on this same post.

I used Becentsable.net for my CVS list.  Retail was 27.25.  I paid $0.97 which is a savings of 96%.  I didn't get any ECBs this time since the body wash was out of stock, but I still have $3 in ECB left from last week.

Gillette or Old Spice Body Wash $4.00 (Limit 2)
Get $4 ECB
Use B1G1 Free from 5/02 P&G insert
or B1G1 Free from 4/18 RP insert
Final Price: 2 Free
These items were out of stock but I got rain checks for them.

Select Kellogg's Cereal $1.66 (Limit 3)
(04/11 RP) save $1.00/2 or $1.00/3
Final Price, $1.16 or $1.33 each
 
Arm  & Hammer 2-in-1 dryer sheets or laundry detergent B1G1 Free
(04/11 SS) save $1.00/1 Laundry Detergent (use 2)
Final Price: $2.50 each laundry detergent


For Walgreens, I used becentsable.net and mommysnacks.net.  My retail was 8.99.  I paid 4.99 which is only a savings of 54%, but I earned $8 in RR meaning my final was a profit of $3.

Goody Ouchless barrette or flex tip headband $2.99
Get $2.99 RR
Final Price: FREE


$7.99 Complete Multi-Purpose Solution:
Get $8 RR
Final Price: FREE

Iron Man Muscle Rub or Spray $5.99
Get $5 RR
Final Price: $.99 
Out of stock.  Might try for this one later.

Price Chopper this week

Pennypinchinmom.com was my source for most of my deals.  My retail was $49.93.  I paid $18.52 which was a savings of  63%. 

THREE DAY SALE ENDS TODAY (SATURDAY)
Skippy Peanut Butter, $0.98
Use $0.60/2 printable coupon
Final Price: 2/$1.36 or $0.68 each 
 
Bar-S Jumbo Hot Dogs, $0.78
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 5/16 RP insert
Final Price: 2/$0.56 or $0.28 each


Michelina’s or Budget Gourmet Frozen Entrees, $0.68
Use $1.00/5 Michelina’s coupon from 5/9 SS insert
Final Price: 5/$2.40 or $0.48 each

Farmland Smoked Sausage, 2/$5.00 or $2.50 each
Use $1.00/2 coupons from 3/14 SS or 5/9 SS inserts
Final Price: 2/$4.00 or $2.00 each
Farmland Breakfast Sausage, $1.79
Use $1.00/2 coupons from 3/14 SS or 5/9 SS inserts
Final Price: 2/$2.58 or $1.29 each

Wish-Bone Salad Dressings, $0.99
Use $0.50/1 printable coupon (will come to your emal)
Final Price: $0.49 each
Purchase 2 and get free 12 oz. Dole Iceberg Lettuce
Use $1/1 coupon from a blinkie (This part was MINE!)
Final Price: Salad and 2 salad dressings FREE

Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats, 2/$5.00 or $2.50 each
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 4/11 RP
Final Price: As low as 2/$4 or $2.00 each

Free Crown Money Map

Wow!  What could be better than something free that helps you with your finances!?!  Ok, I'm sure there are a few things, but HERE is a link to Crown Financial Services Free Money Map.  Found out about this from mommysnacks.net. 

Price Chopper...very late

Obviously, it's much to late for you to get these deals, but some of them were coupons I had gotten from other sources, anyway!

My retail was $11.11.  After coupons and sales, I paid $1.55 which is a savings of 86%. 

Here's what a got:
McCormick Grill Mates Marinade--0.79 with .50/1 = 0.29
McCormick Grill Mates Seasonings --1.50 with $1/1 = 0.50
Oscar Meyer Lunchable--$2.00 with a $1/1 coupon = $1
Gadorade 32oz--$1.25 w coupon = FREE (coupon from Chopper Kid's Club)
Kraft cheese 100 snack bites--$2.69 w/ coupon = FREE
Kraft Mac & Cheese --$1.25 w/ coupon = FREE

Wags

I was sad at Walgreens this week, because they were already out of so many things.  I'll try again later this week at another location.

I only managed to get two deals.  One for Mike and one to donate to CUM.

Stride Gum, 2/$2 or $1.00 each

Use B1G1 Stride Shift Gum from 5/16 SS insert
PLUS
Use $1/2 Walgreens May coupon
Final Price: FREE

Dulcolax, $6.99

Use $4/1 Dulcolax Balance printable coupon
Use $4 off from 5/16 SS insert
Register Reward: $2.00
Final Price: $0.99 after coupon and RR

My retail total was $10.30.  After sales, coupons, and RR, I paid 0.32 which makes a 97% savings.

CVS

Got my deals from bargainbriana.com, becentsable.net,  pennypinchinmom.com and ME!  Days like this make me glad I went back to CVS.  My retail was $42.92 and I paid $0.10 which is a savings of 99 1/2 %.  Then I earned $7 in ECB!


Herbal Essence or Aussie Shampoo or Conditioner, or Styler - $2.99
Earn $2 Extra Bucks (Limit 2)
$2/2 Aussie Products 5/16/2010 RP Insert (exp 6/30/2010)
Final Price after Extra Bucks: FREE
 
Blade 5 Razor System – $6.99
Earn $6.99 Extra Bucks (limit 1)
Final Price after Extra Bucks: FREE  These were unavailable, so I'll try and pick these up later this week.


Kashi Heart to Heart Cereal  2/$5
$1.50/1 coupons from being a member of vocalpoint.com
Final Price: $1.00 each


Dial Bar Soap 3 pack, $1.88
Use $0.35/1 coupon from 3/7 RP inserts
ECB Earned: $1.00
Final Price: Like paying $0.53 after coupon and ECB


Colgate Pro Clinical Toothpaste, $3.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 5/16 SS insert
ECB Earned: $2.00
Final Price: Like paying $0.99 after coupon and ECB


Dawn Dish Liquid (10 oz), 12/$10.00 or $0.83 each
Use $0.25/1 coupon from 5/2 PG insert
Final Price: $0.50

Wags on Wednesday

I got my deals from bargainbriana.com, becentsable.net.  My retail total was $45.97.  I paid 7.39 which was a savings of 84%.  I received $3 RR making my total 4.39 which ends up being a savings of 99%.


Soft Scrub 24-oz $4.29-buy one get one free
Buy one get one free printable HERE*
*must sign up, click confirmation email and then select MEMBER EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
Final Price: 2 bottles of Soft Scrub for FREE


Skippy Peanut Butter 2 for $3 (with insert coupon)
Use with $.60/2 HERE
Final Price: $1.20


Found this one on my own.
Accu Check Aviva or Compact Plus Blood Glucose Monitor $9.99
-$9.99 rebate in box
$5/1 from 3/28 SS
Final Price: FREE +$5 profit


The two things below weren't available, but I want to go back to get them.
EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream (7oz) – $2.99
Earn $2.99 Register Rewards
Final Price after Register Rewards: FREE


Schick Hydro 3 or 5 Blade Razor System - $7.99
Earn $5 Register Rewards
$5/1 Schick Hydro Razor 5/9/2010 SS Insert (exp 6/12/2010)
Final Price after Register Rewards: FREE + $2 overage

CVS, yes, I broke down and went to CVS again

Just really wanted to get more free things.  Of course, starting from scratch so I had no ECBs to use.
Got my deals from mommysnacks.net with the help of wickedcooldeals.com, and  bargainbriana.com.


My retail was $32.01.  I paid 13.47 OOP which is a savings of 58%.  I received 15.99 in ECBs which ended up as $2.52 profit.


U by Kotex, $4.99
Get $4.99 ECB (limit 1)
$1/1 from snail mail
FREE +


Right Guard Sport, Total Defense or Dry Idea, $2.49
Get $2 ECBs (limit 2)
$3/2 Printable Coupons
FREE with overage after coupon and ECBs


Crest Pro Health Toothpaste or Rinse, $3.50
Get $3.50 ECBs (limit 2)
$0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste coupon from 5/2 P&G insert
$0.75/1 Crest Rinse coupon fro 5/2 P&G insert
FREE with overage after coupon and ECBs


Bayer Low Dose (32 ct.), $1
$1/1 Bayer Aspirin coupon from 3/21 SS insert
FREE after coupon


Kraft Macaroni & Cheese $1
One Free box coupon from snail mail
FREE after coupon.


CVS brand bandaids.  $1/1
I scanned my card when I got in getting a coupon for $1/2 CVS brand first aid products.
$0.50 each

Feeding a Family for $300 a month?

By Tawra Kellam http://www.livingonadime.com/

I do something that most people think they can't do today. I feed my family of 5 for $300 a month. Most people say that's an impossible feat, but what boggles minds even more is that I do it without using coupons.

How do I do it? First, I use what I have. If I don't have milk in the house, I don't make a special trip to the store for it. The kids won't die from malnutrition if they miss drinking milk for a day or two. If I'm out of bread, I'll make some cornbread or muffins. If I'm out of fresh veggies, I will use canned or frozen instead. Stop going to the store for one or two things. I shop for food 2-3 times a month and that's it. You'd be amazed how much this saves on the cost of gas.

Shopping the clearance sections, I regularly find milk on clearance for $1.20 a gallon. My store marks the milk down a few days before the "sell by" date. The great part is that milk stays fresh for 1 week after it's opened. I generally only buy the milk when it's marked down and I buy enough to last until the next time I find a great deal on it. I throw several in the freezer and then I don't have to make a special trip for milk (or pay the premium price). Just thaw, shake and serve.

Purchase meat only on sale or on clearance. Again, butchers mark down their meat a day or two before the "sell by" date. Generally, meat is good for 3-4 days after the "sell by" date in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer.

I never buy meat unless it's on sale for $2.39 or less a pound. If it's not on sale, we don't eat it. (Even so, we never have a shortage of meat in our house.) You can get some great unadvertised deals just by watching the meat counter's clearance items. I found 5 lb. rolls of hamburger for $2.95 each just the other day. Of course, I stocked up and will have enough hamburger to last the next 6 months.

I can get "soup bones" with enough meat on them to make a great vegetable stew for under $2.00 for the entire family! Add some rolls and you have a complete meal for 5 for less than $3.00. When chicken is on sale for $1.66 per pound, I stock up. I do this with all my meats. This way we can always have a variety of meats."

Another important tip: Ask. Most people are intimidated by asking, but I regularly ask when things will go on sale or be marked down. By asking, I've found out that bananas, milk and meat are marked down each morning. I try to shop in the mornings to get the best deals. When we lived in Texas, the stores marked things down in the evening, so we made it a point to go shopping in the evening. Adjust your shopping times to find the best deals.


Serve your family proper portions of food. Most parents give their kids way too much milk, juice and soda. My kids get soda on special occasions only. They eat milk with their cereal. For snacks, they eat a piece of string cheese, fruit or one or two cookies. The kids don't sip on milk or juice all day long. They drink water and are just fine with it.

As a general rule, I try to give them one vegetable and one fruit for lunch and dinner and then a piece of fruit with cookies or cheese as a snack. This way, they get their "five a day" in very easily. Stop letting kids just "graze" on chips and other snack food all day. My kids get one small "bowl" of chips (1/2 cup to 1 cup depending on the size of the chips) a day and that's it.

So what do we eat? Here are some of our menus:

Slow cooked roast, brown gravy, onions, carrots, potatoes, buttermilk muffins and a fruit plate
(The next day, the leftovers from the roast are used as barbecue beef along with potato salad, green beans and strawberries or grapes.)

Pizza (homemade), tossed salad and fruit

Maple glazed chicken, scalloped potatoes, glazed carrots, applesauce and dinner rolls

Sloppy Joes, cucumbers and tomatoes

Tacos, refried beans, green beans, sliced apples and tortilla chips w/ honey


With savvy shopping, you to can cut your grocery bill even when prices are going up!

Bic Coupon

Here's a coupon for $1/1 Bic Product.  Thanks to becentsable.net for sharing it!

Walgreens Rewards

It looks like the greater Kansas City, MO is one of the test market areas for Walgreens new Rewards Card.  Yippee!!

If you live in the KC area (or Portland, OR or Richmond, VA), you can sign up in the store or at www.WalgreensRewards.com. 

It looks like there are a lot of different ways to earn:
Spend $1 earn 10 points
Fill 1 prescription earn 100 points
Earn extra points with items with a bonus icon
Double or Triple points with marked icon

And three basic rewards to choose:
Rewards Certificates you can spend at Walgreens
Gift cards and certificates
Items from a rewards catalog

I was reading over at Coupons Deals and More that it's not only new to customers but also many of the stores are not familiar with it either, so let's all be patient with each other!  :-)

Summer Reading Programs

It's time to start gearing up for summer reading programs. 

You can read about a few different ways to spend time this summer and score some free books and more.  Just got to my other blog posting at Summer Reading Program .

Special Walgreens run

Thankfully, I missed out on the 8 x 10 for $f0.99 on Wednesday, so I was more than abble to get the FREE one! 

Also, I forgot that I had received some coupons from Vocalpoint.com Puffs including one coupon for $1/1 and 2 for $0.50/1.

So, went to Walgreens, picked up my print and took my coupons and matched them with the puffs coupons they had which was for $0.99 each.  My retail total $8.16 and I paid $0.97.  That's a savings of 88%.  I could have gotten for free if I had wanted to break out my RR but instead just paid cashj.

Got my first points finally

Got most of my deals from Penny Pinchin Mom this week, but so busy trying to finish first grade, I don't really have time to share all the items I got.

I remember for sure the Peter Pan Peanut Butter which was on sale for 1.99.  I had a coupon for $1/2 which made the final price 1.49@ plus now I have all I need to send in for my ConAgra Rebate coupon book!

I also like the fact that milk was on sale for $0.50 off and then I paired it with a $0.50 coupon for Roberts milk and that means I just got my milk for only $2.09. 

I'm on my way with the new reward's card.  I earned 27 (woohoo), but need 500 to even earn some from groceries.  This round of points goes until June 22nd.

I did about my usual at Price Choppers.  My retail was $31.22.  My OOP was $11.29 which means I saved 64%.  

Oh, that pesky Walgreens

Sure, I posted and promoted the $0.99 the coupon and now, I find out from The Grocery Weekly that they are now offering a free 8 x 10 collage print until May 8th.  All you have to do is enter the coupon code GOODTHOUGHTS.  An even better deal in case you missed out yesterday or even wanted more!

When it says Libbys Libbys Libbys on the label label label....

If you know that song, you're probably at least as old as I am!  Anyway, here's another Facebook thing.  Become a fan of Libbys here and you were get a coupon for a free can of vegetables.

Walgreens 5/2

Got my deals from bargainbriana.com this time.  My retail was $37.32 but I paid $6.41 which is a savings of 83%.  I received $7 back in RR so, badabing badaboom, I basically broke even this time.

Kellogg’s Cereal, Pop Tarts, Fiber Plus Bars - $2.50
Earn $2 Register Rewards wyb 2
$1.50/2 Kellogg’s Cereals 3/28/2010 RP Insert (exp 5/9/2010)
Final Price: $0.75 each

u by Kotex - 2/$7
Earn $3 Register Rewards
$1/1 U by Kotex Pads 4/18/2010 SS Insert (exp 5/30/2010)
$1/1 U by Kotex Tampons or Liners 4/18/2010 SS Insert (exp 5/30/2010)
Final Price after Register Rewards: $1/each

Mentos Gum - $1
$0.55/1 Mentos Sugar Free Gum 2/21/2010 SS Insert (exp 5/31/2010)
Final Price: $0.45

Skinny Cow Frozen, Edy’s Fruit Bars, or Edy’s Ice Cream - $2.99
Free/1 for phoning a comment into the company
Final Price 1 for FREE

A Walgreens Mother's Day gift--WED. MAY 5

In case you didn't notice, Walgreens is offering an 8 x 10 enlargement or and 8 x 10 collage print for only $0.99 on Wednesday, May 5.  You'll need the coupon.  I'm probably going to do this a save if for Christmas for a grandma since I'm scoring the photo magnet from CVS for Mother's Day.   Remember the article about stockpiling gifts!!

Oh, here's another thought.  If your child is in school and you've taken pictures of different field trips and activities, make a collage of them and give it to the teacher for an end-of-the-year thank you gift!  Get a cheap frame for the student to decorate, put in the collage and you've got a great gift!

I really like the collage prints beyond gifts as well, because you can basically use a collage print as one scrapbook page.

Michaels Deal

Don't usuallly go to Michael's since we don't have one right here in Independence and because I prefer Hobby Lobby, but I read some where they would be having a free beading activity this afternoon.  I've been wanting to learn how to make jewelry, so DD and I went.  It was a really cool activity and I did learn some basics plus received a few little kits free to make at home.

That was cool but not my major deal.

When I walked in, they had large bags filled with left over easter and other misc. stuff marked for only $2!  I was so focused on the jewelry thing that by the time I got back there there was only 1 left and I grabbed it.  I figured no matter what was in this bag that weighed a good 7 lbs, I could definitely get my $2 out of it and I did/will!   I scored some small gift items suitable for my gift stockpile, a few small gifts for stocking stuffers or such, and some invitations, plates and napkins with a cupcake theme.  I then sold my dd the idea that she was going to have a "cool"  cupcake theme for her birthday!  So, some gifts and a few party supplies for a birthday, I'd say yup, I got my $2 worth!

So once again, open your eyes and you can get a surprise!

$2/1 Oscar Meyer Coupon

All the companies that are making you become their fan on Facebook in order to get a coupon are irritating to me.  Would you like an Oscar Meyer coupon without jumping through hoops?  Here ya' go: $2/1 Oscar Meyer Lunch Meats.  I think it's only going to up for a couple of days, so hurry!